BGordon

Like the title says,
Which Accessory setup's will work on a Miata?

For specifics, I am looking at installing an LS engine into my 2000 Miata.
My original intent was to look around for a wrecked 1999 to 2002 Z28 or TransAm as being the best bet to use the engine and transmission and small stuff with the least amount of fitment problems.

After reading over a whole bunch of the build threads I am just plain confused as to which accessory system will work with the least modification.
For me, the problem is that there a whole bunch available. The most common would be from a pickup or large SUV but my understanding is they put the belt drive and all the things being driven by the belt too far away from the motor, causing clearance issues for the radiator fans.
Some of the other systems seem like they cause clearance issues with either the hood or put the alternator or air conditioning compressor in a bad spot.

Please educate me.

pj_mcgarvey

The one with the least amount of work is the one that the engine came with, if it will fit into your car. The main issue with a truck or Fbody engine (maybe others) is the space it eats up at the front of the engine, which on a Miata is important space for radiator and hoses.

You can buy the whole CTS-V accessory kit which is pricey, or piece something similar together yourself, as that is slimmer.

I decided to go with a Corvette LS1 water pump which saves an inch or so and was something I was going to upgrade an the older motor anyway. Then a Corvette crank balancer which saves another inch or so there. But this will require you relocate the alternator for which there are adapter kits to move that back. You can use the cts-v style power steering pump, remove PS and just get a dummy pulley, or use the Fbody pump which will require a custom mount (what i did). I probably wouldn't recommend that as it was some work, and hasnt been proven (to me) yet. But some time and welding will make it work vs. a new pump.

It's some effort to save an inch, but it's what most seem to do, as the space is somewhat precious and not easy to regain. I wouldn't want any rad hoses too close for comfort to my accessories anyway.

My build thread will have more details on alot of this stuff, links to the parts, pictures, etc.

BGordon

Your build thread was one that I have been following.
Thanks for the information.
As best I remember, the factory Corvette alternator location is high on the engine.
The entire issue is confusing for me because I have not seen anything (other than the CTS-V kit) that appears to work without modification with the FlyinMiata front subframe.
Since I am figuring on using everything possible from a donor TransAm or Z28, I don't want to get to the point of installation an then find out that I need to spend another $1000 when I was expecting to use those particular items as part of the salvage car repurpose.

Have you seen any threads where somebody actually utilized the serpentine setup from a pickup? I know it is closer to the radiator but is it close enough to be unusable?
If it is usable for distance are the actual alternator & AC compressor locations usable?

pj_mcgarvey

My guess is you could cheat a bit by moving the engine back on the engine mounts (not entirely sure how much) then move your rad as far forward and then just hope you have space. The rad fans are another factor, some are slimmer than others. You may also be able to use a "pusher" fan that sits in front of the rad. I believe the pickup accessories are another inch farther out than the Fbody.

I've seen people work with very little space, but that doesn't work for my sensibilities.

A google image search of different search terms might turn up something useful.

acedeuce802

Truck accessories would definitely be too far forward, I wouldn't even try that. F body could probably work, but would possibly need a slim fan (good quality to not sacrifice air flow) and sway bar relocation. Flyin' Miata claims that even with their V8 sway bar (it has a bump forward for accessory clearance) it's still very tight with F body accessories.

Also consider that the backside of a radiator is just as important as the front. A lot of people put so much work getting stuff out of the way of the radiator and ducting air into it, and forget that if components are close to the rear of the radiator it's reducing it's efficiency. How many accessories are you using? You mentioned AC, are you going to be using power steering as well?

I bought a CTS-V harmonic balancer, milled down my F Body tensioner, bought a CTS-V water pump, and made an alternator bracket that placed it in the same location as the F body, just more rearward. I'm not running any other accessories.

BGordon

Acedeuce, your thread is also one I have been following.
I did see your solution to this point and I am hoping (probably futile) to make use of an unmodified F-body setup. Your build appears to be in the trial fit stage so I am guessing you will still have a few fitment issues to work thru before it is 100% done and on the street.
For my build, if I must go with a CTS-V accessory drive to get a good clean install with off the shelf components I want to know so I can budget that into the equation. It makes the F-body less cost effective.
After adding all the various pieces I can (and cannot) make use of, the donor car option is less helpful that I was originally hoping for, particularly when the concern of having to rebuild components is added into the equation.

flipt86

I don't have a build thread here, but I am installing the motor and everything for the final time and I can tell you what I have bought and still need to buy at this point as far as the accessory setup.

Corvette LS3 Take Off water pump from Ebay. This was a new water pump from a crate motor that I scored for ~ $60. The seller threw in the tensioners for $40.

ATI CTS-V Super Damper ~ $400. You could just go for the stock CTS-V Balancer however.

140 Amp Alternator from a Yukon ~ $65 from the pick and pull.

ICT Billet F-Body Alternator bracket ~$75 This alt bracket lets you space the alternator further back with no machine work. You just need the appropriate length spacers and bolts.

I plan on buying the CTS-V Power steering pump and bracket from the local dealer. They price match for me.

This let me get the closest Corvette/CTS-V spacing while spending a little at a time, with in my opinion superior parts than the stock GM CTS-V components.

I know this leaves out the AC compressor and bracket, but that runs off of a separate belt, and I plan on doing this after I get the car on the road. It isn't necessary at this point in time.

I just got my supermiata crossflow radiator from 949 racing. Made by CSF and it's a thing of beauty for $350. I don't have any doubts that it will be able to keep up with my demands on it.

It uses the stock fans that I will wire into the GM ECM/Fuse box. This all fit with room to spare while using the Flyin' Miata V8 Sway Bar and relocating the AC condenser to the front of it's factory mounts.

Just throwing out options and ideas for you.
Nook and Tranny: LSX (GEN III SMALL BLOCK)

https://www.nookandtranny.com/Info_L...ontDriveConfig

This website might help you a lot with components and spacing.

God Bless,
Good Luck!

BGordon

A bunch of good useful information on the Nook & Tranny website.
After seeing pictures side by side it is easy to see where the truck stuff is just nor a workable solution.
They don't give any actual dimensions on the front drive configurations but if the CTS-V configuration actually works without the need to modify parts, that is what I should probably figure on going with. It is just not worth the headache to have to figure out what is modified from a factory setup if something breaks a few years down the road.

sbwrench

The cleanest way, not cheapest, is the CTSV drive kit. GM part number 19155066. That's the kit with a/c. They sell it w/o. Should be right at $800. It doesn't come with the water pump (GM 89018652) $250. Or harmonic damper (GM 12560115) $100 or damper bolt (GM 12557840) $7.

The upside is it's all new stuff, it fits, it comes with a warranty and is easy to source replacement parts if you ever need them.

pj_mcgarvey

I will add that I tried to use the Fbody power steering pump with the closer accessory setup and it could have worked to get me down the road, but that pump doesn't really give you the space to make a decent and strong bracket.

I recently decided to give up on the FBody PS pump and send it back to Turn One steering and ordered the CTS-V pump. If you are going to track the car, that would be the way to go.

Flavaquero

I managed to get the CTS-V kit used but never used for $600 including shipping on ebay. The only thing missing was the reservoir. It goes on smoothly without issues.

SupaDupaSteve

On my set up I'm using a Corvette water pump, Corvette balancer, Corvette belt tensioner and a CBM alternator bracket that puts the fbody alternator in the f body location but lines in up with the Corvette balancer and such. Great easy setup if you're not running PS.

BGordon

Thanks, I ended up pushing the easy button and going this route. Ordered the stuff thru the online store GMPartsDirect and it was less expensive than other places such as Summit Racing or Jegs or thru Flyin Miata.

pj_mcgarvey

Been trying or a week to get them to respond to email or answer the phone about an item I need to return. Let's hope you have better luck.

sbwrench

My local GM dealer will match or beat the internet. They figure a small percentage sale is better then none at all. Might check with them.