Meierznutz

Hello all. My name is Chris and I'm addicted to small cars with big engines.

I started my swap by purchasing the car 6 years ago. At the time I planned on putting the 302 I had on the stand into her, but as I saved money for the swap and got close to ordering the kit, the LS kits started to come around. I was going to barrow the LS-1 my nephew had in his S-10 and I sold the 5.0 Then he decided to get married so he wanted to finish his truck so he needed the LS.
I drove the car trying to pop the engine but it just ran so good. Finally on 11-6-08 I pulled the drivetrain and ordered the Boss Frog kit.
That winter I swapped the subframe and got to work on the rear end. The BF mount wouldn't work with my rear (no fault of theirs, I was trying to fit 10# of Cobra 8.8 in a 3# mount) so I cut up the lower plate and made it work. Ric at BF was impressed enough that he asked to see the parts. Then he sent me back my mount and one that was welded professionally. Now they have a Cobra kit.
Since then I have installed the engine/trans/rear, added Frog Arms/Frog Ribs and swapped in the Wilwood brakes. I have the rad installed and made a set of brackets to install the Miata P/S pump, idler pulley/ and Alt all out of 1/2" 6061 Aluminum. This way I keep the Miata P/S system in tact.
All that is left is to run fuel lines and install the Painless harness before taking "Nadine" to the muffler shop for an exhaust. With the right ammount of snow this year the car should be tearing off tires by Memorial Day.

rick

Hi Meierznutz, enjoy your stay :)

Meierznutz

I'll try to post up a few pics, if they aren't oversized.

fun02se

Welcome, and have fun!

Meierznutz

Thanks guys. The pics arent that good but they show where I was going with the accy mounts. That isn't the final placement of the Alt but close. IWith the set up I am now running I have a lot of wrap around the crank pulley for less slip. The alt is not adjustable and the stock tensioner is mounted off the water pump. Makes a long belt but again each pulley sees more belt time. The rear groove on the harmonic balancer has a groove the same size as the Miata pump, so a second belt runs that. The mount has slots to adjust the tension there. There is no flex in the mounts at all so I am not worried about the belts coming off. I will have to run the intake to the passenger side of the engine bay but without the winshield washer bottle I should be able to make a large air box there. The Simpson design hood will make cool fresh air accessible.
A lot of people have helped with this car. From club members coming to my rescue with things like spare PS pumps, another that donated (yes DONATED) the Simpson hood after he bent up his car, and use of my nephew's lift and my best friend's garage. My deal is is you are a big help to the project you get to take her for a week. (Tires/tickets/dents are all YOUR responsibility)
I can't wait to get her done and now that silly season is over I can get back to work on her again. Snow pays for my toys so I am just praying for what my wife has been getting for 25 years.... 3" twice a week, need it or not!

Meierznutz

Some pics of the rear end going together:

Meierznutz

These aren't in order but you can see how the external ribs on the Cobra diff were giving me fits! I didn't want to shave the outside of the diff and loose the strength the ribs are there to provide. I added the X and rear arch (to match the existing front arch) in order to add beef from under the mount before I made any mods to the top. Then went to town with the torch, sawzall, grinder and other impliments of destruction before welding back the pieces I had cut off. I have some pics of the Cobra mounted in the car but I have to resize them to post. Look for them soon.

tomjjlcu

That is not the ultimate positioning from the Alt but close. IWith the setup I'm now running I've got a large amount of cover the crank lever at a lower price slip. The alt isn't adjustable and also the stock tensioner is mounted from the water pump. Constitutes a lengthy belt however each lever sees more belt time. The trunk groove around the harmonic balancer includes a groove exactly the same size because the Miata pump, so another belt runs that. The mount has slots to regulate the strain there. There's no flex within the mounts whatsoever so I'm not concerned about the devices coming off. I will need to run the intake towards the passenger side from the engine bay but with no winshield washer bottle I ought to have the ability to create a large air box there. The Simpson design hood can make awesome outdoors accessible.

Meierznutz

Thanks. I haven't updated in a bit but the driveshaft is in, the Wilwood's bled, and the rad mounted. I started the wiring Sunday and everything but the altinator is connected. Painless has a seperate harness for that and you have to splice it tio the factory connector with a resistor. I had an old miata harness here so I lengthened the Alt wires with that. Keeps the same colors and gauge wire for easy ID.
The car goes for its exhaust on Wednesday and then it is time for the first fire of the engine. Wish me well!

Meierznutz

What a difference a month makes.... the car has been wired and fired, I got my first written warning from the local Police (He wanted to see where all the sweat noise was from) and I have upgraded the suspension. The car has run through 3 tanks of fuel and the only casualty has been the old harmonic balancer seperating. I had a new one ready to install and it only took a little while to do so no biggie there. Car runs cool with stock fans and the exhaust is a quiet rumble until I uncork it. My sons says that there a black marks on the road that follow us everywhere we go....fun car! Time for paint and tires!

Meierznutz

Two months and unknown miles under the wheels.... Racing Beat hollow front sway installed with adjustable endlinks. I may unhook the rear as the tail gets happy easily. I enjoy the Tokico Illumina's with the Mazdaspeed springs a lot, very smooth ride at nearly stock height.
Now I have to part out a 96 and get ready for paint and bodywork on my baby!

Meierznutz

WOW... does this need an update!
The car was set to go to Macco for a quick spray and pray job. I ran into a friend at a funeral and he asked about the car. WHen he heard I was sending it to a hack shop (no offense but if there are flaws they spray over them) he insisted that I bring the car to his house. Eight days later I had a very nice two tone paint job and only had to pay for materials.
Then the fun began..... see the thread titled "Fireball RUn" for details!