engineer

Hi All,


I am embarking on a 20 year old dream to have a street registered v8 MX5/Miata in Australia. I have been on this site as an observer for a long time...but as Australian registration regulations have historically been so strict I have not been able to do realise this project. But things have recently changed and I have been able to work through all of the engineering issues and now I can get registration. So my dream project has begun in earnest..


I look forward to exchanging information with all of you and also in getting my build thread started..


Cheers
John

ToySnakePMC

Welcome aboard John. We're glad you are here, and we look forward to the details of your planned V8M conversion, as well as, your eventual build thread!! Thanks, Pat

charchri4

Outstanding we can finally see it done the right way! I have seriously looked more than once at converting my car to right hand drive and owning a RHD is still solidly on the bucket list! This is going to be great! Oh wait... you are going to do a RHD car right?

Anyway glad you are here and looking forward to getting to know you. Welcome!

engineer

Hey Jim,


Thanks for the warm welcome. I have read so many of your posts bud...I have learned much about this conversion from you...


I will definitely be doing an RHD...we drive on the "right" side of the car here for sure...hahaha


I am crazy keen to get this thing started...but I am still learning the finer things on the conversion..the stuff not in the manuals....that's in these threads..


So much good info on these forums...I have learned so much...I look forward to contributing much myself in the near future..


Cheers

engineer

Thanks for the warm welcome Pat...I look forward to sharing my experiences with everyone...


cheers

charchri4

For sure I could never have build my car without this forum and feel the same way about giving something back. So many great builds here and I always enjoy the different approaches guys take at it. And no question the best community of guys anywhere!

Wow a RHD Martin kit fantastic! There was a full right hand drive dash and firewall for sale on craigs list for 1200 bucks not too long ago.... humm

stng_96

Welcome to the madness, just out of curiousity, how will you get the car over to have a meet with us?

charchri4

As epic as it would be to see his car if he can just get to Houston he could help Gunpilot get his cars there!

engineer

Well it may not be such a crazy idea


It is about 4000 USD to get the car there and back...hmmm maybe if Martin sponsors some, I start saving from now and you guys help by selling some cookies to raise some funds at your next few meets...it could work..LOL


Seriously though..that would be great...I would love to drive my car in the states and visit the MM workshop and cruise with you guys...who knows...maybe one day

Civeng

[Hi Engineer
i live in Melbourne and have been contemplating a V8 swap for some years. Do you live in Victoria?
I have looked at VicRoads website to try and understand the legislative and certification process but there is not much there. Obviously you have a good understanding of the process in the area where you live.
Would it be possible to obtain the detailed steps or could you point me in the right direction and the people to talk to.
I must admit some of the procedures look daunting (FE analysis for one!) but I guess it is methodically one step at a time.
Look forward to your response, thanks
Civeng]


I am embarking on a 20 year old dream to have a street registered v8 MX5/Miata in Australia. I have been on this site as an observer for a long time...but as Australian registration regulations have historically been so strict I have not been able to do realise this project. But things have recently changed and I have been able to work through all of the engineering issues and now I can get registration. So my dream project has begun in earnest..


I look forward to exchanging information with all of you and also in getting my build thread started..


Cheers
John[/QUOTE]

engineer

Hi,

thanks for reaching out and saying hi. I am based in nsw and the modified vehicle registration laws are different from Vic. So i am unsure as to what is or is not allowed.
However I would strongly encourage you to do the following:

1. Call a few certifying engineers that are registered to authorize modified cars for VicRoads.
2. Explain to them what you want to do and how you are going to do it.
3. Listen to the responses and discuss with them what issues or challenges they have with your plans.
4. The only v8 MX5 cars that i am aware of in Victoria were cars built by John pitt. They were built as ISV cars...so not really modified MX5 .

Ultimately it is the engineer who has the official say as to whether you can get registration.

do not undertake any build until the engineer you ate working with gives you s green light to proceed.

This process took me 14 months, cost thousands and there were extra things that needed to happen along the way that we uncovered.

so make sure you find the right engineer...most of them i spoke with would not have a bar of what i was proposing 😊👍 I eventually found an engineer that listened and once i had created a report for him detailing what I was going to do and how. He was ok to let me build it.

Call the engineers first...and then see what they say.😁😎👍

Civeng

Hi Engineer
Thanks for your quick and detailed response.
I will follow your advice to the letter.
I used to work in country Victoria and a former work colleague was building an 8-wheel drive desert crossing vehicle under the guidance of a VicRoads’ approved Engineer; so this also could be a start point.
Our US counterparts don’t appreciate how lucky they are not living in a ‘nanny state’. Building the car is probably the easiest part.
The journey begins!!

Richardracer

Hi guys,

I am in the UK and also interested in a RHD Miata V8.

My question on feasibility is will the steering column clear the large starter motor on the RHS of the engine?

Regards

Richardracer

engineer

Hi,

the steering clearance is very tight but doable. You will need a mini starter and also a completely custom header setup to clear everything. On the US cars, they have the luxury of lhd which provides more room to move.

cheers

ralaia

Hi John
How has your project progressed? I'm thinking of the same thing here in SA. Unfortunately our laws are the worst in the country but you're right as long as an engineer signs off I should be okay.
I'm keen to hear if you're running on the road yet.
Cheers
Rob

engineer

Hi Rob,
Thanks for reaching out. Yes my project was completed in 2018. My car has been registered since then and I have clocked 55k KMs on the conversion. Before even attempting a thing, contact some SA roads authority approved engineers. You need to see if they will even entertain the idea. Most won't, I went through about 10...

It's not that it's not legally possible, it's just that they are comfortable to sign it off. I am unsure of the intracacies of SA rego laws so unsure what the hang ups will be. Call an engineer first and have the conversation. Also read all the vsb article s so you are across the actual laws as written. It will help you a lot 😉

Good luck
Cheers
John

mrmustang

What a shock to see this thread brought back from the dead

Sharonarisy

Hola all. My circle is delighted to have found the like minds here. I’ve been web crawling for this info all my life and I will be imploring my cohorts to hop by. The other afternoon I was skipping through the most relevant threads trying to find the right solution to my persistant questions. Now I am hoping to take it to the next level in whatever way I can. We are getting all worked out on the smart ideas we are observing. Moreover, I just hoped to thank you while I could for such uplifting information. This has shifted me out of my comfort zone. Many beautiful knowings are sprouting in my world. Its really a good group to make new ideas available. I’d also add that I am developing. when you get a chance, take a look my newly created business site:photographers for senior portraits near me Sarasota FL

Sharonarisy

Hello my friends. We are tickled we heard the articles here. I’ve been hunting for this info since last spring and I will be telling everyone I know to swing on by. The other night I was blazing through the best sites out there trying to determine a resolution to my staggering questions. Now I am entrusted to take things higher in whatever avenues I can. We are getting all spaced out on the spiritual implications we are observing. Moreover, I just had to thank you deeply for such uplifting information. This has pushed me out of a tough situation. Many hopeful knowings are growing in my world. Its really a good area to make new ideas available. Allow me to share that I am studying. when you get a chance, check out my newly created photography site:great oak manor chestertown maryland near Pensecola FL

Sharonarisy

Hi everybody. My friends and I are happy we came across the articles here. I’ve been web crawling for this info for years and I will be encouraging my children to swing by. The other evening I was toggling through the web trying to scope out the right solution to my eternal questions. Now I must be diligent to take a leap in whatever mode I can. We are getting all fragmented out on the varied advice we are observing. Moreover, I just came back to thank you from all of us for such excellent assistance. This has pushed me out of my comfort zone. Many fresh improvements are happening in my world. Its really a super area to make new friendships. Allow me to share that I am researching. Here is my new hobby, visit my newly created Site:clermont senior portraits near me Ft Lauderdale

Sharonarisy

Hi fellow bloggers. My circle is delighted we saw the like minds here. I’ve been searching for this info for years and I will be imploring my children to drop by. The other afternoon I was skipping through the google searches trying to scope out a conclusion to my tough questions. Now I am planning to take great care in whatever path I can. We are getting all worked out on the varied advice we are observing. Moreover, I just came back to thank you kindly for such uplifting information. This has shifted me out of unhealthy habits. Many fresh knowings are gaining momentum my world. Its really a grand space to make new ideas available. I must say also that I am developing. If you have time, visit my newly created business site:glen ellen farms near me Miami FL

Sharonarisy

Hola fellow bloggers. We are excited we came across the information here. I’ve been scoping the news for this info for a long time and I will be convincing my bro to drop by. The other night I was traversing through the highest rated sites trying to discover a conclusion to my persistant questions. Now I am definately to take a leap in whatever method I can. We are getting all nerded out on the omens we are observing. Moreover, I just came back to thank you kindly for such beneficial knowledge. This has pushed me out of unhealthy habits. Many bittersweet improvements are coming into my world. Its really a good area to make new connections. Allow me to share that I am developing. Here is my new hobby, take a look my new business:portrait photography near Florida Keys

Sharonarisy

Ciao guys and gals. My friends and I are super excited to have found this blog. I’ve been crawling the net for this info for years and I will be convincing my followers to hop on by. The other morning I was flipping through the search engines trying to locate an answer to my tough questions. Now I am entrusted to take great care in whatever mode I can. We are getting all spaced out on the signs we are observing. Moreover, I just came back to thank you deeply for such solid answers. This has pushed me out of a tough situation. Many spiritual knowings are coming into my world. Its really a perfect website to make new ideas available. I need to share that I am developing. when you get a chance, take a look my newly created photography site:photographers in annapolis near Coral Gables FL

Sharonarisy

Hello fellow bloggers. We are tickled to have found the posts. I’ve been going through my library for this info for a long time and I will be imploring my bro to swing on by. The other morning I was traversing through the internet trying to determine a resolution to my staggering questions. Now I am going to take more responsibility in whatever path I can. We are getting all spaced out on the spiritual implications we are observing. Moreover, I just want to thank you tremendously for such excellent assistance. This has shifted me out of my comfort zone. Many bittersweet creations are shaping around my world. Its really a super group to make new relationships. One item I'll mention is that I am studying. Here is my new hobby, check out my new Site:casa feliz wedding pricing in Miami FL

Sharonarisy

Hola to the community. My circle is really glad we heard this blog. I’ve been scoping the news for this info for weeks and I will be convincing my bro to hop on by. The other night I was traversing through the best sites out there trying to secure the right solution to my revolving questions. Now I am planning to take things higher in whatever mode I can. We are getting all fragmented out on the signs we are observing. Moreover, I just was led to thank you kindly for such stellar work. This has propelled me out of my comfort zone. Many novel improvements are gaining momentum my world. Its really a good group to make new great effect. I must make mention that I am investigating. when you get a chance, take a look my new Blog:find me a photographer in Key West FL