rocktman

After months of lurking, I've finally created an account on here.
I have a '99 Miata, which I'm gathering parts for an LS1 build.

Already have a block, an IRS from a '96 cougar, and some other various parts. Actually, I have two blocks, one is bare, and the other is a longblock with a crack. Will have to marry the two to get a complete assembly.

Seriously considering building my own crossmember. I have some fab experience:
LocostUSA.com • View topic - Jim's Haynes/Vodou/Saturn mashup with Miata drivetrain

Might wimp out and buy the $700 V8R mountless crossmember.

Thanks to all the guys on here that have all the great info, and a special thanks to CVX_20, who's blog is awesome.

rick

Welcome to v8miata.net rocktman.

Click here to check out the latest thread pictures.

Hope to see you around v8m and enjoy your stay :)

charchri4

LOL dude if anyone can build a engine cradle for an ls swap you are the man! Biggest mistake I felt I made was not trusting that I could have done that but you are way beyond what I would dare try!

At the risk of tooting my own horn you should read this thread. Jim and Jenna build diary, Miata LS1 Conversion: Important stuff for building a V8 Miata - what I would do different.

Welcome to the show I hope you do as good of a build thread here as you did with your vodou project!

rocktman

I have read thru your build many times. In fact, I'm the guy that asked about you axles yesterday.
I found your build particularly interesting as you raced your donor car. I have a Firebird that I road race in American Iron. I've convinced myself that the miata needs an LS1 so I'll have a spare motor nearby for the racecar should the need arise (it's on motor #4).


Building the locost was actually pretty easy. Time consuming, but not overly difficult. I have the entire thing modeled in CAD, which made it super easy to lay out the build. I wish I had a model of the Miata's engine bay....

cvx_20

Thank you.

I added some pages from the Miata workshop manual of 1993 containing chassis dimensions to the blog page about tubular subframes. Couldn't get them to load here. Closest I could get to a cad drawing.

http://miatav8.blogspot.com/2013/10/...p-using-4.html


Welcome to the world of V8 Miatas.

Mike

rocktman

That's some great info. I'd love to find the same for a '99.
Thank you!

Where did you find this manual? Mine don't have this sort of detail. The wiring diagrams are junk, too. Especially if you compare to the wiring info given for the camaro/bird.

cvx_20

Jim, what I have looks like this:

1999 Mazda MX 5 MX5 Miata Service Manual Shop Repair Workshop | eBay

I'm sure I didn't pay that much, maybe there are better deals out there for a '99. But that's where the diagrams came from.

Mike

rocktman

Sheesh!

charchri4

Now that is by far the best reason, excuse or justification I have ever heard to build a V8 Miata!

I love the paint on your car!

rocktman

Thanks. I raced it for a couple years as white with a black front end (fenders came in black primer and I was too lazy to do anything about it).
Everyone was quite shocked when I finally painted the car. Downside is that now I have to wash it. What a pain.

rocktman

Well, I had a bit of a rough morning today. My Miata committed suicide. I'm not sure if this accelerates or halts the v8 swap. Everything in the engine bay is "toast", as is the hood, bumper and both headlights.

mrmustang

WOW,extremely sorry about the car. However, look on the bright side, you got out safely.


Bill S.

charchri4

Oh man that totally stinks! I am really sorry for your loss. Was it insured by chance?

Now I have to tell you the first thing I thought when I saw the photos was $2014 GRM challenge car followed by a vision of swapping all the V8 parts from my NA onto it. Seriously if you don't swap it yourself you should sell it in the conversions parts section because as sad as the loss is it's now an ideal candidate for conversion.

rocktman

Well, I'm back on track. Drove to Oklahoma City and picked up a 99 10th anniversary special roller for $500
It's been hit in the rear.

Don't know which car I'll go with, but I have a good front on one and a good rear on the other, so I'm set!
I'll add pictures later

No, red car was not insured. Very glad to make it out unharmed. I wonder what it's worth.

rocktman

Here are pictures of the new chassis. It looks better in the photos than in real life.

charchri4

Wow that poor baby has been rode hard and put away wet many times!

rocktman

Yeah, poor thing had a salvage title because of a rear end collision. It then got rear ended again.