Asking for a friend. Is there a write up somewhere to do this? I know there are kits, but I digress. And my friend isn't looking for all the horsepower, just some of it.
No, not for my 1995 M.
Asking for a friend. Is there a write up somewhere to do this? I know there are kits, but I digress. And my friend isn't looking for all the horsepower, just some of it.
No, not for my 1995 M.
I'm really curious what the GRM/cheap solution to a rear axle is.
I think you'll have to have a plasma cutter (or torch), a welder, and poor-moderate fabrication skills to modify the front k-member to take the 5-oh. Maybe use a Ferd Explorer 8.8 IRS and make your own mounting plate? Not sure about axles though.
Pretty sure that before I decided to stop being verbally abused over at the Miataturbo forum, there was a guy building a DIY for this, but man did that guy have fab skills I don't.
This was my "Go To" place for all things Miata V8 swap when I was building the Molvo. My front K member actually came from him. https://miatav8.blogspot.com/2014/01/rear-subframe.html
No idea if he even looks at the website anymore, but it seems to still be there.
I did not find any cheap ways around the rear axle. The only plan I can think of is to obtain a T5Z gearbox with the 2.95 first gear and the .63 OD and leave the factory rear end in place for now. Then save up for the rear conversion.
"Dutchman Motorsports" can make you axle shafts at a competitive price. You then inject these shorter axles into a pair of ford CV joints from a Lincoln ( same car you got the diff from) and figure how to "broach" the Miata hubs that ALMOST fit over the Ford outer axle stub.https://dutchmanaxles.com/catalogsearch/result/?q=miata
As a cheap intro to the game, its worth spending the $$ to buy Monster Miata's manual on how to put a V8 into your Miata.
The above all said, with the 302 becoming a bit of an antiquated power plant, I would focus on an LS swap using either an L33 alloy engine or an iron block truck engine. You can put a GM T5 behind it or a C4 auto if $$$ is a concern. Still stuck with the same rear axle debacle.
What's wrong with a 3.9 ratio 1.8 rear-end? I would think that would last a while at least.
I know that's essentially the same as the rx7 rear-end and mine lasted through a lot without having issues.
I used a t5 gearbox out of a 2000 camaro. It has a high 5th gear that still allows for decent rpms at 80mph.
With a 205 50 15, and a 3.9 ratio, the t5 gives you the following @ 6300 rpm
1st 30mph
2nd 50mph
3rd 79mph
4th 111mph
5th 150 mph
In reply to wvumtnbkr :
I mean, I've not driven the thing, but 3150 RPM to do 75mph with a 302 (or any other V8, really) doesn't sound awesome.
pres589 (djronnebaum) said:In reply to wvumtnbkr :
I mean, I've not driven the thing, but 3150 RPM to do 75mph with a 302 (or any other V8, really) doesn't sound awesome.
I'm not saying ideal, but it would work and work okay. If this is a junkyard parts build, that's what I'd be doin!
A 3.63 diff would bring that down to 2700 rpm and give you a gear able top speed of 174mph!
When I built mine I used v8miata website linked above. The only "swap parts" I did buy for the conversion were the broached hubs and halfshafts from monster Miata for the thunderbird cv's. Rear diff is irs 8.8 from thunderbird with 3.27 gears and lsd. Engine and Tammy came out of 95 mustang gt. All mounts fabricated at home.
Ditto on mounting the rear diff out of the T-bird. in the Miata rear sub-frame. I have that pretty well covered in the Molvo build thread.
Diff itself was like all of $75 for a 3.73 posi and alloy case.
This was the spendy bit. Nothing but good things to say about dealing with Martin.
If you really want to go rude and crude, you can cut and weld the T-bird axles and that leaves you with only the hub broaching. No idea of how to diy that operation.
Thank you all.
The winning challenge car in...2003? was a V8 swapped Miata not built from a kit. Maybe seek that back issue where GRM did a feature on it.
Heck go cheap with an 8.8 explorer solid axle! It'll hold the power.
pres589 (djronnebaum) said:In reply to wvumtnbkr :
I mean, I've not driven the thing, but 3150 RPM to do 75mph with a 302 (or any other V8, really) doesn't sound awesome.
Just imagine when cars could be had with big blocks and 3.91 or 4.11 gears and no overdrive.
It works just fine.
In reply to Pete. (l33t FS) :
And their owners will still tell you their old big block Chevelle/Galaxy/Charger will run 200mph. Those old machines were great in the quarter and fine around town. I sure don't enjoy them cruising at 60+ for hours on end.
pres589 (djronnebaum) said:In reply to wvumtnbkr :
I mean, I've not driven the thing, but 3150 RPM to do 75mph with a 302 (or any other V8, really) doesn't sound awesome.
With a mild cam in there, it should be in the sweet spot for get-up and go. We have all got used to cars that either loaf down the road at under 2k rpm or to high reving engines that are not noticeable at 3500 rpm.
NOHOME said:pres589 (djronnebaum) said:In reply to wvumtnbkr :
I mean, I've not driven the thing, but 3150 RPM to do 75mph with a 302 (or any other V8, really) doesn't sound awesome.
With a mild cam in there, it should be in the sweet spot for get-up and go. We have all got used to cars that either loaf down the road at under 2k rpm or to high reving engines that are not noticeable at 3500 rpm.
I got to drive a new Ecoboost Mustang and I hated it for this. The trans shift schedule kept the engine at around 1500 and the car felt like I was driving a truck. After two miles I shifted it manually to keep the revs around 2500-3000 and it felt much better just loafing around.
I drove my T-bird (429, 2.77) for a while in 2nd gear on the highway because I was considering a swap to 4.56 gears. The 429 was perfectly happy singing at 4000rpm on the highway. Something in between like 3.73 would have been perfect.
I've been driving my swapped rx8 with the t5, 6300 rpm redline, 4.44 gears. It's fine driving 80mph. It's turning like 3500 rpm with the 18s.
I don't even think about it.
pres589 (djronnebaum) said:In reply to wvumtnbkr :
I mean, I've not driven the thing, but 3150 RPM to do 75mph with a 302 (or any other V8, really) doesn't sound awesome.
My (stock) MR2 was at 4k rpm at 80 mph. Is a stock Miata is similar? That seems worse than what you're describing.
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