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Colin Wood
Colin Wood Associate Editor
5/15/20 8:45 a.m.

https://www.youtube.com/embed/GrTv0UE2SCM

Why not fit the V12 engine from a Toyota Century into a Miata? Good question, why not? Installation of the 1GZ-FE engine required a 12-into-one exhaust as well. 

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David S. Wallens
David S. Wallens Editorial Director
5/15/20 9:02 a.m.

Um, radiator? 

Dusterbd13-michael (Forum Supporter)
Dusterbd13-michael (Forum Supporter) MegaDork
5/15/20 9:13 a.m.

It occurred to me that the miata may be the current era's model t. A bunch of examples,  built in every conceivable way,  and many people's entry into the car hobby. Just like the t was for guys in the 40s to 60s.

Floating Doc (Forum Supporter)
Floating Doc (Forum Supporter) UltraDork
5/15/20 9:15 a.m.
David S. Wallens said:

Um, radiator? 

Read my mind.

When the video started, I was thinking that all of that exhaust tubing was actually for carrying coolant somewhere.

David S. Wallens
David S. Wallens Editorial Director
5/15/20 9:15 a.m.

In reply to Dusterbd13-michael (Forum Supporter) :

Totally yes. It's the perfect lump of clay. 

bmw88rider (Forum Supporter)
bmw88rider (Forum Supporter) UltraDork
5/15/20 9:19 a.m.

Ehhhh....I mean other than the different factor it seems to ruin the entire reason for a miata. Given that you can get more than enough HP from a LS I really don't see it. 

bobzilla
bobzilla MegaDork
5/15/20 9:31 a.m.
David S. Wallens said:

Um, radiator? 

OVER RATED

Keith Tanner
Keith Tanner MegaDork
5/15/20 9:41 a.m.

Ah, everything ruins the Miata for someone. Any sort of horsepower ruins the perfect power/weight ratio. Any modification in exhaust note invalidates all the work the engineers did to craft the perfect tone (who remembers Mazda bragging about that 30 years ago?). Taking it on track is abuse, not taking it on track is neglect. 

I've always thought it was more of an MG than a Model T. Some of the mods are being done for attention, some are done for purely functional reasons. It's possible this one swings a little closer to the former than the latter.

There's one getting a big Mercedes engine in Europe, it's actually pretty far along. I'll see if I can find the link.

David S. Wallens
David S. Wallens Editorial Director
5/15/20 9:45 a.m.
bobzilla said:
David S. Wallens said:

Um, radiator? 

OVER RATED

And that's what I love about it. Radiator? Who cares about that. It has a V12.

Super bonus points for building it in a garage that's messier than mine. 

Snowdoggie
Snowdoggie New Reader
5/15/20 9:51 a.m.

Two radiators. One on each side in the fenders. Can Am style. 

 

Reminds me of a Boss Hoss motorcycle. It doesn't really do anything well, except draw attention. 

 

bigdaddylee82
bigdaddylee82 UltraDork
5/15/20 9:57 a.m.
David S. Wallens said:

In reply to Dusterbd13-michael (Forum Supporter) :

Totally yes. It's the perfect lump of clay. 

It'd be perfect, if that lump of clay was 6-8" larger in every direction. 

Keith Tanner
Keith Tanner MegaDork
5/15/20 10:06 a.m.
bigdaddylee82 said:
David S. Wallens said:

In reply to Dusterbd13-michael (Forum Supporter) :

Totally yes. It's the perfect lump of clay. 

It'd be perfect, if that lump of clay was 6-8" larger in every direction. 

So, about the size of an SN95 mustang with the bumpers removed?

Pete. (l33t FS)
Pete. (l33t FS) MegaDork
5/15/20 11:29 a.m.
bigdaddylee82 said:
David S. Wallens said:

In reply to Dusterbd13-michael (Forum Supporter) :

Totally yes. It's the perfect lump of clay. 

It'd be perfect, if that lump of clay was 6-8" larger in every direction. 

You mean like a C5?

Ranger50
Ranger50 UltimaDork
5/15/20 12:42 p.m.

At what point do you just become a chariot rider with reigns and horses up front?

Theres only such much room.

nimblemotorsports
nimblemotorsports HalfDork
5/15/20 1:07 p.m.

C'mon, putting a Toyota engine in a Miata, wtf is wrong with these people, why would you not use a Supra instead, or at least a Prius.

 

NOHOME
NOHOME MegaDork
5/15/20 1:16 p.m.

Seems reasonable to me.

 

The one with the Jag V 12 did not end up well if I recall.

 

If doing a tube frame anyways, I woulda stretched the wheelbase a bit.

 

bigdaddylee82
bigdaddylee82 UltraDork
5/15/20 1:17 p.m.
Pete. (l33t FS) said:
bigdaddylee82 said:
David S. Wallens said:

In reply to Dusterbd13-michael (Forum Supporter) :

Totally yes. It's the perfect lump of clay. 

It'd be perfect, if that lump of clay was 6-8" larger in every direction. 

You mean like a C5?

Yes, much, much, better lump!

Keith Tanner
Keith Tanner MegaDork
5/15/20 1:27 p.m.
nimblemotorsports said:

C'mon, putting a Toyota engine in a Miata, wtf is wrong with these people, why would you not use a Supra instead, or at least a Prius.

 

Well, this car came with an engine that was also found in a Ford and a Kia. Meanwhile, the Supra has a BMW engine. So I don't see what the badge on top has to do with it.

Keith Tanner
Keith Tanner MegaDork
5/15/20 1:28 p.m.
Ranger50 said:

At what point do you just become a chariot rider with reigns and horses up front?

Theres only such much room.

"The nine most terrifying words in the English language are, 'I'm from the government and I'm here to help.'" - Ronald Reagan. The real problem with the US economy in 3 words or less: MADE IN CHINA.

The supercharged V8 XXXocet was basically that. I called it a pod racer. A giant engine with a couple of seats strapped to the side and not much else.

Robbie (Forum Supporter)
Robbie (Forum Supporter) MegaDork
5/15/20 1:34 p.m.

Maybe they're making this into a boat, and they will just use the available water for coolant. 

300zxfreak
300zxfreak New Reader
5/15/20 2:02 p.m.

Not to jump topics here, but did I just see that guy using a whiz wheel without wearing any kind of safety glasses ????  I guess at least he did don headphone/noise killers............

JesseWolfe
JesseWolfe Reader
5/15/20 2:15 p.m.

Was that tubing he made for the front supports pieced together rather then bent from one tube?

Keith Tanner
Keith Tanner MegaDork
5/15/20 2:36 p.m.

As promised, the Mercedes variant. This is "The Paganiata M120 V12 Miata" on Facebook. He's working on the trans and rear end right now. I have to give him props for retaining the ABS and using the least roomy Miata variant, although the radiator question does remain.

David S. Wallens
David S. Wallens Editorial Director
5/15/20 2:56 p.m.

If it fits....

DirtyBird222
DirtyBird222 UberDork
5/15/20 4:08 p.m.

A rear mounted radiator is probably the best solution. 

I for one champion these kinds of builds. Yes, an LS engine produces more power, takes up less space, and more feasible economically; however, creativity and the endless roads that it can take you down are whats awesome about hot rodding. 

 

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