V8 conversion

[Boags]

Unfortunately I can't offer any help or advice, but .

Boags

[Bevan]

Can't give you much detail but just some hope. Somehere took a photo on a club run where someone else wedges a 5.7L GENIII engine into their NB (98-2004 shape).

[Juffa]

Its your lucky day. A Vic club member has slotted various engines into MX-5s, including a Toyota quad cam, supercharged V8 and most recently a 5.7 litre V8. Obviously it was more than just the engine.....but best left to him to tell the story.

Send me a private message with your contact details and I will see if we can put you in touch with the man.

J

[Moggy]

I would have to say that a V8 conversion is A LOT of work to make an mx5 make the 'right noises'. But if you really want to do it I would suggest a Toyota 1UZ-FE out of a Soarer. It is a beautiful engine, produces 190kw stock, and has been known to take over 500kw comfortably on stock internals. It also fits relatively well in an mx5. Info can be found at http://www.mx5ocforum.co.uk/viewtopic.php?t=17249

Here's a pic;

[Matty]

Start reading MX-TRA (Vic club mag). Some articles on John Pitts' car (that Juffa mentioned) will be appearing soon.

[irwin83r]

anyone know the wieght of the soaror v8 and the wieght of the BP mazda motor?

would be interesting just to see how much more it wieghs.. i know its should be quiet a chunk.. not accounting for drive line

[rvlovell]

Heres one link but it doesn't have the BP mtr. The lexus v8 weighs about 470 pounds. http://www.bacomatic.org/%7Edw/txt/engfyi.htm

[chris d]

I was told once that the lexus V8 is actually lighter than the 1.8 motors.
Can't substatiate that though.
Chris

[rvlovell]

I think it would be unlikely looking at the weights of other 4cyl mtrs. The rover v8 is 300 pounds so that might be a better bet.
I was looking at an American site with the Mazda Tribute V6 mtr in a MX5. That would be my pick. It is an alloy block and would sit further back than a V8.

[Lev]

chev LS motors are heavy (gen III), a lexus motor wouldn't be too much heavier than a 1.8 especially if you remove all the accessories

A guy in NZ has done it, go to http://www.lextreme.com/ and search the forum for MX5. He ran 13s quarters on the stock motor and ecu, which is not bad You would need to fab engine mounts, gearbox mounts, tail shaft, diff mounts. Need to throw away PPF, you'll need a bell housing adaptor, gearbox, diff, may need to mod shifter to line up properly through the hole in the tunnel etc etc etc etc etc etc etc etc etc etc etc etc etc etc etc...

A lot of work, wouldn't consider it unless you're good at fabrication or can afford to pay someone to do it. Would be an insane car though

Good luck.