Mx5 With 1Uzfe

[Mick_o]

Hi guys been offered an 90 model MX5 for $1500 (bargain) overall condition isnt overly bad it just ran out of rego in december has 243000km on the clock and im thinking bout building myself a lil drift car to play in

Seen it done by some guys in QLD and thought id seen that they sold a conversion kit to bolt in the lil lexus V8 in and for the life of me i cant find anything bout it online so 1st of all im wondering if anybody has any info on such a kit? I know it would probably be a big job but i think it would be a great l thing as the 1UFZE is a tough donk and the MX5 has a great lightweight nimble chassis great combination i think. I know a rotor would be easier but thinking the 4L torque would be more fun/reliable plus ive always wanted to put a 1U into something and this popped up cheap and the motors are cheap too.

Soooooooo im looking for opinions on ease of installation and im also looking for somebody with some conversion experience to help me out If you guys think its feasable! I have an engineering workshop and can take care of most of the fabrication side of things just need somebody with the conversion/mechanical side of things

So what do you guys think????

Look forward to some input

[N1GTR]

Moved to appropriate area.

[paulR32gtr]

Typed "1uzfe mx5" into Google:

http://forum.miata.net/vb/showthread.php?t=315564

Looks like they tube frame the front half of the chassis as part of the conversion.

[MattR]

bullet is the company in QLD

http://www.carsales.com.au/private/details/bullet-roadster-1999-10972706?cr=0&distance=25&vertical=Car&eapi=2&sort=default&VNAV=A&__N=1216 1246 1247 1252 1282 4294934556&silo=Stock&Range=Price:Min,Max~1

[Mick_o]

Thanks for the link paul read bit further down that they welded the engine mounts onto the chassis and opened up the firewall to move the motor back 100mm. Wow $440000 for the converted 1 that pricey!

[Run-It-Hard]

Not a common swap I'm affraid.

If your looking for something V8 I'd be going the LS series. There are quite a few companies in the US that make conversion kits for them.

Look up boss frog and Flyin' Miata.

[Mick_o]

Wonder how much a LS boat anchor weighs id think it would be alot more than 1UZFE? The guys in the forum who done the conversion bumped the motor back 100mm and almost had 50/50 weight distribution

[Chris Rogers]

drop a 302 in it. thats BEEN done.

as for the bullet. done one - its a FULL new sub frame with a MX5 shell dropped on top. scary as hell to drive and damn near inpossible to keep in a straight line in ANY gear..

[Mick_o]

Hahaha sounds awesome Chris thats what drifting is all about so its a shitload of work huh? does it really have to have a complete new subframe or was that build overkill so to speak? id honestly like to keep it jap powered though 302 would weigh more than the MX5 itself haha

drop a 302 in it. thats BEEN done.

as for the bullet. done one - its a FULL new sub frame with a MX5 shell dropped on top. scary as hell to drive and damn near inpossible to keep in a straight line in ANY gear..

[Run-It-Hard]

Wonder how much a LS boat anchor weighs id think it would be alot more than 1UZFE? The guys in the forum who done the conversion bumped the motor back 100mm and almost had 50/50 weight distribution

LS1's are all aluminum why do you think they are such a popular swap in not only "iMiata's" (US market name for the MX-5) but Silvias too?

I think the weights would be very comparable.

[Run-It-Hard]

for some inspiration:

[Run-It-Hard]

and another

[Chris Rogers]

google monster miata. that was done YEARS ago.

the bullet has a full subframe under it for a reason. the twist on the chassis will almost fold the car into a pretzel.

suggest doing a bit more reading myself.

also bullets are BLOWN V8s..

[Mick_o]

Yeah thats true and aftermarket support for the LS is much better than a 1U its just that an LS1 would be far more expensive to buy as well wonder what the conversion kits are worth and to get over here from the states. Wow thats pretty impressive with only 314rwhp!!!!!

LS1's are all aluminum why do you think they are such a popular swap in not only "iMiata's" (US market name for the MX-5) but Silvias too?

I think the weights would be very comparable.

[Mick_o]

Oh ok didnt know they were blown lol now i know why they are a monster yeah valid point an LS would require of stffening too with the torque level

google monster miata. that was done YEARS ago.

the bullet has a full subframe under it for a reason. the twist on the chassis will almost fold the car into a pretzel.

suggest doing a bit more reading myself.

also bullets are BLOWN V8s..

[Mick_o]

Ok so at a quick glance on Ebay an Ls1 is cheap as chips get 1 for 2G's

[Mick_o]

Ok so looks like the LS1 swap is the go seeing as there is conversion kits available and LS1's are cheaper than i thought

[Raysboostin]

Wonder how much a LS boat anchor weighs id think it would be alot more than 1UZFE? The guys in the forum who done the conversion bumped the motor back 100mm and almost had 50/50 weight distribution

I think u'll find if you weight both of the engines fully dressed, the ls series will be lighter. Those DOHC add alot of weight.

[Mick_o]

Yeah thats true Ray and the aftermarket support and part prices are much better which makes it look like the only way to go trying to find a W58 or R154 manual box is pretty hard and the fact that a bolt in kit can be purchased makes it more appealing to me as well i crunched some numbersfrom what ive found and i could probably buy the car and get the LS1 into it for about $10000 doing all the work myself

[Nee-san]

get a 1.8 from the NB or whatever, put a 2871RS or whatever the shit it is on it and enjoy.