Philip

My cuisin has a 88 convertable and wants to spend 2000 modding it.
He wants the most power he can get out of it. I was thinking of dropping a j-spec engine in it. Any opinions on how much that is gonna run him? He will be doing the work himself, so no cost there.
Will a 92 engine fit on his 88 vert, will a 93 + motor fit ?

Any suggestions would be much appreciated!
On another note he is also looking for a top, his is ripped to ****, anyone know where I can find one?

Thanks

Yelow RX-7

you can get a used jspec for like $900 from soko. but you need strong drivetrain and everything. so basically, if you want to do an engine swap, the whole $2000 is going to go towards it...

Philip

That would be a turbo engine for 900?

Thanks

UneekRJ

u could get a turbo engine with tranny i think for around $1000 from www.fc3s.org check it out...i may be wrong about this..but i was thinkin about doin it

SpeedRacer

Phat body kit and 5" exhaust tip yo!!!! Kidding, of course.

Dyre

You'll also need most of the TII drivetrain for the swap.

Look for a beat up TII in the area as a donor car. Its ussally the best way to do the swap

J-spec engines are used, with less than 30k on them ussally.

Philip

Thanx everyone, the drivetrain is gonna cost a bit too. Can that also be ordered from japan?

Yelow RX-7

just find a junked TII and take it off that.

tweaked

iTrader: (4)

why did everyone only mention TII convert.

tweaked

iTrader: (4)

why did everyone only mention TII convert.
2 grand will get you all kinds of things that are easier to do.
custom built true duel exhaust using Dynomax Ultra Flow "round" and 2.5" pipe + install +$500. seriously****
lightweight fly $400*
performance clutch/ pressurplate $250-400**
underdrive pulleys $500
jacobs ignition $400***
programmable computer $1200**
complete suspention set from Mazda motorsports $1700
porting $60-150
used header $100***
carb convert from racing beat=176HP @ wheels $750 (cheaper than ecu)
custom roll cage $200-500
electric fan mod $80-125***
Extrude Hone your intake and TB $535****
manual steering rack (if you can find one) $150-250
Accell Thundersport ignition wires $60 @ Pepboys****
94+ Miata limited slip diff +$200-350 @yard****
Fluidydne aliminum radiator $440*
All season performance 225/55/R16 tires $85 each from tire rack
K&N Filtercharger (works best if you cut out the top of air box) $40
removing unneeded weight $0000. you can efectivly remove about 100 to 150 pounds of weight from that car and improve 1/4 times
there are more but this will get you started. just pick what you want until you reach $2000. most of these things can be done by yourself without special tools or complications.
The "*" is my favorite try these out before getting yourself into a project that is too much.

Philip

Thanx, that's quite the list.
This is actually my cuisins car, which is parked right now so he's got the time to do the work himself, plus he is pretty handly when it comes to working on cars.

I still think that dropping in a new engine (since this is not a turbo engine) would yield the most HP/$ -- also would need new tranny, ecu, exhaust, anything else i'm forgetting?

Thanks again

tweaked

iTrader: (4)

you are going to blow much more than 2 grand to get everything you need to do this mod. especialy since if you are going to do it you may as well do it right with a FMIC and other mods. if you have to buy an ecu you may as well get an aftermarket performance one. since you have to buy a turbo you may as well get the HKS twin set up for max horses. since you have to buy a TII motor you may as well have one built up for you so it is ported and has better cooling and lubing. since you are going to ahve to buy a new fuel delivery system you may as well get the racing one so you don't runn lean after you keep modding.
since you are insissting on doing all of this you may as well buy a wrecked 3rd gen and switch all the goodies from it.

one draw back you will notice after the turbo upgrade is the car will loose reposiveness. n/a's are a blast to drive since there is no turbo lag.
no they may not have the midrageg accelleration, but they are alot more fun.
but it isn't my car. build it the way you guys want it

Felix Wankel

Why do people say there is turbo lag on TII's? The damn turbos are tiny. My **** spools right up

Josepi

Just keep it above 2.8K for me. Hint for TIIs: If you don't want to have turbo lag in any gear but 1st, shift at 6-6.5K, that way, when the RPMs drop your still in good range for making max boost. If you shift too low 4K or 5K, you'll come back near 2.5-3K where you just start to make boost.