miarx7

Well hey there guys! I couldn't find a place to post this for the life of me, there is a v8 forum in here, but I didn't feel that this fit. So if I'm totally in the wrong here please either delete or move this!

So, here's the story. I picked up an 88 GXL shell for STUPID cheap, and then managed to get a 13b with attached transmission for also, stupid cheap. The engine however, needs a full rebuild/overhaul, which I'll do when I have money. However... For the time being, I have 2 NA miata 1.6l engines and 2 transmissions to go with them, so, I think that a 1.6 is going in the car for the foreseeable future. Now I know that this is rotary sin, but I also think it would be a really unique (while slow) swap.

To preempt some disputes: it will have 96hp at the crank, yes, I'm well aware of how slow it will be, but it has to move out of my buddies garage, and I don't have 1500$ for a full rotary overhaul. I do however have running engines and a full miata wiring harness to put in the car with the swap. If it works out decently I might turbo the second 1.6 and make it into a clean swapped car, we'll see.

That being said, any advice/tips and tricks will be well received. Technical knowledge of the two drivetrains will also be appreciated, I know most of what's going to go down and will weld new engine mounts, but thought I'd ask for anything to help it go more smoothly. I will also be starting a build thread on this if the lovely admins will allow it!


Thank you guys in advance!

misterstyx69

iTrader: (142)

I'd think about This.
Sell the Miata stuff and buy a N/A engine with Trans..
It would be easy to install and also more adequate in power.

miarx7

Well, I have 13b and trans for the car but the coolant seals are definitely bad. And from the compression test it sounds like the side seals as well. I could only get around 1000 for everything I have for the Miata if it even sold, NA stuff doesn't sell well up here. If I could get parts to rebuild for less than a kidney I would just rebuild it. 😂 ( Guy I bought it from. Said it overheated more than once, so it sounds like at least one new end iron/housing will be needed) If it doesn't drive within the next month it's going to another field until I can find storage, so the 1.6l might just be temporary, so I can move it.

Woody97124

Respect for getting it going, but still a cardinal sin

Woody97124

I hope your 1.6 is a good one. Some of the short blocks have bad cranks pre 93

miarx7

Woody - it is a cardinal sin... But at least she'll move 😇

And the snub nose crank hasn't been an issue on either of the 1.6s thankfully! I have one engine at 175k and one at 120k. The 175 is going in to begin with and then hopefully sell the rest and have money to properly do the 13b!

Jez

oh my, this thread has me missing my 1.6l NB miata already! All that 1.6 needs is a small turbo and that should end up being a fun (temporary) swap.

miarx7

Haha! Yup, small turbo, fmu, and a bit higher octane should make for a fun year till I can get the rotary up and running! TD04 fr a WRX with stock internal waste gate at 7psi should do the trick nicely.