Miata motor in RX-7
 

I've tried many many links looking for this, and search engines. no luck. my TII is blown, and I've descided to go back to school... I've been looking for a Miata locally but no luck, all of them either have high mileage, or costs 7-16K. the body and interior to my FC are very well off. I actually would rather do a swap than buy another used car. the main reason atleast with a swap I'd know the condition of the engine tranny and other parts of the car. I've seen V-8 Swaps everywhere, but not Miata I-4 swaps, or maybe a 3.6 V-6 swap from a F-body (1994 and later). can't find that either. I love the body on the FC more than an F-body (which costs more than a Miata around here with more miles), and like the hard top over a vert, like a Miata. although I may find something else and complete the sell of my RX-7, but I was just wondering for love's sake. I love the body on the FC. one of my favorite bodied cars. and I'd love to have it to drive around still even thou it wouldn't have a rotary.

I know the Rotary is great, I love the engine, and I will miss it dearly, but I'm looking for good gas. if I could keep the Rotary, I would but it's not feasiable(sp).

I rather do this than watch it turn into a parts car and/or sit and rust. so if you don't have any constructive thoughts and just flames keep them to yourself. This is not out of desire but out of necesitity.

Thank you for those who can help me in this endevor

http://members.tripod.com/~grannys/index.html

Conversions for 4, 6, and 8-cylinder motors

there is nothing wrong with getting a high mileage miata mine has 175000 and still runs like a champ. the engines in miatas are ok high mile wise as long as the oil has been changed regularly and all other maintenance has be done it should be fine.

ok thanks for the info guys... Attila, I didn't see a Miata convesion or a later model Chevy V-6 swap on the link you left, but I apprechiate the help from both of you

yeah, mileage is nothing on a Miata motor.

You're right about the Miata. I think the 2.3 L kit is for the Ford Ecotec motor, which is a pretty good one. I'll be honest - I didn't check specifically for a Chevy V6.

George

The ford 2.3 swap is not ecotech, its 2300 turbo. Its the ranger/mustang/tbird/merkur engine.

I am doing it and most people with 300hp get about 25-27mpg in fully loaded thunderbird turbocoupes. (3300lbs)

I am running megasquirt and will probably get 40mpg.

Engines are very cheap and very reliable. Stinger performance is running a completley stock engine with only a few bolt ons and making 425whp. It has 230k miles

I am looking at 2500 total for my swap, but I made a lot of mistakes.

The engine/tranny mounts are cheaper than any other swap. 250 with shipping I think.

yeah we are considering the 2.3 turbo swap for a project car at our shop.

Ecotec is a Chevy engine.

You're right. I meant "Zetec".

George

Ah.

It will never happen unless your going 40 MPH down hill, get real.

On torquecentral.com there is a guy driving a GM 3.8 FC. He said it ran 14s and got 25+ mpg.

I got 24 MPG in my 13b-re fc at 85+ MPH, I could certainly get 25+ if I drove closer to the speed limit, and I havn't had it down the 1/4 mile but its at least in the mid 13's . Just don't ask me what my city mileage is.

What I want to see, is car that gets 25+ mpg while running back to back 14 second or faster quarter miles. :)

I get 22 mpg and some change, I also run a little faster than 14 in the 1/4.

I'm trying to buy a VW jetta TDI as Daily driver car, which should get 40-50.

I currently daily drive my bike which averages 45- 50 MPG when commuting and can easily run a low 10 1/4 (not with me riding I will admit). I'm just putting to many miles on it. I'd like to reserve it for once a week like my rx.

My Eclipse gets about 415 miles to the tank on the highway at 80-90 mph, and the tank is only 15 gallons. My 5th gear is super tall so it's basically useless below 65 mph, but that's like 27 mpg in an 11-second car.

Don't ask what it gets around town.

we shall see... my car is stripped to nothing with no cage, and I can tune it however I like.

Good luck, I really hope you prove me wrong, but I doubt you will be able to push it above 30 MPG, and even then it will be in the most constained of conditions.

If you want 40 MPG, swap in a diesel.

That would be me. The 3.8 is a great little engine in stock form, the torque and hp curves look like a table top. At Nelson Ledges road course I spend 85% of a lap in 4th gear. I only shift it a total of 3 times per lap as there is no need for any more shifts.

If you look around you can get an engine, tranny, computer, and harness for around $600. Wiring it into the FC is almost exactly the same as the LS1. The big hurdles are the mounts and exhaust. I am not aware of anyone making mounts for the 3800/T5 and both the stock manifolds and aftermarket headers don't fit.

-Tinman

Thanks for all the help guys, I will keep this in mind for later, but I am probably purchasing a Miata for now, and will build a LS1 Beast after I get out of College (broke returning college student). be a weekend car for us ;)

Thanks again
Sliding Fox

I'm doing a Buick (also in Firebirds/Camaros/Grand Prix/Monte Carlo/Impala....) 3800 FC swap as well. Headers, ported intake, and a tune should net mid 14s in the 1/4 and a 3.90 gearset with the 4L60e will go over 30 mpg when I'm done tuning it; heck, I get 30 mpg in my ~330 wheel HP Grand Prix, and it's got shorter gears and a cam. :)

Engine tranny combos are cheap too; I picked up a complete minus harness (and I mean COMPLETE) 3800 w/ tranny with 74K miles, 300 bucks. Easy 200K mile motor, allllll day long.

Wow, I had no idea the 3800 with tranny was so cheap. That in itself makes it a decent swap candidate (hopefully there's not too many extra costs involved in the swap).

wouln't a chevy motor make the car non street legal because its coming from a different make, while a miata motor turbo to 300+hp would make a perfect daily that would be able to pass ref?

Make has nothing to do with it. As long as the motor cames from a car the same year or newer your good.
They make smog leagal turbo kits for miata's?
Stock LS1's make more than 300hp and pass the ref.