Wanted: Engine and gearbox

MatBat · Post by **MatBat** » Mon Jul 30, 2007 7:46 pm

I'm wanting to re-engine my lotus 7 and seeing as the MX5 has perhaps the best gearbox in the world and the engines are small and light it seems a perfect choice.

Either 1.6 or 1.8, I'm not fussy.

021 022 96120 or (03) 365 7753

Ian · Post by **Ian** » Mon Jul 30, 2007 10:46 pm

Mat...

Keith Tanner has written a book on building a Lotus 7 type car using an MX5 as a basis. Not sure if that would be of any help to you? (you can access some of the detail via the Flin Miata website)
MX5 Mart in Hamilton currently has a low mileage NZ new NB 1.8 engine and box in a car (can be heard running) This would make an ideal unit (with its ecu)

Cheers, Ian

GerryAttrick · Post by **GerryAttrick** » Tue Jul 31, 2007 7:33 am

Now thats good timing. Sold my recently purchased mx5 to buy my wife an
automatic car and already feeling a bit lost. Have got a set of plans for a
McSorley chassis (a set of plans based on the Champion chassis) and have been
tossing up how I can put them to use.

I also have a $70 book voucher burning a hole in my wallet

Watch this space....maybe a chance for a section of the forum devoted to MX5
derivatives if "he who must be obeyed" feels so inclined.

Maybe I'll hang around here even tho the MX5 has gone.

MatBat · Post by **MatBat** » Tue Jul 31, 2007 7:45 am

Thanks Ian,

My lotus is already built but that book might be helpful.
I'll contact ross and see what he wants for his setup, I'm also thinking of despensing of injection and fitting the two 40mm twin sidedrafts I have on the current crossflow to the mazda engine.

Euen · Post by **Euen** » Tue Jul 31, 2007 9:25 am

Mat

As you would have to build a new manifold for the side drafts anyway, why not look at independent throttle bodies instead. I guess there is the downside that the standard computer doesn't like them, but then, how does it react to carbs.

Cheers
Euen

MatBat · Post by **MatBat** » Tue Jul 31, 2007 5:51 pm

The reason for me wanting to go down the carb route is simplicity, but I'd still need to find a way of running the ignition so in fact it might just be easier to leave the mazda engine as stock, run the stock ECU and sell my X-flow running gear complete with carbs.

Oh so many choices!

Ian · Post by **Ian** » Wed Aug 01, 2007 10:57 am

Mat..
Yes, I appreciated that the car was already built, but imagined there might still be enough useful info to be worth checking it out if using an MX5 engine/box. Grassroots motorsport are currently doing a build on an MGB using a 1.8 miata engine and box. They will eventually supercharge it, but intend to do the install with injecton and n/a at this time.

Ross is asking $900 + gst for the engine complete!!!! Its a steal (in my book)

Ian

Growler · Post by **Growler** » Wed Aug 01, 2007 12:12 pm

Ian wrote: Ross is asking $900 + gst for the engine complete!!!! Its a steal (in my book)...

Mazspare in Auckland have the 1.6 engine and 1.8 engine. Both are around the $500 mark.

Growler.

Ian · Post by **Ian** » Wed Aug 01, 2007 5:03 pm

A low mileage 99 1.8 complete for $500????

Growler · Post by **Growler** » Wed Aug 01, 2007 8:28 pm

Ian wrote:A low mileage 99 1.8 complete for $500????

No...Series 1. Last time I was there they had a crate full...that was some time ago though.

Growler.

MatBat · Post by **MatBat** » Wed Aug 01, 2007 10:57 pm

Ian wrote:Mat..
imagined there might still be enough useful info to be worth checking it out if using an MX5 engine/box.
Ross is asking $900 + gst for the engine complete!!!! Its a steal (in my book)

Ian

Yeah the book book would be really helpfull,

Ross qouted me $1500+gst for the 1.8