v6 swap options
#21
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Because the US went off the gold standard, and granted the Federal Reserve bank monopoly control over the fiat currency which replaced it.
Seriously, though...
The idea of a V6 swap is intriguing. I can't quite explain why, but at some basic emotional level, it's always seemed like the powerplant that the Miata ought to have.
I know little of Toyota and GM in this regard, but if the engine has a common GM bolt pattern, would not also many GM transmissions fit onto it, without having to hunt down a Supra as a donor? (I'm thinking 80/90s F-body, S-10, etc.)
Seriously, though...
The idea of a V6 swap is intriguing. I can't quite explain why, but at some basic emotional level, it's always seemed like the powerplant that the Miata ought to have.
I know little of Toyota and GM in this regard, but if the engine has a common GM bolt pattern, would not also many GM transmissions fit onto it, without having to hunt down a Supra as a donor? (I'm thinking 80/90s F-body, S-10, etc.)
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Subscribed. I love my KL/T5z combo even without the compressed installed. With a proper NA intake & headers it probably would be quick enough. Now if you could add more cubes.... i think 3.5 or so would be nice. The 2GR-FE in our RAV4 is surprising. I never heard of this engine. Hard to believe there are that many trans options. Good research lazzer! Again!
Yeah, why can't you use the T5 S10 bell housing with a T5 with better ratios?
Do you still have your KL buggy?
Yeah, why can't you use the T5 S10 bell housing with a T5 with better ratios?
Do you still have your KL buggy?
#23
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GM made a tiny 2.5 V6 for Saab back in '94. All aluminum IIRC, 170hp, 168 ft/lbs. Someone should spend the massive amount of money to adapt that to the miata. It was a 35 degree V6, so very thin.
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Nope. I sold it this summer. :( I didn't have anywhere to store it because I moved the computer shop out of the warehouse and into a retail store.
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In terms of cost, I think the cheapest and easiest v6 swap in a miata would be the k series using one of clairetoo's kits. That lets you use the miata trans, starter, PPF, most of the clutch stuff, etc. she has a tubular subframe but you can get away with using the factory subframe if you are crafty. You are on your own for intake, exhaust & oil pan.
If you wanted a stronger trans then I see any v6 swap costing all about the same. The only difference being the cost of one engine & trans combo compared to another. And that cost difference would be minimal compared to the cost of the entire swap. If you can find a v6 & trans that fits the factory subframe with a good capacity oil pan and an intake that fits under the hood, a starter location that allows a header & exhaust on both sides, then you would be way ahead of the game. If you can also have A/C & P/S too (like the LS swaps), then awesome. Assume a trans mount, ppf/diff mount, shifter, speedo, & engine management solution regardless.
IMHO the trans issue with the K series is very minor in the grand scheme of the swap.
None of this applies to an rx8, but this is a miata forum
If you wanted a stronger trans then I see any v6 swap costing all about the same. The only difference being the cost of one engine & trans combo compared to another. And that cost difference would be minimal compared to the cost of the entire swap. If you can find a v6 & trans that fits the factory subframe with a good capacity oil pan and an intake that fits under the hood, a starter location that allows a header & exhaust on both sides, then you would be way ahead of the game. If you can also have A/C & P/S too (like the LS swaps), then awesome. Assume a trans mount, ppf/diff mount, shifter, speedo, & engine management solution regardless.
IMHO the trans issue with the K series is very minor in the grand scheme of the swap.
None of this applies to an rx8, but this is a miata forum
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The reason I'd be going with the r154 is it's strength. The cost is higher then say a T5 but if I ever boosted the v6, I'd need it. So I might as well start with one.
Who's got a kit? Link?
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Not sure if clairetoo has a website. Crap engineering is her business. Here is the m.net link.
KL mazda v6 swap thread. - MX-5 Miata Forum
I didn't make a bell housing. I made an adapter plate for it and the flywheel. I am running all fox body stang stuff aft of the crankshaft. Clutch & trans has more than enough capacity for the application.
KL mazda v6 swap thread. - MX-5 Miata Forum
I didn't make a bell housing. I made an adapter plate for it and the flywheel. I am running all fox body stang stuff aft of the crankshaft. Clutch & trans has more than enough capacity for the application.
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I didn't realise anyone had found a solution for a v6 Miata yet. I read of many people trying though. I'm in a little different situation with the RX8. I'm trying to maintain alot of the systems the car has like traction control. The Isuzu has a DBW throttle on newer models.
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These measurements may be of more use to you guys then me. Here's a r154 trans I measured today. That is a Supra turbo bellhousing which will not bolt to the Isuzu engine. I haven't got my hands on a Dodge 2.5 bellhousing yet to see how long it is but with the input shaft length of this particular transmission, one would need a bellhousing that's close in length to the one shown. There are SO many versions of bolt-on transmissions available it may take some time but more then likely one of them will put the shifter where you need it.
Anyone have a Miata trans laying around to measure the distance from the bellhousing to the shifter? Get me that number and I'll keep an eye out for you.
Anyone have a Miata trans laying around to measure the distance from the bellhousing to the shifter? Get me that number and I'll keep an eye out for you.
![](https://www.miataturbo.net/attachments/engine-performance-56/63232d1356912236-v6-swap-options-hpim0088-small-.jpg)
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Thanks Tim. That is a long one isn't it? The RX-8 is about 27" from the firewall to the shifter. After looking at quite a few photos, the Pontiac Solstice has a pretty long trans. There was another R-series trans that has a "tripod" mounted shifter like the Solstice but I don't know what it was from. The mount was aluminum vs. the Solstice's steel shifter mount. Ring a bell?
Found it. SC300 shifter.
![](https://www.miataturbo.net/attachments/engine-performance-56/63288d1356976682-v6-swap-options-r154.jpg)
Last edited by lazzer408; 12-31-2012 at 01:17 PM.
#39
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More trans info.
I bought a '98+ Trooper bell housing today. I'll be picking it up tomorrow. Here's a Solstice trans. It should bolt to the Isuzu bell since it's an AR5 and that's what the Trooper had. Note the PPF mount.
This is very close to a bolt-in solution IF the Solstice input shaft is long enough.
![](https://www.miataturbo.net/attachments/engine-performance-56/73323d1365814910-v6-swap-options-lnf.jpg)
I bought a '98+ Trooper bell housing today. I'll be picking it up tomorrow. Here's a Solstice trans. It should bolt to the Isuzu bell since it's an AR5 and that's what the Trooper had. Note the PPF mount.
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![](https://www.miataturbo.net/attachments/engine-performance-56/73323d1365814910-v6-swap-options-lnf.jpg)
![](https://www.miataturbo.net/attachments/engine-performance-56/73413d1365876782-v6-swap-options-hpim0008-small-.jpg)
Last edited by lazzer408; 04-13-2013 at 02:13 PM.
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I'm going to copy this from my thread on the 8 forum so you guys can grab the dimensions and see how they translate to the Miata platform.
Oh I'm loving this. Long story long...
The 8's trans is 29" from the motor to the shifter.
The Solstice is 34" from the motor to the shifter.
Solstice bell housing is 7.25" long.
Isuzu bell housing is 7.75" long.
Solstice trans on the Isuzu bell housing is 34.5" long.
Subtract the 8's trans from 34.5" and that puts the front of the Isuzu/Solstice combo 5.5" further forward. I estimated the front of the 8's trans to be about ~4" behind the firewall. The Isuzu/Sol will be 1.5" in front of the firewall. PERFECT!! This gives me 1.5" of clearance!
EDIT - A little more good news... CLUTCHES... Trooper 10.5"OD 1"x24t spline. Solstice 9"OD 1"x23t spline. Dodge Ram/Duster/Challanger/Etc 10.5"OD 1"x23t spline. It has the OD of the Trooper with the spline of the Solstice. WIN! SACHS BBD4163 Meaty disc. Oreilly has it for $68.99 and it's a 6-spring. http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/de...1344&ppt=C0015 Aftermarket available also.
Oh I'm loving this. Long story long...
The 8's trans is 29" from the motor to the shifter.
The Solstice is 34" from the motor to the shifter.
Solstice bell housing is 7.25" long.
Isuzu bell housing is 7.75" long.
Solstice trans on the Isuzu bell housing is 34.5" long.
Subtract the 8's trans from 34.5" and that puts the front of the Isuzu/Solstice combo 5.5" further forward. I estimated the front of the 8's trans to be about ~4" behind the firewall. The Isuzu/Sol will be 1.5" in front of the firewall. PERFECT!! This gives me 1.5" of clearance!
EDIT - A little more good news... CLUTCHES... Trooper 10.5"OD 1"x24t spline. Solstice 9"OD 1"x23t spline. Dodge Ram/Duster/Challanger/Etc 10.5"OD 1"x23t spline. It has the OD of the Trooper with the spline of the Solstice. WIN! SACHS BBD4163 Meaty disc. Oreilly has it for $68.99 and it's a 6-spring. http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/de...1344&ppt=C0015 Aftermarket available also.
Last edited by lazzer408; 04-14-2013 at 02:03 AM.