i know this falls under the v8 swap forum but i would like it to be in the general miata section for a little more exposure and more thoughts on my idea.

I have wanted to 1uzfe swap my miata for some time now. That or ls1.
but the uz motors can be found very cheap and complete and are not a bad engine at all for the swap.

I was reading an article where a guy swapped a 1uzfe engine into his 240sx and made a custom adapter to use his stock ka24de 5 speed. Worked perfect.


So my question is could it work with a miata? I have a 6 speed lsd car. The engine in its stock trim makes about 250 hp. i know this is not a lot but that is roughly the same and a mild turbo build.

So being that there are a lot of guys here pushing the stock miata drivetrain to its failure points. Do you think that it would be a good idea? Im not trying to cheap out or anything if i decide to do the swap i can buy all the parts to do the full drivetrain swap.

But the 6 speed and the 3.90 ratio seems to be perfect for a small v8 that is not crazy powerfull.


Anyways just something that popped into my head while at work today. Here is the ka24de adapter. Let me know what you guys think of the matter.http://s138.photobucket.com/albums/q...sion%20Mating/

Dont flame its just a random thought and im pondering on.

 

Couple thoughts:

-I think mating a v8 to a close *** ratio 6 speed miata box (even with a 3.9 rear its still stupid short gears) would suck big time. Consider something like a supra/lexus sc 5/6sp transmission for its longer/stronger gears.
-250hp =/= 250wph. Figure about 220whp from such swap, which is not a lot, BUT there is torque, and that torque is just about everywhere, which is awesome.
-its a nice engine that will run literally almost forever with the right maintenance. I've heard one with ITB's and it sounded fantastic.
-not a lot of power and not much aftermarket support so if you're looking for that LSx swap is a much better platform.


I've considered the swap myself a few times, since I have a lexus ls430 (not the same but newer version) sitting in my dads backyard in flawless shape.

I say go for it but DEFINITELY be aware of how much work it includes. I'd say more than your typical LSx or mustang 5.0 swap simply cause its not nearly as common and has ZERO premade parts to help you. It would be all custom fabrication.

 

thanks for the thoughts 18psi. And maybe go for the 3.63 rear r&p

The custom fabrication is not a problem at all. I wouldnt have it any other way.
As for the lsx swap Yes i love lsx engines built a couple just mild builds but the engines are just very stout. My only problems with them are the t56. is so over priced and i dont want the tremac because its also very expensive.

But nothing against a lsx swap.

The 1uzfe yes i wouldnt be a full 250whp But it would maybe have MS and long tubes and a few other smaller things that may bump it up a little. But thats why i like it. Right in the power goals i want in my miata. And would sound very good. And just be something different.

Plus it would keep the car dependable if i didnt get crazy with it. The close ratio box i didnt think of it but im mixed on the the idea of it. Yes the gears would be short but that motor would sound very good staying in its rpms. But then i wouldnt be using the motors torque. hmm

There are some things ponder on. I am glad i opened this thread though More brainstorming ideas like this is what i need.

I will keep doing research and might even buy the motor some time soon. keep the thoughts/ ideas coming.

Found a 1uzfe online with 36,000 miles on it 1 year warranty for 700.00 shipped. Thats everything motor acc and wiring but no ecu. Motor looks brand new.

This could either be my new engine for my 2001 brg SE. Or maybe a light weight NA

 

oh and btw. IRTBS on That motor would be a orgasmic sound coming from a miata.

Would have people wondering wtf is up with my miata.

 

There are a few guys on m.net that have done this.

The engine is pretty decent for the price. It will take alot of custom work but hey if you know how to weld and fabricate go for it.

There are pretty cheap adapters on ebay that can even come with a clutch setup for the supra transmissions. I feel such a swap would be a waste to keep our transmission even if you have the 6speed. Might as well sell it to fund the swap. I have read of a few of these things revving out to 9,000 rpms. There are some youtube videos of ITB's + 9,300 redline and they sound fantastic.

http://www.lextreme.com/1uzfe_info.html

This place has alot of info on these things. It seems to be a cool swap. If you aren't a talented fabricator theres no point to do this over the ls1. The money saved on the engine you will spend on the custom work and adaptors.

 

 

The mounts and fabrication will be nothing. I have a tig welder and fabricating something of this nature i would enjoy. So i would not think it to be a cost of any sort.

As far as picking it over the lsx. It is hard i love lsx engines. But just right now the lsx is still priced a little too high and its a more powerful set up.

The 1uz fe gives me my v8 and a perfect amount of power and weight. right out of the box. And if i went lsx i would fabricate everything myself either way.

And as i said before its not a debate thing. I also love lsx engines i built a ls1 240sx for a friend of mine. The car was amazing. but these are just things i think about im a car junky and seeing something different like this spikes my interest.

 

Pretty much the miata 6sp (or any other miata trans for that matter) IMHO would be a complete waste with that engine.

You want LOOOONG gears on a v8. This is not a vtec honda 4cyl or a huge turbo evo motor that you have to "keep in the sweet spot".

One of the biggest things I love about the LSx engines is that their transmissions are damn near bulletproof. And gearing is nice and long. So that when you get on it you get to experience the torque PUSHING you back in the seat instead of *jerk* shift *jerk* shift.....you get the idea

 

SEX

 

I almost went this way when I started my V8 swap as I also was going to fab everything. In the end, it was the same money to do the 5.0 and more power. That's really the only reason.

Oh, and I didn't want to deal with the tranny thing. 5.0 + T5 = easy peasy.

One thing, even if you are going to "fab everything", it's still a $10k swap.

I know, I know, you can do it cheaper. Well, I'm here to tell you that VERY FEW V8 swaps come in under $10K.

I'm of the mind that it you would be happy with 250bhp, just turbo your car. Much cheaper, easier, faster. If you are going to go the V8 route, go 300WHP, or skip it.

 

I remember seeing that two of the guys on m.net reused the stock subframe just modified. That would save alot of fab work and time. I think the single most expensive part of this swap will be the rear end.

Also a hurdle will be its size. It is roughly a 700mm cube, which is 200mm wider then a ls1 head to head. I'm betting any sort of header worth a **** is out of the question.

 

I glanced at the title and swore it said wife swap thoughts.

 

well You saying it will cost me 10,000 is wrong. I have built drag cars in my garage since i couldnt drive. My father used to own a shop. This thread was not to discuss price of anything. just thoughts of the 1uzfe and the stock miata drive train.

I could do an ls1 swap for less than ten. Ive done it.

After coil overs and all the little piddly stuff, radiator skip shift elimination, painless harness the ls1 240sx came in under 6500. And that was with ls2 intake mani. long tube headers. and all that jazz.

If you buy everything then yes easy over 10k. But i wont do that. I will use the stock subframe. and im thinking an sr25 transmission. So i can get 6 gears out of it with over drive.

Bottom line is this swap should come out cheaper then an lsx swap. And as far as being happy with 250hp. In a miata yes i would be. This car would not be a drag car more of a sleeper to put mustangs down at the local track.

I have a 80 malibu that is the drag car. But thats apples and oranges man. And i wouldn do a ford motor swap if it were free. HAHA

 

agreed on the 10k budget.
Definitely can't agree with you on the last part though.
Its not about the power. Its about the torque. More importantly WHERE that torque is.

Its like driving a vette or viper, or something with 10+ cylinders: its effortless and sexy.

Having 200-250tq and having it pretty much off idle is a wonderful thing. being pushed back at 2k rpm without a screaming motor or winding it to 7k is a wonderful thing.

At least that's how I look at it.

Stein did that too. Check his thread. and he still claims it costs around 10k.
I don't know what kinda weak *** mustangs you have there, but around here most regulars run single digits. A 1zufe miata won't even remotely touch that.

I doubt that you will be faster than 12's at 110ish with that swap without MAJOR modifications.

And I doubt you'll pull it off on such a tiny budget.

But hey, if you've done it and are confident you can do it POWER TO YOU.
Prove us wrong and you'll gain our respect

 

not really looking to drag the car man. Possibly autocross. Maybe drag every now and then.

And i live near Stl. Missouri but on the ILL side of the river. And yes there are some fast cars that go down to our local track. But there is a 1:1 ratio of fast car to d bag highschool kid who thinks his stock 302 is the fastest thing ever.

so its most likely going to be a sleeper. That or i will look into putting it into a e30 or a focus wagon and going Rwd. Just because the rwd focus wagon would be hilarious

 

ahh
gotcha.

well in that case God speed and looking forward to an interesting build thread

 

There is a guy local to me who has access to a mill to mate a 1UZ to anything given he has a tranny to take measurements off of. He swapped a 240sx and runs a SR20 tranny. Same as a KA tranny with a different bell housing. He complains about the short gearing. I can give you a direct line if you are seriously interested.

Some vids on youtube of his car. Completely stock 1UZ with modified Tundra headers to mate to fit the car. Definatly a smoke machine... Skip the first vid it blows

http://www.youtube.com/results?searc...llins+1uz&aq=f

 

Or just throw a couple of turbos on it....like this guy did...

 

Wow both the 240 and that miata are impressive. Although that 240 with its gearing appears to only be capable of drifting. I want to see a build log or atleast how the miata has plumbed the turbos with the 1uzfe.