Anybody swapped in a different motor? wheels?

[vwmike]

Hows everybody doing.
Names Mike, im from sunny Florida, USA.
Got a exocet coming my way that ill be building, very excited about it.
I was wondering if anybody has installed something else besides the MX5's 1.8 and 1.6's (mk1). In the states its pretty popular to install Chevy LS1 V8's and Rotary 13B's in there Miatas, and i was wondering if anybody has done a Exocet with something like that.
I have a few 13B's in my garage, along with Haltech ecu's and turbos out the ass, and id love to run something fun and wild in these cars.
Not sure if this one will be that extreme, maybe the next one but still would be cool to see whats been done.

cheers!

mike

[Kevin Patrick]

I've often thought about it. I bet the V8Roadster sub-frames would bolt right up to the Exocet frame. Unfortunately I did not win the $330 Million Mega Millions jackpot last night otherwise I would have ordered a turnkey LS3 conversion . flyinmiata.com/V8/costs.php

I think my only question would be whether or not the current Exocet frame could handle that much torque - maybe Stuart will chime in here. From what I have seen around the web, the V8 MX5 conversions seem to add a bunch of chassis bracing. I wonder how much torsional rigidity the Exocet frame can handle.

The other thing I was thinking about for the US market - we've got plenty of C5 Corvettes. The drivetrain is similar to the MX5 as it has the a PPF-like structure that joins the front and rear sub-frames:


An Exocet-like frame over a C5 drivetrain would certainly be interesting. Keeps the ease of the Exocet build but starts with a much higher power donor. What do you say Stuart - how about an Exovette?

[vwmike]

well i can always take my fathers Z06 apart, just gotta make sure he's out of town for a weekend .

bracing and extra support wouldnt be a problem, im a welder/metal fab and could easily make something.

Smart idea is to find a wrecked GT0 or WS6/SS and once you get everything you want out of it like motor, ecu, harness, tranny, etc and then part out the rest.
My buddy got his LS2 swap for his Datsun for $25 once he sold off everything off the GTO he didnt need. Just need a garage to hold everything while you part the car out.

im thinking i might use a ported 13B non turbo, but with around 240hp and a nasty high redline. then again i have this nice T66 turbo just sitting on my shelf..... man o man.

[gvfanatic]

Hey mike. Im from good old GA right above you. currently in Germany for the next few weeks. I am the previous owner of a 2003 mx5 and i was wondering the same thing as i was wanting to swap in a higher displacement. if all goes well in the next couple years i will be tryin to swap in the new chevy LLT 3.6L V6 out of the new camaro. I see alot of pros out of this engine cuz it almost has just as much HP as a normal LS1, Gets great Gas mileage, and runs on Regular grade gas. If it works then i see and awesome new engine to drop into an Exocet. You said you have a few 13B's laying around. I would definitely do one of those or even a 20B in an Exocet. it's make for a good lightweight build.

[vwmike]

20B is big big bucks and i can get get plenty of power out of a 13B. my buddys FC turbo 2 is pushing around 450whp and that motor in a exocet would be insane... and its only a street ported motor.

im a big fan of the LS v8's, just cant beat them bang for the buck. 28mph, 450hp, reliable and smooth!
btw, that 3.6 V6 is rated at that hp with high octane gas. great motor though.

[gvfanatic]

Very true and it is a great v6. Im on Camaro5's forum as well keepin up with every update and new modification that comes along. One guy has just a CAI, good suspension, and the MRT v2.0 exhaust and he's gettin a 13.7 1/4 time which when you think about it..that size N/A engine in that heavy of a car isnt bad at all. So i now it will be a great block to drop into an MX5. Plus its lighter than an LS block, i'd always have the option of running regular gas if i had to without it crappin up the block, and i just love the sound of it with the vvt. just like the nissan VQ35DE engine but a little deeper.

And yeah those 20b's are very pricey but still badass all the same. im sure you've probably seen this clip of a turbo 3 rotor exhaust clip but good god does it sound like sex

[olberj]

Alfa Romeo 3.2 GTA engine if you've got the height.

Sounds glorious!

[vwmike]

i use to work on alfa's. they were older since thats all we have over here but always liked them. I even owned a GTV6 for a few months. loved it.

found a miata for $750 so if its good to go then im thinking a swap needed.
Found a full LS1 setup for $2200 with a few bolton goodies on it. My buddy has a RX7 turbo 2 rear end and brakes, so that should take care of the weak points. not sure how that would work with the exocet though... but theres ways around that.

Anybody running any wide wheels on these cars?