Miata with 3.4l

[evilmiata]

http://www.cardomain.com/memberpage/487571

I had this in the pushrod performance for a few minutes, and then feared the mods.

[RacerX11]

I hate to burst your bubble, but the guy who hogged out the intake runners on those heads messed up. The stock iron heads have a vane in the floor of the runner to direct flow more smoothly to the intake valve. Most people want to remove it when porting, but according to the GM performance literature, the vane actually increases flow by 17%.

I love the car, though. I have always wanted to play around with a Miata with some real power. I figured the 2.5 DOHC Probe/MX-6 engine would make a nice swap (then you could stay in SM2 nstead of being bumped into EM for the Chevy engine). Do you have any plans to beef up the rearend?

Keep us updated on the pogress.

Marty

[evilmiata]

The vanes are in the lower intake manifold. I know about those and kept them.

There are two problems with the mazda 2.5 DOHC V6.
#1 The engine is designed to sit canted. If one tried to stand the motor on-end like a proper RWD configuration, the engine would be oil-starved. It is possible to run a dry sump ($$$) but....

#2 There simply isn't a DOHC V6 out there that will fit in the engine bay of the miata.

As I mentioned on the site, the rear-end has already been beefed up: RX-7 Turbo II. This is the 8" rear clutch-type LSD found on second generation turbo RX-7s. It will handle a lot more power than I'll ever be able to milk out of the 3.4l. The half shafts are a custom job comprising of an RX-7 inside spline, Mitsubishi shaft, and 323 GTX wheel spline.

As for autocross, I could spin the Victoracers at will with the turbo. I wouldn't mind trading them in for a nice set of 9" wheels with sticky Hoosier slicks for EM.

[DEI37]

What I'm trying to figure out is that it's got a carb on it, and then you mention a LT1 throttle body and injectors. I assume it's being turned into a MPFI/SFI engine?

[614streets]

Hey very neat keep us posted on how it ends up.

[RacerX11]

I think the carb was on the engine in its previous vehicle. The Miata will be getting EFI.

Marty

[614streets]

what manifold is on it edelbrock?

[evilmiata]

As the website mentioned, the previous owner intended to use a carb. Since I want to reuse the Haltech, I'm adding the intake manifolds and fuel rail from a '94 camaro.

Yesterday I machined the throttle body neck off of the manifold, fabricated a mounting plate for the LT1 throttle body, and milled some delrin spacers for the RC Engineering 550 injectors. I also finished porting the intake manifolds and gave them one final bead blast.

[evilmiata]

Now with page 2!

http://www.cardomain.com/memberpage/487571

[evilmiata]

Update! http://www.cardomain.com/memberpage/487571/3

The 3.4l engine test-fitted in the Miata for the first time! My car domain site is primarily a logbook used to share ideas and information with other Miata conversions (5.0s in particular), so other people may wonder why I posted some of my thoughts.

[RacerX11]

Looking good!! You are getting me thinking about finding Miata in need of a heart transplant

There was a smaller starter available on the later 3100/3400 engines. The problem is this starter would bolt on the driver's side of the engine in this install. If you could find one of the duoble-starter T5 bellhousings, it might work and give you the necessary clearance btween the unibody and starter without cutting.

Marty

[Cliff8928]

you can most likely use a Small-Block Chevy starter if you need it to mount on the passenger side...

Cliff Scott
89 BerettaGT
89 Volvo740

[v6h.o.]

damn thats going to be sweet when your done.

yes like cliff said the SBC's used a small starter much like the 3400/3100 used.

does it have the proper # of gear teeth Cliff?

[Cliff8928]

Don't know on the gear teeth, i never had a use for that... Then you'll need to make sure it's the correct bolt pattern (with the in-line holes)

From what I've seen, the smaller FWD starter (like on the 3400s, etc) will work on my Pontiac V8

Cliff Scott
89 BerettaGT
89 Volvo740
65 GTO

[evilmiata]

update