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Familia GTX engine swap or alternative legal turbo install
Posted: Sat Apr 01, 2006 2:59 am
by Astroboysoup
So,
has anyone here done the GTX turbo swap with the 1.6?
I'm considering this option since it keeps my car legal and gives me a tough turbo.
I tried googling stuff but can barely find anything useful.
Any help guys?
Posted: Sat Apr 01, 2006 3:07 am
by SuperMazdaKart
there was one guy keeping a journal of the swap i think (did a search?). not as straightforward as you think though. needs the MX-5s engine mounts obviously, i think the GTX uses a distributor so then gotta use the MX-5 coil pack ignition which'll need a different ECU. dipstick is in a different location so that'll need to be moved & original plugged. & i think there was something to do with the dump pipe not being usable in the engine bay of MX-5s.
Posted: Sat Apr 01, 2006 3:19 am
by Astroboysoup
http://forums.sabretooth.id.au/viewtopic.php?t=27just found sabertooths
lots to read...
and what are you doing up at 3 am?
Posted: Sat Apr 01, 2006 3:23 am
by SuperMazdaKart
just got back from a good drive of course. for the fun of it. went past 4 cop cars around glenelg/henley just minutes from each. luckily for me, i was actually driving at the limit at those times

well, heres something for your reference

Posted: Sat Apr 01, 2006 3:40 am
by Astroboysoup
cheers for that.. been reading up on saber's install and all that
looks like its in my skill levels.. well dads anyway.
Posted: Sat Apr 01, 2006 9:07 am
by muzza2
isnt the GTX a four-wheel drive car O_o?
or am i thinking of something else...
and arent parts like hella hard to get for them?
of are you guys using a base 1.6 and swapping parts?
Re:
Posted: Sat Apr 01, 2006 9:25 am
by Astroboysoup
muzza2 wrote:isnt the GTX a four-wheel drive car O_o?
or am i thinking of something else...
and arent parts like hella hard to get for them?
of are you guys using a base 1.6 and swapping parts?
yeh thats the one.
I don't think that they are that hard to get. I've found a couple of engines rangin from $1800 - $2200.
Its an easy way to get a street legal MX5. I could drop in a SR20 too but i haven't read about anyone doing that. So i wouldn't know where to start.
Posted: Sat Apr 01, 2006 9:35 am
by muzza2
so you would have a 4 wheel drive mx5?
thats sick

i'm not sure about the SR20, not too sure if the engine bay would be big enough to fit that thing in.
and complience would be harder to get...
u would need to check measurements before even thinking about buying an SR20DET because i assume you dont want to go cutting engine bay parts...
I DO know that they fit (BOT IN!) in an MGB MKII but only because i'm planning on doing it one day....

i would stick with the GTX, small, light, and cheaper to complience (IMO)
Posted: Sat Apr 01, 2006 12:11 pm
by adamjp
Muzza2 - I think (hope) that Astroboy is only looking at putting the GTX donk in, not the 4wd drivetrain.
The 4WD drivetrain would be a major task, and ultimately would screw the MX5 driving and handling abilities. They are FWD predominantly, only going to 4WD on slip at the front. To make matters worse their centre diff is not known for longevity, probably due to the fact that the ratio is not 1:1, but 1:1.08. Yep they run different diff ratios in front and rear!
Putting the GTX donk in would be possible, but you are going to throw away as much of it as you keep. Please look into this really hard before you go down that path. Sourcing a second hand or new AVO, Racing Beat or similar turbo kit would be so much easier it is not funny.
Posted: Sat Apr 01, 2006 12:18 pm
by SuperMazdaKart
is the rotor not an option Astro?
Re:
Posted: Sat Apr 01, 2006 12:46 pm
by Craig
Astroboysoup wrote:I'm considering this option since it keeps my car legal and gives me a tough turbo
adamjp wrote:Sourcing a second hand or new AVO, Racing Beat or similar turbo kit would be so much easier it is not funny.
AVO Stage 1 is fully EPA legal, and provided you get it installed by their agents you get the paperwork to prove it!

Re: SR20DET SWAP
Posted: Sat Apr 01, 2006 1:17 pm
by rodent
npower wrote:People have done the SR20DET conversion in US already.
http://forum.miata.net/cgi-bin/ultimate ... =001896;p=the nissan engine fits in, but will require heaps of custom work. Other people has put S2000 engine in mx-5 as well. Besides automotive practices, it's a cool way to spend money.
http://www.speedworks.com.au/products/MX5/mx5sr20main.htmlIt's an Aussie company doing conversion kits. Looks exxy though =/
jonno.
Posted: Sat Apr 01, 2006 2:22 pm
by Duj
buy my gear and drop in a Series 6 13B-REW motor or even jus a cheap import engine,It will have awesome power! and your in adelaide so it would make your life even easier to do it!
no stuffing around peter i have almost everything to do the conversion!
it wont be legal but just keep it quiet and u will be fine, cops dont assume anything when they look at my car as it no longer has a big FMIC and i have a fake pea shooter exhaust.
looks like a harmless little mx5

Re:
Posted: Sat Apr 01, 2006 2:35 pm
by Astroboysoup
`Zoombie wrote:is the rotor not an option Astro?
no its not a legal option for some reason. not sure why.
Craig wrote:AVO Stage 1 is fully EPA legal, and provided you get it installed by their agents you get the paperwork to prove it!
How much for an AVO stage 1 kit?????
muzza2 wrote:so you would have a 4 wheel drive mx5?
thats sick
I wish, nah, simply dumping in the engine using the original drive train from the mx5 and hopefully my custom manifold and dump pipe with the stock Familia turbo.
Re:
Posted: Sat Apr 01, 2006 2:38 pm
by Astroboysoup
Duj wrote:buy my gear and drop in a Series 6 13B-REW motor or even jus a cheap import engine,It will have awesome power! and your in adelaide so it would make your life even easier to do it!
no stuffing around peter i have almost everything to do the conversion!
it wont be legal but just keep it quiet and u will be fine, cops dont assume anything when they look at my car as it no longer has a big FMIC and i have a fake pea shooter exhaust.
looks like a harmless little mx5

nah...

what ever engine conversion I do it HAS to be legal.... working at the Department for Transport, Energy and Infrastructure has its advantages and alot of disadvantages. At the moment the inspection guys just drive pass me.