EPA notice - Updated 28/11/07

[Insurgence]

Hmm sounds like a heap of hassel from 1 run in with the cops.

I guess its a mixed blessing. not really.

[Fuzzlet]

Have u thought about plumbing in the AFM, plugging it in, but then running that lead through the firewall connected to nothing? That way it'll give the illusion of a factory ecu....As for emissions testing, yes, the test is absolute bullshit. In the end I've bought an SE, and I'm planning on working the tits off it

[Blue94t]

Fuzzlet,
I thought about doing a fake afm but I doubt it would get through. The first thing the EPA guy said was he would be pulling the covers off to check the ecu was original if I hadn't admitted it. He said the number of guys who try to dodgy their way through the test is unbelievable.
He is an ex mechanic and no doubt knew his stuff.
He also made a point of telling me it was the guys who lie or try to decieve the testers who get the big fines.
He knew damn well that there was no way I was running the setup I had with a standard MX5 ecu.

Insurgence,
I see it as a blessing, big things are going to happen as a result of this. Just means that the development process will be happening a bit quicker than I had originally planned.

Rob,
Just to keep you interested, the engineer and epa have just given me approval to run a dry sump setup. So at least the new engine will be as low as possible.
Jake

[bruce]

Wouldn't it be easier to sell the car and buy something more appropriate for a conversion ?

[Blue94t]

Bruce,
What could be more appropriate.
The car is unsaleable with an outstanding epa notice unless it where deregistered and sold as a competitiion vehicle only. Basically I have to clear the epa notice before I can do anything.
I love my MX5 but the only reason I bought it was because of the handling/chassis dynamics. WHile I am impressed with the design/durability of the Mazda BP engine they are definately not the best motor ever built.
I should get a reasonable return on selling the turbo set up off my car to put towards the conversion too.
So basically I can return it to stock drivetrain, or I can spend all my hard earned on a conversion. Not a hard choice at all in my mind.
Jake

[mossy]

Conversion, hmmm 1uzfe v8 maybe?

[Rob E]

Way to go Jake........love the attitude. I just hit another unforseen sh1tefight today with the progress of my 5. Nothing like another 2k cost to add to the receipts pile to make you question your sanity.

ah well, Bugger it

[jules]

That car was always a work in progress. I really thought long and hard about it last time around though when it was for sale up here.

Best wishes for the rare blue clubbie!

Jules

[bruce]

Let me think. Can it be sold interstate as is? Just trying to think of a way to minimise costs.
Then you could buy a cheap high kay car and use that as a base to convert.

I know in Victoria that it is difficult to get a conversion engineered and then registered.

13b turbo - capacity (turbo multiplication) rules it out, plus the motor has to be newer than the car. 12a turbo is legal but not worth it
Lexus v8 - capacity rules it out
RX8 13b - I think that is a 'Houston, we have lift off'. This could be the go and legal.

[sabretooth]

Probably obvious and unexciting, but how about an SE engine, but with some of your own turbo bits on it?

[Blue94t]

Bruce,
Nah, the car can't be sold until the epa notice is cleared. There is also a lot of other good bits on the car that would cost too much too replace.
I have done a few conversions in the past and if you consult with the engineer from day one I have found it is not too hard to get through the requirements. The car already being registered helps too.

Sabretooth,
SE engines are too expensive for what they are. Big issue is I have to run std ecu and most places are talking $7k for a front cut if they can find one.

Rob,
I figure this little adventure will cost me the best part of $10k if not more. I gave up keeping receipts a long time ago.

As far as motors go,
1UZFE - too hard to convert to manual adn engineer.
13b - not a fan of rotary's, the last one I had cost me a fortune.
So the short list at the moment is
SR20det - Huge aftermarket support, strong sweet shifting gearbox, all alloy so reasonably light.
350z V6 - Good package and can supercharge it later. Not sure if I can fit the headers in so might rule this motor out
CA18det - Same pros as SR - Cheaper, no need to dry sump to fit
3sge BEAMS - still researching this one
S2000 - too expensive.

So there you have it. All inputs welcome.

[mossy]

How about the LS1, there is a guy on miata net finishing his car and I think he is putting a kit out.

[Rob E]

I like the idea of the LS1 too....not sure of legalities though. Easy to get bulk power and torque even in low state of tune and not as heavy as people think....and its a V8

[mossy]

....and its a V8

Exactly Rob, my plan in a couple of years time is to drop one of these in, hopefully by then a kit will be fully sorted but first priority for now is the mortgage

[bruce]

Methinks capacity of the Lexus v8 (thus LS1) kills the straight drop it in and get the motor engineered.
The only way to do it is as an Individually Constructed Vehicle (is that the right term?), which means you have to get everything engineered as if you built it from scratch. But it also means ANYTHING goes (if you have an Engineer willing to sign off).

I've always pondered this loophole. Import a car from either Japan or NZ which has had the engine conversion and REGISTERED over there. Of course you would have to own it for a year over there but then it would qualify as a Personal Import to OZ.