bruce wrote:Do you realise that any engine swap or turbo-ing will need to be approved by an Engineer? Victoria in a nutshell - zero chance of any swap or turbo-ing (unless AVO do it).
You would realise this if you had actually used the Search function.
This zero chance is the biggest load of crap I have read in a while.
My whole engine conversion has been done whilst consulting with an engineer and the epa. It will be 100% road legal when it is completed to that stage.
As far as legality/power etc goes my old BP turbo setup (NA8 clubman) was put off the road by the EPA as I had an aftermarket ecu. I could have had it retuned to pass the relevant adr's but the test to prove compliance is $4000 pass or fail. If you fail you are up for $4000 again and so on if you continue to fail. Once converted the SR20 only requires gas analysis and a noise test. The EPA also query the ecu through the Consult port to ensure it is throwing no faults. You are allowed one inlet system modification and in my case it is the FMIC. everything else is standard S13 180sx including the airbox.
The SR20det will make ~160rwk in standard form relatively easily, the same amount as my old BP did but that required an aftermarket ecu which made it illegal. The SR gearbox is much stronger than the Mazda box. The Nissan ECU has also been cracked allowing full real time programming of the ecu whilst still maintaining legality when queried through the Consult port.
SE and SP are great cars but they are not an NA, which is my preferred MX5, and they too become illegal in order to make the power levels I want.
I recouped a lot of the expense of the conversion by selling off my old BP engine and turbo setup. It is still not a conversion to undertake lightly. It will cost $10k+
If I could of I would have gone with an LS1 but unfortunately that can not be engineered.
Fatty,
I am hoping to have my MX5 drivable for the summer. The conversion has dragged out a bit as I now have a 8 month old daughter and have started my own business. This has meant projects have taken a back burner for a bit (I have way to many is part of the problem) I have been keeping my reflex's honed on the dirtbike when I get the time and will be back on the track asap. I look forward to competing with Dave (lightyear) and his ultra light weight specials.
