This is my progress log of a mean V6 into a Miata. Pages are organized by date.
Page 1: Intro and turbo 4-banger
Page 2: Intake manifold
Page 3: First engine fitment
Page 4: Engine bay modification
Page 5: Motor mounts
Page 6: Exhaust manifolds
Page 7: Engine placement
page 8: Completed exhaust manifolds
page 9: Final engine fitment
I bought this car three years ago as a '93A Miata with a 1.6l engine. After the usual cosmetic and stereo stuff, I discovered the art of making power.
First I installed a nitrous kit care of a '67 Chevelle. After adding a NOS fogger, I was hitting the bottle for under $200. However, I quickly realized that I'd spend many times that filling the darn thing.
Next step was a T3 turbo with equal length tubular manifold flowing through a HUGE 24x10x3 core intercooler and controlled by a Haltech E6K. At 13 PSI, this is no girly car!
It took months to sort out all the little glitches like loose wires, vacuum leaks, bad grounds, but the car finally made me proud by graduating from CSP to SM2 in the local autocross series.
Unfortunately, racing was also the car's downfall. I neglected a slow oil leak for a couple of months and spun a bearing after 4 HARD runs. What can I say about Mobil 1? Drive without oil for 70 miles to an event, run 4 brutal laps, spin a bearing, and STILL run in the pits.
So I started looking for a new motor. I considered the 5.0, but knew it would be real difficult to add boost in the future. I choose the smaller 3.4l 60 degree for its size and ability to make power.
Steve Amos (of miata.net fame)crated up his GM Performance Parts motor (originally destined for his Jeep) and shipped it to sunny Florida along with TONS of extras.
Steve had the heads reworked with a great valve job, hogged-out runners, beefy springs and new retainers.
This engine also comes with beefier rods, 9:1 pistons, and a 262 Comp Cam. In addition, Steve also included new ARP hardware for the rods and heads, and beautiful Crane Gold AL 1:1.6 roller rockers. Finally, I upgraded the piston rings with a set from Total Seal.
Here's this VERY engine (minus carb) in Steve's car. Looks like there is plenty of room to hang a T-25 off of each head!
After inputting all the build sheets, Desktop Dyno estimates 251hp @ 5.5k, 264ft/lb @ 4k, and 217ft/lb @ 2k(!). Thats almost as much power as the 1.6l made on boost! I'm sure some people with bash DD, but if used correctly and honestly, it really is a great tool for picking the engine parts.
The engine awaits mounting the s-10 bell housing and Camaro T5 transmission. A LT1 throttle body will be mounted to a ported and chopped Camaro intake manifold loaded up with RC Engineering 550 injectors. I may end up going with a single exhaust pipe, since I still have my turbo Enthuza 2.5" cat-back lying around.
Other stuff:
15" Konig Heliums
AGX KYB with Eibach springs
Flyin' Miata shock tower bar
Hard Dog double diag. roll bar
RX-7 TII rear end
94+ Big brake upgrade w/SS lines
KOYO radiator
