Datsun Roadster Forum-311s.org

Guys, don't kill me, this is my second roadster, but I wanted to do a swap to a readily available engine that was easy to get performance parts for and was dimensionally similar to the R16. I am wrapping up the engine fitment phase of the following:

Car: 1966 Datsun SPL 311
Engine: 1997 Miata DOHC 1.8
Transmission: Aisin 6 speed
Fuel: dual Weber 40 DCOE's on a Boig manifold
Ignition: Electromotive HPX w/ crankshaft pickup
Frame cuts: 0
Subframe clearancing: NO
Firewall mods: NO
Transmission Tunnel mods: NO
Any hammering involved: NO
Shifter comes through original hole: YES
Hood shuts: YES
Steering shaft mods: NO
Exhaust comes out same side as roadster
Water outlets on same side as roadster

It is a Mazda motor, but the options are endless with Toda and Webcam cams, superchargers, tons of headers, forged internals, cheap parts, and no frame cuts like the SR20 guys. So before you criticize, consider the options.

Questions, let me know

Hey no problems with me. Since I moved to Spokane I've laid eyes on a L20b conversion, LZ22, VG30DE, Mazda Rotary.

What I want are some pics

And what kind of horsepower? Seems around 140 for the stock Miata.

How about a writeup?

Scott

I would like to see pics too. I prefer stock roadsters, but for those that feel the need to change the engine, I never understood the burning desire to remain Nissan if other engines fit. I have heard of a Toyota swap or two, but not the Miata. Will the diff gearing be way off from what the Miata had? Will you have to change a lot of gauges?

lbs for lbs and ease of parts the rotary engine is my choice for the Mazda engines - 12A, 13B, or Renisis. The 20B would be wild. The rotary with a good crhome, paint and bead blaste clear coat combo look so cool. I have a rotary conversion I hope to do in the far future. I wanted to doit to my my Renault 4CV but that would death trap the car. So I am now thinking of swapping the 12A into my 74 VW Bug with the info from this page http://www.geocities.com/zenjoe/conversion.html.

I regress!

My 2nd Mazda choice is the the MX3 V-6 but I am not sure if it is a FWD or RWD.

I heard of and seen Miata's on EBay hopped up to 400+ HP.

If funds are available, I say doit!

Be sure to start a new topic in the engine swap section after you have decided.

BTW: please send us lots and lots of pics.

Guys,

I will try and get some digital pics this weekend. I have the body back on now, so I will take those now and try to show clearances with the body, when the body goes to be stripped, I will take further pics of just the frame with engine and tranny installed.

Sid, the Mazda Miata LS cars with the Aisin 6 speeds use a 3.9 rear-end ratio. Neat huh?

For the gauges, the oil pressure screws right in where the miata unit went in the oil gallery. Water temp does take machining of the rear water outlet on the Miata head. Tach will need to be convereted to square wave signal by the folks at D&M restorations. Speedo drive requires replacement of the electronic sender on the Aisin with the gear driven to cable assembly off of a 85 RX-7 with the purple 18 toot speedo drive gear. This is a direct bolt on.

More info and full write up to follow if you guys are really interested.

Of course we are interested. You may have hit on the perfect engine swap given what you've told us so far.

A write up with tons of pics and "how to's" is mandatory now that you've awakened the sleeping giant.

Scott

Hey, you write it up and provide some pictures and I will post it on the main site with the rest of the engine swap info.

Steve

Minh wrote:My 2nd Mazda choice is the the MX3 V-6 but I am not sure if it is a FWD or RWD.

The MX3 is FWD, but I like the idea of a small (1.8 L) V6.

Guys, the body left least week to be dipped, stripped, and worked-over. Got the chassi back and put everything back together. Here is a link to the pics showing the fit of the engine and tranny:

http://www.cardomain.com/id/volvumph

Let me know if you have questions.

Wade

Looks great. Is that an oil cooler? I couldn't tell where the lines were routed too. The chassis looks great. Why are you converting back to carbs when the motor came fi?

Alexi

Yep, it is a Setrab oil cooler. Thanks for the suport!

Wade

Why carbs? Wanted the engine to still look retro as much as possible. Plus I love Webers.

Everyone knows my stance on swaps. However this one is cool because it involves no cutting. The 1.8 liter Miata engine is a good engine that has a ton of aftermarket go-fast parts. The coolest thing is the 6 spd gearbox. It is sweet. Since my 5th gear went south, I have been driving a 91 (1.6 ltr) miata, and yes its a Guttless Unwonder when compaired to my roadster (however it won't bite back when pushed hard). This could be cool. Stuff a Jackson Racing supercharger on it and hold on. (I wish I had the U20 in the Miata right now).

Will

DELETED

Please bump to swaps. Sorry about putting it in the wrong section. Alvin, exhaust header is stock due to clearance issues with Jackson Racing and Racing Beat headers. I had the headers sterling finished by Jet Hot and love the way that they look.

Wade