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Thread: Ethaniscool's 13B Miata Swap Thread.

  1. #1
    Idling - Listen to it purr... Ethaniscool's Avatar
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    Ethaniscool's 13B Miata Swap Thread.

    Hi guys! So new here but not new to Miata's. I've been around for a number of years but have not been all that active.

    Anyway, I've Been wanting to build a Rotary miata for as long as I've had one. I remember seeing threads about people saying that's the engine that should have come in Miata's. So once I heard one. I knew In my mind I would build one.

    So after getting a free shell, and finally being at a point in my life that I'm not living check to check. This is the time. As my favorite speaker says. "There is never the perfect time to do a great thing" So lets make it Happen.

    Said Shell.



    It was a Ex Spec Miata that was left for dead. Asked the owner how much he wanted for it and he said "Free and I can deliver anywhere to get my wife off my back" haha so we loaded it up!

    So next on the List was of course a engine. I used Tiger JDM out of Canada and yea BIG regret. Long story short. Horrible seller. Gave me Wrong parts, tried to Lie and say they didnt. Charged me for parts that were wrong and incomplete. Zabi is the worst human I've ever dealt with. So NEVER BUY FROM TIGER JDM EVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Said engine.



    After that, reading a lot of 13B swap threads everyone said the part that they would have done different on almost all of them was getting a V8roadsters Tube Subframe. So i obliged. Fantastic Build quality, only 25lbs, and great customer service. They will have my business again.



    Then I had to look at the transmission side of things. I could have gone full FC drivetrain but given that I have a 1.8 diff and 05 axles and the fact that I wont be going over 250hp Stock miata stuff is fine. But in order to do that you need a FC bell housing and Shortening the output shaft. So found a guy local with one and snagged it for dirt cheap.



    Ill be giving a machinist this for the measurements.


    So the shell literally had nothing in it. Not a Nut or Bolt on it. So I snagged some parts from my old car to get it rolling. And bought another miata for parts from a buddy for next to nothing.







    This thing is a heap. But still has great parts. Well Important parts haha


    Lastly I need to wire it all up and Need a ECU and ignition. Found another guy that did the swap before and is parting it out. So I snagged a Apexi Power FC Ecu, and meshed miata to Rx7 Harness, and Ignition coils and associated stuff. Paypaling him as I type this and it should be shipped out tomorrow morning!








    So this is where I am right now.
    Next on the List is
    Clutch
    Flywheel
    Need a 54mm socket.
    Radiator + Fans
    Intercooler setup.
    Fuel

    Thanks For looking guys.
    Last edited by Ethaniscool; 05-25-2015 at 10:55 PM.

  2. The Following 6 Users Say Thank You to Ethaniscool For This Useful Post:

    Agent☣Orange (06-03-2015),fwdtamiya (06-03-2015),Golden Stallion (05-27-2015),juanitocasa (05-26-2015),jux (07-04-2015),riefdaddy (05-26-2015)

  3. #2
    6,000 rpm - mere mortals would shift Demon I Am's Avatar
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    Awesome! I can't wait to see/hear this pup in action!

  4. #3
    Idling - Listen to it purr... Ethaniscool's Avatar
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    Just ordered a Clutch and flywheel setup and also a Stock intercooler with the right shroud!
    Will Post pictures as soon as they arrive!



    So I guess I'll make a list of things that I can think of that I know need to be sorted.

    Things to buy.
    1.Starter
    2.Clutch Slave and SS line
    3.Fuel Pump
    4.Passenger Motor mount??(can't remember which side)
    5.Poly mounts
    6.New Wheel nuts
    7............

    - Check my gas tank cause I'm almost sure there is rust in it. If it is, check parts car and swap if needed.

    - Fuel: I need to see if I can run just the stock FC fuel Items like, Stock pump and FPR. Trying to use stock miata hardlines and tank.

    - Need to get a starter and wire it up.

    - Instal front Poly bushings as Rears are done.

    - Swap in front subframe and put all the arms on.

    - Disassemble tranny to get the shaft machined and switch bellhousings.

    Picture Just because.

    Last edited by Ethaniscool; 05-28-2015 at 01:34 AM.

  5. The Following 3 Users Say Thank You to Ethaniscool For This Useful Post:

    Agent☣Orange (06-03-2015),fwdtamiya (06-03-2015),Phatmiata (07-07-2015)

  6. #4
    2,000 rpm - light wheelspin, no bog here! Golden Stallion's Avatar
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    I have been wanting to do a rotary swap for a while but not for several reasons. Maybe one day I will get to do this

    Good luck with the build and hope to see this running soon

  7. #5
    Idling - Listen to it purr... Ethaniscool's Avatar
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    So I took a afternoon, to start on the car.

    Loaded up with Wheels, wiring, New Clutch.



    I decided to start on the front subframe. Needed to switch the control arms and put the new Poly bushings in. Sadly it started raining so I had to take it inside.



    Had a little help from Veda







    I ended up Bending two Upper control arms trying to take the bushings out but luckily the parts car came in handy.
    So Instead of the cheap Home Depot tool. Good ole fashion fire!




    Then I pulled the Parts steering rack to use the boots that were still in great shape.








    Next I pulled the dash and started labeling as Ill be using most or all of the body harnesses.



    And I started to pull the Steering column




    Also had a few Helping hands throughout the day!


    As she sits.
    [/URL]

    My buddys VQ swapped 240.
    Last edited by Ethaniscool; 06-03-2015 at 12:07 AM.

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    Agent☣Orange (06-03-2015),fwdtamiya (06-03-2015),Phatmiata (07-07-2015)

  9. #6
    Individual-1 ☚ ☻ ☛ Agent☣Orange's Avatar
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    Nice 240!


    No todo que es oro brilla.

  10. #7
    6,000 rpm - mere mortals would shift theothersawyer's Avatar
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    Cool build!

  11. #8
    Idling - Listen to it purr... Ethaniscool's Avatar
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    So finally an update!
    I've been ordering up parts for this and my daily and just trying to find time to get to the car since It's been raining really every single afternoon so cant really get to the car as its just under a carport and not the Garage yet as we still have another project 240 in there.

    But here is my lunch and a few parts from the other day.
    Got a ISIS radiator plus fans for dirt cheap
    SS brake lines
    Brand New Starter.
    And A new OEM intercooler

    But i am super excited about my knuckles i just got from the same guy that I got the ECU from.
    They should be here Tomorrow!




    Last edited by Ethaniscool; 07-01-2015 at 08:22 PM.

  12. #9
    Idling - Listen to it purr... Ethaniscool's Avatar
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    So I got to work on the car today! I got the knuckles in so got to instal them. I didn't do any measurements but Its a obvious difference.

    But also got my dash in and all the steering together. The previous owner was a idiot and I almost couldn't save the shaft but I ended up being able too. Glad I could finally have the car start looking like a car.

    Next up is changing the gas tank
    also found out I got the wrong starter, so Ill have figure out if there are differences in years. Cause the rx7 bellhousing I've got, I don't have any info on the year.




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  14. #10
    Supporting Member artcentermiata's Avatar
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    Awesome build! cant wait to see all the cool tidbits on making a rotary roadster!

    Always wanted to do this to my NB build

  15. #11
    Idling - Listen to it purr... Ethaniscool's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by artcentermiata View Post
    Awesome build! cant wait to see all the cool tidbits on making a rotary roadster!

    Always wanted to do this to my NB build
    This coming from you is a honor!

  16. #12
    Idling - Listen to it purr... Ethaniscool's Avatar
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    Just a reminder before anyone says anything. This build is not to be Pretty in any way. Or be a 400hp insane bridgeport huge turbo. Stock motor should be just fine for me! I used to drift a Stock 1.6 perfectly fine, so 215+hp is going to be a treat! I'm building this to have loads of fun with my friends at our local drift events. The outside will be all one color but as for painting the bay, and prepping everything just so. That is not in this builds immediate future. I just want to have fun and shoot some flames.

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  18. #13
    Admin / Pit Boss / Miataholic Phatmiata's Avatar
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    Keep it up!! Its making lots of progress!!

  19. #14
    Idling - Listen to it purr... Ethaniscool's Avatar
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    Alright so more updates! Been slowly chipping away at the car. I started to tear into the transmission bellhousing swap I found out that the Rx7 turbo II and Na transmissions are a little different, 20mm different. So now in search for one of those.

    Said issue. Its a setback but I also learned something. No big deal.


    Then I got on the new rear wheels on as well!


    Today was super productive getting rid of the parts car. A buddy with a trailer came haul her off to the scrap yard!

    When I checked the mail I was greated with my new steering wheel hub, New Hardtop bolts and my fuel pump!





    And I retapped all the fender bolts because they had alot of surface rust in them



    HArdstyle for days.


    And a old photo of switching drivetrains.

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    RustRat (07-15-2015)

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