It looked so simple at first!

[GySgtFrank]

Next major hurdle was fuel.

I needed the EFI pump w/sump in the 87 tank. After lots of head scratching I decided to swap in the entire 87 tank and lines. I wanted the pump and setup that matched the engine and induction I was using, in order to head off those particular headaches. This also allowed me to free up the room on the driver's side for a muffler.

Of course, Mazda had to go and change the fuel filler from the driver's side to the passenger's side between the two generations. Being a masochist, I therefore had to center mount a new fuel fill opening behind the license plate. I used a leftover hinged plate holder I had from a 68 AMC AMX project.

After getting new pipe bent to connect to the passenger side, figuring out which rubber connectors would work, and some cutting/fitting, Voila'.

The 87 fuel tank is taller, so the spare tire well had to come out. Here we go again, cut out the well, cut the rear floor from the 87, trim to fit, put in bolts, weld down the nuts, and install seals. We have a new floor with a fuel pump access hole. Not the prettiest thing in the world but it's hidden under the carpet and more importantly, it works, and I have a larger tank to boot.

I had to figure out a way to bolt down my spare in the back hatch area as I no longer had room for it. Cut the center bolt down section from the original well and bolt onto the rear hatch floor, and fabricate a holder so I can run a center bolt through the wheel. The spare needed to be bolted down so I don't end up wearing it around my neck during a panic stop. Besides, it kind of reminds me of the old Ferraris with it mounted visible under the glass this way.


Build12 by GySgtFrank, on Flickr


Build10 by GySgtFrank, on Flickr


Build11 by GySgtFrank, on Flickr