My new/old baby.

[TitaniumTT]

Originally Posted by Pete_89T2

^Now that's something I'd like to learn more about - always wanted to stick a 13B into a Miata. Do you have this project posted up on a Miata forum somewhere?

Since I'm going to have a spare series 5 13BT to play with soon, the thoughts of picking up an NA/NB Miata as a project car to put it in it has been rattling around in my brain lately!

It's alot easier than you think.... They're ALMOST plug and play

Originally Posted by Madmen

Hi Pete_89T2.
Actually it wasn't easy. Built a jig to keep everything straight. Cut the Miata to accept the FD front end while still maintaining the OEM Miata fenders.

You went about it in a VERY odd way. Yours is more of a track car, not a fun little street car.

Originally Posted by Madmen

I used almost everything from the RX7, engine, drivetrain,

That's where it stops being easy....

Originally Posted by Madmen

suspension,

Obviously a ridiculous amount of fab

Originally Posted by Madmen

electricals,

Why? It would be soooooooooooo much easier to remove all the emmissions related crap from the Miata harness, honestly it unplugs, build a new engine harness and adapt the power to feed it.

Originally Posted by Madmen

even the instrument cluster which I had to mate with the Miata dash.

I just don't understand that at all. Miata dash would work just fine.

Originally Posted by Madmen

Did all the CF work myself even the CF Sparco CF copies. I have a deal with a local car magazine so I can't show my build thread, 50 or so pages with photos and written logs. Wish I could. But you may see these photos:

I would like to see all the fab work associated with the suspension and stuff and junk

Originally Posted by Madmen

Simple rust issues being tacked by the tinsmith.

Nope nope nope nope nope.... been there, done that, no fucking thank you.

Pete... we put an S5 n/a into a Miata in a week at the shop. Used the stock ECU. Harderst part is going the be mounting the engine. If you're serious about the project.... text me. The next big build I do for myself is going to be a 400+ rwhp 13B-RE Exocet

[Madmen]

Hi Titanium TT,

Yeah it wasn't easy. Plus all the miata running gear just looked too puny to handle the stock power of the FD. So all the FD running gear had to stay. With that, all the FD suspension went in as well. FD cross member...all the front suspension points still on the cut out chassis mated to the front miata firewall.
The rear was hard. Removed the miata fuel tank because thats where the rear suspension hard points and diff/prop shaft wanted to sit. If I can find my old hard drive I'll post pics.
The stock miata tach didn't go past 7000rpm. The speedo only went to 220 I think. The Apexi ECU was on the donor car so it went in with all the wiring. Had a problem making the wipers work. Lol.
Looking for pics.

[Madmen]

[attach]Donor car.jpg

Recipient Miata.jpg

Jig.jpg

Rear Susp..jpg[/attach]

[Madmen]

Rear Susp..jpg

Rear trailing arms.jpg

Firewall out.jpg

RX7 Miata front end 2.jpg

Rx7'miata front end.jpg

I apologize if there isn't any order to the way I've installed the photos.

[Madmen]

RX7-Miata dash.jpg

Airbag.jpg

Engine problem.jpg

My biggest problem was with the engine. I learned how to take it apart and rebuild it. Had to do it twice.

[speedjunkie]

Do you have any more info on how you did the hinges for the airbag compartment? I removed my airbag and I've been wanting to put hinges on the lid for a while but couldn't think of how to do it.

[Madmen]

Speedjunkie.

The hinges were cheap cabinet hinges from a hardware store. I used a pair of RC car shocks/springs I had laying around. I then made my own latch. I even had a jeweler friend make me a tiny mazda wing badge out of white gold with a long straight tiny rod behind it. Hooked that up to the latch mechanism and push it to spring open and shut the airbag cover to lock.
As for the cover itself. Mine is made from fiberglass and balsa wood and lots of epoxy slurry sanded to the shape I liked. Made it fatter using balsa wood to save weight.

[Madmen]

Speedjunkie. The cabinet hinges were the type that pull out and extend a bit. I hope that helps.

[speedjunkie]

Interesting, thanks! I bought several different types of cabinet hinges but haven't found any that would work yet. I'm using the outer cover from the airbag so it looks original. I was afraid it would fly off while driving but so far it has stayed in place even during aggressive driving. I get into that compartment more often than I thought I would so it would be nice if the cover hinged open.

[Madmen]

Here's what I been doing. The CF doors are getting fitted with the hardware. Body almost ready for paint.

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[Madmen]

Test fitting my home made CF doors.

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[FC Zach]

That's damn cool!

[infernosg]

Indeed, very cool! I wish I could have carbon fiber (or even fiberglass) doors for my FC.

[85rx-7gsl-se]

Love the Miata.

[Madmen]

Thanks for the interest in my carbon fiber doors. Wait'll you see the hood and bumpers.
Meanwhile this is how the rest of the car looks:
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