Teh Official "Dude Where's My Forum?" Thread, Brought to you by the minds of Box, and her fiancée, Lorelei Options

[Box]

So after lots of thought, contemplation, and research I finally figured out what to swap into the Miata I don't even have yet. It's a choice that even Ferdi should like. *drum roll* The Mazda/Ford/Jaguar KL/Duratec/AJ V6! *throws confetti* I'd love to have a V8, but there's just no easy or inexpensive way of doing it, The aforementioned V6 on the other hand is at least easy and not too terribly expensive. Plus with the Rocketeer intakes(yes intakes) and headers it's lighter than the Mazda BP since stock for stock the V6 is only 40 pounds heavier. Sure it's not a V8 but it's probably the best sounding V6 if not six cylinder engine out there. It's a well over-engineered engine too(split case block for instance) and I like how it'd stay all Mazda for the most part. Plus I think the V6 would really match the nature of the NB2 and Mazda seems to think so too as there was a concept they made with the Lincoln LS V6(de-tuned Jaguar AJ): https://www.miata.net/news/v6.html

[SwissFerdi]

I'm not as difficult as you. I do like the idea of more grunt and less weight. More power to ye (Ha...haha...ha...).

[Bitter]

But why?
When this fits in the same spot and makes gobs more hp and torque! And is likely available cheaply from wrecked fleet F150's (3.5) and rental Mustangs (3.7). Either engine would give you a Miata experience with acceleration to rival the Firebird.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Cyclone_engine

[Bitter]

Or you know, go the exact opposite direction...
https://youtu.be/Y_D5RlaOjH8

[Box]

That's just the V6 that's all the rage these days since the Jaguar V6 is readily available in the UK where the kit comes from. If the Cyclone is the exact same bolt pattern and mounts as the earlier Duratec then it'd probably be a better option for those in the US. Would have to find some exhaust videos later as to how it sounds though, since that's important and stuff. Though I'd imagine it can't be too different if it's a direct evolution of the prior. 3.7 V6 Miata, I'm feeling it.

Ha, I was actually thinking about the turbo 1.5 I3 in the Fiesta ST the other day as to how hard that would be. Since it'd definitely pull weight while giving power and an interesting exhaust note.

I'm not as difficult as you. I do like the idea of more grunt and less weight. More power to ye (Ha...haha...ha...).

I don't think anyone is as difficult as me, but I'm not power crazy like my brother so that has to count for something. I see what you did there.

[Box]

Alright, so apparently the Cyclone "New Duratec" is a completely different engine and shares nothing in common with the KL based Duratec, so that's why. Even found a post where someone got the 3.7 Mustang V6 and was going to use it in their Miata, four years later and cutting the car to pieces to fit it the car still isn't done... So there ya go, guess back to the KL variant. Which this is all "long term" goals anyway, so plenty of time to figure it all out. Will just drive and enjoy the car as is for the longest time, since the NB2 had enough power stock and if I can make it sound good to my ears that strikes a big part out of swapping it in the first place. I like the sound of some of the super sport bike I4 engines, but I guess it's from having compression and lift that no I4 in a car would see. Though the new Mazda SkyActiv has the compression, just not the lift. Hmm... wonder if anyone makes cams for the SkyActiv motors... Anyhow my main focus will be wheels/tires, suspension, and brakes. That and small non car ruining weight reduction when possible. Stuff that lets me sling it around with reckless abandon which is why I'm going back to one(ignore clutch weight being primary reason).

[Bitter]

Toyota 2ZR-FE with an Elise super charger?

[Box]

I'd hate to know how much that'd cost, and the amount of work in trying to get it longitudinal and backed by a longitudinal manual. Something that's been well figured out and has a kit available would be nice. Like the AJ V6 and Honda J & K series all have kits for the Miata. I think there are kits for the SBF and LS as well, but they're more involved as they don't reuse the rest of the Miata drivetrain like the AJ and Honda swaps.

[Bitter]

Diesel swap, you can roll coal with the country boys!

[Box]

Ugh no... Let's not.

[Bitter]

[Box]

I remember seeing that awhile back actually. I'm more svelte than that though, hence the Miata in the first place.

[SwissFerdi]

That's so badass. What doesn't fit in a Miata...

[Bitter]

That's so badass. What doesn't fit in a Miata...

Box

[narly_charley]

That's my favourite colour on the MR2 Spyder and 7th gen Celica. I need some nice blue paint in my life, since no one really does purple blue is the next best thing.

8m6 (Spectra Blue Mica) was my favorite paint. It looked SO good in the sun. I always had random people come up and say that they just liked the paint. It was cool because it looked pretty dark in the shade and then POPPED in the sun.

Shade:



Sun:

[Box]

That's so badass. What doesn't fit in a Miata...

Box

I do too fit! Especially now that my shoulders have shrank and are continuing to do so, which I fit prior but my shoulder brushed the door panel if I stretched my shoulders back. I suspect by the time I finally get another(though last I looked the Firebird seemed ready for primer and paint) I'll have plenty of room there, though hips could be another story... Being 5'8" with a 30" inseam had plenty of room elsewhere. I think I had at least 2" of space between my head and the convertible top on the Shinsen and only had my seat about 1/2-3/4 of the way back in the "racing position". My brother at 6" barely fit though, and his head brushed the top and he had to have the seat all the way back just to fit. So people over 6" don't fit in a Miata.

Totaled blue Celica makes me blue.

[SwissFerdi]

Box

https://gph.is/2pzHFN9

This post has been edited by SwissFerdi: May 21, 2019 - 10:27 AM

[Box]

Everyone so mean to me. Gah...

So the one downside of the NB2 is the headlight optics, 9006 projector low beam with 9005 reflector high beam. Could be worse, could be better. I'm thinking will try 9012 and 9011 bulbs, respectively, first since that'd be the cheapest and easiest upgrade that's not complete douche-baggery on other drivers. My brother keeps saying to do a HID retrofit kit on the 9006, but even though it's a projector it's a halogen projector. Completely different than a HID projector. If a D2S projector could be put in where the 9006 one is then sure maybe, but I'd hate to know how much work that'd be since it seems only H4 are easy enough to do a D2S conversion. Of course I'd prefer the sealed beams of the NA since then I could throw in Cibie 7" rounds with some 100/80W bulbs on a 12 AWG relayed harness, but then the rest of the car would need caught up to just what the NB2 is stock. Sure it could be done, but the price of both in equal condition you couldn't get the NA onto NB2 levels without blowing past what you'd just have paid for the NB2 as is stock. Besides the NA door handles are prone to breaking nails, and there's no fixing that.

[Box]

A heavy box from R&E Paint Supply arrived today, must mean the Firebird is finally getting painted and he's attempting it after all versus having the guy at work do it. Then I can sell it and try to fulfill my unrealistic expectations with another Miata!

[Bitter]

HID Planet forums would be useful for info about the head lights and possible retrofits