Reminds me of the Berkley with the riding mower engine: WHY? So much work for such poor results. That said, I would pay him $500 for it.
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March 20, 2011 8:04 p.m. dculberson Reader
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March 20, 2011 8:14 p.m. mtn SuperDork
integraguy wrote:
I would think that after spending all that time/money on the swap, I would start looking for ways to cut weight out of this car....like maybe a lighter hood and trunk lid? Heck, even lighter wheels would help.
Or the AC? Or PS? Or PB, whatever that is?
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March 20, 2011 8:23 p.m. ArthurDent Reader
integraguy wrote:
Ironically, Mazda sold a diesel engine to Ford (not sure if it was ever used in the old "B" series truck or not) that would have been a nicer swap and would have had double the horsepower of the Yanmar before a turbo is added.
I would think that after spending all that time/money on the swap, I would start looking for ways to cut weight out of this car....like maybe a lighter hood and trunk lid? Heck, even lighter wheels would help.
From some reason I think it was used in some Escorts.
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March 20, 2011 8:28 p.m. JFX001 SuperDork
IIRC, Ford Rangers also had a diesel option in the early-mid 80's.
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March 21, 2011 4:55 p.m. dean1484 SuperDork
In reply to SVreX:
I would be intrested. PM more details of just post here.
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March 21, 2011 5:12 p.m. Type Q Dork
integraguy wrote:
I would think that after spending all that time/money on the swap, I would start looking for ways to cut weight out of this car....like maybe a lighter hood and trunk lid? Heck, even lighter wheels would help.
The OE hood on that vintage Miata is aluminum. The wheels are roughly 10lbs a piece. The gas milage limiters in a 93 Miata are short gearing and aerodynamics.
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March 21, 2011 5:52 p.m. MrJoshua SuperDork
In reply to Type Q:
...and pretty poor computer tuning from the factory.
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March 21, 2011 5:59 p.m. Type Q Dork
MrJoshua wrote:
In reply to Type Q:
...and pretty poor computer tuning from the factory.
You're right. I forgot that piece of the puzzle when I posted before.
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March 21, 2011 11:40 p.m. Keith SuperDork
Even good computer tuning isn't going to make a massive difference in efficiency - but it can help. We've seen a Miata pull as high as 39 mpg on the highway without trying, pacing (not drafting) a truck with a race trailer so it had a pretty constant speed. Still, that's nothing spectacular for most cars with engines under 2.0. Although the Miata in question was a 2.0 with a big turbo and was packing some serious horsepower
Ironically, we can get very similar mileage on one of the LSx conversions on the highway despite a 6.3l engine and ridiculous performance.
We've got a little 1992 here that's still pretty virgin. I've been trying to convince the boss that what it needs is a 1.3 engine converted to a 4-valve head with a small turbo, good suspension and fairly skinny tires. Good fuel economy, decent performance and a low enough grip threshold that it's fun to dance with at public road speeds. Responsible Fun. It might happen, although someone stuck some 205/50-15 Star Specs on it and I'm afraid someone's going to bond with that combo...
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March 22, 2011 8:17 a.m. integraguy Dork
Hmmm, decent fuel economy with tiny wheels/tires or gawd awful fuel economy on monster sized wheels and tires?
If the buyer is a guy over the age of 2, I'm thinking, no contest.
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March 22, 2011 8:32 a.m. Keith SuperDork
It's not quite that simple. If I remember correctly, we've seen the upper 30's in a Miata running on 245/45-16 tires. That's better than the car could do stock.
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March 22, 2011 8:41 a.m. Brotus7 Reader
I get 47mpg in my heavy TDI Jetta. Swapping that engine into a Miata would be great. Acme Adapters makes something that should allow it to mate to either a Samurai or a Toyota W58 tranny. Couple that with the right rear end ratio and that would be a fun econo car. Run biodiesel and enjoy the french fry smell as you drive with the top down.
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March 22, 2011 12:22 p.m. RossD Dork
I'll just leave this here: http://oklahomacity.craigslist.org/cto/2226931655.html
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March 22, 2011 2:27 p.m. noddaz New Reader
So what we have here is a Miata that needs the engine replaced...
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March 22, 2011 4:00 p.m. Sofa King Reader
So he improved fuel economy by 50%. How much more expensive is diesel fuel now? 20%? So his fuel costs don't go down that much and he sacrifices 80% of his horsepower!
I just checked and diesel is only 10% higher right now, but it still minimizes much of his fuel savings.
