Sunday, February 07, 2010 - 10:42 pm, by: Mike Beck(Gold_40gt)
It's a custom conversion.
Not much change from around 7-8 grand + the car.
Just running the stock engine, a pod filter which probably looses a few HP from engine heat and some custom 3-2-1 headers, ECU is just the factory one. It's probably putting out about 270-280hp...
Drive wise its got a W58 5 speed and RX7 rear diff and axles.
It does also have a 75HP nos kit, from what I have seen with out nos times are in the flat 13 to low 13 bracket. But potentially 11's with some ECU work running nos.
Traction is the biggest issue with this car though, easily spins through the gears if he is not careful on the pedal. He really needs to run better tires, today he was running really decent road tires which helped quite a lot from last year.
Monday, February 08, 2010 - 10:06 am, by: Gary Redman(Gary)
I recall there was a company in Melbourne selling MX5's a few years back fitted with the 4 litre Lexus motor and road registered, so couldn't have been much of an issue with the conversion
Monday, February 08, 2010 - 07:52 pm, by: Steven Anderson(Cusscuss)
bullits were 90% new, there wasnt much MX5 left. Very expensive too but they certainly would be fun.
Nowdays, MX5 SE is the way to go, Turbo from the factory, uprated gearset, driveshaft, Torsen LSD, all the bits you would break if you put power through a stocker and $5k will get you 165rwkw from the stock turbo.
Monday, February 08, 2010 - 08:54 pm, by: Ben Lipman(Ben12a)
Bullit roadsters were originally fitted with 13BTs but they expanded to other engine options. They soon realised they would sell a lot more cars by appealing to the Aussie V8 type (even if it was a Jap one).
I reckon one day they will be a performance bargain if you see one come up second or third hand.
Wednesday, February 10, 2010 - 07:10 pm, by: Mike Beck(Gold_40gt)
Not really, it is best of both worlds.
A 1UZ-FE is a superior motor to the M60B40 V8's, I wouldn't waste my time fitting one of those when the Toyota engine is more readily avaliable for a start, as well as being a trouble free installation.
Servicing and maintenance is a walk in the park and upgrades are easier too, having owned both models of engine.
Gearboxes are sourceable, easy to find a Toyota box from a Supra where as you need to spend big money on Importing a 5/6 speed gearbox suited for the BMW V8's
At least the engine is going to a car which can handle and be enjoyable to drive everytime, something which soft soarers can not being the heavy hectors they are.
Speaking of lame............ Lame is importing Chinese car parts with next to no quality and selling them to people so they to ruin their soarers while giving them a false perspective that they are improving the car!!
Wednesday, February 10, 2010 - 09:07 pm, by: Damian Ware(Frozenpod)
Mike the BMW V8 has a little more power and torque from factory.
I would have thought upgrades would be similar there is a BMW specialist shop around the corner that races BMW's and does many performance updgrades ect. They have a lot of upgrades as off the shelf items that I haven't seen for 1uz's.
I'm not saying 1uz are not good but I would think the BMW V8 given is track record that I am aware of is a decent engine and unless the engine had a major problem and it couldn't be cost effectively repair/rebuilt I wouldn't bother doing a conversion.
Replacing a 4cylinder with a 1uz which is common for Hilux's on the other hands is a great idea as there is a significant performance gain to be had.
Wednesday, February 10, 2010 - 09:12 pm, by: Damian Ware(Frozenpod)
I should also add the BMW V8 has hydrullic valve setup no need to reshim, cop without dizzys and chain drive cam setup which in theory never/rarely needs to be replaced.
All good things with a solid reliable donk and a touch more power I am not sure why you would want to spend the $$$ on the conversion.
Wednesday, February 10, 2010 - 09:33 pm, by: Rob Rojo(Rob_tt)
Mike,
I have not imported anything. I have organised several group buys for various items that I was purchasing and offered it to other SC members at a discounted price.
I have not influenced, persuaded or tried to convince anyone to buy any of the items in the group buys at all. It was very simple if you wanted to buy it put your name on the list, if you don't then don't, what a sales pitch!
Out of all of the items that I organised group buys for only one item was made in China. The rest from memory were either made in Taiwan, USA or Australia.
As for your Wanker comment, mate I could never dream to be as much of a wanker as you!
You are the only person on SC that feels its his duty to tell nearly all new Soarer owners that their car or part thereof looks •••••
Just because you don't like something doesn't make it bad, just different.
Its a good thing that not everyone has the same attitude as you.
Miles Baker Goo Roo Vic 66 Mustang GT Convertible, 55 Chevy Bel Air, 69 Firebird 455, 69 Nova SS Clone, 65 Mustang Fastback, 67 Mustang Convertible, 67 Camaro RS/SS
Wednesday, February 10, 2010 - 09:51 pm, by: Miles Baker(Milesb)
I don't understand why everyone has a problem with Mike's opinion on cars. He has his taste, big deal. It's a public forum - posting pictures is literally an invitation to unfiltered opinion. Personally when I post pictures of my stuff on other forums I couldn't care less about the people who tell me it looks good. I'd rather have suggestions on what of it looks bad and how it could be done better. Honestly a lot of the time I think most of us agree with what Mike says, we just didn't want to say it. And those of us that disagree are free to say that too.
Mike your mate has a cool MX5. But it could use some blue le mans racing stripes ;)
Wednesday, February 10, 2010 - 10:19 pm, by: Mike Beck(Gold_40gt)
Your quite right Damien, If money was no object then a 4.4 M62B44 BMW V8 would be the ideal engine for a conversion, they are fairly far head of the 1UZ performance wise, and surpass that of even the 3UZ-FE easily.
Accept sourcing the engine for a complete conversion can be difficult, but above all the actual conversion tends to be quite a hassle due to BMW's electrical systems, often the biggest issue doing these motor swaps. Of course it is achievable, but not with out a lot of extra work where instead the 1UZ is a cost effective breeze. It would make more sense to keep a BMW motor in a BMW but for cost effectiveness a 1UZ is a good atlernative, not everyone would agree powering a Euro with a Japanese engine but I is only me that would be driving it.
We are talking about replacing my 3 series 2.5 six motor for a 1UZ just to make it clear, not going from a BMW 4.0 V8 to a Lexus V8. That would be daft!
Oh, and that is fantastic to hear Rob
Thanks Miles, I suppose it is merely a conflict of opinion here, nothing new. I am always sharing my view, I prefer to be honest rather than saying or implying I like something when I do not. If it annoys or upsets people then so be it.
Wednesday, February 10, 2010 - 10:23 pm, by: Damian Ware(Frozenpod)
No worries Mike I see where you are coming from now.
Both are good motors and will do the job but I would think the wiring would be easier with BMW motor and ECU I guess that isn't the case in this situation.
Wednesday, February 10, 2010 - 10:30 pm, by: Rob Rojo(Rob_tt)
Mike's opinions are usually the same •••• that we have heard time after time and 95 times out of 100 its negative and telling someone how crap their new car is. I am not saying that I disagree all the time but its a really nice welcome when you join the forum when your all excited about your new car then some smart arse comes along telling you its crap.
Mike why not post some pics of your car up and see how it feels on the other side.
Wednesday, February 10, 2010 - 10:53 pm, by: Mike Beck(Gold_40gt)
Course Rob.
But there will always be arrogant cocks like myself that spoil peoples fun and spread their 'negative' opinions about because they cant keep it to themselves. I welcome critizism directed at my things or me, just few give it out.
Here are some picture of my stock E36 Coupe for your critiquing pleasure.
Interestingly I hated the E36's shape a few months back but I took one for a drive and was quite impressed so got over their somewhat bland front end and got one anyway, but it had to be a coupe as they seem to be more in proportion where as the 4 doors are just 'some car'...
I think it would be improved with a Motorsport factory ( factory) front bumper. The base model E36 front end is hardly much to look at.
Miles Baker Goo Roo Vic 66 Mustang GT Convertible, 55 Chevy Bel Air, 69 Firebird 455, 69 Nova SS Clone, 65 Mustang Fastback, 67 Mustang Convertible, 67 Camaro RS/SS
Wednesday, February 10, 2010 - 11:14 pm, by: Damian Ware(Frozenpod)
Mike I noticed the roll cage as well.
Just out of interest I was thinking of using the same model for a track car but doing a LS1 conversion.
There are kit available for both LS1 and Ford V8 motors larger capacity and more grunt in stock form compared with a 1uz. It be something that is worth considering.
Wednesday, February 10, 2010 - 11:21 pm, by: Mike Beck(Gold_40gt)
Miles Baker wrote on Wednesday, February 10, 2010 - 11:05 pm:
Mike HOLY CRAP YOUR PLAIN GREY REGO PLATES LOOK ABSOLUTELY SH!T YOU SHOULD DRIVE THAT TURD OFF A CLIFF IMMEDIATELY
HA!
Damian, yeah I had a rear 4 point roll bar fitted in the back, I was quite pleased with the way it stiffened the car up, since I had it done you really feel the softness in the stock suspension.
Mmmm an LS1 Conversion, that would be more desirable with out a doubt. The American Miata guys were putting LS1/2/3s into their cars with good results so doing that conversion with a bigger more stable car like the E36 would work easily, would probably be a better package having a far stiffer chassis and more advanced suspension.
What is a LS1-3 worth these days? Suppose you would get one from a wrecked Commodore fairly easily?
Wednesday, February 10, 2010 - 11:39 pm, by: Mike Beck(Gold_40gt)
Rob Rojo wrote on Wednesday, February 10, 2010 - 11:24 pm:
I thought the 325i only came in 4 door and the 325is was the coupe?
From my understanding they made all the various models in the 2 different body styles.
You got your 318/320/325/328 all in both 4 and 2 door 'i' spec and the same models again but 'is' spec which are just cosmetic 'sport' upgrades, bumpers, badges and interior trim changes
Only the M3 has actual technical benefits being the proper sport version, extra chassis strengthening, faster steering rack etc etc.
Thursday, February 11, 2010 - 12:01 am, by: Rob Rojo(Rob_tt)
As far as I am aware the only coupe that was not an "is" was the 323i. You might want to check the build plate as it is quite common for various models to have a badge swap to help resell the car especially 323 to 325 or 328.
Thursday, February 11, 2010 - 01:07 am, by: Bobby Green(Nash)
I've often fantasized about consolidating my toys into 1, haha. 510rwhp 1.5jz in my 900kg mx5 should be fun. Maybe if I bend the soarer or blow the mazda's motor I'll think about it.
Thursday, February 11, 2010 - 01:31 am, by: Mike Beck(Gold_40gt)
You should do that Bobby.
But will they fit? A straight six would be really tight in a 1JZ... a custom front end would have to be done, that top cross bar would be in the way for sure....
Thursday, February 11, 2010 - 05:41 am, by: James Johnson(Jimbo)
Mike Beck wrote on Wednesday, February 10, 2010 - 10:53 pm:
I think it would be improved with a Motorsport factory ( :-) factory) front bumper. The base model E36 front end is hardly much to look at.
I agree with you there Mike. What you got planned for the wheel department? Those factory wheel's don't do it justice, you need some thing with a nice offset and a bit of dish but not too much.
Thursday, February 11, 2010 - 07:08 am, by: Matthew Sharpe(Madmatt)
Rob Rojo wrote on Thursday, February 11, 2010 - 12:01 am:
As far as I am aware the only coupe that was not an "is" was the 323i. You might want to check the build plate as it is quite common for various models to have a badge swap to help resell the car especially 323 to 325 or 328.
More likely a "Kiwi import special" - either a cut down model for the NZ market, or an odd ball import from Japan or other RHD market. NZ has quite a lot of different models than Australia from a lot of manufacturers. Even the vehicle names differ ("Liberty" vs "Legacy" etc)
Mike, looks like a good straight car! What did you pay for it?
Thursday, February 11, 2010 - 11:27 am, by: Rob Rojo(Rob_tt)
Not being negative at all, just making sure that the previous owner has not mis-represented the car when selling it to Mike. It would be pretty disappointing for Mike to find out it's only a 323i and loose al that power.
Previous
