KL Miata...
Posted: November 20th, 2010, 12:50 am
Before you bash me, please read this thread.
I've always wanted a Miata. I have 80% of the parts for a decent KL build. I don't have a shell for it yet...
Now, the reason I'm even considering this, is because I can see it being feasible.
These are the reasons:
-I'm decently mechanically adept. I can work out the kinks and bugs.
-I'm slowly becoming proficient in SolidWorks. I also have a B series engine, and a KL sitting in my garage. Designing and performing basic stress tests on a transmission adapter plate is not out of my league by any means. I am a second year mechanical engineering student, and part of our University Forumla team. If you don't know what SAE is, google it, and find the collegiate design series, Formula...
-Through Formula, I have access to 1" stock 6061 aluminum stock, among many other materials...
-Also through formula, I may have access to free or very discounted laser cutting.
-I have many many friends with welders. I haven't done much myself, but its not a stretch for me to learn.
-I know this has been done.
Now, I'm just toying with this idea for now.
I'm talking transverse mount KLZE. Keeping the RWD.
The kinks I forsee:
-Transmission adaption. I plan on modeling both transmission "gaskets" (whatever those metal plates are called) and superimposing them, seeing what lines up, seeing if its worth it to make a full adapter, or just to drill out some new holes.... Now, adding the thickness of an adapter plate would require either lengthening the transmission input shaft, or moving the clutch out on a spacer of the same thickness... I don't know how sketch this is, but if I get the whole mess balanced(which I was planning to do anyway), I don't see why not.
-concerning the spline differences, can anyone speculate to the possibility of using a B disc and a KL PP? I don't see why not...
-For mounts, I don't know how the Miata handles that part... but I imagine I could fabricate new mounts fairly easily. Front and rear are no problem (transverse) but its the transmission ones I worry about. I juts hope the B in the Miata mounts from the trans, then I don't even have to think about it. So really, it could be only one mount to figure out, which would be awesomely easy.
-Electronics, I'd have to use KL engine harness and hybrid it into the dash harness... or use a total MX front harness. Hm.
-Exhaust. No idea what to do about this yet. I fear it will be mostly custom. I can use standard headers, and design a Y pipe that points the right direction, maybe even to match up with the stock exhaust path
-Intake: Assuming the right head is the right head... the intake will point backwards. Hum. Custom intake I suppose! not hard to do at all.
-Hood clearance/ length issue. KL is 620x675x640... I'd love to do a power bump on the hood, that would be sexy as hell
But if they fit LS1's in these babies, KL should be no problem...
-Depending on how bad this idea eats at my brain, I'll have to contact a few guys who have done KL miata swaps....
Any suggestions/ideas/problems you can come up with are appreciated...
I've always wanted a Miata. I have 80% of the parts for a decent KL build. I don't have a shell for it yet...
Now, the reason I'm even considering this, is because I can see it being feasible.
These are the reasons:
-I'm decently mechanically adept. I can work out the kinks and bugs.
-I'm slowly becoming proficient in SolidWorks. I also have a B series engine, and a KL sitting in my garage. Designing and performing basic stress tests on a transmission adapter plate is not out of my league by any means. I am a second year mechanical engineering student, and part of our University Forumla team. If you don't know what SAE is, google it, and find the collegiate design series, Formula...
-Through Formula, I have access to 1" stock 6061 aluminum stock, among many other materials...
-Also through formula, I may have access to free or very discounted laser cutting.
-I have many many friends with welders. I haven't done much myself, but its not a stretch for me to learn.
-I know this has been done.
Now, I'm just toying with this idea for now.
I'm talking transverse mount KLZE. Keeping the RWD.
The kinks I forsee:
-Transmission adaption. I plan on modeling both transmission "gaskets" (whatever those metal plates are called) and superimposing them, seeing what lines up, seeing if its worth it to make a full adapter, or just to drill out some new holes.... Now, adding the thickness of an adapter plate would require either lengthening the transmission input shaft, or moving the clutch out on a spacer of the same thickness... I don't know how sketch this is, but if I get the whole mess balanced(which I was planning to do anyway), I don't see why not.
-concerning the spline differences, can anyone speculate to the possibility of using a B disc and a KL PP? I don't see why not...
-For mounts, I don't know how the Miata handles that part... but I imagine I could fabricate new mounts fairly easily. Front and rear are no problem (transverse) but its the transmission ones I worry about. I juts hope the B in the Miata mounts from the trans, then I don't even have to think about it. So really, it could be only one mount to figure out, which would be awesomely easy.
-Electronics, I'd have to use KL engine harness and hybrid it into the dash harness... or use a total MX front harness. Hm.
-Exhaust. No idea what to do about this yet. I fear it will be mostly custom. I can use standard headers, and design a Y pipe that points the right direction, maybe even to match up with the stock exhaust path
![Smile :)](./images/smilies/icon_smile.gif)
-Intake: Assuming the right head is the right head... the intake will point backwards. Hum. Custom intake I suppose! not hard to do at all.
-Hood clearance/ length issue. KL is 620x675x640... I'd love to do a power bump on the hood, that would be sexy as hell
![Smile :)](./images/smilies/icon_smile.gif)
-Depending on how bad this idea eats at my brain, I'll have to contact a few guys who have done KL miata swaps....
Any suggestions/ideas/problems you can come up with are appreciated...