I recently finished installing the engine and transmission from a JDM Mazda Miata into my 1968 Toyota Corona RT52 Coupe. I put several hundred miles on the car in the first two weeks after getting it on the road, and it has worked flawlessly. Very smooth and powerful. Great in the city and on the highway. Delighted with the result.
I customized the Miata drivetrain components in four ways:
-Coil on plug (COP): Using coils from a 2003 Honda CBR600 motorcycle and a Bosch 0 227 100 211 igniter from a 2000-2002 VW Golf. The Bosch ignition control wired directly to the engine harness.
-Custom cast coolant housings: I had very little room between the engine and the firewall, so I sand cast a low-profile outlet for the heater hose and coolant temperature sender. While I was at it, I cast a front thermostat housing that points straight up.
-Relocated shift turret: I shortened the shift linkage to move the shifter 4" forward.
-Notched oil pan: I notched the oil pan to clear the steering center link.
I customized the Toyota Corona in four ways:
-Added radiator mounts: Found bolt-on radiator brackets that matched the pins on my aftermarket Honda Civic aluminum radiator and trimmed and welded them to lower radiator brace
-Added engine mounts: I cut away original engine mount pads and fabricated new ones to work with modified versions of the stock Miata engine mounts
-Added in-tank fuel pump: I cut a 2-1/4" hole in the top of the fuel tank and added a late 90s Honda fuel pump assembly with an integral sump tray that I fabricated from sheet metal. Also ran copper fuel supply line, using original Corona fuel line for my return
-Clearanced transmission tunnel: The reverse light switch would not fit without a small pocket. I then covered the small bump-out with a large panel on the tunnel to make carpet install easier.
Here is a page showing the modifications: orange-claw-ham...
29 авг 2024
