1991 Mazda Miata Powered by Lexus 1UZFE V8
1991 Mazda MX-5 Miata
Hello, ndthank you for viewing my sale.
My name is Brian and I am a retired Master Automobile Technician of 25 Years.
I am pursuing myfuture retirementby becoming self employedas a MasterWatchmaker.
I have a deep passion for watches and automobiles. Using my life longrepair and technical skills Ibuilt this car for myself 5 years ago.I've owned it for 8, nd it has always been a garaged, ice weather car.
I know of at least 4 examples that were built in the U.S.A.
2 are manuals and 2 are automatics.
The automatic you see here is one of 2 that my friend and I built, s well as 3 other highly trained craftsmen in the automotive business.
I cannot take all the credit for this car. It took 2 years working about 16 hours a week and1663 total hours in all to create.
If you look at the engine bay, ou will see I am fussy and very detail oriented. I wanted it to look like the factory built this car. Everything under the hood as well as 96% of the car is all Japanese parts.
I spenta fortune restoring the engine and drivetrain for this swap. Everything is Lexus. All the key engine parts, lectrical and mechanical have been replaced. Including the ignition wire harness and all sensors. I wanted a brand new look, nd the ability to use this car without reliability problems. I have driven it over 10thousand miles and have never had a problem with it.
Everything had to be thought out, nd there isso many pictures and documents that Icould write a bookabout it.
I willcover all the important highlights in my description. If you have questions and a serious interest, lease send me a message with your phone number and will be happy to talk with you via phone.
I'll start with the (CAR:)
I wanted a clean, omplete automatic equippedMiata with a rust free body. I show this car a lot over the summer, nd no one busts chops. The show is all under the hood.
The paint is shiny and looks good. If your fussy about dents it has them. 2are on the drivers side door as you can see in the pics. It has some tiny hail dents on the trunk lid,left side rear top quarterand some on the hood. In "white" they are so hard to see and photograph.
The lower rear rockers, heel houses and the entire chassis are rust free. I had this car completely disassembled except the dash andfound NO collision damage in the front inner structure or rad support. If so, would have aborted the mission. I was not about to precision build a car with a damaged chassis.The top is now 3 years old and looks excellent. It is the zip out rear window type. This car is always kept in a climate controlled garage and does not see rain or bad weather.
(Interior:)
Its in really nice shape. I keep it super clean and its still original to the car. The seats have some fade from the sun. The passenger side seat has a small cig burn on the lower left inside bolster. (Not from me) I have a nice spare seat if you want it that I never installed.
The carpets are in good condition and it still has the original Miata passenger floor mat. The driver side was not included when I bought the car so I replaced it with a new one. The gauge cluster cover has a crack in it. I have a perfect spare that goes with the car as well as 2 black parade boots. One is brand new in the bag, nd the other I use when driving. I have a spare set of the yellow euro style front turn signals that also go with the car as well.
(Engine/Trans/Wiring) I bought a 92 SC 400 Lexus with a bad trans for the swap.TheEngine had about 92K at the start. I disassembled it all the way to the long block, nd checked the bores and spec'd the lower internals. Rebuilt the heads and valves to stock specs. All the sensors, askets, eals, lastic covers, ire harness and hard ware are all Lexus OEM. Its a full restoration and it looks and runs like new. All the intake parts and valve covers arebare metallic aluminum finish.
The transmission is a stock Japanese import under 30 k that was used in a lot of Lexus and Toyota products. This application is from a Twin Turbo Supra. I had to use the V8's bell housing. Shiftsperfect. This trans uses ECT which allows 2 modes of driving. Normal for smooth shifts.Power mode which will chirp the tires. Similar to a factory shift kit from back in 1992.Its a cool feature. Ifyou notice in the pics, integrated aMark 2 SupraNorm/Power switch in the console, o the right of the Miata factory automatic shifter. No check engine lights are on,and all the diagnosis functions from Lexus are wired and are used. You can also diagnose trans codes from the same system, ithout the use of an expensive scanner.The car is using the factory Lexusengine wiringmated with (Lexus plugs) for ease of service. Its also using the stock Lexus ecu. A/C is ice cold and has held its charge for 5 years. All Emission controls are intact and working. All the factory gauges work with this engine.
Power out put is 250HP/260 torque. Exhaust is a custom duel 2" Y pipe into a duel 2" inlet converterout to a 2 1/2 full exhaust. Borla XRS muffler is used with a 2 1/2 stainless tip to look sleeper stock out the back.
(Drive Train/Suspension:)
Custom driveshaft made by "The Drive Shaft Shop" that goes intoa stock 97 Miata4.10 Diff and axles. Heavy duty 300 lbs front springs, etal master front pads and all the struts have been replaced. The entire chassis, loorsand suspension havebeen restored.
(Builders notes and frequently asked questions:)
The goal of this car was an emissions legal show stock sleeper driver.Its not a garage queen, nd can be used without the worry of problems that plague big engines stuffed in small cars. It has cold A/C, ets 20 MPG and you will never see one at a car show. It draws so much attention and is unlike any V8 Miata that roams the roads. The level and attention to detail I put into this car was a big part as to why it turned out so good, nd why its so reliable and fun to drive, r show.
(1) Automatic...Oh my god why?
I'm a purist at heart. Automatics can take away driver fun. In this car it does not. I prefer to say its a proper automatic. I think it makes it a better car. I'm getting older, nd I have grown to embrace that the stick is threatened by the automatic now. For Federal Emissions reasons, his car isillegal to drive on any public road as a 5 speed.Drivetrains are tested in the U.S.Ato comply to the rules, nd Lexus did not make a5 speed stickto mate to a1UZFE V8.When the engine gets to 4,000 RPM you wont be thinking about grabbing a gear.
(2) How did you fit that enginein there?
Its to within 3/4 of an inch. Less than that, he trans would have to been installed after the engine. Custom front cross member designed to fit the engine. Engine blockand panare not modified.
(3) I bet it fly's. What's it like to drive?
Drives like a stock Lexus V8 powered Miata. Super smooth, hifts positive and smooth. The engines runs so quiet at idle (You will be asked to start it at car shows)Its amazing. When the enginereaches 4000 RPM its time to get on deck. It then pulls really harduntil its 6,500 redline. I've scared my self a few times and it will chirp 3rd gear at WOT. I've run it to 100 at WOT and that's as fast as I want to go in this little car. I think it would probably run low 13's high 12's at 108-110. Given its gearing, nd power to weight ratio.
(4) What doesit weigh?
2,600 lbs with a full tank. A/C, pare tire and tool kit.
Serious inquire only please. Have money and funds in order.Non refundable minimum deposit of $500 dollars within 3 business days of sale. Clear Pa title in hand. Car is sold as is.
I will helpyou with shipping in any wayI can. I would consider helping the new buyer export this car if you are from out side the U.S.A.
Check out my other items for sale if you like vintage OmegaFlight Master Pilot watches, ndThimble Drome gas powered airplanes.
Regards, rian
- Condition: Used
- Make: Mazda
- Model: MX-5 Miata
- Type: Convertible
- Year: 1991
- Mileage: 139,025
- VIN: JM1NA3518M1210691
- Color: White
- Engine size: Lexus 1UZFE 32 Valve V8
- Number of cylinders: 8
- Power options: Air Conditioning, Power Windows
- Fuel: Gasoline
- Transmission: Automatic
- Drive type: Automatic
- Interior color: Black
- Options: CD Player, Convertible
- Vehicle Title: Clear Want to buy? Contact seller!