Read it like William Shatner would act it, and it makes sense, sorta.

 

Got that 398 head off....

Plopped on a 16v...




Played around with my shims, to get closer to where I want to mount the engine...

Clearance under the brace looks okay...




This was shot, from the driver side. Can you see the steering shaft.

The Miata motor mounts are way back on the Miata motor, so reusing that location isn't going to work.

Thinking I'll make a new mount to weld driectly to the subframe, under the motor mount bosses

 

why do you care about the brace?

 

You can add lightness by taking off the brace. I think that is the best benefit of it.

 

It came in my parts car, and I'd LIKE to try it...

If it'll fit, cool, if not, I'm happy to sell it to someone who can use it.

Not a priority, but hoping the new setup will interfere with as few Aftermarket Miata products as possible.

 

With the brace you know it will clear the hood without testing

I still can't get my head around the low and far back position. Keep up the good work.

 

Those Miata engines are WAY Forward...I think I've got more clearance for my radiator, with this bigger engine.

The motor IS taller, just a bit, so the cam gears might be the fitment issue...something the brace won't alert me of.

 

not normally fond of different engine swaps. but this is neat! keep up the progress

 

I'll keep it moving, as steadily as the budget allows.

I'm currently deciding on what to do about my mounts...measuring to see if the V8R-SPEC stuff will work, or if I'll have to make it all myself.

After playing with Redblocks as long as I have, they've become my SBC....I want one in everything I own!

 

also, I decry it should from now forth be called a: "brace"

 

I still don't understand what's going on in here.

Why are you using a 1970s (80s?) Volvo motor? Are they known for making good power reliably and cheaply or something?

 

yes, yes and yes. emphasis on cheap.

 

The Volvo guys asked the same question, ASSuming that a Miata BP series motor, was in someway more advanced or modern.

They're both pretty darn simple 4-cylinder, OHC motors...

The Volvo unit is derived from their original Pushrod stuff....short blocks are quite similar, though they've evolved them, over 60+ years.

They started making OHC motors in '76 (?) and the basics for that B21/23/230 series motor, remained, one of the world's best motors, through the 90's, when they stopped using them.

Stock motors can see 350rwhp on a turbo setup, and with rods & pistons, commonly 500-800. In Sweden, this is their SBC.

So it's choosing to use something that's a little bit bigger and a little bit better, and that I already have a garage of spare parts for.

 

This makes more sense to me, then; especially considering you are also replacing the transmission.

 

This is so cool!

 

Crazy build...looking forward to seeing the results as well as the revised kerb weight.

 

The only reason that we use the volvo engine in Sweden is that you can get car with a working engine for $200. If you go to the junkjard the will give you 3 insted of one just to get rid of them

And there is a wide selection of old rally parts that you can buy almost anything.


old volvo engines is also good as a boat anchor, probably cheaper than real ons.


oh.. yes.. im from Sweden and i hate volvo

 

I am a redblock guy, love it.
This is mine

 

I think they forgot to install a throttle body on your sweet sheet metal intake manifold.

 

look below to the right, it's an infinity q45 tb. No sheet metal there, that is all aluminum ross racing parts with velocity stacks inside.