Hey guys! I found a great deal on an '01 VVT engine for only $400! It's going to be my project engine until I swap it in for the '92 engine that's currently in my car.
The only issue is that I need to drive 2.5 hrs to get the engine and driving said engine into my garage. I don't have a car/truck that I can transport this engine with but I do have a Miata.
Has anyone ever transported a Miata engine in their Miata? I was thinking that if I take out the passenger seat that it would fit just fine. I'd hate to drive 5 hrs round trip to find out otherwise.

 

Having fit a massive, old, 36inch tv in my 2001 miata (less interior space) with the pass seat out, Id say go for it. Just bring some moving blankets to protect your interior.

And maybe an engine crane to put it in and take it out.

 

Split the head and block. Head in the trunk, block in the removed passenger seat area. Get a machine shop to check it out and resurface it. Do a timing belt and gasket job when reassembling.

 

 

rent a pickup from home depot?

 

yup ^^^^^ fitting it in a miata is cool, till the seat back snaps in half.

 

Rent a truck for the day. So much easier than dealing with used engine smell in your interior for the foreseeable future.

 

x2

You can literally go to Home Depot and rent a truck for like $20 an hour or something crazy low like that.

 

I saw a photo from a guy who built an engine transport rack for the passenger area (seat removed) our of 2x4s. But just get yourself an old tire and some tie downs, and spring the $100 for the Home Depot truck. You're already getting a deal on the engine, don't risk damaging your car as well.

 

I saw forrest carry a VVT motor in his miata with the passenger seat out. It was wrapped up in tarp etc and he had it buckled so it wouldn't move around while driving. That's the hard part. If you get into an accident and the motor launches at you... you're fahked.

 

FWIW if you take the trunk off they fit pretty well in there. I've done it before. But it was also a spare engine that came with the car I was buying and I had no other way to transport it. It's worth it to just rent the truck

 

If anyone comes across this thread in the future and is wondering the same thing I was asking originally. The VVT fit like a glove with my passenger seat removed. There wasn't any damage nor residual smell throughout the entire process.

VVT in a NA

 

I came here to post a similar experience, but mine was a fresh engine build from the late Jim Stewart (RIP)


Fresh Stewart engine riding shotgun!