Ed Theobald's 1972 MGB-GT with Mazda Miata 1.8L DOHC Engine
as published in BritishV8 Magazine, Volume XVIII Issue 1, December 2010Owner: Ed Theobald
City: Surrey, British Columbia
Model: 1972 MGB-GT
Engine: 2001 Mazda Miata 1.8L (EFI)
Conversion by: owner
| Engine: | 2001 Mazda Miata 1.8L four cylinder.
Stock Mazda camshafts and valvetrain.
Stock Mazda electronic fuel injection.
|
| Cooling: | aftermarket 1965 Mustang 6cyl spec radiator. |
| Exhaust: | Miata-type four-into-one exhaust header,
small body catalytic converter,
resonator, and Flowmaster muffler. |
| Transmission: | 2001 Mazda Miata 5-speed.
Stock Miata clutch.
Miata/MGB driveshaft. |
| Rear Axle: | stock MGB Salisbury (tube type) axle with 3.9:1 final drive ratio and open differential. |
| Front Susp.: | stock MGB, except with 1" lowered springs. |
| Rear Susp.: | stock MGB type leaf springs, except with 1" less arch height.
Monroe Gas-Adjust telecoping shock absorbers. |
| Brakes: | (master) stock MGB. (front) stock calipers. Green stuff pads. Brembo (non-vented) rotors. (rear) stock MGB drums. |
| Wheels/Tires: | Minilite replica wheels (15X7) and Nexen CP641 tires (195/65X15). |
| Instruments: | all original Smiths, plus matching oil pressure and Voltmeter. |
| Electrical: | modified Miata wiring harness with Sony audio system. |
| Other mods: | engine mounts were welded-in to accomodate the Miata engine. |
| Body: | removed side trim strips, marker lamps, stock reverse lamps, and bumper overriders.
Added Chev Aveo side turn signal lamps, Yamaha sport bike fuel filler, and Mazda 5 radio antenna. |
| Performance: | 155 hp stock with variable valve timing, slightly more with the modified intake and exhaust. |
| Completed: | April 2010. |
| Comments: | The 2001 Miata is equipped with an immobilizer system and, after months of trying to by-pass it,
I ended up incorporating the entire immobilizer system from a Miata (all from the same donor car)
into my modified wiring harness. This is my third MG/Miata conversion and the immobilizer issue
has been far and away the most difficult problem I've encountered. The previous two projects used
1996 and 1997 engines with their wiring harnesses.
|
Engine Installation
2001 Mazda Miata 1.8L DOHC four cylinder with stock Mazda camshafts and valvetrain.
Aftermarket 1965 Mustang 6cyl-spec radiator.
In-Process Photos
Custom hood bulge.
The Before Picture
All photos by Ed Theobald for BritishV8's exclusive use. Copyright 2010. All rights reserved.
