Well bolt in definitely speeds things along. I hear those are somewhat peppy motors too

What's the lock to lock on the NC?

Ill have to check next time i get it up on the hoist.

Figure my post is useless without Pics

Attachment 217736

Attachment 217737

Oh wow that frame looks a lot closer to the 8's frame than I thought, I must have found pics of the wrong year Miata or something when I googled it.

Yep its basically Identical except for the Steering rack mounts and the motor mounts

It's amazing how much room there is behind the dash in the 8.

Cheers John

Without the steering column in there it feels sooo spacious

Was worried about how much my engine would require cut out the bulkhead, until I removed the dash & seen the space behind.

Cheers John

Don't forget about the wiper motor and linkage in the cowel

I know. Engine is very close to it. Almost forgot all about it. Just going to clear it.

Cheers John

yep it bolts right in and the arms bolt right into the nc subframe.

Looks like you're making more progress than me, ive been hunting for a S2 rx8 trans to steal the tail shaft housing,

are you cutting your firewall? I just started cutting today made me shed a tear haha

Got the steering shaft finished, added a u-joint and just tacked it in to check fitment, It's good so I'll need to do a final weld on it.

So then I was able to get around to the test fit


Got the trans super far back and found I still had room to push the engine further back


It all seems to fit neatly in the bay, Pretty nice package. Still trying to decide how I want to handle the serp belt.

i just love the fact that your swapping this 3800 into the rx8. i recently picked up a 99 buick park avenue ultra with a supercharged 3800 s2 engine. loving the power and the dependability of it.

keep it coming. looking forward to more update.

I acquired the parts and dropped them off at a local machine shop to get my driveshaft jig made. While that was being done I began working on my exhaust manifolds.
To keep cost down I went to a local metal supply shop and got some hand rail tubing and elbows. Not ideal but the ID and price make it almost perfect for my build.
I also dropped the $40 on a harbor freight tubing notcher, Modified that according to a youtube video and got pretty decent results.
For my first try at fabbing a manifold I think it came out fairly decent.
Then Kicker stopped by and got it lined up even better than I had it.


The bottom log is just set in place for the pic

I haven't decided if I want to mig it all or have someone tig it all for me. Either way I'm planning on getting the manifolds ceramic coated to help hood temps and thwart corrosion.


The driveshaft jig got made and I began drilling the holes at one end for the flange.
I can use this to line my trans up with the diff. This should put my engine exactly where it needs to be so I can get my engine mounts going and settle everything in place.

ill say this again, i love the fact that you are doing this swap. i love the 3800 engine because its so versatile, compact, and has gobs of power when built up right.

this swap was honestly my next choice next to the 4.3l chevy engine when it comes down to overall fun and reliability. but, i am going with a 5.3l ls based engine this time around in my 8.

Thanks! I'm excited to get it done. Don't see many 3800 RWD setups that aren't Fiero's or Camaros heh



To update the thread:
Got a bracket made up with the help of kicker.
It'll hold the wilwood proportioning valve and a couple of mounts to clip a couple of custom hoses I had made to feed the block.
I later got the end changed with a 90 degree fitting.
I plan to make little 180 degree bends to go from the clipped in hoses to the block.

Interesting engine choice. A local guy is selling one for a few hundred... Looks like it's coming along nicely!

are you welding the injector holes shut? may i ask why if so? give us some dirt already. lol

Yea these things are everywhere. If I blow this one up I should be able to find another fairly cheap heh


Yessir.
The Supercharged 3800 has the injector holes in the heads. The N/A Camaro uses the manifolds for the injector holes, so thus I'll end up having 12 holes for 6 injectors, had to close up one set. If anything I can always drill and tap em for meth injection heh.

Kicker welded up my injector holes, then went the extra step to smooth out the inside of the port.

Went ahead with the cross member beneath the car to mount the trans and fab a ppf mount to hold the diff.

Started with round tube and some steel plates to make inserts for the frame rails.


Did the same for the other side

also took some plated, drilled matching holes and welded on some nuts just to make assembly easier.
Got some square tube and cut it to length with a bit of an angle to match the frame rail angle.

Notched the square tube to fit around the brake/fuel lines and welded it up to the side plates. Bolts in place perfectly.



Some 3/16 was added to cap off that notch so the tube was still closed off and strong.

So not going supercharged? or just not with the factory Eaton?

Going turbo on a previously supercharged engine. So it has the lower CR and beefier rods.
I PM'd an admin about changing the name of this thread but never got a reply.

Moved the trans out of the way and popped in the aluminum Isuzu driveshaft. It fits without rubbing the heat shield, ppf, or any other component. Things are working out as planned which is very nice.
Now to get the driveshaft shortened, finish off the ppf and complete the trans and engine mounts.

i am liking your build i am starting on the same set up i have a 3800 out of a camaro with the t5 trans i was wanting to know if you have pics of the motor mounts it really would be help full to see it done so i have a idea how to do it

"Billed" :lol: