Author Topic: Duratec pinto conversion (Read 13996 times)

Ironman · « **Reply #30 on:** August 22, 2008, 06:55:03 PM »

Howdy all,

Back at it,.. I put the pan aside til tomorrow or Sunday,.. I went back and measured the Ranger transmission,.. shifter is 10" too far forward. So I bought a Tremec,.. Which I think is a lighter version of a T-5?,..I really don't know.
I'll include photo. I also found a T-9. I allready purchased the Tremec,.. but if the T-9 is a better tranny, I'll exchange it.
I paid $200 for the tranny, don't know if thats good or bad?

Anyway this means I'll have to get a $475 bellhousing, unless I can find another source.

dholvrsn · « **Reply #31 on:** August 22, 2008, 09:26:43 PM »

At least the welded pan won't be the most expensive part anymore.

The T5 is stronger than the T9.

BTW, if you're often drive through the rural Midwest, see if you kind find a small town machine shop that might be able to weld it cheeper.

apintonut · « **Reply #32 on:** August 22, 2008, 09:50:50 PM »

how far off is the trans from bolting up?

Ironman · « **Reply #33 on:** August 22, 2008, 11:17:56 PM »

Quote from: apintonut on August 22, 2008, 09:50:50 PM

how far off is the trans from bolting up?

I wont have the money for the bellhousing til sometime next week,.. Then however long it takes to ship. Then I'll have to see what happens in the clutch department, flyweel etc.

The Focus flywheel probably wont work.

Man I wish I could embrace the the concept of my shifter being in the midle of my dash board :nocool:

oldkayaker · « **Reply #34 on:** August 23, 2008, 07:45:15 AM »

This is a long shot but may be an alternative to the specialized bell housing.
This Wikipedia site indicates that the Duratec is a MZR family engine: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Duratec
Another Wikipedia site sayes the MZR engine came in the Mazda MX-5 (third generation Miata, 2006 to present) which I believe is still rear wheel drive: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mazda_MZR_engine#Duratec
This thread seems to indicate they are the same engine: http://www.good-win-racing.com/mazda-talk/viewtopic.php?t=795&highlight=mzr

If the above is correct, the Miata shifter should be in a better location. Unfortunately finding that late a model car in the junk yard probably will be difficult and expensive.

apintonut · « **Reply #35 on:** August 23, 2008, 11:14:54 AM »

Quote from: oldkayaker on August 23, 2008, 07:45:15 AM

This is a long shot but may be an alternative to the specialized bell housing.
This Wikipedia site indicates that the Duratec is a MZR family engine: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Duratec
Another Wikipedia site sayes the MZR engine came in the Mazda MX-5 (third generation Miata, 2006 to present) which I believe is still rear wheel drive: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mazda_MZR_engine#Duratec
This thread seems to indicate they are the same engine: http://www.good-win-racing.com/mazda-talk/viewtopic.php?t=795&highlight=mzr

If the above is correct, the Miata shifter should be in a better location. Unfortunately finding that late a model car in the junk yard probably will be difficult and expensive.

nice :search: ,

Ironman · « **Reply #36 on:** August 23, 2008, 04:00:35 PM »

Quote from: oldkayaker on August 23, 2008, 07:45:15 AM

This is a long shot but may be an alternative to the specialized bell housing.
This Wikipedia site indicates that the Duratec is a MZR family engine: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Duratec
Another Wikipedia site sayes the MZR engine came in the Mazda MX-5 (third generation Miata, 2006 to present) which I believe is still rear wheel drive: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mazda_MZR_engine#Duratec
This thread seems to indicate they are the same engine: http://www.good-win-racing.com/mazda-talk/viewtopic.php?t=795&highlight=mzr

If the above is correct, the Miata shifter should be in a better location. Unfortunately finding that late a model car in the junk yard probably will be difficult and expensive.

Great tip Oldkayaker,..
I would guess that would be the way to go, if price isnt largely different from what I'm looking at now. I would think the clutch issues would be easily resolved.

Ironman · « **Reply #37 on:** August 23, 2008, 04:13:47 PM »

I just got off the phone with a mazda parts locator,.. lol your gonna love this, he found only 2,.. and they are in Quebec.
But 1 is a 6 speed!!

dholvrsn · « **Reply #38 on:** August 23, 2008, 04:38:04 PM »

What's the other one?

Do they need to be thawed out coming from the great frigid north?

Ironman · « **Reply #39 on:** August 23, 2008, 09:46:40 PM »

Quote from: dholvrsn on August 23, 2008, 04:38:04 PM

What's the other one?

Do they need to be thawed out coming from the great frigid north?

brrrrrrrrrrrr!

They had a five and a six speed. I'll try to reach them monday, I'm sure I wont even flinch at the price :reek:

dholvrsn · « **Reply #40 on:** August 24, 2008, 04:45:22 AM »

So you are going to have *two* parts that are more expensive than that welded pan now.... :laugh:

Ironman · « **Reply #41 on:** August 24, 2008, 01:13:03 PM »

Quote from: dholvrsn on August 24, 2008, 04:45:22 AM

So you are going to that *two* parts that are more expensive than that welded pan now.... :laugh:

Ok,.. maybe a couple parts might cost more.

Ironman · « **Reply #42 on:** August 25, 2008, 01:46:57 PM »

It will be a couple years before miata trannys will be a cost effective alternative for a Duratec conversion.

Moving ahead with the specialized bellhousing.

dholvrsn · « **Reply #43 on:** August 25, 2008, 03:09:48 PM »

Take it that you can't find a Miata with tranny in the junk yard.

Ironman · « **Reply #44 on:** August 25, 2008, 11:35:03 PM »

Quote from: dholvrsn on August 25, 2008, 03:09:48 PM

Take it that you can't find a Miata with tranny in the junk yard.

Found em,.. just cost 2/3 of my budget before shipping

Ironman · « **Reply #45 on:** August 27, 2008, 01:55:32 PM »

Howdy all, I had a few days to ponder and do research,..

My original goal was to have a little twin cam light weight road rocket. That goal is still primary. Its definitely achievable if I throw enough money at it. But as this project progresses, I want more and more to make this a project thats in the affordability range to the average guy.

There is no way around the initial cost of the engine, transmission, or bellhousing, those are all big money Items that you simply have to step up for. They're total cost is a significant part of the project. however there are three other major expenses,.. oil pan modifications, fuel delivery system, and ignition. those componets expense can easily dwarf the cost of the "running gear".
The Oil pan alone is quoted at 4+ hours weld time to make clearance and oil capacity mods, plus your own time making parts and getting it to the point its suitable for welding. It must be built on a jig, (or engine block) it must be stress relieved and then have the voids and crevices back filled with epoxy to promote smooth oil return. The Induction is a whole nother story, It can rapidly climb over $1,000.oo,.... in fact trying to stay under 1,000 using whats available is difficult, but not impossible.

There needed to be another way,.. I woke up one morning thinking about model cars, and it came to me. PLASTIC!!
(well kinda),...Polymers, (casting and laminating resins).
My valve cover is made of the stuff allready,.. and so is my intake.
I did some research and found resins that are stronger than aluminum that can withstand engine heats (for application) and chemicals, gas/oil/solvent.
And the cost for a gallon is less than one hour of welding. I am going to try and make a model of the oilpan I want,.. and make a mold. The beauty is I can design the sump anyway I choose to fit any application or volume of oil.

To solve the problem of expense in the induction department an intake manifold needs to be built that will accept a stock throttle body in the pinto chassis. This should be simplified a little since the stock manifold is a polymer, and can be cut down to yield a base plate that accepts stock sealing techniques, and a viable cross section to calculate runner taper. The result should be a very significant jump in hp with a very favorable side effect,.. the option to cut cost dramatically.
Using all oem parts would allow the use of the stock computer. At that point Painless Wiring could make you a harness for about $350 and flash your ECM for a performance update.No need for a stand alone system with a wide band o2 sensor. That route would still be available to anyone that wanted to wick even more hp, but the basic road rocket package could be achieved for several hundred dollars less, and give you easily obtainable inexpensive replacement parts.
I'm guessing,.. but from what I've read that makes power in these engines, an improved intake manifold with an ECM mod to a stock system should be good for nearly 200 hp.

I'm going to try the polymer route,.. If I can produce a high quality part that I can replicate, it makes this conversion a more realistic option for anyone that would want to try it.

Mick

dholvrsn · « **Reply #46 on:** August 27, 2008, 08:18:29 PM »

BTW, don't know if this helps but: http://shop.ebay.com/items/_W0QQ_fromZR46QQ_sopZ10?_nkw=miata+transmission&_fromfsb=0&_trksid=m270.l1311

Ironman · « **Reply #47 on:** August 28, 2008, 12:46:51 AM »

Quote from: dholvrsn on August 27, 2008, 08:18:29 PM

BTW, don't know if this helps but: http://shop.ebay.com/items/_W0QQ_fromZR46QQ_sopZ10?_nkw=miata+transmission&_fromfsb=0&_trksid=m270.l1311

Thanks for takin the time to look,..
I wish I could get what I need for those prices. Unfortunately the transmission has to come from a 2006 or newer, and would cost 2/3s of my budget.

Mick

turbopinto72 · « **Reply #48 on:** November 18, 2009, 06:05:05 PM »

Ironman, Please contact me. Thanks

pintosopher · « **Reply #49 on:** February 11, 2010, 03:27:00 PM »

Hey Ironman,
Where are you on this project? Have you seen the Duratec goodies on RWD Motorsports UK website? They have the pan and Oil pickup made up. They also have the Bellhousings for different trans apps too.

Pintosopher

cromcru · « **Reply #50 on:** February 22, 2010, 10:11:41 PM »

hey pintosopher what is the url for their website. i have had no luck in finding it.

pintosopher · « **Reply #51 on:** February 23, 2010, 07:07:14 AM »

Quote from: cromcru on February 22, 2010, 10:11:41 PM

hey pintosopher what is the url for their website. i have had no luck in finding it.

I believe it's www.rwdmotorsports.co.uk bit if that doesn't work try google and use Duratec conversion as the search terms. Their site was shut down until the 17th for " Holiday" It might be back up now.

Pintosopher

Srt · « **Reply #52 on:** February 23, 2010, 10:35:25 AM »

http://www.3gecomponents.com/templates1/view_product.php?product=96743&site=63&department=3532

might this be the one?

pintosopher · « **Reply #53 on:** February 23, 2010, 10:51:47 AM »

SRT,
Similar products, But not the Co I had in mind. That site in your link is oriented towards Seven replicas. I'll try to get it Right and resend the link.

Pintosopher

pintosopher · « **Reply #54 on:** February 23, 2010, 11:03:28 AM »

Cromcru &SRT

I can't get the link to attach and still open properly. Use the Search terms to locate and open the link from there.
Pintosopher

oldkayaker · « **Reply #55 on:** February 24, 2010, 08:12:02 AM »

There is becoming a lot of info on the web for this engine, but it is still relatively expensive. Pintosopher, I believe this is the site you were referring to. Hope these links work.
http://www.rwdmotorsport.com/index.php
While looking around found a few more interesting sites.
http://retroford.co.uk/shop2/index.php?cPath=22&osCsid=5493c520ec9970255b38027595685084
http://htperformance.net/index.php?page=shop.browse&category_id=11&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=1
and the site referenced a page or two ago:
http://quad4rods.com/index.php?page=shop.browse&category_id=2&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=100041

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Author Topic: Duratec pinto conversion (Read 13996 times)