I just wanted to share a conversion that I did. This is a 1967 Alpine with a 1992 Mazda Miata 1.6L 4-cylinder and 5 Speed manual transmission. I used the wiring harness/computer from the donor Miata so everything was plug and play. Had to have a Radiator fabricated, and modified the exhaust header, but all in all, a very easy conversion. Definately an upgrade in reliability, power and fun!
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Enjoy.
Alpine with Miata 1.6L Engine/Trans
- Thread starter lobo1625
- Start date
George Coleman
Gold Level Sponsor
I new it would work I had looked at this coverstion 10 years ago. What rear end did you use and gear ratio? 
Thank you for the kind words. The only modifications to the Alpine were for the radiator, which had to be moved forward, and the motor mounts. I also had to cut the tunnel for the Miata shifter . The stock transmission crossmember just has an adapter plate welded to it and actually uses the Alpine transmission mount.
I did consider the 1.8l Miata engine, but the 1.6l is simpler and I found a running donor Miata for $600. That really helped the decision! The steering interfered with my first mockup of the exhaust header, but a little heat and a hammer and the header was clear of everything.
The rear end is a stock Alpine rear with stock gears. I had a driveshaft made to go from the Miata gearbox to the Sunbeam Axle. I'd like to go a little deeper with the gears to match a stock Miata, but there don't seem to be many choices.
As for the badges, my name is Dino, so the Dino Ferrari badges are my signature to the car.
I did consider the 1.8l Miata engine, but the 1.6l is simpler and I found a running donor Miata for $600. That really helped the decision! The steering interfered with my first mockup of the exhaust header, but a little heat and a hammer and the header was clear of everything.
The rear end is a stock Alpine rear with stock gears. I had a driveshaft made to go from the Miata gearbox to the Sunbeam Axle. I'd like to go a little deeper with the gears to match a stock Miata, but there don't seem to be many choices.
As for the badges, my name is Dino, so the Dino Ferrari badges are my signature to the car.
alpine_64
Donation Time
Dino,
really well executed conversion.. if you took lots of pictures along the way i am sure many here would love to see them.
As for rear end ratios.. they are either very short ones used in commercial rootes cars or the Alpine ratios of 4,22 or 3,89.. there was 3.7 used in later cars and that was being reproed for a little while, but not any more IIRC.
The other option is what the V6 conversion guys do, which is the ford 8" shortened.. that gives you a great variety of ratios and also LSD option and a stronger rear.
really well executed conversion.. if you took lots of pictures along the way i am sure many here would love to see them.
As for rear end ratios.. they are either very short ones used in commercial rootes cars or the Alpine ratios of 4,22 or 3,89.. there was 3.7 used in later cars and that was being reproed for a little while, but not any more IIRC.
The other option is what the V6 conversion guys do, which is the ford 8" shortened.. that gives you a great variety of ratios and also LSD option and a stronger rear.
jdoclogan
Platinum Level Sponsor
Nice work Dino! With my Lyrad project, a one-off using a Series I Alpine platform, I melded a Miata independent rear suspension into the Series I frame. This allows the use of a Torsen rear end produced in Miatas (not all Miatas) from 1994. This is capable of handling significant HP increases from Miata engines. The 8 inch Ford rear end is usually reserved for the V8 conversions or any high end HP engine. The original Mark II Jaguar engine used in the Lyrad produces 220HP and the Torsen should handle that just fine. I'm working on the front suspension Lyrad/Miata adaptation this winter.
Attachments
kmathis
Donation Time
I know Miata engines are bulletproof little setups and at 115bhp /100lbft stock it's a nice replacement for a from a Stock Apline power-plant. I know that there are LOTS of options to up the HP up above the 250 range. I think the Supercharger would still fit very nicely, but that may be reason for another conversion to an Early MK1-MK3 conversion later on!
I think the car has 3.89's in the back right now, but i'd really like to find the 4.22 gears for the back. These would match much better the rear end in a Miata. Is there a source for new gears or would I have to find a donor?
That is a VERY ambitious Series 1 Lyrad conversion project! I look forward to seeing progress pictures! My original thought was to use as much of the Miata driveline and suspension as possible, but after pulling the engine and dropping the 1.6l in, i decided an engine/transmission was enough!
I did take about 125 pictures of the conversion process, but am glad to share any knowledge and answer any questions about the whole process. The Red car in the background is one of the many restored Tigers that I've learned on. This is the only 4 cylinder Alpine in the group.
Here are some more pictures of the Fuel system. I chose to go with copper tubing since it is easy to work with and keep tucked in close to the frame. I did have to run a supply and a return line since the Miata engine is setup for a return. I ran the return into the drivers side tank, but in hindsight it really wouldn't matter much.
I'm going to see about setting up an album with better resolution pictures for anyone interested to browse later.
I think the car has 3.89's in the back right now, but i'd really like to find the 4.22 gears for the back. These would match much better the rear end in a Miata. Is there a source for new gears or would I have to find a donor?
That is a VERY ambitious Series 1 Lyrad conversion project! I look forward to seeing progress pictures! My original thought was to use as much of the Miata driveline and suspension as possible, but after pulling the engine and dropping the 1.6l in, i decided an engine/transmission was enough!
I did take about 125 pictures of the conversion process, but am glad to share any knowledge and answer any questions about the whole process. The Red car in the background is one of the many restored Tigers that I've learned on. This is the only 4 cylinder Alpine in the group.
Here are some more pictures of the Fuel system. I chose to go with copper tubing since it is easy to work with and keep tucked in close to the frame. I did have to run a supply and a return line since the Miata engine is setup for a return. I ran the return into the drivers side tank, but in hindsight it really wouldn't matter much.
I'm going to see about setting up an album with better resolution pictures for anyone interested to browse later.
Attachments
I know Jackson Racing makes the supercharger kit which IIRC boosts HP to about 250. That would make a very affordable little conversion for these cars.
The rear end in the car is needing to be rebuilt so finding a 4.22 gearset would be great! I seem to recall seeing that gearset listed in Victoria British but marked as unavailable.
Also if I hadn't stated it, this isn't my car, I only built it for a friend. The 1725 had been giving him fits and was eating cams like an addiction so I begged him to let me try. This was the result!!
Unfortunately that is not my garage, it's my father's. The lifts and abundance of tools make doing work over there much more convenient! Those were not Alpines, all four of them are Tigers, one of each 'generation'. The garage is the unofficial 'Tigers of North Texas (TNT) club meeting location. Sunbeams are a bit of a sickness we have in the family....
The rear end in the car is needing to be rebuilt so finding a 4.22 gearset would be great! I seem to recall seeing that gearset listed in Victoria British but marked as unavailable.
Also if I hadn't stated it, this isn't my car, I only built it for a friend. The 1725 had been giving him fits and was eating cams like an addiction so I begged him to let me try. This was the result!!
Unfortunately that is not my garage, it's my father's. The lifts and abundance of tools make doing work over there much more convenient! Those were not Alpines, all four of them are Tigers, one of each 'generation'. The garage is the unofficial 'Tigers of North Texas (TNT) club meeting location. Sunbeams are a bit of a sickness we have in the family....
Just thinking........Would the fuel return line work if it was plumbed into the balance tube between the two fuel tanks.? The vent tube on top of the tanks. Would save having to weld another fitting into a gas tank.
Maybe just the lazy way !
Very nice conversion.
Maybe just the lazy way !
Very nice conversion.
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Hi Chuck,
I did just that on my turbo Alpine. When I had to change out the dual VW fuel injection pumps because they began to leak, I put an after market Mustang fuel injection pump and had to put in a return line, I plumbed it into the balance tube hose between the two fuel tanks. It worked just fine.
Jose
I did just that on my turbo Alpine. When I had to change out the dual VW fuel injection pumps because they began to leak, I put an after market Mustang fuel injection pump and had to put in a return line, I plumbed it into the balance tube hose between the two fuel tanks. It worked just fine.
Jose
which way to go
I am trying to decide wether to go with a miata powertrain (I currently drive a '99 miata) or a ford 260/289/302 powertrain for my series 11.I like the dependability of the mazda engine but the lure of greater horsepower with the ford is appealing. Any imput is appreciated.
Pat
I am trying to decide wether to go with a miata powertrain (I currently drive a '99 miata) or a ford 260/289/302 powertrain for my series 11.I like the dependability of the mazda engine but the lure of greater horsepower with the ford is appealing. Any imput is appreciated.
Pat