GTX Plans

[808]

I like the fact that you're thinking outside the box... but really? Why destroy the coolest part about the car? Take away the 4wd and it's just an econobox. I'm planning on running close to 300hp through a b6t, and keeping it 4wd, there's ways to do it.

[Silentbob343]

I like the fact that you're thinking outside the box... but really? Why destroy the coolest part about the car? Take away the 4wd and it's just an econobox. I'm planning on running close to 300hp through a b6t, and keeping it 4wd, there's ways to do it.

Econoboxes can be AWD; Impreza L says hi, as does the Suzuki SX4, swift, and new Fit-(Japan only for now). Econoboxes shifted from RWD to FWD with a few doing AWD and I think it's neat that he's going to make it RWD. I believe in this day and age RWD makes it less like an econobox.

Also, the GTX AWD system can only handle so much power. AWD is already more susceptible to breakage as things tend to grip instead of slip, pump more power through it and it only gets worse. I suppose he could look at other transmissions from AWD cars with the engines mounted transversely.

I do think he should source a shell instead of doing heavy modifications to such a wonderful example of a GTX.

[808]

I'm not saying it's not an econobox now... and i know how easy these trannys are to break. I've already demolished one, but if you're going to go through all the work why not just start with a miata since what you're gonna get is a miata with less aftermarket support and a worse weight distribution? There are ways to strengthen the gear box to support the power you're going for though and keep it 4wd.

I'm not trying to sway you away from it if you're heart is set on it... there's just much better platforms to do it with. Get an old rwd GLC and BPT it... The gtx is rare enough as it is.. please don't ruin another one with visions of grandeur.

[trailrider098]

The gtx is rare enough as it is.. please don't ruin another one with visions of grandeur.

this is the only thing i dont like about what im gonna do. i know what makes a GTX a GTX is the 4wd, i personaly LOVE the 4WD, its great. the only thing is that unfortunatly Mazda didnt think enough to make their trannys stronger since they probly a full custom gearbox in the rally cars and didnt have the problems that we do.



the way i feel about doing this is, i know the my GTX is a somewhat rare car, i know its in near mint condition(80,000 miles no rust), and i know the change im making technicly makes it no longer a gt X . But what i hope to accomplish is to make a car that can still keep its original handling abilities, keep its beautiful original body shape(ya i think 88 323's look awsome), give the car a ton of HP, and yet have a drivetrain that will be able to hold it. i thought of doing what that other RWD guy did and i thought of doing EVO drietrain swaps but i dont want parts from other manufactures on my Mazda. I dont want to say "ya, im making 400hp with my Mazda GTX but its only being held together with Mitsubishi parts" no thanks

[therieldeal]

jeff, one of the issues i see with this is that the GTX rear diff is weak as hell. internally its the same unit as the 1.6 miata, it has a tiny like 6" ring gear...

so instead of blowing up rear transfers, you'll be blowing up diffs.

[atomicEGT]

IIRC the Miata rear diff can be swapped for an FC rear diff, can't remember if that's pumpkin and all or just the guts... but the Miata diffs can take plenty of abuse as it is.

Sit on the idea until the block shows up and you get a better idea of what needs to be done and if it can be done without turning it into a total hack job.

[therieldeal]

thats the 1.8 miata rear diffs that you can swap the FC guts into.

the 1.6 miata diffs are small, weaksauce units that are shared with the GTX and the old ass rwd 626's. on a miata you can swap the entire housing out for the stronger 1.8 unit, but there are no larger housings made that will bolt up to the GTX.

you'd be better off converting to a totally different rear end if you want it to hold power. the ford 8.8" mustang rear end is the right width for a BG, so it might be close for a BF. build a tube chassis with a 4 link... custom driveshaft... it can be done, but is it worth it?

[therieldeal]

http://members.aol.com/solomiata/Drivetrain.html

ive looked at all this because i was searching around for info when joshlx was considering making his escort RWD

[trailrider098]

jeff, one of the issues i see with this is that the GTX rear diff is weak as hell. internally its the same unit as the 1.6 miata, it has a tiny like 6" ring gear...

so instead of blowing up rear transfers, you'll be blowing up diffs.

ya, i thought about that but at least i have the option of using a large variety of Miata aftermarket parts, RX-7 parts or doing what that other RWD GTX guy Erik did and source a Mazda Cosmo diff.

and either way i much rather deal with blowing rear diffs then trannies. it took me 40 min to pull my stock diff, install the GTR one and put it all back together, and that was the first time. to do it again it would prob take a half hour.

[Silentbob343]

Yeah the miata 1.6 is balls. The 1.8 diff is the minimum you should look at.

[trailrider098]

well i bought a 5 speed miata tranny, motor mounts, and oil pan. i went to a very reputable shop(put the standalone system in a very nice Escort Cosworth) and i explained my situation, they gave me a rough quote of $900 for the estimated 10 hours of fabrication needed to mount the engine on a custom front subframe. i still need to wait another 10 days for the bottom end to come back from the machine shop, also my corksport head should be done tomorrow, i called and requested the coolent outlet be moved to the cam gear side and the disty end be pluged

[Pox]

Wow, you have big plans.

[atomicEGT]

Baller.

Escort Cosworth???? Where? I want to make sex to it :D

[therieldeal]

OH!

you're also probably going to need a miata intake manifold, so that the intake isnt facing the firewall.

lucky for you... i have one sitting in my garage . its bare, no throttle body or anything. but that shouldnt matter.... you're running standalone right?

[atomicEGT]

I told him to go with a Megasquirt so he could use a COP setup and not have to cut a hole in the firewall for the Escort disty...