nmna miata swapped spitfire $1500

apparently runs and drives

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/188546512985532/?ref=category_feed&referral_code=undefined

That looks like something I am really glad is far away

That's a china-turbo from challenge gold me thinks.

Good deal I'd say if it actually runs and stops.

Oh my lordy, what wheels are those?

If this thing is as Miata based as it seems to be, getting it to run and stop shouldn't be that hard, right?  I mean, RIGHT?

In reply to pres589 (djronnebaum) :

I think those are Mini Cooper wheels

I think you're right.

This thing looks good.  I'm glad I'm not in a position to aquire it.

I have been in contact with the guy. Looks like he did the rear suspension and differential pretty much the right way. Kept the Miata differential, built mounts for the upper and lower a-arms and custom axles. Front suspension appears stock, so the 4x100 wheels may just be hub adapters in the front, the rear hubs are Miata. This would make a great challenge entry, please some one buy it so I don't :-)

In reply to pres589 (djronnebaum) :

Those are 1st and 2nd generation MINI wheels. The thing to understand with any 15" MINI wheel from those years is that they are all 15x5.5" rims with a45 mm offset. Not a width that appeals to a lot of people, but nice for winter tires. That particular model (known as "holies") is one of the lightest OEM Mini wheels available.

DeadSkunk (Warren) said:

In reply to pres589 (djronnebaum) :

Those are 1st and 2nd generation MINI wheels. The thing to understand with any 15" MINI wheel from those years is that they are all 15x5.5" rims with a45 mm offset. Not a width that appeals to a lot of people, but nice for winter tires. That particular model (known as "holies") is one of the lightest OEM Mini wheels available.

I use them on my e30 rally car (with some custom spacers due to the smaller hub bore). Some of the best-looking factory wheels out there. Actually several E30 guys use them for rally. 

What's optimal on that wide of a wheel, 185?  Seems about right for a car with that much weight and power.

In reply to pres589 (djronnebaum) :

Stock NA Miatas came with the 14x5.5 , 38mm offset "Daisy" wheels and a 185/60/14 tire. The only differences are the MINI 15" diameter and a 7mm change in offset. I've been thinking about finding a set of MINI wheels to throw on my NB with some 185 tires just to see how it feels. 

I like this style.

Against my good judgement I messaged him: thankfully it's pending, which one of you dorks threw down?

Was curious to see what builder did to keep rear tires under the car. The shortened axles are not that had to get made as it turns out.Wonder where the rear suspension geometry turned out?

Mini wheels on the Molvo. 195 tires. I cant recall offhand how wide the rims are but like 6" or 6.5.

48 mm offset. MIGHT be able to run 205 and not hit tin, but the 200 TW tires are holding for now in 195 width.

In reply to NOHOME :

If those wheels are 16" diameter then they're 6.5" wide. There is a very similar looking 17x7 version, too.

Hopefully one of you all are buying it..... Here is what he sent me for how he did the rear end. He said he took a bridge piece from another Spitfire frame and mounted in in the front of the original one so he could mount the diff and have something to attach the upper a-arms. Pretty good idea, not sure how well executed it is, but a great start.

In reply to DeadSkunk (Warren) :

They would be 16.

I think they suit the car.

In reply to DeadSkunk (Warren) :

The Mini wheels are a larger offset (closer to the center of the car. I have Holies ands older Blizzaks on my NA as winter (really "storage") wheels/tires. It drives quite well, they're lighter than my Kosei setup but result in a +7% speedo error on the dangerous side (i.e. "you're going faster than the speedo says"). They'd absolutely benefit from about a 10-15mm spacer, but don't rub on anything inside.  If your NB is anywhere near Pittsburgh you're welcome to try them on.  Oh, and the Holies only came in a 15" OEM, as far as I know.

DeadSkunk (Warren) said:

In reply to pres589 (djronnebaum) :

Stock NA Miatas came with the 14x5.5 , 38mm offset "Daisy" wheels and a 185/60/14 tire. The only differences are the MINI 15" diameter and a 7mm change in offset. I've been thinking about finding a set of MINI wheels to throw on my NB with some 185 tires just to see how it feels. 

I like this style.

Note: only the 1.6 came with the daisies, and the offset is +45. The 1994-97 NA got a different wheel design, a 14x6 +45.

That isn't far from me.  I'm ashamed I wasn't more interested when I saw it a couple of weeks ago.  I see it's pending now.  

spitfirebill said:

That isn't far from me.  I'm ashamed I wasn't more interested when I saw it a couple of weeks ago.  I see it's pending now.  

hopefully someone from here got it

MrChaos said:

spitfirebill said:

That isn't far from me.  I'm ashamed I wasn't more interested when I saw it a couple of weeks ago.  I see it's pending now.  

hopefully someone from here got it

I'm disappointed in myself for not posting it here.  

In reply to dherr (Forum Supporter) :

I've been spitballing for some time how to address the rear end better than some others  and come up empty.  This guys idea seems so simple.  

Keith Tanner said:

DeadSkunk (Warren) said:

In reply to pres589 (djronnebaum) :

Stock NA Miatas came with the 14x5.5 , 38mm offset "Daisy" wheels and a 185/60/14 tire. The only differences are the MINI 15" diameter and a 7mm change in offset. I've been thinking about finding a set of MINI wheels to throw on my NB with some 185 tires just to see how it feels. 

I like this style.

Note: only the 1.6 came with the daisies, and the offset is +45. The 1994-97 NA got a different wheel design, a 14x6 +45.

Keith, did any NA/NB wheels come in 38mm offset, or am I just going senile? I'd have bet the house that they were all 38mm..

I need a set of holies if anyone has some. 

In reply to spitfirebill :

Yes, he does seem to have figured out a way to make it all fit as well as it can. I read on the BritishV8 site that he said the body needed to have 1/2 of clearance to clear the coil overs, so I would have tried to move them to the rear, but what he has done may be a good blueprint to follow.