What would a GRMer do?

Hi Gang. Erik Lawson here (2001-2004 Challenger). Looking for some ideas on what to do with a 323GTX. Up here in the great white north, we rallycross on ice. For the past several years, we have used 323GTXs. One rusted to death and got scrapped. The current one had the standard GTX crankshaft failure last year. I put all my 323 crap up for sale 6-8 months ago at what I thought was a reasonable price. Blame the economy or whatever - I still have 95% of the stuff and still have a busted car in the yard. I've had some "very interested" parties, but so far they have no money.

So here it is November again and the ice is on the way. The engine has to come out to fix it right. The question is: What goes back in there? I did one swap on one of these cars putting a B6T in where a B6T came out - it was very time consuming. I don't really want to do it at all, so I sure as heck don't want to do it twice. Have any of you put a Miata shortblock in one of these? Does it actually bolt up? Do the accesories fit, or is there a bunch of fabrication to do? Would the 1.8 be a better option? Can I put the Miata crank in my block? It appears that the oil pump and front cover differ, so that could get a little messy.

I need to be stingy on dollars and time. I'd like to utilize the factory ECM with my EL chip and recently installed Centerforce clutch, and I'd like to get it done in 2 weekends max with 1-2 helpers.

What would you do???

Erik

Isn't that the same basic engine as the Miata?

In reply to mad_machine: That is what I have read, but what does "basic" mean? What fits and what doesn't?

This is all I know, except that if you find an extra b6-e I'd give it a good home in a Festiva...

that's a good question. I know the block bolts up..

the block bolts up, but the oil pan is in the wrong place, and I think the alternator bracket needs to be modified...even then, you wouldn't have the same power as the stock engine unless you got an expensive miata turbo kit!...

Why don't you pull the motor out, stuff in a miata 1.6 longnose crank, and get it back on the road? Seems like a (relatively) cheap fix, though labor intensive.

Jeez Erik, I thought the answer was always Small Block Chevrolet up around your parts... It's already got a rear end in it, put a SBC and a Glide in it and a stubby little driveshaft and go snodrifting!

I'm not sure, but here are som leads... late model Capri(looks like an ugly FWD miata), also, I believe there's a 1.8 KIA or something with the same block(cheap)

I do think the longnose crank will fit in there. It is basically the same motor other than rods/pistons/cams/dizzy.

The 1.8 BPT engine swap is doable, but very time consuming and expensive. I'd stick to the B6Ts and go with a Miata shortblock, something 92-93ish with the long nosed crank. Also ditch that VJ turbo, lots of people make their own T3 adapter plates for the stock manifolds, keeps a new turbo in the stock place which is nice.

And you're close to Canada, right? You should be able to find yourself a Protege AWD fairly easily, parts will be easier to find and you can move up to the 1.8 Ltr. BPT motor. My car was a Canadian car, almost all of the AWDs were built in Canuck land but for the most part they made their way down to us.

Well, this is a bit of a haul for you, but...

323 GT

^Is that yours, Pete? I just spent a couple minutes pondering where tippecanoe was before i realized that it was close to me, relatively.

DO WANT.

As for the OP... i suggest an F2T swap.

Use a Miata bottom end. You'll need to swap the oil pan and associated bits as well as accessory drives, but it should be pretty straightforward. As an added bonus, you'll also get 9.4 compression which would be a lot nicer to drive than the 7.8 or whatever doggy ratio the GTX comes with. If I still had my GTX, I would not hesitate to stick a Miata short block in there.

Effort should not be significantly different than swapping the B6T for a B6T.

93celicaGT2 wrote: As for the OP... i suggest an F2T swap.

If you're going that far, DEFINITALY need to go FE3. 400whp on the stock bottom end, sounds delicious.

Teqnyck wrote:

93celicaGT2 wrote: As for the OP... i suggest an F2T swap.

If you're going that far, DEFINITALY need to go FE3. 400whp on the stock bottom end, sounds delicious.

I suppose.... recent evidence shows that it's pretty likely that's acheiveable with the F2T as well, with more torque.

But the FE3 SOUNDS way better.

The Escort GT used the 1.8 Mazda engine.

Hrrrmmm... as a matter of fact, i think you're right!.

What are the odds you could fit a 4G63T, AWD DSM gearbox and transfer case, and modify the driveshaft to adapt to the DSM transfer case.

I bet you could get a complete rough but running early DSM for under a G, and part out what you dont need. No more oddball parts in the drivetrain!

Not to mention 200 horse stock, and 300 with easy and cheap mods.

93celicaGT2 wrote: ^Is that yours, Pete? DO WANT.

Oooh no no no no.... it just keeps popping up on c-list. But yeah, I'd like it too - if I didn't have the Tempest that I haven't touched since the 4th of July, the 66 Jeep that I haven't touched since I dragged it home on Easter, and this 115-year old building I'll be working on for the next few years!

Maybe i'll win the lottery or my bonus will be bigger than expected. I bet that thing is a little rocket.

I kind of want to get rid of the Celica for it, but my girlfriend just smacked me when i thought that out loud.

Thanks guys. I think I'll start shopping for a Miata / Capri / Escort GT shortblock in the upper midwest. I'll probably nix the a/c and lighten her up a bit, and I like the turbo swap idea too. Erik

petegossett wrote: Well, this is a bit of a haul for you, but... 323 GT

DANG I wish that was closer, seems like the perfect swap into my 96 protege.