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Mazda Engine Swaps \ Project Che-ZoomProject Che-Zoom
views 2800
replies 13
following 9
sincitylocal
+1y
Well, I'm brand new to this forum and I thought I'd share a few modifications to my 2600i. It isn't as polished as some of the pretty trucks on this site, but it is mine!
Before swapping the motor, I lengthened the wheelbase, because I never liked the rear wheel well location on the Cab Plus truck beds. It always looked funny to me.
So I actually used the complete back two thirds of a second truck frame to accommodate the standard bed.
At some point, I'll lower it an inch or two, but it'll never be slammed. This one is getting set up to do some road racing!
Then, I narrowed the frame section at the rear wheels, so I could stuff some fatties in there... someday. I'll need to fabricate a ladder bar suspension and do some wheel well work to make it happen.
So, on to the engine... TPI 5.7 liter w/700R4 Transmission
In preparation, I had to notch the crossmember to set the engine in a bit lower. I did this so I wouldn't have to modify the firewall or the transmission tunnel.
The black intake tube is hand made from fiberglass and is wide in the center because it gets pretty thin going over the alternator.
Building the motor mounts was a piece of cake.
In the first pic, you can see the 1-1/8 inch sway bar that I modified from a Formula Firebird(which donated all the GM parts I used).
...and this is a 50 state emissions legal install. All GM smog equipment was transferred over too.
I had to toss the Mazda Transmission crossmember and make my own mount that is through bolted to the torsion crossmember.
For those of you who noticed an AC compressor in the first engine pic...
Yes it is equipped with a fully functioning system(I live in Las Vegas). I just had to move the condenser under the bed!
I mounted some Prelude seats in the cab, but nobody sees them with the hand made fiberglass console(not finished yet).
Future plans are to change the rear to a disc brake equipped LSD rear from an S-10 with a 3:23 ratio(these 4:10's are killing me on the freeway. Even with the overdrive tranny!!!).
I already have the S-10 rear, just no time or money to do the rear suspension yet. I also plan to add a second fuel tank, but that isn't a necessity right now. Paint is!
Surprisingly, I'm getting about 25 mpg When I keep my foot out of the throttle.
In a couple of years, I plan to redo the gauge pod with Auto Meter gauges and a little more fiberglass work. I never really liked the squared off gauge cluster either.
It won't get a stereo system until I'm finished with everything else. It might make me forget that it's not finished yet!
Let me know what you think...
Before swapping the motor, I lengthened the wheelbase, because I never liked the rear wheel well location on the Cab Plus truck beds. It always looked funny to me.
So I actually used the complete back two thirds of a second truck frame to accommodate the standard bed.
At some point, I'll lower it an inch or two, but it'll never be slammed. This one is getting set up to do some road racing!
Then, I narrowed the frame section at the rear wheels, so I could stuff some fatties in there... someday. I'll need to fabricate a ladder bar suspension and do some wheel well work to make it happen.
So, on to the engine... TPI 5.7 liter w/700R4 Transmission
In preparation, I had to notch the crossmember to set the engine in a bit lower. I did this so I wouldn't have to modify the firewall or the transmission tunnel.
The black intake tube is hand made from fiberglass and is wide in the center because it gets pretty thin going over the alternator.
Building the motor mounts was a piece of cake.
In the first pic, you can see the 1-1/8 inch sway bar that I modified from a Formula Firebird(which donated all the GM parts I used).
...and this is a 50 state emissions legal install. All GM smog equipment was transferred over too.
I had to toss the Mazda Transmission crossmember and make my own mount that is through bolted to the torsion crossmember.
For those of you who noticed an AC compressor in the first engine pic...
Yes it is equipped with a fully functioning system(I live in Las Vegas). I just had to move the condenser under the bed!
I mounted some Prelude seats in the cab, but nobody sees them with the hand made fiberglass console(not finished yet).
Future plans are to change the rear to a disc brake equipped LSD rear from an S-10 with a 3:23 ratio(these 4:10's are killing me on the freeway. Even with the overdrive tranny!!!).
I already have the S-10 rear, just no time or money to do the rear suspension yet. I also plan to add a second fuel tank, but that isn't a necessity right now. Paint is!
Surprisingly, I'm getting about 25 mpg When I keep my foot out of the throttle.
In a couple of years, I plan to redo the gauge pod with Auto Meter gauges and a little more fiberglass work. I never really liked the squared off gauge cluster either.
It won't get a stereo system until I'm finished with everything else. It might make me forget that it's not finished yet!
Let me know what you think...
mazda2guy
+1y
Damn look real but if I had it i Would lower it pretty good but to where I could still turn and get some nice 17s or 18s.........that truck just says sleeper all over it...welcome brotha
jmzcustomz (jeff)
+1y
Woww and welcome to the site. Please be prepared for lots of questions. We dont see too many swaps like these...usually another 4cyl or 302. Oh yeah nice start on the pics but we are pic whores so please post away!!!
dropped90(justin)
+1y
i love that console. nice, slick, but stockish looking. does your nose bleed alot? welcome to the site man.
-justin
-justin
90-b22dawg [andrew]
+1y
looks pretty sweet.... any plans on lowering it some? and can i suggest a coil over rear instead of shocks? and another thing POST MORE PICTURES!!!
sincitylocal
+1y
Yeah, I have some bags for the rear... I have a plan in my head for the suspension and to put 17's on all four corners... 245/45-17 up front and 285/40-17 out back, but money has been in short supply lately.
I want to pull the overload springs out, but they help minimize axle wrap, so they're staying for now.
I pissed off my wife while I made the console! It took up a lot of time, but I wanted it to look like it belonged there.
The only thing I farmed out was $68.00 to a driveline shop for a balance.
I did ALL of the work right there where the truck is sitting in the first pic.
Thanks for the welcome! Feels like home already.
I want to pull the overload springs out, but they help minimize axle wrap, so they're staying for now.
I pissed off my wife while I made the console! It took up a lot of time, but I wanted it to look like it belonged there.
The only thing I farmed out was $68.00 to a driveline shop for a balance.
I did ALL of the work right there where the truck is sitting in the first pic.
Thanks for the welcome! Feels like home already.
90-b22dawg [andrew]
+1y
just looked back over the pics i noticed you had gas shocks for the hood... do they hold the hood up as well without needing the hood prop?
sincitylocal
+1y
They hold the hood up fine, because its really light, but I have to change their position.
It's tough trying to find the right geometry.
It's tough trying to find the right geometry.