Grassroots Motorsports
Issue link: http://grassrootsmotorsports.epubxp.com/i/501675
W hen it comes to engine swaps, simply ftting the new powerplant under the hood is only half the battle. It's the detail work that separates an awesome build from a piece of stagnant garage art. Our test subject is a Miata-powered MGB GT, and in the frst installment we spent considerable time getting our new powerplant properly situated in the engine bay. We made sure the engine was both straight in the chassis and level from side to side. We also kept the original engine's 3-degree slope–this retains the stock pinion angle and keeps the driveline happy. Our one compromise involved the shifter: It now sits about 2 inches farther back, requiring a small tunnel modifcation. We could have modifed the shifter instead, but this seemed like the best fx in our case. Now begins the detail work: designing a set of engine mounts that make this swap look and function like a factory installation. This process applies to a broad variety of applications, because unless the aftermarket has already produced a bolt-together solution for your swap, we'll both be traveling down a similar road. Follow along. story by carl heideman • photos by carl heideman and alan dalman Part 2: You're Just 19 Steps Away From Your Own Engine Mounts SWAP SCIENCE DATA SHEET project: demonstrating the right way to perform an engine swap, featuring a Miata engine in an MGB. part 1: dropping in and ftting the engine (May 2015). part 2: making engine mounts (this issue). What separates a great engine swap from a half-baked one? A killer set of mounts.