project time lhd -> rhd

I don't have any help to offer you, however I can't resist asking... why would you want to do this?

Excellent question IMHO ;-) Maybe he's retired and just needs a Miata related project. They don't break much so he's bored?! Why not buy a classic British roadster to keep your hands busy and a Miata to drive?

Seriously though, if you wanted a RHD Miata, why on earth wouldn't you just buy one? Wouldn't the trouble and the expense be less? If it's just for the challenge, seems like I could think of challenging projects that would result in an improved Miata. Maybe to Peter, a 'unique' Miata (a one of a kind, hand built conversion) IS an 'improved' Miata! I believe I might be on to something there............

clip: I don't have any help to offer you, however I can't resist asking... why would you want to do this?

peter, here is a thread from the rx-7club forum that shows the difference in the firewall that would need to be addressed. of course they are dealing with at a rx-7 and not a miata but i would image the issues are pretty much the same.

MX-5s for RHD markets may not meet U.S. safety and emissions regs, or at least not have the appropriate documentation. Which just illustrates, I suppose, that there's more than one way to build a $40,000 Miata.

Personally, for that kind of money I think it would be more amusing to drop a Miata off at FM for a V-8 transplant. Might even be cheaper.

Hi Peter

As a 'Brit on the list' you might like to try MX5 Heaven :-

Regards Chris

i have seen pix of rhd's and i like the look...something different.

i have had brit cars/bikes....i find it easier to just whack my thumb with a ball-peen hammer

unlikily...i suspect an imported mx5 would not meet us safty/emission reg's. with an existing north american car, i would not have to worry.

yes, i do think you are on something :)

peter

ahh, useful info.

thanks i'll look at this tomorrow.

peter

more useful info.

thanks, peter

exactly.

Which just illustrates, I

if it were anywhere near $40k usd, i would be looking at an m5

with the parts i listed, i would not expect more than $2k usd, ( and expect less), plus time spent. hmmmm, a rhd 5.0 HO...now there is a thought :)

peter

That's funny! Hey man, go for it, I'm all for you baby! I hope you do a cool thread with pics and everything like the guy did with the white RX7, that was nice! Seriously, keep us posted

Chris

i have seen pix of rhd's and i like the look...something different.

i have had brit cars/bikes....i find it easier to just whack my thumb with a ball-peen hammer

unlikily...i suspect an imported mx5 would not meet us safty/emission reg's. with an existing north american car, i would not have to worry.

yes, i do think you are on something :)

peter

If you want to do silly things with a MX 5 have a look at

Mmmmm, nice.

There's some pics of my UK registered ex-JDM Eunos Roadster VR Limited Cambination-A at:

The last photo in this set was taken this afternoon, just after I picked it up from the paint shop. I had the rear end resprayed (the lacquer coat had started to peel in a couple of places) and the hard top re-sprayed body-colour. Naturally, within 5 mins of picking it up it started to rain (this is Britain after all :-)) so that pic was taken in the rain. I hope to get some better pics next week - Monday's weather looks promising.

I'm still a little ambivalent about the body-colour hard top as I really liked to look of the silver top and Vin Rouge paintwork on the body, but it really does look magnificent now! The paint guy mopped the rest of the car which worked much better than I expected and has really bought up the front end (which wasn't repainted).

Dragging this back on to topic, used MX5 spares tend to be very expensive over here. I don't know why as there are tens of thousands of them over here, and the old tin worm does get to them with our salty roads in winter.

Someone else posted some links to UK sources. Can I add the UK MX 5 Owner's Club forum at . You don't have to be a member of the OC to join (this may change) but you have to register to post - there are overseas contributors to the Forum, but I don't think I've seen any Americans on there, yet... and of course there's always

If you want any photos of specific RHD stuff on my car let me know, either here or on my gmail.com email address which has robrait before the @ sign, and I'll do my best to get the right pic and post them onto Flickr, Photobucket or wherever (as long as it's stopped raining).

i shall but dont expect anything soon

Actually the Flyin Miata folks are using LS3 Corvette engines. They come with 430 HP stock (480 with the $300 cam upgrade) and with their aluminium blocks they don't upset the f/r weight distribution. I am guessing that one of these would be a lot of fun to drive.

FM has a half dozen build diaries up for this conversion. Interesting reading.

And don't miss the autocross videos. For the sound, mainly.