1985 Series 3 restomod with s5 13BT on LPG, R&P steering

[KYPREO]

Any updates at all, Greg? I've spoken with ACBRON a bit lately about various things including the subframe swap. I'm pretty keen on it when I get my coilovers and new wheels on aye. Dailying my car is making me notice how irritating the steering is with these cars . Have you got any pictures how the engine gets mounted? I realise it is on the middle plate but I can't seem to remember seeing any pictures

Hi! No updates to report unfortunately. I had to wait to get some brake parts in from Mazda Japan and I've been swamped at work these past few months. The weather is warming up here now which is a good chance to get some work done on the car.

I have a series 5 13B which has the mid-engine mounts from the factory. They bolt holes are in the middle plate and there are some arms which run from the engine mount where it attaches to the crossmember. The 13B sump then has indentations for the engine mount arms.

It would be a pain to do this conversion with a 12A, as you would need to get some of the 13B arms, drill holes in the bottom of the plate, then fabricate a custom sump.

[myatt1972]

I also have a 13b with centre mounts, is yours like this ?
I was given the engine and have no idea on its history.

[KYPREO]

Well its obviously a 6 port 13B. It is also pre 88/89 based on the lack of knock sensor bosses located above the spark plugs (which s5 has).

But i don't think it is from an FC. Your block has 4 studs on the side of the centre plate below the exhaust ports. FC has the exhaust side mounts underneath the engine.

I actually reckon you have a 13B 6 port engine from a HB Cosmo (929)!

Mine is a s5 turbo block fwiw.

[Hobbawobba]

Oh cool As! I thought that'd be the case. Just couldn't find any pictures of the arms attaching subframe-engine. I have an FC 13b to fit in at some point! Will have to try and start collecting parts for the swap I think haha. Thanks!

More hard to find parts from Mazda Japan?

[ian65]

how are you getting on with this Greg? keen to hear how it drives with the new subframe and rack...... is the engine back in yet?

[KYPREO]

how are you getting on with this Greg? keen to hear how it drives with the new subframe and rack...... is the engine back in yet?

Hi Ian

Sorry I totally missed this! It has been a busy few weeks.

No major progress to report really. This is all within my control though. I've been happy to hold things back for a bit while focusing my attention and money on some other priorities in life.

My workshop is finishing up a big job though so I hope to be ramping things up again very soon.

[KYPREO]

My workshop is finishing up a big job though so I hope to be ramping things up again very soon.

And ramped up things have!

Car completely stripped and spoiler deleted, ready for rust repair and paint.

I've got much more detail on my AusRotary log, but it's time consuming to add photos to both forums. Nevertheless, I'll definitely try to keep updates coming on this board as well.

[KYPREO]

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[KYPREO]

Interior out. A/C and heater box out. Heater tap appears to be gone which explains a small leak I had before I took the car off the road. Luckily I bought a new one from Japan last year, so it should be an easy fix now that everything is out.

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Rust mainly affect the hatch sill. Fingers crossed that's the worst of it. Nothing in the wheel arch areas you guys get. Small amount of surface rust in a pillars, cowl and front intrusion bar but it doesn't look serious.

[KYPREO]

Rust pictures, PS having lots of trouble attaching images unfortunately. Timing out and having attachments drop off when previewing/editing (the latter is known bug with phpbb v.3.2.2 and can be easily fixed with a manual code change).