Hi All,


I am embarking on a 20 year old dream to have a street registered v8 MX5/Miata in Australia. I have been on this site as an observer for a long time...but as Australian registration regulations have historically been so strict I have not been able to do realise this project. But things have recently changed and I have been able to work through all of the engineering issues and now I can get registration. So my dream project has begun in earnest..


I look forward to exchanging information with all of you and also in getting my build thread started..


Cheers
John

 

Welcome aboard John. We're glad you are here, and we look forward to the details of your planned V8M conversion, as well as, your eventual build thread!! Thanks, Pat

 

Outstanding we can finally see it done the right way! I have seriously looked more than once at converting my car to right hand drive and owning a RHD is still solidly on the bucket list! This is going to be great! Oh wait... you are going to do a RHD car right?

Anyway glad you are here and looking forward to getting to know you. Welcome!

 

Hey Jim,


Thanks for the warm welcome. I have read so many of your posts bud...I have learned much about this conversion from you...


I will definitely be doing an RHD...we drive on the "right" side of the car here for sure...hahaha


I am crazy keen to get this thing started...but I am still learning the finer things on the conversion..the stuff not in the manuals....that's in these threads..


So much good info on these forums...I have learned so much...I look forward to contributing much myself in the near future..


Cheers

 

Thanks for the warm welcome Pat...I look forward to sharing my experiences with everyone...


cheers

 

For sure I could never have build my car without this forum and feel the same way about giving something back. So many great builds here and I always enjoy the different approaches guys take at it. And no question the best community of guys anywhere!

Wow a RHD Martin kit fantastic! There was a full right hand drive dash and firewall for sale on craigs list for 1200 bucks not too long ago.... humm

 

Welcome to the madness, just out of curiousity, how will you get the car over to have a meet with us?

 

As epic as it would be to see his car if he can just get to Houston he could help Gunpilot get his cars there!

 

Well it may not be such a crazy idea


It is about 4000 USD to get the car there and back...hmmm maybe if Martin sponsors some, I start saving from now and you guys help by selling some cookies to raise some funds at your next few meets...it could work..LOL


Seriously though..that would be great...I would love to drive my car in the states and visit the MM workshop and cruise with you guys...who knows...maybe one day

 

[Hi Engineer
i live in Melbourne and have been contemplating a V8 swap for some years. Do you live in Victoria?
I have looked at VicRoads website to try and understand the legislative and certification process but there is not much there. Obviously you have a good understanding of the process in the area where you live.
Would it be possible to obtain the detailed steps or could you point me in the right direction and the people to talk to.
I must admit some of the procedures look daunting (FE analysis for one!) but I guess it is methodically one step at a time.
Look forward to your response, thanks
Civeng]


I am embarking on a 20 year old dream to have a street registered v8 MX5/Miata in Australia. I have been on this site as an observer for a long time...but as Australian registration regulations have historically been so strict I have not been able to do realise this project. But things have recently changed and I have been able to work through all of the engineering issues and now I can get registration. So my dream project has begun in earnest..


I look forward to exchanging information with all of you and also in getting my build thread started..


Cheers
John[/QUOTE]

 

Hi,

thanks for reaching out and saying hi. I am based in nsw and the modified vehicle registration laws are different from Vic. So i am unsure as to what is or is not allowed.
However I would strongly encourage you to do the following:

1. Call a few certifying engineers that are registered to authorize modified cars for VicRoads.
2. Explain to them what you want to do and how you are going to do it.
3. Listen to the responses and discuss with them what issues or challenges they have with your plans.
4. The only v8 MX5 cars that i am aware of in Victoria were cars built by John pitt. They were built as ISV cars...so not really modified MX5 .

Ultimately it is the engineer who has the official say as to whether you can get registration.

do not undertake any build until the engineer you ate working with gives you s green light to proceed.

This process took me 14 months, cost thousands and there were extra things that needed to happen along the way that we uncovered.

so make sure you find the right engineer...most of them i spoke with would not have a bar of what i was proposing 😊👍 I eventually found an engineer that listened and once i had created a report for him detailing what I was going to do and how. He was ok to let me build it.

Call the engineers first...and then see what they say.😁😎👍

 

Hi Engineer
Thanks for your quick and detailed response.
I will follow your advice to the letter.
I used to work in country Victoria and a former work colleague was building an 8-wheel drive desert crossing vehicle under the guidance of a VicRoads’ approved Engineer; so this also could be a start point.
Our US counterparts don’t appreciate how lucky they are not living in a ‘nanny state’. Building the car is probably the easiest part.
The journey begins!!

 

Hi guys,

I am in the UK and also interested in a RHD Miata V8.

My question on feasibility is will the steering column clear the large starter motor on the RHS of the engine?

Regards

Richardracer

 

Hi,

the steering clearance is very tight but doable. You will need a mini starter and also a completely custom header setup to clear everything. On the US cars, they have the luxury of lhd which provides more room to move.

cheers

 

Hi John
How has your project progressed? I'm thinking of the same thing here in SA. Unfortunately our laws are the worst in the country but you're right as long as an engineer signs off I should be okay.
I'm keen to hear if you're running on the road yet.
Cheers
Rob

 

Hi Rob,
Thanks for reaching out. Yes my project was completed in 2018. My car has been registered since then and I have clocked 55k KMs on the conversion. Before even attempting a thing, contact some SA roads authority approved engineers. You need to see if they will even entertain the idea. Most won't, I went through about 10...

It's not that it's not legally possible, it's just that they are comfortable to sign it off. I am unsure of the intracacies of SA rego laws so unsure what the hang ups will be. Call an engineer first and have the conversation. Also read all the vsb article s so you are across the actual laws as written. It will help you a lot 😉

Good luck
Cheers
John

 

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