Hi all,

I have a 1999 NB that I want to be a (California) street legal monster! Now because I do live in California I have to abide by a series of marxist, I mean, well thought out CARB laws that require that any engine swap I commit to must be:

An engine the same year (or newer) than the vehicle it is going into,
Must retain the donor vehicle's driveline (ie. the V8 transmission and diff),
Must retain the donor engine's CARB approved exhaust and intake components

With that being said I have done many months worth of research to narrow down my engine search to a select few. They are the lexus 1UZFE from either a Lexus LS 400 or GS 400, or a Jaguar AJ34s (AJ-V8) from a Jaguar S-Type R or XKR.

Now before someone says the obvious, NO A GM LS MOTOR WILL NOT WORK BECAUSE THE EXHAUST HEADERS WILL NOT CLEAR THE FIREWALL/STEERING COLUMN WITHOUT MODIFICATION.

So... With all that being said, I need to know if anyone out there happens to have any experience with either the lexus or jag motors and can help me out to determine: a) what are the dimensions of each motor, b) Any reason not to use either of the motors?

Any info will be greatly appreciated!

 

Forgive my ignorance, but since they sell aftermarket CARB approved headers, couldn't you skirt the exhaust problem that way?
I know...that has nothing to do with what you asked.

 

Ah, that was my first question. But according to the guys on the MX-5 Miata forum and the few manufacturers I got a hold of, none of the CARB legal headers I've looked at will fit past the steering column. I need a header that dumps off near the back of the engine and direction-ed nearly straight down.

If anyone can disprove me with an example of a header that works please enlighten me.

 

I suspect that a set of e-rod manifolds will fit, and make the same power as shortie headers.

131 1009 05 O+131 1009 Gm Erod Emission Legal Chevy Small Block+erod Exhaust Manifold - Photo 28724015 - GM Erod Emission Legal Chevy Small Block - 4-Wheel & Off-Road Magazine

Also, I wonder how difficult it would be to move the steering shaft over an inch or two? Make it a 3 piece shaft with a center bearing support?

 

Did you ever build this? The OEM G8 CARB legal exhaust manifolds fit very well in the NB and just clear the steering column. They are in my car now. See my thread for pics.