Stalker/Miata build

[GrampaTim]

Do I need to keep the engine computer and Mass Air Flow box to get the engine to run? I pulled out all the wiring for power this and that, pop-up headlights, radio, HVAC, windshield washer/wiper, etc, but there are computer connections left unconnected. Can I just hand-wire for starter, ignition, fuel pump and lights, and get the engine to run, or is it dependent on the computer?

[fastg]

A miata is a computer controlled engine,  so yes you will need the ecu and necessary electronics. If you swap to a megasquirt you can delete the mass airflow sensor.

 

Graham

[scannon]

I put a Miata engine into a Caterham 7 build about 15 years ago.  I spent roughly 80 hours on the engine wiring.  The car was plug and play for a Zetec engine and I didn't have to deal with  anything but the.  I removed a complete wiring harness from a '96 Miata, identified every wire, connection and color then removed all wiring not required for the ECU, shortened the remaining wiring to the correct length and installed and connected it to the car.

 

I turbocharged the engine and used a Link ECU that fit in the original Miata box and had the same wiring connectors.  To my complete amazement and joy it started on the first attempt.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GUgYhYk7B1M

[NSXguy]

9 hours ago, scannon said:

I put a Miata engine into a Caterham 7 build about 15 years ago.  I spent roughly 80 hours on the engine wiring.  The car was plug and play for a Zetec engine and I didn't have to deal with  anything but the.  I removed a complete wiring harness from a '96 Miata, identified every wire, connection and color then removed all wiring not required for the ECU, shortened the remaining wiring to the correct length and installed and connected it to the car.

 

I turbocharged the engine and used a Link ECU that fit in the original Miata box and had the same wiring connectors.  To my complete amazement and joy it started on the first attempt.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GUgYhYk7B1M

 

 

Hi Skip,

Curious, what color was your old SV featured in the youtube video? i don't have the color code for my car and it looks almost identical to mine. I'll PM you a photo of the car so as not to threadjack. 

cheers,

Des. 

 

Edited March 30, 2021 by NSXguy

[MPG]

As others have already said, your options are:

1. Use a 3rd party controller like the megasquirt.
2. Grab the ECU from the Miata and trim the wiring harness down.

In my state (MA), option 1 wasn't really going to work w/o a "crusher car", so I did 2. Trimming the wiring harness down was a bit of a project. Even on an early NA, the ECU cares about a lot of different inputs. It looked something like this while I was doing mine. You'll want a good wiring diagram while you're culling. You can find them here.