Made some progress on the swap over the weekend.
So the first order of business was modifying the oil pan to clear the custom tubular crossmember. Since the oil pan was coming off, I ditched the shitty stock rod bolts for some ARP pieces. Anyways on to the oil pan.
As it looked, coming off the engine.
After media blasting and baking for 1 hour at 400 degrees to pull any hydrocarbons out of the pores for a decent weld. Outlined is the section that needs to be removed.
Cutting done!
Okay big disclaimer time! I'm not a welder by trade, to be honest I bought my first welder - a Miller Diversion 165 TIG - back in April. I know my welds look like shit. But please keep in mind that this is the second functional aluminum piece I've attempted to weld. The first is a shifter extension for my SC300's R154 and it looked much worse than this but it worked. I am open to criticism so let me have it.
After first pass, before grinding.
Inside.
End result. All pinholes sealed, it held water for 30 minutes without so much as a drop. It took me a few hours of testing, drying, heating & welding, cooling, and refilling to reach this step. It doesn't look pretty but it holds liquid, it'll clear the subframe and bolt up to the engine, and I did it myself. I'm proud of it.
I'm waiting on a new oil pan gasket and oil pickup tube o-ring, then I'll seal the engine up. Also still waiting on the flywheel & clutch combo to get the engine set ready to go in. That's when the Miata comes apart and goes under the knife.