Hey guys!

I'm debating tackling this conversion, seems pretty basic and challenging enough not to get bored but not feel overwhelmed. Its been done 100's of times so I'm hoping you guys have 1st hand experience or know someone who has.

Any regrets or reasons not to do it.

My pros are... Cheap, fast, fun! Miatas with some ***** are a please to drive, can't race it all year like an evo, but this is something I can afford to keep me entertained. Estimating a 12k build including, car, motor, install kit, suspension, brakes, interior, wheels/tires. This should put me at 380-415whp (not 110%, every dyno reads differently) and around 2500 pounds with cage and full tank of gas.

Con's... How crazy do i need to get with tires and suspension for traction before 20-30mph. Power steering seems like a pain to get setup.

I'm also on the Miata forums trying to get some advice, I'd like some idea's before I start calling companies and bugging them. My first choice so far for the conversion i think will be racingconcepts.com Theres also assistance from this guy here who I just tried contacting yesterday. http://home.comcast.net/~npartist/


Cheers!

 

You wouldn't be surprised if I talk to you about Miatas, needless to say I had one in the past. I have seen several upgrade paths but as far is motor upgrade as a whole I thought that the Ford 302 Cu conversion was the most popular and feasible.

The vette engine in my opinion would cause you more traction issues than anything else. That constant low rpm torque will keep your tires spining at the touch of the gas pedal.

I am sure you already consider other turbo options like the Flying Miatas kits, etc. If I was you I would try the Ford conversion first, it is definately a proven powertrain on the Miatas.

My .2c
Carlos

 

that is 1 crazy setup. i still prefer the lsx in a fd. make sure you its hardtop when you get a miata..haha

 

Thats true and i've thought it through, but the LSX swap is a much cleaner process and is the more reliable way to go. They also have the capability of producing the best power band and is much more tunable for specific power bands. The cam choice will help with delaying power a bit. I can also squeeze 265 tires on the back, something sticky with coilovers should hold the power. I got a ride a 415 rx7 few months back and it did very well after 20 which is okay with me as I dont plan on racing this much, just something to keep me on my toes and challenging to drive.

If I'm doing any projects this time around i'd like something v8 for the broad power band and to mix it up. All i've had are turbo cars which are amazing bang for the buck but this time im going light with power everywhere.

Worst case senario I drive around on drag radials which i'm okay with, I've done it before and its really not that bad. Speed jack and air tools make a tire swap easy too.

Back to the ford thing really quick. From my research many go with the Ford setup because its about $1500-2000 cheaper than the LSX motor swap along with easier to manage. Alot of the guys that do the Ford swap are just looking for extra power, I'm looking to build a true street/track car that I can put 100k on while not becoming a never ending money pit.

Do you know anyone who's ran the car without power steering?
Hows the car with age? Anything specific I should look for other than rust?

I'm not very familiar with the car so any pointers helps. And I was hoping you'd chime in, you've basically owned very car worth buying.

Cheers!

 

If all goes well others have ran low 11's on pump with street tires, 10's with slicks. Theres also a couple guys spraying 150 shot on slicks running 10.0-10.1 and still out handle most cars on the street, only on a dry day though . Naa I'll be doing the convertible with the cage, the more aggressive version from my research doesnt fit well with the hard top. I don't plan on driving it on rainy days so the top will be down most of the time and it'll be garaged.



Cheers!

 

The LS1 swap is supposed to be excellent, BTW flyin' miata also offers kit parts now as well.