Is Miata always the answer?

[ctechbob]

Yeah, the eccentric shaft coming out of the center of the engine instead of at the bottom makes for some interesting packaging choices.

But if I were going to do an LS swap I'd probably do it to an RX8.

Beefier components than a MIata to start with and can be found very cheap compared to Miata or FC/FD RX7.

Yep, I've had that exact setup in the back of my mind for a while now. My brother had an RX8 before some dork plowed it from the rear and totaled it. It was a fun car to drive. With LS power it would be stupid fun.

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[D Fresh]

Personally I wouldn't LS swap a Miata or an RX. That's way too much weight up front. The V8 swapped Miatas I've been around are nothing more than drag cars essentially.

 

[Mellow]

Personally I wouldn't LS swap a Miata or an RX. That's way too much weight up front. The V8 swapped Miatas I've been around are nothing more than drag cars essentially.

I've heard the weight is actually not much difference than the oem Mazda engine... I still wouldn't do it myself as I find the OEM setup fun enough without adding the undependable reliability of that level of a performance upgrade.

 

[D Fresh]

I've heard the weight is actually not much difference than the oem Mazda engine... I still wouldn't do it myself as I find the OEM setup fun enough without adding the undependable reliability of that level of a performance upgrade.

It's about 200lbs heavier, or 160% the weight of a 1.8l. On an early NA you'd add about 11% of your overall weight doing an LS swap.

And it's in the wrong place

 

[Mellow]

It's about 200lbs heavier, or 160% the weight of a 1.8l. On an early NA you'd add about 11% of your overall weight doing an LS swap.

And it's in the wrong place

could me I'm thinking of the 2.0l in the NC.

 

[D Fresh]

could me I'm thinking of the 2.0l in the NC.

Gotcha. Can't find a weight on the 2.0 but I'm sure it's closer.

 

[Mellow]

Gotcha. Can't find a weight on the 2.0 but I'm sure it's closer.

Many also do the 2.5l conversion which is a very good almost 200hp vs a v8 which is insane.. lol

https://www.good-win-racing.com/Mazda-Performance-Part/61-1506.html

 

[D Fresh]

Many also do the 2.5l conversion which is a very good almost 200hp vs a v8 which is insane.. lol

https://www.good-win-racing.com/Mazda-Performance-Part/61-1506.html

That's one of the great things about Miatas. The swap potential is nearly endless.

If I ever get into one and swap it I'd probably do something weird. Maybe SR20DET? Those things can push 400 on the stock bottom end, weight gain is negligible and I've never seen one.

Dammit! Just googled it. It's been done a few times.

 

[Mellow]

That's one of the great things about Miatas. The swap potential is nearly endless.

If I ever get into one and swap it I'd probably do something weird. Maybe SR20DET? Those things can push 400 on the stock bottom end, weight gain is negligible and I've never seen one.

Dammit! Just googled it. It's been done a few times.

lol... I don't know... the stock one I have is so much fun... I break the rear end loose all the time but not so much I might get some unwanted attention.. lol... Some do love to push the envelope of what's possible, which is cool.

 

[D Fresh]

lol... I don't know... the stock one I have is so much fun... I break the rear end loose all the time but not so much I might get some unwanted attention.. lol... Some do love to push the envelope of what's possible, which is cool.

If I ever get into one I'm sure that the stock engine, possibly boosted, would suffice for quite some time.

A swap would come much later down the line. I bore easily sometimes though.

 

[Dr. Zaius]

Before I bought mine I looked at all the Miata generations.

While I did like the ND, the NC just felt better to me. And the PRHT was IMO a better retractable hardtop solution than the ND RF since it didn't leave the sail panels up when folded (the RF has more turbulence when the top is down).

The early ND models also had some manual transmission issues.

Get an NC with the 2.0 and manual trans (2009 and later model for the better trans and engine internals).

Immediately replace the factory plastic coolant overflow tank with either a brand new unit ($70) that will last a few years or the Moroso welded aluminum unit ($220) that will last forever (the NC cooling system is pressurized and the plastic tanls can crack where you can't see it. Engines have been lost due to this tank suddenly blowing all the coolant out and the engine fatally overheating before you can get off the road).

Install the MeisterR coilover suspension ($995)

Install the Dynotronics front mount turbo system for 300+ at the rear wheels.

Drive it til it goes boom (it will probably take a while)

Get a 2.5 out of a Fusion (Dynotronics also carries these) and all your turbo stuff moves right over.

Now you can be at 400+ at the rear wheels.

For far less than the average price of a new car you will have a car that will embarrass 98+% of other cars on the road and 99.99999999999% of cars in your same price range.

 

[D Fresh]

Before I bought mine I looked at all the Miata generations.

While I did like the ND, the NC just felt better to me. And the PRHT was IMO a better retractable hardtop solution than the ND RF since it didn't leave the sail panels up when folded (the RF has more turbulence when the top is down).

The early ND models also had some manual transmission issues.

Get an NC with the 2.0 and manual trans (2009 and later model for the better trans and engine internals).

Immediately replace the factory plastic coolant overflow tank with either a brand new unit ($70) that will last a few years or the Moroso welded aluminum unit ($220) that will last forever (the NC cooling system is pressurized and the plastic tanls can crack where you can't see it. Engines have been lost due to this tank suddenly blowing all the coolant out and the engine fatally overheating before you can get off the road).

Install the MeisterR coilover suspension ($995)

Install the Dynotronics front mount turbo system for 300+ at the rear wheels.

Drive it til it goes boom (it will probably take a while)

Get a 2.5 out of a Fusion (Dynotronics also carries these) and all your turbo stuff moves right over.

Now you can be at 400+ at the rear wheels.

For far less than the average price of a new car you will have a car that will embarrass 98+% of other cars on the road and 99.99999999999% of cars in your same price range.

Thanks for the NC recipe Doc!

 

[D Fresh]

Think I'm gonna sell the FiST to CarMax, put some more coin into my YJ and sit till something strikes me.


That first gen RX-7 is still on Craigslist though.

 

[BOB RAD]

My advise is to keep driving those miatas until you are to old to get in and out of them!

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