Monday 1st August 2016

Flyin' Miata's ND V8 MX-5

Well it was bound to happen soon enough!

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V8 engines have been going into MX-5s for a good few years now, with predictably hilarious results given the power gain. But this latest swap is rather more newsworthy than most, as it involves the latest MkIV 'ND' MX-5.

Centre-exit exhaust too? Win!

Yes, just about a year after customers first received their standard cars, Flyin' Miata in America (could you tell?) has installed a Chevrolet LS3 V8 into a new MX-5. The LS engines are popular swaps into the MX-5 - and indeed the RX-8 - owing to their compact dimensions, availability and easy power. Indeed Flyin' Miata is keen to stress the modest weight gain of 119kg over a 2.0-litre MX-5, this car weighing in at 1,175kg. Furthermore, the distribution of that weight isn't too different from the standard car - it's 52:48 normally and now 53.4 per cent at the front and 46.6 per cent at the back.

To more important numbers. This car here is making 525hp and 489lb ft thanks to an upgraded LS3 engine, the standard package offering 430hp. There aren't any performance figures yet, but this must comfortably be a 160mph MX-5. And the 0-62 time must begin with a four, right?

Modifications added to manage this huge power increase included a six-speed T56 transmission, LS7 clutch and flywheel, new suspensions developed with Fox Racing and a Camaro differential amongst many more. Interestingly this car has been converted to hydraulic steering as well.

You could have 430hp, or you could have 525...

Options for the V8 included a carbon driveshaft, cruise control and a brake upgrade. Probably best to invest in that last one. As for wheels and tyres, Flyin' Miata is keen to discuss whatever you're interested in: "These are custom cars, built to their owner's dreams", says the website. Imagine turning up to track day with this on some fancy rubber and being one of the fastest cars there...

The price? Conversions begin at $49,995 (with you providing the standard car) for the LS3 with 430hp. For the 525hp conversion, the "rowdy thing with a hotter camshaft" that will "change the character of the car from the smooth GT to escapee Trans Am race car", Flyin' Miata asks another $1,780. You even get a warranty. And they'll do you the same conversion for a 124 or MX-5 RF as well. Orders are being taken now!

Watch the video here.
 

[Sources: Motor1, flyinmiata.com via roadandtrack.com]

 

[Kawasicki]

525bhp in a new MX5. Holy crap.

Yes, I think the car will easily hit 160 mph, with the right gearing maybe even 190 mph.

I'd be very interested in the stability at that speed.

I'd love one.

[Bencolem]

Love the sound of a cammed LS - but you could nearly get a new C7 for similar money!

[kambites]

Lovely thing but crazy money.

[Cotic]

If they put the old 2.0 engine in the boot, they might get some traction off the line.

[havoc]

I suspect there's a typo in the price - $50k for an engine transplant alone is nonsense, even with the 'box, diff and labour.

[edo]

Must be a hoot, but agree $50k? How much is an LS crate engine?

[edo]

edo said:

Must be a hoot, but agree $50k? How much is an LS crate engine?

Answer: Under $12k

http://www.turnkeyenginesupply.com/ls-crate-engine...

[nickfrog]

Cotic said:

If they put the old 2.0 engine in the boot, they might get some traction off the line.

[Vitorio]

Cool car, but utterly and insanely pointless with that price, presuming one is US based, that puts you at 75-80K USD for a V8 miata, which could also buy you two V8 mustangs, or three v6 mustangs, or a single Shelby GT350, with another 15K left for upgrades...

And off course various other pieces of very fast metal.

[jamieduff1981]

edo said:

edo said:

Must be a hoot, but agree $50k? How much is an LS crate engine?

Answer: Under $12k

http://www.turnkeyenginesupply.com/ls-crate-engine...

Lots of TVR owners fall for believing that. The engine is the least of your worries. Most professional conversions in TVRs cost around £20,000 by the time engine, engine mounts, clutch, gearbox, gearbox mounts, prop shaft, differential, driveshafts, tachometer, speedometer, radiator, radiator fans, coolant hoses, airbox / intake, exhaust manifolds and pipes fabrication has been accounted for.

[kambites]

Vitorio said:

Cool car, but utterly and insanely pointless with that price, presuming one is US based, that puts you at 75-80K USD for a V8 miata, which could also buy you two V8 mustangs, or three v6 mustangs, or a single Shelby GT350, with another 15K left for upgrades...

The MX5 is the best part of half a tonne lighter than a Mustang. A better comparison would be with the Corvette although that's pretty heavy too.

Edited by kambites on Monday 1st August 13:55

[vtecyo]

Vitorio said:

Cool car, but utterly and insanely pointless with that price,

That depends entirely on how much money you have.

[Ozzie Osmond]

A car with a Corvette engine for .... the price of a Corvette and with .... sub 4 second 0-60 like a Corvette.

Errrm, why not just buy the Corvette?

[Salgar]

The company is called flyin' miata, what's with all the pluralisation?

[sandys]

Ozzie Osmond said:

A car with a Corvette engine for .... the price of a Corvette and with .... sub 4 second 0-60 like a Corvette.

Errrm, why not just buy the Corvette?

Probably because it's still a small lightweight sportscar once complete which a corvette isn't.

Edited by sandys on Monday 1st August 13:49

[Ozzie Osmond]

vtecyo said:

Vitorio said:

Cool car, but utterly and insanely pointless with that price,

That depends entirely on how much money you have.

It actually depends upon how keen you are to pay $70,000 for a $20,000 car.

[xRIEx]

Ozzie Osmond said:

vtecyo said:

Vitorio said:

Cool car, but utterly and insanely pointless with that price,

That depends entirely on how much money you have.

It actually depends upon how keen you are to pay $70,000 for a $20,000 car.

fk! You can get a new <1200kg, 430bhp V8 sports car for $20k?! Where from? What car is it?

[xRIEx]

article said:

Furthermore, the distribution of that weight isn't too different from the standard car - it's 52:48 normally and now 53.4 per cent at the front and 46.6 per cent at the back.

Is that without a driver? Would my preferred diet of pizza and doughnuts help shift the weight distribution rearwards again?

[AshBurrows]

You can have it done over here too. You'll probably spend ~£20k on the complete conversion. But what zero mile, 500hp sports car could you have for £40k? Check out partworldperformance for GM crate engines/boxes etc prices over here.

That's why I was willing to convert my M3. At that stage it's basically a brand new car so why compare it to something well used?

[Matt Bird]

Salgar said:

The company is called flyin' miata, what's with all the pluralisation?

Apologies, genuine error! Pluralisations removed now.


Matt