So has anybody done a V8 conversion?
Discussion
Due to some parking issues at home, wanting to get the nice cars out of the winter, and my storage unit coming to the end of the lease, I'm negotiating a lease on an old car sales workshop.
Plans for a stack more tools, compressor, 2 post lift, etc.
Which brings me to my dream project.... LS3 V8 engine in the '5.
My excuse has always been lack of garage space to do the project, but the new place will be perfect. Big enough for about seven cars, so plenty of room for the two boat trailers, Maser, junk, and engine lifters, etc.
Has anybody done one? Or any stories? The V8 Roadsters 'kit' looks relatively complete, I'm not a total idiot where welding and engines go, have some backup from some old local pros, and did a degree in Electronics Engineering, so I think that's most bases covered? I know it's a big, difficult project, but looks like a lot of fun, and would end up with a great sleeper!
What do we think?
Plans for a stack more tools, compressor, 2 post lift, etc.
Which brings me to my dream project.... LS3 V8 engine in the '5.
My excuse has always been lack of garage space to do the project, but the new place will be perfect. Big enough for about seven cars, so plenty of room for the two boat trailers, Maser, junk, and engine lifters, etc.
Has anybody done one? Or any stories? The V8 Roadsters 'kit' looks relatively complete, I'm not a total idiot where welding and engines go, have some backup from some old local pros, and did a degree in Electronics Engineering, so I think that's most bases covered? I know it's a big, difficult project, but looks like a lot of fun, and would end up with a great sleeper!
What do we think?
Have a chat with gas guzzler on Nutz.....although he used a Range Rover 3.6 V8
http://www.mx5nutz.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=5...
http://www.mx5nutz.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=5...
http://www.swaptastic.net/ls1_miata/index.html
This guy in the states has done a build diary with a Racing Concept kit - quite an interesting project. I wish you the best of luck!
Oh, and sleeper value? Even on tickover you'd be fooling nobody!
This guy in the states has done a build diary with a Racing Concept kit - quite an interesting project. I wish you the best of luck!
Oh, and sleeper value? Even on tickover you'd be fooling nobody!
Taffer said:
http://www.swaptastic.net/ls1_miata/index.html
This guy in the states has done a build diary with a Racing Concept kit - quite an interesting project. I wish you the best of luck!
Oh, and sleeper value? Even on tickover you'd be fooling nobody!
What a great link, thanks!This guy in the states has done a build diary with a Racing Concept kit - quite an interesting project. I wish you the best of luck!
Oh, and sleeper value? Even on tickover you'd be fooling nobody!
The chap has even put information on other 'kit' makers in his 'links' page. The Boss one looks pretty good at the moment, hardly any welding/cutting required to make it fit, which seems all the better. A bit more expensive than the other kits, but they seem quite confident compared to the others, and the kit looks good.
I'm hectic from now until Easter, but will get my plans laid down to start work next year, inshallah.
Engine/gearboxes are very cheap for what they are. £2500 - £3500 gets you a low mileage, 6.0L V8, pushing 400BHP and 400 lb/ft. Ridiculous! I could also afford to sea freight to save money, I'm in no desperate hurry.
Any other input welcome!
My mates puting a Lexus 1UZFE V8 into his, although he is having a rest over the winter.
http://www.roadsterrescue.co.uk/
goto General Chat, Readers rides & projects, 1UZFE V8 Conversion
Mark
http://www.roadsterrescue.co.uk/
goto General Chat, Readers rides & projects, 1UZFE V8 Conversion
Mark
Make life easy on yourself and buy the kit to do it: http://www.flyinmiata.com/index.php?dept=115
I know 2 people that have bought all the bits from them as well as adding in things like the Wilwood brakes. Their cars are really REALLY fast and the quality of the kit is second to none. The installation looks like the factory did it.
My car was already turbocharged when I bought it but looking at the receipts that came with it you would be mental to go down that route. The V8 conversion is cheaper and comes out with more power.
I know 2 people that have bought all the bits from them as well as adding in things like the Wilwood brakes. Their cars are really REALLY fast and the quality of the kit is second to none. The installation looks like the factory did it.
My car was already turbocharged when I bought it but looking at the receipts that came with it you would be mental to go down that route. The V8 conversion is cheaper and comes out with more power.
Well, I've done the deal on the workshop!
I now have 1000 of your finest workshoppy square feet at my disposal. Room for the two boat trailers, Maser, MX5, tools, workbench, junk, the toboggan assembly line (see my other thread!), and a 6L LS2 engine....
Seriously looking at the Boosfrog kits, as they do look rather nicely made, and the conversions look relatively straightforward (as far as these things can be).
Flyin Miata is no good, as it uses the Ford engine, which I'm not keen on. Underpowered, and too heavy.
The LS2 is 400bhp / 400lb/ft standard, with room for tuning.... Ford doesn't even come close!
So, I have the winter to sort out an engine, conversion kit, diff, fuel pump, and all the bits I'm likely to need, and arrange sea freight to arrive for late spring when I get back from the alps. Then start work!
I'll keep you posted.
I now have 1000 of your finest workshoppy square feet at my disposal. Room for the two boat trailers, Maser, MX5, tools, workbench, junk, the toboggan assembly line (see my other thread!), and a 6L LS2 engine....
Seriously looking at the Boosfrog kits, as they do look rather nicely made, and the conversions look relatively straightforward (as far as these things can be).
Flyin Miata is no good, as it uses the Ford engine, which I'm not keen on. Underpowered, and too heavy.
The LS2 is 400bhp / 400lb/ft standard, with room for tuning.... Ford doesn't even come close!
So, I have the winter to sort out an engine, conversion kit, diff, fuel pump, and all the bits I'm likely to need, and arrange sea freight to arrive for late spring when I get back from the alps. Then start work!
I'll keep you posted.
deviant said:
My car was already turbocharged when I bought it but looking at the receipts that came with it you would be mental to go down that route. The V8 conversion is cheaper and comes out with more power.
How do you work that out - a turbo conversion is what, £3K for a decent 200 bhp set-up?I can't see how you're going to get a decent 200 bhp V8 set up for less than that unless you own a garage, all the required tools and aren't paying any labour costs?
youngsyr said:
deviant said:
My car was already turbocharged when I bought it but looking at the receipts that came with it you would be mental to go down that route. The V8 conversion is cheaper and comes out with more power.
How do you work that out - a turbo conversion is what, £3K for a decent 200 bhp set-up?I can't see how you're going to get a decent 200 bhp V8 set up for less than that unless you own a garage, all the required tools and aren't paying any labour costs?
There is no way you could build a 400BHP 4 cylinder engine for less than the cost of the V8 conversion.
Both the people I know that have done the V8 conversion did all the work at home. Some of it is a bit fiddly but it is not beyond the scope of someone that has a home mechanic set of tools and is a little bit mechanically minded. Both of their cars are race cars and came in at under $20,000 finished and on track.
deviant said:
youngsyr said:
deviant said:
My car was already turbocharged when I bought it but looking at the receipts that came with it you would be mental to go down that route. The V8 conversion is cheaper and comes out with more power.
How do you work that out - a turbo conversion is what, £3K for a decent 200 bhp set-up?I can't see how you're going to get a decent 200 bhp V8 set up for less than that unless you own a garage, all the required tools and aren't paying any labour costs?
There is no way you could build a 400BHP 4 cylinder engine for less than the cost of the V8 conversion.
Both the people I know that have done the V8 conversion did all the work at home. Some of it is a bit fiddly but it is not beyond the scope of someone that has a home mechanic set of tools and is a little bit mechanically minded. Both of their cars are race cars and came in at under $20,000 finished and on track.
How much power is really useable in the MX-5 anyway - with the narrow wheels, RWD and low gearing, I'd imagine you'd need to do a lot of work to put even 300 bhp to the tarmac in perfect conditions?
It seems to work okay. Semi slicks must help, they are running a 15inch rim so you don't need massive tyres.
No doubt that it is possible to slide the car at any speed but driven properly and not in hooligan mode they are devastating. One of the chaps I know has been running his in everything from autokhana to tarmac rally and is trouncing some very serious cars, he admits he has no idea how to drive quickly to so there is a lot to come yet.
Personally I am astounded by just how good these cars are with a V8 in them.
No doubt that it is possible to slide the car at any speed but driven properly and not in hooligan mode they are devastating. One of the chaps I know has been running his in everything from autokhana to tarmac rally and is trouncing some very serious cars, he admits he has no idea how to drive quickly to so there is a lot to come yet.
Personally I am astounded by just how good these cars are with a V8 in them.
deviant said:
It seems to work okay. Semi slicks must help, they are running a 15inch rim so you don't need massive tyres.
No doubt that it is possible to slide the car at any speed but driven properly and not in hooligan mode they are devastating. One of the chaps I know has been running his in everything from autokhana to tarmac rally and is trouncing some very serious cars, he admits he has no idea how to drive quickly to so there is a lot to come yet.
Personally I am astounded by just how good these cars are with a V8 in them.
It's not the height of the rim, but it's width that will dictate how much traction you have - a 15" tyre that is 9" wide will give a lot more traction than a 15" tyre that is 7" wide and I'd imagine you'd need some serious tyres to get 400 bhp to the tarmac.No doubt that it is possible to slide the car at any speed but driven properly and not in hooligan mode they are devastating. One of the chaps I know has been running his in everything from autokhana to tarmac rally and is trouncing some very serious cars, he admits he has no idea how to drive quickly to so there is a lot to come yet.
Personally I am astounded by just how good these cars are with a V8 in them.
What have they done about the gearbox, diff, engine management, etc?
Would love a V8 MX-5, but unless I move to the States, I just don't think it's viable.
Edited by youngsyr on Wednesday 24th November 11:47
I think they are running something like a 15x9. Wide but not silly, they look very tidy.
Brakes are Wilwood 4 pots on the front and stock rear brakes on bigger discs.
Gearbox is (I think) tremec 6 speed, commonly found in the Holden Commodore and in the likes of the Corvette. The gear stick even lines up with the hole in the MX5.
The diff is a LSD from Cadillac, they got them included in the kits from Flyin Miata.
The ECU is the stock bit of kit.
Brakes are Wilwood 4 pots on the front and stock rear brakes on bigger discs.
Gearbox is (I think) tremec 6 speed, commonly found in the Holden Commodore and in the likes of the Corvette. The gear stick even lines up with the hole in the MX5.
The diff is a LSD from Cadillac, they got them included in the kits from Flyin Miata.
The ECU is the stock bit of kit.
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