LS2 V8 Miata

We're keeping the old Chevy versus Ford rivalry fires burning in Arizona.
My buddy Bill came over friday in his built 5.0 T-5 Miata to throw down the gauntlet. When I finish my LS1 T-56 Miata I'm going to show him why Chevy wins the Camaro versus Mustang challenges all the time!

jrp

iTrader: (16)

now thats what i call ****** badasss .

whats done to your ls1 and the 5.0?

Killer_Bluebird

iTrader: (23)

That's a lot of engine for such a little car!

I bet is fun as heck!

turbotacoma

iTrader: (1)

Lee you may be starting something over at the miataforum. Ford vs. Chevy vs. Rover!!!
I can see it now!!! I tell you what I can not wait to get my project together and throw some numbeer down. I also went Ls1 power.....Gm has always been my choice even though I have built some Ford powerplants in my day!!! Can not wait!!!

www.ls1miata.net/gallery

2001ws6ramair

I will be building a 5.0 Miata as soon as my 97 GT in finished.

Turo

iTrader: (23)

Wow, that is going to be one fun little ride!

WS6FirebirdTA00

iTrader: (33)

haha thats sweet. i wanna hear a clip of that, i dont know what i would do if you pulled up beside me, look and see a miata but hear a rumble...i bet its fun

TAQuickness

iTrader: (28)

I used to have a '99 SC'd Miata. The car was quite respectible, but no v8. Nobody ever expected to get beat by a Miata.

30th TA 0219

Why? The 5.0 based iron blaock is a boat enchor compared to the LS1. The Ford Miatas have **** for balance.
I've owned 3 Miatas in the past and always dreamt of having an LS1 in it.

LS2 V8 Miata

I'm starting out with an LS1, but I installed a Walbro fuel pump in tank and oversized fuel lines for a reason, future engine mods up to 650 HP all underhood in a stock looking Miata. Like he said, "nobody expects to get beat by a Miata"

Payne

iTrader: (3)

hehe, and I thought my traction problems with 245s in a 2800lbs car was bad....

I tell you what, all I do in 1st and 2nd is spin em...

What are you gonna tire that with?

CMcCarthy

Check the weights of an iron block/aluminum head 5 liter and an LS1, and then get back to us...

An LS1 miata will be equally shitty balanced. It will just be more powerful.

30th TA 0219

a lot of the swaps I have seen have been ALL iron 5.0s and have the radiators all shifted as mentioned in the other V8 Miata thread. I'd take an LSwhatever over a 5.0 based motor of most any kind on any day

Payne

iTrader: (3)

Its funny, you hear everyone go:

"Its gonna handle like wet dog crap with that weight balance"

Well who cares? The thing is gonna understeer really really badly, but all you have to do is flick your right foot and suddenly you have all the oversteer you could possibly want.

I for one think this car would be amazing to drive, albiet very difficult.

turbotacoma

iTrader: (1)

First off, My conversion has kept the radiator in the stock location. Fans and all!!! Two, I am 2 inches set back into the firewall. Three, the ls1 is slightly lighter then the 302 iron block/heads setup. Four, the Alt, P/S, and A/c doesn't set as far forward as the ford set up. Five, I think I can make similiar power to a blown 302 with some work, without the weight of the blower. Six, I think it will be a very good sleeper. Under the radar!!!! Seven, it may have about 200lbs. more weight to carry, but the torque and cubic inches will make up for it. Eight, it should handle good.....may not like a stock....trickedout suspension 4 cylinder miata, but close. Nine, doing this has been a test of my skills, patience, creativity, pay check, and comes close to almost driving one insane. Everything I have done has been modified or made. In the end I think it will be a worth wild adventure. I had a chance to see a completed Ls1 6speed miata yesterday morning. He is a member here on the site. I have posted some pics. of his car on my site.

www.ls1miata.net/gallery

Awesome to see acompleted one and to hear about how it drives and handles. I can not wait to get mine completed and driven.

Later

Tim

gnx7

iTrader: (28)

Tim,

What were your impressions of how the LS1/Miata handled.... or was it difficult to tell without being behind the wheel?

Amazing an LS1 fits in there. What headers is he running? Custom? Mid lengths? I like how the exhaust is routed..... maximum ground clearance.

Like Jason mentioned..... I wonder how much lack of traction these cars will have now.... Mine romping on the throttle in 2nd can blow the 285/30/18 R compound tires away. 1st WOT is worthless. Pedal modulation is the only way.

turbotacoma

iTrader: (1)

Gnx7:

I did not get a ride in it. I wish I did. From what Karl is telling me....with stock street tires 1,2,3 is spinning. But this is with 4.10's and a 6 speed. With his drag radials.....I am told traction is not a issue. Yes, his headers are custom made. He made them himself. When I looked at his car and compared it to to mine....we both have came up with similiar approaches to arriving were we are on our projects. I just spent the evening put the engine back into the car to check for my firewall clearance. And I am good. Stage 2 almost done. Just need to ada some bracing to my new firewall, prime paint everything. Next will be some sort of header combination.....still got to figure this one out!!!!!!

Oh, Karl vsays his car handles good....a little nose heavy.....not bad, but you feel the weight. But, it is good enough to give a Z06 2002 model a good run down on Deals Gap. I can not wait to get this P.O.S. together.

Later

Tim

LS2 V8 Miata

Bill's 5.0 has got most of what can be done to a Ford. Balance & Blueprint Trick Flow intake, works heads with extensive porting & polishing, pistons, stage II roller cam, roller rockers, JBA headers, MSD. I'm not much of a Ford fan, but when the dyno says there's over 400 HP at the rear wheels in a nicely executed Miata, it get's everybodies attention.

My LS1 is a 2000 motor with just K&N, SLP MAF, custom headers and exhaust, no cats, custom PCM. However, I installed a Walbro 255 in-tank pump and large braided stainless fuel lines anticipating future upgrades to max around 650 HP. I intend to stair step up, like cam, Patriot heads and if the need arises a low profile, inter-cooled whipple charger.

But I think if I tweak this LS1 just a little and stay around 2400 Lbs total car weight, I won't need much more.

LS2 V8 Miata

A lot of us doing LS V8 conversions have driven and raced our Miatas for years. Mine's been on the best roadracing courses in the western US getting hammered and modified. Most of my Miata friends are right now, installing the biggest Turbos, inter-coolers, superchargers, ECUs, everything to develop a ragged edge 4 cyclinder that will make 340 HP MAX for a little while.

Since I needed a new engine and tranny both, my rationale said a chevy and trans stock would not only out perform my buddie's 4 cyclinder grenade motors, it'd be cheaper and I'd have OEM stock reliability at the race track, simple just like driving my Chevy truck to the store.

turbotacoma

iTrader: (1)

Hey Lee:

Have you got the exhaust/ header configuration figured out. I have been looking at my space, now that I have the engine back in checking for clearance. I am good there. I am trying to get this part of my project done. The firewall bracing, priming, and painting. I also need to run to the local bone yard to get me a rubber plug for my harness. So much little stuff to do. Then the headers will be next. If I had this part done.....I would be together in about 2 weeks time.

I am hoping that I will put down some good numbers with my engine combo....headers being the questionable part!!!! I am hoping for 375-390 rwhp. Man, I can not wait....!!!!! E-mail me and let me know how you are doing on your progress!!!!!

Tim