Well Ill start out with my name is Kyle I am 20 years old and have been working on cars since i was 13, yes 13 really, my dad owns a shop so Ive been picking up the trade as years went on. I also graduated college for automotive at Cincinnati State August 2011.

I bought my Miata in July 2011 for $3,100 with plans to tear it down in early December. At no point did I consider turbos, why when it costs the same as this full swap, so I decided on the LS1 swap

Im going to try to keep this up to date as much as i can start to finish so you can all see the progress. Im also going to attempt to make all sub frames and supports on my own, rather than buying from boss frog or flying miata.

This is the miata first day i bought it, 1994 1.8L, 5 speed 69k miles on it, tan top looked like death and paint had seen nicer times


So I busted out some time and buffed the heck out of it


Well i hated the tan top so much i went ahead and found a factory hardtop 80 miles away from me and went on a road trip when i got it that night i tinted all my windows


I ordered some "adjustable springs" off ebay for like $30 just for funzies and my fantastic primewell tires gave me some sweet understeer, therefor i hit my first curb ever, while drifting....


I ruined a wheel and sold the three wheels i had left and 4 tires, i also turned my lower control arm into a pretzel.


I was so mad that i bought new wheels, sparco pistas, tires, Yokohama s-drives, and v-maxx coilovers.


Set my alignment and was as happy as a cucumber


Then i tinted my windshield because cops dont scare me and really because i think it looks good!



I was now searching for a motor and trans and stumbled apon one at my favorite junk yard Strickers Auto Parts, we do all sorts of business with them and i walked away with this 2002 camaro 5.7 motor for $3,200.


Now i had bought a trans from a guy but it ended up being for an LT1, and i learned it wouldnt work so now im trying to selling, meanwhile i picked up this t56 from ebay and this kick *** guy named Dave that was a real help with getting it here. 2002 T56!!


I have heard so many options with differentials and i went with the ford explorer 8.8. Reason 1 getrag sucks ive seen many fail i dont care to have a diff thats going to burn bearings up, 2 I know 8.8s and they are tough pumpkins. 3 i may not be able to buy a brace for the 8.8 but i can engineer one with the help of pictures from a guy named nathan from swaptastics. This 8.8 also came from Stricker Auto Parts. 60k miles


Thats all ive got right now, tear down pictures will be coming soon, new to the whole thread jazz so cut me some slack please.

 

Can't wait to see how it progresses. I might just know that guy "Dave" that sent the T56 to you.

PS: Welcome to LS1Tech.com...by the way, your drifting incident vs. a curb reminds me of a similar event of mine a LONG time ago (around 1983 or '84).

 

"cops don't scare me" hahahaha Im 19 and wanna do this with my moms 90 miata. no funds right now being in college. Itll have to wait. good luck with the build

 

Really RUQWIKR? I have a feeling your the dave. hahaha
And yea 70hemicuda this is a real kick in the wallet

 

Nice work. Well worth the time & effort.






Blaming the tires & suspension after losing it while drifting. Sounds like a 20 yr old, lol.







Good way to have your LS swapped Miata impounded after it's finished.
Think about what you're doing.

Good to see more young talent building bad-*** cars. Good-luck w/ the build.
Send me a PM if you have any questions. I have a lot of experience building & driving LSX Miata.

 

My tint is very illegal, but luckily im pretty in tight with all the police in my area, i always roll my windows down when i pass them though, just incase...

 

Subscribed thanks for the pics, keep us updated

 

Update:
Just got my Fuel pump, i went with the WALBRO FUEL PUMP 255LPH HIGH PRESSURE MAZDA GSS342, It will suit my needs for this thirsty engine. It cost me around $90..


I also used some of my connections and got a complete clutch kit with flywheel and all from SMYTH around $300, list was $800...

 

^^^

Nice!

Have you had a chance to start any of the fab work?

 

Actually I'm starting my fab work either ending of November or beginning of December, i havent decided which. Also I think I might buy a sub frame to eliminate some geometry problems but i haven't fully decided yet.

 

Going to be a beast

 

I'm here for the show! Good luck with the build. I'm going to look at a miata on sat which would be getting an ls swap!

 

would love to have one of these cars ,good luck with the build

 

bump...

 

Just got some New Parts Pictures Tomorrow!!

 

Just a little FYI...you CAN buy a cover for that IRS 8.8. LPW makes one for both the Mustang IRS 8.8 and the older Tbird/Cougar IRS 8.8.

 

Alright I bit the bullet on the subframe, I figured thatd Id spend too much time making it then I wanted so I bought the kit from flying miata, and boy was it cheap.. But hell I have to admit its top notch quality minus whoever powdercoated it needs to learn how to protect the threads, now they have to be chased.


Water Jetted Frame Rails


And transmission mount


They also included all the needed bolts and poly bushings for the trans, motor and frame rails.

****** Tear down starts This WEEKEND!***

 

First off i took the drive shaft, "torque arm", and trans out.


Im doing this weekendly
And yes my crane is bigger than the car

Woot

Probably the easiest Engine removal ive ever seen

 

Looking good!

The only thing I would suggest, is considering a built 7.5 diff as opposed to an 8.8. I changed my mind to the 7.5 on my build, after realizing that the exhaust would not fit like I wanted it to. Strength of a 7.5 should not be an issue in these cars, as the Miata weighs an easy 1000lbs less than the car that the 7.5 came out of....plus, drag-car launches are kinda difficult in these cars unless you're running a wide body kit or fender flares with really wide/sticky tires.

Just something to consider.

 

there is no gained room by going with a 7.5 diff, i build the first miata to use an 8.8 back in the late 90's early 2000's. there almost the same size with similar pick up points. why use any thing but an 8.8 for the price and strength they have.