I want to build a Monster Miata, and I would like to know if the LS4 motor and be used conventially? That is, can you put a Clutch/Manual Tranny on them? They are cheaper online to buy and the HP #'s are good!

I also own a 2006 Impala SS and like the motor!

 

Miata is RWD so you would be better off looking at LS1/LS2/LS3/LS7... Or if you really like the 5.3 get the truck motor.

 

https://ls1tech.com/forums/ls4-front...onversion.html

read this and check out the links

 

OK, Got it, it ain't gonna work! Thanx!

 

LS4 has the v6 bolt pattern. You could use an adapter but I'm pretty sure the only other difference is the trans mounted starter boss.

 

they're rwd, so the ls4 is a bad idea, any other ls based v8 would be a better choice. I saw an episode of gears where they installed a 5.0 in one.

 

The LS4 has the RWD dowel pins installed (or atleast mine does) but I haven't check to see if there is sufficient material for the RWD bolt hole locations. If there is, you could drill/tap the holes and bolt up a RWD tranny.

The RWD bellhousing flange is also about 1/4" deeper into the block than the FWD pattern, so you will loose about 1/4" of effective bellhousing depth due to this. However, you also gain back about 10 mm due to the shorter LS4 crank... so you should end up with slightly more bellhousing depth/clutch room.

Mounting the starter would still be an issue, but is much easier with the 168 tooth RWD flywheel vs the LS4 142 tooth flex plate. If you had a flat plate between the engine/tranny you could run a face mounted starter.

Whether all this work would be worth it... depends entirely on the person and the projet goals.

If you wanted to switch to the 5 speed behind the 3800 camaros (4th gen), it would have the same bellhousing as the LS4 and would use a 142 tooth flywheel. The starter would almost have to go under the oil pan, but again it would be an option.

 

i have also seen a 350 put in the miata and the 5.0 miata on gears

 

For the price of an LS1, there's really no reason to do an LS4.

 

I agree, why making it more difficult?

 

I dunno.

Hell, in a car that light it'd be cool to buy a LS1/2 and do a 4.8L crank in it with a 102/102 or a Vic Jr with a top mount TB and a whole lot of cam...

 

LS1 is surely the way to go.

 

We have a local with LS2 in the last generation RX-7, I've been wanting to see it run.

 

We have so many LSx RX-7s running around Indy it's getting ridiculous.

To the OP, if you're doing a swap into a miata, use a termi setup!

 

Does the DOHC motor fit in a miata?

 

That's a good question. Enough so that i'm going to do some research and find out.

I'm just not a fan of hybrids... Except for the camaro / dohc swap I want to do...

 

what's a termi setup?

 

I'm going guess a terminator mustang. 4.6 DOCH S/C cobra motor.

 

thats what i was thinking too^^

 

Why not just buy a cobra?