The Build: 2004 Miata Mazdaspeed w/LS3 crate motor

[Invective]

I've had a huge fascination for little cars w/big motors ever since reading about the Baldwin - Motion 350/454 Vegas decades ago. This guy did an incredible amount of work to get it right.

https://tse3.mm.bing.net/th?id=OIP.ZwO7Pf4PBMZIIXUAqcjq EgHaEK&pid=Api

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gDMrJhpeYiE

[IndyMerc]

I was just talking with a friend about doing an ultra lightweight 4.6 WAP block sohc screamer build for one of these.

arguing that being a better choice over the LS cost and what not.

[a_d_a_m]

There was a Windsor-powered Miata on the Power Tour this year. Dude was driving like a granny every time I was around him, but it looked like it would've been fun as hell to drive. Big fan of swaps like this.

[Joe Walsh]

I didn't have the time to watch all 14 YouTube videos....what was the final cost of the build?

These guys originated the Miata swap with 5.0L engines: https://monstermiata.webs.com/


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[MERCURY 2003LSE]

This is a bigger project than people think.
Guy in the video makes it seem so easy .
I guy I know at work did a fantastic swap Pontiac Solstice with a Chevrolet crate motor LS3 same as in video ,WOW it is a Monster , Conversion looks factory .

[Fastbob]

I was just talking with a friend about doing an ultra lightweight 4.6 WAP block sohc screamer build for one of these.

arguing that being a better choice over the LS cost and what not.Not sure a 4.6 will fit due to it's physical size. LS or Ford small block is the best way to do it.

[justbob]

This is a bigger project than people think.
Guy in the video makes it seem so easy .
I guy I know at work did a fantastic swap Pontiac Solstice with a Chevrolet crate motor LS3 same as in video ,WOW it is a Monster , Conversion looks factory .



I just watched most of every video and only saw him actually make A/C condenser brackets and exhaust pipes. I honestly fail to see this as a stressful project. It is 99% a kit car. Anyone with basic auto knowledge, tools, and a thick wallet could build that! [emoji6]

Cookies go to the guys who made it all happen and eventually designed a kit so this dude and many others could go on to make “build” videos. LOL




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

[Joe Walsh]

I was a little suspicious of the guy because his garage was frickin' spotless...
No grease, no oil, no anti-freeze spills
No tools, no bolts, no parts scattered all over
No blood droplets
AND
No beer cans!!

[Invective]

I didn't have the time to watch all 14 YouTube videos....what was the final cost of the build?

These guys originated the Miata swap with 5.0L engines:

https://monstermiata.webs.com/



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Summary of the project begins in Installment 12 - not a mention of the final costs. I'm interested too.:cool4:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cPEsMeDCVbs

[Joe Walsh]

Summary of the project begins in Installment 12 - not a mention of the final costs. I'm interested too.:cool4:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cPEsMeDCVbs

$15,000 for the crate engine, wiring harness and computer, transmission, clutch, bellhousing, linkage and driveshaft.
That leaves headers, exhaust, big brakes, rear diff, motor mounts, firewall patch panels....so he's well over $20,000.
I wonder if anyone has done a badazz rotary engine swap for the Miata?


Mazda 'Thunderbolt'....? I'd rather build a ThunderBolt replicar....

https://i.imgur.com/qw8yXcjl.jpg

[Fastbob]

$15,000 for the crate engine, wiring harness and computer, transmission, clutch, bellhousing, linkage and driveshaft.
That leaves headers, exhaust, big brakes, rear diff, motor mounts, firewall patch panels....so he's well over $20,000.
I wonder if anyone has done a badazz rotary engine swap for the Miata?


I'd rather build a ThunderBolt replicar....

https://i.imgur.com/qw8yXcjl.jpgStop it, you are giving me ideas I shouldn't have. A Thunderbolt replica would be fantastic.

[kirk]

I wonder if anyone has done a badazz rotary engine swap for the Miata?


I found out a few years ago that putting rotary engines in a wide array of Japanese bodies is apparently quite popular in Puerto Rico

[Joe Walsh]

Stop it, you are giving me ideas I shouldn't have. A Thunderbolt replica would be fantastic.

A fellow member has one!!...

Check out John Kuhn's ride;

https://www.mercurymarauder.net/forums/showthread.php?t=56409


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[Mr. Man]

$15,000 for the crate engine, wiring harness and computer, transmission, clutch, bellhousing, linkage and driveshaft.
That leaves headers, exhaust, big brakes, rear diff, motor mounts, firewall patch panels....so he's well over $20,000.
I wonder if anyone has done a badazz rotary engine swap for the Miata?

Think I rather spend the money on putting a ridiculous cubic inch engine in an AC Ace. :D ;)

[Joe Walsh]

This guy did a Miata LS swap 'dirt cheap' with lots of used, inexpensive parts including using a $750 LS vs a $7,800 LS crate engine.
The swap still came in at over $13,000....
Plus the Miata and suspension mods for a total of $26,000 +....:eek:
so the guy in the OP is into his swap for a LOT of money $$$$$.

https://www.turnology.com/news/ls-swapped-mazda-miata-how-much-does-it-really-cost-to-do-a-swap/


Think I rather spend the money on putting a ridiculous cubic inch engine in an AC Ace. :D ;)

Yes!..... I will definitely stick with my AC Ace - FE swap....:D

https://i.imgur.com/FUuRTARm.jpghttps://i.imgur.com/WLmDJkkm.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/KM8L3rcm.jpghttps://i.imgur.com/29RZIyOm.jpg

[Bondfreak13]

$20k for a LS based Miata is normal. If you have deep pockets then LS all the way. But if you have a budget, then your going to have to stick with the Ford 5.0. Monster sells the Kit for around 4k. Then you need the Motor, Trans, and Diff. Fox bodies are going up in price but old 5.0 IRS T-Bird's are not. I have priced out most of this myself, after all I own a 1990 Miata, and have deep thoughts about doing this. If Done on the Cheap, you can do a 5.0 Swap for under 10k. Besides how Much power do you really need to make? The stock 225hp 5.0 is enough to send any MX-5 down the tubes in less then 13 seconds.Last time I weighted my Miata it tip the scale at 1973lbs. With one HP per Cubic inch I'll have the power to weight ratio of a 2006 ZO6.

[MyBlackBeasts]

Watched all the vids, putting aside the guy's attempts to be funny I enjoyed them. Some great fab work.


Looks like a fun job till I heard the prices, the build cost him $42,000 for all the parts (which includes the $9500 to buy the car).


Maybe when I win the lottery... ;)

[Invective]

Watched all the vids, putting aside the guy's attempts to be funny I enjoyed them. Some great fab work.


Looks like a fun job till I heard the prices, the build cost him $42,000 for all the parts (which includes the $9500 to buy the car).


Maybe when I win the lottery... ;)

....and he did pretty much all of the work himself. Wondering what MartyO would do it for?!?!

http://i599.photobucket.com/albums/tt72/BadSS013/MartyO/IMG_0432.jpg

[Invective]

Watched all the vids, putting aside the guy's attempts to be funny I enjoyed them. Some great fab work.


Looks like a fun job till I heard the prices, the build cost him $42,000 for all the parts (which includes the $9500 to buy the car).


Maybe when I win the lottery... ;)


I completely missed this as it wasn't released on youtube until January 5th.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qy0X3X2B4Lk