hey all, I just checked out the FM V8 kit - as a Ford Monster Miata buiolder, I am VERY impressed that they provide a tubular subframe. This is a "missing link" for success that reduces weight, and as a V8 builder, I can see obviously would solve a lot of geometry issues.
the price is very good as well, around 4k for everything. but what about the exhaust? any pics and what headers are used for this? do they ever leak? also for the FM guys here, Im unfamiliar with GM LS engines, so a chart with applicable engines from gm vehicles with stock HP/Torque, and weight would be really cool. has anyone here bought the kit and how is it? also, what kind of MPG does a stock LS engine deliver in a Miata in mixed street driving? for comparisons, here is my old site when I was playing around with the V8 conversion. one issue was that as soon as you modify a Ford 5.0, the computer becomes very balky. things run rich, or badly, usually both and I had it "tuned" by "experts" to no avail. usually that meant playing with TPS position, timing, and maybe programming a "chip" in the most crude ways imaginable. it became obvious to me that the poor running, bad MPG, and other issues were more the norm than the exception in the 5.0 realm. the fact that I had a twin-screw blower did not help. but I wasnt happy with 15MPG, stalling at red lights and weather changes ruining driveability that was always iffy at best. Now we have the LS motors. oh, also are all the ones used in this application aluminum engines? I really have to profess total LS series ignorance! nonetheless, if I could get mid 20's for honest MPG, and if it would run right, thiss could well be my next project. finally, what radiator is used? that was a big issue as well, I used a huge aluminum one and sometimes that wasnt enough. a friend made a DIY LS Miata and was able to run the stock radiator in testing with no issues. he said this showed the LS is much more efficient, plus it sheds heat from the alum block better too. headers/manifolds? does the exhaust hang low like on the panache kit? radiator? MPG? typical engine/trans cost? any pictures? -chris
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