If you can find a complete LS1 (300 hp, 300 lb/ft) for $4000 or so, I'd say $12,000 is a reasonable price range. The diff is something you're going to want to buy new. If you're willing to move the front sway bar forward, you can keep the LS1 accessory drive and save $500-ish.
Keith Tanner Flyin' Miata [email protected] http://www.flyinmiata.com <http://www.flyinmiata.com/> 1-800-FLY-MX5s (orders) 1-970-464-5600 (tech) ________________________________ From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Chris P Sent: Thursday, January 22, 2009 5:29 PM To: Bill Cardell; [email protected] Subject: Re: V8 Kit question thank you bill. this years project is to modify my plane (building high lift wings) but I just showed my wife the kit here on our 8' living room screen and announced that I would be doing that in a couple years as the next project once the plane is all dialed in, and survived. (now Im glad I held onto the big brake stuff). she asked if I shouldnt finish school or something instead, but I reminded her that at 45, there isnt much left for me in this world other than to finish the plane and then build another, hopefully better running than Ford-based, V8 Miata. lol thanks again for the quick reply the way it looks to me is the cost of a donor car (a clean looking 1990 just went for $700 near me). the kit $4000, headers, I dunno, $200? engine tranny, no clue, maybe $3000? I bought a big alum radiator new on ebay for mine at $165 plus shipping, sample shopping list below $1000 donor $3000 engine/trans/computer/harnesses $4000 kit $700 diff $120 pan mod $500 headers, and exhaust materials $1000 miscellaneous stuff and expenses around $10k? is this about right for a you-assemble "base model" ? of course the donor car could vary upward. ----- Original Message ----- From: Bill Cardell <mailto:[email protected]> To: Chris P <mailto:[email protected]> ; [email protected] Sent: Thursday, January 22, 2009 7:00 PM Subject: RE: V8 Kit question Chris, Go to the build diaries in the v8 engine section. All will be answered ;-) We have done one off exhausts so far with a block hugger header going to 2.5" to Y into 3" single. Stock ground clearance. We're using an off the shelf FM race radiator, all seems good. Just got the tuning software, have to turn on my speedo, but seems like people are claiming 31 mpg highway, which seems realistic, as Vettes get good mileage nowadays. Many versions of LS engines, we would only use the alu ones. Look up LS engine on wikipedia for lots of model info. Superb engines to modify, minor changes bring big gains. Engine software has been comprehensively cracked, *everything* is adjustable. Follow the links on this page for info: http://www.flyinmiata.com/V8/index.php Coolest thing (other than sound and power) is the car just feels like a miata on the track, balance remains the same. Just no shifting required! Some video here: http://www.flyinmiata.com/video/index.php Bill Cardell TurboDog's Dad www.flyinmiata.com www.fmwestfield.com orders 1-800-FLY-MX5S Before you call our tech line (970.464.5600) please check out the FAQ <http://www.flyinmiata.com/FAQ/> section of our website ________________________________ From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Chris P Sent: Thursday, January 22, 2009 4:52 PM To: [email protected] Subject: V8 Kit question 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 ________________________________ No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG - http://www.avg.com Version: 8.0.176 / Virus Database: 270.10.12/1910 - Release Date: 1/22/2009 6:28 PM
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