thanks Kieth, I wasnt all that far off. reason I thought $3000 was that my friend with the LS1 Miata bought everything for $3500 2 or 3 years ago so I subtracted for the economy and age of fleet of those cars.
nonetheless, for $12k and some work, you cant get a much quicker and fun car. during my time with the Monster, I met numerous Mustang people. these were older guys, into drag racing mostly, but mature and experienced and they always said the same thing, "the most fun car I've ever driven" they also noted how the car planted and accellerated with no real tendency to spin unless provoked - because its light and not nose heavy. the Monster Miata is a hot car and the first five seconds behind the wheeel leaves no doubt. ----- Original Message ----- From: Keith Tanner To: [email protected] Sent: Thursday, January 22, 2009 7:27 PM Subject: RE: V8 Kit question Correction, it's $150. I think Bill got his "5" turned around :) All of the LS engines are the same size externally and most of the toys swap around. So you can buy a cheap iron-block 5.3 out of a truck, stick on the right accessory drive, oil pan and intake and stick it in a Miata for cheap. Or you can get your hands on a very bad-ass crate LS7. Fits the same. A used LS1 with a T56 will typically run about $4000. I bought a complete 1998 Camaro with a slightly modified engine for my MG swap for $4500. http://www.slowcarfast.com/MG for those who are interested. Keith Tanner Flyin' Miata [email protected] http://www.flyinmiata.com 1-800-FLY-MX5s (orders) 1-970-464-5600 (tech) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Bill Cardell Sent: Thursday, January 22, 2009 5:07 PM To: Chris P; [email protected] Subject: RE: V8 Kit question $120 for us to mod the pan. 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 section of our website ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Chris P Sent: Thursday, January 22, 2009 5:05 PM To: [email protected] Subject: Re: V8 Kit question just found the FM pics which answer some of my questions http://flyinmiata.com/projects/LS1/index.php?start=41 my old site, you can see the exhaust routin on the FM kit - due to the tubular subframe - is far superior to the Ford kit! www.oa5599.us also, what about the modded oil pan, is that included or does the builder have to do it himself or send it to FM and what is the cost? finally, even with the overheating, poor streetability, and bad MPG, a whipple cherged V8 in a 2500lb car still rocks as shown below in this short but stunning clip of my Monster http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HpRrzaLQrME ----- Original Message ----- From: Chris P To: [email protected] Sent: Thursday, January 22, 2009 6:51 PM 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 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- _______________________________________________ Miatapower mailing list [email protected] http://list.miatapower.net/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/miatapower -------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ _______________________________________________ Miatapower mailing list [email protected] http://list.miatapower.net/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/miatapower ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 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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