LS Powered Miatas: We Want By Brian Lohnes Posted 03/12/10
For a long time, the small world of V8 Miata engine swaps was dominated by use of the small-block Ford powerplant. More than one company was bolting little 302s into the front of the small Mazda sporty cars and creating light road rockets. The cars weigh in at a measly 2300 pounds stock, so even the mildest V8 makes for big fun. It's now time for the LS series of motors to lower the boom on the Fords. We really need to drive one of these.
College chum and avid BangShift.com reader Paul Lafayette tipped us off to FlyinMiata.com, a site that documents the builds of several LS powered road rockets. The guys there claim that the car only gains about 200 pounds after the weenie four banger is pulled out and a mighty LS is put in its place.
The swap is not a bolt-in and the car is edited from front to back using stuff like a Caddy CTS-V rear end center section with shortened half shafts and a totally modified stock oil pan. The guys at Flyin have done several cars and the builds are all documented in diary type entries that are fascinating to read and gawk at.
We say muffle the crap out of it and you'd have Corvette guys crying in their beer at the strip and between the stoplights.
Thanks for the tip, Paul!
Source -- FlyinMiata.com
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Written by greenjunk Mar 12 2010
Eye Opening experience. Being 6ft tall with 1ft of it being neck, my head protrudes far over the windsheild of what would normally be called a raindow mobile. Instead, I was riding a 425hp 9inch reared Miata with an LSX in it. Mind you this was in 2004, this was when a 400hp LS was the bomb especially in anything other than a vette. The car had 6 flowmasters on it, 2 race mufflers and then two 3 chambers out the back, total sleeper, unless at a stop light. We got on the entrance ramp, and he rolled into it in second and proceeded to bang gears until I had to close my eyes and pray, and we hadn't made it to the highway yet. So it easily did 120mph in a rolling 1/8 mile. Totally sick, almost pulled as hard as a 900hp c5, or maybe it was the fact I was already in a death trap suv speed bump, that made it seem so fast, I guess we'll never know. But it was wicked scary, and totally cool, I want one in the I'm not so liberal kind of way.
Written by Super Sport Mar 12 2010
I bought a '71 Vega once as a rolling chassis that was set up for a big block Chevy. Made a deal with some guy for a warmed over 427 and installed it. That car would go any way but straight, and I nearly killed myself at least twice, so I sold it and made money.
This miata reminds me of that Vega. Freakin rollerskate.
Written by ksj1 Mar 12 2010
I should do this to my wifes MX5 Miata.Then again I like living. ;D ;D
Written by horsewidower Mar 12 2010
A buddy of mine is finishing one for road racing. Very nice install.
Written by Matt Cramer Mar 12 2010
That car is rather interesting to watch in person - seeing the Miata driving around while hearing the V8 exhaust note is like watching a movie where someone's dubbed in the wrong sound effects.
Written by BangShift Forum Admin Mar 12 2010
http://www.bangshift.com/blog/LS-Powered-Miatas-We-Want.html
Written by ksj1 Mar 12 2010
My battery went bad on my car.My wife wanted to drive me to work.I told her to drop me off a few blocks away.They are a neat little car just extremely to get in out of.Reminds me of what do fat chicks and mopeds have in common.Both fun to ride as long as your friends dont see you. ;D