MRM331

I stumbled across this site the other day:

Welcome to SuperFastMiatas.com

Had this kit existed when I built my first Ford V8 almost 10 years ago I probably would have used it. I'd love to see some Honda JV6 conversions on this board (we can always just forgive them the missing two cylinders).

The only down side I see is having a minivan engine in your Miata. An MS3 of course would be the logical answer to tuning out its "minivanness".

-Jason

be good

it bolts a honda v6 to the stock miata trans... wayyy to much TQ for that trans to handle.

Gator Bait

A local guy is doing the swap currently...

Titus's V6 Swap build thread

charchri4

There is a guy at work that wants to do it too and has been looking for an engine for a while. They are not easy to find as it's a pretty narrow span of years that will work.

I like it a lot and would consider it for my cruiser if it had the 5.0 exhaust note...

mrmustang

This one is for sale in Georgia

1999 MAZDA MIATA WITH HONDA V6 280HP

stng_96

Thats a cute little swap....

No really I wouldn't mind having one either, bet it gets pretty decent MPG's.

be good

13 grand for a 99?

stng_96

HEY HEY, easy with that 99 business

be good

our 99's are a little more invested. hahahah

stng_96

99's are like a fine wine really....and I hear they are the fastest year

MRM331

I'm really liking what I see, expecially that build thread from Gator. My wife and I are planning on selling our city house for some suburban place which WILL have a garage. Once I have a place I actually own to stash another Miata I may try to take one of these on and turn it.

Is that an AWR body kit with a type 2 nose on the yellow car? I've never seen that combo look that good.

-Jason

DanielDD

I've been following the V6 Miata conversion with great interest. A couple of issues that I see is the crankcase pan sits below the subframe, which as you know is problematic. One hard hit from something on the road and you'll have serious issues. Additionally, the starter is another low point worthy of concern.

All in all, I think it is a worthy conversion for the budget minded as you are preserving the current Miata drivetrain. The consensus is that the transmission can handle up to 300hp without issue. Since the V6 is 260-280hp, it shouldn't be a concern using the stock Miata parts.

We would all love to engage in a V8 Miata swap as it is a worthy endeavor, but the V6 conversion is interesting - and should be considered.

MRM331

For someone who was considering dropping a bone stock Ford 5.0 in this would be an excellent alternative. Although its relatively easy to bolt-on enough upgrades to get a Ford to 400 hp (and I believe still come in cheaper than a base LS conversion with the same power) stock they only have 225. If 250 to 300 was my goal this would be where I would look. 300 - 400 I'd still build a Ford and over 400 I'd go with a GM (and just never tell my father).
Its good to see another relatively sorted option out there. I hope we can get some builders on here as I'd love to see a build documented.
-Jason

.boB

I took a close look at this when planning my exocet build. The smaller package and light weight made it look real appealing. There were a few issues that made me decide against it.

As said above, the oil pan hangs pretty low - but so does the V8R pan. And there's no aftermarket or road racing pan available. Would have to fabricate a dry sump. Not sure what to do about the starter, though.

The V6 is more expansive than an LS1, and harder to come by. In racing, you sometimes blow stuff up. Cheap and readily available replacements are important.

I know of one guy in CO that's building an exocet with honda V6, but I haven't been able to get with him to discuss it.

be good

K Miata Home

if you really wanted a honda in your mazda then go with the K miata. the sub frame is a much nicer unit. the K motor can easily make the same power as the V6-j moor. but the Tq is less, so the trans won't eat itself. You won't lose all your oil when you find speed bumps.

stng_96

HMMM, I do like that....

My wife is going to kill me but I am seriously thinking about a DD miata with one of these swaps when I am done with the LS car.

charchri4

Travis my hunch is first time you drive your LS to work will be the last time you think of another car for a DD.

stng_96

I wish....I drive almost 100 miles round trip to work each day, the miata will go to work some days but not much.

charchri4

LOL you won't get any sympathy from me! 34 miles one way and 2 things I have learned DD commuting a V8 Miata. 1, the V8 car gets better mileage than the 4 cyl auto car and 2, home may be where the heart is but the joy is getting there!

I know it's not for everyone and a lot of people don't want to put miles on the car and wear it out but I've never understood that. I'd much rather run the wheels off it and enjoy it than save it for the next owner to do that. And besides there is nothing that gets me out of bed on a Monday morning like a top down trip to work and nothing caps off the week on a payday Friday like a 34 mile commute in a V8 Miata with exhaust cut outs!

Actually now that I think about it I didn't have 10 miles of road testing on it the first day I took it to work. Didn't have an exhaust system and a few other pieces either!

MRM331

I totally agree. I don't get the under 1000 miles a year thing. I put 10,000 miles on my white 1990 in the year I owned it and 20,000 in the four years I had the Laguna on the road. Circumstances have kept it off the road for the last 13 months and not driving it has been killing me!

-Jason

mopar99dodge

Everyone seems to be bashing on the J-Series honda v6 swap! My opinion is don't knock it until you try it! Cuz its a really sweet kit and the v6 has tons of torque! I Absolutely love my honda V6 swapped 93 miata its a mean tire smoking drifting machine! It will put you back in your seat very nicely! As of now the trans an 7in welded rear end are holding up flawlessly! And ive beat the heck out of it both trans and rear have over 150k before the swap was done! So just keep an open mind! LOL

577nitro

ANYONE bashing the little V6s obviously doesn't know the history of the larger engined cobras lack of success over the little 289. The 289 cars frequently were over a lap faster in road races over the 427 ...same will be true in the near future with all of the very powerful V6s available...They are just easier to drive, more reliable, and get better mileage.......Yes V8s are fun, but mostly in a straight line or parking lot cones.

Just my two cents worth from an old Road Racer

MRM331

I am still considering this as a slightly remote possibility for my next build. I want my next one to be more track centered than my current one and yet a bit more refined. Where the last one's track day inspiration was a C5 Corvette this time I'm thinking more along the lines of a Lotus Exige. With that in mind I'm still thinking a snappy V6 may be more what I'm looking for than the zero-balance 331 and TKO500 I'm planning.

There are really only two areas that worry me with going this route: engine cost and available Miata gear ratios. I looked into the cost of a rebuild kit for the Honda V6 and was amazed that for just a ring and bearing kit the cost is close to a grand. Granted, I really didn't search in depth but still that seems pretty high. My rational behind the TKO500 is that it comes with a nice .81 fifth gear. I looked at getting a T5z retro fitted with the same fifth and the cost of the two trans came with in $200. TKO trumps T5 so no brainer, right? If I went with this option I'd be using the Miata trans which I'm pretty sure does not have any other 5th gear options. I guess I could source a Miata 6 speed...

I guess it really comes down to donor car. If I end up with an MSM as a donor where everything from the bell back is the best than I may seriously look into this, expecially if I can find a donor engine that does not need rebuilding. If I end up with a 1990 I'd be looking at upgrading the trans and rear anyhow...oh well, first to sell the Laguna

-Jason

charchri4

I don't see anyone here bashing it. I've looked at it very closely and think it is a great swap. The plusses are obvious the kit is cheap and it uses the existing trans and rear set up. The down sides is the very narrow years for donors and the tuning. That is not a bash it's a fact.

For me I feel the LFX v6 makes more sense than the Honda set up but that is for me. That being said if I had to pick a next build today for my cruiser no question it would be a SBF all DIY build.

stng_96

^^^what Jim said, no bashing here.

I see you only have one post on this board mopar, which is fine, but what I think you will find here is that there is no negative commentary that is heavily opinion based. What you will see on the other hand is good technical discussion of why some things don't work as well as others.