I've only just started but will post here anyway and hope you find some value in what I have.

Go here: Jim and Jenna build diary, Miata LS1 Conversion, start at the bottom and read up.

Enjoy!

Wow I just checked my blog stats and it's averaging 75 page views a day and someone in Germany has subscribed to it. Who'd a thunk it possible?

Looks like you're off to a great start. I, too, think it would be hard to dismantle a Camaro like yours - one that you've worked so hard on in the past! You've got some creative approaches to the V8 Miata build such as the frame rail stiffiners that you've devised. I will follow your build here and your blog... Hope your better half likes her flowers and isn't too upset about the Ford Racing boxes showing up around her special day!!!

I had the best day yet in my build yesterday!! I picked up an $850 oil pan for $363, and a $1200 exhaust system for 500 bucks. Just dosn't get any better than that in V8 Miata world!!

Full details on the blog if you want to see it.

Way too cool on the FM exhaust score. I think Someone is shining down on you-that is awesome! Please post pics of the exhaust when it arrives. Why the need for cats? Do you have emissions testing on your '96?

Will do on the pics.
I like running cats because I have a fairly lopy cam and at idle it stinks like a 60s car with out them. Also it makes it a bit quieter.

No inspection or testing where I am at. Actually I am so rural there is not a single stop light in the entire county I live in. No one around to inspect it an no one around to care!

Jim -- Just putting up a bump for your V8 build - blog so all those who may have missed it or not checked in on it lately, can take a look. It's always entertaining! I'm not certain what you're going to do with the exhaust, but I know these large Ford diffs are also going to give me a headache when I get to that point in the build.

Best of luck on the big, upcoming start-up! Take care, sir!

jim,
going through your blog
saw the driveshaft shortening
did u just shorten the stock camaro driveshaft and tell them to throw in a 8.8 diff flange ?


i got both a cobra driveshaft and a camaro driveshaft i was wondering which one to have them shorten

I was planning on having them shorten the Camaro shaft but it was in such lousy shape they did not want to mess with it. It had a dent in it and a large weight on it due to excessive runout. The new tube was only $36 and for sure the way to go.

I got the rear flange when I bought my rear end from a guy on the Tbird forum. I asked if he would cut off the rear 6" of his drive shaft and send it with the diff. He did that for $15 so I have the matching yoke that came from the car the diff did.

I would say use the drive shaft that matches the trans since you will change the rear yoke either way. I don't know if Fords interchange but F body drive shafts are all the same. Every automatic, T56 and T5 all have the same yoke from 1981 till 2002 so finding a GM yoke is crazy easy. But if you are running a Ford trans I'd use the Ford.

Do you have a build thread? I'd love to see it!!

its just going to be another ls1 /t56 swap. nothing special

i dont even have a miata yet lol

You kidding EVERY V8 Miata swap is special!!

A big day in the build!
Sorry for the crappy video my video camera died at the track last year and this is a pocket camera. The sound is all you need though so crank it up!

Oh yeah and the air cleaner is very temporary...

Congratulations!!!! It sounds great too. We knew you were sooo close to reaching the milestone -- it was bound to happen before the month of July ended.

What's next?

Sweet!! Finally!

Congratulations on getting it to run
been following your blog for quite some time

i need to get started on mine

Getting ready for the first autox with her I thought I'd see if I could get a 0-60 time. (mostly to see what breaks!) I think if I could hook up I'd be around 3.5 / 3.7 sec or so. The 3rd try went pretty well but I really need to put sticky tires on my Christmas list! Oh and a video camera...

Put up the last post of the year today. Worst day of the year for sure as she goes into the shed to hide from 5 months of snow. :-(

Jim and Jenna build diary, Miata LS1 Conversion: 96 V8 Miata vs 65 427 Cobra going 0 to 100 mph to 0.

Jim,
Sorry you have to put her away for the winter. I went back and re-viewed all of your posts and it really pulls at me to attempt the build. Watching the video's of your 0-100-0 really gets me going. That car is a beast !!
Great job on the build and thanks for keeping eveyone in the game while you were doing such a great job..