Project Thunderbolt - my LS3 MazdaSpeed video build series

Old Jul 26, 2015 | 05:26 PM
  #76  
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Originally Posted by MX-Brad
I got a good look at this car at Deals Gap this weekend. Beautiful.
It was great to meet you Tom and thanks for bringing the car for us all to check out.
Brad
Hi Brad, it was great meeting you too my friend! Thank you for the kind words and have fun with your beast too! Hope to see you again there next year!

-Tom
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Old Oct 30, 2015 | 09:23 AM
  #77  
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Hi Everyone!

Here's the latest update, you can see more photos and stuff on my website at Thunderbolt: The LS3 V8 Powered MX-5 Mazda Miata | Home Thanks for checking it out!

-Tom

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Old Oct 30, 2015 | 11:16 AM
  #78  
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Great video Tom. You sure have an awesome car there.
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Old Oct 30, 2015 | 04:48 PM
  #79  
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Originally Posted by MX-Brad
Great video Tom. You sure have an awesome car there.
Thank you sir, I appreciate you saying that! I'm glad you enjoyed the video.
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Old Oct 30, 2015 | 05:32 PM
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Just wait until you feed it some timing with a tune. My LS376/480 loved it. I'm betting the 525 with long tubes (iirc?) will like it even more.
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Old Oct 30, 2015 | 08:43 PM
  #81  
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Are you in Knoxville Tom? I'm in Asheville / New Orleans. All my tuning will be done in East TN / WNC, and could use some direction on where to go.

Thanks.
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Old Oct 30, 2015 | 09:27 PM
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I really enjoyed the video tom! Especially the breakdown of the weight and distribution. I can use that to show people that say it "ruins the weight balance and makes it a lot heavier"
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Old Oct 30, 2015 | 11:07 PM
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Like all the other videos, this one is well done. And it's a great summary on the full package after you've had time to live with it for a while. I'm glad Thunderbolt exceeded your expectations! I know mine did on that first open-header test run and every time since..!

Beautiful build for sure. Hope to meet you somewhere soon in 2016 with a gathering of V8Roadsters.
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Old Oct 31, 2015 | 09:58 AM
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Originally Posted by Gator Bait
Just wait until you feed it some timing with a tune. My LS376/480 loved it. I'm betting the 525 with long tubes (iirc?) will like it even more.
Thank you sir and I can't wait to do so!

Originally Posted by 225
Are you in Knoxville Tom? I'm in Asheville / New Orleans. All my tuning will be done in East TN / WNC, and could use some direction on where to go. Thanks.
Hi there, yes I am in Knoxville. If you are looking for an experienced LSX tuner, I haven't found one in this immediate area. There are folks who "also tune LSXs" but if paying for a dyno tune, I would want someone who saw GM fuel and timing maps in their sleep. There are some great ones in the Southeast- Tick Performance, Vengeance Racing to name a couple. Check the LS1tech forums for much more detailed info and reviews. Good luck!

Originally Posted by SupaDupaSteve
I really enjoyed the video tom! Especially the breakdown of the weight and distribution. I can use that to show people that say it "ruins the weight balance and makes it a lot heavier"
Thank you sir! I'm glad you enjoyed the video and the weight breakdown info. I just wanted to clear the air and show exactly what a car like this weighs in comparison to the stock car and others. Many casual car folks don't delve into curb weights and lbs/hp ratios and such when comparing one performance car to the next. It's nice to have hard data now that can't be denied.


Originally Posted by ToySnakePMC
Like all the other videos, this one is well done. And it's a great summary on the full package after you've had time to live with it for a while. I'm glad Thunderbolt exceeded your expectations! I know mine did on that first open-header test run and every time since..! Beautiful build for sure. Hope to meet you somewhere soon in 2016 with a gathering of V8Roadsters.
Thank you very much, I'm glad you enjoyed it! A V8 powered roadster is just one of those cars that raises your pulse rate just thinking about driving it. I love it!
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Old Oct 31, 2015 | 11:53 AM
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Originally Posted by Underdog
Many casual car folks don't delve into curb weights and lbs/hp ratios and such when comparing one performance car to the next. It's nice to have hard data now that can't be denied.
Even those that consider themselves knowledgeable assume it'll be greatly heavier than stock and won't be able to put the power to the ground. So much fun hurting their feelings head to head.
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Old Oct 31, 2015 | 12:42 PM
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Originally Posted by Underdog
Thank you sir and I can't wait to do so!



Thank you sir! I'm glad you enjoyed the video and the weight breakdown info. I just wanted to clear the air and show exactly what a car like this weighs in comparison to the stock car and others. Many casual car folks don't delve into curb weights and lbs/hp ratios and such when comparing one performance car to the next. It's nice to have hard data now that can't be denied.
And that's on your car which is an NB with full creature comforts and such. My car and others like it, a stripped down NA with no ac, power steering, airbags, or much of anything will be considerably lighter too. I wouldn't be surprised if I gained only 100 lbs from the swap.
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Old Oct 31, 2015 | 11:50 PM
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I was kind of surprised at the 2700 number too but was delighted to see the tiny difference from the stock MSM. Not that it will change the wives tail that the cars become boat anchors but at least now we have a video to point the naysayers to with solid proof.

Really great video Tom thank you so much!

PS you should subscribe to this sub forum and keep tabs on whatever get together we do next year. We'd love to have you. Area Member Gatherings for V8 Miatas - v8 Miata Forum - Home of the v8 Miata Conversion
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Old Nov 1, 2015 | 01:55 PM
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Originally Posted by Gator Bait
Even those that consider themselves knowledgeable assume it'll be greatly heavier than stock and won't be able to put the power to the ground. So much fun hurting their feelings head to head.
Haha, oh yeah that's the best way to settle it for sure!

Originally Posted by SupaDupaSteve
And that's on your car which is an NB with full creature comforts and such. My car and others like it, a stripped down NA with no ac, power steering, airbags, or much of anything will be considerably lighter too. I wouldn't be surprised if I gained only 100 lbs from the swap.
Absolutely! It would be great fun to drive an NA LSx car in stripped down, super lightweight form as you describe. I bet it's a whole other form of crazy! Haha!

Originally Posted by charchri4
I was kind of surprised at the 2700 number too but was delighted to see the tiny difference from the stock MSM. Not that it will change the wives tail that the cars become boat anchors but at least now we have a video to point the naysayers to with solid proof.

Really great video Tom thank you so much!

PS you should subscribe to this sub forum and keep tabs on whatever get together we do next year. We'd love to have you.
Thank you Jim, I appreciate you saying that and I'm glad you enjoyed the video! I definitely plan on attending the Mitty next year and any other events that I can. I look forward to meeting you and other V8 Miata owners there too. I'll keep a close eye on that forum and we'll get those events posted on the Facebook page too when the time comes.
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