V8 Eliminator Miata Build Order?
 

I'm not sure if this is the correct spot for this - mods feel free to move it somewhere else if needed.

I have been planning on building a V8 Eliminator Miata for a while now and I have nailed down more of what I'm going to use to build my V8 Eliminator Miata. First is to repaint my current Miata, sell it as a running car and then buy a rolling Miata chassis. I think I'll be about $1000-$1500 ahead from that. Rollers are about $500-$750 in my area. I'll part out anything I can from the roller.

Then I think I'll install the Eliminator (or Dragon V3?) cage and do the V8 swap after. I believe the cage will be less expensive, and because it opens up the car so much, I believeit'll make it a little easier to do the V8 swap. From the photos I've seen of other Eliminators, the entire front end is open shock tower to shock tower leaving lots of room for the V8 and other items. The trans tunnel will still to be adjusted if course.

Then, I'll buy a running Chevy Silverado 1500. It has an L33 aluminum engine. It comes stock with 310hp and 330ft-lbs of torque. I've seen them in my area for ~$1500. Based on what I've seen, L33's can be built up to 500hp relatively cheaply with all new parts - www.youtube.com/watch?v=CdOSfUml514. Used parts are cheaper of course. Getting to 400-450hp should be easier and cheaper I assume. I need to do more research on exactly what provides the most HP/dollar but is still reliable. I'll also part out lots of stuff from the truck to help lower my costs. The transmission is worth at least a $500 I believe.

I'm planning to use a T-5 transmission. They can hold around 300ft-lbs torque in a 3000lb car. MY goal for my car is realistically around 1700 pounds, maybe 1800 pounds. It's my understanding that torque ratings go up in lighter cars.

After the cage is installed and the V8 swapped, I'm going to drive the car at 310hp for a while and then rebuild the engine up to 400-450hp. I'll upgrade the T-5 or change to something else as needed. I'm mostly going to be street driving with 1-3 track days per year.

But my main question - Do you think it's better to do the V8 swap first or install the Eliminator cage first?

i don't think it would matter, looking at pics of the eliminator cage I don't see any of the tube work interfering with any part of the v8 swap. All that's involved as far as chassis work is cutting back front frame rails and tunnel modification.

and as far as transmission goes a CD009 is a good alternative to the t5 to not have to change at a later date.

Eliminator Cage first. If you plan on tracking it you'll want to have a sense of the chassis before you half the power to weight ratio.

Thank you for the replies! I think I'll be doing the V8 swap first with a L33 engine. Once the swap is done and the cage is on, I'm planning on upgrading the engine to 400-450hp from the stock 300hp or so.