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OK, then I'll look for a used T-5. If I cannot find the correct World Class with the 2.95:1 first gear, can be changed affordably? What did all of your TF parts cost? Yea, I noticed you'd been working on it for a few years, that's one that that made me think Ecotec again....
T5 parts can be had if you search, there are multiple vendors out there. I am going to be running a stock 91 GT T5, not the most desirable gears, we'll see how it goes. If I don't like it, I'll look for T5Z. I think all 5.0 HO engine mustangs have the World class, just not the Z spec which came in the 93 Cobra and is available through Ford.
Think I got the heads used for $500 on ebay, they looked new, barely used. Bought cam and rockers new, just shopped for best prices.
Time was tough as I have to balance wife, other projects (cars and house), work/travel, and I also lost a lot of time this year having surgery on my shoulder, so that set me back. I have other toys, to this one is not high priority, so the delays don't bug me too much.
T5 parts can be had if you search, there are multiple vendors out there. I am going to be running a stock 91 GT T5, not the most desirable gears, we'll see how it goes. If I don't like it, I'll look for T5Z. I think all 5.0 HO engine mustangs have the World class, just not the Z spec which came in the 93 Cobra and is available through Ford.
Think I got the heads used for $500 on ebay, they looked new, barely used. Bought cam and rockers new, just shopped for best prices.
Time was tough as I have to balance wife, other projects (cars and house), work/travel, and I also lost a lot of time this year having surgery on my shoulder, so that set me back. I have other toys, to this one is not high priority, so the delays don't bug me too much.
Cool, I'm trying to catch up on some of the build threads, when I get free time, which isn't often. My wife is cool with me wanting to do something to the Miata. We have no kids, but as we've been aging, it seems like we're falling apart more and more, LOL! I watched Gabriel's 5.0 swap videos numerous times and it took him about twice as long as he planned. I was hoping 1-1.5 years and if that's actually 2-3 years, I will not want to finish it... I've driven it more in the last week, than I have in the last 3 months.
Yeah, the getting older sucks. Feel it more and more each time I have a long day of wrenching. For me it has helped having other toys to mess with (also slowed this project down some as I was fixing/upgrading other cars too). I plan on making this a 3 season car that will be used as much as possible when the salt is not on the road. My Shelby only comes out on nice days due to it's rarity, and I'd like to give the STI a break from all-year daily duty. Was hoping for completion last spring but the shoulder surgery stopped that. Now hoping for this spring. My to do list is in front of me and there are only 16 items left on the list.
I appreciate all the help and suggestions, but I've decided to do a roots S/C on my stock 1.8L. Please don't bash me. It's mostly because of money. There's nothing wrong with my car at all, other than the lack of torque, LOL! Thought about a Rotrex at first, but it's more for high RPM power. Decided to go with an FFS instead, as it's more of a lower RPM powerband.
Sounds like you have a fine plan.
If the motor in my 2000 had been healthy, that is the same plan I would probably have followed.
Your current plan follows the most common course for Miata people wanting to upgrade the performance.
You might check out the MiataTurbo.net forum
It is called turbo but they also have a supercharger section and the people have "been there, done that" and will be a useful resource.
Been a while since I posted... My car looks completely different than it did in December and we went riding on about a 250 mile round trip yesterday and I still want more power or more torque. The whole day, as I was driving it, I daydreamed of the rumbling of a cam'd 5.0 in it, LOL! I need to find some part to buy, that will make me go ahead and do Martin's V8 swap!!!! Had a lady ask me yesterday what kind of cars I was driving, cause it reminded her of a Shelby Cobra, LOL! That's some motivation to do a 5.0 swap alone!
After we got home last night, I looked online for a T-Bird rear end. Found a couple here and there, but most were either too far away and cheap or very close and way expensive... I'm thinking about buying Martin's kit in pieces? I know it'll cost more in the long run with shipping prices, but it may be the only way I can actually make myself do this swap. I just hate thinking about doing a different 4cyl swap or going FI and still not being happy with it... Anyway, I'll keep looking at builds. Enjoy the new pic of it!
Martin will sell his parts piecemeal. The quality of his work is great, and he offers awesome after sale support.
You remind me of myself. I really wanted the the sound and torque of a V8, but also seriously considered the FFS.
Ended up going with the Ford swap for cost and because it was less work than an LSX swap and I’m not a mechanic by any stretch.
What I did was buy a used running engine, which I cleaned up, put in new rings and bearings, bought a rebuilt T5 (rebuilt to T5z specs), and bought Martins kit including his rearend package. I stockpiled all my parts in advance, so when I started to tear into the car, the swap only took me about 6 months working on weekends and a couple nights a week.
I’m really proud of my car and that I did it myself, but believe me, ANYONE can do it.
Martin will sell his parts piecemeal. The quality of his work is great, and he offers awesome after sale support.
You remind me of myself. I really wanted the the sound and torque of a V8, but also seriously considered the FFS.
Ended up going with the Ford swap for cost and because it was less work than an LSX swap and I’m not a mechanic by any stretch.
What I did was buy a used running engine, which I cleaned up, put in new rings and bearings, bought a rebuilt T5 (rebuilt to T5z specs), and bought Martins kit including his rearend package. I stockpiled all my parts in advance, so when I started to tear into the car, the swap only took me about 6 months working on weekends and a couple nights a week.
I’m really proud of my car and that I did it myself, but believe me, ANYONE can do it.
Thanks for saying that! We have no kids, so working on the car every night could actually be accomplished! I know I can do the swap, I just don't know if I want to spend the money, heh? Everyone still keeps telling me to go turbo, but a turbo is $4-$6k for a kit. Martin's kit is roughly $5k, then whatever the drive-train costs me. I've thought about restoring another classic hotrod, but that'll be way more than the Miata swap. But, I think if I can buy a few parts, that that'll get my head in the right direction? I'm gonna read your blog tonight too. Thanks again for commenting!
Everytime you start the engine, you’ll be happy you did a V8. Nearly every time I start the car in public there is some sort of reaction, whether I’m getting gas, or out for a drive..whatever. I’m not looking for attention, but it is so neat how total strangers will come up and want to talk about the car when you turn the key. Before starting the car they probably are thinking “some poofta in a Miata”. lol
Your car looks good. Is that a wrap?
Got your PM. Will reply when I have a few minutes. Cheers.
Everytime you start the engine, you’ll be happy you did a V8. Nearly every time I start the car in public there is some sort of reaction, whether I’m getting gas, or out for a drive..whatever. I’m not looking for attention, but it is so neat how total strangers will come up and want to talk about the car when you turn the key. Before starting the car they probably are thinking “some poofta in a Miata”. lol
Your car looks good. Is that a wrap?
Got your PM. Will reply when I have a few minutes. Cheers.
I'm not an attention ***** either. When I had my old '55 Ford F-100, people used to talk to me at gas stations all the time, LOL! And thanks, but it's not a wrap, LOL! I sprayed it in my garage a month or so ago. Classic Ford Blue, single stage enamel. I'll answer your PM question on here. If I can find a nice 302, short or long block from Summit or Jegs, that's probably what I'll do and would really prefer going carburetor! Same thing with the transmission. Buy Martin's kit in stages, way before the drive-train stuff, as this isn't probably going to happen for another 3-5 years, I'm just trying to gather enough information, before I start it
My wife and I were talking earlier about which engine to go with? 302 for Cobra reasons, but there are tons of 5.3L Chevy engines at my local junkyard or car-part dot com for cheap. Then, grab a 5 or 6 speed from one of many GM vehicles out there! And find a Getrag and still go with Martin's kit, at $4700 for an LSX swap, rather than buying from V8 Roadsters at $8000+???
Glad to see you are still seriously considering the V8 route.
You have way more patience than me if you are thinking 3 to 5 years down the road on doing the swap.
Maybe I am just getting old and forgetful but to the best of my memory none of the LS swaps detailed on this site are using Martin's kit with an LS.
There is a series of video's on YouTube where Taylor Ray is using Martins stuff to do an LS swap but he is using a 6 speed transmission from Nissan as it is supposedly just as strong as a T56 but half the cost. You might check out what he has posted so far.
See no reason you can't pick and choose to get the best price if that is your goal.
Also, when you look at the engine / transmission mounting kit from V8 Roadster and Martin's individually priced stuff V8 Roadster appears to cost less.
V8 Roadster has their front subframe + motor mounts + frame stiffeners + transmission cross member at $1950 but Martin prices the pieces separately.
When you add up the same pieces from Martin the cost appears to be $1650 + $225 + $100 + $250 = $2225 unless I am reading the Monster Miata website incorrectly.
One thing about the V8 Roadster subframe is that I have not seen for sure that the Pontiac G8 exhaust manifolds will work (if that is what you are considering).
Also, some of Martin's pieces, such as rear axles & cooling items do appear to be less expensive than the V8 Roadster or Flyin Miata pieces.
I purchased Flyin Miata pieces where available for my build and can tell you that there are places you can save money by purchasing pieces direct rather than getting it from them as they buy individual pieces and box them into kits.
The plus is that the kits include every nut and bolt and connector to do the job so you don't have to spend time running down little items.
On big item would be to buy a used Corvette cold air assembly from somebody upgrading theirs to an aftermarket unit. I saw one for sale used for $100 about a week after spending $995 at Flyin Miata to buy their cold air kit.
Glad to see you are still seriously considering the V8 route.
You have way more patience than me if you are thinking 3 to 5 years down the road on doing the swap.
Maybe I am just getting old and forgetful but to the best of my memory none of the LS swaps detailed on this site are using Martin's kit with an LS.
There is a series of video's on YouTube where Taylor Ray is using Martins stuff to do an LS swap but he is using a 6 speed transmission from Nissan as it is supposedly just as strong as a T56 but half the cost. You might check out what he has posted so far.
See no reason you can't pick and choose to get the best price if that is your goal.
Also, when you look at the engine / transmission mounting kit from V8 Roadster and Martin's individually priced stuff V8 Roadster appears to cost less.
V8 Roadster has their front subframe + motor mounts + frame stiffeners + transmission cross member at $1950 but Martin prices the pieces separately.
When you add up the same pieces from Martin the cost appears to be $1650 + $225 + $100 + $250 = $2225 unless I am reading the Monster Miata website incorrectly.
One thing about the V8 Roadster subframe is that I have not seen for sure that the Pontiac G8 exhaust manifolds will work (if that is what you are considering).
Also, some of Martin's pieces, such as rear axles & cooling items do appear to be less expensive than the V8 Roadster or Flyin Miata pieces.
I purchased Flyin Miata pieces where available for my build and can tell you that there are places you can save money by purchasing pieces direct rather than getting it from them as they buy individual pieces and box them into kits.
The plus is that the kits include every nut and bolt and connector to do the job so you don't have to spend time running down little items.
On big item would be to buy a used Corvette cold air assembly from somebody upgrading theirs to an aftermarket unit. I saw one for sale used for $100 about a week after spending $995 at Flyin Miata to buy their cold air kit.
Yep, I'm still considering a V8 swap over anything else! Preferably, the cheapest V8 swap I can do, with sounds more and more like Martins' kit? I say 3-5 years, as I'm going to try and to start buying stuff, whenever I save some money up. Thinking about looking for a diff soon and just buy some new CV shafts and buy Martin's axles and whatnot, that'll be a good project this Summer to do. Unsure what Martin means about the, $150 broached hubs (exchange)? Does that mean you send him your old hubs and $150 and he sends you his broached hubs? I've been browsing online locally and have found a couple of Fox Body T5's that need rebuilding, for $100. Is that good or bad? I'm gonna start doing more research
A lot's happened since I last posted in April. About to ship Martin my front subframe soon and go ahead with the V8 swap. I should have in the first place
I wasn't sure if I needed to start another thread or not, so I just decided to bring this one back to life for a short time.
I still linger around the V8 Miata forums/FB groups, LOL!
Anyway, the last time I posted here, I thought I was about to order Martin's kit, but my 5.0 engine/trans source fell through.... So, I decided to do a little bit of Frankenstein'ing to my NB1, by using a super low mileage '05 bottom end and head work using my '00 head, along with an '02 3.9LSD/6 speed and a ton of other goodies! It took me about 6-7 months from time I put it on the jack stands to the time I took them out! I kept every receipt and had a small fortune in the complete build and it was quite a bit! I told my wife, I could've built a 5.0 swap for about the same amount!
Since my dreams of building a Factory Five Cobra are probably never going to happen, (I did a preorder form and it was almost $18k, minus the donor Mustang!), so I'm still thinking about doing a built 5.0 swap on the Miata. I mean, it's practically new, meaning it has new suspension, brakes, frame stiffening, everything, etc, etc, etc! So maybe I should just save up and get all of Martin's parts, then start looking for my drivetrain parts. I'm worried Martin's going to quit making these things soon and unsure if anyone's going to keep making them, if he quits?
Also, I'm pretty sure I could sell all the Miata driveline parts and make a decent profit? I dunno, it'll still be a while.
I got me a 5.0 Miata (monster conversation in the early 00s) and it promptly died immediately after I purchased it.
I had a 5.0 from an 87 Mustang that I got very very cheap. Had it built by an engine builder and it looked like he did an excellent job. Then I had the body man that painted my miata - I went from white and black hood scoop to 1955 TBird blue with a WHITE hoodscoop.
The PO had an edelbrock intake on it and an 8.8 super coupe differential. It’s been buggy as hell since putting it back together. I’ve come to the conclusion when it comes to my Miata’s I’m the only person I vaguely trust. It hardly takes any gas and backfires constantly. It idles nicely.
Well, I've done a bunch of mess since I last posted on here. So, same 2000 Miata LS, but this is what it looks like currently:
And here's the interior:
So, I've cloned it into an exact Mazdaspeed Miata, but this under the hood:
Sorry, no V8. I thought about it, but when the man won't return or answer any phone calls, that's just poor business to me. I know he's been great to many of you, but not to me and I'm not sure why? So, anyway, it's really fun, I'm getting about 240whp and you can definitely feel it now! It's a lot more fun to drive, but once again, it doesn't get driven much, LOL! I honestly have been thinking about selling it, for about half of what I have invested into it, but also don't want to deal with all the little children out there or all the low-ballers... It's a great little car and one day, I might drop an 8 in it, but for right now, it's a completely different beast
12-31-2017, 10:59 AM
