New guy to forum and the Miata.
2 1/2 months ago a buddy showed me a few videos of LS swapped miatas and I was hooked!
Since then I've been searching for a good shell and finally found a 1992 silver with hardtop and auto tranny in great condition yesterday so here I am. My ultimate goal will be to turbo an LS engine (4.8-6.0 liter) whichever I can find for the cheapest.


I've built/owned a 2001 Honda s2000 and turbo'd that to make final of 741whp/521ft tq (drag/street racing only)but was going thru stock trannies like rear tires so I had to sell it and get my finances together.

I'm excited to learn the monster miata ways from you all!

 

Hey JoeyJames, welcome to v8miata.net

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Welcome to the forum Joey! And to the obsession. :-) Things are so tight on an LS build it will be very interesting to put a turbo in one. I look forward to seeing it come together!!

 

Thanks for the info!

 

When looking into modified miatas I considered a LS1 with a rear mount turbo system. But chose to just go all motor.

 

[QUOTE=heatz;5869]When looking into modified miatas I considered a LS1 with a rear mount turbo system. But chose to just go all motor.[/]

What made you just go na?

I was looking into maybe just doing a LS 4.8 or 5.3 then boosting that and trying to save money.

Now I'm torn between saving up And going to ls1 swap then slowly piecing together a turbo kit.

Financially either route will take me a solid to year or so to get everything for either project.

 

It came down to cost for me. I found a great deal on a heads and cam motor that makes enough power to basically max out the drive shaft and axle with the FM basic kit.

If looking to do a turbo build it is recomended to do a iron block over the aluminum block for strength. The turbo setup also will generate a lot more heat. I am more of a road course driver over the drag strip.

You should really decide what you want (motor or turbo) as they should both be built for which way you eventually want to go.

If you go iron block don't forget about the 6.0L

 

Besides its pretty easy to get 450ish HP out of and LS with out spending a bus load of $$ and in a 2500 lb car that will dust pretty much anything on the road and still be reliable.

The old saying you can have power, low cost or reliability pick any 2 is still very true...

 

All motor would be most reliable but something inside of me always wants to stretch the boundaries and push new limits.

I've found an ls1/tremec t56 swap with 21k miles local for 5000 BO. Seems a but high to me.
A few guys I know have found 3/4 ton 6.0 2wd Chevys with high miles for around $2000 for whole truck.

What's the going rate on a full swap? I'm sure the prices vary depending on location in the US.

Maybe this thread has to be moved?

 

To me pulling a 130hp 4 banger and puting in a 400+HP LS is plenty of push to the limit!

I hunted for drive trains last winter and was seeing 50K F body drop outs in the 4000 range. I would think if the one you are looking at comes with the engine wiring and PCM 5000 would be about right for it.

A really good souce is cleveland pick a part. Google them they are really good.

I never looked at truck motors as I would not have done the swap with an iron block. The limit I like to push is turn 4 at MAM and turn 11 at Road America. Both are 1.3+ G turns at 80+MPH (if done right) so balance is a big deal in keeping the shinny side up...