Introduction
 

Name's Alex. I've been on Miata.net for a while, but I recently acquired an LS1 Miata, so it was suggested that I introduce myself here. I'll start with some pictures that the previous owner took.

I bought it last week from a gentleman in Everett, WA. He only had it for a couple years. The builder was from the San Jose, California area (if you’re here on v8miata.net, let me know). Details of how the car sits right now:

1991 Miata chassis w/230k mi
2000 WS6 Trans Am LS1 engine and ECU - 5.7 liter (346 CID, 320 horsepower and 345 ft-lbs of torque) w/93K mi
V8 Roadsters front sub frame with poly engine mounts, frame rails & transmission mount with poly bushing
Tremec T56 6-speed manual transmission from a 2006 GTO
D&G Short Shifter
Griffin aluminum, cross-flow radiator
Griffin fan
Flyin Miata / Wilwood clutch master cylinder & remote bleeder
South Bay Driveline drive shaft
7.5 Ford limited slip differential from Monster Miata with Monster Miata differential carrier and axles (my calcs indicate 3.45:1 ratio)
Sanderson Headers with O2 sensors
2.5 inch custom dual exhaust
Dual electric cut-outs before rear wheels
Borla dual-in single-out muffler, 2 inch tail pipe
Flyin Miata Front V8 sway bar PN 26-13300 with custom mounts and poly bushings
Racing Beat adjustable, poly bushing end links
Sport Max Racing 922 17x7 Aluminum wheels, 205/40R17 fronts, 225/35R17 rears
Hard Dog M2 Sport Roll Bar
Hard Dog Rollbar Pad
Hard Dog Rollbar Cover
Hard Dog Harness Bar
Drilled/slotted 9-inch rotors and aftermarket pads
Springs are aftermarket on ride-height adjustable perches
Custom intake and pleated filter
Walbro 255 lph fuel pump

A local body shop just quoted me over $2500 to paint match the bumpers and lower sides of the car. I think not. In keeping with the sleeper theme, I’m going to put stock, 7-spoke NA8 Miata alloys on. Hoping to find a shop that can mod them into 15x8 or 9. I know Kosman Racing in San Francisco used to do this for motorcycle rims, so I’m sure there must be someone out there that does this for car rims.

As this was someone else’s build, I know I’ll find other little things along the way that I want to change. That’s fine. I just like that all of the basic building blocks are right here, right now.

If you see anything that looks just plain wrong, please let me know.

Welcome to the site beanoil



Enjoy the stay!

Welcome again! Looks like the car is really well sorted out. Too bad the builder is not who you bought it from or there is no build thread on the car to get more info on it. Did you ask the seller if you could have the builders name and info?

The only thing I really see is you need to build an air box for the air cleaner. Shannon did a really nice one on his here: My Mean Miata - LS1 Conversion: Finally!

I dumped mine down and put it behind the bumper. Jim and Jenna build diary, Miata LS1 Conversion: Getting close – SO CLOSE!

The point is to get it away from the high under hood temps.

There are a ton of nice 15x8 or 15x9 wheels that look great on these cars. Not crazy deep tuner wheels that are obviously aftermarket but normal looking wheels like so:
Attachment 7387
Attachment 7388

These wheels 15x9 with the correct factory offset and only $104 each. IMO that would be a much better way to go than widening a factory wheel. Only die hard Miata guys would ever know the difference.

What kind of wheels do you like?

Jim, I read through your build cover to cover and was thoroughly impressed with all of the work that you put into it. It almost feels like cheating to buy one already done. Your well-documented efforts gave me an appreciation for the work that the builder of my car invested.

I found the builder, BTW. Really nice guy. Knowing the car's history really helps.

I like the wheels on your car. They look subtle enough for sleeper duty and the price is awesome. Where can I get some?

Wow don't know why the guys have missed this thread and not jumped in here. You have such a great car and even better attitude! I am glad to hear you found the builder that has to make you feel better. And now you know what he went through! Truth to be told I looked at buying one for a long time and would have if the car didn't fall into my lap. Well that and doing the dad thing I had 1700 bucks into a the car that was worth about 600 at the time...

Anyway I shopped for wheels and tires for ever and am now in the process of changing to my 4th set. I really like TR Motorsports wheels and they have a couple very good ones. Mine are 15x9 but they also have a 15x8 wheel that a lot of guys run. Check out this thread Official TR Motorsports wheel thread - All pics go here. - MX-5 Miata Forum

Everyone gets them at tire rack because if you buy tires too they mount them for nothing and shipping is not that big of a deal. IMO it's the most bang for the buck there is in wheels.

Glad to hear you are enjoying the car. Keep us posted on what you do out in the forum threads. Hopefully guys will wake up and meet you!

Great looking car, looks like a solid swap.

Did you see these?
[NB] '04 MSM Racing Harts - MX-5 Miata Forum