Good morning guys...and gals,


My name is Chris and I am about to tackle my first V8 project. I have done plug and play Honda swaps but never anything this involved. I have my chassis, a NA Miata but I am still up in the air on the motor I am going to use. I can say this, whatever I use will have to be a "budget build". I don't have bags of money but I do want to do it right. My best friend has a tuning shop so tools, air, a lift, and even a dyno are all at my fingertips, that is where the build will take place. It won't be a rush job, I will take my time and do it right!!! My goal is 500 rwhp and I want a good all around fun car that I can play on the street with, autocross, and take to the strip. I don't want it to just be functional but look good doing it!

Any advice from the pros would be greatly appreciated!

 

Welcome & good luck with your project. Your 500 rwhp goal has already determined your engine choice whether you know it or not.

 

Hi barrattboy72, enjoy your stay :)

 

Not really....could go FI instead of NA and open up a good bit of options. Looking forward to the build and glad to see others that think 500 at the wheels (or more) is the place to be.

Welcome!

 

Hi and welcome! I like the way you think for sure and you are going to have fun here.

My advice is simple because all the old sayings around building hot rods are just as true now as they ever were.

1, There is no replacement for displacement.
2, You can have reliability, tons of power or cheap pick any 2.
3, If the wife aint happy, nobodys happy.

Could I ask what $$ figure the term budget build means to you?

 

If you are going to try to get 500 rwhp out of a SBF, you will not be able to do it cheap. I have well over $10,000 in engine alone & am over 100 rwhp short of that.

 

So it rules out SBF, but many ways to get there in a GM. LS1,2,3...multiple iron blocks....NA, FI. ...yes...we bowtie guys have it good.

 

I definitely want to go the LS route. I am still up in the air about NA or turbo. Part of me wants to get a good LS, slap it in with bolt ons, heads, and cam and be done with it. The other part of me, and my buddy that owns the shop, wants to build a 4.8 or 5.3 turbo motor.

My "on paper" starting budget is $18,000. Just getting out of the rock crawling Jeep world I know that a starting budget will get blown to bits quickly......But hey, we gotta start somewhere. lol

 

Heh...Keep the Jeep too! I just swapped in my 3rd set of axles on mine and already looking for a different front again! At least the Miata's don't see the abuse a crawler does.

 

Jeeps already gone. I got bored with it and needed a tow rig for the boat and future Miata so I went out and bought a 2014 Durango R/T. Within two weeks I did Diablosport with a custom tune, 85mm TB, K&N CAI, Eibach springs, SRT8 22" replica wheels, Magnaflow catback, and 180 degree Thermo. For 5200 lbs its a fun pig to drive.

 

Ah good to hear! You'd be surprised how many folks through out a number like 500 rwhp and have not thought about $$s to get there. Do you have a car yet?

 

I do have the car. Its a a running, driving, clean body 1990.

 

Is there a "secret" place to get a good deal on an LS1? I would like to find a good low milage one that I don't need to tear into.....If I go that route.