New to miatas and just saying Hi
 

Just picked up my 1st miata and I'm just looking into all my options as far as drivetrain. Picked up a black 2013 PRHT club. I'm building it to be a good all around car. I've got the suspension/brakes covered now I'm just trying to decide if I want to go turbo or V8 swap it. I like the idea of a V8 for dependability. Ivery noticed everyone runs LS's in the NC and no 5.0? Just curious why but I'm guessing it's because the engine is so much wider because of the head design.

The LS has a lot more refinement and power potential than the 5.0. Without modifications, the 5.0 will only make around 200 whp, which is possible to achieve naturally aspirated with the NC motor (granted with a fair amount of work). The LS is 300 whp bone stock, and can very easily be woken up to 400 whp or higher. If you are starting with a clean newer car (much higher cost than NA or NB) and you're going to sink a decent amount of money into it regardless of swapping for 5.0 or LS (LS will be more, but it's still not cheap to swap a 5.0), why not start with the "better" engine?

I would just say that you should assess your power goals, budget, mechanical ability to perform the work, and reliability goals. If you just want some more power for less money, then turbocharging is a good choice. If you want a very reliable 300 whp, then look into the LFX swap. If you want more than 300 whp, then LS starts to make sense. Reliability of turbo 4 cylinders becomes difficult at that much power, so even though it's cheaper to get there, the LS is much more set-it-and-forget-it.

Thanks for the reply and after doing research that's what I keep coming up with. I have a 2013 club and bought a banged up 2006 for parts. Already has a 2.5 with Tuning Done Right Special Force turbo kit. I was just thinking I can get a 15+ mustang from an insurance auction for $4000 that runs but either been hit in the side or the rear end. My power goals are around 400whp. The transmission, drive shaft, and rear end would have to be upgraded anyways. Dynotronics is testing his MT82 transmission swap right now out of that Gen mustang so I figured why not try to swap that Gen 5.0 in considering I'd need the transmission out of it anyways. For some reason I thought the coyote engines made more power considering it would have an intake, full exhaust, and tune done for the conversion. The only reason I've really noticed people go with the LS is availability, cost, and engine size. The coyote is wider up top due to the heads so it would make it harder to fit.

Just an FYI, I've yet to see a properly fitted, new "cammer" 5.0L in any year Miata, let alone a "NC" .

I'm eagerly waiting to see one, having done a number (of 87-93 5.0L swaps into mostly NA's, and recently a 2.6L Ford Duratec into my very first NC.........


Bill S

Welcome

something to possibly consider also is that I don't know of anyone that makes a swap kit to put an OHV 5.0 into a newer MX-5. May just be that there is a lack of options right out of the gate.