North Carolina - The sloooww start of a LS1 build
10-22-2012, 08:43 PM
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North Carolina - The sloooww start of a LS1 build
Just want to reach out and say hello to this unique Miata group and let you know that after months..., wait..., years of suppressed desire for a V8 under the hood of MY Mazda, I am now proudly committed to the project.
The affliction began in Oct 1990 when my first (and only new one-to-me) Miata arrived at the Orangeburg, SC dealership. I had waited 6 weeks for the '91 white, base-model to arrive and watched as it was unloaded off the truck. This $14,200 car had no radio, no P/S, and no factory-installed A/C! But, the agreed-upon price did include having the dealer install the factory A/C kit that first month.
One or 2 years later, I find myself reading anything and everything (prior to the WWW...) about the Monsters from Southern Cal !! Somehow, I talked Monster Miata into sending me an introduction kit and VHS tape of their early creations screaming up and down the street in front of their shop. V8's and Miatas seemed like a natural fit. (Just wish I could locate that darn VHS...)
Since then, I've owned 13 other various NA's and NB's - some low mileage creampuffs and others that were bumping 190K miles, had burnt valves, bad trannies, and missing interiors, tops, and such. Those tired & neglected Miatae were lovingly gone-thru, cleaned, fitted with new & used parts, driven briefly, and re-sold to happy homes in NC.
I USED to have the spare time to seek out these misfit MX-5's and massage them into shape for others, but my new job doesn't allow for such foolery. I must now take the plunge & focus on ONE special project to give it a V8 & related drivetrain/ suspension/ chassis upgrade. I was CONVINCED that this is the right thing for me after taking a very brief ride at The Mitty at Road Atlanta in 2011 with Flyin Miata in their famous Elvis V8. Like any good salesman, the first hit was free... and now I'll have to pay (dearly) for the next V8-induced oversteer highs!
As of right now, I have a deposit on a low-mileage, theft-recovery, 2002 Vette LS1 take-out engine, related accessories, and wiring harness. I figure that having the LS1 glare at me and taunt me from across the garage floor every weekend will all but guaranty that this swap is completed one day!
My plans are to continue with the research: read LS1Tech.com, V8miata.net, any & all build threads, V8 Roadsters, FM, Keith Tanner's valuable comments, M.net, ClubRoadster.net, etc. I hope to create another detailed ------ sheet to compliment the one like GoKart did via m.net, and hope to learn and pass on information like Wallyman and his yellow submarine build on LS1Tech! So much wisdom and worthy tips to learn from here and yonder in this community...
My desires include V8R rear kit, a somewhat more-aggressive cam and related valvetrain, CTS-V front engine trim, World Class T5 with V8R Spec bellhousing, and CTS ltd-slip diff. My perfectly clean '94 white Miata is the primary swap candidate as of right now. It's been the beneficiary of many suspension and interior upgrades over the past 7 years or so that suit my taste for a street and occasional track-event toy. It just needs more attitude and exhaust roar, that's all.
Cheers & I look forward to sharing my insight, concerns, and questions with this V8 Miata community.
Patrick
The affliction began in Oct 1990 when my first (and only new one-to-me) Miata arrived at the Orangeburg, SC dealership. I had waited 6 weeks for the '91 white, base-model to arrive and watched as it was unloaded off the truck. This $14,200 car had no radio, no P/S, and no factory-installed A/C! But, the agreed-upon price did include having the dealer install the factory A/C kit that first month.
One or 2 years later, I find myself reading anything and everything (prior to the WWW...) about the Monsters from Southern Cal !! Somehow, I talked Monster Miata into sending me an introduction kit and VHS tape of their early creations screaming up and down the street in front of their shop. V8's and Miatas seemed like a natural fit. (Just wish I could locate that darn VHS...)
Since then, I've owned 13 other various NA's and NB's - some low mileage creampuffs and others that were bumping 190K miles, had burnt valves, bad trannies, and missing interiors, tops, and such. Those tired & neglected Miatae were lovingly gone-thru, cleaned, fitted with new & used parts, driven briefly, and re-sold to happy homes in NC.
I USED to have the spare time to seek out these misfit MX-5's and massage them into shape for others, but my new job doesn't allow for such foolery. I must now take the plunge & focus on ONE special project to give it a V8 & related drivetrain/ suspension/ chassis upgrade. I was CONVINCED that this is the right thing for me after taking a very brief ride at The Mitty at Road Atlanta in 2011 with Flyin Miata in their famous Elvis V8. Like any good salesman, the first hit was free... and now I'll have to pay (dearly) for the next V8-induced oversteer highs!
As of right now, I have a deposit on a low-mileage, theft-recovery, 2002 Vette LS1 take-out engine, related accessories, and wiring harness. I figure that having the LS1 glare at me and taunt me from across the garage floor every weekend will all but guaranty that this swap is completed one day!
My plans are to continue with the research: read LS1Tech.com, V8miata.net, any & all build threads, V8 Roadsters, FM, Keith Tanner's valuable comments, M.net, ClubRoadster.net, etc. I hope to create another detailed ------ sheet to compliment the one like GoKart did via m.net, and hope to learn and pass on information like Wallyman and his yellow submarine build on LS1Tech! So much wisdom and worthy tips to learn from here and yonder in this community...
My desires include V8R rear kit, a somewhat more-aggressive cam and related valvetrain, CTS-V front engine trim, World Class T5 with V8R Spec bellhousing, and CTS ltd-slip diff. My perfectly clean '94 white Miata is the primary swap candidate as of right now. It's been the beneficiary of many suspension and interior upgrades over the past 7 years or so that suit my taste for a street and occasional track-event toy. It just needs more attitude and exhaust roar, that's all.
Cheers & I look forward to sharing my insight, concerns, and questions with this V8 Miata community.
Patrick
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