A question for you v8 miata owners..
 

Hello All,

I am newly registered to this forum, but I have been reading around for a while now. Here is my dilemma..

I currently have a 93 1.6 black exterior/tan interior miata.
I plan on getting a new car, and eventually selling this one.

My two options are the following:

1) Buy a used 94 miata, hopefully with no rust and do a v8 sbf 5.0 swap; also buy another newer miata (2007+) grand touring for my summer ride while I build the v8.

or

2) Buy an Evo for ~$30k

Here is the catch, I have never done a v8 swap; and also I do not have a garage.. I would have to do everything on my driveway..

What are your guy's thoughts on this?

well, I highly doubt you'd be able to manage a swap in your driveway. I mean, it could be done but it's not realistic. and why an evo? why not just buy a newer miata (ND or NC) and drive it and have fun?

I've built all four of mine at "someone else's garage" believe it or not. While this works, it gets extremely annoying living with a car or this type and the inability to tinker with it whenever you can because you don't have a place to let a project go without finishing it that day. I've actually gone as far as to swap rocker arms in the street in front of my house and it is NOT enjoyable. After seven years of this situation I'm actually in the process of selling my house and current car (proceeds will help expedite the process) and planning my next build in my OWN garage (with a house next to it for my wife and kids).
Ambitious things have been done in driveways, especially if you live in a temperate climate. I don't think Illinois qualifies as such and even the guy in Florida is trying to sway you away from the idea. I have seen even LS swaps done outdoors so it can be done though.

If you do do this at least get yourself a temporary carport thing to get you out of the sun. If it has sides you can zip it up when your now working on it to lessen the visual aspect somewhat.

The least involved swap that is getting talked about here currently is the Honda JV6 swap with the kit by Minitech. Doing one of these only involves swapping the engine and gets you the same power as a stock 1987-93 5.0. I'm planning on one as my next build although I'll be swapping the drive line out for a Getrag unit.

Good luck with whatever you choose,

-Jason

Jason - yes.. I have been reading around and it really does not seem practical doing it outside.

Steve - I need something fast. Dont get me wrong, I really enjoy driving my miata but it's not fast at all. That's partly the reason I was thinking about v8.

Buy a Corvette.

My personal opinion is that I would certainly not want to have built my car in the driveway. Not that it can't be done...while I was in college I tore a ford ranger that had been rolled completely down to the frame, and put a whole new body on it in the driveway. I think this level of a project though would be tough for that type of thing.

One option you didn't bring up, is buying a V8 miata already built. At the budget you spoke of for an EVO, you should be able to find a pretty nice V8 miata, especially a SBF car.

Also, where at in Illinois are you?

I will have to pass on the vette.
v8 miata already built is an option too..

I am from NW Suburbs of Illinois, Addison specifically.

Saw that the other day on craigslist, its not even that far from the OP.