Variables in types of swaps
 

I have recently been struck with the V8 miata bug. I am just trying to get some info on the pros and cons of a 5.0 to LS. I only want to make one initial investment with the least amount of supplemental maintenance from a bad swap.

I have contacted Martin (@MM like you didnt know) and am awaiting for a response on a turnkey setup. I know FM has a turnkey setup but 30k is not really what I am looking to spend on the drivetrain alone.

In Lieu of MM , my only other option is to get the MM Kit and then source my own components. A rebuilt 5.0 and a T5 or T56 is all I think I would source for it.
The one concern I have is the wiring and accessories. That is where my only concern lies.

I am looking for information and advice before I dive head first and hit a rock at the bottom...

Thanks

I sell a plug-and-play converted wire harness for the Ford conversions as well as a aluminum driveshaft and Conversion AC hose kit that make the Monster Miata kit a little easier to build. You can find them here at my site:

www.mccullyracingmotors.com

Both the Ford and LSx kits have thier advantages and disadvantages. Obviously, I'm a little slanted taward the Ford side since my business really does not offer any LSx components (however, if anyone wants to give me specs on an LSx driveshaft or AC hoses I'll make one up for cost for the first customer...) and I've known Martin for years. That said, the LSx kits lok pretty robust and the engines are pretty nice.

Personally, the only real disadvantages I see as far as a Ford goes is the fact that you can't just buy the engine from Ford like you can with a LSx, you are going to have to have one built which may get you close to the cost of a crate LSx (close, not over). The other major disadvantage is fuel economy, if that's important to you. A Ford conversion can be made to do about 25mpg on the highway while the more modern electronics of the LSx can get it closer to 30. That said, both get in the teens around town and the way most folks drive them on a daily basis. Also, there are newer ECU options for the Ford engines (such as Megasqurts) that can possibly offer better fuel economy.

The main disadvantages of the LSx kits is the slightly higher prices of the kits and donor components, and the fact that the kits require welding and are a bit more involved as far as what needs to be disassembled on the car. Wiring also seems to be a little harder as the ECU's are OBDII as oposed to OBDI.

If I can help you out with anything you need let me know,
-Jason McCully

Well I think that if I did a Ford Setup it would have to be SC. And I say this because for 6k I can get the FM Turbo Kit that makes 265 but of course no where near the torque. If I am going to build a beast, its gonna be all the way.

The other think that is leaning me towards the ford setup is that you can get the refurbished factory 306 from a few places. I found them in the neighborhood of 3800.00 Of course I can get a 5.0 from a donor car and rebuild it for less than that. Im still in the early planning stages and the hard part is that I am 8000 miles away trying to figure this out. I like the 400HP from the LS swaps but 30k for a turnkey makes me a lil ill.

Do you have a rough estimate of a do it yourself average and say I just took the car to Martin cause I just like in Lake Elsinore...

SuperCharged Fords have been done with the front-mounted Paxton or the valley mounted screw-types. The screw-type ones have required some hood mods but a front mount one only requires that you find another place for your alternator and should fit under a stock hood.

Keep in mind that that $30K for a turn key does not include your donor Miata, larger wheels and tires, suspention upgrades, brake upgrades and safety equipment (like a roll bar). Plan on at least $6 to $10K more for those parts.

You can match the hp of a V8 with a blown 4 but the torque will be no where near the same. Remember, while horsepower sells cars during the week, torque wins races on the weekends. :)

-Jason

There are some pictures of my Kenne Bell equipped 5.0 on my homepage.

Here's a pic from Tbone heller's cardomain. It's a very nice package:

http://carphotos.cardomain.com/ride_...0024_large.jpg

The rest of his Cardomain page can be found here:
http://www.cardomain.com/ride/288493...zda-miata-mx-5

-Jason

anyone done a 351 or does it not fit?