Cat outta the bag

[fmowry]

http://forum.miata.net/vb/showpost.p...00&postcount=4

http://forum.miata.net/vb/showpost.p...19&postcount=9

Frank

[m2cupcar]

I saw that subframe - a nice piece for just about any engine swap IMO.

[Braineack]

I want three!!!!

[Ben]

ok, that's just cool

[y8s]

miataturbo&ls.net

[fmowry]

Originally Posted by m2cupcar

I saw that subframe - a nice piece for just about any engine swap IMO.

I've got it in my car. Very well done. And for the ultra weight savings guys, it's 10 lbs lighter.

Frank

[Keith@FM]

Yeah, Bill and I disagreed on when to go public with this. I wanted to keep it under wraps until the car was done and just unleash it in a video

We've got a stock-engine subframe here to try out on one of our cars. It's lighter (I think they managed to pull another couple of pounds out since ours was made) and has the NB geometry. Meanwhile, LS-related parts are starting to collect - the engine, shifter and transmission are here and I think the diff is on the way.

[mighty mouse]

Originally Posted by Keith@FM

Yeah, Bill and I disagreed on when to go public with this. I wanted to keep it under wraps until the car was done and just unleash it in a video

We've got a stock-engine subframe here to try out on one of our cars. It's lighter (I think they managed to pull another couple of pounds out since ours was made) and has the NB geometry. Meanwhile, LS-related parts are starting to collect - the engine, shifter and transmission are here and I think the diff is on the way.

wow you guys are going to corner the miata aftermarket industry if you keep this up! Just get a rotary swap kit and you'll have them all!

[jayc72]

I'm waiting for the Turbo LS1

[kotomile]

bloody hell!

You're right, mighty mouse: if someone were to offer a cut-and-dry path to an LS1-powered Miata, they'd rake in cash. ..IMHO

[Saml01]

^ Unless the price was prohibitively high.

However, if it is competitive, I may have just found another reason to keep my miata for a few more years.

[m2cupcar]

Maybe Frank will let us know what it costs when he's done.

[Keith@FM]

The price will probably get a few people upset, but that's a given for anything that's hand fabricated in very low volumes. There's a lot of time involved in building a new subframe and it has to be very precise. The engines themselves are still on the pricey side too. We're keeping very close track of the costs involved - a swap like this can break you with all the weird little parts if you're not careful.

I think the complete kit is right around $4000. On top of that, you'll need an LS engine (duh), a T56 transmission, a differential and a few other bits and pieces. But you get a new front subframe, motor mounts, transmission/diff mounts, halfshafts, framerail reinforcements, uprated hubs and new wheel bearings. The diff is available with some nice tall ratios (it would be a good option for turbo Miata guys too) and it'll save you the price of a Torsen.

I think it's price-competitive with a built engine and a turbo - or with a turbo Miata with a stock engine and an uprated transmission and differential. It sure comes across as an interesting option, that's for sure.

[samnavy]

Hmmm.... subscribed.

[Saml01]

4 grand aint bad. I was thinking more. If, for example, its possible to stay under 6 for the whole conversion I would be sold.

Just one problem though, cant pass emissions inspection anymore.

[TurboTim]

Yeah I'm gonna subscribe too. An LS series swap would earn me brownee points with the big wigs at work.

[m2cupcar]

rockers and push rods oh my

[Stealth97]

I'll take the LS1 westfield

[Keith@FM]

Is it possible to stay under $6k? Possibly, but you'd have to be both good and lucky. LS engines are pretty valuable, so it all comes down to how cheap you can find one. A T56 isn't exactly a $200 Miata trans either. But you can sell some of your existing parts to help recoup some costs. The amount you get out of that depends on what's in your car of course. I would think that $6k would be the absolute bare bones minimum for cost.

But I might be wrong. That's why we're actually tracking costs instead of just making them up

As for the Westfield, I've seen a SBC one. A bit of a beastie, that was.

[kotomile]

Originally Posted by Saml01

Just one problem though, cant pass emissions inspection anymore.

Why not? As far as I'm aware (and I'm no expert) you can't put an SUV or truck engine in a car and you can't use an older engine than the car. So say a '93 Miata with a '94 'Vette engine would be ok by those rules. There's probably one or two laws I'm not privy to though.