Serious discussion on the LS1 swap.
03-16-2009, 08:23 PM
#21
I'm budgeting to toss an LS2 or LS3 into mine next year... by then the price of the motors will be a bit lower.
The only cons I can come up with are:
1) Have to cut the rear fenders and install flares for wider tires which means significant suspension tuning to avoid pooching the handling.
2) Lack of torsional rigidity. My plan on that one is some carefully thought out and welded in place bracing. Since I plan on using it 50% or more on the street I'm not a huge fan of putting a cage in it. If I go the cage route I'll probably be rocking zero roof and racing buckets mounted straight on the floor board to give me as much head clearance as possible.
3) Questionable strength of the CTS-V diff. I've heard different opinions on the strength and longevity of these diffs. I want to keep IRS so options are limited. The CTS-V seems like the lightest offering.
The only cons I can come up with are:
1) Have to cut the rear fenders and install flares for wider tires which means significant suspension tuning to avoid pooching the handling.
2) Lack of torsional rigidity. My plan on that one is some carefully thought out and welded in place bracing. Since I plan on using it 50% or more on the street I'm not a huge fan of putting a cage in it. If I go the cage route I'll probably be rocking zero roof and racing buckets mounted straight on the floor board to give me as much head clearance as possible.
3) Questionable strength of the CTS-V diff. I've heard different opinions on the strength and longevity of these diffs. I want to keep IRS so options are limited. The CTS-V seems like the lightest offering.
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03-17-2009, 01:35 PM
#22
I've done the turbo thing with many of my cars so I wanted something different. An LS lugging around 6th on the highway getting 30 mpg, instant torque everywhere, Fully tunable/flashable stock ECU retaining factory sensors to handle changes in temp, altitude, etc to keep the car running, revving and idling like stock at all times, the fun of putting the car together (though that's wearing on me right now), abundance of LSX parts from any part source, be it boneyards, Jegs, Summit, or the local autparts store.
LSXs are proven performers AND have good longevity. 100k+ easy peasy miles without the car ever breaking a sweat making 350+ to the wheels.
And they're still pretty rare, so it's simply going to be cool getting in the car and going for a joy ride or a simple top down cruise.
Frank
LSXs are proven performers AND have good longevity. 100k+ easy peasy miles without the car ever breaking a sweat making 350+ to the wheels.
And they're still pretty rare, so it's simply going to be cool getting in the car and going for a joy ride or a simple top down cruise.
Frank
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03-17-2009, 01:47 PM
#23
I'd probably do an aluminum LS 1 vs a LS2 or 3. You can easily get 400hp to the wheels on an LS1, which is plenty for the miata. More if you want to play with heads cams and intakes. LS1s are cheaper, more used parts availible. I'd also advise you get on a few domestic car sites and get aquited. You can pick up some really cheap used parts. If I decided to go that route, I'd probably do a 408 cu.
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03-17-2009, 01:55 PM
#25
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03-17-2009, 02:09 PM
#27
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I got two miata (mx5 to me)
one getting a turbo and one with a supercharged V8
the v8 is way better than I ever imagined
but the costs can skyrocket
I took one 94 jdm spec Eunos roadster
fitted a Toyota 1uzfe 4.0 32valve v8, with manual 5 speed
added an opcon autorotor supercharger aka kenne belle
megasquirt ecu / lc1 wideband
ford 8.8 rear
ferrari f355 calipers
tein coil overs
msd dis4 ignition
walbro fuel pump
twin 3inch zorsts with h pipe
cobra fia approved seats
sparco steering wheel
man is it fun
instant torque from the lights
the noise is insane
ripped out power steering / aircon from the engine bay and aircon from under the dash
I keep postponing the turbo build cause the v8 is so awesome and better than i ever could of imagined !! I am sorry i stripped so much out of the v8 i miss the creature comforts there is more than enough power to lug everything around ! my goal is mid tens from this setup
and to stiffen the car up I did some basic seam welding on the inner door area
you actually cant believe the difference that makes !
do it - get the boss frog / flyin miata kit and you set
[IMG]
[/IMG]
one getting a turbo and one with a supercharged V8
the v8 is way better than I ever imagined
but the costs can skyrocket
I took one 94 jdm spec Eunos roadster
fitted a Toyota 1uzfe 4.0 32valve v8, with manual 5 speed
added an opcon autorotor supercharger aka kenne belle
megasquirt ecu / lc1 wideband
ford 8.8 rear
ferrari f355 calipers
tein coil overs
msd dis4 ignition
walbro fuel pump
twin 3inch zorsts with h pipe
cobra fia approved seats
sparco steering wheel
man is it fun
instant torque from the lights
the noise is insane
ripped out power steering / aircon from the engine bay and aircon from under the dash
I keep postponing the turbo build cause the v8 is so awesome and better than i ever could of imagined !! I am sorry i stripped so much out of the v8 i miss the creature comforts there is more than enough power to lug everything around ! my goal is mid tens from this setup
and to stiffen the car up I did some basic seam welding on the inner door area
you actually cant believe the difference that makes !
do it - get the boss frog / flyin miata kit and you set
[IMG]
[/IMG]
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03-17-2009, 06:33 PM
#29
Do it. The reliability alone with more hp and torque is great. Think about it, a non-turbo car, then slapping a turbo and seeing all the problems people have with them. With the V8, only thing you need to worry about is getting it in there and wiring it up right. It's not like the LS engines weigh a ton and the power to weight ratio will be zilch.
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03-19-2009, 02:35 PM
#31
My buddy just finished his a few months ago...he constantly hounds me to throw this turbo "crap" out the window and put a real motor in. He also races spec miatas so he's not your average V8 lover. I personally think that he's going to need some serious brakes to go a long with the engine once he learns to drive it. I think the CTS diff will hold up fine. If you track the LS, be sure and do something about your oiling (i.e. accusump) or it will be short lived!
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03-19-2009, 05:14 PM
#32
Just thought about it for a day or two, you can go to GM, buy a brand new LSx engine with a harness and throw it in. Yes it's more money that way but it's brand new from the factory. They even have the LS3 motor with a pre-programmed ECU for their "hot" engine they sell. mmmmmm.
Only real question is which company to go with for the mounting kit. I am interested in the Boss Frog one.
The rear end though, ugh...2K+ for the shafts...****.
Only real question is which company to go with for the mounting kit. I am interested in the Boss Frog one.
The rear end though, ugh...2K+ for the shafts...****.
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03-19-2009, 10:22 PM
#33
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The Boss Frog one seems more simple, although the FM one offers a favorable mounting location (more rearward) and thus weight distribution.
As an aside, the idea of a cracked, public knowledge, relatively powerful and easy to tune ECU makes me all happy inside.
As an aside, the idea of a cracked, public knowledge, relatively powerful and easy to tune ECU makes me all happy inside.
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09-20-2009, 01:10 PM
#36
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I think you should do both, turbo an LS1! I built a SBC miata and love it, but I also think that it is much more comendable to get the same power out of an engine 1/3 the size. If I was to do it over I would go LS.
Last edited by MX5.7; 09-20-2009 at 01:26 PM.
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