Serious discussion on the LS1 swap.
09-21-2009, 11:35 AM
#62
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If its fast, easy to drive, easy on wear parts, and mechanically reliable...then what else matters? I'd much rather have a t-5 trans and ford IRS than anything Mazda ever made. I had to stop adding the $$$ I've spent on my car or it was going to cost me double in psychotherapy, but I'm probably close the the cost of an ls-1 swap.
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09-21-2009, 11:43 AM
#63
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Yeah that is why I bought this LS1 for the track car. I should be able to beat the crap out of the motor/trans/diff and it will all stay together. Plus, being NA makes it a simple engine. Nothing to it. Also, this particular conversion kit has the engine and trans mounted VERY low in the car. Bad for the street, good for the track.
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09-21-2009, 11:57 AM
#65
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It has always been considered tacky to stuff another motor from a totally different auto maker into a car. We always cringed when we saw a Chevy motor in a Ford or vise versa. A fast Mazda powered Miata will always get more respect from a Chevy powered one. At least in my circle of hot rodding friends.
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09-21-2009, 02:08 PM
#68
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09-21-2009, 02:40 PM
#69
No. Nobody has ever thought of putting a 13b, or any other rotary engine, in a Miata. You are a ******* genius and the most original thinker on the face of the planet.
Plus, crazy engine swaps are just plain cool. Half the fun and joy of hotrodding anything comes from mixing and matching the best parts from various manufacturers to get the coolest, fastest, best car at the end of the day.
Plus, crazy engine swaps are just plain cool. Half the fun and joy of hotrodding anything comes from mixing and matching the best parts from various manufacturers to get the coolest, fastest, best car at the end of the day.
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09-21-2009, 02:52 PM
#70
If the stock Miata motors stood up to 20psi I doubt you'd have seen v8's being dropped in in the first place. As Savington said, by the time you build a reliable 350hp turbo motor and drivetrain the price is pretty damn close to doing the swap.
The only drawback I see to the LS swap is changing the "character" of the car. It's small, light, sporty. Having a turbo motor that's not too laggy feels right. It's a kick keeping the car revving. Having the v8 grunt and growl is a different experience. Not bad, just diffferent.
Now if there were just an easy way to drop a turbo'd Honda K motor in. Light, likes to rev and makes a relatively easy 400hp.
The only drawback I see to the LS swap is changing the "character" of the car. It's small, light, sporty. Having a turbo motor that's not too laggy feels right. It's a kick keeping the car revving. Having the v8 grunt and growl is a different experience. Not bad, just diffferent.
Now if there were just an easy way to drop a turbo'd Honda K motor in. Light, likes to rev and makes a relatively easy 400hp.
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09-21-2009, 03:02 PM
#71
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I have a LS1 Miata I am track preparing right now.
...I'll be hitting the track on October 9th. Texas World Speedway is definitely a high horsepower track, and there will be some supercharged and turbo Miatas there as well. It should be a good time, and a chance to see how the three stack up against each other on the track.
...I'll be hitting the track on October 9th. Texas World Speedway is definitely a high horsepower track, and there will be some supercharged and turbo Miatas there as well. It should be a good time, and a chance to see how the three stack up against each other on the track.
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09-21-2009, 03:03 PM
#72
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There is no hope in keeping the feel of a Miata when you triple or quadruple the power in it. I don't drive my car like a Miata, I drive it like a Corvette; roll into the gas at the apex, slide the car to exit, and pull the trigger.
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09-21-2009, 03:19 PM
#75
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Look here, idiots...
There is only room on this forum for one badass/diphsit/dumbass, and its me. There is a time and a place for well-executed e-thugging, and this thread is not there yet. I highly recommend you both STFU before you get turned inside-out.
There is only room on this forum for one badass/diphsit/dumbass, and its me. There is a time and a place for well-executed e-thugging, and this thread is not there yet. I highly recommend you both STFU before you get turned inside-out.
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09-21-2009, 03:31 PM
#76
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I just get some sick enjoyment from watching people get their panties wadded up because of the internet. Jesus Christ, it's the ******* internet. 
Originally Posted by cueball1
If the stock Miata motors stood up to 20psi I doubt you'd have seen v8's being dropped in in the first place. As Savington said, by the time you build a reliable 350hp turbo motor and drivetrain the price is pretty damn close to doing the swap.
Originally Posted by cueball1
The only drawback I see to the LS swap is changing the "character" of the car. It's small, light, sporty. Having a turbo motor that's not too laggy feels right. It's a kick keeping the car revving. Having the v8 grunt and growl is a different experience. Not bad, just diffferent.
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09-21-2009, 04:47 PM
#79
I am not saying that it is totally absurd, or that I would never do it. We were talking about pros and cons here, and putting another motor from another manufacturer is just a little on the tacky side. If you had 2 miatas, one with a chevy motor and one with a four cylinder, and they performed exactly the same in quarter mile or on the twists, the 4 cylinder Miata would be cooler. No need to get hostile
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09-21-2009, 04:52 PM
#80
I am not saying that it is totally absurd, or that I would never do it. We were talking about pros and cons here, and putting another motor from another manufacturer is just a little on the tacky side. If you had 2 miatas, one with a chevy motor and one with a four cylinder, and they performed exactly the same in quarter mile or on the twists, the 4 cylinder Miata would be cooler. No need to get hostile
You're using vague terms like "tacky" and "cooler" to quantify mechanical performance metrics.
All a motor does is convert a chemical (gasoline) to power (heat and torque).
No one really cares who makes it...it's all about the driving experience.
I'll take it from a guy who knows...Savington.
So back to your example...you have two Miatas...both are 350whp, and perform identically...one has a V8...one has a 4 cylinder. Neither one is going to drive like any Miata we know anymore.
Also...to use your terms...some people think turbos and intercoolers are tacky...so shove that in your pipe and smoke it.
If I had my pick I'd take the motor that will do the most work..the most dependably...and with the least complexity. Without a doubt the LSx fits the bill.
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