Cat outta the bag
05-22-2008, 11:34 AM
#7
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.
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.
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05-22-2008, 12:32 PM
#8
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.
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.
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05-22-2008, 02:36 PM
#13
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.
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.
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05-22-2008, 04:37 PM
#19
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.
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.
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05-22-2008, 04:47 PM
#20
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.
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