Why would anyone ever pay for a V8 conversion?
#22
Anybody who spends $30k on a V8 swap in a Miata is an idiot anyway. It can be done for 1/4 that. FM might make good stuff, but they are damn proud of their parts.
The price I have come up with is $7500-$8000 using a swap kit from either FM or BossFrog, an LS1, trans, diff, new clutch, associated exhaust and other hardware. So $8,000>>>$30,000
The price I have come up with is $7500-$8000 using a swap kit from either FM or BossFrog, an LS1, trans, diff, new clutch, associated exhaust and other hardware. So $8,000>>>$30,000
I've started the web page for it though <G>:
http://www.lightweightmiata.com/mynextcar/
A V8 Miata with hard top and fender flares (or same thing with big turbo) isn't on there but it goes without saying I am looking into it.
#23
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IMHO, it would be pretty hard to do for $7500. There are a lot of little things that add up quickly. Anyway, I have really been thinking about doing an LSx Miata. I think it would be the bees knees but a huge turbo would be nice too. It really kills me that if I spent the big $$$ to do a V8 I still wouldn't be faster than what Beast was with just a small turbo. I still have 2 years before I start my next project so I have some time to figure out what I am really going to do.
I've started the web page for it though <G>:
http://www.lightweightmiata.com/mynextcar/
A V8 Miata with hard top and fender flares (or same thing with big turbo) isn't on there but it goes without saying I am looking into it.
I've started the web page for it though <G>:
http://www.lightweightmiata.com/mynextcar/
A V8 Miata with hard top and fender flares (or same thing with big turbo) isn't on there but it goes without saying I am looking into it.
I've sources LS1 and T-56's with under 40k miles for ~$2200, Ford 8.8 plus a rebuild and r&p for around $1000, both halves of the FM kit around $4000, and I have a bit of a hook up on the other little bits and pieces. So the major components are around $7200. I would also do suspension while I was at it, so it likely will be over $10k by the time it's done. I also don't like to cut any corners, an extra $1000 doesn't bother me to have peace of mind. People without a hook up will probably spend $10k realistically. I'll probably retire the car to strip down within the year. Actual build will be quite lengthy I'm sure. A lot of time spent in build progress. Then again, I'm known to start a project, then sell it and start on something else. I have yet to sell a car for even 1/3 of what I had into it. I'm smart like that. I think I will stick this one out though, I have nearly learned that lesson. My last car had about $8000 into it, and I sold it for $2700. That was about half of my Miata.
Last edited by NA6C-Guy; 02-16-2010 at 10:34 PM.
#26
And so would you. Its easy to plan this **** out when you're sitting there making a list based off **** you see other people do. When it comes down to doing it yourself, suddenly even with all your "hook ups" you're still spending more than expected.
But you wouldn't know that
Or would you?
But you wouldn't know that
Or would you?
#27
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And so would you. Its easy to plan this **** out when you're sitting there making a list based off **** you see other people do. When it comes down to doing it yourself, suddenly even with all your "hook ups" you're still spending more than expected.
But you wouldn't know that
Or would you?
But you wouldn't know that
Or would you?
But again, I like to drop a few grand into it, then sell it and start over. Someone will be getting a Miata rolling chassis with bolted in LS1 for $2800 in about 2 years when I throw up my hands.
#28
So do it then. And prove me wrong. Otherwise you're just a keyboard ******* warrior.
I thought my **** would cost me 2k TOPS to boost and make quick. I have the tools, I have hookups on parts, I have fabrication skills, all that ****. And guess what? I STILL cost wayyyy more than I projected. And this with a simple turbo setup (well not THAT simple anymore but whatever). You're talking about stuffing a completely different driveline into a completely different car.
Seems so simple right? WRONG
Most of the time that kind of **** happens.
I thought my **** would cost me 2k TOPS to boost and make quick. I have the tools, I have hookups on parts, I have fabrication skills, all that ****. And guess what? I STILL cost wayyyy more than I projected. And this with a simple turbo setup (well not THAT simple anymore but whatever). You're talking about stuffing a completely different driveline into a completely different car.
Seems so simple right? WRONG
Most of the time that kind of **** happens.
#29
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So do it then. And prove me wrong. Otherwise you're just a keyboard ******* warrior.
I thought my **** would cost me 2k TOPS to boost and make quick. I have the tools, I have hookups on parts, I have fabrication skills, all that ****. And guess what? I STILL cost wayyyy more than I projected. And this with a simple turbo setup (well not THAT simple anymore but whatever). You're talking about stuffing a completely different driveline into a completely different car.
Seems so simple right? WRONG
Most of the time that kind of **** happens.
I thought my **** would cost me 2k TOPS to boost and make quick. I have the tools, I have hookups on parts, I have fabrication skills, all that ****. And guess what? I STILL cost wayyyy more than I projected. And this with a simple turbo setup (well not THAT simple anymore but whatever). You're talking about stuffing a completely different driveline into a completely different car.
Seems so simple right? WRONG
Most of the time that kind of **** happens.
#31
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I have **** luck with cars, but you guys take the cake, and somehow still keep on ticking. I would have gotten pissed and quit long ago.
#35
So, $30k plus a really nice NB as a starter... so, you're talking close to $40k in the end? If you must have a roadster, you can get a fully optioned Factory 5 Cobra with all the trimmings and built smallblock. ****, I think you can get one turnkey for that!
Every one of these cars is for sale on CobraCountry for under $40k, and there are about a dozen more I didn't link:
Every one of these cars is for sale on CobraCountry for under $40k, and there are about a dozen more I didn't link:
#39
Comparing a boneyard LS1 and T56 with 40k miles to a factory zero mile warrantied LS3, brand new warrantied t56, brand new clutch/flywhee/wiring harness/PCMl is a bit retarded. Sorta like comparing Corky's Garrett 2871 at $1300 to an ebay Chinacharger at $300.
Newsflash. It's a lot of ******* labor. Take out dash. Cut firewall. Weld firewall. Mod trans tunnel. Wiring. More wiring. Some more wiring. Heat shrink. Solder. Fab.
I have no interest in a non-convertible Viper.
Sure I've saved a bunch of labor over FM's offering, but I'm not done yet and it's been almost a ******* year. Hell, if I could do it over, I'd probably just buy v8roadsters Moose which they're selling for $26500 with a freshly rebuilt LS6/t56.
Some people's time is worth more than others.
Frank
Newsflash. It's a lot of ******* labor. Take out dash. Cut firewall. Weld firewall. Mod trans tunnel. Wiring. More wiring. Some more wiring. Heat shrink. Solder. Fab.
I have no interest in a non-convertible Viper.
Sure I've saved a bunch of labor over FM's offering, but I'm not done yet and it's been almost a ******* year. Hell, if I could do it over, I'd probably just buy v8roadsters Moose which they're selling for $26500 with a freshly rebuilt LS6/t56.
Some people's time is worth more than others.
Frank
#40
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Comparing a boneyard LS1 and T56 with 40k miles to a factory zero mile warrantied LS3, brand new warrantied t56, brand new clutch/flywhee/wiring harness/PCMl is a bit retarded. Sorta like comparing Corky's Garrett 2871 at $1300 to an ebay Chinacharger at $300.
Newsflash. It's a lot of ******* labor. Take out dash. Cut firewall. Weld firewall. Mod trans tunnel. Wiring. More wiring. Some more wiring. Heat shrink. Solder. Fab.
I have no interest in a non-convertible Viper.
Sure I've saved a bunch of labor over FM's offering, but I'm not done yet and it's been almost a ******* year. Hell, if I could do it over, I'd probably just buy v8roadsters Moose which they're selling for $26500 with a freshly rebuilt LS6/t56.
Some people's time is worth more than others.
Frank
Newsflash. It's a lot of ******* labor. Take out dash. Cut firewall. Weld firewall. Mod trans tunnel. Wiring. More wiring. Some more wiring. Heat shrink. Solder. Fab.
I have no interest in a non-convertible Viper.
Sure I've saved a bunch of labor over FM's offering, but I'm not done yet and it's been almost a ******* year. Hell, if I could do it over, I'd probably just buy v8roadsters Moose which they're selling for $26500 with a freshly rebuilt LS6/t56.
Some people's time is worth more than others.
Frank
So... what's left on your project?