Well.
What can I say that hasn't already been said? Howyoudoin'?

Truth be told, I don't even have the car yet. I'm done jumping into a project and learning as I go, making assumptions and all the mistakes that usually accompany decisions made more in enthusiasm than prudence.
So I figure this board is a good place to start learning in order to avoid some of the misadventures that go along with a build.

Hope you guys don't mind one of those 'I wanna v-8 my Miata' a-holes on here... I don't take up much room, and won't spend more than my allotted time in the bathroom. Maybe. Hide the booze though, you've been warned.

I do find it interesting that Sam's 'primer' to newbs mentions V8Miata.net at the post's end. I'll sign up over there too. On edit:(must not've been Sam's write-up. Maybe in the 'welcome' PM. I can't remember, us old folks is like that...)

I've got the Linc Mark VIII dohc motor and engine management, the 3550, (that's a Tremec trans for those not familiar...) and the 8.8 irs rear that'll have to be re-worked to be suitable for the li'l car.
I figure I'll track down a junk Miata from the firewall forward to use for a mock-up. That'll save some costs and keep me from hacking a good car and having to fix that. At least 'till it's time to hack into one properly.

I've been into MoPars, Ford Foxbodies (Mustangs, also known as 'beer cans on wheels', and Thunderbird Turbocoupes), and a couple of mitsu pickups (more beer cannage).
Quite frankly, they've just been 'missing' something.
I don't know if it's the 'girls car' stigma or what.

Seriously, I want something that's fun, handles reasonably well, and has a better power-to-weight ratio using a mostly stock oem driveline.
I find the idea of the 'upward spiral' of costs and support for the stresses placed on a heavier vehicle to be unattractive anymore. I'm starting to realize the brilliance of Mr Chapman.


Well, that's my readers digest long version. When's dinner?

Keith

 

Welcome

 

Welcome!

 

welcome.

 

welcome

 

Good intro post. Welcome to the site, you'll find out soon enough that a properly modded miata will way out-handle any of those other cars you listed. Even one with a v8 swap =P.

 

Welcome...glad to have you here.

 

Hi there!

 

more boost?

 

boost! Welcome to the boards.

 

Oh, no doubt in my mind! That's why I said 'handles reasonably well'!
I've had the pleasure of driving a 2000 or so. Just stock they're all manner o' fun. They just beg you to do stupid thngs. I swear they should just come with a pre-printed book of citations!

Sorry though, I just can't shake the torque-addiction. I mean, 2.3 turbo T-birds drive completely different than their 5.0 powered Mustang brethern. The turbo 'birds just 'squirt', ie: the faster they go, the faster they go! And they're loads o' fun in their own right.
The 5.0 stuff is like an animal trying to claw its way past itself, which has its own giggle-factor. It's two different driving 'styles', or more accurately, separate disciplines.

Nowdays my 'play-cars' fun quotient should exceed its other attributes. Hey, if it'll out-handle my old SSP Mustang, I'll be happy! I had just recently come to the realization of how much fun the Lincoln's drivetrain would be sans a thousand pounds or so. No American manufacturer makes anything that will reach the weight of the Miata (and still be safe street-wise), nor handle as well out-of-the-box. More'n likely I'll never drive the thing to nine-tenths of its capacity. Stock or otherwise.

Thanks guys, for lettin' me play in your sand-box!
Ooh, that better be an old Baby Ruth bar...

 

Welcome aboard, sir... Speaking from the "Unfinished FB RX-7 5.0 Conversion" perspective, I certainly share your optimism - even as I lust for a clean late 80s TXDPS FoxStang to present itself as the eventual home for the primeval 302 I built that now sits forlornly in an Amana-beige '85 RX-7...

Godspeed and keep us posted...