What have you done to your MS3 today?
- Thread starter ZoomVT
- Start date
chief_wiggum
Member
- :
- 2008.5 Mazdaspeed3-2010 Mazda5 GT
Got these mounted and balanced in anticipation of summer auto-x, slightly used yokohama A005 medium compound tires. Next up, some obnoxious color plasti dip!
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i switched from a Hotchkis to tri point. Because the Tripoint looks cooler and has better link/bracket design i thought.Will be installing the Tri-Point Race RSB and Adjustable End Links, that I received yesterday....
They were nice enough to include a couple of license plate frames too! I will do a review of the bar when it is installed.
You will be happy !!
I understand and appreciate your efforts.I was not talking at all about building a high-power MS3, I was talking about building a high-power Miata (MSM=mazdaspeed miata, does it not?)
A DIY V8 conversion will run about $10k, up through (and sometimes past) a $25k turnkey conversion from FM. To get 400-500hp out of a Miata motor... you're going to have to replace about everything in the powertrain, including upgrading to the elusive 6spd transmission and a lot of custom fab work. I find it very hard to believe that a high-power turbo build would be either as reliable as a V8 or as cheap as a V8. The essential point is that in either a V8 conversion or a 400+hp turbo build basically everything gets replaced or rebuilt anyway, but a V8 making it's stock power level will likely be way more reliable than a completely strung-out I4 pushing an insane amount of boost.
This is a topic I've spent a lot of time researching and thinking about
these are the great discussions that happen when hoods are popped open along with a beer or two(burp)
chief_wiggum
Member
- :
- 2008.5 Mazdaspeed3-2010 Mazda5 GT
^^^^beefy.
I was not talking at all about building a high-power MS3, I was talking about building a high-power Miata (MSM=mazdaspeed miata, does it not?)
A DIY V8 conversion will run about $10k, up through (and sometimes past) a $25k turnkey conversion from FM. To get 400-500hp out of a Miata motor... you're going to have to replace about everything in the powertrain, including upgrading to the elusive 6spd transmission and a lot of custom fab work. I find it very hard to believe that a high-power turbo build would be either as reliable as a V8 or as cheap as a V8. The essential point is that in either a V8 conversion or a 400+hp turbo build basically everything gets replaced or rebuilt anyway, but a V8 making it's stock power level will likely be way more reliable than a completely strung-out I4 pushing an insane amount of boost.
This is a topic I've spent a lot of time researching and thinking about
What about the differences in weight?
Granted, I didn't see/read all you may have written on the subject and might therefore be somewhat uninformed, but unless you're contemplating an all out LS1 or some such, there will be an incredible difference in weight between an all aluminum 2.3 and an iron/iron or iron/alum V8. The whole front suspension will have to be rethought. Geometry, spring rates, shock rates, perhaps the whole subframe would have to be replaced with new? Then there's the weight balance to consider also? And on and on....
thank you.
lol. go big or go home? I should have more than enough for my build.
oaklandopen
Member
That's what she said
Perro del Sol
Member
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- 2003 MSP, Spicy Orange, 2004 Mazda 6 Hatch, 2004 Mazda 6 Wagon
Looking forward to getting installed tomorrow and do a little spirited driving tomorrow as well.
I'm still talking about a Miata, it doesn't have an aluminum 2.3L. Iron block/aluminum head swapped about for an all-aluminum V8. FM states the V8 swap adds about 200lbs with a final weight distribution of 52/48. About the same as a decent high-hp build. The subframe doesn't need to be changed, and the springs/damper rates don't change much because of the small weight increase. Geometry is also maintained.
Awesome!
Awesome!
Do have a front upgrade yet ?
If not , be aware that the car will begin lose natural to understeer even on the softest setting.
Turn in response picks up a bit and steering input gets a bit mor lively i thought.
And then on the stiffest setting and stock front bar/ the car will rotate through the turns alittle for great fun.
Take her out to a parking lot and let the car dance around to get feel for the new setup. The back end might come out for you if you lift the throttle mid turn. Its a riot in a FWD.
I ended up adding larger front sway though. Hotchkis up front and Tri Point in back.
Have fun !
James it just amazed me that the chassis balance remains the same and the overall weight is so close.
That car is very cool and must be stupid fun to drive.
Chevy mills got into aluminum bits and went on a crash diet.
The newer vette motors in the Z model to the gran sport are very serious performance options.
I still think i can build a reliable speed 3. On a budget , thats goes like stink , can city stoplight drive without issue.
and break into the 11s with slicks. Thats my story and i am sticking to it.
Perro del Sol
Member
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- 2003 MSP, Spicy Orange, 2004 Mazda 6 Hatch, 2004 Mazda 6 Wagon
Will have fun, and I know what you are talking about as I have a MSP that I track as I run that car in Time Trials..I have several years of track experience and I always do a little auto-xing first to see how the dynamics of the car has changed.
I bet you can too! All it takes is careful planning and patience.
If i was paying better attention i could have guessed that !
The rear bar was a great upgrade and really has a pleasant effect. I have not gotten the chance to tune the antisway bars with the links, but i imagine you will have yours dialed in when the weather warms : )
