What have you done to your MS3 today?

[8.5MS3]

If you aren't going for 500+ whp its not worth it

I really need to stop

After this there's really nothing left other than a built block

Time to find a miata to drop a lsx in

 

[ericrapp]

If you aren't going for 500+ whp its not worth it

I really need to stop

After this there's really nothing left other than a built block

Time to find a miata to drop a lsx in

Yes you are probably right,

And i heard the stock block can go 400 or so before s*** scatters , So the obvious next step is to build the rotating assembly.
i mean it's just logical right. And it's really about safety , strengthening up those rods and pistons. Maybe lighten them up for less rotating mass. Sure sounds like fun !

LS swaps are classless dude. Stay strong.Dont do it.

Now a Flyin Miata or a 4 rotored racing Wankel in an RX might be more adventurous.

 

[chief_wiggum]

LS swaps are classless dude. Stay strong.Dont do it.

Now a Flyin Miata or a 4 rotored racing Wankel in an RX might be more adventurous.

Is a Flyin Miata LS swap classless too? I spend too much time on their website, especially since I don't own a miata.....yet.

 

[ericrapp]

Is a Flyin Miata LS swap classless too? I spend too much time on their website, especially since I don't own a miata.....yet.

busted.
Was of course directed at you know who.
But yes Chief. I dont care for Ls swaps.
Too easy horsepower and you lose all the fine balance designed in by Mazda.
One of the best efforts by them imho.
Trying to get the ex-wife to buy one... so i can borrow it. and maybe give it a "tune up ". She wants a convertible of course
Miatas should be in the stable. On my list.

 

[Jdm_Mica]

OCC fixed, preloaded front coils. While messing up front I noticed my bump stomps are toast. Pieces of them fell from the dust boot. Do you know if I can order new ones? I believe these were from my OEM springs and shocks. I need to call BC racing and order the Koyo upper strut bearings because my car is loud and its annoying!

 

[Domino81]

LS swap is where it's at. KL was cool and different, Wankel would be cool if I enjoyed pissing money away. You can find an LS almost anywhere, they're cheap enough, get good mileage. Can hold a ton of power.

 

[oaklandopen]

I thought ford v8s were better kits for the miatas, or is all the ls swap talk meant for the rx7?

 

[8.5MS3]

if you get a zo6 all aluminum LS i believe the entire chassis weight only goes up by 200 lbs. and is damn near 50/50

 

[chief_wiggum]

if you get a zo6 all aluminum LS i believe the entire chassis weight only goes up by 200 lbs. and is damn near 50/50

truth! From FM's website

Overall, the car gains less than 200 lbs with 1/3 of that on the rear wheels. In other words, the car does not become a nose-heavy beast. To put things in perspective, one of our SuperFour Challenge turbo Miatas came in at almost exactly the same weight and distribution.

 

[ericrapp]

LS swap is where it's at. KL was cool and different, Wankel would be cool if I enjoyed pissing money away. You can find an LS almost anywhere, they're cheap enough, get good mileage. Can hold a ton of power.

thats all true. Except mileage.
I read hot rod magazine alot among a bunch of odd ball automotive stuff.
Chevy has always been cheap and easy and available since the 283.
But not cool anymore. fast yes. But overdone. IMHO
Now an old cammer Ford. SOHC stuffed into speed 3 would be something ! I mean there is already Ford and Volvo blood in the speed 3 isn't there?
Chevies ? Blecchh

 

[ericrapp]

truth! From FM's website

Heretics.
the lot of you !!
keep the car genetically pure aaargghh

 

[etipp98]

Installed my corksport camber plates, changed out some coolant lines to free up more space for the turbo/ 4" Intake..

 

[8.5MS3]

Grabbed a koyo radiator

Need to get a new coolant reservoir. The tab on mine broke

 

[ericrapp]

Installed my corksport camber plates, changed out some coolant lines to free up more space for the turbo/ 4" Intake..

4" ?! yikes, thats huge

 

[chief_wiggum]

Heretics.
the lot of you !!
keep the car genetically pure aaargghh

They sell very nice (expensive) turbo kits too...which is what I'd most likely do. But you have to admit, there is something pretty awesome about this;

 

[Jdm_Mica]

Awesome! But a big turbo msm could be just as fun

 

[JamesCH]

Awesome! But a big turbo msm could be just as fun

Yeah... about that... good luck building one for the cost and reliability of a V8 swap. (spin)

 

[ericrapp]

They sell very nice (expensive) turbo kits too...which is what I'd most likely do. But you have to admit, there is something pretty awesome about this;

Those guys got their act together. Thanks for the link Chief.

James , i am not sure about either of your points. Cost or reliabilty of a big turboed Speed.
You need no chassis work or drivetrain parts swaps.( until the clutch and axles go ! )
And reliability ? , with a competent tune and a strengthened sleeved block you can get above 500whp. and run all day without hiccups.
The chevy has come along way and folks still drop chevy motors in fords, chryslers etc . There is a good reason for that !
But about reliability and cost. I disagree. Building a 2.3 is not rocket science any more. Its been done.
My speed 3 was 24500 new. in 2007 the mx-5 was over 30000.
Thats the difference in a fully jacked motor and bolt ons to move the air in and out for me. The way i see it.
A miata and a fwd speed are apples and oranges.




But the saying stands no replacement for displacement eh !

 

[JamesCH]

Those guys got their act together. Thanks for the link Chief.

James , i am not sure about either of your points. Cost or reliabilty of a big turboed Speed.
You need no chassis work or drivetrain parts swaps.( until the clutch and axles go ! )
And reliability ? , with a competent tune and a strengthened sleeved block you can get above 500whp. and run all day without hiccups.
The chevy has come along way and folks still drop chevy motors in fords, chryslers etc . There is a good reason for that !
But about reliability and cost. I disagree. Building a 2.3 is not rocket science any more. Its been done.
My speed 3 was 24500 new. in 2007 the mx-5 was over 30000.
Thats the difference in a fully jacked motor and bolt ons to move the air in and out for me. The way i see it.
A miata and a fwd speed are apples and oranges.




But the saying stands no replacement for displacement eh !

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

 

[Perro del Sol]

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.