BULLman Posted May 31, 2012 Share Posted May 31, 2012 Saw a show where they transplanted a V8 into a Mazda Miata. They also bought a body kit that transformed the car's looks, too. There is a company that sells the kit. Replace shocks, brakes, etc; I don't gave the car.. I don't have kit nor the V8... I don't have the space or the skills to do the job... It's TOTALLY impractical... ...but, do I keep looking for cheap Miatas??? Help, talk me out if this cheap Cobra wannabe Link to comment
Mike Posted May 31, 2012 Share Posted May 31, 2012 Don't do it! It,would be waaaay too much fun. Link to comment
enfoman Posted May 31, 2012 Share Posted May 31, 2012 Saw a show where they transplanted a V8 into a Mazda Miata. They also bought a body kit that transformed the car's looks, too. There is a company that sells the kit. Replace shocks, brakes, etc; I don't have the space or the skills to do the job... It's TOTALLY impractical... ...but, do I keep looking for cheap Miatas??? I saw the show too! ---Stacey "Gearz" on speed channel I think --- I don't have the room or the cash but the know how I know. It would be a real pain to do in an everyday garage w/o a lift and air tools. Is it totally impractical? I loved tha thing!! I bet it would run circles around other heavier cars! KEEP LOOKIN! Link to comment
Mike Posted May 31, 2012 Share Posted May 31, 2012 Personally, I've got it real bad for one of these: Probably not in this lifetime, but a guy can dream.... Link to comment
Whip Posted May 31, 2012 Share Posted May 31, 2012 Have I told you about my 1972 Chevelle. I bought it in 2002 with a plan. It became road worthy last month. It is back in the shop this week cause it left me stranded. I coulda bought a new Corvette for what I have in it. Link to comment
BULLman Posted May 31, 2012 Author Share Posted May 31, 2012 I coulda bought a new Corvette for what I have in it. ...but, it still will be a vette.. The Chevelle is waaaay cooler Its like motorcycles... The only time I didn't have a balance on my CC is the providing time I didn't own a bike! Coolness trumps Logic. Link to comment
Danny caddyshack Noonan Posted May 31, 2012 Share Posted May 31, 2012 If you want to work on a car.....just get the real thing. A mid/late '60s Lotus Elan (non-+2), upon which the Miata is a copy. One with a twin cam Weber head will already run around other cars. Plus, the frames never rust since they're English and leak oil to protect the frame and chassis. Used to watch one run around all the TransAm cars in SCCA amateur action at Sear Point. Unusually well kept example Link to comment
BULLman Posted May 31, 2012 Author Share Posted May 31, 2012 What kind of car us that? Gave you seen the new Morgan? Here's a picture I think you'll like: Picture at http://www.morgan-motor.co.uk/img/carimages/roadster/webgallery/roadster2t.jpg http://www.morgan3wheeler.co.uk/news.php?id=26 Link to comment
Shiny Side Up Posted May 31, 2012 Share Posted May 31, 2012 My advice?? Buy a horse - plenty of up-keep ($$$) with fencing,feed and vet bills. Plus you'll have lots of poop to keep ya' busy. Don't ride it - just keep it around for aggravation... Don't need any tools either. It's a PLUS all the way! Link to comment
moshe_levy Posted May 31, 2012 Share Posted May 31, 2012 I dunno. A big honkin' V8 just isn't really a Miata's character. What track day doesn't have a whole slew of modified Miatas with turbos and all the rest that likely put V8 (or damn near it) HP to the rear wheel without the enormous surgery of an engine transplant? -MKL Link to comment
Bill_Walker Posted May 31, 2012 Share Posted May 31, 2012 I think they went out of business, but there was a company in San Diego county that had a pretty good business doing these type of conversions. Google "Monster Miata" Link to comment
chrisolson Posted May 31, 2012 Share Posted May 31, 2012 Check out Flyin Miata. I was at their shop a while back and they had 2 V8 cars being built. Nice folks, top quality work. I own a turbo miata and I'd own a V8 one in a heartbeat! It is that much faster. Or if you like the Lotus 7 look, they also sell the Westfield kit. Link to comment
RonStewart Posted May 31, 2012 Share Posted May 31, 2012 I have seen a bug-eyed Sprite with a Chevy engine. It made me weep (and not in any kind of good way). Link to comment
Boffin Posted May 31, 2012 Share Posted May 31, 2012 What kind of car us that? A Caterham-7 - a development of the Lotus Seven. Caterham Sevens are sold in the USA Caterham USA Andy Link to comment
Huzband Posted May 31, 2012 Share Posted May 31, 2012 I have seen a bug-eyed Sprite with a Chevy engine. It made me weep (and not in any kind of good way). When I ran autocross back in the early eighties, there was a guy in our club that had an SCCA Solo 1 Bugeye Sprite with an aluminum block Buick 265 V8 that was built to the hilt. Sounded awesome, & was scary fast. That is, when it ran. It was so volatile, something broke every time he brought it out. Link to comment
Rougarou Posted May 31, 2012 Share Posted May 31, 2012 From a 4x4 site I used to frequent when I was heavy into wheeling. Miata 327 Transplant BTW, you could get an MGB and drop a Rover V8 or Buick 215 (essentially the same engine) into it much easier. Link to comment
Mike Posted May 31, 2012 Share Posted May 31, 2012 What kind of car us that? A Caterham-7 - a development of the Lotus Seven. Caterham Sevens are sold in the USA Caterham USA Andy Beat me to it! Yes, they're kits manufactured by Caterham, assembled at their final destination with a variety of powerplants. Their extremely low weight (curb weights start at a little more than 1,100 lbs.), combined with four-cylinder engines generally putting at 140-200 hp, produce a very quick and agile little car. There are other kits based on the Lotus 7 that incorporate supercharged V6's and V8s, but I think that Caterham--the true heir to the Lotus 7 design--produces a more honest and elegant car. And one that hauls ass; there are few supercars that can keep up with one on a road course. The Morgans are very cool, but they're far more costly than what I could afford. Link to comment
BULLman Posted May 31, 2012 Author Share Posted May 31, 2012 The Morgans are very cool, but they're far more costly than what I could afford. Probably can't afford the V8, much less the Miata either === Putting a turbo on a Miata... hmmmmmmmmm (V8 is waaaaaaay cooler) Link to comment
BULLman Posted May 31, 2012 Author Share Posted May 31, 2012 I saw the show too! ---Stacey "Gearz" on speed channel I think --- I don't have the room or the cash but the know how I know. It would be a real pain to do in an everyday garage w/o a lift and air tools. Is it totally impractical? I loved tha thing!! I bet it would run circles around other heavier cars! KEEP LOOKIN! Who do I know who has a garage?????? Bill in JAX has a garage!!!! Link to comment
Gregori Posted June 1, 2012 Share Posted June 1, 2012 I'll take handling over straight horsepower, any day. The V8 Miata is fun as hell in a straight line, but the road handling is atrocious. The Seven (Caterham or similar) is a driving TOOL. Check out this guy: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RHgjFPhhzY8 Link to comment
Rocer Posted June 1, 2012 Share Posted June 1, 2012 I have seen a bug-eyed Sprite with a Chevy engine. It made me weep (and not in any kind of good way). Yes, blasphemy! Link to comment
Mike Posted June 1, 2012 Share Posted June 1, 2012 I'll take handling over straight horsepower, any day. The V8 Miata is fun as hell in a straight line, but the road handling is atrocious. The Seven (Caterham or similar) is a driving TOOL. Check out this guy: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RHgjFPhhzY8 Impressive. Link to comment
elkroeger Posted June 1, 2012 Share Posted June 1, 2012 Personally, I'm holding out for the W12 engine conversion Link to comment
Gregori Posted June 1, 2012 Share Posted June 1, 2012 Ooooh, here's a handbuilt Seven replica for $8500, in TN. http://nashville.craigslist.org/cto/3022305260.html Link to comment
Quinn Posted June 1, 2012 Share Posted June 1, 2012 Just me, but the fun of driving a small two seater was in having a small engine and having to work at it. My 1500 Triumph Spitfire was more fun to drive than any muscle car. ----- Link to comment
David13 Posted June 1, 2012 Share Posted June 1, 2012 I agree with you on that one, Quinn. That was always the fun of it to me, also. The small British sports cars. But doing all the work myself, or with friends. I never understood why anyone would want to do any of that and just take the car to someone else's shop for everything. dc Link to comment
Rougarou Posted June 1, 2012 Share Posted June 1, 2012 Just me, but the fun of driving a small two seater was in having a small engine and having to work at it. My 1500 Triumph Spitfire was more fun to drive than any muscle car. ----- I dunno, when I had both of my MGB's, and yes they were fun with the 1800, I certainly could have had more fun with a Rover V8 or Buick 215. Link to comment
chrisolson Posted June 1, 2012 Share Posted June 1, 2012 Just me, but the fun of driving a small two seater was in having a small engine and having to work at it. My 1500 Triumph Spitfire was more fun to drive than any muscle car. ----- I dunno, when I had both of my MGB's, and yes they were fun with the 1800, I certainly could have had more fun with a Rover V8 or Buick 215. I'd have to agree. Having run a full season of track days in my stock Miata, and then another full season with a turbo upgrade, its waaaaaaay more fun with the turbo. The V8 Miata from the Flyin Miata guys is a well engineered complete powertrain package including trans and rear end. The suspension / brakes etc are also completely upgraged appropriately so contrary to popular opinion, its not just a straight line champ. It handles as well as the turbo car ... so who wouldn't want more HP and torque? :smile: Link to comment
Huzband Posted June 1, 2012 Share Posted June 1, 2012 It handles as well as the turbo car ... so who wouldn't want more HP and torque? :smile: The Prius driver. Link to comment
chrisolson Posted June 2, 2012 Share Posted June 2, 2012 It handles as well as the turbo car ... so who wouldn't want more HP and torque? :smile: The Prius driver. Haven't seen one of them on the track Link to comment
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