Well, a lot of good things have come my way recently. I bought a really good looking truck for very little money. I was given a Miata by my dad, and I got a new job and was able to keep my old one..and even get paid more. So I have a project car and the money to spend on it.
My situation: I'll have about 1K a month to spend on whatever I want. I have two friends that want to get dirty with me under a car...all greasy and sexy...haha, they're so gay. Anyhow, I'm thinking about using a MonsterMiata kit and dropping a 5.0 in my Miata..or going all out and building an engine and getting a big ole turbo in there.
My question: What do you think is cooler? Kinda silly I know..but I don't really care which way I go..I just want to have fun. Both will be fast. At this point I don't care about being unique...hell, if I have a turboed Miata I'd be very unique where I'm at now..regardless of how extreme I go. I like the rumble of a V8, but the scream of a hot 4 cylinder is hawt too.
I figure with other stuff I plan on getting I'll be saving about 600$ a month to spend on the car. So in a couple months I should be able to get a turbo kit..They're about 2,400 from Flying Miata for your basic setup..know of any other companies you'd recommend? The MonsterMiata kit is 4K...So it'd take a lot longer to get the funds for...but it'd probably be worth it.
Will race for food
..check out my miscellanous mods
Jack Mehoff [Harrington wrote:]LSx
FTMFW!!!
x2
In Loving Memory of Phil Martin December 14 2005
Alexis: Dustin, you're ghey, lol. I am better. I have tits, and tits rule all.
Put the extra money into an annuity.
Fix the car up to be a track slut, put power adders on later. Keep the V8 out of the engine bay if you want it to have even weight distribution.
GAM (The Kilted One) wrote:Put the extra money into an annuity.
Fix the car up to be a track slut, put power adders on later. Keep the V8 out of the engine bay if you want it to have even weight distribution.
You don't need gobs of V8 power to enjoy a miata. they are fun cars right off the bat. I loved my miata, it wouldn't win any drag races but was the most fun car i've ever owned especially on curvy back roads. That's what they're made for. If you need something faster sell the miata and save just a little and get a used f-body. A used 90's era Mustang GT or f-body would cost just about the same as the value of your miata and a $4000 V8 kit.
"Formerly known as Jammit - JBO member since 1998" JBOM | CSS.net
i was just about to say ira thankfully someone beat me to it
turbo 4 to keep the handling where it should be
see if you work offers a 401k...
turbo 4... the v8 will kill the handling.
D.S.S. Cavalier wrote:see if you work offers a 401k...
Smartest suggestion in this thread.
1983 Camaro Z28
Two LS2's
One in the front, one in the rear. Handling distribution doesn't change.
Wale tale that bitch like a mid-80's Porsche.
Weight distriution goes from 50/50 to 57/43. How much worse would that be?
Working at the status I'm in does not allow me to put money into retirement : /
I'm not making it to be the fastest car on the road..Miata's aren't made for that...made for twisites as already stated. Still trying to decide how I'd build the engine if I went turbo. I could keep the compression the same and go for a small turbo to have a quicker car...or I could drop it some and get a bigger turbo and have higher goals...not sure what I'd do.
I really like acceleration, but being knocked back in my seat is fun too. Dunno why, but even though it's a relatively slow car stock...it's still one of the most fun cars I've ever driven.
Will race for food
..check out my miscellanous mods
Quote:
turbo 4... the v8 will kill the handling.[
X2
the weight distribution
and the much greater total weight will kill it...
Quote:
Weight distriution goes from 50/50 to 57/43. How much worse would that be?
that's HUGE! seriously.
it depends on what you want. if you want it to handle like it was made to, go with a turbo 4. I hear the Flyin' Miata kit has quite a bit of potential. If you want a straight-line car, go for that v-8 swap. It's lighter than a GM f-body or a Mustang, but the shorter wheelbase will probably make it pretty twitchy (unstable) at high speed, including for drag use.
Personally, I'd go with the turbo 4. it's what the car was intended for.
(besides, Mazda doesn't make a v-8, and you don't want an automotive bastard, do you?)
LD9 F23 FTW!!
eh, a v6, maybe, but a 5.0 is just.... ewwww, and probably more power than that chassis has any right to attempt handling. One of the off the shelf turbo/supercharger kits would be just fine and keep the car really well balanced and fun.
Arrival Blue 04 LS Sport
Eco
Turbo
Megasquirt
'Nuff said
If you have $1,000 a month to spend I say SAVE IT!!!!! and INVEST it. You should look into purchasing a home/ rental property. Thats what I did and Im on my second home now. Don't mod the car and invest the cash and later you can buy a better car.
Good luck on what ever you do.
"Remember do what you like because you have to drive it."--Me
I SATCHMOE YOU!!!! wrote:Jack Mehoff [Harrington wrote:]LSx
FTMFW!!!
x2
i'm with these guys. a member of the pittsburgh car forum that i'm on recently finished his LS1 swap into his miata. its scary looking
heres a link to his build
clicky
Edited 1 time(s). Last edited Wednesday, September 12, 2007 7:37 AM
throw in an f20c from an s2k!
Personally, I'd get the Miata and ether drown a Madza Triple Rotor in it or a Lexus V8.
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the advantage tothe 5.0is there are kits made to drop the thing right it
yeah, you will loose some handling, but the power and torq that motor will lay down will make you forget really quick.
andifyou wanted to move up from there, a whipple will drop right on top that 5.0. aluminum heads will shave off some punds, and if you ever get around to dumping money into a block, you can get windsor motors in alot of different displacements.
I am for the 5.0 all the way for simplicity, effectivenss, and ability to biuld.
ever since americans have started dropping ford and gm v8's and v6 turbo buicks into the likes of miata, 240sx, and rx7's these cars have taken on a whole new meaning of fast.
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when you beat someone in a civic people wine and make excuses
when you beat someone in a cavalier they pull over and check under thier hoods
the triple-rotor idea sounds sweet...
really, guys I agree that saving the money is a good idea, but that's not what he asked
Quote:
My question: What do you think is cooler? ...I like the rumble of a V8, but the scream of a hot 4 cylinder is hawt too.
no where did he ask what you thought he should do with the money. He asked "V-8 or turbo 4-banger?"
LD9 F23 FTW!!
^^^yeah, good luck getting that to fit. It would be pretty badass, though.
I still say turbo 4. if you're open to a swap, maybe one of the newer Mazda 4-bangers, even the 'speed3 engine, if you can get it to work (the 3 is transverse...)
a v-8 just doesn't seem right for that car IMO.
LD9 F23 FTW!!
Man..a rotory powered Miata would be hot..But like Nutcase said..the 5.0 is a direct drop in. So it'd be very easy to do.
Just thought I'd toss out an update...I decided to go the total ass opposite idea..The car is just so much fun to drive stock...I'm just going to do minor mods this year..next sumer drop a supercharger in if I'm not happy. The car is just a blast to drive. It's the best part of my day..driving to/from work a lot of the time. And with a supercharger..it'd feel just like a bigger motor in there..but without the hassle.
If I'm satisfied I think I'm going to save up for an older car with some history and work on that. I'd kill someone for an old 911...I mean...literally kill. IF you know someone that's willing just toss me a PM..seriously
But I think I'd have to save up for awhile to find one of those.
For all the comments on finances..that's good advice to a lot of people...but I'm secure. I already own a house, this is my third vehicle. This is a second job, and my main job is new..and it was a significant pay increase from my previous...so I'm very blessed. I can afford all of my bills from my main paycheck with enough left over to have some go to savings. My wife isn't working right now, she's staying home with our son...but come 3 months she'll be back to full time and then I really won't have any worries.
I'll keep you guys updated with pics or something...if you've never driven one of these cars..you need to try it. It's funny because it's a relatively slow car..but that's not what it's about
Just a lot of fun.
Will race for food
..check out my miscellanous mods
what kind of old 911 are you looking for? i might know someone.......
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- Sold my beloved J in April 2010 -
