5.0 Swap into 90s Miata

[armadillon]

Hey guys, I THINK this belongs in 5.0 Tech...

For a year now, I've been the proud owner a 1989 Mustang LX 5.0
I've put 35,000 miles on her in that year (Driving between College Station and Austin, TX) But now I feel the need to modify something that isn't my daily driver.

The 5.0 Miata has just entered the building.

I've looked at MonsterMiatas and Grassroots motorsports and the issue of a Ford 302 Miata has come up multiple times (and it's usually shot down with people whining about "you should just turbo it")

WELL. I LOVE FORD and I want the power that only a Ford 5.0 can give me in a small lightweight miata.


And heres the catch, i want cheap. I want headaches.
I want it CARBURETED.

Yes, that was the one thing that I noticed everybody skipped. They threw in the parts cost of computers and EFI and all of that.


I'd like to discuss the actual viability (that the right word?) of doing a carb-v8 miata. Could it be done for 1500 or less? I have access to a ton of junkyards and a lot of helping hands. (Who needs an engine hoist when you have 6 willing strapping young lads to give you a hand?)

I don't care about working gauges in the car (yet...) I'll just use aftermarket.
I don't really care much about modifying the actual 5.0, a new intake and new carb are bueno enough for me.


Price estimates anyone? If no price estimates, any actual necessary parts yall can think of?

This thing is the ultimate in budget. If i have to hook up my throttle cable using springs from ACE hardware I'm doing it.

If this is in the wrong forum, sorry, just please kindly direct me to a more proper forum.

 

[Rdrcr]

miata.net (engine conversion forum)

I'm sure they can answer all or most of your questions regarding the swap.

Mike

 

[twistedwankel]

Years ago Mazdatrix or Racingbeat made a kit to do this. Guess it handled decent and was very fast but the suspension was a major cost item.

Somehow I doubt it's still available with the quick turbo and supercharger systems out there now.

I don't think you could do it for under $3k and still be streetable.

These cars are really bullet proof stock and perfectly balanced.

 

[lang williams]

i picked up a used holley 4 barrel 600 carb for $70...an edelbrock performer rpm intake for $100 an a new hei style distrib for $70 on ebay for my carb conversion, the car already had a carb fuel pump...hope this helps.

 

[Shakerhood]

The Guy Stacey that used to do that TV Show Trucks has his own Show called Gearz now and he has been doing that conversion.

 

[fastford91]

one question ? WHY?????????????

 

[Blown331LX]

Why spend all that time and money polishing a turd when you can just *h*t in a shoebox and cover it with icing. You know what heres a better idea instead of putting a 5.0 in a " F*g Taxi " why don't you just stick the Miata badge is place to the 5.0 emblem, cut the top off and add a cute little crescent roll bar for your noggin.

 

[Wallzy]

miata.net is a very good forum, they will be able to help you out.

Appologies for people making you feel stupid, good luck with your ride.

Walz

 

[SCOTTY A]

I agree with the others on checking out miata.net. The members there are very informative and will be able to help you out with whatever conversion you want to pursue.

I also concur with not listening to the ignorance of others, its amazing how stupid people can be when they are uninformed. Although i do agree a roll bar might be a wise investment.

Good luck to you and keep us posted on the build.

 

[Blown331LX]

I want to make something clear. I was not beating up the idea of doing that swap. I helped a aquantance install a 5.0 in a Volvo. But from past oddball swaps I've done its going to be very expensive to get it right. Im a firm believer it not building something half ass, and to commit to a massive swap like that and stick to a budget is gonna be almost impossible to expect quality performance. SECONDLY, I live in a town that has a smaller town in it that is occupied by a large gay community, and a very large number of this group drives the Miata while holding hands with their counterparts. I also work at the busiest independent auto shop in the state and see alot of the Rainbow Flag flyers drive that style of car. That makes me sick which is the reason I made that comment. I encourage your project and applaud your ambition, but damn man its gonna be a hell of a task. And when your done I almost promise you will miss your foxbody, but good luck.

 

[twistedwankel]

I live in a town that has a smaller town in it that is occupied by a large gay community, and a very large number of this group drives the Miata while holding hands with their counterparts. I also work at the busiest independent auto shop in the state and see alot of the Rainbow Flag flyers drive that style of car.

He can get the vanity plate "BUTCH" for it so the male hand holders will leave him alone

 

[GSP393]

I watched Stacey David working on his and had the same idea. The Cobra body kit he's doing looks great. I was wondering if my 393 stroker would fit using the kit. I'm still going to install the one I'm building now in my GT, but to have a Cobra/miata would be pretty sweet.

 

[StinkinLincoln]

the miata's for the hp the 5.0 gives them, they dont go fast in the 1/4, the weight distribution is way off, too much weight in the front.

 

[irish]

monster miata

Building a monster miata is a cool idea, I will def do this one day! Some things worth mentioning about the swap, if you use alum heads/intake, put battery in back, I believe the weight gain is around 75 pounds in the nose. That means with a little creative weight management, the 50/50 could easily be preserved. A miata is not a great 1/4 mile car, it is very light, and without a body kit you cannot fit a lot of tire on it. It is a corner carving monster though, add one of Martins big brake kits and watch the video of him racing Porsches, Corvettes, Ferraris and smoking them. Don't bother going over 400 hp, having driven a 350 horse Monster before, I can tell you it is useless power after around that point, you won't get traction of the line.(or in the next 2 gears either)

 

[AODLXVert]

Miata, na. Mid 80's RX7, yeah! Oh, and they still make swap kits for that (302 in 2nd gen RX7 "FC3") I think they run 12.80 with a stock 5.0 w/ mass air. But dont quote me.

 

[5.0L Miata]

I have one. Built it using Martin's kit five years ago and have put over 40,000miles on it driving it every day during the summer months. It is the absolute most fun on 4 wheels I have had!

My dad has a 2008 Bullitt Mustang and my father-in-law has a C5 Lingenfelter Vette and a Superformance Cobra Kit car and the Miata is more fun than the Stang or the Vette and far more civilized and streetable than the Cobra.

It is not a 1/4 mile car and I didn't build it to be one. I have a mild 5.0L (aluminum heads, Explorer intake, TB, cam, , headers, 3" exhaust) and the car will most likely not run any faster from a standing start than a Fox Mustang with the same mods. The problem is traction and with the independant rear suspension and fairly narrow tires (can only run 245's max out back but most run 225's) the car is certainly traction limited.

That said, these things that make the car not great in the 1/4 mile do make it an absolute blast in the corners. It is very easy to maintain a 50/50 weight distribution with a 5.0L under the hood. The battery is already in the trunk from the factory and a set of aluminum heads and forgoing things like A/C and PS (neither of wich you need in this car in my opinion) keeps the car very balanced. I have absolutely no problem keeping up with highly modded turbocharged and supercharged Miata's through the twistys and I also have no problem walking away from them on the straight aways!

I am a member of Miata.net and going there will answer many of your questions regarding this swap and other options as well with Miata performance.

The Miata is a great driver's car. It has a bad reputation among those less educated as being a "chick car". Those in the know realize that the Miata is one of the most legally raced vehicles in the world (auto-xing to Spec Miata), is one of the best handling cars of all time, and are super reliable with an aftermarket almost as large as that for Mustangs!

Anyway, if you have any questions regarding this swap feel free to shoot me a PM or go to the engine swap section at Miata.net.

Good luck!

 

[liljoe07]

Hopefully 2 1/2 years later, he finished the project. I would think..................

 

[Joey7508]

I have had a few miatas one with the intention of swpping a v8 into. The kits no matter where you get them are around 4500.00 bucks. There is a converterd crossmember you can do your self if need be there is springs radiator and a few other things. For a while the hot ticket was to put a rx-7 rear in them with custom axles, then they went to a t bird irs 7.5 which you wont break because traction in hard to come by now there are a few with modified 8.8s irs in them, get real close to the coil over struts. Any way don't cheap out and just cut it up and stick it in there. It will work, but its not like your the first. Just do it right. And there are a few carbed v8 miatas out there, but you are limited on intakes beacuse of height.....just efi it and be done its easy it fits looks pro runs good. Also on most kits they run a modified stock oil pan and you can not stroke the motor and clear the pan.Just fyi. And the real kicker is now every one is putting an LS1 and t56 set up in them. And I am diehard ford but it seems pretty kick a$$.

 

[5.0L Miata]

All great points! The 5.0L is still the best bang for the buck conversion engine most agree. 300rwhp is just a few bolt-ons away and very reliable. In my opinion 300rwhp in a Miata is all you need. Guys running more power than this start running into more traction problems, rear-end problems, cooling problems, etc.

In my opinion 300rwhp gives you a great combination of power, economy, reliability, and with the 5.0L...a great exhaust note!

We are talking 0-60mph is around 4.5 seconds, 1/4 mile times in the 12's, and top speeds faster than the aero of a Miata will allow...160mph+. Of course with sticky tires and some modest suspension upgrades you'll also be pulling close to 1.0g on the skidpad and keeping up with cars costing many many many times what you have in your simple Miata.

Here's a link of Martin driving his stock 5.0L H.O. powered Miata on the track:

Stock Mustang 5.0L V8 powered Miata takes on Porsc - Car Videos on StreetFire

Here is my car when I first fired it up 5 years ago...

5.0L Miata first start up - Car Videos on StreetFire

I have had a few miatas one with the intention of swpping a v8 into. The kits no matter where you get them are around 4500.00 bucks. There is a converterd crossmember you can do your self if need be there is springs radiator and a few other things. For a while the hot ticket was to put a rx-7 rear in them with custom axles, then they went to a t bird irs 7.5 which you wont break because traction in hard to come by now there are a few with modified 8.8s irs in them, get real close to the coil over struts. Any way don't cheap out and just cut it up and stick it in there. It will work, but its not like your the first. Just do it right. And there are a few carbed v8 miatas out there, but you are limited on intakes beacuse of height.....just efi it and be done its easy it fits looks pro runs good. Also on most kits they run a modified stock oil pan and you can not stroke the motor and clear the pan.Just fyi. And the real kicker is now every one is putting an LS1 and t56 set up in them. And I am diehard ford but it seems pretty kick a$$.

 

[Autographx]

if you looking for light weight and big HP, I'd go Factory Five Cobra. However, that budget would be as inflated as the Health Care bill.