I have given Wally some input off-line on this because I built an LS1 powered FC this spring. For the benefit of the list...stock engine with a mild cam = around 400whp. This thing is really fast and weighs only 2700#. It drives really nice and you don't know it has been swapped until you turn the key. The FD is more desirable but much more money by the time you finish it (like ~$10 - $15K more). The FC is also much roomier inside and in the engine bay. The interior is a bit dated looking but very comfortable.
The swap is pretty simple. Around $600 gets the engine and trans into the
car and connected to the rear end. It bolts in, no cutting. Of course that
is the easy part. Add another 100 hours or so and you can drive away (fuel,
clutch, cooling, exhaust, electrical systems all need a makeover).
I would keep the Miata for top down and find a decent shape coupe for the
swap. Two guys I work with have 302 powered RX's, one FB and one FC. Both
are carbureted which lowers the complexity quite a bit. The LS engine is
worth the extra work and cost to me though. My car can stay with nearly any
streetable car at the track for a fraction of the cost of most of them.
Also the T56 trans allows for low cruise RPM (2050 @ 70mph) and high 20's
mpg.
Other cars that are swap supported (besides Miata) are the BMW 3 series,
Nissan 240SX and 350Z. I belive someone has stuffed one in an S2000 too,
IMO the FC is the best bang for the buck by far.
Steve
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
rp.com
Sent by: To
miatapower-bounce [EMAIL PROTECTED]
[EMAIL PROTECTED] cc
[EMAIL PROTECTED],
[email protected]
10/08/2008 07:41 Subject
AM RightWD sports cars.. without a top
was RE: Bucket list
Alright, since this has come up, let me toss this out there.
Last fall I picked up a pair of 92's to do a 302 conversion, of which I
have all the pieces and parts (DIY, so no kit) and the test mule is ready
to start cutting (yes, I have been slacking all year). Ran into a guy
locally that has a FB RX7 with a carb'd 302, beautiful swap, no cutting,
off the shelf headers, etc.. really got me thinking. So, After a little
research, I find that the RX7 kits are dirt cheap (Granny's entry is like
$380, full kit is like $1300), you don't have to screw with $700 custom
headers, you don't have to cut the frame/body/whatever. I could sell the
Blue Miata I have (once fixed) and cover the cost of the kit and a decent
FC vert donor car. So I am waffling.
HOWEVER...
It's not the Miata. :( The FC (which is what I can afford and what is
topless) is not as good looking (IMNSHO), rollbar is more problematic but
still doable.. interior is very dated compared to the Miata. So I got to
further thinking, and perhaps you guys can lend a hand.
What car meets the following criteria?
RWD
Sports car (not Pony or Muscle)
Convertible
Easy to stuff a Ford 302 into
Affordable shell, say <$2000 for a decent rolling chassis
So far I have 88-92 FC RX7 as probably the easiest/cheapest, then Miata...
is there any other options? BMW 3 series? The convertible thing is what
slims the list down significantly...Looking for some input. I love the
*idea* of the Monster Miata, but the level of work involved for a cheap DIY
is more daunting the more I look at it and the RX7 looks like a project
with a much higher (for me) success rate... but perhaps there is some other
option out there?
Wallyman
(Embedded image moved to file: pic11521.gif)Inactive hide details for Bryan
Wyatt <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>Bryan Wyatt <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Bryan Wyatt
<[EMAIL PROTECTED]
ahoo.com>
Sent by: (Embedded image moved to file:
miatapower-bou pic00475.gif)
[EMAIL PROTECTED] To
r.net (Embedded image
moved to file:
pic15615.gif)
10/08/2008 [EMAIL PROTECTED]
08:13 AM apower.net
(Embedded image moved to file:
pic20528.gif)
Please respond to cc
[EMAIL PROTECTED] (Embedded image
moved to file:
pic13234.gif)
(Embedded image moved to file:
pic12570.gif)
Subject
(Embedded image
moved to file:
pic00905.gif)
RE: Bucket list
(Embedded image moved to file:
pic09464.gif)
(Embedded image moved to
file: pic19557.gif)
There're plenty of "right wheel drive cars" that fit that description as
well. FWD is just a different layout with its own set of advantages and
disadvantages--some of which make it markedly inferior for several forms
of motorsport (drag racing, for example). If we really wanted to be snobby
about it, AWD is even better than either of the other options (at least if
results from the WRC in the 80's is to be believed). I don't see anyone
trumpetting its virtues...of course, it could just be because this is a
Miata list and we all want to feel we drive the fastest car imaginable
(even though we know it's not)...
-Bryan
--- On Wed, 10/8/08, Larry Alster <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
From: Larry Alster <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Subject: RE: Bucket list
To: "'Eric McCord'" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>, [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Cc: [email protected]
Date: Wednesday, October 8, 2008, 6:11 AM
They’re still wrong wheel drive, I just don’t like a car that you have to
lift in the middle of the corner to get it to rotate an finish the turn!
Larry
White Knight 1991 Crystal White #99 CSP
Silver Bullet 1992 Silverstone #17 SM2 FM I+ Turbo
Honey B 1992 Sunburst Yellow #99 SM2L JR Supercharger
Whooosh 2004 Titanium Mazdaspeed MX-5
LowCountry Miata http://www.lowcountrymiataclub.net
Masters Miata
RAGS 074
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [
mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Eric McCord
Sent: Wednesday, October 08, 2008 1:16 AM
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Cc: [email protected]
Subject: Re: Bucket list
Just my Super Uber Humble Opinion..................not that means a rats
ass in the grand scheme of things.
Eric
On Wed, Oct 8, 2008 at 12:21 AM, Bryan Wyatt <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
wrote:
The folks that designed the last Lotus Elan would probably disagree. FWIW,
the Sirocco/Corrado was also a fierce package. Let's not forget ye olde
ITR...or all the Civics that owned STS2 until Andy Hollis threw a ton of
money and experience at a Miata ;-)
-Bryan
--- On Wed, 10/8/08, Eric McCord <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
From: Eric McCord <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Subject: Re: Bucket list
To: "Matt Goertz" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Cc: [email protected]
Date: Wednesday, October 8, 2008, 12:16 AM
Fast is great but, I can't bring myself to calling a FWD car a "Sports
Car". Going fast with torque steer is just not very refined.
_______________________________________________
Miatapower mailing list
[email protected]
http://list.miatapower.net/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/miatapower
_______________________________________________
Miatapower mailing list
[email protected]
http://list.miatapower.net/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/miatapower
______________________________________________________________________
This email has been scanned by the MessageLabs Email Security System.
For more information please visit http://www.messagelabs.com/email
______________________________________________________________________
(Embedded image moved to file: pic28962.gif)
_______________________________________________
Miatapower mailing list
[email protected]
http://list.miatapower.net/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/miatapower
<<attachment: pic11521.gif>>
<<attachment: pic00475.gif>>
<<attachment: pic15615.gif>>
<<attachment: pic20528.gif>>
<<attachment: pic13234.gif>>
<<attachment: pic12570.gif>>
<<attachment: pic00905.gif>>
<<attachment: pic09464.gif>>
<<attachment: pic19557.gif>>
<<attachment: pic28962.gif>>
_______________________________________________ Miatapower mailing list [email protected] http://list.miatapower.net/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/miatapower
