I agree that the Z's can be a nice V8 swap. They are getting difficult to
find in reasonable condition (at a reasonable cost) due to age. The chassis
is pretty flexy too...something to consider at 400+ hp.
Steve
"Wiseman, Curtis
J"
<curtis.j.wiseman To
@lmco.com> [EMAIL PROTECTED],
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
10/08/2008 10:26 cc
AM [EMAIL PROTECTED],
[email protected]
Subject
RE: RightWD sports cars.. without a
top was RE: Bucket list
Wallyman,
If you can get past the need for a convertible, an early Nissan Z
(240/260/280) would be a cool V8 car. The interior isn't "dated" now,
it's all the way to "classic." Also, there are great body add-ons
(Fairlady nose, etc.) and chassis bits to satisfy your need to
"improve." You could even replicate a classic race version (Paul Newman
memorial paint job?) and get away with gutting the interior. The Targa
Miata interior looked great in plain white paint, roll cage, and race
seats.
Curtis
-----Original Message-----
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
[mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
Sent: Wednesday, October 08, 2008 9:32 AM
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Cc: [EMAIL PROTECTED]; [email protected]
Subject: Re: RightWD sports cars.. without a top was RE: Bucket list
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
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RE: Bucket
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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.
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