Well I've read this site quite extensively over the past year. I've always wanted a V8 Miata since I had my '92 many years ago in WA state. It had suspension and brake mods and was a blast on the mountain roads up there.

Since college I've owned 8 Mustangs including my current '13 GT. Nothing sounds as good as a Ford V8 IMO except maybe Ferrari's and Lambos but they are out of my price range.

I have a good job finally and a supportive wife too. So today I bought a CL $500 '91, sadly its an auto. It was $500 because it's stuck in 1st gear and won't go into reverse or even 2nd. I'm tempted to put a 5 speed in it just to teach my 14 year old son how to drive a standard.

Eventually the car will become a 5.0 Ford powered Monster. I'm going to use Martin's kit. I'm also going to use MMRs wiring harness and a few of their odds and ends. I don't want to try and reinvent the wheel.

I'm going to see how cheaply I can do this build with no real hp or time goal in mind. I can source a lot of nice 5.0 parts locally thanks to my Ford connections. DFW also has some pretty good Miata groups and nice salvage yards.

It's going to be fun. I just thought I'd drop in and say hello. I'm not going to make any major purchases until I get my December bonus at work. We have a baby due this October.

 

Welcome to the forum!

 

That's a great first post! Congrats with the baby too - that's a big deal, for sure. I wish you lived closer, and I'd donate a 5 speed tranny and other stuff I've got laying around to help you covert the stuck slush box to manual!

I'm with you as well on the delicious sound of Henry Ford's small block - they have a distinct growl. And I predict that you'll have a V8 Miata with that noise before too much longer. But your 14 yr old may not give up this CL Miata too easily, and you'll have to find another one!!

Keep us posted. Like you, my V8 Miata dream started with my first Miata --- that was 19 - 20 yrs ago.

 

Welcome! Don't sweat the auto it takes about a half hour to put a clutch pedal and master cyl in. It's a super easy swap to make autos into sticks. And no you are not allowed to build a V8 car with an auto unless it's for medical reasons!

I agree on the sound of the Ford V8 too and almost went that way just for that reason. But for me it was cheaper to do the LS because I already had the donor. As far as cheap goes if you fab your own trans and diff mount you can save a bus load of cash and these pieces are pretty straight forward. In a nutshell the more DIY you can do the cheaper it is to build one but still there is nothing cheap about it. Nothing better to drive either!

Keep us posted on your progress.

 

Welcome!
If you use the Monster Miata kit ($4200 shipped) and find some good running engine/trans/diff deals on craig's list you can build one for under $10K easy. Keep in mind doing this involves a lot of waiting for just the right deal on an engine to come up and possibly a lot of time on your back in the mud of a junkyard but it can happen. The cheapest I found an engine I could use without rebuilding was $300. The transmission I've been using for the last 16K miles only cost me $100 on Craig's list and the differential with limited slip and half shafts was $35 at the local u-pullit.

Good luck and let me know when you need that harness!
-Jason

 

Jason I have it even better. I'm pretty involved in the local Mustang forum here for DFW. I'm watching our local classifieds for the right engine and transmission to come along. It won't be hard in Dallas. I was tempted to pick up an A9L computer and harness for $250, but being a cheap DFWmustangs guy I thought that was too much lol. I will find great deals on the Ford and Miata parts I want.

I may go crazy and supercharge the car at some point, but right now I just want to see how inexpensive I can get a 5.0 Miata going for. I can do the other things later.

Once I get my big annual bonus this Christmas I'll let the local Ford guys know what I'm up to and the parts will probably just fall out of their garages and into mine.

 

Cool, keep us posted!

-Jason

 

Started....stopped.....started..... paused....

bought a 91 ZR1, a 78 l82 Vette, a 944 turbo, a different Miata (94 R), bought 94 GT donor, parted out donor, bought a Porsche 996, traded 944 turbo for a 944 (nicer but way less power), sold Miata.....

Finally decided I really miss the vert and want a car I can abuse worry free. I'm selling the 944 and 78 Vette. I'm keeping the ZR1 and 996. I love both but could never beat in them.

I almost bought a C5 hard top for track duty, but decided a Ford powered Miata really makes more sense for me.

So I found a pretty nice Laguna blue 94 and bought it. I also picked up someone's old race motor locally. It's a 306 with AFR 165s, roller rockers and the old wolverine 1087 cam.

My plan is to use Martins kit but I'd really love to have a tubular front k member. I wonder if he'd put mounts on a mount less K for me? I'm gonna have to call.

Going to to buy a new t5z given current t5 prices too. I will start a build thread and be posting pics soon. I figure it's a 12-24 month project given budget and work schedules.

 

Sounds like a good plan. Welcome back!