Hello. I've been the owner of my '91 since 2004 and a Shinsen '03 since January of this year. I bought the '03 with the thought of having a Miata to drive while I make the '91 a project. Have been studying up on the LS V8 ideas and am hoping to begin this year. (It's more important than buying a house, right?)

Although I've been digging deep into the "Monster Miata" Ford option info over the last couple days, I think the LS will be the path I'll take. I put a '95 Mustang 5.0 into a '67 Mustang a long time ago, and I had a 2000 Silverado with the 5.3 for 15 years. Done the 5.0, loved the 5.3.

The budget is the restrictive part - I'm sure a lot of people on here would agree. Trying to figure out the best path to take in buying parts, making any Miata-specific modifications, and where to store this, one of three cars I now own!

Anyway, I've found lots of information on miata.net and look forward to being a part of the V8 cousin.

 

I keep thinking about a V8 conversion all the time. I too was set on the 5.0 swap, mainly because I wanted a Ford engine in a tiny car, just like Shelby did. I, as well, was thinking about a Silverado/Sierra 5.3 swap! The way I look at it, there's a lot more 5.3's available than there are 5.0's, nowadays! Or Thunderbird diffs for that matter.... Both swap have their pros and cons, I've heard, but lately, I've really been thinking about an LS swap. It costs a little more than Martins 5.0 kit, but the donor parts should be a lot easier to track down! I don't have much advice to offer you, but look at FM's V8 stuff and V8Roadsters as well.

PS Everytime I think I want to do a V8 conversion, everyone says, just throw a turbo on it, it'll be plenty of power! The "power" part isn't my desire, (well, part of it is), it's the sounds that will come from the Miata afterwards, is what I'm after!

 

The sound. Oh yeah. I love the little sporty note from the 1.6, but I've had many V8s that make that wonderful rumble - I miss that rush. (And I'm gypped out of that with my daily V8 - Lexus quiet.)

It's fun learning as I go along. I appreciate the references - been taking advantage of all I can find. I wonder if planning is more fun than the actual wrenching. I'm very willing to find that out.