Hey Everyone

My name is David and I am new here and to the import world in general but have been keeping an eye on various build over the last few weeks, and have ended up stuck with the idea of doing the LSx swap in the near future. I wanted to voice my ideas/concerns here before hand so you can tell me where I am being and idiot or if by some miracle my plan sounds good.

First off I am Afghanistan currently and will be purchasing a Miata at the end of the year when I am back in the states. So please excuse my lack of any practical experience with this car, all of my experience up to now has been on a S197 Mustang.

Preparation Plans:
Dec/Jan buy no rust Miata or Miata Shell.
Dec/Jan purchase an LS1, T56, 8.8 rear end. (Question on the 8.8 will any 8.8 do or do I need one from a IRS vehicle)
Jan modify Miata suspension, install big brake kit in preparation for swap, remove PS and AC so I have less to do while doing actual swap and can concentrate on that.

Swap Time:
For this part I would rather do this swap cheaper rather than quicker if that helps you see my reasoning here. The base I live on has a full shop open to soldiers to work on their vehicles I will take advantage of this so I can do everything here. My main concern here is whether to purchase a V8R/BF kit or not, I will have a friend to help with an Fabrication I might have trouble with, he is the one that has experience welding and would probably handle it till I pick it up. If there is a specific part that is a hassle to fabricate that I would be better off purchasing please let me know. As of now it is looking like the Driveshaft and Axles would be the best things to purchase so I can save time. I have taken a look at the V8R Spec Mounting kit, but have not been able to find any details on what it comes with or any build threads which used it.

Future Plans:
My final step in my plans is to turn the Miata into the Bauer LTD Catfish (Bauer Ltd) that is why overall I am not concerned with chopping up a Miata to learn essentially. I am already on the waitlist for the Catfish and anticipate receiving my kit some time in May/June. My goal is 400-450hp in the 1500lb package of the Catfish.

I know forgot to add some things here so please let me know what it is and I can tell you what I have planned for it or if I hadn't even considered it.

Thanks


Edit 1: Added Future plans.