Twin-Turbo an LS1.

I honestly think anything north of 400hp and V8 swap becomes easier and puts you in a much better spot to put down big number later on.

 

Finally, someone gives the right answer!

 

I was thinking about it at work, and here's the correct answer:
Small block 360 from a late 90's/ early 00's Mopar.

 

I keep thinking about this subject. And again, I always come back thinking, what exactly do you want out of this thing?

We know you can build a turbo system to reach your goal, so that's a solid choice. Lower weight, still handles like **** star, reasonable gas mileage, given the substantial power. Room to work on it, inside the engine bay....

V8's... I will say this, I've done big swaps into small areas. Although I was pretty proud of how well it worked out (it really looked pro, like it was a factory job.) there was ZERO extra room in there. Even changing header gaskets was a knuckle busting chore. Seriously, it sounds like no big deal, but every damn time you pop the hood to do anything at all, you are turning yourself into a goddamn yoga master to make it happen. It's not impossible, but it gets really, really old. And honestly, who cares what kind of mileage you get rolling down the interstate? I mean really? 90% of my driving is around town. My 12mpg went up to 25 on the freeway, and you can bet your sweet **** the Lexus engine will be a far sight better than that.

After viper posted that V6 video, it really got me thinking. If there's a V6 with any kind of aftermarket following... wouldn't that be fun?!?

 

One of my best friends made 500whp on an all stock 2000 v6 mustang with a single 67mm on 16 psi on pump gas. Stock studs gaskets and everything else. It never popped till he put a meth kit on it and turned the **** to 20psi, it made 635whp and made 2 successful dyno runs and one not so successful street pull. It lifted the head and he put studs and gaskets in and let it ride on 16 psi again.
That v6 is based on a 351w though which makes it a bi too tall and too wide for the miata, not to mention heavy.

 

there's barely room for a v8 let alone two monster turbos AND a V8.

That's why I say inline 6. you can still twin turbo it with a couple of 2560s or cheap china T3s or something and make win power.

 

600rwhp TVS blower on the LS once you get tired of 450rwhp NA

 

Agreed. Keep it Mazda. With the OP's fabbiing skillz a longitudinal mounted twin turbo KL would both look and perform like a boss.
Twin 2860 or equal BFR setup.

 

whoa whoa whoa.... how did you post that and miss the obvious answer of a ferrari v12?

May be more difficult, and not as fast as the other options... but do you want poon tang or not?

 

A straight six will alter the handling of the car too much.
The 1UZ is a nice mill, but it's larger than the LS, and if you ever want cams, you need to purchase 4 instead of one (Chevy), and they're not as readily available. Plus, the 1UZ didn't come standard with a manual, so you'll have to fab that up as well (more $).
Anything with a turbo will allow us to gawk at your gorgeous welds and fab-work.
If you do go with the 1.8t, and intend on swapping the transmission and diff anyway, you'll have to figure out what transmission will give you decent gearing.

-Just some stuff to think about.

 

I didn't say it would be cheap, just cool because it is different. There are relatively cheap adapter plates for the R154 or the W56(8?). not alot more difficult than a t56 for the LS motors. Cams aren't hard to find but they are not cheap. The 1uz swap into a miata has been done at least a couple of times I think. but again not as cheaply as an LSx(not that a well done LS swap could be considered truly cheap)

 

^Oh, I totally understand where you're coming from.
I don't think any of the options are going to be cheap , but I don't think that's too much of a consideration for the kind of goals looking to be achieved. I can't wait to see what happens, regardless of the path chosen.

 

It seems like one of the main goals is to spend time with your Dad. I applaud that. Why don't you ask your Dad what he wants to build? It's the experience with your Dad that you will remember 20 years from now.

Sorry guys, just came back from vacation with my elderly parents, wife, daughters, SIL and grandkids. Still a bit mushy.

 

Not gonna lie. I started my project hoping that my father would buy in and get a bunch of shop time with me but every time he came out i had to re-explain how a turbo setup works and what needed to be done. He doesn't come out much anymore.

 

Not sure anything Italian would be in his budget... but you could. again, no room for turbos. or fenders.

science experiments dont need to handle. I doubt it would alter it that much. Also it saves money on cams.

 

Wreck Racing (Georgia Tech's FSAE team) built a 1UZ powered Miata for $2000. It won the GRM Challenge a couple years ago.

 

I say go for the v6, nothing else on earth sounds as nice as a turbo 6 IMO!

 

Thank you for everyone who took the time to vote. While no money has been spent yet, I am leaning heavily towards Option #3, the turbo KL V6. It has, after all, the least amount of votes! I plan on purchasing a JDM KLDE tomorrow morning if it looks like it should. Fun stuff.

 

but it has MY vote. which is win.

 

Damn Skippy.