V8 or turbo 4?
#1
V8 or turbo 4?
I've been debating this **** for months now.
I have a beautiful Mazdaspeed Miata with no engine in it sitting out back and I just can't decide whether or not to go with an LS, or a turbo 4 of some kind (k24 or Ecotec).
I'm done with the BP motor, because I've been there and done that and it just isn't a good platform for the power and reliability I want. The bitch is being stripped and welded up to put a stronger drivetrain in, and there's no reason to **** around with a BP when a k24 or 2.2 ecotec would hold all the boost I want, have better transmission options and cheaper upgrades and regular service parts.
The V8 would only be a little more work since I'm fabricating everything anyway. I thought I'd be OK with just buying a C5 z06 and calling it a day, but I miss my Miata and having a boat of a chevy just isn't what it cracked up to be.
So what's your opinion? Go with beautiful turbo noises and a **** ton of HP with not as much low end torque or a fat *** tractor motor and truck noises?
I have a beautiful Mazdaspeed Miata with no engine in it sitting out back and I just can't decide whether or not to go with an LS, or a turbo 4 of some kind (k24 or Ecotec).
I'm done with the BP motor, because I've been there and done that and it just isn't a good platform for the power and reliability I want. The bitch is being stripped and welded up to put a stronger drivetrain in, and there's no reason to **** around with a BP when a k24 or 2.2 ecotec would hold all the boost I want, have better transmission options and cheaper upgrades and regular service parts.
The V8 would only be a little more work since I'm fabricating everything anyway. I thought I'd be OK with just buying a C5 z06 and calling it a day, but I miss my Miata and having a boat of a chevy just isn't what it cracked up to be.
So what's your opinion? Go with beautiful turbo noises and a **** ton of HP with not as much low end torque or a fat *** tractor motor and truck noises?
#5
It's pretty open as far as budget goes.
Since all the Fab work will be done by me, I'm probably looking to spend around $10k in parts and probably a couple hundred hours of labor on my part.
I'm definitely going to cheat on the tubular subframe and the diff mount, but everything else will be fabbed.
Since all the Fab work will be done by me, I'm probably looking to spend around $10k in parts and probably a couple hundred hours of labor on my part.
I'm definitely going to cheat on the tubular subframe and the diff mount, but everything else will be fabbed.
#14
It's pretty open as far as budget goes.
Since all the Fab work will be done by me, I'm probably looking to spend around $10k in parts and probably a couple hundred hours of labor on my part.
I'm definitely going to cheat on the tubular subframe and the diff mount, but everything else will be fabbed.
Since all the Fab work will be done by me, I'm probably looking to spend around $10k in parts and probably a couple hundred hours of labor on my part.
I'm definitely going to cheat on the tubular subframe and the diff mount, but everything else will be fabbed.
Rear diff mount isn't too bad, that's what I did. Most of the money will probably be in the engine and T56 if you go that direction. Leaving well enough alone will also save you money. But "small car, big engine" likes to have brakes, and tires, and well, you get the idea.
Good luck with the decision.
#20
I can't tell if I'm down a cylinder in my V8. If that's a good or a bad thing, I don't know.
I'm only running 205 rubber, and learning throttle control is huge. The car goes from being an exercise in inertia management to "on off on" throttle reaction. I still need more seat time to be smooth - but it doesn't quite drive like a miata anymore. And no, it's not weight - it's torque.
And I'll bring this up - I've been turbo'd at 260, we have the LFX that is 325hp at the crank, and my LS3 which is 425hp at the crank. The LFX still retains stock-like driveability with predictable power - on 205's you can wring it without expecting the rear to step out unless commanded. I'm still scaring myself with the LS3. I expect I'll get better. I will state that the getrag is superior to the torsen - you can feel it work.
I'm only running 205 rubber, and learning throttle control is huge. The car goes from being an exercise in inertia management to "on off on" throttle reaction. I still need more seat time to be smooth - but it doesn't quite drive like a miata anymore. And no, it's not weight - it's torque.
And I'll bring this up - I've been turbo'd at 260, we have the LFX that is 325hp at the crank, and my LS3 which is 425hp at the crank. The LFX still retains stock-like driveability with predictable power - on 205's you can wring it without expecting the rear to step out unless commanded. I'm still scaring myself with the LS3. I expect I'll get better. I will state that the getrag is superior to the torsen - you can feel it work.