After reading Cthree's thread (awesome btw) I wanted to show you guys what I've been working on for the past few months:

Take a look =)

https://www.s2ki.com/forums/index.ph...f=113&t=417646

Comments welcome!

 

I want to drive it.

 

yeah but its still a miata you should have bought a salvaged s2k and would have had a s2k for about the same $

 

That was the first option actually but at the time it was hard to find one that didn't need alot of work for less than $15k. Other considerations were:

1) Price of parts. You run a Miata into the wall and it costs ALOT less to fix than an S2000.

2) Weight, the Miata starts lighter and ends up lighter than an S2000 with comparable race prep.

3) Tires. Due to the size/weight of the Miata, it isn't necessary to put 18" wheels with $1000+ sets of tires to be quick. My Miata will never see anything larger than 16" wheels (and even that is pushing it size wise) which results in far lower tire costs.

4) Size of aftermarket. Much larger availability of both OEM and aftermarket parts.

5) Then there's obviously the underdog/uniqueness factor. Who doesn't want to pass high performance $100k+ cars with a pos Miata?

All in all I think this car should be faster than a comparably priced S2000, we'll see.

 

hmm I don't agree it will be faster.

1) Yeah a new chassis is cheaper till you crash hard and you have to rebuild it anyway. Motors frequently don't survive those sorts of crashes.
2) yes the miata will be lighter. but the chassis is inferior, tho a cage helps that a lot.
3) that makes no sense, there is no requirement for 18" wheels. You'll get maybe a 245 on the miata? Where you could run 4 AP1 rear wheels with 255-265 tires for the same cost. and a lot more grip.
4) you're running a f20c in a miata, theres not much aftermarket for that.
5) you can do that w/ a spec miata for a lot less $.

just my 2bits. good choice on BSI tho, my friend races w/ them in Grand-am this year.

 

Adding an F20C to a Miata is pretty cool, but based on examples I've seen, just adding a turbo to a Miata engine would probably get you the same or better results with less cost and effort.

 

exactly. F20C is cool but why not just put a LS6 in? or hell a rotary

 

I see your points, I wish our crew down here was as active on the track as you guys are over there because I'd be able to gauge performance against some S2000's. Someday....

BTW Spec Miatas are slower than paint drying

 

Didn't want the hassles of a turbo motor and I drove a few FM Miatas and really didn't like the powerband and boost characteristics of that low compression motor.

As far as cost, my engine swap cost about $6000 including the cost of the engine/transmission & custom fabrication, the FM kits are about $5000 PLUS the cost of the 1.8 engine swap and I'd have only a 5 speed. The price difference really isn't that great and I get an engine that lasts a long time with little tinkering and maintenance.

 

I can't stand rotary but there is a kit that just came out to swap in LS series GM motors... It's very expensive and you'd be struggling to put enough tire under the car but it'd be a lot of fun.