What if Miata is *not* the answer?

5.0 with aluminum heads should weigh the same as an LS1. Not that I wouldn't love an LS1 though!!!

Javelin wrote: 5.0 with aluminum heads should weigh the same as an LS1. Not that I wouldn't love an LS1 though!!!

Bought my wrecked Camaro for $3k and I'm halfway to recouping the whole cost and keeping the engine, harness, ECU, etc. I should have maybe $500 into the engine when I'm done

m4ff3w wrote: The real answer is Italian.

Truth...

Everybody knows an engine swap is the way to a reliable daily driver!

Javelin wrote: I hate my Miata. Somebody please shoot me. That is all.

A true Hater Omigosh! Miata has never been my answer either

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We did alright in the handling department at the Challenge with our 5.0 Miata. No plowing or anything very nuetral. Felt like a regular miata to me except instead of not being able to steer with the throttle we had no problems.

The alignment was done by eyeball and it was the first time the car had ever been past second gear.

That being said the swap wasn't easy, there is no HVAC and we have about one inch of ground clearance. If we hadn't started with stripped shell and had a little more money we could have probably made it a decent driver.

That being said I would much prefer an LS motor.

Greg Voth wrote: That being said I would much prefer an LS motor.

Todays sales put mine at $800 for the engine, harness, ECU, etc. Camaro parts car was $3k buy in and I still have the headers, rear, shell, and misc parts. I blame/thank all you guys for making me plan all my purchases as a challenge build

I hear you but a 5.0 / T-5 combo will always be cheaper. Last month we got a 5.0 HO 92,000 mile motor (Lincoln Continental in great shape hit in the front) out of the junkyard. Full Accessories, ECU Etc. for $199 on half price day. Can get $50 back from the core charge. Trans is another $65 and $15 core.

This was a challenge build so cost was obviously an issue. We bought a rolling shell of a car with the motor and trans plus a whole host of other parts for $1100. Another $400 for the cage.

I havent had great luck selling things off and can't afford $3000 for a part car, at least not for the challenge. Maybe for a nice build (like yours appears to be) but not for the level I am at right now.

I have however spent close to $15k on my 84 RX-7 over the last 8 years. You should be able to get it done for that. Its just not easy to drop all that money at once. That includes two motors, two suspension setups, two paint jobs and lots of tires.