10k: Corviata: 2006 Mazda MX-5 LS3 V8 Power
The Mazda MX-5 Miata was launched in 1989 just as the classic two seat European roadster market was imploding. Sales of the MGB, Fiat Spider and Alfa Romeo Spider were either on their way down the drain or just heaping portion of Indian food away from splashdown. At the time it may have looked foolish from the outside to release a car into a market that was drying up, but the folks at Mazda knew they had the recipe right. The only complain you could level at the little apex carver was that it was light on power, but if we know anything…it is that GM’s LS series engines can fit anywhere. Find this 2006 Mazda MX-5 with LS3 V8 Power
currently bidding for $9,350 reserve-not-met on ebay in Syosset, NY with 5 days to go.
The 3rd generation Mazda MX-5 (NC) was released in 2006 model year with a new multi-link rear suspension in the back (if you get the chance you really should take a look at the length of the rear upper/lower control arms on an NC MX-5, they extend all the way to the differential like a Formula car). The 2.0 liter MZR engine was new to the MX-5 chassis but of course it wasn’t enough for a previous owner of this one…
Under the hood is 6.2 liter LS3 crate motor from the GM parts catalog that would have been rated at 430 horsepower and 430 ft-lbs of torque, but various parts (including an LS7 cam, fancy pistons, etc) have been added so power should be closer to the magical 500 horsepower range.
See another way to burn up all the rubber on the planet? tips@dailyturismo.com
Needs a video!
I bet it is so freaking fast. Actually looks pretty aggressive for a Miata
This must be absurdly fast and with so much power on tap you'd have to be light on throttle at times for your own safety! Great car and setup, hell this would be incredible fun with a bone stock LS1 350hp setup! Damn I miss my LS1 RX7 a lot today after seeing this. I like LS1's in everything and anything as long as its not a hack job half assed project. Nice feature DT!
Somewhere back in the 1990s I read in one of the car mags there was a customizer dropping Ford Mustang V8s into Mazda Miatas, with a bit of tweaking to keep the weight around 54-46 front-back; allegedly they were coming up with power-weight ratios equivalent to Shelby Cobras…..