My LS1 Miata build

[dark_dementshun]

Another awesome video to keep me motivated. I'm glad you keep posting these up periodically!

[sciff5]

Originally Posted by ls1_miata

So I went to the track (Little Tally) again on monday and busted my passenger outboard CV joint (a miata cv). I did (as always) a complete check over of the car before heading to the track so I know everything was good before getting to the track. When I was leaving the pits to do my third 20min session, I heard clicking so I turned around and pitted to investigate. I saw that the CV boot was busted and grease was everywhere so it was pretty easy to conclude the cause of the clicking. I packed up and decided to drive on it home (100 miles...) since I didn't have a way to tow it and have to replace the joint/axle anyways. Despite clunking and howling, it did make it home.

I do not know the root cause of the failure, it could be that the boot busted and the joint dried up or it could be that the cage or bearings couldn't handle the abuse. I will take it apart and try to determine the failure mode. Dan at Racing Concepts is willing to help me out to get it replaced. More to come....

I thought thats pretty common on those cars if you bring them up to high speed. Something about too much grease in the boot busts the boot because of the centripital force when doing well over 100.


Would love to see how this car stacks up against a similarly set up swapped FD.

[ls1_miata]

new video from mountain run this weekend http://videos.streetfire.net/video/N...Run_644998.htm

I have also sent my axles to Gator Racing Axles to polish the miata cv cups and put on low profile boots. I haven't had my boots bust since I put zip ties on them but I figured this was cheap insurance.

[ls1_miata]

track video from yesterday. more to come.

http://videos.streetfire.net/video/N...Day_691550.htm

[claytonisbob]

Bad link.

http://videos.streetfire.net/video/N...Day_691550.htm

[Ls1Mx-5]

I'm doing the same thing, but using a v8roadsters kit.

[ls1_miata]

Originally Posted by Ls1Mx-5

I'm doing the same thing, but using a v8roadsters kit.

this latest one I completed was with the V8R kit. http://www.swaptastic.net/don/index.html

I've also done one with the boss frog kit.

[ls1_miata]

I've added a quick comparo of the kits and ls motors. I can add more answers/details if you mention them.

http://www.swaptastic.net/answers.html

[ls1_miata]

Went to Waterford Hills track day yesterday and had a blast. I was told by some spectators that my rotors were glowing red at the end of the back straight..

In the wet: http://videos.streetfire.net/video/N...ack_709310.htm

Tearing it up in the dry: http://videos.streetfire.net/video/N...ack_709311.htm

[ls1_miata]

I have put the car up for sale: 1991 Miata with LS1/T56 track toy

Planning on getting into spec miata racing next season.

[jbell]

i'm looking to sell my mini cooper s right now to start a project just like this.

Nathan, your site is my primary source of information at this time.

I still have a few concerns right now...

I'm up in the air about the three kits. I plan to use the forward mounting location. I can cut the corners, but not rebuild the firewall.

Bossfrog seems the most expensive of the three. $1600+ for axles scares me.

V8R kit is nice, but the welding of the rear turns me away... should I just suck it up, and have it welded by a shop?

Racing Concepts... I've read all the threads- I could not care less about racing concepts' history. I just want to possibly buy a few pieces of metal from them. They piss off their customers, but is their mount kit really that bad?

[ls1_miata]

buy mine, its cheaper than building you own.

Racing Concepts doesn't exist (except in cyberspace), you won't be getting any parts from them. BF quality is marginal at best.

A shop can easily weld the diff mount or find a friend with a welder.

[dark_dementshun]

I would agree that Boss Frog's quality isn't there for the price. If i had to do mine over, i would go V8Roadsters.

[jbell]

Fair enough.

V8R it is. $4,695.00 for the forward mount kit, stage 1 axle kit, screw on filter oil pan, clutch kit, and the upgraded getrag bushings.

(what oil pan is prefered, im not exactly sure of what setup is what.)

At that point, i need an ls1 or ls1, a t56, the getrag (what one?) and a few thousand dollars of odds and ends (cooling, eletrical, fuel system)

[ls1_miata]

Yeah, V8R is the way to go. Oil pan preference is up to you, it really boils down to what you plan to do with the car. If you plan on going to lots of track days, get the remote filter/cooler setup. The easiest powertrain is a ls1/t56 out of a 1998+ Camaro (with 01 and 02 being preferred). My favorite source is clevelandpickapart.com, speak to Gus and tell him I sent you. They are #1 in salvage lsx cars, have great knowledge of the parts, great service and a great warranty.

[jbell]

Originally Posted by ls1_miata

Yeah, V8R is the way to go. Oil pan preference is up to you, it really boils down to what you plan to do with the car. If you plan on going to lots of track days, get the remote filter/cooler setup. The easiest powertrain is a ls1/t56 out of a 1998+ Camaro (with 01 and 02 being preferred). My favorite source is clevelandpickapart.com, speak to Gus and tell him I sent you. They are #1 in salvage lsx cars, have great knowledge of the parts, great service and a great warranty.

rough idea on fair price for a full swap? $3000 doable?

[ls1_miata]

For a low mileage one (<50k), expect around $4500 for the ls1/t56 drop-out with wiring, PCM, accessories, etc. Buying it as a "dropout" is he cheapest way to go, if you see an "ls1" for $2000 it may seem like a good deal but in reality it probably doesn't have many expensive parts that you will have to buy. Do plenty of research if you plan on buying parts seperate.