Ron's Monster Miata Build

coloskydiver · Postby **coloskydiver** » Wed Feb 09, 2011 9:14

I have not seen it in person yet, I have a friend that works at the shop that has been shooting me picture messages of the progress. The side skirts and rear spoiler need to go on the car. I plan on stopping by to see it in person on Friday. It still needs a lot of the finishing details before it is done but it feels good to see it in it's finished form. I still need to get an alignment, break in the motor/clutch (500+ miles), and get the ECU tuned. These engines aren't the easiest to get tuned but is necessary due to the increased displacement, aftermarket cylinder heads, cam, intake manifold and injectors I am running to actually get this motor running right.

As with most projects, the wife names that car as a sign to their patience and understanding of having a gear headed spouse. My wife thinks that the name of the car should be "Thumper" and at a certain point I think that the name is fitting. I am not saying that this is 100% but more simply accepting it as a possibility.

erod550 · Postby **erod550** » Wed Feb 09, 2011 9:14

That's a pretty good name actually.

ecam8000 · Postby **ecam8000** » Thu Feb 10, 2011 9:14

Now I'm voting for Thumper (I wont argue with my wife either).

Postby **RX-7 Chris** » Thu Feb 10, 2011 9:14

I like Thunder.

I asked my wife to help me name my car and she couldn't come up with anything, lol.

erod550 · Postby **erod550** » Thu Feb 10, 2011 9:14

I asked my wife for the Mustang and she said Oscar, lol. She has an obsession with the name Oscar. I don't think that one is going to stick.

Postby **RX-7 Chris** » Thu Feb 10, 2011 9:14

I had a gold fish growing up named Oscar, lol.

erod550 · Postby **erod550** » Thu Feb 10, 2011 9:14

I had a couple oscars named George and Sparky.

coloskydiver · Postby **coloskydiver** » Tue Feb 15, 2011 9:14

Well it looks like Thumper will be coming home on Thursday. There is still plenty of work till it's done but mechanically it is done. I mostly need to get the "fixtures" put back on the car and get things cleaned up. The paint still needs wet sanded and buffed, needs a four wheel alignment, 250- 300 miles to break the motor in, and off to get tuned. Here are some pics and video of the car running.

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LDI6NF8FJ1s"]YouTube - IMG_0425.MOV[/ame]

Postby **RX-7 Chris** » Tue Feb 15, 2011 9:14

I bet you can't wait to drive it

erod550 · Postby **erod550** » Tue Feb 15, 2011 9:14

Nice man. Is the idle that way because of an aggressive cam? Sorry, V8 noob, even though I now own one, lol.

coloskydiver · Postby **coloskydiver** » Tue Feb 15, 2011 9:14

It's the cam. It smooths out a bit once it warms up. Plus, the cam is brand new and the engine has only run for probably about 5 minutes. I bet it will smooth out even more once broken in.

speedjunkie · Postby **speedjunkie** » Tue Feb 15, 2011 9:14

That's a sound you just don't expect to hear from a Miata LOL. Nice!

memphis · Postby **memphis** » Tue Feb 15, 2011 9:14

dude.. Ron.. thats just sick dude.. straight up sickness.. Nice job buddy...

roninsoldier83 · Postby **roninsoldier83** » Wed Feb 16, 2011 9:14

That Miata is going to be epic. You have my jealousy sir... that's a hell of a project!

If you don't mind me asking, on average how much does just the 5.0 swap generally hit the old wallet for? I would love to start a project like this one of these days... awesome!

coloskydiver · Postby **coloskydiver** » Wed Feb 16, 2011 9:14

roninsoldier83 wrote:That Miata is going to be epic. You have my jealousy sir... that's a hell of a project!

If you don't mind me asking, on average how much does just the 5.0 swap generally hit the old wallet for? I would love to start a project like this one of these days... awesome!

There are many factors to that questions but if you already have a Miata in good shap, no rims, paint or body kit it can be fairly cheap.

You can always find a junk yard 5.0 and rebuild it yourself- $1200-1750
A remanufacured with a top end kit (no front accessories) if have seen as low as $1800 and can go up from there.

You will need a T5 transmission- Remanufactured as low as $600 and new $1200.

Need a 7.5 Rear end and can find a junk yard one really easy with a limited slip for less than $100.

Monster Miata Kit is $4000 but comes with everything you need including and instruction manual .

There is also a company know that will sell you a complete wiring harness for the 5.0 Monster Miata swap that makes the swap super easy.

The kit says that the complete conversion takes about 40 hours (if you know what your doing and do not get distracted).

I bet you could do the swap (minus the cost of the car) for as little as $6500 but is a project that can easily get away from you. I would say that with newer parts $10,000 is good number but you do have to look at what you get.

This thing will hang and handle with almost anything on the road.

Ron's Monster Miata Build

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