Don Terrill’s Speed-Talk

Looking to build a weekend/trackday toy.

I do not have a machine shop at the house sadly,and would like to minimize having to farm out that type of labor.

I do have extensive experience building and/or maintaining motors from 100cc 2 strokes to Cat diesels to GE gas turbines and follow directions reasonably well.

I can do rough welding and cutting and have a brother with better skills available.

I don't want to just buy a crate motor/rolling chassis but would like to do as much hands on as I am capable of.

I am fond of but not married to GM.

I will listen to any and all advice and suggestions.TIA

Stuff like this is why I recently posted asking about the biggest 5.0 Ford engine I could build. Something above 350 inches here.....

A 5.0 is down-right, tiny if you weigh and measure one, imho.

If you really want 500hp, then blow it!!

pdq67

5.3 LS with remote mount turbo?

autogear wrote: ↑Thu Oct 19, 2017 2:56 pm 5.3 LS with remote mount turbo?

More like a 5.3 ls and a camshaft

If I were in your shoes I would look for an LS2 or LS3 as the aluminum block and heads will really make a difference in weight loss for your small car and its intended purpose. With a cam swap and full exhaust you should be knocking on the door. Also, the size dimensions are considerably smaller than late model v8's of other makers due to not being over head cams.


Anyway, that is my two cents.

Paul

Most V8 swaps into Miatas are LS Chevys....There's a reason for it...

Put a 2.4L Whipple on a s2K motor with a stroker crank, good rods, and dished pistons.

Here's some inspirational material.
https://youtu.be/W3nND-x-X2E
Only 1.6l, with a little roots supercharger, makes 375 or so HP,
I think 500 is doable with more displacement and a larger/better supercharger.


https://youtu.be/NeRTQJOzwj4
Turbo, with a supercharger to get things spooled,
I really like this one, but I feel with modern screw superchargers the turbo might just be un needed
Others may think it's the other way around, but I prefer instantaneous throttle response.
https://youtu.be/uf70aG7MGhg

If you're more interested in the result than the build challenges, perhaps this or one of the many other kits would be the way to go: https://www.flyinmiata.com/V8/

Truckedup wrote: ↑Thu Oct 19, 2017 3:27 pm Most V8 swaps into Miatas are LS Chevys....There's a reason for it...

Every V8 swapped Miata I have seen was a Ford engine.

The Ford engine is lighter than an LS, and fits the chassis like Mazda designed it for the engine. (No, really. A 5.0 based engine WILL be lighter than an LS based engine, even though the Ford has an iron block) The trick will be 500hp. Although, I have driven 250hp Miatas in turbocharged 1.8l form. That's almost more power than the chassis can handle, right there. Right on the edge of drivability. Make a 1000hp Firebird feel slow and dull in comparison.

peejay wrote: ↑Thu Oct 19, 2017 9:49 pm

Truckedup wrote: ↑Thu Oct 19, 2017 3:27 pm Most V8 swaps into Miatas are LS Chevys....There's a reason for it...

Every V8 swapped Miata I have seen was a Ford engine.

The Ford engine is lighter than an LS, and fits the chassis like Mazda designed it for the engine. (No, really. A 5.0 based engine WILL be lighter than an LS based engine, even though the Ford has an iron block) The trick will be 500hp. Although, I have driven 250hp Miatas in turbocharged 1.8l form. That's almost more power than the chassis can handle, right there. Right on the edge of drivability.

Bored and stroked Ford 5.0 engine, right?

That said! To Hy-Jack!

I have seen Fiero's with Cad. North Star engines in them as well as 454 BBC's!!

pdq67

Drivability is the eye of the beholder:

https://www.autoevolution.com/news/1600 ... 02633.html

ptuomov wrote: ↑Thu Oct 19, 2017 9:58 pm Drivability is the eye of the beholder:

https://www.autoevolution.com/news/1600 ... 02633.html

That's great if you like dyno racing or driving (aiming) for a few seconds in a straight line.

For that matter, you can get 2000hp from a Supra engine. Maybe put that in a one-ton truck on 44s for the ultimate in useless excess.

Put a BMW S63 V8 in it. Should be a good challenge.

Quite easy to build from the existing engine a driveable 500hp Turbo engine from any of those
More expensive than a LS probably,but for sure lighter

I would go 347 sbf with nice aluminum heads. Maybe 331 sbf long rod with same heads. Easy hp, plenty rpm if done right. Fits, kits available, I plan to build on some day. Should be a fun project. Thanks, Charlie