2001 Mazda MX5 LS2
Discussion
Good morning everyone, long time no see!
Please see my LS2 powered NB MX5, collect the wee small thing on Monday so I'll be able to tell you all what it's like.
It's a 2001 NB MX5 with a LS2 mated to a T56 gearbox, rear diff is a Lincoln Mk VIII with Ford Racing 3.73 gearing.
All excess has been stripped from the car, so no TC, no ESP, no ABS, no heater, no AC and not even a radio.
Goes like stink, traction is at a premium with the rear spinning up in pretty much any gear @ any speed.
Please see my LS2 powered NB MX5, collect the wee small thing on Monday so I'll be able to tell you all what it's like.
It's a 2001 NB MX5 with a LS2 mated to a T56 gearbox, rear diff is a Lincoln Mk VIII with Ford Racing 3.73 gearing.
All excess has been stripped from the car, so no TC, no ESP, no ABS, no heater, no AC and not even a radio.
Goes like stink, traction is at a premium with the rear spinning up in pretty much any gear @ any speed.
Looks great, I like the wheels, it can be tricky to package the necessary braking and tyre width without looking stupid on a small car but that looks spot on too.
Power? Weight? Balance? You say it has a Ford diff, is the rest of it still standard MX-5 suspension?
I was interested in the Flying Miata conversion a couple of years ago but they'd stopped doing it, but that seems to involve more of a Camaro underneath, for better and for worse. I was watching a YT vid on one last night, apparently another company has picked it up so more V8 MX-5s will be coming
Power? Weight? Balance? You say it has a Ford diff, is the rest of it still standard MX-5 suspension?
I was interested in the Flying Miata conversion a couple of years ago but they'd stopped doing it, but that seems to involve more of a Camaro underneath, for better and for worse. I was watching a YT vid on one last night, apparently another company has picked it up so more V8 MX-5s will be coming
samoht said:
Looks great, I like the wheels, it can be tricky to package the necessary braking and tyre width without looking stupid on a small car but that looks spot on too.
Power? Weight? Balance? You say it has a Ford diff, is the rest of it still standard MX-5 suspension?
I was interested in the Flying Miata conversion a couple of years ago but they'd stopped doing it, but that seems to involve more of a Camaro underneath, for better and for worse. I was watching a YT vid on one last night, apparently another company has picked it up so more V8 MX-5s will be coming
So as for the rest of the car it has front and rear subframes from V8Roadsters that swaps out the old for all new setup.. suspension arms are all new items including all the bushes etc.Power? Weight? Balance? You say it has a Ford diff, is the rest of it still standard MX-5 suspension?
I was interested in the Flying Miata conversion a couple of years ago but they'd stopped doing it, but that seems to involve more of a Camaro underneath, for better and for worse. I was watching a YT vid on one last night, apparently another company has picked it up so more V8 MX-5s will be coming
There is very little left of the original MX5, apart from the untouched brakes!
I completely agree though that the wheel/tire combo suits it absolutely perfectly, the Hankooks will be removed for a set of A058s.
Cheers to all, really is an awesome little thing.
The guy who built it started in 2016 and sorta finished it in 2001, then just been adding upgrades and sorting out the cooling issues etc.
He purchased a crashed 2006 GTO where the engine was damaged, so that went off to be rebuilt with a Texas Speed cam 244/246 .600 profile.. on the dyno she made 401whp and 400ft torque BUT it was spinning the wheels the entire time, so I suspect it's more than that.
As for the Wright I'd be looking at around 100ibs more than a standard one because the engine adds approximately 160ibs to the weight BUT the original owner also removed anything 'excess' so saved weight.. I'll be removing the seats for CF items probably to remove more weight.
Front and rear subframes are custom built to hold the LS motor, gearbox with custom mounts.. same for the rear subframes where it's custom built to hold the Ford rear diff, he also fitted an aluminum drive shaft and all new suspension arms, with polo bushing everything that can be done.
Now she does sit on a set of budget coilovers which will be replaced for Ohlins but it's the brakes which need a complete overhaul.
She sounds like a Cobra with the longtube headers, with the side pipes and the funky cam.
The guy who built it started in 2016 and sorta finished it in 2001, then just been adding upgrades and sorting out the cooling issues etc.
He purchased a crashed 2006 GTO where the engine was damaged, so that went off to be rebuilt with a Texas Speed cam 244/246 .600 profile.. on the dyno she made 401whp and 400ft torque BUT it was spinning the wheels the entire time, so I suspect it's more than that.
As for the Wright I'd be looking at around 100ibs more than a standard one because the engine adds approximately 160ibs to the weight BUT the original owner also removed anything 'excess' so saved weight.. I'll be removing the seats for CF items probably to remove more weight.
Front and rear subframes are custom built to hold the LS motor, gearbox with custom mounts.. same for the rear subframes where it's custom built to hold the Ford rear diff, he also fitted an aluminum drive shaft and all new suspension arms, with polo bushing everything that can be done.
Now she does sit on a set of budget coilovers which will be replaced for Ohlins but it's the brakes which need a complete overhaul.
She sounds like a Cobra with the longtube headers, with the side pipes and the funky cam.
Edited by beautifulbusso on Sunday 30th June 19:18
beautifulbusso said:
So as for the rest of the car it has front and rear subframes from V8Roadsters that swaps out the old for all new setup.. suspension arms are all new items including all the bushes etc.
There is very little left of the original MX5, apart from the untouched brakes!
I completely agree though that the wheel/tire combo suits it absolutely perfectly, the Hankooks will be removed for a set of A058s.
Awesome machine OP thanks for sharing, and also good to know about V8Roadsters carrying the baton for V8 MX5 swaps. Always wanted a go in one but they're not commonplace in the UK - looking forward to seeing and hearing more about your example!There is very little left of the original MX5, apart from the untouched brakes!
I completely agree though that the wheel/tire combo suits it absolutely perfectly, the Hankooks will be removed for a set of A058s.
CKY said:
Awesome machine OP thanks for sharing, and also good to know about V8Roadsters carrying the baton for V8 MX5 swaps. Always wanted a go in one but they're not commonplace in the UK - looking forward to seeing and hearing more about your example!
Should head on over to the website, they literally sell everything needed to build a whole new build if in budget and here's a video of the car from a few years ago.. not much has changed except small details.https://youtu.be/0zskmYTdYdo?si=_qGx7On06cvDOmui
She's home! After a very interesting drive home in a torrential downpour that started as we left Miami and didn't stop till just outside of Sebring.
Thoughts on the car is that it needs all new seals as it let's in water like no bodies business, the car rides and behaves pretty well in the dry but sketchy as hell in the wet.
The noise it makes is spine tingling, pretty much sounds like a Cobra and feels like one to drive but has that handling only a Miata can give.
Also here are old videos of the car recorded 3+ years ago, forgot to share them originally.
https://youtu.be/2ponjx65ytc?si=YlZzbpC7f5i-nr6a
https://youtu.be/0zskmYTdYdo?si=Xi4xDWXaMRuJXMxt
We also had time to collect the wifes new 2024 Chrysler Pacifica Limited, depending on the interest I'll ask to make a post about it.. especially as she's disabled so always interesting from that pov.
how to upload photos in internet
Thoughts on the car is that it needs all new seals as it let's in water like no bodies business, the car rides and behaves pretty well in the dry but sketchy as hell in the wet.
The noise it makes is spine tingling, pretty much sounds like a Cobra and feels like one to drive but has that handling only a Miata can give.
Also here are old videos of the car recorded 3+ years ago, forgot to share them originally.
https://youtu.be/2ponjx65ytc?si=YlZzbpC7f5i-nr6a
https://youtu.be/0zskmYTdYdo?si=Xi4xDWXaMRuJXMxt
We also had time to collect the wifes new 2024 Chrysler Pacifica Limited, depending on the interest I'll ask to make a post about it.. especially as she's disabled so always interesting from that pov.
how to upload photos in internet
It sounds awesome in the vids!
Not surprised it was a handful in the wet. Yes MX5’s do tend to develop leaks, new seals is the way to go.
Would be interested in hearing about the Pacifica. Don’t think we get them in the U.K. We used to get the Voyager though?
Will be good to share any of the adaptions made to it for your wife as I know some people with disabilities can be put of driving so it is great to share what can be done especially with a larger vehicle.
Not surprised it was a handful in the wet. Yes MX5’s do tend to develop leaks, new seals is the way to go.
Would be interested in hearing about the Pacifica. Don’t think we get them in the U.K. We used to get the Voyager though?
Will be good to share any of the adaptions made to it for your wife as I know some people with disabilities can be put of driving so it is great to share what can be done especially with a larger vehicle.
Alex Z said:
That’s a lifestyle choice, certainly.
I certainly was surprised to find that out although the pads are upgraded and did feel plenty sharp enough but I feel they needed more of an upgrade. So to that end I plan on buying a brake kit which uses the same size disc's but swaps out the two piston calipers up front for Wilwood 4 pots.. similar conversion on the rear is what's on the cards.
First though need new rubber, these Hankook RS4s are 7 years old now so definitely time to change.
Bright Halo said:
It sounds awesome in the vids!
Not surprised it was a handful in the wet. Yes MX5’s do tend to develop leaks, new seals is the way to go.
Would be interested in hearing about the Pacifica. Don’t think we get them in the U.K. We used to get the Voyager though?
Will be good to share any of the adaptions made to it for your wife as I know some people with disabilities can be put of driving so it is great to share what can be done especially with a larger vehicle.
It sounds and feels awesome, the sound in the cabin but also the vibrations and reverberations is what makes it feel special. Not surprised it was a handful in the wet. Yes MX5’s do tend to develop leaks, new seals is the way to go.
Would be interested in hearing about the Pacifica. Don’t think we get them in the U.K. We used to get the Voyager though?
Will be good to share any of the adaptions made to it for your wife as I know some people with disabilities can be put of driving so it is great to share what can be done especially with a larger vehicle.
It's not my first MX5 as had an NA probably 10 years ago now, used it all year round including the snow, for road trips etc etc.. so oh I know how they can leak BUT it's to be expected, it's lived inside a garage for 7+ years minimum so the seals are all dried to f***.
My wife is an interesting one.. she's been driving Ford vans for the past 20 years since her accident, using hand controls and a side lift but with fuel costing how it does now.. it costs close to $60 daily in fuel which is madness.. her new Pacifica will do minimum 400 miles on that price point. Ha and talk about frugal quickly, the MX5 done half a tank in 160 odd miles from Miami to Sebring which equates to $20 give or take.
Small update time.
Got to drive it in the actual dry for bit and my impressions are good, definitely does need touches here and there.
Started the search for new rubber due to the current ones being out of date, hence why they don't tend to grip all that well.. so been looking at the Conti Force and the Proxes R1R although the later don't seem to be avaliable in the size I'd want.
Got to drive it in the actual dry for bit and my impressions are good, definitely does need touches here and there.
Started the search for new rubber due to the current ones being out of date, hence why they don't tend to grip all that well.. so been looking at the Conti Force and the Proxes R1R although the later don't seem to be avaliable in the size I'd want.
TheOctaneAddict said:
So damn cool.
Would love an LS MX5, can confirm that a supercharged 1.8 felt quick so this must be madness.
It's erm rather fun to say the least.. I've not had her over 4k yet as taking my time to find the limits.Would love an LS MX5, can confirm that a supercharged 1.8 felt quick so this must be madness.
Two hour drive today taking out the father-in-law and then the wife, was shaking with adrenaline hours after! It's the kind of drug which is addictive and more expensive than China white.. 😜
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