The story so far....

Hard to believe it has been a year since I brought the Beast home and started the tear down but it has, May 17, 2008 it began!
The plan is to create a low weight V8 powered sports car on a reasonable budget. Think budget Cobra!
Here are my preliminary specs:

• 1991 Mazda Miata base
• GM LSx based aluminum block engine at ~350-400hp; specific model TBD
  
• T56 Tremec 6 speed manual transmission
• Ford 8.8 Independent rear suspension
• V8 Roadsters conversion kit
• Upgraded suspension and brakes
• Curb weight of ~2650 lbs
• Weight distribution close to 51/49 front/rear
• Used for weekend bruiser and auto-x

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The donor car is a 1991 Miata with 200k miles but well maintained by its third owner. I started disassembly a week later, removing the drivetrain part by part and tagging and bagging each part as it was removed. Cannot stress that enough, what seems obvious now will look like a mystery part in a few days! Also took photos of everything prior to removal for reference.

On 7/6/08 with some help from my Dad we got the engine & transmission out, a major step! After we got the engine and transmission out, the rear differential assembly was removed.
Found out that the car has a limited slip option, nice surprise for when I go to sell the Mazda drivetrain parts. Also removed power steering lines from the steering rack as I plan on using manual steering. I know it will be a pain in parking lots but this is meant to be a sports car!


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For a while the car sat since I am working on a budget and can only disassemble a car so far before needing new parts to go back in. So some time passed while some money was saved.

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January I found a deal on Craigslist too good to pass up, a Ford Thunderbird SC 8.8 IRS differential rebuilt with 3.73 gears and posi for $300. Drove to Jacksonville and it was mine! It has been sitting for a while so I will have a shop go through it but it looks like it is in decent shape....especially when a new one would have cost $600+ !!

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1-18-09 Dash removed. The dash needs to be removed for firewall modifications needed when installing the LSx V8 using V8 Roadsters kit. This mounts the engine rearward giving the car optimum balance, almost 50/50. I know it looks intimidating but I had it out in about an hour! Easier than I thought! While I have the dash removed I also cleaned up the factory wire harness, removing the factory engine control wiring and airbag wiring and sensors. This was tedious and a shop manual is a must, but I got it done. Not really required but why have all of those extra wires when they are not being used? Also found out I need a new heater core so I'm glad I removed the dash anyway.

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I also ran the main power cable inside the car from the trunk to the engine bay instead of keeping the factory harness that is ran under the car in the transmission tunnel. The plan is to keep it away from the tighter fit of the T-56 6 speed transmission that will be installed. I used 1/0 awg gauge power cable, just a little larger than stock. Connected the battery and made sure all of the accessories still work after my harness mods. I have lights, turn signals, brake lights, wipers all ok. Could not check the defrost/heater fan as the dash is still removed but no worries.

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3/25/09 I removed the steering rack from the car in preperation of removing the front subframe. While it is out I cleaned it up a little, hard to believe how much dirt was on that thing!
The Mazda front subframe will be replaced with a new one that is included in the kit from V8 Roadsters to mount and place the LSx V8.



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5/4/09 Purchased kit from V8 Roadsters I ordered the full kit which includes front subframe, engine mounts, driveshaft, transmission mount, frame rail stiffeners, axles, rear differential mounts, and all of the hardware needed for installation. I picked up the kit since I only live about a 2 hour drive from them and was treated to a test drive in their LS6 powered NB Miata!
All I can say is wow. I really need to get this project done!! I highly recommend contacting those guys for any questions you may have. Top notch customer service!

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5/23/09 Working on rebuilding/replacing front suspension parts. Removed front bushings from control arms and front lower ball joints and tie rods. That is the press I used to remove the bushings in the picture to the left. You have to remember this car has 200k miles on it so these parts are over due for maintenance and since I have it apart already, might as well fix them now. Also cleaned, sanded, and painted a-arms, they needed it.


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So that is where we stand at today, No interior, no drivetrain, a rewired harness, and a disassembled front suspension. I plan on ordering new front suspension parts soon, when funds allow. In the meantime I plan on starting the firewall modifications and dropping the rear sub frame for installation of the rear differential mounting brackets. It will be a slow build due to my budget concerns but I plan on keeping this blog up to date weekly. Thanks for visiting!