I can't quite believe anyone would pay for the swap and NOT spring for the 525hp motor.
Stuff a V8 into a Mazda Miata? Sure, why not? In reality, a lot of these conversions produce cantankerous, ill-tempered beasts that suffer from a lack of refinement. Flyin’ Miata has been developing their V8 swaps for years, though, and we recently took one of their house cars for a spin: a fully loaded 2009 Power Retractable Hard Top model.
First, the damage. Yes, it’s about a $50,000 conversion, not including the donor car. However, for your money you get something that could be sold to the mass market, not just adrenaline-fueled gearheads willing to sacrifice comfort and convenience. It’s a valid alternative to a late-model Corvette, Porsche GT3 or Alfa Romeo 4C.
The heart of the swap isn’t a junkyard-sourced engine of unknown heritage. They start with a brand new, 430-horsepower, 6.2-liter LS3–basically a new Camaro SS engine that carries a two-year warranty.
Then, just about everything else on the car is upgraded, replaced or blueprinted: repainted engine bay, custom aluminum driveshaft, bigger brakes, stiffer suspension, GM wiring harness, heat and sound insulation, seam-welded chassis, custom engine tune, fresh hubs fitted with ARP studs, and more. Each car is dyno-tuned, and the air conditioning even blows cold.
The Flyin’ Miata Habu fires up at first attempt, idles like anything sold at the local Chevy dealer, and doesn’t ask its occupants to make any compromises. The clutch isn’t too heavy, either.
Once underway, the experience changes a bit. It’s fast. Like, it’s stupid fast. And if the standard car isn’t quick enough, for $1780 more Flyin’ Miata will do the swap with GM’s 525-horsepower V8.
Here’s the kicker, though: While the Habu offers enough performance for more mere mortals, it’s so docile and refined that it could have come from a major manufacturer, not a small tuning shop.
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I can't quite believe anyone would pay for the swap and NOT spring for the 525hp motor.
Flyin' Miata V8 math for me: $50,000 + Hospital bill < $50,000 + $1,780 + much bigger Hospital bill.
I'm gonna hurt myself either way, so...
mazdeuce wrote: I can't quite believe anyone would pay for the swap and NOT spring for the 525hp motor.
It's a relatively recent addition to the line. But more importantly, it has a very different personality. The 430 has production car manners, great for a GT style car. It feels like it came from the manufacturer that way. The 525 is feral but is a bit more of a hassle in low speed driving and it is very obvious at idle. Bill at FM prefers the 430, I'm a big fan of the 525. We have the 430 in our NC PRHT and the 525 in the Targe Miata and the ND. All have the correct engine for their station in life.
So when are you strapping a pair of Nelson mirror twins to one?
That's an Internet Special kind of question. Forum racing. Nobody has ever got out of one of these and asked that question. 
Keith Tanner wrote: That's an Internet Special kind of question. Forum racing. Nobody has ever got out of one of these and asked that question.
Hmmm... Would that put you at plaid speed?
Keith ... are you guys going to be at PRI this week?
We don't sell B2B so we don't exhibit there. A couple of the guys will be walking the show, though.
I can't help but think that the targa car needs a pair of those mirrors (preferably of EFR variety) and another trip to a certain maritime Canadian province.
At this point you guys really need to apply for manufacturers status. You are doing as much as Saleen ever did to a Mustang.
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