Curiosity leads me down an evil path. I'm thinking this might make for a better balanced big-engined Miata. I'm guessing that anything available will be fairly low on the power scale, cost nearly as much as an 8, and get no better mileage (yes, I am selling the project to the wife on the mileage aspect, and so far, she's buying it).
why not just drop in an L33 (?) 5.3L out of the Chevy extended cab 4wd trucks? it's aluminum and pretty dern cheap at junkyards. :)
I know this is not a chevy v-6 but a guy in our autocross club has dropped a buick alum block v-6 in his old triumph. He calls it the triuick...
The engine was designed to be turbocharged (maybe out of a gnx?) but he didn't tubo it. It seems like it generates pleanty of power.
The L33 is on the short list. However, if I can get a V6, I can hopefully end up with a better balanced car. Likely I'll end up with an L33 though.
Look into a VQ30 or VQ35. BEGI is currently doing an VQ35 build. Oh and if the internet is to be believed... the aluminum VQs... weigh basically the same as the cast iron miata motors.
I have my eye on something similar.
Why not a Duratec 25 or 30?
OR a twin turbo SVT'tour headed E85 3.0L Duratec?
John Brown wrote: OR a twin turbo SVT'tour headed E85 3.0L Duratec?
I love you.
Hoping for around 300 hp. I think that the L33 will be the least expensive option. Plus, kits already exist to place an LSx into the car. If there were a 6 version, I could hopefully get the weight a bit further back, while using the version of the kit that doesn't require cutting of the firewall. Also, using the T56 with the other engines would require me to have an adaptor created, and I'm hoping for something easier than that.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_GM_engines#V6
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GM_High_Value_engine
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GM_High_Value_engine#3.9
It's not an LSx per se, but the 3900 is probably the best V6 GM offers today in terms of weight, power, and packaging. GM doesn't make any aluminum block V6s with pushrods, but if you are interested in overhead cams then check this out, they've got a bit more power but are also a bit bigger and as a result weigh very close to the same amount:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GM_High_Feature_engine
For GM Powertrain info, it's hard to beat their own website for info:
http://media.gm.com/us/powertrain/en/product_services/2009/09car.htm
Bryce
mistanfo wrote: Hoping for around 300 hp. I think that the L33 will be the least expensive option. Plus, kits already exist to place an LSx into the car. If there were a 6 version, I could hopefully get the weight a bit further back, while using the version of the kit that doesn't require cutting of the firewall. Also, using the T56 with the other engines would require me to have an adaptor created, and I'm hoping for something easier than that.
So essentially, you want what doesn't exist. Cheap. And easy. And better. Sounds like you should either go off the shelf with one of the LSx kits or go with a newer 60° GM V6 mated to an older Camaro/S10/whatever transmission. The latter will be cheaper, but more work since it sounds like no kit exists.
Bryce
I am planning on using a V8 roadsters kit. So, not so cheap. Was also hoping to use the T56, so again, not so cheap. Was just looking for an option that would place the weight further back. I just don't need 430 hp like the current crate engines start out at.
We all want what doesn't exist. For me, I want to run 11's in the quarter, pull outrageous lateral on a skidpad, seat 5 comfortably, tow 5K lbs, and run the Rubicon.
For $3K or so.
Clem
VQ series motor with 350z/g35 6spd trans. Custom mounts/wiring/driveshaft.... drive?
Cheaper than you'd think... if you can make your stuff.
Turbo KLZE? Or hell, you could easily put out 200+whp out of a KLZE... there's a miata on youtube with the swap, see if it tickles your fancy. If nothing else, it'll sound unholy.
Just get a bigger hammer:
I wish there were. They made the 4.3 V6 ,why not do it with the LSX??? It would be an awesome motor for swapping and I'm sure you could coax 350hp out of one with little drama. :(
Despite the sweet sounds of the 2.5L/3.0L Duratec and Mazda KL-ZE I think the nissan VQ series would be a good choice, should be easier to get a rwd trans mated up to it. There was a VQ powered RX7 up for sale in my area before, and it comes in kit form from grannys speed shop (I think). You might get away with the stock rear with a V6, the LSX will probably require a few more dollars to put the power to the ground reliably.
I understand what mistanfo is trying to do. Doesn't seem so far fetched.
What about the V6 in the new Camaro? Is it LSx based? It's a 3.6L that makes 304hp.
splitime wrote: VQ series motor with 350z/g35 6spd trans. Custom mounts/wiring/driveshaft.... drive? Cheaper than you'd think... if you can make your stuff.
It seems that where I live those motors cost almost as much as LS engines if out of a 350Zg35. The VQs are cheaper if out of an Altima or some such, but then you still have to source everything behind the motor.
I totally approve of the choice, however.
buy a VQ series engine from somebody on the internet, not some local supplier. they go for CHEAP, you just have to find them.
a buddy came home with a 3.0 for free (splitime might use it in a miata build), and another buddy for a MINT, low mileage 3.5 for 500$.
RWD z trannies can be found for sub-500$ frequently.
and then your not also stuck with some silly GM engine (NOT A FAN)..
VQs are AMAZING
The only reason to go with the L33 is cost, and even then you might not save much. You'll have to get a new oil pan, new intake and new accessory drives. I don't think there's much weight difference between it and an LS1 either.
As for cutting the firewall, it's not a big deal. Takes a couple of minutes and it's definitely worthwhile.
What about that suzuki 2.7 that bobzilla is going on about?
splitime wrote: Look into a VQ30 or VQ35. BEGI is currently doing an VQ35 build. Oh and if the internet is to be believed... the aluminum VQs... weigh basically the same as the cast iron miata motors. I have my eye on something similar.
the trick is either making the vq30 working with the 350z trans or adapting all the electronics on the vq35 to work without requiring the expense and complication of a standalone. NATS is very tricky, you basically have to get the entire wiring harness of the donor vehicle including the key, ignition, amplifier, NATS module, and ECU....
I looked into VQ30DE with 350z six speed and couldn't get clear answers on what fits what.
The VQ is also pretty tall - particularly when you throw the intake on. I suspect that a LS1 would sit lower.
That's a problem that I see with transplanting a lot of modern motors into older cars - the intake is a very important part of the design, and often bulky and ugly. If you fabricate a custom one, you might help the top end, but hurt performace elsewhere considerably.
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