GREAT looking Miata and great info! People really do underestimate the cost of an LS swap. Even in the DIY side of swaps people are always asking me if it can be done for 5K....Nope.
It can really been done in the right place. In Mexico or the USA just buy an iron block those things are like water, almost free compared to aluminium block. The expensive part si the trans used.
It took me a little over a year but lots of that was fucking around trying to do my engine bay shave haha. I think If I had been a little more focused on just the V8 swap I could have done it in under 6 months
Even with the current market I feel like lots of money could be shaved down in certain places. Given I haven’t seen the. I sit on of the car, but I am looking at picking up a turbo LS 1500 with 2 step and lots of other goodies for 7500, I will have to get a new transmission as it’s an automatic but I feel like much of the stuff will be shaved off by selling what I don’t need and I’ll be able to get a good engine (with wiring, aftermarket ECU, full cooling system, full exhaust) for around 5k after I sell off the transmission and body.
But like I was saying, I feel like this could be much cheaper (but possible more of a gamble) if you find a stock/modified used donor car to rip parts out of
Great video. And a Canuck to Boot Eh..!!!!so I see a 400 HP 6 speed Miatzilla for about 1/3 the price of a new stock one and probably get 60 smiles to the gallon. I build hot rods and that’s a great price for such a fun ride
Ya really depends on what style you’re after. Meaty, stretched, or regular. Check out this site: tyrestretch.com You can search by rim and tire size to see how every configuration looks. Super handy tool
Do you know of a shop which does all the modifications professionally? I heard that there is a company near Toronto Canada that does this, but I do not remember the name.
Hmm I don’t know of any! I know flyin’ Miata used to but I think they only do ND V8 swaps now. I’m sure most custom shops would take on the project though
You were up to $6500 for all the bits you can get for $4-5k if you buy a whole decent donor car. If you get $1k back for the donor when done you can save yourself a couple grand. BUT, you need to take the parts out of the donor car so this is only worth it if you have the time and skills to do it yourself. Just an option I didn’t hear you talk much about. Cheers eh.
True true. There’s definitely a million different ways to come about it. You could also earn your LS through sexual favours with the guy at the parts yard. The intent of the video is to give you a rough idea for a budget. I prefer to overestimate the cost because then if it ends up cheaper I’m happy
While I’m in here, new valve covers.. oh BeeHive valve springs… water pump? Big cam.. oh, lifters ok, Deep dish pistons!! Oh shit. ARP head studs okay not bad.. hmm High ram intake would be cool, 102mm TB that would be dope and maybe some new plugs and coils, plug in 2 step.. WAIT SHIT $5000?!?
As long as they’re done properly and with quality parts, yes. People who aren’t as mechanically inclined love buying up V8 swapped Miatas. You’re not guaranteed to get all the money and time you put into it back out. These builds can quickly get out of hand and most people aren’t willing to pay for the labour that’s required to build a car like this
Hard to say. I’d guess a month on the quick end and a year on the slow end. It’s not all that much labour but if they run into any issues or are waiting on parts then it really stretches it out
@@slightlyMADcustoms if basically 99% of parts where there and there was just a few things missing that where waiting on then I’d be looking at 1-2 months
@@slightlyMADcustoms OK also just so you know you should update your description because flying miata no longer has the V8 sub frame at least from what I can see granted I am on mobile but when I click on that link k it says error 404
@@slightlyMADcustoms OK also just so you know you should update your description because flying miata no longer has the V8 sub frame at least from what I can see granted I am on mobile but when I click on that link k it says error 404
This doesn't include the price of the car, which will range $1000 to $3000 depending on if you find a roller or driving car. Then there's engine upgrades like heads, cam, or intake. Hard to justify $15-20k for it when you can buy a c6 base model for that price and get around the same performance. A 350hp ls1 miata will have the same power to weight ratio as a stock ls3 c6. The only real advantage (or disadvantage) for the miata is you will save on insurance. The problem there is you have $20k invested in a car that's worth $3500 at most. If you wreck it, about the only thing you could salvage would be the drivetrain and at that point you're out over $10k.
@@slightlyMADcustoms True. There's a guy that lives in my city with a SBF swapped blue miata (there are some videos of it on youtube). I heard it across a parking lot once and was surprised when I saw what it was. Really cool cars that you won't see many of. I thought heavily about doing the swap at one point and the price range you ended up with is pretty much exactly what i had calculated. I was surprised. Also one thing I didn't mention is you can sell the miata parts (drivetrain, subframe, etc) to get some money back.
realist thing ive ever seen. ~$16000 before shipping, tax, and other goodies like wheels / tires / suspension / brakes / rollbar / etc... or even the price of the stock miata and labor... i think i'll stick to a ~200whp super charged build unless i win the lottery lol
@@slightlyMADcustoms im sure it is, tbh i just dont like the sound of a super charger. always sounded like the car's breaking too me lol i dont think a turbo's power band would suit a miata well, and doing an engine swap is too much $, so yea i'm left with a super charger kit
Short answer? Very fast haha. The biggest challenge is keeping the power usable. It's usually about a 2500lb car after the V8 swap, and if you have the right gearing, tires, and suspension, then you'll be able to keep up with pretty much anything on the road.
![KSI - Dirty [Official Visualiser]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/VoDh1h1dPUE/mqdefault.jpg)
dude honestly u deserve way more subs i told all my friends about your channel we all have miatas
Thanks man! We put a lot of effort into these videos and its great to hear that people enjoy them!
Jumpin on this comment. The production quality and information in your videos are top quality! Keep up the good work!
Damn that's the dream
Thanks man!
Very interesting breakdown. I’m so grateful I was able to find my ls2 Miata finished. So much time & money saved!
Yeah no doubt! It's so hard to build it for less than the price of a used LS swapped miata.
Dude you sound like the most chill person ever. And the production quality is fucking amazing. Super underrated youtuber
Haha thanks dude!
honestly, I am very surprised you are not huge on this platform. Great content man!
Thanks so much dude
GREAT looking Miata and great info! People really do underestimate the cost of an LS swap. Even in the DIY side of swaps people are always asking me if it can be done for 5K....Nope.
Yeah you would know for sure! Also looking forward to seeing your miata running! Do you two think it will be on the road this summer still?
@@slightlyMADcustoms That is the plan.
It can really been done in the right place. In Mexico or the USA just buy an iron block those things are like water, almost free compared to aluminium block. The expensive part si the trans used.
Even if you get the engine for free, what about everything else
damn good video, probably the most realistic approach to what is involved in a basic swap I have ever seen.
Thanks for keeping it real.
In the states a ls from a junkyard cost like 600 bucks same with the transmission
An aluminum block LS1 with t56 trans?
If that’s true someone should be shipping those up to Canada for sale!
If that’s the case I need to go find an LS where you are at brother.
@@slightlyMADcustoms yesir even with a t56 im pretty sure so about 1200-1500 for both
@@derektorres2915 im from pa brother
LS3 chevelle swap ran me about 15k without labor. That’s with a new LS3 crate motor connect and cruise kit.
Easier to V8 swap a car that previously had a V8 though
Thank you for the video. LS swapping my NC is on my bucket list.
No problem! And I would love to drive an NC, it's the only miata chassis that I haven't driven yet!
Bad ass video dude. I just started looking into doing a Miata build. Glad I found the channel. Subd
Thanks man!
good grief. lol……… thanks for the breakdown.
@9:36 I feel personally attacked
Thanks for the video. Also watching from Canada, is this estimatation in CAD?
It’s meant to be a rough guide, but you could consider it USD-shipped, CAD-not shipped
Love your Miata I hope someday I can own a v8 miata
Me too
nicely done video. what video editing software do you like?
Thanks! I use Final Cut Pro X
I was out at 4k 😂😂
😂😂
keep em comin! 😌
you bet!
I'm way over 20k on my BP engine miata turbo build. I can't even imagine a LS swap.
Ya doode
How long did it take for you to finish this build?
It took me a little over a year but lots of that was fucking around trying to do my engine bay shave haha. I think If I had been a little more focused on just the V8 swap I could have done it in under 6 months
Even with the current market I feel like lots of money could be shaved down in certain places. Given I haven’t seen the. I sit on of the car, but I am looking at picking up a turbo LS 1500 with 2 step and lots of other goodies for 7500, I will have to get a new transmission as it’s an automatic but I feel like much of the stuff will be shaved off by selling what I don’t need and I’ll be able to get a good engine (with wiring, aftermarket ECU, full cooling system, full exhaust) for around 5k after I sell off the transmission and body.
But like I was saying, I feel like this could be much cheaper (but possible more of a gamble) if you find a stock/modified used donor car to rip parts out of
Let us know how much you spend after finishing the build 👌
my neighbor selling his on facebook right now for 25k, build is super clean
Considering the time and money that goes into these builds, 25k is a pretty solid deal
3k in md / east coast in the states for a ls/t56 with harness lol
Please pass me the phone number for wherever you’re getting that deal. We need some more Aluminum LS’s and T56’s
Will do, I'm currently trying to get all my swap parts together for mine. Trying to do it less then 10k. 😬
Thanks! I appreciate it! Good luck!
Hey if I choose to go with a V6 instead would everything with cheaper and less work?
No it will cost you the same or more and be equal in work.
Yeah I might let that dream die and buy a 350.... 😳😂😂😂😂amazing build tho !
Great video. And a Canuck to Boot Eh..!!!!so I see a 400 HP 6 speed Miatzilla for about 1/3 the price of a new stock one and probably get 60 smiles to the gallon. I build hot rods and that’s a great price for such a fun ride
If you can do all the work yourself its probably one of the best all around performance cars you can get for the money!
out of curiosity. what size tires and wheels are you runnings.
15x8 ET 0
225/50/15
Cheers!
@@slightlyMADcustoms Cheers! I thought they were 15x8 by the size. Thinking about LS swap later on and had only been told to run 15x9s for 245s.
Ya really depends on what style you’re after. Meaty, stretched, or regular. Check out this site: tyrestretch.com
You can search by rim and tire size to see how every configuration looks. Super handy tool
Is This In USA Dollars Or Canadian?
USD shipped, CAD not shipped
I paid 20K all in for my Monster professionally converted by Cardiac Cobra back in 98
That must have been a pricy build for 98’
Do you know of a shop which does all the modifications professionally? I heard that there is a company near Toronto Canada that does this, but I do not remember the name.
Hmm I don’t know of any! I know flyin’ Miata used to but I think they only do ND V8 swaps now. I’m sure most custom shops would take on the project though
@@slightlyMADcustoms thx
You were up to $6500 for all the bits you can get for $4-5k if you buy a whole decent donor car. If you get $1k back for the donor when done you can save yourself a couple grand. BUT, you need to take the parts out of the donor car so this is only worth it if you have the time and skills to do it yourself. Just an option I didn’t hear you talk much about. Cheers eh.
True true. There’s definitely a million different ways to come about it. You could also earn your LS through sexual favours with the guy at the parts yard.
The intent of the video is to give you a rough idea for a budget. I prefer to overestimate the cost because then if it ends up cheaper I’m happy
So it’s like over 20k to build an LS swapped miata including the price for the car and labor?
If you’re paying for labor then the price goes way up. But if it’s you and your friends labor then ya around 20k
price
reliability
power
Aftermarket parts
Online support
Fuel economy
While I’m in here, new valve covers.. oh BeeHive valve springs… water pump? Big cam.. oh, lifters ok, Deep dish pistons!! Oh shit. ARP head studs okay not bad.. hmm High ram intake would be cool, 102mm TB that would be dope and maybe some new plugs and coils, plug in 2 step.. WAIT SHIT $5000?!?
Yeeeep, I was 10k alone for my engine and all the goodies. It adds up so quick
Do the rebuilds hold their value at all?
As long as they’re done properly and with quality parts, yes. People who aren’t as mechanically inclined love buying up V8 swapped Miatas. You’re not guaranteed to get all the money and time you put into it back out. These builds can quickly get out of hand and most people aren’t willing to pay for the labour that’s required to build a car like this
Does anyone know the average time I’d be waiting for a garage to do all this for me
Hard to say. I’d guess a month on the quick end and a year on the slow end. It’s not all that much labour but if they run into any issues or are waiting on parts then it really stretches it out
@@slightlyMADcustoms if basically 99% of parts where there and there was just a few things missing that where waiting on then I’d be looking at 1-2 months
I stopped after the axels
Good to know
Was this in usd or Canadian dollars
This is a rough budget, I’d say USD with shipping, CAD without
@@slightlyMADcustoms OK also just so you know you should update your description because flying miata no longer has the V8 sub frame at least from what I can see granted I am on mobile but when I click on that link k it says error 404
@@slightlyMADcustoms OK also just so you know you should update your description because flying miata no longer has the V8 sub frame at least from what I can see granted I am on mobile but when I click on that link k it says error 404
Okay thanks
This doesn't include the price of the car, which will range $1000 to $3000 depending on if you find a roller or driving car. Then there's engine upgrades like heads, cam, or intake. Hard to justify $15-20k for it when you can buy a c6 base model for that price and get around the same performance. A 350hp ls1 miata will have the same power to weight ratio as a stock ls3 c6.
The only real advantage (or disadvantage) for the miata is you will save on insurance. The problem there is you have $20k invested in a car that's worth $3500 at most. If you wreck it, about the only thing you could salvage would be the drivetrain and at that point you're out over $10k.
All valid points! Another thing to be said about a LS miata vs buying a corvette is the cool factor. Not as many V8 miatas as there is corvettes
@@slightlyMADcustoms True. There's a guy that lives in my city with a SBF swapped blue miata (there are some videos of it on youtube). I heard it across a parking lot once and was surprised when I saw what it was. Really cool cars that you won't see many of.
I thought heavily about doing the swap at one point and the price range you ended up with is pretty much exactly what i had calculated. I was surprised. Also one thing I didn't mention is you can sell the miata parts (drivetrain, subframe, etc) to get some money back.
Ya that’s also true. Our miata is 327 Small block swapped and it sounds so crazy for a miata 😂. It sure turns heads
id defs wanna do this one day or buy it from you lol
Haha always cheaper to buy someone else’s project that’s for sure
@@slightlyMADcustoms and then you can focus on putting your own touches on it aswell
Exactly!
realist thing ive ever seen. ~$16000 before shipping, tax, and other goodies like wheels / tires / suspension / brakes / rollbar / etc... or even the price of the stock miata
and labor... i think i'll stick to a ~200whp super charged build unless i win the lottery lol
And a 200hp Miata is still a ton of fun!
@@slightlyMADcustoms im sure it is, tbh i just dont like the sound of a super charger. always sounded like the car's breaking too me lol
i dont think a turbo's power band would suit a miata well, and doing an engine swap is too much $, so yea i'm left with a super charger kit
How fast is something like this with a slightly modified engine? The power to weight ratio looks like it would be ridiculous.
Short answer? Very fast haha. The biggest challenge is keeping the power usable. It's usually about a 2500lb car after the V8 swap, and if you have the right gearing, tires, and suspension, then you'll be able to keep up with pretty much anything on the road.
My guess was about 35-37, 000$ if you did most of the work and go junk yard parts and stuff
Oh man you can build quite the miata for 37,000!
not including the car which is rapidly going up in price
True true
$1k vs $5k for a donor isn't a big deal with what you'll be putting in to it.
Jusr buy a c5 bro
But have you driven a V8 miata vs a C5?
@@slightlyMADcustoms i have not but for the amount of money you spended putting an ls in a miata i cant justify it personally
Glad we could help!
Jeez this is expensive
Sure is! But also makes a great car
$20k daem
Daaaaeeemm