LS3 V8 Miata Build - Project Thunderbolt Part 1
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- Опубликовано: 5 сен 2024
- Introducing Project Thunderbolt! In this episode we lay lay out our plan and get to work on our V8 LS3 drivetrain conversion. Thank you for watching and I’ll be posting a new update every two weeks.
Visit me on Facebook: / tomsturbogarage
More Thunderbolt photos and details at: www.V8Mazda.com
Project Thunderbolt has been made possible by:
www.SummitRacin...
Summit Racing has a massive catalog of parts available at great prices. They offer excellent technical support, friendly customer service and lightning-fast shipping. I've been a Summit Racing customer since 1991 and have always been impressed by their service and support.
www.V8Roadsters...
V8 Roadsters is your Mazda engine conversion and performance specialist! They are the masterminds behind this LSx drivetrain swap kit and much more. From brake upgrades to Getrag differential install kits to complete turn-key engine conversions, they are the best at what they do.
Disclaimer: The content provided in this video is for informational use only. Video content is provided at the viewers own risk and the viewer will not hold the parties involved in creating, producing or delivering this information liable for any loss, injury, claim, liability, or damage of any kind resulting in any way from any errors in or omissions from the information. Thanks for understanding.
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every now and again I come back to watch this series, and it never disappoints.
Hahahaah! Same here! Just finished Saturdays paperwork for the week and hit this up! Never gets old! 👍😁
Years later it still pains me that you used a Mazda speed Miata instead of a regular Miata but the build still turned out absolutely amazing!
Kyle King same😂
I met this guy at cars and coffee over the weekend, this is the coolest guy I've ever talked to. No exaggeration. Out of about 3500 cars, this one blew my mind, and caught my attention the most. Dudes a true enthusiast. And a really out going guy, such a blessing meeting this dude!
Camaron hipshire Hi Camaron and thank you for the kind and sincere words! It was good to meet you too man and hope to see you around town at a future car hangout. See ya!
Camaron hipshire yea he seems like a cool guy. I just stumbled upon this video for the first time today and withing a couple minutes into the video I subbed.
8 years later this is still one of the best build series on RUclips. Time to watch again. Hope you're doing well Tom.
I love how clean you work. Sign of true focused professional.
Thank you sir, I appreciate that!
Tom's Turbo Garage this may be a long time since you posted this video so you may not respond. but how much did this cost you
Looking at the things he bought, well into the tens of thousands. This is a perfect example of doing everything correct and perfectly on a complex project, but doing things the more expensive way.
anal retentive do-nothing
@@stephenmwyatt2 It's a beautiful build. What have you built? Uh-huh NOTHING!!!
Hi Tom. I have to tell you. I don't know how I stumbled on this but, I binge watched this entire build last night... didn't go to bed until after 12 pm . lol! My wife was like, "what are you watching?" (Since I don't own either a Miata or Corvette.)
It was just so well done, I had to watch it through to the end and see that monster fire up. What I loved was not all the hacking and grinding.. but the care to put it all back together, better than original.
What a beautiful car and great job. You're a true craftsman. Thanks for posting.
Thank you for the very kind words sir, I appreciate it very much!
Anyone else revisiting this video in 2019?
Thanks for watching!
Still revisiting in 2020!
Yes me !
And for the third time I guess... Tom you are like a NASA engineer born on earth to do precise, well thought and amazing mechanics job ! Your video shoul really be part of some mechanical engineer course
lol this is my 4th time re-watching the series
I first saw a V-8 Miata on the street, back in the '90s. It was done up to look like a Cobra, with Halibrand wheels and everything. So cool.
It's been my dream car since that moment.
I recall seeing a similar setup back then too with the ford 5.0 Definitely an early inspiration for me as well.
Checkout this Australian company Bullet who make a V8 miata - www.carsales.com.au/editorial/details/forgotten-cars-of-australia-the-bullet-roadster-106009/ more pics of it here - www.carsales.com.au/cars/details/Bullet-Roadster-2002/SSE-AD-3897289/?Cr=2
@@Agret , that is nothing...I would like to see the engine from either the new 2019 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1, or, if you want an even bigger pair of balls, the 1983-1995 Chevrolet Corvette, a.k.a., the C4 Corvette, with the Callaway Sledgehammer package, be put into the Mazda MX5/Miata or its Eunos counterpart.
Geez, not only is your garage immaculate, you're a skilled mechanic, and your editing skills are very accomplished too. I dont know how you find time to do it all. Takes me hours upon hours to edit my videos. Great job.
I wish I had 1/10 of your organization. I tear into whatever project I’m working on and put out fires as they burn, sometimes literally.
This is going to be so helpful!
+Taylor Ray Thank you sir, glad to hear it! Good luck on your build and I love your channel!
Thanks Tom! I certainly lack the attention to detail you have but I'm sure I can at least get it done. Thanks again for such a comprehensive guide. Nice to know what I'm getting into ahead of time. Keep up the great work! P.S the Miata drivetrain does look so cool sitting there without a body. I can imagine it was tough to break it down because it looked so dang cool.
Amazing Tom, This is jaw dropping for me to watch you pull apart this Miata! I can't wait to see all the episodes. I know what it takes to do a large project, video tape it, and then edit it too, but this is bigger than anything I have ever attempted. Kudos to you for all your work. BTW it is because of you that I decided to buy a Mazda MX5 last November. I love the car. I won't put a turbo in it like you did in your "Sunflower" or drop a V8 into it like you are doing here. I like mine the way it is and don't have the inclination to change it. 2006, 3rd generation Grand Touring model, 170 HP, 6 speed manual, etc. I do have a little dent in the left front fender and, thanks to you, I can see how the car comes apart! Thanks for your tips, videos, and expertise!
Hi there and thank you for all of the kind words! When I stop to think about it, I kinda wonder how I do all of this myself, but you know how it is, you just keep plowing along and before you know it, the work starts getting done! I am having lots of fun and learning new things and I'm glad that you enjoy checking it out! Enjoy your Miata and there's absolutely no shame in a stock Miata- they're amazingly well balanced, economical and reliable. Have fun and you're very welcome.
Wow, just wow! You really are the most professional and detail oriented mechanic I've ever seen online or in person. It's so refreshing to see someone so neat, tidy, and organized...and to do a good job the first time. You disassemble a car like its an art project...
Ethan Sutton Well thank you for the very kind words Ethan! I suppose I've learned over the years that being anything less than thorough leads to costly re-work and other problems. I just enjoy the process and especially sharing it with everyone. Thanks again!
Dammit! I should have waited until the whole project was done and uploaded... Now I have to sit here for who knows how long, just waiting for my next fix.
Btw your format is great. On the one hand the filming, editing and quality is professional grade while the delivery is personal and unpretentious. I feel like this is a private look into a one man project without all the wizz-bang of a commercial production, yet the quality of the video production is top notch.
Very good job, very good format.
Thank you for the very kind and encouraging words! I'm glad you enjoy the videos as much as I enjoy making them and I'll be uploading new episodes every two weeks. In fact, look for a new one this morning!
You had me at 'I wonder how hard it would be to make a gokart out of this thing'.
I just found this RUclips site and am very impressed with this detail of this build. I would love putting an LS3 into a Miata!
Thank you sir, I appreciate the kind words! I highly recommend an LSX Miata to anyone!
I'm still just blown away at how utterly CLEAN this Miata was when you started on it. I have a mint Miata I'm doing a build on my channel, but this is just ridiculously clean ^^
Every now and then when I get the urge to see a great car build I come back here get satisfaction no shortcuts no mess
Just perfect build with a touch of comedy 👌
Man I wish you made more videos thank you bro
this shop is like a freaking dentist office.
oh frick, hech, bum
because its never been used
That's how a shop should look. Shows that the owner cares.
Minus the screaming.
@@thingsdemystified It would also look like that if no work has ever been done there.
The gokart you're wondering about is called an Exocet. I think you have to do it now that you've mentioned it out loud.
*Claps hands* this keeps gettin better and better, I've just got done watching the Galant Series.. almost cried on the last episode, headed straight to your playlists and found this beauty.. the tears have gone, lets do this... again... WOOOOO
Thank you for all of the very kind comments and support sir! I appreciate you checking out all of my older videos, glad you’re enjoying em!
No No... thank you for taking the time to even consider replying Tom.. it's been an absolute pleasure binge watching these videos of yours over the weekend (I keep glancing at the playlist knowing there's more of these still to watch, can't get enough of it lol) well played to a job well done..
Your surgical attention to organization and cleanliness is biblical... some if not all garages around here (UK) need to take a leaf outta your book haha
I dont have miata anymore, but Idk how many times I watched this already over and over.
Once again, serious complements to your organizational skills, patience, and video production quality. Couldn't think of a better project to watch than this swap. Awesome work Tom.
jacob evans Thank you for the generous support Jacob! Glad to hear you're looking forward to it!
The early 90's were great, bought a silver Miata. My boyfriend had the MR2 and smoked me which was no surprise. I like what you've done here. The RX7 turbo was another car I admired back in the day. Enjoy!
Personally, I prefer the Ford 5.0 package for the Miata build. I've built both. Ford is my preference. Fun ride either way.
pro tip for those storage bins if you don't know it already, write the labels on the clear cover over the section to be labeled, that way you can see the contents through the label, and sharpie is easy to remove with a little brake clean on a rag.
Outstanding series and an awesome finished ride! Unreal.
+s197mustangfan Thank you!
Tom I absolutely love how you keep your garage and builds clean, organized and methodical. As an equipment engineer in the semi-conductor industry it’s refreshing to see somebody who pays close attention to detail and does it right the first time. Love the tri color garage paint and the way you did the garage door track as well. All is top notch.
Thank you for the very kind words sir! Thanks for checking out the videos.
you'll need to weigh down the rear a bit with say.... an sts rear mount turbo kit...
AKghandi Haha, great idea!
I'm rewatching this entire series. I love how professional you are. I can't believe it's been 4 years!
This is the first time I've ever heard "Awesome" and "Mother-In-Law" in the same sentence.LOL. As always, great video.
stinkbandit HAHAHA! Thanks man!
Must be her garage, no?
@@johnnypk1963 I doubt that she's "Mitch."
But... maybe...
She's cute and seems like a lot of fun, too.
I do believe I will have to go back and re-watch this entire series, now that I have my own NB Miata that I just picked up last week! No plans for a V8 any time soon, but I still enjoy seeing the work done on these cars and what they can become.
I understand the thought of big motor small car combo, but why use such a limited edition car? Why not use a Miata of the everyday variety? I have wanted to do this swap for quite a long time as well, but I don't want to use a limited edition model. Just curious.
Why use a Mazdaspeed NB for this! You should have used a normal NB and like someone else wrote you should have done a 13B conversion or something other than a LS
*****
If I'm wrong correct me but I do believe the 13b is 50lbs+ heavier than that LS motor. Although it would be cool.
Hes using what he want not what you want so stfu.
No, no, wait, i got news, tom goes to change because of you, because you want.
Well i do understand why he is using a LS engine, its just that in 9/10 engine swaps people use LS engines.
Love how you remove stuff so cleanly! I hate it when ricer backyard modders just rip crucial and often difficult to source parts off then proceed to just chuck them in bin. This is how performance modding should be done! One of my new favourite channels 👍
Subbed for the organizational skills. Plus I like engine swapped cars.
Back in the '90s, in Vancouver, there was a guy selling a retro kit for first gen Miatas, which included a 302/5 litre Mustang drivetrain, and a suspension package. He sold several of the kits. The Mazda/Ford connection made sense to me.
Thanks for the great videos! Pleasure to watch,really impressed!
I remember back in the early 2000's reading of someone who took an LS from a Caddie CTS (IIRC) and stuffed it into a Pontiac Solstice. You could literally hear the girlish laughter in his voice when reading the acceleration and skid pad specs.
Homey! You need a pole jack. You have a lift. I'm telling you things you already know.
All this time I thought you'd be putting that cam-less 4g63 over there on the engine stand into it... This is a nice surprise! I always told myself the next thing would be a big-tire RWD LS swapped Chevy Sonic with a really big wheelie bar. Now I basically get to watch a similar thing happen first :D. Here's wishing THUNDERBOLT the best!
It's cool that you automotive RUclipsrs, or in your cases, fellow DSM'ers, comment on each others videos.
Heck, I'd grill him a burger, too. Might have an extra if you want one.
I love you Jafro, I'd love a burger too.
By the way, is that a pole jack when he's dropping the transmission out of the Grand National at 3:27?
Man between this and the Hyundai build I have enough to be giddy for months :D
Clément Dutter Nah, that's a transmission jack that costs about a dozen times more than a pole jack. A pole jack typically doesn't have any hydraulics. It's just a big coarse threaded rod with an iron handle, used for bracing things. If you have a lift, it's your extra set of hands. ;)
*****
Friend of mine uses his pole jacks daily. Really helpful with exhaust work mockup and tacking.
That’d be a cool and funny way to gift a son his first car... if he can reassemble it (shouldn’t be hard with all those labels!), he can keep it! Cool video, man. Shame I’m just now finding this.
😀 thanks for watching! That would be kinda cruel but I like the idea!
It's the BEST, It's the BEST, It's #1, because it's the BEST...
I have totally fallen out of the middle class with no hope of ever getting back, so vids like these are fun. I used to do projects , at least now I can watch them.
Although I hate seeing a beautiful MSM torn apart, I can't wait to see the end product. Good luck with the build!
andre100409 Thanks man! I plan to respect the MSM for sure. My goal is OEM level quality, fit and finish.
Well it took me 4 years to find a good project series
Edit:OMG first heart from a RUclipsr!!! Thanks so much! :)
Thank you for saying that, glad you enjoyed it!
there was an episode of Stacey David's Gearz that did a ford 302 swap in a first gen Miata (mx-5) a couple of years ago. wonder if that was an inspiration. he used a Monster Miata kit for that one.
CamaroAmx That was definitely in the mix, although the project went off the rails for me with the body mods. That and the payoff episode was kind of odd. I love Stacey though, I hope to meet him someday.
Love your engine swap videos. Re-watching your LS and LM7 swap videos for the... I don't know how many time
This is going to be so awesome.
Velocity Labs Thank you! Love the Lab!
That's how its properly done, stock locking from the outside and inside, improvements are all in performance without it being an overkill!!!! i salute you sir.
Gatora tor 11 Thank you for saying that and I'm glad you're enjoying the project!
Who's here in 2019?!?
I appreciate you checking it out man!
Who didn't notice the video was posted in 2015 until your comment?
Still very relevant, and it's showing up in recommended now because it's actually a good, informational video
Here!!
@@Mainsail1975au holy shit, man way ahead of his time! great production value!
Here we go again! Every couple of years I revisit all videos in this series. It is the best!
The drivetrain that's coming out of the Miata would fit nicely in mostly stock form in a 89 Ford Festiva. That would be an awesome project. After this one is completed of course.... ;-)
Dude, it's like you're inside my brain! I love the Ford Festiva and have been kind of casually looking for a clean one for many years.
I saw someone make a Ford Festevil and put a n/a Miata motor in one several years ago. (can't find it anywhere online anymore). It was pretty quick, but I think you could do it more justice. Because I like the sleeper look that you push pretty much on all your builds, it's harder to maintain and the thought process is much more involved. But, if you could make one that's RWD & turbo'd with A/C and maybe tub it out some to handle the power? Being they have 12" rims and the tires that were on the car were boat tires ( Four Wheeler rims actually fit on this car!! ). My sister got one when she graduated High school (in 1989), and she drove it for 17 years, everything still worked even the A/C when she got rid of it. Anyways, this build is going to be awesome!!! I figured I'd ask where the parts coming off of the Miata were going if they weren't going to be sold. Can't wait to see more progress on the next video!!!
Tom's Turbo Garage
www.ebay.com/itm/89-90-91-92-FESTIVA-ENGINE-1-3L-VIN-H-8TH-DIGIT-313479-/151552717189?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&fits=Year%3A1989|Make%3AFord|Model%3AFestiva&hash=item23493ef185&vxp=mtr
BoostedCajun It would be tons of fun, but oh man, I can't even begin to think about another build right now. My plan right now after I get my Miata done is to take a little break from wrenching and just enjoy it for awhile! Have a good one!
My first car was an 89 Ford festiva. Absolutely loved that car. Jay Leno had/has a Festiva Shogun, which would have been a blast to drive
2023 and this is still one of the best video series on youtube
LS engine in Miata is a fairly common option, but I'm wondering if there is any possibility to port other V8s, like a Merc V8 or a Ferrari V8 into that engine bay.
if I'm not mistaken there is a guy that is putting a Ferrari V8 in q brz or Frs
+André Pretto a****
Ah its 2022 and Thunderbolt popped back up in my feed. Wonder if she still runs as good as the day the build was complete. Bet she does as Tom did an amazing job. Good reason to check out the channel some more again. Last I've seen is the red turbo truck.
this will be the most badass build to watch but The Wait for the next 1 will kill me haha. Your awesome man keep up the videos. Informative, fun, and just plain cool.
imCapone1124 Thank you for all of the kind words man! I'll be posting updates every two weeks, so hopefully the wait won't be too bad!
Tom's Turbo Garage all..most...there...just...3...more...days.
imCapone1124 Thanks for looking forward to them!
Miata purists should REJOICE at this engine swap!
It's not sacrilegious at all, because even enthusiasts will agree that the Miata *never got the ENGINE it DESERVED!*
The brilliance of the Miata is almost purely in the way it handles and the fun way it drives. Best suspension geometry and shifter ever made on a stock vehicle.
Why are there thumb downs for this?? Man I wish I had a normal mx-5. I would've caught you on the forums and said, ship me everything you got!!!
Very cool project.
Hott Toddy Thanks man!
Hott Toddy Probably cause Tom's cutting apart a quite limited edition MX-5, a Mazdaspeed version, and it looks fricken mint, and in my favorite colour. Tom, please tell me that you're trying to save all the MS components for later use, or that they are going to another MS MX-5 owner! please! This is one of the few MS version Mazda's I haven't owned, I know they aren't the fastest car around, and you can make a stock MX-5 plenty faster yourself, but you gotta realize this car, if kept in good condition, will be a highly collectible car one day. /rant (still got my thumbs up, but I am sad you used a MS version) :(
I completely understand. I have the mazdaspeed protege 👍
Hott Toddy I owned the 1st MSP in Canada, put my deposit down a year before it came, the dealers had no idea what I was talking about. Of course at that point I had no idea they were going to make the 2003.5, in titanium silver (like this MX-5), which is SOO much nicer than the flying pumpkin orange.. Anyways, honestly the MSP is the BEST handling front wheel drive car ever, MS did wonders with the suspension in that car.
Lol yeah laser blue here. Best friend got the first spicy down here in south Florida. I had the pr5 before till some fuk ran a stop sign and totalled it. So I got the laser shortly after. Love it.
What should I do today?... Hmmm.... I'll watch Tom's build again! Never gets old.
His philosophy is the same as mine...I put an LS1 in my s30 Z car. Best thing I've ever done... Makes almost everything else I've driven feel slow
Sounds like a great setup Nick!
Awesome series. I've never seen anything as educational as this. Even if you're not interested in the radical modifications covered in this series, the educational "tour de force" about the breakdown and reassembly of the Miata is astounding. Watch them all (and pause for popcorn)!!!
Why does everyone go with the LS? Argh. I wanna see a 347 Ford w/ EFI! Those engines sound way better too.
Personal preference aside, I'm really looking forward to watching this unfold :-)
Zack Richmond Well the Ford V8 swap is undeniable and I came close to going that route. There are pros and cons to each, as you could imagine. Thanks for watching Zack!
I've been slaving away in med school, dying to work on cars again. I was looking to see if someone had done my dream build, an LS3 350z and came across your channel. Amazing! You've satisfied my hunger and I love your attention to detail! Subscribed and I cant wait to see the finish product, keep up the good work!!
Christopher Thaver Thank you for the kind words Christopher, I appreciate it! Good luck with your schooling.
Project Binky sent me.
This would have to be the best How To - Engine Swap video I've ever seen!! Your workshop is super clean throughout the entire build, you're taking time and care at every stage of the process, using the correct tools and ppe for the job, every nut and bolt is torqued to specification as it's going back together and I love that you're using purpose-built front and rear subframe assemblies and not some homemade engine and diff mounts (which I see all too often in conversion jobs) and even how you angle the front diff to 1.5 deg before welding the front hanger bracket into place! Now that's Craftsmanship - well done Tom, now I better get back to watching the rest of the build!
Thank you for the very kind words sir! Glad you’re enjoying the series!
Hell of a first day... i would've spent half a year on that...lol... at that rate you'll be done next week...Sheesh...
Craig Cundiff Thanks Craig! Well, disassembly usually can go fast if no issues arise. The steps from here are fairly slow and laborious, but each video will be pretty action packed.
Tom's Turbo Garage As one Carlos Lago said about his 240SS, "The engine was in on the second day."
I can't wait for you to shine a light on the gory details of the wiring and the fabrication.
Samniss Arandeen Oh yeah, I like how Carlos' 240 turned out! Thank you sir, glad that you're looking forward to the process, I'll be posting new updates every two weeks.
If it was me, it would be like 3 years
Absolutely fantastic!!! Your organization, cleanliness, and attention to detail are to be admired! I just got myself a 2001 Mazda MX-5 LS to enjoy and learn how to maintain, this is some great inspiration, thank you!!!
BEST RUclips CHANNEL EVER
Thanks Jake.
Having the lift would have saved me so much time for engine swaps, exhaust, diff work and.....damn... so much!!!!
That is a damn clean Miata!
Thank you sir!
@@TomsTurboGarage BTW as a DSM Fan (Still have my 91 Talon TSI) I absolutely LOVE the restoration/build of the Galant VR4 you did... Damn was that an incredibly well done job from everything I could tell. Very impressive Tom!
I was really happy to hear at 11:15 , you mentioned getting rid of the Freon properly. I always thought you cared about the environment. I care too, especially what it will be like for our children, the animals and the creatures of the ocean such as whales and dolphins.
How much did this build cost you?
Fatal_Inertia that’s what I want to know
The engine close to 7k and add another 7k to 10k in parts . That is my guess. For me it would be a hard call between doing a build like this or getting an S2000 .
@@dewknow1315 Or do a build like this WITH an S2000 lol
That is awesome! I never would have guessed the body and fram would look that cool seperated.
Didn't know mazda used Mitsubishi parts
Just finished watching this series. Now i want to do this to a Miata. I already V8 swapped a S10, now i want one of these, lol
Instant subscribe.
Alpha Tyranax Thank you sir!
I don't know how I just found this.
I must admit, I'm not a huge car guy and I stumbled onto your channel, but I really enjoy the way you present your videos to your audience. Very professional and entertaining. Subscribed.
I'm hooked. Subscribed.
Thank you sir!
Once it's done, it would be so cool to see this car go head to head with Motor Trend's 240SS in an epic battle of LS3 awesomeness!
Now that would be cool! I love that Motor Trend really took it out and flogged it. I only wish I had their video team to shoot an awesome segment like that!
I agree, that would be awesome
Absolutely greatly done video!! (if that make sense. Lol )
***** Thanks man, glad you enjoyed it!
When I was engine swapping my Honda, I literally did the exact same thing! I bought two organizers for all the bolts and labeled everything with blue tape. Next time I'll try orange tape, seems much easier to find and read. Great minds think alike ;)
I believe that I will be stealing that paint scheme from your garage wall for my garage. Thank you! haha
AGearhead4Life Please do! I give total credit to the Garage Journal Forums, which has tons of great wall color and stripe ideas/examples that folks from all over have done. You've likely heard of the site, but just in case, here's a link to it: www.garagejournal.com/forum/
Tom's Turbo Garage Actaully I hadn't visited that site yet. Thanks Tom! I'll check it out.
AGearhead4Life You're welcome sir, I have learned so many great, practical tips from that site!
It helps to wrap the edges of the hood and fenders with high quality 2 inch wide masking tape (the easy release type) to keep from having nicks. I like "Frog Tape". Also if there are any shims where fenders bolt on they should be put in zip lock bags, one bag for each group of shims, with a note inside denoting position, like right top and right middle. As the builder states, label everything as to position, especially grounds. Most electrical connectors are unique and can't be plugged in any place beside where they were but "you never know". I write numbers on the tape and I record the numbers on a legal pad and beside the number I write where that number goes. This keeps me from writing a lot of info on the tape.
If your names tom why is the name tag on your jumpsuit Mitch :|
Darkest Bleak he jumped Mitch for the jumpsuit.
The workmanship and pride in this build is so amazing love the the car just want to see a drag pass
I found this on Carthrottle and I have to say that you're an amazing person, it's really entertaining to listen to you, you sound very positive and inspiring. Too many videos get ruined by poor presentation, but you really nailed that. Really enjoyable to watch.
How do you make a Ford/Mazda fast, put a Chevy in it! Yes it will be a kick in the ass!
It was really cool to be able to see everything under the body like that I defiantly will be completing this video series.
Anyone hear of the Sunbeam Tiger?
There is an amazing example of one that comes to my local cars and coffee that I’ve shown in some of my other videos. Man I would love to drive it!!
The Ford 289 is taller than some others but it's width was pretty narrow. Because it was narrow it made for a great conversion for it's time! I got a feeling your conversion will be 10 times greater though! Nothing against the Ford 289 however. Properly built and kitted out it was a really great engine. For a few years I owned a 1966 Mustang coupe because I begged my mechanic neighbor (who worked at Ford Proving Grounds) to sell it to me! He had bought it for a song & dance at a auction just for Ford employees. It was straight from Ford's Yuma proving grounds and was tinkered on by none other than Shelby, the man him self! Found out the 289 had been balanced and blueprinted which may be not such a big deal today but back then it made for a very high revving engine. My neighbor took me for several rides before I bought it and he would rev that engine to over 7,ooo rpm! In order to do that it had heavier valve springs, different cam, etc. I figured, if that engine could hang together after revving that high multiple times, i wanted that car! It had some kind of ceramic-coated headers on it with a cross-over just back of them then further back it had two separate glass packed mufflers then dual exhaust all the way to the back where they exited through port holes in the body, not underneath it!. I will always remember how throaty and crisp the sound of that exhaust was and I loved it!
I can't remember ALL the changes that were made to that car but it had a special Mallory dual-point distributor that was a real bear to set point gaps on! Oh, the engine had a dual-feed 850cfm Holley carb feeding a Edelbrok high-rise intake manifold. That carb had so many mods done to it that I had a lot of trouble finding a rebuild and ended up using parts of two kits! It didn't even have ID numbers on the body of the carb! I remember it had a Munchie 4-speed with Hurst short-throw shift linkage and no slop (Real fun to shift it, very positive). It also had a posi limited-slip diff and the rear axle housing had been modified so disk brakes could be installed. I don't know if that feature ever became a factory option. So I'll wrap this up by saying I think it's time for a disclaimer. Before any of you pick apart my description of the car keep in mind I was 20 years old back then and 72 now so 52 years have gone by! My mechanical abilities back then were shade-tree self-taught at best! I wish I still owned that car now!
Sunbeam Tiger would be over 50 years old now. It was a rust bucket even in the early 70's and was a bad piece of engineering. It couldn't take corners at any reasonable speed and was really just a big engine thrown into a small car. How would I know? Well I had one for a short time, a very short time! I also had a sky blue 1725 alpine, also a rust bucket. My neighbour was a traffic cop and the police in south London had bought one to try catching the growing number of very fast fords that were being modified for the street. He hated it despite it being really quick. He thought they looked stupid with their big policeman uniformed bodies crammed into a little car. It was often out of service as it was really difficult to service. It wasn't able to keep up with the modified fords on the bends and a didn't last long. Despite all the negatives, the alpine always looked neat but was never considered by the boys as a cool car especially when compared to a well sorted lotus cortina or a rally modified ford anglia.
Well if you redesigned the chassis placing the engine further back in the frame, and you made the rear-end 25percent heavier, you could in theory, compensate, for lack of 50/50 weight distribution. Plus I believe that the Corvette shouldn’t become a mid engine car, they should redesign it as a SPORTS car,instead of a grand touring car. Also since the Corvette is made as a semi fiberglass automobile it cuts down on RUST. The Corvette NEEDS to be re-engineered as the people’s sports car
what a great car to start with. its mint!!! i have a 2008 gray 3 hatchback and love the look, but not the most reliable car.
once i changed the rear engine mount, it was like a new car. crazy smooth shifting.
I admire your professional and clean environment.
Thanks man!
As soon as i saw the yellow miata in your video i realized you're the guy who's website i used to help me turbo my NA! That was almost 11 years ago! Now that i know you have a RUclips channel I'm going to subscribe for sure!
so cool the chassis after liftoff. youve got a huge project here. more than i would ever take on doing. props
Christ that was one day of work?! Amazing job and you labeled EVERYTHING. that's seriously awesome
Someone please introduce Tom here to rechargeable impacts. I was tired just watching him use the ratchets. In all seriousness though, I'm glad that this video shows how much work and organization goes into these projects. It's not cheap, not easy, and takes a lot of time and patience.
Have you SEEN the turboed LS miata on the 1320 channel? It's nutty!
benzlover55 Oh you know I have! :-D
l love coming back to these videos. They are very informative, humorous, and the host keeps new content out for us viewers.
Bob Dole Thank you sir, I appreciate the kind words! FYI- I'll be posting a new update this Friday May 8th. See ya then!
Build thread videos are the best kind of videos. Nicely shot and curated.
Gasinduced Thank you sir, glad you enjoyed it!
I'm so glad the mercury capri was in that magazine article where they compared cars. I'm also glad the miata won but I love my mercury capri and am planning on turning it into a rotary powered rwd roadster(right now it's fwd and has a back seat if you could call it that
I really like the research, folder, parts labelling and clean workshop Great job
I can see the vultures circling over the low-mile engine and diff. Good project, can't wait to see it all come together.
bandwagon240 Thanks man! Yeah, I may end up selling those parts eventually. Not sure yet.
Putting them into a NA would also be fun (albeit without the bucktooth intercooler). Or even an Exocet.