Flyin' Miata : Projects: The green 1999 V8

November 26, 2008 - Another V8!
Robert brought his little '91 up for an LS3, but decided to buy our '99 and put an LS3 variant in it. Here is the engine compartment completely gutted and waiting for firewall/tunnel mods.
entry 1

November 26, 2008 - Gutted interior.
The dash and carpet have been removed to allow plasma cutting where the firewall meets the tunnel, reshaping and re-welding. This will be the scariest part of the job for most people. There are other kits on the market that skip this step, but they leave the drivetrain further forward, upsetting the sweet balance of the stock Miata. We think the extra work is worth the reward in handling.
entry 2

December 3, 2008 - The engine bay and firewall modifications have been done.
We removed a couple of braces temporarily and it made the job very easy. It's all cleaned up and ready for welding.
entry 3

December 3, 2008 - Given the horsepower of this car, we need as much rigidity as possible.
So we bolted on a set of Frog Arms.
entry 4

December 3, 2008 - And here's the beast.
It's an LS3 (the 6.3l 2008 Corvette motor) from GM Performance Parts. But not just any LS3. This one's got a hot cam, bumping the engine up from 436 to 480 hp. You know, because too much is never enough. It's a beautiful thing - and it even has a factory warranty!
entry 5

December 3, 2008 - The engine comes with a full wiring harness.
It's designed for exactly our purposes - it has everything needed to run the engine and nothing else. Even the ECU is pre-programmed for the hot cam.
And it's really nicely done. Every connector is labeled, no instruction manual necessary.
entry 6

December 3, 2008 - The LS3 runs a drive-by-wire throttle.
So the wiring kit even includes a new throttle pedal! It'll bolt into the Miata nicely.
entry 7

December 5, 2008 - Once the final welding was done to the transmission tunnel, we shot it with some primer.
Jon pays very close attention to detail on stuff like this. And it's the inside of the transmission tunnel!
entry 8

December 5, 2008 - The primed tunnel was then painted with factory green paint.
We used paint that had been loaded into a spray can by a local paint shop. It's a good way to get a high-quality finish at home, but we're going to stick to the HVLP gun from now on. It's easier if you have access to the right sort of compressor.
entry 9

December 9, 2008 - The throttle pedal mounted up quite easily.
This is one of those modifications that is either really easy or really hard, rarely in between.
entry 10

December 9, 2008 - Parts are gathering around the car.
The transmission and various miscellaneous bits have arrived, so it's almost time to start putting the Miata back together.
entry 11

January 13, 2009 - The Big Shaft!
Because of the power we expect from the cammed LS3, we spec'd the larger driveshaft from V8 Roadsters. Like all of their stuff, it's a work of art.
entry 12

January 13, 2009 - Brand new T56 six speed. It's strong enough for a Viper, it should be strong enough for a Miata!
All driveline parts in this build are brand new.
entry 13

January 13, 2009 - More stuff!

This shows the new front subframe, frame rails, trans cross-member and diff mount bracket.
entry 14

February 16, 2009 - Pre-surgery preparations.
The GMP crate engine comes with a Corvette oil pan that won't fit over the V8 Roadsters subframe. This is an F body (Firebird/Camaro) oil pan marked for modification.
entry 15

February 17, 2009 - After the cut.
These are some heavy pans, probably 1/4" thick in most places.
entry 16

February 17, 2009 - Double decker.
The Corvette pan is on the top, er, is that the bottom? Anyway the Vette pan is in the top of the picture..
entry 17

February 17, 2009 - New pan pieces.
These are made of 1/4" plate.
entry 18

February 17, 2009 - Done!
Not the prettiest welds, but should stick things together.
entry 19

February 17, 2009 - Energy Suspension.
Custom urethane motor mounts.
entry 20

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