In the latest episode of Automobile Magazine's "The Downshift", the crew revisits the Monster Miata tuning shop in San Marcos, California, and interviews the company's founder Martin Wilson.
In the video, Wilson talks about the past, the present and the future of the company that became famous for stuffing a Ford Mustang-sourced 5.0-liter V8 into the engine compartment of the Mazda MX-5 roadster (see another V8 powered Miata here).
According to Wilson, if someone brings a stock MX-5 to his shop, the complete conversion will cost roughly around $17,000 to $18,000 (about €14,000 to €15,000 at the current exchange rates).
Among the future plans of Monster Miata is to use other powertrains on the MX-5 including Ford's newest V6 engines.
You can get a sense of Wilson's impetus for yourself in the video after the jump.
8 Comments:
Not sure I understand why people do this, just for the novelty or the sound of a V-8, because from a driving standpoint all it does is screw up the handling of one of the best handling cars currently in production. That's why serious drivers buy MX-5s and Miatas, great handling and lightweight.
I would much prefer to see the original engine beefed up and twin turbocharged with an output of around 420 HP
Because this comes from an age when there weren't any beefed up, turbocharged engines. I remember back in 1999-2000 when my girlfriend got her new shiny MX5 I was planning on steal it and slap in a V8 engine in it :)
I remember a V16 Miata on the other article. Perhaps they should think about that option as well.
Reg; " screw up the handling" Actually Aaron, it doesn't effect the handling significantly, especially considering the tire size limitations, and with an all aluminum LS engine it performs quite well, and handles better then the vaunted Shelby Cobra of lore. There is a heavier feeling, tending to a bit of understeer, but that is easily compensated for with throttle.
I have driven several iterations of V-8 Miata's and have been quite impressed. After seeing one at a cruise in, in Danville California, I contacted Martin and he was kind enough to take me out for a test drive several years ago. I was suitably impressed and I have been driving and have owned Miata's for almost twenty years now. They are my daily drivers.
http://monstermiata.webs.com/apps/videos/videos/show/9397046-monsters-at-willow#.UBi_iSPk4IY.gmail
aaronbbrown's experiance comes driving Googles.
I like it alot. People may not understand the concept of little car big engine. I also did something like this putting a 6.1 srt hemi motor in a prowler. Why it's fun and a blast.
You can check it out on
www.facebook.com/hemiprowler
And the build story here. Its fun doing something different and making a unique build.
This one look pretty solid
Also being a troll.
'Twin turbo chargers'(?) or 'Twin Scroll' turbo charger? The V-8 Miata's would be more drive-able then the configuration you propose Aaron, assuming that you mean by 'twin', two chargers of the same size.
Actually, two turbo chargers sequentially linked and the lead charger being the smaller of the two are one way to go, but that set-up, initiated by a 'Twin Scroll' arrangement, would be an ideal turbo charger set-up, especially with direct injection.
And, 5.5 pounds per horsepower, that is some pretty serious HP for vehicle with an 89" inch wheelbase and limited available traction.
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