Why Settle For A New Mazda MX-5 When There Is A Monster Miata On Sale For $20k?

A well-finished V8-swapped Miata shows up for sale and the normal thing to do is check your bank account.

This 1990 Mazda Miata has ditched its four-cylinder unit for a LS1 engine sourced from a 2001 Camaro Z28, massaged to produce 385hp at the wheels. The seller claims that the car was always garaged, has never visited a track and that runs reliably.

Power is sent through the donor car’s six-speed manual gearbox to a Gertrag 3.43 limited-slip differential which has only 1,000 miles on it. The brakes come from a MX-5 1.8 and deemed in good shape but the near 400hp under the bonnet will probably need something stronger.

Suspension-wise, the car has a set of Koni Yellows paired with Eibach springs while a set of 15×8 alloys are wrapped in 225/45 tires. The interior looks mostly stock and in great condition, with the seller saying that all gauges work as they should.

Overall this looks to a very clean conversion and the bodywork looks in great shape too, especially in this beautiful Mariner Blue color. The car is located in Chicago, Illinois with the ad providing a more detailed list of the mods.

Stuffing a big V8 inside a compact Mazda roadster was always the recipe for permanent smiles carved on the driver’s face. You could always build your own but it will likely cost you more than the $20k the seller is asking for his finished project. Add some big brakes in there and prepare to never stop grinning.

H/T TO BaT!