There are few engines as popular as the Chevrolet Small Block V8. It’s been the go-to powertrain for engine swappers for generations, finding its way into all sorts of unconventional automobiles, even that lack General Motors involvement. A popular engine swap is slipping a powerful Corvette V8 under the hood of the tiny, lightweight Mazda Miata. It’s a match made in automotive heaven, and if you want to buy one, now is your chance – there’s one for sale in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin that’s ready for the race track with a 6.2L LS3 V8 engine under the hood.
The asking price is an eye-watering $55,900, but it appears that you get a lot more than just a Miata with an LS3 V8. This looks like a completely race-ready Miata, featuring a beefed-up suspension, including tubular control arms, Jesse Prather AFCO adjustable coilovers, and a tubular cross member. But that’s not all. Inside, the Miata is all business. There’s a full SCCA/NASA legal roll cage, Ultrashield aluminum seat, NACA duct windows, and MPI steering wheel with an NRG Innovations quick-release.
The 6.2L LS3 V8 makes 430 horsepower and 425 pound-feet of torque. It’s paired with a Tranzilla T56 six-speed manual gearbox that sends power to a Cadillac CTS-V rear end with upgraded axles. It’s crazy to think an engine General Motors introduced over a decade ago for the Chevrolet Corvette is now powering the tiny two-door runabout. Needless to say, it’s a significant increase in power for the Mazda. With all that might, the Mazda also needs better stopping power, which in this case comes in the form of a StopTech brake kit.
If the roll cage weren’t visible from the outside, you’d think this was just any other Mazda Miata – which would make it a perfect sleeper. Perhaps tinting the windows a bit would make that roll cage less noticeable.
And if we look at the engine bay with the 6.2L LS3 V8 squeezed between the red fenders, we would start to question why Mazda needed so much room for a 1.8L four-cylinder engine… not that we’re complaining.
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Comments
Lol, Road America is very close to Elkhart Lake. That car has definitely been on track often.
The NB is, in my opinion, the best looking Miata and this one is almost exactly how I’d build one. I just couldn’t pay C7 Stingray money for that.
Stupid $$ for a stupid car. C7 over this thing all day long, and a new one at that. Will this thing hold any value? No. Seems this dumbass thinks they’re going to get they’re $$ back….WRONG.
Bet it is fun to drive! I’d give it a shot! I own a 2001 MR2 Spyder would love to have 1/2 that much power…