The Flyin' Miata MX-5 Is 518bhp Of Roadster Lunacy

Tuning company Flyin' Miata has completed its first V8-swapped ND Mazda MX-5, and if you have the cash, you can get yours converted too
The Flyin' Miata MX-5 Is 518bhp Of Roadster Lunacy

V8 MX-5s are nothing new. In fact, we were looking at a first-generation ‘Mega Monster’ Miata only recently. We’re yet to see a completed V8 ND MX-5 though, but this week, that’s all changed thanks to Flyin’ Miata.

The Colorado tuning firm has a great track record of shoehorning V8 engines into MX-5s, and has been busy filling the engine bay of the latest version of Mazda’s roadster with a socking great LS3 V8.

Remote video URL

Naturally, dropping a 6.2-litre V8 under the hood does have an effect on weight, but the overall weight gain is actually reasonable at around 120kg. So it’s still light, and with 518bhp, it should be outrageously fast.

Thanks to Flyin’ Miata’s fastidious efforts, weight distribution hasn’t taken too much of a knock either: it’s now 53:47 as opposed to 52:48. “This will be a fully integrated car and not just a big engine rammed into a little car,” the company states, adding: “It’s a completely re-engineered automobile.”

The Flyin' Miata MX-5 Is 518bhp Of Roadster Lunacy

Part of the “re-engineering” process - thankfully - includes handling mods. There’s new suspension, a big brake kit, and even a new hydraulic power steering system to replace the standard car’s electric setup.

The result is a car which Flyin’ says isn’t an unhinged widow-maker:

“Far from being an uncontrollable monster, the car remains as friendly as the original and is able to gain excellent traction off corners. This is probably the biggest surprise anyone gets while driving, how easy it is to control.”

Should we ever find ourselves in Colorado, we’ll have to give Flyin’ a call and test out that claim for ourselves…

The Flyin' Miata MX-5 Is 518bhp Of Roadster Lunacy

The car you see here is a prototype, but the full kit is available to order now. It’s not cheap: for the 424bhp version you’re looking at $49,995, not including the base car. Further upgrades are available - if you want a 524bhp version like the prototype for instance, it’s an extra $1780, while even larger brakes will be a further $725.

Make sure you check out the full spec on Flyin’ Miata’s website.

Comments

The S2K Guy

“Socking Great”? Is the V8 a sock?

08/02/2016 - 08:10 |
4 | 4

socking
ˈsɒkɪŋ/Submit
adverbBRITISHinformal
used for emphasis.
“a socking great diamond”

08/02/2016 - 10:44 |
4 | 4
Anonymous

Flyin be like (WHY NOT?)

08/02/2016 - 08:29 |
4 | 0
Anonymous

But… isn’t the Mazda the epitome of slow car fast?

Wait. No. There is something better than slow car fast… fast car fast.

08/02/2016 - 08:50 |
110 | 2
The Silver Paseo EL54

I wish they put in a 2JZ instead of an LS :(

08/02/2016 - 08:54 |
4 | 8

So it would weigh even more?

08/02/2016 - 11:04 |
16 | 0

Wishes are for wells. Long live the Chevy small block

08/02/2016 - 15:05 |
2 | 0

It would ruin the weight distribution because it weighs as much as a boat anchor and you still have to turbo it to get to 500 HP.

08/02/2016 - 19:52 |
2 | 0

The 2JZ is cast iron. It’s heavier, it’s bigger, it’a more expensive and needs a turbo to get over 350 hp

08/04/2016 - 03:40 |
0 | 0
Tiago Mano

isn’t there more type of engines with moreor less the same power but less weight?
or is it just because they being very common there and/or cheaper than other options?

i know that is preatty common to ls swap a car, so i assume that is every where and cheap, but i am not from there i am only guessing

08/02/2016 - 09:37 |
0 | 0

good power band. Very light. Strong. A lot of parts. a lot of conversions. Tested and aproved on race tru… it is simply very logic choice.

the power to weight is better than even 911 GT3 or turbo O_o

08/02/2016 - 10:16 |
2 | 0

The LS engines are actually pretty light for their power, and feature a low profile with a low center oft gravity. All because of their “old school” design.

08/02/2016 - 10:58 |
6 | 0

The engine in question is made out of an aluminium alloy. It is alot lighter than you would expect.
The Ford V8 isn’t used because its big DOHC head (LS has pushrod valve control) simply wouldn’t fit.

08/02/2016 - 14:51 |
2 | 0
Anonymous

Not better than Phil the Miata.

08/02/2016 - 09:43 |
4 | 4
Roget

That’ll definitely excite Alex

08/02/2016 - 09:48 |
74 | 0
Jakub Jankowiecki

50k $? For what?

08/02/2016 - 10:32 |
2 | 2

That’s what i was thinking.. The LS3 is 8k$ transmission probably 4k$ and then you have exhaust systems and suspension, that doesn’t really make 50k…

08/02/2016 - 10:46 |
14 | 4

50k includes fitting. And as they said, it’s not just an MX with a V8, it’s a redisgned car in many aspects. If you just want the drivetrain and are willing to do the swap by yourself, then you’d probably be looking at 15-20ish grand.

08/02/2016 - 14:24 |
4 | 0
Mixxer

That would be a sick machine, quite a dreamcar!

08/02/2016 - 11:03 |
4 | 0
Anonymous

The reverse flow mufflers surely kill at least 50 hp…

jk good job :D

08/02/2016 - 11:39 |
12 | 0

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