This GM Powered BMW Z3 Is Actually A Miata

"DailyTurismo" (thedailyturismo) 12/15/2014 at 14:00 • Filed to: Daily Turismo, Blog, Miata

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We know the answer is always Miata...but what was the question? What do I do with the GM V6 and Z3 front clip sitting around in my garage?

The first generation (NA) Mazda MX-5 Miata was sold from 1989 through 1999 in various parts of the world. Its Shunji Tanaka design is clean and simple, evoking classic British roadsters (Lotus Elan!) while bringing contemporary style. However, in the !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! the MX-5 is powered by a GM V6 and looks a lot like a BMW Z3. Find this evil 1990 Mazda MX-5 Miata offered for $20,000 !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! . Tip from Gianni.

In our dimension, the early NA series MX-5 is powered by a 1.6 liter inline-4 that makes 115 horsepower. The bearded spock MX-5 is powered by a 3.1 liter GM V6 that has been modified and sounds like a "Cobra" according to the seller.

From the seller: "The car accelerates strongly from any speed and brakes like a modern performance car. It is sure to impress the neighbors." Yes, because nothing impresses the neighbors like a car that has been modified to look like a 20 year old BMW and costs 4 times as much. I'm impressed.

See another bearded spock classic? !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!!

Originally published as !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! on !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! .

Image credits; hemmings.

MIATAAAA > DailyTurismo 12/15/2014 at 14:02

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http://oppositelock.jalopnik.com/why-the-fuck-d…

boobytrapsandtreasure > DailyTurismo 12/15/2014 at 14:06

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There is nothing right about this.

Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire > MIATAAAA 12/15/2014 at 14:08

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http://oppositelock.jalopnik.com/why-is-this-a-…

Tohru > Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire 12/15/2014 at 14:13

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Frank Grimes > DailyTurismo 12/15/2014 at 14:44

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im gonna haul up to 75mph in my suburban street and bust a few slaloms through some cones and then screech to a stop. to impress my neighbors.

kyle242gt > DailyTurismo 12/17/2014 at 17:11

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Honestly. EFI is not that hard to work with. GET IT TOGETHER PEOPLE!!!!

ThatAHole123 > DailyTurismo 12/17/2014 at 17:13

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*Raises deflector shields

I like it, I would de-badge it (a bmw it is not), but I like it.

For Sweden > boobytrapsandtreasure 12/17/2014 at 17:13

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There is everything right about this.

picoFarad > DailyTurismo 12/17/2014 at 17:14

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ow, my brains

DailyTurismo > Frank Grimes 12/17/2014 at 17:16

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I'd be impressed.

_Mécanicien > DailyTurismo 12/17/2014 at 17:16

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Kill it.

DailyTurismo > ThatAHole123 12/17/2014 at 17:16

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I would make the front look more like a 60s Lotus Elan and then put a Mazda badge on it...

El-Verde > Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire 12/17/2014 at 17:18

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Now I'm eagerly awaiting someone who beat YOU by a week to post.

ThatAHole123 > _Mécanicien 12/17/2014 at 17:20

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only if I get to kill it by taking out mailboxes

Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire > El-Verde 12/17/2014 at 17:22

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It's happened.

VoltRon > DailyTurismo 12/17/2014 at 17:25

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What. The. Fuck.

Aremmes > DailyTurismo 12/17/2014 at 17:32

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So much work, wasted on a GM six-pot. An LS swap would have taken less time and money, and resulted in more hoons. But this... this disappoints me.

jimmyjet > DailyTurismo 12/17/2014 at 17:35

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Stacey David built his "Banshee" using the only body kit I've ever seen that improves the Miata's appearance - Simpson Design's Italia . Unlike the Banshee, tThere isn't enough polish in the world to make this faux turd-of-a-Z3 shine. Everyone who looks at it knows it's not a BMW and for $20,000, you can easily get your hands on a solid, genuine BMW with as many cylinders and perhaps the same displacement.

Really - if you're going to blow 20 grand on a project Miata, why not do it on one with a proper small block Chevy?

Muti007 > DailyTurismo 12/17/2014 at 17:36

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Good God thats stupid. If he can get $4k for it, he should take it and RUUUUUUNNNNN!!!

DailyTurismo > Aremmes 12/17/2014 at 17:36

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I think a stock 1.8 liter Mazda engine mated to a 5-speed would have resulted in more hoons...

Zzzzzzzzzz > DailyTurismo 12/17/2014 at 17:37

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CP! Second time using it this week!

JayHova > DailyTurismo 12/17/2014 at 17:37

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Tens of thousands were spent to create this classic looking BMW Z3 sports car with the reliability of a Mazda Miata and simplicity of a Chevrolet. So dare to be different and enjoy this amazing car at a fraction of what it cost to build.

I'm lost for words about the amount of delusion.

KB Garage > DailyTurismo 12/17/2014 at 17:39

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...and offer a beer.

When_in_doubt_throttle_out > DailyTurismo 12/17/2014 at 17:40

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claramag, Mustaco Master > kyle242gt 12/17/2014 at 17:47

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It's not that EFI is too difficult for some, it's just what they know. A skilled carb'd builder can squeeze as much power and driveability out of most blocks as a similar budgeted EFI project, especially NA

That being said, seller's lack of powersheet doesn't get my hopes up. And a T5? Not exactly a high power transmission.

CammedCTSV > DailyTurismo 12/17/2014 at 17:48

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If anyone here has ever owned a GM 2.8, 3.1 or 3.4, please join in the resounding disdain of the 60* V6

Doctor-G-and-the-wagen > DailyTurismo 12/17/2014 at 17:50

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You say 20-year old BMW like it's a BAD thing.

Aremmes > DailyTurismo 12/17/2014 at 17:54

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Like this?

The Real Kanra > DailyTurismo 12/17/2014 at 17:58

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Alright, this thing's a little ridiculous but that tonneau cover is awesome; I just wish the head fairings matched the height and shape of the roll bars.

greencow > DailyTurismo 12/17/2014 at 18:00

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CP! CP!!!!

472CID > DailyTurismo 12/17/2014 at 18:02

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Actually it's a broom

AustinBenji > ThatAHole123 12/17/2014 at 18:06

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Step it up a little, throw some Viper rims on it, rebadge it as a Ford and replace the seats with some from an STI, then get a giant VOLKSWAGON sticker across the windshield and a LOTUS RACING in the back. Honda steering wheel and Pagani shift knob because why not.

Nobody will know what to insult and all you'll get are complements. There's literally no way this plan can fail.

Also, I like it too and hope to build a frankencar in this vein some day...though I'll never expect to ask this kind of money if I ever decide to sell it.

T5Killer > claramag, Mustaco Master 12/17/2014 at 18:08

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But its a GM 3.1 so no worries about it making enough power to break T-5s. I know a little bit about killing said transmissions.

T5Killer > DailyTurismo 12/17/2014 at 18:09

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I like it but it should have had a Ford 5.0 Windsor in it. Why would anyone swap in the low power horrid 3.1 into anything?

Evan, Pope Of Jalopnik by Self-Appointment > DailyTurismo 12/17/2014 at 18:12

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Was almost ready to not be completely, 100% putt off by this...only 99%. Then saw carbs.

What the actual fuck.

Evan, Pope Of Jalopnik by Self-Appointment > DailyTurismo 12/17/2014 at 18:13

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This is a stupid car with a stupid price and a stupid engine. I feel very badly for at least two of the participants in this frankenstein horror show (BMW and Miata)...the GM V6 at least is finally doing something worthwhile with its life.

Evan, Pope Of Jalopnik by Self-Appointment > DailyTurismo 12/17/2014 at 18:15

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Seriously, the 3.1 is a boat anchor, not exactly a "performance engine" and there's no way it weighs less than a Mazda 1.8.

Evan, Pope Of Jalopnik by Self-Appointment > CammedCTSV 12/17/2014 at 18:15

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Driven, is that enough? Just please no never again.

Evan, Pope Of Jalopnik by Self-Appointment > JayHova 12/17/2014 at 18:16

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I'm not interested in the car really but he seems like he has some quality substances at his disposal and I'd like to talk to him about purchasing some of that.

TheStigsGermanCousin > DailyTurismo 12/17/2014 at 18:27

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the answer is always Miata. "Is that a bmw z3", "no", "but it's got bmw badge-", "shhhh, shhhh, don't worry about that... It's a Miata and that's all you need to know."

Eddie Valiant > DailyTurismo 12/17/2014 at 18:30

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FUCK ALL OF THIS. IT'S AN ABOMINATION.

maximum_sarge > DailyTurismo 12/17/2014 at 18:34

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Of all the cars I've seen made to look like something other than themselves, this is one of the better ones, actually. Crackpipe nevertheless...

kyle242gt > claramag, Mustaco Master 12/17/2014 at 18:35

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When I sourced a donor for my project I specifically chose an EFI setup. Maybe more work to get running (two and a half years in pieces at this count), but when done, modern economy, performance, and drivability. I have carb'd cars, and there's no comparison between them.

ThatAHole123 > T5Killer 12/17/2014 at 18:51

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That had me wondering too, poor choice of engine (maybe they just had one lying around).

T5Killer > ThatAHole123 12/17/2014 at 18:53

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True but for a $100 or so you can score a junkyard roller cam 5.0 Windsor from a Mustang, F-150 or Explorer.

eldo500 > DailyTurismo 12/17/2014 at 18:54

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That's an Exocet waiting to happen.

ThatAHole123 > AustinBenji 12/17/2014 at 18:54

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if I could do it dirt cheap, I would, just to piss people off. Kinda like Roadkill's BlasHemi

Harris_the_Unknowing > DailyTurismo 12/17/2014 at 19:00

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Take a Miata,

add the V-6

and a BWW grill....

You'll never notice the difference....

wisc47 > DailyTurismo 12/17/2014 at 19:06

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I shall call it the G-Miaz3

claramag, Mustaco Master > T5Killer 12/17/2014 at 19:11

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If I can't trust username T5Killer re: T5 strength, who can I trust.

Cameron > Evan, Pope Of Jalopnik by Self-Appointment 12/17/2014 at 19:34

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Not only that..check out the vinyl tubing fuel line..classy

Josh G > DailyTurismo 12/17/2014 at 20:01

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So back in the days of forums you would get flamed for not searching? Is that a thing since oppo has more contributors than some forums have members?

picoFarad > CammedCTSV 12/17/2014 at 21:32

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Burn in hell, GM 2.8 v6.

boost_retard > DailyTurismo 12/17/2014 at 22:47

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At least you could get a nice inline six with an actual nearly 20 year old Z3, for much less than the seriously, seriously crack pipe price of $20K. I wouldn't pay $20 for this abominable shitbox. My roommates turbo Miata would rape this all day, every day in every way and he doesn't have $20K in it. Or a shitty, carb'd GM V6!

JDIGGS > DailyTurismo 12/17/2014 at 22:58

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Turd, the lexus v8 by a miata professional winning race team engineer as seen on drive was 15,000$

This car is not worth half that in terms of value and functionality and coolness.

Start the bidding at 50 dollars. GM v6, yeah sitting around because nobody / owner of the engine didn't want it and thought so highly of it they just left it not even bothering to sell for a case of beer.

GM v6 shoulda just sold the parts as they were.

M54B30 > DailyTurismo 12/18/2014 at 00:06

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Jesus christ, a Downs Syndrome Z3-looking Miata with an asthmatic GM V6 in it? For $20k?! Not even if it was new

DailyTurismo > JDIGGS 12/18/2014 at 00:09

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But, how do you really feel?

DailyTurismo > M54B30 12/18/2014 at 00:10

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I think Jesus would drive this Z3iatamero into the sea of Galilee if given the choice, but his b-day is coming up, so he can do what he wants.

Left my life-long panther for that hot young Corolla > DailyTurismo 12/18/2014 at 00:56

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I saw this at Pebble Beach

Captain_Spadaro > DailyTurismo 12/18/2014 at 01:52

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wat

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > DailyTurismo 12/18/2014 at 02:00

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Simply awful

Ry-bones, FiST pilot > DailyTurismo 12/18/2014 at 08:01

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All that work for minimal hp gains. This is probably slower to 60mph than a stock Miata of the same vintage.

crowmolly > DailyTurismo 12/18/2014 at 08:32

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A little late to the party.

There's a lot going on with this car and there's a lot that raises eyebrows. Appearance, powertrain, etc. Some, if not most of that can be differences in taste and what you've got on hand.

But good lord, clear vinyl tubing for an automotive fuel line? I know it's used on lawnmowers and can probably handle the fuel, but I don't know about temperature resistance and long term life.

ochy38 > CammedCTSV 12/18/2014 at 09:24

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had a GM 2.8. Was def underpowered, but man was it reliable, and had an amazing and very unique exhaust note.

gla2yyz > DailyTurismo 12/18/2014 at 09:45

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KILL THAT ABOMINATION!!!!

DailyTurismo > crowmolly 12/18/2014 at 12:47

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So, if I can summarize...what you are saying, is that routing clear vinyl tubing full of fuel next to a hot exhaust header is NOT a good idea?

Evan, Pope Of Jalopnik by Self-Appointment > Cameron 12/18/2014 at 13:47

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Looks like something somebody did in shop class.

jonwho > Tohru 12/18/2014 at 21:27

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the grills on my z3 are pretty ugly but not that ugly

thegregorius > DailyTurismo 12/22/2014 at 09:59

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"Do you lust over an old BMW Z3, but feel that you just cant live without the squeaky interior plastics of your Miata? Do you loathe the handling brought by the 50/50 weight distribution of said Miata? Would you like to spend $20,000 on a 25 year old Frankenstein car? Hemmings have the perfect car for you."

Brad Pittman > DailyTurismo 12/24/2014 at 15:38

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Why this looks so right and so isn't right is just beyond me. The want is strong. Can't deny that.