So, I stumbled upon this 3800-swapped Miata on Youtube

"dogisbadob" (dogisbadob) 04/16/2019 at 20:47 • Filed to: None

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lone_liberal > dogisbadob 04/16/2019 at 21:38

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Recording in portrait when you’re trying to quickly catch something is one thing, but when you’re making something specifically for YouTube? That takes dedication.

Nauraushaun > dogisbadob 04/16/2019 at 22:11

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Isn’t that engine really big but not that powerful? Seems like the worst possible choice.

My mum’s Toyota has the 3.8 ;)

dogisbadob > Nauraushaun 04/16/2019 at 22:25

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Well it’s not that big since it is a pushrod engine.  I agree it’s not the greatest choice, but still interesting tho

Nauraushaun > dogisbadob 04/16/2019 at 22:30

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Still interesting yes.

Discerning > Nauraushaun 04/16/2019 at 22:31

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The GM 3800 is about 350 lbs and a series 2 in NA form makes 205 hp. But the biggest thing worth noting is that they are dirt cheap. They are Un believably cheap and reasonably reliable and tough .

They also take quite well to boost as the basic architecture is an evolution of the 3.8 used in the turbo buicks of yore.

dogisbadob > Discerning 04/16/2019 at 22:42

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They also offered supercharged versions until the end, too :o)

Discerning > dogisbadob 04/16/2019 at 22:59

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True. The one in the vid is na though so I stu ck to the na stuff. That said, an oem Maggie is dirt cheap and can get slapped on no problem.

Nauraushaun > dogisbadob 04/16/2019 at 23:28

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For a whole extra 35hp!

Nauraushaun > Discerning 04/16/2019 at 23:32

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Surely that’s considerably heavier than what was previously in it though. It just seems like taking out a smaller engine in favor of a bigger one, when the bigger one isn’t actually that powerful...isn’t worth it. Maybe the bigger 3800 would be torquey for moving a bigger car, but the MX-5 isn’t a bigger car.

I’m biased against these engines. I can’t quite shake my youth, when the non-turbo engine in my 300ZX was older and s maller, yet with more powerful and with comparable efficiency to the fat droney 3800 in my friend’s Commodore. It will always be a big useless lump to me.

benn454 > Nauraushaun 04/16/2019 at 23:35

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The 3800 will still be running long after the rest of the Miata crumbles to dust, though.

dogisbadob > Nauraushaun 04/16/2019 at 23:54

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Doesn’ t sound like a lot, but it’s actually not bad considering the money and effort needed to add it. Definitely not the hardest/most expensive way to add 35 hp! That would normally require more Type-R fake sponsorship decals than you can actually fit on the car!

Nauraushaun > benn454 04/17/2019 at 00:45

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That’s not really a desirable trait for a sports car! Not above the weight and the power!

Nauraushaun > dogisbadob 04/17/2019 at 00:46

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If I’m going to induce by force, I’m going to need a lot more forcing than that

Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness > Nauraushaun 04/17/2019 at 07:14

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50 ft-lbs of torque is where the real kick comes from.

Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness > Nauraushaun 04/17/2019 at 07:21

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Not as much as you would think. The 1.8L in the Miata weighs roughly 290 lbs, the 3800 weighs roughly 350 lbs.

So for an extra 60 lbs, you also get an extra 80 hp, and an extra 110 ft-lbs of torque.

BTW, I would hope a “sports car” would perform better than a heavier sedan of the same era. I mean what were you expecting?

Discerning > Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness 04/17/2019 at 08:53

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This. Plus the 3800 is really effective at making torque. It revs kinda slow, but it's still a good engine

Discerning > Nauraushaun 04/17/2019 at 08:59

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If if someone said they could increase the power of my engine by almost 80% and the weight penalty was less than 100 lbs, I would be all for it.

Like the ls engines, the pushrod design means it’s light for its displacement. The iron block means it gains some of that back, but it’s not bad.

A miata 1.8 weighs roughly 250 lbs with accessories and whatnot if I remember correctly. 

benn454 > Nauraushaun 04/17/2019 at 09:31

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I wouldn't put one in a Miata, either. I'm just saying the 3800 will outlive us all.

Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness > Discerning 04/17/2019 at 10:05

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It’s a high torque engine, it doesn’t need revs to put down impressive power. I for one much prefer a high-torque, low rev engine to this shift for high-revs/high power. They last longer, are much easier to use in most situations, generally net better economy, plus are effective at making a vehicle feel faster.

dogisbadob > Nauraushaun 04/17/2019 at 10:20

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that can probably be done, too ;)

Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To > dogisbadob 04/17/2019 at 10:42

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Th is is my fetish. Now put an m90 on it already and make blower noises

Discerning > Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness 04/17/2019 at 11:50

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Definitely