"gettingoldercarguy" (gettingoldercarguy)
05/07/2019 at 23:19 • Filed to: None
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"gettingoldercarguy" (gettingoldercarguy)
05/07/2019 at 23:19 • Filed to: None | 1
| 26 |
With the RS60 going in short supply now, I looked at a few other models like the 987.2 Spyder. Then iupsold myself to the 981 Spyder. So, I went from 30k to 90k. My wife who’s used to my fantasy car shopping antics gave me the ok, up until I almost bid on the rs60 which precipitated the serious convertible purchase discussion. We now have groundwork laid out for me to purchase one this summer and the freedom for me to spend more than I’d ever consider is weird. Akin to having time off after grad school, you think you’re forgetting something that’ll bite you in the keester, then reminding yourself that everything is ok.
With this newfound freedom, I realized that the 987.2 Boxster has the qualities I’m looking for. It’s light and playful, not as outright fast like the 981, but the more communicative steering and rawness reminds me of my first car. I had a very nice aw11 supercharged MR2. It was bliss and I’m looking for a similar feeling. My brother later purchased an sw20 turbo MR2 which while faster and more refined was less engaging. Analogous to the 981 and 987.2.
So just this evening I started looking at NC Miatas, just for shits and grins. Man they’re cheap, nowhere near as refined but definitely cheaper and then I’m reminded of the aftermarket. Near infinite possibilities. And the prices associated with the mods, way way cheaper. It appears that when my wife sets me free, I come back home.
I should probably test them again for steering feel, the Boxster S isn’t THAT much more...
ItalianJobR53 - now with added 'MERICA and unreliability
> gettingoldercarguy
05/07/2019 at 23:27 |
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Supercharge it and it should be quite fast too :)
Nibby
> gettingoldercarguy
05/07/2019 at 23:28 |
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buy me a tempo pls
CRider
> ItalianJobR53 - now with added 'MERICA and unreliability
05/07/2019 at 23:31 |
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You misspelled “V8 swap” but I agree.
t0ast
> gettingoldercarguy
05/08/2019 at 00:33 |
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2.5L swaps are very simple and very cheap if you can find one with a blown engine. Like under $3k for a low mileage unit w/ install labor included cheap. Just saying.
Add forced induction and suspension upgrades of your choice and it’d make for a neat little rocket of a car. It’s more or less what I’d have done to in the long run if I had kept it around.
HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles
> gettingoldercarguy
05/08/2019 at 00:34 |
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I fell deeply in love with an dark red NC with a nice brown leather interior. But the whole 2 seater thing didn’t fly with the wife.
Also yes they are cheap. Soooo cheap.
Thomas Donohue
> gettingoldercarguy
05/08/2019 at 00:42 |
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I went from an NB to a 986, never looked back.
987 Spyder is a solid choice that will likely start to appreciate in value, unlike the 981 Spyder of which they made many.
2013 981 2.7 ( with a sport exhaust) is the bargain sweet spot IMO.
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gettingoldercarguy
> Thomas Donohue
05/08/2019 at 00:51 |
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981 Spyder has the 3.8 and the turbo steering rack, something the gt4 didn’t get and should’ve. It looks near exotic and if they blacked out the lower center facia as they did with the gts it’d be perfect. That aside it’s borderline too refined for my tastes.
What’s your take on steering feel and overall dynamics Miata vs Porsche? The irony of a quad McPherson strut vs proper double wishbone is kinda comical to boot.
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gettingoldercarguy
> Nibby
05/08/2019 at 00:52 |
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I can't find one you deserve. Sorry man.
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gettingoldercarguy
> CRider
05/08/2019 at 00:53 |
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I’m thinking 2.3 Ecoboost with the RS head for the exhaust note. Compound it with a twin screw/roots and a big ole turbo. Wei ght should be lower than a V8 and would be uniquely fun, powerful and tractable.
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gettingoldercarguy
> t0ast
05/08/2019 at 00:54 |
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Ecoboost!!!!
MarquetteLa
> gettingoldercarguy
05/08/2019 at 00:54 |
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You can replace almost all of the interior trim with aftermarket carbon fiber bits if you want to feel like you’re sitting in a Porsche.
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gettingoldercarguy
> MarquetteLa
05/08/2019 at 00:57 |
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I love me some carbon, just rather have it covered anymore.
Nick Has an Exocet
> gettingoldercarguy
05/08/2019 at 02:10 |
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The NC Miata is growing on me quite a bit. I’ve seen some really amazingly well done ones. The only part where it’s still behind is engine swap support. The 2.5 is pretty standard and V8 kits exist, but not the weird stuff in the middle like exists for the NA/NB. That doesn’t mean it can’t be done!
I’ve always wanted to do a Miata with a built up 3 cylinder ecoboost. The sound would be super cool and you’d have great power.
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CRider
> gettingoldercarguy
05/08/2019 at 03:15 |
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Would a 2.3 Ecoboost with a turbo, a supercharger and the monster intercooler it would need be lighter than something like an LS motor?
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Nibby
> gettingoldercarguy
05/08/2019 at 08:32 |
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:(
Snuze: Needs another Swede
> gettingoldercarguy
05/08/2019 at 08:38 |
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OOO! OOOOOO!!!
REDNECK ONE:1 DOOOO IIITTTTTTT!!!!!!
Step 1: Get Miata
Step 2: LS Swap
Step 3: Add boost until you achieve 1HP per Kilogram
Step 4: Break physics!!!!!!!!
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Thomas Donohue
> gettingoldercarguy
05/08/2019 at 10:29 |
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The Miata had great go-kart type handling, but the Boxster has a much more solid, precise feel to it. (the NC may not be as different, as I think it’s got more power and weight than the NB) The Miata felt much softer to me at higher cornering speeds after I drove the Porsche . The only thing I missed in my first few months in the Boxster was the Mazda’s shifter. Eventually I put a new short- shift linkage in the 986 and it made a world of difference, though the Miata still wins in that department.
Also, the Boxster is infinitely more usable with two trunks and a much more solid feel on highways . After the first few years, I stopped taking the Miata on any kind of long trip. The Box goes on longer trips every year, even in the winter.
(My comparison is of a 99 NB with an 03 Boxster 2.7)
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gettingoldercarguy
> CRider
05/08/2019 at 11:42 |
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I think maybe a bit, the coyote is only a few pounds heavier than the ls (430 vs 418) and the Ecoboost Mustang is lighter and better balanced than the GT from what I’ve read.
No arguing the V8's allure and efficacy , but I really like being different.
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CRider
> gettingoldercarguy
05/08/2019 at 21:03 |
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The shipping weight of a Coyote crate motor is 544 lbs, the 2.3 Ecoboost is 568 - heavier than the V8. I was surprised to see that. Maybe heavier driveshaft, half shafts, brakes ect... make up the rest of it?
I agree that “LS swap, bro! ” is about the most boring way to spend $10k on a car, but they are damn good at their job. Maybe one day other manufacturers will start selling crate motors and give us some choice, but I doubt it.
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gettingoldercarguy
> CRider
05/08/2019 at 21:53 |
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Ford 5.0-liter DOHC V8:
Length: 26.08 inches
Height: 28.89 inches
Width: 29.05 inches
Weight: 430 pounds (with accessories)
GM 6.2-liter LS3 V8:
Length: 28.75 inches
Height: 28.25 inches
Width: 24.75 inches
Weight: 418 pounds (with accessories)
I think the Ecoboost will be a bit lighter, and I definitely agree the ls is damn good at everything.
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gettingoldercarguy
> CRider
05/08/2019 at 21:56 |
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How much is the weight of this engine?
The Ford Performance 2.3L EcoBoost Crate Engine will weigh in at approximately 340lbs.
https://www.americanmuscle.com/ford-performance-23l-ecoboost-crate-engine-1517-ecoboost.html
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CRider
> gettingoldercarguy
05/09/2019 at 00:51 |
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That makes a lot more sense than the (admittedly shipping weight, so packaging included ) number I got from Ford’s site.
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CRider
> gettingoldercarguy
05/09/2019 at 00:57 |
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So the Ecoboost will save ~100 lbs vs a Coyote V8, not a bad trade off in something like a Miata- though I’d take the V8 in a Mustang every time. It’ll be a fun car either way.
The real takeaway here is that Mazda needs to start putting more powerful engines in the Miata. Maybe rekindle their relationship with Ford and see if they can make it work this time.
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gettingoldercarguy
> CRider
05/09/2019 at 02:08 |
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Yeah, I can’t knock the V8, the sound of it, power, etc. is great, perfect even.
Part of the allure of the Ecoboost is it bolts up to the stock transmission, etc. Some firewall work is needed to fit the hpfp, but it isn’t horrible. In my mind I could use the Cosworth supercharger kit on the mzr engine while working on the 2.3. The supercharger would be carried over for the compound setup.
Or just LS swap, throw on heads, intake, cam and make 600+ all day long. I definitely need to drive the cars again to firm up my choice.
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CRider
> gettingoldercarguy
05/09/2019 at 23:57 |
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Using the stock transmission would make the swap a lot easier and cheaper- assuming it could hold up to the power of a tuned Ecoboost. I’m guessing messing around with a dual charger setup would add that cost and complexity back in, though.
The Coyote , at least 2019+ ones, can fit GT350 intake runners (the Bullitt has them) bringing the HP up to 480 @ 7k and making it even happier to rev, something the LS motor ( and Ecoboost) isn’t really about. In a Miata, a screaming V8 would be quite an experience.
In my state, you need to pass emissions tests so the only way to get an LS3 make 600+ is with boost.
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gettingoldercarguy
> CRider
05/12/2019 at 16:36 |
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Twin charge and compound is out, I think the mould needs updating and both flying Miata and good win racing agreed it wasn't worth the capital for their decreasing return rate . I’m going to test drive an NC club tomorrow and see how I like that. The 2.5 swap looks really good, especially with fi of some sort. The thing I really like with the Ecoboost is the exhaust note from the mismatched integrated manifold lengths. I like how fast I can drop the top on the NC, how cheap it is to repair and all the performance options that are available.