Meet the Mazda MX-5 with GM’s 391kW LS3 V8!

Kevin J Lee August 1, 2016 Tuning 966 Views

We’ve recently seen a Toyota 86 being given a big heart transplant in the form of a Ferrari V8. Now, it’s the Mazda MX-5’s turn.

Thanks to the crazy but talented folks from Flyin’ Miata in the US, the little MX-5 has had its humble 2.0-litre SkyActiv-G engine replaced with the mighty LS3 V8 from General Motors delivering a colossal 391kW of power.

The same engine, albeit in a different state of tune, is also found in the latest VFII Holden Commodore’s, where it churns out 304kW.

Impressively, the bigger lump at the front “only” contributed to a weight gain of 119kg over the stock model, although 53.4 percent of the weight is now up front, with the remaining 46.6 percent distributed to the back. The MX-5 has a perfect 50:50 weight distribution from the factory.

The V8 engine isn’t the only GM-sourced component that Flyin’ Miata has fitted to the pumped up MX-5, either. It also gains a six-speed T56 Tremec manual transmission (again similar to the one in the Holden Commodore).

That’s not all, the modified roadster features a custom Corvette-styled exhaust and has a number of other optional upgrades, including a carbon fibre driveshaft, bigger brakes, a roll bar and an aluminium oil pan.

The conversion kit is priced from $US49,995 (without the car) for the 320kW 6.2-litre LS3 V8, while the more powerful engine featured here costs an additional $US1,780.

Read ForceGT’s Mazda MX-5 Review here.

Specification:

430 hp 6.2L LS3 V8 engine with a two year warranty – a 2015 Camaro SS engine
6-speed T56 Magnum transmission with a custom shift lever
FM spec Moroso steel oil pan with baffling
LS7 clutch and flywheel
AAM differential from a 2015 Camaro
custom-built dual pass crossflow radiator
dual Spal fans on a custom shroud
new aluminum driveshaft
heavy duty halfshafts
stainless steel headers and dual exhaust with a lifetime warranty
Magnaflow high-flow dual catalytic converters
upgraded fuel system
new GM-built engine wiring harness and engine management
Flyin’ Miata custom engine dyno tune for more power and improved drivability with our specific parts
OE-style motor mounts for good NVH control
custom air intake system with hot air baffle
rear mount Odyssey battery with kill switch and engine bay jump start terminal
Corvette C6 starter
fully functional stock gauges
FM sway bars front & rear with adjustable end links
Flyin’ Miata FOX Racing suspension
ABS
FM four wheel little big brake kit
air conditioning
Hydraulic steering conversion
relocated washer bottle
many custom stainless brackets required for a clean installation
Flyin’ Miata alignment