What Packs a 450 hp LS6 350 and Weighs Just 2551 lbs? Zoom

[Gorehamj]

John Goreham
Contributing Writer, GM-Trucks.com
6-7-2017

Mazda Miata V8 conversions usually seem to use Ford engines for some reason. Ford has made some great V8s over the past century, but we'll take a Corvette engine any day. So did James and Janna Weeks. While Janna was serving in Afganistan, James began a resto-mod project for her in honor of her late mother, who they had inherited the NA-generation Miata from.

James told us that the Corvette engine was from another project and it replaced a turbocharged 1.8-liter engine that was the first engine upgrade to Zoom, the car you see above.

 

James told that Zoom us now sports a 5.7-liter LS6 V8 with modified heads, intake, and cam. The transmission is a T56 6-speed. The rear end is a Ford 8.8 with 3.08 gears. Zoom once ran to 156 MPH on the half-mile on a closed course. Then James and Janna turned on the nitrous and Zoom posted 165 MPH.

 

A huge V8 in place of a tiny 4-banger usually disrupts the balance of a conversion car. That is unless the engine coming out is iron and the one going in is aluminum. James says that the whole conversion added about 300 pounds total to the weight of the car and that the front to rear weight distribution is only 1% changed to 52/48.

[newdude]

Mah god...

 

I'd love to do up a Miata with an LS even though there are tons out there. None in my area though that I know of. And, there's a Miata for sale damn near right across the street from me...

[barry G]

that is fast.

 

ford was a favorite due to 5 liters or so crammed into small chassis.

they built it for tight spots...right out of the box.

 

A gm 350 used to be on fire in anything.

 

now gm with aluminum, anything goes.

I would not try an iron in the miata.. unless old ford, power dropped some.