Looking for a sports car bargain: $5K rebate on '08 Miatas!

[goof2]

Originally Posted by Homeslice

Yeah well I wouldn't want to put a V8 in that car. People can claim it has no effect on handling, but that's BS. Just because it might acheive the same lateral G's or slalom doesn't mean it handles exactly the same. There is a certain lightness in the steering and tossability that would be lost. Also, personally it's more fun to drive a slow car fast, than a fast car slow. In a V8 Miata your throttle foot would be itching all the time, with almost nowhere to use it.

Any modification will have an effect on handling. One kit for LS swaps adds less than 200 lbs and has the engine pushed back enough to put about 1/3 of the additional weight on the back wheels. It will effect handling, but with weight on the front wheels increasing by less than 10% it shouldn't completely change the dynamics of the car. Putting huge wheels and tires on one would probably have a more detrimental effect on handling. Concerning the power, that is a personal choice. For people who want more there is no replacement for displacement. I would be curious to see what a 260 horse Cosworth motor would do, but that costs 3 or 4 times what a brand new LS motor costs.