LFX update

[Shandelle]

The car has been on the road for almost two months now. It was finished on the Monday morning we had to leave for MRLS. With only 18 test miles, the car headed west 2500+ miles to Monterrey, where it spent two days on the track.

While on the West coast we spent some time working with the ARB regarding requirements needed for an EO number. Those items were noted and back across the country we went. Average mileage for the trip was 30mpg; this is pre-tuning.

Upon arrival the car went up on the lift and was fully inspected. We're proud to say after a 5K plus trip and two track days there were zero issues! :D

Since back, we've been working on a handful of items, fine tuning and preparing for production. In the next few weeks the car will receive a differential swap to the Ford 8.8 with a better suited ratio for the trans and tire diameter. Once these items have all been tested and certified for production, the car will make a trip back to CA for final approval in hopes of receiving an EO production number.

http://mazdaroadster.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=12860

http://mazdaroadster.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=12861

[Phatmiata]

30 MPG !!!??? :shock: Who needs SkyActiv !! :teehee:

[PAT CONLON]

Do you plan to take it to Diamond Bar, Ca?

[Shandelle]

Steve would need to verify what specific area. He has been working with a few groups in SoCal.

The car car is currently on the lift and the 8.8 differential is being installed. OEM Camaro harness is going in to updated the wiring.

[PAT CONLON]

Hey Shandelle, any updates on the development of the LFx?

[Shandelle]

Nothing new to report Pat. Our TN shop was closed for almost two weeks because of weather. Playing catch up at the moment for the down time.

[detroitdarin]

Anything to report - especially with regards to the RX8? Pics? Vids? Thank you!

[Phatmiata]

Anything to report - especially with regards to the RX8? Pics? Vids? Thank you!


the owners of V8Roadsters are setting up a booth at the Mitty at RoadAtlanta, they are probably driving there right now. Most likely wont hear from them until after the show.

[detroitdarin]

Thank you!

btw - I miss the 93LE I sold in 2005; I miss it a lot. :)

[Phatmiata]

Thank you!

btw - I miss the 93LE I sold in 2005; I miss it a lot. :)

I had mine up for sale briefly, but the buyer tried to lowball me so I just ended up keeping it, so time to modify :twisted:

[detroitdarin]

woot! I had SS HDHC Bar, 10AE wheels, RB i/h/e, RB Springs.

http://carphotos.cardomain.com/ride_images/1/524/121/1307560048_large.jpg

Sorry to derail the thread.

[Phatmiata]

no worries, I can split the chatter into a new thread.


what ships are those? The one directly behind you? is that a carrier?

[detroitdarin]

I don't recall the name of that carrier, actually - was at Bremerton Naval Shipyard - was mothballed a long...long time ago. I lived in Bremerton, then Puyallup (near Tacoma) while working for Dept of Army. Then to LA (Lower Alabama) before moving up here to Detroit area - still with the Army.

[Rogue]

Wiki=The shipyard contains a portion of the United States Navy reserve fleet, a large collection of inactive U.S. Navy vessels, including four aircraft carriers: the USS Independence (CV-62), the USS Constellation (CV-64) and the USS Kitty Hawk (CV-63). The ships are mothballed, meaning that they are stored in case they are needed by the Navy in the future.
(Update-USS Constellation CV-64 is currently being scrapped in Brownsville,Texas.)

[PAT CONLON]

the owners of V8Roadsters are setting up a booth at the Mitty at RoadAtlanta, they are probably driving there right now. Most likely wont hear from them until after the show.

I hope when things settle down after the Mitty, we can get a update from Shandelle on the evolution of the LFx

[Phatmiata]

I hope when things settle down after the Mitty, we can get a update from Shandelle on the evolution of the LFx

I think they had one at the Mitty?

LFX or LSx?
http://i.imgur.com/vwzFmJb.jpg

[ButtonPuncher]

Needs more RX-8. ;)

[kung fu jesus]

Saw a LFX Miata at Road Atlanta last week. A local guy documented a nice build using a Camaro LFX. It sounded great and scooted. REALLY scooted! It seems like a great swap for a streetable, trackable Miata. 300na HP is still a_lot of power for these cars.

[John J]

A couple of us V8 owners agree with you on the LFX conversion being more than ample for the street.

[kung fu jesus]

WOW! The aforementioned LFx car here in ATL just went up for sale today.

[Shandelle]

Lots to update! The shop NB was at the Mitty and is my daily driver. The 8.8 swap was completed before the Mitty and the taller ratio raised the average close to 33mpg on the cruise back. We are working on finalizing our base line tune and PnP wiring harness setups at the moment. We expect the cars to make around 290whp 250wtq with our basic setup. The NA development car has been a handful, but has taught us a lot. The clearance in the NA is extremely tight, which has lead us to some additional custom parts.

Steve meet with Borla yesterday and they are working us in the schedule once the new 2016 systems are finished, hopefully late summer. At that point we will have a complete kit from end to end. On the CARB front there are two BETA cars being assembled in CA. Once they are up and running we'll make the trek to get the ball rolling.

For donor parts, the Camaro is the best option. They are starting to pop up more and more on car-parts.com. Based on the few customer cars that are nearing completion or already complete, the DIY conversion totals are around 8-10K. That figure is mainly affected by the donor price. We have been able to source 5 engines direct from GM with less than 500 miles. Our turn-key builds will use all new parts, minus the engine, and start at 25K.

All and all, this conversion is a BLAST!

[PAT CONLON]

Thanks Shandelle, can you give us the finished corner weights?

[Shandelle]

I'll need to dig up the scale pictures, which are some where in the thousands of folders. Final weight with 4 gallons was 2430 and with me in the car the balance was almost spot on 50/50.

[ButtonPuncher]

...the balance was almost spot on 50/50.

Awesome. BTW, just noticed the coilovers and headers for the RX-8 on your website. That rocks.


BP

[Shandelle]

The RX8 parts are being added little by little.

Spent some time yesterday working on the LFX tune and driveability. We are extremely happy with the result for a hot and humid afternoon. Throttle response is outstanding with a smooth linear torque curve. The car revs unbelievably quick through the power band. Cruise economy is just a tick shy of 35mpg!



http://i.imgur.com/krKRGYO.jpg








14497

[Phatmiata]

Shandelle, is this car local to us?? Would love to check it out at one of the meets in Tampa/Brandon

[Shandelle]

Yes it is and was at the meet two weeks ago :)

[Phatmiata]

Yes it is and was at the meet two weeks ago :)


ah sorry I missed it, I had my hands full watching my kids at the last meet. :fp:

[Unk577]

Drove this car yesterday. DAMN it is a fun setup. Revs fast and pulls harder than I expected. Shifting at 7500rpm and it felt like it had more to go:twisted:

Working on making somethings happen to put this in my next DD

[Shandelle]

It's been a slow and steady process and the NA platform is final heading into the home stretch.

http://i.imgur.com/5JDcDxa.jpg





14795

[Phatmiata]

Ah, looks like you have this in an NA Miata? is this one local as well?

I need to come see this!!!

[PAT CONLON]

FYI, we know that online information on the LSx conversions is sparse.
Ryan over at Brian Goodwin's shop is working on one. His posts are over at MT.net
http://www.miataturbo.net/engine-performance-56/miata-lfx-swap-singular-motorsports-good-win-racing-85075/