My new toy...

[OrangeCrush]

Last year I sold my supercharged C5 vert. I hated seeing it go but after spending almost 300K on another bodyshop, I needed cash.

So I traded an alignment rack for a girly car. It was a '95 Miata that soon became painted, lowered, wheels, interior, blah, blah, blah.

I learned soon enough that what it lacked in power, it made up in fun factor... the car is a blast to drive.

Well, about a month ago, I was offered my C5 back at 9K less than I sold it for and it only had 1500 more miles on it.

I hate to say this but I declined. The vette was beautiful and fast but I held off.

I bought this last Friday.










Gonna hit the dyno Monday with the new engine but the last engine dyno'd out at 430HP/460TQ at the rear wheels. I'm guessing this one will be a little more, we'll see.

Not bad for a 2200lb car.

So I guess for now, I won't be getting another vette any time soon. Some day, again, definitely but for now, I'll go play with the pocket rocket.

Now, just gotta decide what color to paint it.

[mikejr]

Did you buy that from a PA owner? Looks like a PA tag on it.

[OrangeCrush]

That's an old pic and I think the original builder was from PA... I'm not sure. I know his name was John Burch.

The owner I bought it from lives in Atlanta.

Mark

[ttkresurfacing]

I think pink would be a nice choice in colors for you Mark.

I thought of your purchase and thought maybe I'd get this....
http://www.solsticeforum.com/forum/s...7&postcount=13

[OrangeCrush]

Originally Posted by ttkresurfacing

I think pink would be a nice choice in colors for you Mark.

I thought of your purchase and thought maybe I'd get this....
http://www.solsticeforum.com/forum/s...7&postcount=13

Always trying to be faster, huh?

First my H2 is faster, now ya gotta have a faster car...

Whatcha doin' bud?

[Agriv8r]

LOOKS NICE, when will you test it...i have a 76 vette, bored .6 over 350, edlebrock torker II intake, cane race cam, 4" chrome side pipes with hooker headers...get to drive it about 100 miles a year.....dont think i will ever part with it...

[mikejr]

it is a nice looking ride....i've never sat in one, not sure i'd fit being 6'4" tall....

[Captain of the Titanic]

BUT ITS A MIATA....

[NJ H2]

Originally Posted by Captain of the Titanic

BUT ITS A MIATA....

Uhhh .. just because it's a MIATA doesn't mean it's a Girly Girl car!!
Nevermind ... yes it does!
Did you really pick that over your old C5? I don't know about you Carolina guys

Here's a little something for the rearview mirror:

[jmsspratlin]

Originally Posted by NJ H2

Uhhh .. just because it's a MIATA doesn't mean it's a Girly Girl car!!
Nevermind ... yes it does!
Did you really pick that over your old C5? I don't know about you Carolina guys

Here's a little something for the rearview mirror:

[OrangeCrush]

Originally Posted by Captain of the Titanic

BUT ITS A MIATA....

Who gives a ****... it'll out handle my vette, definitely outpower it and the fun factor is waaaay more.

and now after changing out injectors and mass air meter, we're pushing closer to 500RWHP.

It's getting redynoed this Monday so we'll see...

500RWHP in a couple of thousand pound car... hell ya, I'd keep it over my vette.

[RuggedH2]

Originally Posted by OrangeCrush

Who gives a ****... it'll out handle my vette, definitely outpower it and the fun factor is waaaay more.

and now after changing out injectors and mass air meter, we're pushing closer to 500RWHP.

It's getting redynoed this Monday so we'll see...

500RWHP in a couple of thousand pound car... hell ya, I'd keep it over my vette.

OrangeCrush, cool I'm glad you like it. It is a Miata though and that is perceived as a chick ride.

Over a vette? I wouldn't care if it had 1000 ponies, I'd still get the vette. As far as out handling the vette on a track.....Nah.

[RubHer Yellow Ducky]

if you want a mans car , dump those and pick yourself up an "ORIGINAL" 67 FORD "AC" 427 COBRA...

[OrangeCrush]

Originally Posted by 03H3

OrangeCrush, cool I'm glad you like it. It is a Miata though and that is perceived as a chick ride.

Over a vette? I wouldn't care if it had 1000 ponies, I'd still get the vette. As far as out handling the vette on a track.....Nah.

Yeah, I know about the chick's car. I've never liked them, never thought twice about them.. whatever I'd say.

I bought one strictly because I needed a beater to drive back and forth for gas mileage. And the fact is, I didn't even buy it, I traded an alignment rack for it.

Point is, until I actually drove one, I didn't know how much fun to drive they were.

As far as outhandling a Corvette, I've had 3 corvettes, I assure you unless it's a new Z06, a properly setup Miata will give any corvette a run for it's money... I've spent alot of time at autoxcrossing events and you'd be surprised how a 2000 lb car with a 50/50 weight ratio (of course it needs some motor) will embarass a Corvette.

Now, as far as cool factor, oh yeah, it's cool to own a corvette but honestly, more motorheads have chased me down just to look at the car than any one of my corvettes.

Last weekend, I drove by a guy with a supercharged Shelby 500. He pulled out behind me and pretty soon he was getting on my tail. I slung through the twisties (in which twice I saw him overshoot the double yellow line) (and for the record, he drives Legend's cars) and when we got on I-485, all I could see in the distance was headlights.

My shop is 10 miles from my house and he followed me right into my shop parking lot just to see what the hell just blew his doors off. Cool factor, definitely....

I'd still like to buy a new Z06 one day but financially I'm not in the position so this is gonna have to be enough fun for now.

Of course, I still need to finish this.... Blown 468cu. in.

Originally Posted by RubHer Yellow Ducky

if you want a mans car , dump those and pick yourself up an "ORIGINAL" 67 FORD "AC" 427 COBRA...

I looked at those actually but I want to use this more of a daily driver... an "AC" cobra is definitely not a daily driver not to mention the price. If I were going to buy even a replica Cobra, I'd buy another Corvette.

[RubHer Yellow Ducky]

Originally Posted by Steve - SanJose

Yeah in his dreams, but a slight price difference with that choice.

SLIGHT !!! LOL

I think i can get you one for about 1.2m in good condition

[RuggedH2]

Originally Posted by OrangeCrush

As far as outhandling a Corvette, I've had 3 corvettes, I assure you unless it's a new Z06, a properly setup Miata will give any corvette a run for it's money... I've spent alot of time at autoxcrossing events and you'd be surprised how a 2000 lb car with a 50/50 weight ratio (of course it needs some motor) will embarass a Corvette.

Much goes into the words "properly setup". The engine mods in the Miata are one thing, the suspension is another.

That car was not designed from the factory for that kind of power, and the stock suspension and braking would be lacking. Sure it could go fast...... but. You become the suspension engineer when you build that much power into a car designed for 155 horses.

From your pics it is obvious you know enough to set the whole car up.

My point was the vette comes from the factory with systems more capable of high power operation.

[OrangeCrush]

Originally Posted by 03H3

My point was the vette comes from the factory with systems more capable of high power operation.

Absolutely, no disagreement there. I was never insinuating that this car is a better than a Miata. The Corvette to me is the best bang for the buck all the way around.

The miata is just a toy. It's fast, (has big brakes and better suspension upgrades than a stock one) I don't believe that even with these upgrades, it is anywhere as good as a spec race miata. I do believe that a spec race miata will keep up with a properly setup corvette (not HP wise, handling wise)

Having said all that, I bought the car cause I like big motors in small vehicles. It's a cool factor and the ability to smoke unsuspecting cars that deserve it. (much like I do with the supercharged H2.... I love seeing the look on their face when they get smoked off the line by a 7000 truck)

Mark