Don't you live around the ATL area?

It's pretty cool though.

That is the engine, but other things will not add much weight. For example from most of the companies that sell the kit I believe their new subframe/engine mounts are actually lighter than the originals. Transmission may weigh a bit more but nothing significant.

Stock iron-block NB 1.8l Miata motor is a littler over 300lbs fully dressed, and an all aluminum block LS1 weighs about 390lbs fully dressed. So you're looking at about a 40kg difference max.

Read the thread. It adds almost no weight and does not effect weight distribution.

One of my favorite parts about that car.

As previously stated in this thread, the LS motors weight just as much as the iron block 4 bangers in the NA/NB Miatas.

"I am of the mind that I would rather focus on one thing and make it perfect than sample a little from everything."

OK, so with the LSx:

Yeah I was comparing it to the NA/NB Miatas as those are more popular choices for swaps because they are cheaper.

Out of complete curiosity, have you ever driven one of the recent LS engined cars? Hopefully not any of the f-body cars, those are absolutely awful.

I can agree with you here actually.

Actually, and while I respect your difference of opinion, I disagree.

You're comparing the ride quality of a 1/2-ton truck to the Dodge 3/4-ton truck.

I completely understand and you do make a valid point on the size of the motor. But that doesn't change the performance opportunity of the LS(whatever).

$15k? .. well I guess that's right if you pay someone to do it.. didn't think about that..

But they actually do get decent mileage. I had the chance to drive a C6 LS3 6spd Corvette down to Houston from Dallas and with little effort I was able to get 30 MPG out of the car.

A bone stock LS1 will make 350 and be wayyy more reliable than any other "built" engines, especially of the rotary type. Not to mention it probably weighs just the same once you factor in all of the Turbo/plumbing/intercooler parts you'll need.