Car enthusiasts have consistently urged Mazda to enhance the power of their top-of-the-line convertible, the MX-5. However, Mazda only acquiesced once with the NB Mazdaspeed, the sole Miata ever graced with more than a naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine. Responding to the longstanding demand for increased power, numerous aftermarket companies, including the popular Flyin’ Miata, have emerged. This Colorado-based company has been installing small-block Chevy V8 engines into ND Miatas since 2008. Unfortunately, they are now compelled to discontinue this practice due to concerns about impending emissions regulations.
In a statement released on its official website, the company mentioned: “Although Flyin’ Miata has a long history of fabricating LSx-converted Miatas from 2008 to 2019 and has introduced some of the most thrilling Miatas on streets, autocross circuits, racetracks, and hill climbs worldwide, we have now ended our V8 conversion service. We no longer offer complete builds or conversion components for V8 projects. There were two main reasons for this decision: doubts regarding the conversions’ compliance with federal regulations and our limited capacity for car production and research and development. Even though it was a difficult choice, it was the most prudent one for the company’s future.” The statement further elaborated on alternative options to the previous 500+ horsepower LS3 engines used by the company, such as emissions-compliant turbo kits.
Installing a turbo kit on a stock Miata engine, naturally, cannot replicate the power of a small-block Chevy engine. Despite the limitations, there is little that Flyin’ Miata can do. The company faces the same considerable pressure that other tuners like COBB have succumbed to. This trend is emergent: many companies that were perhaps considering operating in a gray area or bending emissions regulations have now shifted away from that approach.
Nevertheless, there is still at least one company, V8 Roadsters, that offers kits for V8 swaps in Miatas. Additionally, there are numerous online resources available for laypeople interested in conducting their own engine swaps. Remember: your project is unlikely to encounter EPA scrutiny if you keep a low profile and refrain from extensively sharing it on social media.
Alternatively, you can acquire a pre-built V8-swapped Miata. These vehicles frequently appear for sale on auction platforms like Bring-a-Trailer. Is this situation unfavorable? Certainly. Is it the end of the world? Perhaps not. As long as the demand persists for enhanced performance in the absence of a speedier MX-5 from Mazda, products like these will always have a market, regardless of the EPA’s stance.
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