Photo: Flyin' Miata
While Motor Trend can’t decide between the Miata and its Italian cousin, Jeremy Clarkson prefers the Japanese offering. Then again, the 2017 Fiat 124 Spider has its own personality. It’s not merely a Mazda MX-5 in drags, but a different car in its own right. Be that as it may, tuning shop Flyin’ Miata prefers something more powerful than the stock 1.4-liter MultiAir turbo-four engine.
Located in Palisade, Colorado, Flyin’ Miata has swapped many inline-four mills for thumpin’ great V8s. They company left no stone unturned when it comes to the fourth-generation MX-5, which can be equipped with a 6.2-liter V8 tower-of-power. How much power? Just about 525 ponies and 489 lb-ft.
In the release announcing the ND V8 engine swap, Flyin’ Miata also stated that it "can also convert the Retractable Fastback model [...] or the Fiat 124 Spider if you prefer a more vintage look.” The R&D car for the V8 conversion is not yet finished, but the tuning shop assures that progress is steady.
The build log of Flyin’ Miata’s newest project car reveals that the 124 Spider in question is a Classica model finished in Bianca Gelato. Equipped with the tech package, the car showed 111 miles on the odometer when it was delivered to the peeps at Flyin’ Miata. Christened Flyin’ Spider, the project car weighs 2,412 lbs (1,094 kilograms) stock. “Our ND Miatas are almost exactly 100 lbs (45 kg) lighter) and every single pound of that extra weight is on the front wheels.” And yes, the 1.4-liter turbo mill is to blame for this burden.
In a particular build log entry, the Miata’s and Fiata’s batteries are put side by side and, surprisingly, there’s a huge difference between the two. In the MX-5’s case, the battery tips the scales at 25.15 lbs (11.4 kg), whereas the 124 Spider makes do with 37.35 lbs (16.9 kg). But then again, the Italian model’s battery boasts a label Mazda doesn’t get on its battery: “For stop and start.”
While we wait for Flyin’ Miata to finish work on the 124 Spider, here’s what a burnout sounds and looks like in a vehicle as light as the V8-swapped Miata.
In the release announcing the ND V8 engine swap, Flyin’ Miata also stated that it "can also convert the Retractable Fastback model [...] or the Fiat 124 Spider if you prefer a more vintage look.” The R&D car for the V8 conversion is not yet finished, but the tuning shop assures that progress is steady.
The build log of Flyin’ Miata’s newest project car reveals that the 124 Spider in question is a Classica model finished in Bianca Gelato. Equipped with the tech package, the car showed 111 miles on the odometer when it was delivered to the peeps at Flyin’ Miata. Christened Flyin’ Spider, the project car weighs 2,412 lbs (1,094 kilograms) stock. “Our ND Miatas are almost exactly 100 lbs (45 kg) lighter) and every single pound of that extra weight is on the front wheels.” And yes, the 1.4-liter turbo mill is to blame for this burden.
In a particular build log entry, the Miata’s and Fiata’s batteries are put side by side and, surprisingly, there’s a huge difference between the two. In the MX-5’s case, the battery tips the scales at 25.15 lbs (11.4 kg), whereas the 124 Spider makes do with 37.35 lbs (16.9 kg). But then again, the Italian model’s battery boasts a label Mazda doesn’t get on its battery: “For stop and start.”
While we wait for Flyin’ Miata to finish work on the 124 Spider, here’s what a burnout sounds and looks like in a vehicle as light as the V8-swapped Miata.
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