[venturaII]

So, my 300 bhp ceiling is there for several reasons, one of which being it opens up a lot more interesting options than the standard LS swap recipe. J motors are cheaper and more plentiful than any LS motor you'd actually want (at least, where I am..), to boot.


I doubt the transmission will grenade with the J in front of it, assuming you don't drive like a 17 year old. Same goes with the axles. There are people who've broken them with relatively stock FAs, and there are people (likely FAR more than those who've had problems) who've racked up tons of miles with much more boosted power and torque and have had no issues. I tend to think it's more an issue of how you drive. I'm looking to the Miata/S2000 community for input in this area (Miata especially) to gauge the need for these upgrades, and there doesn't seem to be a pressing need for it. Same goes for cooling. Sure, upgrading is additional insurance (especially if you're going to be tracking it regularly), but how much it's needed on the street seems to be a bigger question. Certainly the stock units will last for a reasonable amount of time and allow upgrading at your leisure, rather than it being a necessity. All this is why my 300 bhp cap and this motor has been chosen.


Oil pan/pickup and headers (and motor mounts...lol).. are not terribly concerning for me. I've fab'd plenty in the past and I don't expect this to be much different. Intake is a bigger question, as I haven't done one yet, but the extent of modifications is unknown yet. Another issue you brought up is engine setback...as you mention, it'd be nice to get the engine a few inches further back, but if using the stock 86 transmission, then you'd need to come up with something clever in the shifter department. Not that it can't be done, but it's more fab work. Plus then, that'd require a shorter driveshaft, etc. So for the sake of economy and simplicity (which is kind of the whole point of this particular swap), leaving as much as possible in their original location is preferable.


As you say you love the J motors, I too think the LS is a great motor. It's just overkill for this application, given the criteria above. Maybe as they become a more popular swap and there are more refined and comprehensive solutions available, the cost will come down enough to offset the additional upgrades required, but then again, that'll also just drive up prices of LS motor/transmissions, since there will be ANOTHER platform and community trying to scavenge them.