V8 Mazda MX-5, motoring review: Latest MkIV MX-5 gets serious horsepower

With a new engine, clutch, suspension and flywheel will ‘change the character of the car from the smooth GT to escapee Trans Am race car'

The new engine is an upgraded Chevrolet LS3 V8. So that’s a bit more horsepower than standard

We’ve got used to seeing variants of the new MX-5, such as the Fiat 124 Spider, but this is something else again. A company called Flyin’ Miata, who may not be surprised to hear hail from the US, has swapped the four-cylinder engine for a new one.

They’re keen to stress it only adds 119kg to the weight. It does a bit more than that to the horsepower.

The new engine is an upgraded Chevrolet LS3 V8. So that’s a bit more horsepower than standard. In fact it’s 525bhp. Obviously you don’t want to change gear much, so the 489lb ft of torque should help with that aspect.

Should you want to change gear, then the six-speed T56 transmission should help, along with new clutch, flywheel and a Camaro differential to help get it all to the road.

There’s new suspension too, although the brake upgrade is an option. We’d recommend ticking that box with a really big marker pen.

What do you have then when all this is added together? You could just have the cooking version, with a mere 430bhp. But if you go for the full-cream 525bhp version you get something else.

Flyin’ Miata, from the US, swap the four-cylinder engine

According to Flyin’ Miata, you have a ‘rowdy thing with a hotter camshaft’ and a car that will ‘change the character of the car from the smooth GT to escapee Trans Am race car.’

It’s the ultimate wolf in sheep’s clothing and would cause absolute consternation at a track day. All that fun doesn’t come cheap though. If you want the basic 430bhp model then you’re looking at about $50,000. If you want the higher-powered version you can add about another $2000 to that. Oh, and you have to buy a donor car too. But think big and get flyin’.