Flyin' Miata : Current projects

Some Miata shops talk about their project car. We can't do that. We have a fleet of project cars, ranging from almost stock to competition cars. Although we can't keep track, there are about a dozen cars here that we use to test parts.

Projects

Projects in the shop:
We're always working on something. Here's your chance to see what it would be like to hang out at FM and kick tires or look over our shoulders.
The latest updates

The V8 conversion:
How much fun would a Miata be with a 5.7l V8? Our 2002 Miata - called Elvis - can answer that question.
LS1 conversion

The Westfield:
Instead of adding power, we took out weight. Imagine a Miata that has gone on a 1000 lb diet and now looks like a Lotus Seven.
The FM Westfield

The Seven
Before Westfield came out with their Miata-powered lightweight, Keith built one of his own. Then he took on the Ariel Atom on the track.
The Seven

Competition

We race, you win. The racetrack is the perfect arena for torture-testing both our products and our technicians. We like to compete where the rules are loose so we can develop and test interesting stuff instead of worrying about a rulebook.

The Targa Miata
The Targa Newfoundland is a week-long tarmac rally that combines runs through tight little village roads to undulating coastal highways. So, how would you build the perfect naturally aspirated Miata to handle it?
The Targa Miata

The Track Dog
It's one thing to make 340 ft/lbs of torque in a Miata, it's something else to make it last.
Track Dog - our race car. 2.0l, big turbo, wide body - and good results! See it getting built, tested and raced.
Track Dog public appearances - want to see the beast in action? Here's where and when.
The Open Track Challenge - includes pictures, video and daily updates from a 7-day endurance event.

The Car and Driver Superfour Challenge
Flyin' Miata has attended both of the four-cylinder versions of the Car and Driver Supertuner Challenge. Naturally, we took that as an excuse to build something new and cool.
Elvis and the Supertuner Challenge 2003
The FM Speed and the Superfour Challenge 2005

The 25 Hours of Thunderhill
Keith was on the Mazdaspeed crew for the race debut of the 2006 MX Pro Cup car.
The 2005 25 Hours of Thunderhill

Product development

Some products are developed in secret, some are public. Here's the process we went through for a few that you can buy now.
AFCO shocks
Frame rail braces
Mazdaspeed upgrades
Stroker kit
Extraction hood

The cars

Our project cars live a hard life. In almost all cases, they are testbeds for new parts and so we're usually behind in updating their web pages. Really behind. It's a bit embarassing. So for the time being, we'll just list them while we work on the details.

Whoosh - 1990 turbo development
FM Speed - 2004 Mazdaspeed MX-5
Elvis - 2002 LS1 V8
The 06 - 2006 supercharged development car
Pokeee - 1995 turbo with big power!
Flyin'99 - 1999 high boost supercharger
The Targa Miata - 1994 rally car
Janel's Miata - 1990 Voodoo II daily driver and track toy
Brandon's Miata - 1996 FM II daily driver and track toy
The Track Dog - big power widebody track car, currently retired
Jason's Miata - 1990 Voodoo II with surprising power
Glen's Miata - 1990 Hydra-powered naturally aspirated

Older cars
Yellow Submarine - 1992 turbo restoration project (sold)
Ken's car - 1990 turbo detailed daily driver (sold)
Baby - 1990 normally aspirated hyperactive sports (sold)
Stinky - 1990 normally aspirated ex-Miata Magazine project car (sold)
Fran - 1990 normally aspirated daily driver (sold)

FM show cars
The Zoomster Miata
The Monterey Miata
The 2003 Mazda showcar
The DGM Blazing Miata

Other projects:
The Turbo Truckster - an unusual shop truck
the Duc Farm - Ducatis galore!
Basil - a 1967 Land Rover
The Terrier - a classic Mini
Nigel - an MGB GT that's destined to get a V8
The Cadillac - a 1966 DeVille
Brandon's little monster - a motorcycle-powered, sub-1000 lb Seven
The Opel - a GT that's going to get a Miata drivetrain (no info online yet)
...and Bill's building an airplane.