V8 Mazda 3. You read that right.

http://ls1tech.com/forums/conversions-hybrids/1719565-insane-new-half-breed-lsx-x275-car.html

Good Lord.

It would seem that the cargo capacity has suffered slightly

How do you choose what car you want to use for something like this? Obviously, there are no inherent traits of the car that get retained, so it really doesn't matter if this is a Mazda3, a Focus, a Kia or any other medium hatchback. None of them are memorable enough to be desirable in their own right, the way an MGB GT or a Volvo P1800 is. Is it just a matter of finding a body for a good price?

In reply to Keith Tanner:

I remember a guy who did a similarly radical showcar conversion of an Integra. For whatever reason, it was critically important to him to start with a genuine Type R, even though the final result was probably incapable being driven under its own power, and certainly never was.

Duke wrote: In reply to Keith Tanner: I remember a guy who did a similarly radical showcar conversion of an Integra. For whatever reason, it was critically important to him to start with a genuine Type R, even though the final result was probably incapable being driven under its own power, and certainly never was.

Well, this guy started with a MS3. Difference is, this thing will actually see track time. I think the guy already had one, so it became his next victim.

I've been giving my own 2012 white Mazda 3 the stink eye ever since I realized a couple hours ago that a V8 fits so wonderfully under the hood.

Given the cage design, the choice of front tires and the stick rear axle, I suspect it'll mostly see tracks that don't have corners.

Keith Tanner wrote: Given the cage design, the choice of front tires and the stick rear axle, I suspect it'll mostly see tracks that don't have corners.

Or if the track has corners, he'll only see one....once.

The project is pretty cool, but am I the only one who is not loving this cage design? A hit from the back is going to fold the back-stay bar where it meets the bottom of the X brace. And the X brace needs to come down to the end of the rear stays? And the top of the X bar braces seem to end in a weird place?

Maybe its just me, I am not a cage designer, but I don't think this would pass the Lemons cage spec. If the car goes really fast, NHRA might have some thoughts on it also.

Seems odd that the floor, remains of the Mazda chassis and wirewall are still along for the ride.

Still a cool project.

I think they just answered the "how to improve NASCAR" thread.

I prefer this V8 powered Mazda3

DaveEstey wrote: I prefer this V8 powered Mazda3

Beat me to it.

DaveEstey wrote: I prefer this V8 powered Mazda3

http://www.speedcafe.com/2014/10/20/marc-confirms-mazda-3-v8-bathurst/

I came here expecting this thread to be about this car

I was expecting front wheel drive.

NOHOME wrote: The project is pretty cool, but am I the only one who is not loving this cage design? A hit from the back is going to fold the back-stay bar where it meets the bottom of the X brace. And the X brace needs to come down to the end of the rear stays? And the top of the X bar braces seem to end in a weird place? Maybe its just me, I am not a cage designer, but I don't think this would pass the Lemons cage spec. If the car goes really fast, NHRA might have some thoughts on it also. Seems odd that the floor, remains of the Mazda chassis and wirewall are still along for the ride. Still a cool project.

you're not going to get hit from behind on the dragstrip unless something goes horribly wrong. the critical part is the funny car style cage around the driver, that is pretty well completely separate from the rest and accounts for driver safety.

In reply to DaveEstey:

I was not aware that this existed. Wow!

NOHOME wrote: The project is pretty cool, but am I the only one who is not loving this cage design? A hit from the back is going to fold the back-stay bar where it meets the bottom of the X brace. And the X brace needs to come down to the end of the rear stays? And the top of the X bar braces seem to end in a weird place? Maybe its just me, I am not a cage designer, but I don't think this would pass the Lemons cage spec. If the car goes really fast, NHRA might have some thoughts on it also. Seems odd that the floor, remains of the Mazda chassis and wirewall are still along for the ride. Still a cool project.

Class requires them (stock frame/tin bits). Drag cars dont get hit in the back.

It's an interesting project and makes sense, economy cars are much lighter than muscle cars.

This gives me an idea. I wonder if the Kugel Components V-8 Focus stuff would work on a Mazda 3 of the same vintage. Hmmmmm.

Mr_Clutch42 wrote: It's an interesting project and makes sense, economy cars are much lighter than muscle cars.

Most classes have a minimum weight. I doubt he intends to just bracket race this. Its not legal in any of the classes i follow though.

snailmont5oh wrote: This gives me an idea. I wonder if the Kugel Components V-8 Focus stuff would work on a Mazda 3 of the same vintage. Hmmmmm.

Different chassis, I'd think. Mazda3 are second generation, US Focus went 1st/1st/3rd generation.

I have seen a V8 Mazda 3 speed before and they're pretty quick but I want to do though is get my stock motor to about 600 horsepower plus a little bit of nitrus if it can hold it because we cannot afford the belt with a motor to be bulletproof but I think if I did that I would be him because I would be way lighter I mean if I took everything out on caged it because I would have to. But there was this one person that commented about the v focus conversion they had a shop of in Michigan I think that they were doing this and putting either 350s or 351s in them and they fit perfectly fine and or fast as E36 M3 but I only saw two I'm sure they did a lot more than that I was actually saving money to send my car up there but I could never save enough because I had to know one but anybody has a 2001-2010 Mazda 3 you can probably still do it.

Knurled said:

I was expecting front wheel drive.

7 years later, I had the exact dang thought when reading the OP

Pro Touring!

Pretty sure this car wrecked bad not soon after I made this post. There has to be video out there. 

EDIT: it most definitely wrecked, but they rebuilt it. Now it's called Zombie! 

Cool front wheels. 

Shouldn't it be called ZOOM-ZOOMBIE?