LS-Swapped Miata Is The Modern-Day Shelby Cobra

If you love the power and torque of GM’s LS V8 engine but prefer a lightweight, compact, Japanese roadster, Sarasota Super Sport Performance in Greenville, South Carolina, offers enthusiast-centric vehicles that pack a V8 punch. The owner, Lawrence Stubbs, goes over the start of his new business doing LS-swapped Miata builds for customers, and why these Mazdas are the modern-day Shelby Cobra.

From Inspiration to Innovation

Lawrence, the owner, started out just wanting to build an LS-swapped Miata of his own after seeing a Flyin’ Miata converted Mazda in a YouTube video. He approached Flyin’ Miata, the Miata performance parts retailer and builder out of Colorado, famous for their infamous V8 swapped Miatas and kits, to see if they would be willing to collaborate on letting Lawrence handle their east coast side of the business. But, as luck would have it, Flyin’ Miata was looking to drop the V8 program entirely to focus on other sides of Mazda Miata performance. So a deal was struck, and Lawrence is now the owner of his own shop, Sarasota Super Sport Performance in Sarasota, Florida, to carry on Flyin’ Miata’s V8-swapped roadster legacy.

Built with Precision and Purpose

Lawrence only deals in ND-generation Miatas and LS engines. The ND Miata has been with us for about 9 years now and is one of the last road-going go karts you can buy new from a manufacturer. The SS conversion uses a brand new LS crate engine from Chevrolet Performance, a Tremec Magnum 6-speed, Camaro SS 1LE diff with 3.91 gears and a helical LSD, and custom axles and driveshaft o tie everything together. Combined with the chassis stiffening and suspension upgrades, you get a lightweight Japanese roadster that can actually put that LS power and torque to the road.

Power, Balance, and Subtlety

These little Japanese roadsters aren’t just some slapped together junkyard swap, they’re an engineered conversion that offers an exceptionally high power-to-weight ratio that dramatically alters the cars’ driving dynamics. Not only does the setup boost acceleration considerably over the factory figures, but their minimal aesthetic modifications conceal the impressive power hidden underneath, making these little two-doors quite the sleepers. Beyond the muffled burble of the V8 exhaust (or with a slight chop if you choose the 495-horsepower Hot Cam LS3), no one will be the wiser.

Carrying the Torch

Are Stubb’s LS-swapped Miatas the modern-day version of the Shelby Cobra? An American powerhouse stuffed between the fenders of a lightweight, roofless sports car from overseas? We think so. A 6.2-liter ND Mazda Miatas captures the dual nature of a V8-powered sports car, offering a comfortable and smooth experience on the street, all while tempting the right foot with raw power and exhilaration on the track.