Banshee

1992 Mazda Miata with V8 engine

The Banshee project came about because everybody is getting sick and tired of watching all these wonderful, classic muscle cars go up in price, and the owners suddenly begin thinking their Camaro or Mustang, or whatever, is now a priceless artifact and too valuable to drive. So, we’ve got a whole bunch of people sitting around in lawn chairs, polishing their “baby” with a diaper and talkin’ about the “good ol days”. What fun is that? To make matters worse, there are a lot of gearheads out there who would love to get their hands on a classic muscle car so they could really DRIVE and enjoy it but they just can’t afford it. So, I decided it was time to go back to the original mindset of Carroll Shelby and the Cobra, stuff a high horsepower V8 into a tiny, late model sports car and call it the "Banshee”, because it is going to be a screamin’ machine.

The first generation Mazda Miata was a perfect choice for this kind of transformation because just like the AC Ace that Carroll Shelby used, it’s generally considered a girl, sissy car – and about the farthest thing from a macho, hot sportscar as you can get. But, if you dig past the Miata’s image, you find a pretty serious sports car platform under the skin... Perfect to tweak with! The best part is, by using a mid-90’s Mazda Miata, you not only have a car that is readily available…

  • they built a billion of ‘em,
  • they are not so old that they are all rusty, requiring a complete restoration to get ‘em back on the road, (you don’t have to build a whole car)
  • they have a good top, (something the Cobra only dreamed of)
  • they have power windows, power brakes, power steering, air conditioning… all the good stuff that you want in a modern daily driver
  • they have the potential to be WICKEDLY FAST!!!
  • and finally, they are CHEAP! I got mine with a bad engine off eBay for $2500 with no rust. It has all the above options and I’ve seen ‘em even cheaper than that – so you can’t beat the price.

Original Manufacturer Specifications

  • 109 mph

    Top Speed

  • 23 mpg

    US

  • RWD

    Manual 5spd Gearbox

  • 128

    Horsepower

  • 110 lbs.

    Torque

History of the Mazda MX-5

The MX-5 was unveiled at the Chicago Auto Show on February 10, 1989, with a price tag of US$14,000. The MX-5, was made available for delivery to buyers worldwide in the following dates: May 1989 (as a 1990 model) in the US and Canada; September 1, 1989 in Japan; and 1990 in Europe. An optional hardtop was made available at the same time. Demand initially outstripped production, fueled by enthusiastic press reviews. 

For the 1994 model year, the first-generation MX-5 was freshened with the introduction of the more powerful 1.8 L (110 cu in) BP-ZE engine, dual airbags and a limited slip differential in some markets. The chassis was substantially braced to meet new side-impact standards, most visibly by adding a "track bar" between the seatbelt towers inside the car, but also to the front and rear subframes. Also, 1994 and 1995 were the only years in which Mazda offered a light metallic blue paint (Laguna Blue Mica), making these cars rare collectors cars to some. 1994 also saw the introduction of the "R" package, a sport-themed package with Bilstein shocks, stiffer sway bars, returned springs, subtle front and rear underbody spoilers, and a Torsen LSD. Air conditioning was optional, but the "R" package was not available with power steering, leather, or an automatic transmission. It can also be identified by a red Miata badge on the rear instead of the usual black. No body style changes were made, however. 

The new 1.8 L (110 cu in) engine produced 98 kW (131 bhp), which was then increased to 99 kW (133 bhp) for the 1996 model year. The base weight increased to 990 kg (2,180 lb). Performance was thus improved slightly, because the additional weight was partly offset by the extra power. In some markets such as Europe, the 1.6 L (98 cu in) engine continued to be available as a lower-cost option, but was detuned to 66 kW (89 bhp). This lower-powered model did not receive all the additional chassis bracing of the new 1.8 L (110 cu in). Japanese and US cars were fitted with an optional Torsen LSD, which was far more durable than the previous viscous differential.

Banshee Guitar

Banshee Guitar

The Banshee is a ’95 Mazda Miata that we stuffed a 400hp 302 Ford into. Since the whole point here was to take a cheap Japanese car, and stuff some good ol’ American horsepower into it, the guitar had to reflect that. Malcolm Pritchett at West Kentucky collision put this one together by taking a cheap 80’s Aria Pro guitar (Japanese made) and stuffing some hot EMG pickups in it (American made).

View Guitar

Banshee Partners & Products

Transmission & Drivetrain

7.5 Independent rear suspension out of '88-'94 Ford T-bird or Mercury Cougar
Clutch, Pressure Plate, T/O Bearing, Aluminum Flywheel
Limited slip differential
T-5 World Class 5-speed Transmission, Mcleod Blowproof Bellhousing

Engine

750 Street Avenger Ignition
Aluminum Heads w/202 intake and 180 Exhaust Stainless Steel Valves Rockers
Cables & Engine Accessories: Throttle & hood cables, Brackets
Fuel Injection
Positrack system w/ polished aluminum A/C compressor, PS pump, Alternator, brackets & pulleys
Stealth Intake Carb
V8 Conversion Kit: Headers, Custom front subframe, Axles, Numerous adapters & hookups, Radiator

Chassis

Brakes: Drilled & slotted 10" rotors with stock calipers and performance pads
Brakes: Eradispeed drlled & slotted rotors, Dual piston calipers
Shocks: Koni Gas-adjust
Springs: Eibach performance coil springs
Tires: Toyo Proxes T1R 245/35ZR16
Wheels: 16x8 "Classic" wheels with custom backspacing to fill out the flared fenders

Body

Chrome Plating
Convertible Top with glass window
Early Cobra/Mustang style "Bullet" side mirrors
Paint & Body Work

PPG Custom "Banshee Blue" created by Ron Payton and Stacey David Silver Stripe is PPG "Silver Star"

Customer: GEARZ TV

Manufacturer:

Brand Code:

Code:

Description: BANSHEE BLUE

MixingScheme: DELTRON 2000 (DBC)

Formula Type: Custom Formula

Variant Date:

Density: 8.59 lbs/gal (1029 g/L)

VOC Reg.LWLE 5.66 lbs/gal (679 g/L)

VOC Act. 5.66 lbs/gal (679 g/L)

SDS: DBC1

Makes: 0.5 U.S. Pints

PriceCode:XB

Notes:CUSTOM

Brand Code:

SKU Desc. Inc.(part) Cum.(part)
DMD1675 BLUE 154.0 154.0
DMD1676 BLUE 51.4 205.4
PRLX4 CRYSTAL BLUE PEARL 23.1 228.5
VM4145 FLAMBOYANCE BLUE 12.3 240.8
DMD1683 BLACK 8.2 249.0
DBX1689 CLEAR 25.7 274.7

 

Rear Bumper: '67 Triumph TR250 front & rear bumpers - heavily modified to fit Italia body

Interior

Complete Miata Carpet Kit Including Rear Shelf and Panel
Dual hoop, polished stainless steel rollbar, Willens 5-point harness
Gas-adjust Adjustable Shocks
GearZ Billet Shifter with Knob
Original seats reupholstered in black vinyl
Performance Coil Springs Front and Rear
Steering Wheel: Nardi Classic Wood Rimmed Steering Wheel with Polished Horn Button
Throttle and Hood Cables and Brackets
Weiand Intake and Holley Carburetor

Miscellaneous

Custom-built dual exhaust system with crossover pipe, High-flow catalytic converters, Vortex performance mufflers, 12" polished exhaust tips
Fuel Lines & Fittings: Braided stainless steel fuel line & fittings
Fuel Pressure Regulator

From the Store

Banshee Episodes

  • The Banshee project came about because everybody is getting sick and tired of watching all these wonderful, classic muscle cars go up in price, and the owners suddenly begin thinking their Camaro o

  • The Banshee Pay-Off

    It’s back! It’s done!! AND it’s WILD! The Banshee comes full circle as Stacey walks you thru the complete buildup of this incredible V8 powered Miata, and then takes it out for a good flogging!
    July 16, 2011
  • Disassembling a Mazda Miata and introducing "The Banshee"

    What do you get when you cross the quintessential girl's car...the Mazda Miata...with the ultimate guy's car...the Shelby Cobra???
    April 14, 2007
  • Installing a V8 engine and drivetrain in "The Banshee"

    Last week, he made room...this week, the transplant takes place as Stacey stuffs a 400 horsepower V8 into a Mazda Miata.
    April 21, 2007
  • Banshee assembly of suspension and brakes

    The Banshee is back on GearZ and rollin' down the final stretches as Stacey installs new suspension and brakes to help control this molten missile when he uncorks that nasty V8.
    May 20, 2007
  • Banshee body nip, tuck and major surgery

    Today on GearZ, the Banshee gets a major face-lift as Stacey transforms it from a Mazda Miata into a...well...uh...the Banshee!!
    May 26, 2007