Honda K-Swap Miata Review - The Best Engine Swap for the Miata?

We test drive and review a Honda K-Swap ( k20 / k24 ) NB Mazda Miata MX-5 on the track to see if it is the perfect engine swap for the mazda miata chassis.
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[@vmfan96]

No need to apologize for the sound. That engine revving and flawless shifting are pure music. Nice build to the owner.

[@lander917]

96EEng thank you

[@FireBean8504]

eeeeeh that engine sounds like crap. I know it's fast but I can never understand why people like the raspy sound of Honda Engines.

[@lander917]

Christopher Heisler it sounds really loud thinking of putting in a bigger resonator

[@felixreyes6148]

Sounds like a flowmaster muffler? Is it?

[@lander917]

Felix Reyes cherry bomb

[@GearsandGasoline]

I LOVE THAT GIGGLE!

[@speedacademy]

That what ripping TEC will do to you!

[@lander917]

You guys should have a crack at it :)

[@jordanwestberry5727]

Whhooooo gears and gasoline toy guys are great!

[@DarylYBubersky]

Lol it's the sound that anyone who has ever driven a Miata has made.

[@illsuspect]

Kudos to you for throwing caution to the wind and chucking that thing into corners behind a $200k Porsche. Great video.

[@nickcce]

Lmao. Potschaa guy got embarrassed..

[@braunblech8328]

LMAO I love it when he has that wired screaming laugh xD 7:31

[@ERICK4431]

He sounds like Homer Simpson 😅

[@mrcrxsi69]

That's a joyous laugh right there. Border line giddy

[@lotabigs4458]

Thats driving!

[@7eis]

Loved that spontaneously manic laugh. I think it's something we can all identify with!

[@MickehPuppeh]

This is what driving is all about. Those kinds of giggles, those kinds of moments!

[@TheCarPassionChannel]

Following that GT3 😍 epic chase

[@lander917]

TheCarPassionChannel honored you took time of your busy schedule to watch:) looking forward to your next video brother:)

[@TheCarPassionChannel]

@@lander917 Heck yeah man and great job with the car, very clean looking swap.

[@lander917]

TheCarPassionChannel thank you brother coming from you means the world to me

[@joshz7712]

That chuckle you do when you break loose, pure happiness.

[@kpowerindustries8210]

Awesome video guys, thanks for the love!

[@Kodamu]

Love my Kswapped Miata. Been a great track car for the last 4 years i have had it

[@lander917]

Kodamu it’s the perfect swap

[@deibyfilms3681]

I just want to swap an engine that reliable for every day driving cause Miata engine and trannys alway blow

[@aceofspades6667]

This would be an amazing build for you guys to do. Sorry that the Miata track series didn’t do better but I was glued to it.

[@russ4AGE]

The seat comparison is like me and my dad; he hates when I lower his seat. Awesome vid. K-swap everything!

[@JBoulter11]

This honestly seems like one of the most exciting cars you've ever driven. I think you gotta do the swap. B)

[@arthellstrobles1241]

When you stopped commentating and just drive it, i could tell you were truely having some fun out there👍🏿👍🏿

[@lander917]

Arthell Strobles lmao

[@mathieulevasseur4082]

It was fun watching a Miata putting pressure on a GT3RS.

[@lander917]

Mathieu Levasseur yea the miata will be in the gt3 nightmares lol

[@michaelw6277]

I know you’e not going to see this as the video is old and you certainly have notifications turned off, but your laugh at 7:35 says it all about this car. Looks amazing.

[@bradscarmods]

LOVE this video. Currently swapping a K24 into my 99 and his power numbers should be about the same as mine which is super exciting.

[@swanblake]

I like this alot. Especially keeping the Miata 6 speed. Very well done

[@redey1290]

This has set it in stone. I am going to K-swap my Miata at some point.

[@BESIMXCARS]

Me: Mom can we have S2000 Mom: We have S2000 at home *S2000 at home:* ^^^

[@OKMX5]

Certainly not the meme I was expecting here :)

[@ironmonkey1512]

At this point the s2000 is becoming collectible it wouldn't be much fun stripping it apart to make a track car.

[@ftrobot5536]

Fax

[@Whomecouldntb3]

My man was pressssssing that GT3. This miata is so sweet.

[@gnrfan713]

Such a smart build. That motor is dead nuts reliable.

[@lander917]

GeorgeGreen I love it

[@lander917]

GeorgeGreen thank you

[@Renesis97]

935kg with over 200hp... that’s goin’ to be FUN everywhere!

[@lander917]

Federico Barutto it is. I think the spring rates are a in the middle setup

[@grocerygrip]

K-swapped ANYTHING = school child laughs

[@TRAKsportsTV]

Awesome video! Great job to my friend Lander.

[@z06camaro]

Wow, 800/500lb spring rates with a 2000lb chassis on a 200tw tire? Car looked fun

[@SimonWorlds]

I love it, I have a K20 in Juno LMP3 car and I have had an NA MX5, I would love a K20 MX5, nice vid.

[@arturo762]

7:31 A grown man making those noises, I think he's having fun.

[@sarahdell4042]

Kudos to the owner for hauling it that sorta distance!

[@lander917]

Sarah Dell thank you sir thanks to the guys from speed academy for being awesome host

[@sarahdell4042]

Lander Labrada Not a sir, but all is well haha. Awesome Miata! I’ve contemplated this exact swap to replace both of my track cars, that are somewhat issue prone. Honda reliability, in a fun chassis is attractive!

[@lander917]

Sarah Dell wow sorry about that lol and yea I have had a wonderful experience with the swap. Can’t beat Honda reliability with a all motor response. If you ever have more questions about the swap or absolutely anything else about it message me in my IG Lander917. Also I always put up autox videos on my channel.

[@bobbyrios2k223]

Who cares about audio?? Vtec just kicked in yoooo!!!! 😍😍😁

[@4G12]

This car is so much fun to drive.

[@bijanek91]

He needs a resonator it sounds awful for a k series

[@lander917]

Janek Kaminski I’m working on it lol

[@jasonmoore3832]

Also the Miata has almost 0 sound deadening and any that it did have he probably scrapped for weight savings, Miatas are inherently obnoxious, shaky and loud

[@z32kev98]

it has VTEC!

[@wesrihn]

how does this channel not have 1m+ subs?

[@noturbo]

That looked and sounded like fun..

[@violinmiata]

Every time I hear a k swapped Miata it reminds me of my NA with headers and FM duals.

[@hillbillysportsman5818]

I would love this engine in my NB😊

[@nelsonperez1577]

I have a 2017 124 Spider Abarth in the Miami area!! Guess what, I didn't even finish the video and I sent Curtis an email! Wifey is going to be pissed if I go through with this.

[@machina_spirit]

Seen this thing in action at a local autox in miami last year, can comfirm it sounds and moves beastly!

[@ashas7730]

That was some fun looking driving!

[@monkeyCmonkeyDoo]

LOL!!! The GT3 driver probably heard you laughing!

[@ryansterling4226]

Should've ran the intake to driver's side front lower and boxed off the filter from the engine bay and have a proper cold air setup. The exhaust sounds horrible. Needs 3" stainless steel piping, a pair of Vibrant ultra quiet resonators #1142, and a Vibrant street power oval muffler #1107. It'll flow significantly better and sound exponentially better. Obviously it's a work in progress and has lots of dialing in to do. Cool build so far though.

[@lander917]

Ryan Sterling definitely lots left to do to it. I just have to convince the wife lol

[@FahadG89]

Brings tears to my eyes. I think I found my next project car

[@mrmidnight32]

It’s not a good video until you get that nervous laugh that DP always does 7:30 😂😂

[@harryjones94]

Mint conversion - love it.

[@Sir.VicsMasher]

I think MB's with NA deck lids/ trunk look nice and almost Viper like.

[@falcon6936]

I don't get the Miata, but just looking at you in front of that car and you look like a giant. Cool engine swaps and great channel 👍

[@jcsanchez6513]

repping curtis from south florida!

[@lander917]

Jc Sanchez he is the best

[@Nasonix2]

Cant possibly re watch and re like this video enough haha

[@augustortiz]

Spoke a bit too soon about the GT3 not being able to get away lol.

[@jimbo6612]

The car needs some aero to run a bit cleaner in the high-speed corners

[@BrendanEvan]

245bhp per ton? Yeah, that's fast. I've never owned a car over 150bhp/ton.

[@BrendanEvan]

You know any car that makes you laugh maniacally is a good one.

[@andrewfernandez3827]

Watching you race this car made me smile lol

[@noelattard2000]

Man that laugh when you started to power slide was soo funny... Sounded like someone getting tickled lol

[@Patrick94GSR]

GT3RS driver be like "WTF is in that thing?!?!" lol

[@lander917]

Patrick94GSR he came to us afterwards to ask what was underneath the hood lol

[@LessTalkMoreDelicious]

Kickass KMiata 🙌✨✨

[@agentlongwood]

My vote for "best" swap is the chevy LS. This K-swap is pretty bad ass though. Probably a lot cheaper, and a little bit lighter. Hard to beat the power and sound of the LS though.

[@upnorthviking823]

A little bit lighter you say?k series weight 275pds thats half the weight!

[@kennedywrightt]

ls is trash 5.0 skunks it, neither are better than an amazing k24

[@awoljones4908]

Watching you run down that Porsche was the highlight of my day

[@darkproduce15]

this is giving me ideas, because this looks like a lot of fun!

[@lander917]

darkproduce15 It is a blast

[@dreamdrivedrift]

I live to hear DP laugh like that

[@SU37]

Awesome, may be a racing rear wing would help greatly.

[@lander917]

Leo Chang working on it

[@matteugenio]

K swap all the things 💪🏽

[@joshjones2053]

That car was serious! K-POWA

[@LTrejo91]

Dave you drift laughing mid-corner thrill, seeking son of a gun 🔫 🤣 (Amazing lap btw) 👏

[@asdfghjklkjhgfdsa69]

Minus the hot air intake this thing is awesome!

[@zpzp96]

I wish it was done to a NA Miata! It will be such a cute looking beast.

[@paulmofyourhand]

finish the kswap 240 first, before the miata! (please)

[@SilverScarletSpider]

Could you guys try a Jseries swap? Intriguied to see a Honda V6 put through the paces maybe with Turbo or Supercharged power somewhere

[@wlodzimierzcieslar8489]

7:33 best laugh ever 👍 like a child first time on a carousel

[@dirkdiggler5647]

Damn that looks like a fun car!

[@lanckston]

something about the manic laughter tells me that this is a great build 😂

[@zwarst]

That laugh said it all..🚀

[@imSchwaggy]

if that thing had the high comp engine with itb's and aero, it would have walked everything.

[@lander917]

Gandalf721 260- 280

[@lander917]

im Schwaggy working on it

[@TheJMan1K]

So what would I need to build up on the K24 in order to make 260-280? Plan on building a K swapped Miata as my first car. Putting a parts list together.

[@mr.boostang2064]

I just want a perfectly clean stock Miata with a k20 or k24 swap and a 6spd, one day 🙏🏽

[@pvkjhilk8323]

ive seen people like to swap in ford ranger engines in these miatas also

[@xSoYeahThatHappenedx]

Makes me want to get a roller and rip the K24A8 out of my Accord...

[@williamruiz9186]

Is this cali legal!!!!!? I wanna do this but the laws are so weird.... its like its legal and not

[@BlueWoolSweater]

"K-Swap your Miata, everybody. It's the right thing to do." - Dave Pratte

[@StovallsGarage]

GT3 seemed a little shook

[@lander917]

Stovall's Garage after that run the guy came over and was asking what was in the hood lol

[@lander917]

Gandalf721 he actually came over and asked what was under the hood lol

[@pgtmr2713]

Nice Escort subscribed!

[@marciaz31]

Wow I was impressed with that car ..... Any idea in the total cost in doing the swap ?

[@Leofred2000]

Cant you get some private track sessions on TMP to get real track times on all cars you review?

[@PC55WRC]

The little car that could...! 😁😎😎

[@omfgwtfbbq90]

What old car is that at the end of the video? It's the white one on the track.

[@kenhall9381]

This is the way.

[@Hi-di6fd]

It’s hard to justify spending nine to $10,000 to get 100 more horsepower versus just turbo charging the 1.6

[@pec1739]

as i've done some searching, the k20 is slightly (like 10+lbs) lesser weight than BP 1.8L

[@Bittertokken]

Based on the comments, you all really want that miata to to keep up with the GT3RS. But that's not what happened though 7:50 when the GT3 stretched him (obviously)

[@lander917]

The impressive part to me is in the corners. It has more than twice the hp

[@Bittertokken]

@@lander917 Maybe, but as someone else mentioned in the comments, the miata was at its limits on grip and I doubt the RS was at even pushing hard as all.

[@lander917]

Bittertokken I agree but you do have to give credit where is do the miata has 205/50/15 in that video. What does that car have I be willing to bet is >275

[@lander917]

Bittertokken and those tires were warn out to I got a new set now

[@lander917]

Bittertokken I am also getting some 15x10 in the future and I’ll be in the 275 range.

[@jordan5221]

I have a built top and bottom end k24/20 and I’m getting a 94 Miata m edition so u can see what I’m tryna do

[@pixeldennis2862]

i dont get it... why so much love for the K. J . J > JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ

[@hogdog567]

7:31

[@mathiashammar1]

A mix of laughter and scream of his life : ) hell of a ride.

[@rickyo3849]

I got directed to an ad when I clicked this hahaha

[@SilverWolfM200LDH]

Very cool, I love it. I just learned about the Miata K swap today (a video just showed up in my feed here) It's interesting. My question, how is it possible because to the best of my knowledge, all the K series Honda engines (except the S2000) are FWD, how do you convert a transverse FWD engine to longitudinal RDW for the swap? Thanks

[@philou9102]

What are the wheels ? I may have trouble with the name when they say it

[@lander917]

Philou Explains they are the 949racing 6ul

[@philou9102]

@@lander917 ty bud they would look good on my nb too

[@lander917]

Philou Explains I love them

[@HDVisionsMedia]

Which I could find a k miata for sale. Have $12,000 to spend and would rather grab a k mr2 or k miata instead of an s2000!

[@lander917]

HDVisions you can do it with les than that

[@millll111lllI]

K swapped MR-S for sure. Longer wheelbase, lighter, uncommon.

[@christopherdaniel6142]

to the people saying this car didnt show up the more expensive gt3 think about this 15 inch vs what 21 inch in the back 20 in the front ? and power an aero lol . k the world.

[@lander917]

ChristOpher DaNiel 100%

[@turbod15]

K24 = fun

[@lander917]

ku every time

[@seanneal552]

That Miata would be fun with tires on it.

[@grecoconduris6716]

I want a miata just like this. Was there talk of sequential? What box would that be?

[@brenthay1]

Twenty four not two four Dave 😂😂😂

[@jake2102]

lol its like an hour south of barrie is a different world

[@jesse4210]

awesome

[@mattryan9376]

So headers and an intake add 11hp. Cool

[@nicolashuffman4312]

So as I understand it, you can't use the stock Honda ECU because it has an immobilizer. That means you have to run an aftermarket ECU, which won't talk to a state inspection station. Anyone know how to get one of these through the state inspection? I'm in NC.

[@anthonychristie7781]

Up here (Southern Ontario). What's MD Auto? "They build everything" according to your commentary.