With high production numbers and use across multiple generations of vehicles, the LS engine platform is one of the most accessible around — but what exactly makes it so popular?
For starters, the LS shows up in some of the most iconic American cars, like the Corvette and Camaro. It’s a favorite among enthusiasts of all skill levels: easier to work on than many of the more complex German-engineered designs, certain variants can handle a truly impressive amount of power, and there’s a massive aftermarket for both maintenance and performance upgrades.
That’s part of why we see so many LS-swapped cars out there. While some might say the swap is overdone, the reasons people keep choosing the LS are solid, and honestly, we just love seeing it. One Alex Barberio proved that everything’s better with an LS engine under the hood—or at least, that a Mazda Miata definitely is.
Building an LS-Swapped Mazda Miata
Affectionately nicknamed “Vitani,” this 1992 Mazda Miata M Edition quite literally runs in the family. Originally purchased by Alex’s uncle as a gift for his cousin, the car eventually made its way to Alex through his father when he was a teenager. In fact, it was Alex’s first car, adding another layer of sentimental value to an already ambitious build.
Under the hood sits a 383 LS engine topped with an LSA supercharger, all mated to a T56 transmission. Just how Alex managed to squeeze that much motor into such a small engine bay is a feat on its own. He hasn’t tracked how many hours he’s spent on the project over the years — but we’re guessing the number is easily in the thousands.
The power-to-weight ratio is daunting. The car weighs in around 2,600 pounds with Alex in it — thanks to a completely gutted interior that gives it a raw, racecar-like feel. That featherweight chassis is propelled by over 800 wheel horsepower and around 860 lb-ft of torque.
Naturally, we had to ask: the Miata is known for its lightweight, balanced handling — so how much does all that extra weight and power affect it?
“Not as much as you’d think. It still feels like a Miata should be in the corners,” Alex told us, right before offering to let me drive it. (I haven’t yet, but follow us on Instagram to see the video when I finally do!)
To support all that power, the build includes Wilwood big brakes, Tein coilovers, a Ford 8.8 IRS, DSS axles and driveshaft, and Boss Frog front and rear subframes. A six-point cage and harness are used to ensure safety.
LS-Swap the World
We can’t imagine the build getting much crazier—but when we asked Alex if it was done, he simply said: “It’s never done.” And any true builder knows exactly what he means.
With so many solid reasons to love the LS platform, it’s no wonder we’re seeing more of these swaps than ever. For a driver-focused car like the Miata, pairing it with proven American muscle just makes sense.
Over the course of several years and countless hours, Alex has turned his first car into a raw, ridiculous, and completely insane piece of engineering.
Sorry, Miata purists — we still love you, but we might love this more.