As a country, we’ve been in a little bit of a funk.
Ok… a lotta bit. But for the sake of the article just go with me here. We’re like siblings fighting. We squabble over hot-button topics like fish to bait, as we’re adapting poorly to a social media-driven, algorithm-driven world. Most of us are woefully low on facts, hair-triggered in our reactions, and peaked in anger & aggression.
We’re half intelligent, half informed, self-centered, fully reactionary, and tunnel visioned… with a mobile device tied to our hand urging us on. That’s concerning. Concerning for humanity. You watch your newsfeed, and you feel like we’ve lost all unity & common ground. But…
As I talked to David Calzada from KPower Industries…
I can’t help but smile at the blueprint of this amazing country that we live in & the natural opportunities we have here… and totally take for granted.
1: You have the freedom & privilege in this country to actually have hobbies & passions.
2: You have the freedom to pursue them relentlessly..
3: You have the freedom to create. To create ideas & products & businesses & social events & jobs & investments & opportunities. Shoot – you actually nourish this country when you do it.
I mean hell – David Calzada & KPower Industries IS the American dream in practice.
David started KPower Industries (originally called KMiata) in the tiny garage of his former townhouse designing…
1: Unnecessary parts …that is, Honda k-series swap parts
2: For an unnecessary car …a 20-year-old 2-seater roadster
3: In pursuit of unnecessary gains …pointlessly fast & wickedly fun
4: In an unnecessary hobby/industry …aka, the automotive aftermarket
He did it passionately & he did it from the heart.
David Calzada innovated… for an aftermarket industry that craves innovation. And now after 8 years or whatever it’s been… he owns his own business, loves to go to work every morning, and is able to employ 5 of his friends, to make the world a radder place to be in… with more color, creativity, and flare. That’s the dream folks! That’s the opportunity we’re given; it’s up for grabs.
And this car… is significant because it represents ALL OF THAT.
On the outside, this Miata might look like a sleeper. But behind the curtain…
This is the car that brought high horsepower, K-series, rear-wheel-drive stuff to market.
Period. It didn’t exist before this! Not anywhere. This was unchartered territory.
David set out on a mission to make big power on a K-swapped Miata, AND MORE IMPERATIVE, to create a chassis & drivetrain that could handle it. Up to that point, KPower had been developing k-swap kits for Miatas. But they hadn’t yet created a complete solution for people who wanted to add boost and effectively double the horsepower. And to that end…
This is the first car where a Honda K-series engine was adapted to a BMW transmission.
Adapting to a BMW transmission opens up all sorts of higher horsepower possibilities. It also allows stronger rear axles & LSDs. Again – before this car, even if you were going to K-swap a Miata (or even turbocharge your Mazda 1.8), your only option was to use the Miata transmission. That works ok for a no-turbo build where the torque is fairly linear. But once you go turbocharged, when boost hits, the trans splits.
KPower researched many-many options before landing on the BMW transmissions.
The 350Z trans was an early contender, but it’s physically just too large, and having to cut & refab the Miata tunnel was going to be a deterrent for most owners.
BMW transmissions, on the other hand – are small, light, strong, and affordable. And they have ideal gear ratios to match a high-revving 4-cylinder engine. In short, they’re kind of an unexpected match made in heaven. Today, KPower makes adaptor plates for a few different BMW transmissions, depending on your build & needs.
1: The ZF 6-speed out of a E46 330i
2: You can also use an E36/E46 5-speed if you don’t necessarily need the 6th-speed overdrive.
3: Or an E30 trans, which has a longer gear ratio 5-speed.
*There is also the option to use these BMW transmissions with the Mazda 1.8 engine… for people who have turbocharged their 1.8s and are looking for a strong longterm transmission.
Man… this is the way.
This is FINDING a way, and it’s how you raise the ceiling in the aftermarket. A group of hellbent track-buddies dove into becoming professionals & pioneers. KPower Industries didn’t just create a fresh logo and stamp it on some products that basically already existed. They created a line of products, where none existed before. They reinvented the wheel… and made a better wheel.
Text by Wooley Photos By Chris Sullivan
KPower Turbo K Miata (523whp & 385wtq)
Engine & Drivetrain
KMiata Swap Package by KPower Industries
K24A2 engine from an Acura TSX
KMiata subframe & engine mounts
BMW ZF 6-speed transmission from E46 330i
Getrag 3.42 LSD differential
KMiata K-to-E46 transmission adapter plate
KMiata K-to-ZF 6-speed flywheel
KMiata ZF 6-speed shifter kit + transmission mount kit
Wilwood clutch master cylinder kit
Mishimoto radiator & oil cooler
KMiata oil pan & pickup
KMiata upper coolant neck
SPAL fan
KPower RWD cast intake manifold
FIC 1650cc injectors
Karcepts fuel rail
Fuelab fuel pressure regulator & fuel filter
Walbro 450lph fuel pump
KPower throttle body
Acuity Hall Effect TPS
V8 Roadsters Getrag diff mount, axles, and hubs
KPower RWD turbo manifold
Garrett GTX-3076R gen 2 turbo
Custom 3” downpipe and exhaust
Precision 600hp intercooler with custom piping
Turbosmart 45mm wastegate & blow off valve
KMiata wiring conversion harness
Hondata Kpro4 & 4-bar MAP sensor
KMiata electric power steering kit
OEM Honda Type-R valve cover
GarageStar cowl cover
Suspension / Chassis / Brakes
Ohlins Road and Track coilovers
Wilwood V8R 11.75” big brake kit
Hawk DTC 60 pads
Wilwood proportioning valve
GarageStar fender braces
V8 Roadsters frame rails
Wheel / Tires
Konig Freeforms: 15×9.5 +29
Hankook RS4s: 245/40/15
Interior
Lotus Elise seats with custom seat rails
Custom red carpet
Blackbird Fabworx roll bar
Sparco steering wheel
NRG quick release hub
Autometer gauges
AEM wideband gauge
KMiata shift knob
