Cordycord's epic tube frame build
04-18-2014, 01:26 PM
#961
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We just finished the drawing for a safety cage for NASA use, and can't wait to get a fully prepped car into the NASA ST class.
If you look closely you can see a custom K-member for a V-8 on this rendering...
There should be at least 2-3 Turbo Catfish at the September Miata's at MRLS in September, and rides will be given.
You'll get to see if mere turbo power is sufficient to scoot you around a race track.
If you look closely you can see a custom K-member for a V-8 on this rendering...
There should be at least 2-3 Turbo Catfish at the September Miata's at MRLS in September, and rides will be given.
You'll get to see if mere turbo power is sufficient to scoot you around a race track.
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04-19-2014, 01:04 AM
#962
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hard tonneau
We're chipping away at some of the other parts for the car, and two that people keep asking about are roll hoop covers and the passenger tonneau hard cover. The tonneau is really made for the guy who is going to set this car up as a solo speedster. With the tonneau, single screen and single roll hoop, the car will have very, very good aerodynamics.
Since we've shortened the hood and extended the cabin behind the seats by hand, these measurements aren't in any CAD files. In order to make the tonneau we're using new and old tech. First, a styrofoam buck has been cnc machined in the exact shape of the car. We can then cut this shape down to the shape of the tonneau and work with it from there, or make a female of the shape, and then a male part, and then make a mold from that male part.
Even with technology, these parts are all very labor intensive and the thousands of dollars in tooling usually ends up in the dumpster at the end.
Since we've shortened the hood and extended the cabin behind the seats by hand, these measurements aren't in any CAD files. In order to make the tonneau we're using new and old tech. First, a styrofoam buck has been cnc machined in the exact shape of the car. We can then cut this shape down to the shape of the tonneau and work with it from there, or make a female of the shape, and then a male part, and then make a mold from that male part.
Even with technology, these parts are all very labor intensive and the thousands of dollars in tooling usually ends up in the dumpster at the end.
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05-07-2014, 01:37 AM
#967
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new diffuser, and trubo parts coming
Okay, I've been on this forum long enough. I guess it's time to actually TURBO the Catfish. I went back and forth as to whether I should swap the 1.6 for a 1.8, build up the 1.8 prior to the turbo, etc. BUT, I'm working mule #1...the car that started with an $800 donor Miata. It's great fun with the stock 1.6 now, and will be even more fun with twice the horsepower. We'll make the next one a beast...
While we wait for Flyin' Miata to deliver our package o' fun, I put some new aluminum strakes on the diffuser. They cut right through the wind. And cheese. And bologna. And assorted woodland critters that wander in our path.
While we wait for Flyin' Miata to deliver our package o' fun, I put some new aluminum strakes on the diffuser. They cut right through the wind. And cheese. And bologna. And assorted woodland critters that wander in our path.
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05-08-2014, 12:11 AM
#972
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This is Catfish #1....the one that's been to two SEMA shows and started with an $800 NA donor. The next car will have a built 1.8, but this one is supposed to show what's possible even with the teeniest engine. No, this is it. I need to stop tweaking on this car and move on to the next car.
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05-29-2014, 03:20 AM
#973
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pimped out
The Catfish has been pimped out to a high end car and home audio show in Newport Beach this weekend. Check out T.H.E. Show Newport Beach May 31 - June 2, 2013 Entrance for more information.
While it means I won't be wrenching on the car this weekend, I did start working on the turbo setup. The Flyin' Miata cast manifold was ceramic coated in titanium silver and the inconel studs were installed. I then added the Churbo and clocked the snail so it pointed the right way.
Since the car has a water bypass setup it means that I'll need to make some custom water lines for the turbo. The oil should be reasonably easy. There's plenty of room for the IC, so hopefully the install will be nice and smooth. Now if I can only find the time.
While it means I won't be wrenching on the car this weekend, I did start working on the turbo setup. The Flyin' Miata cast manifold was ceramic coated in titanium silver and the inconel studs were installed. I then added the Churbo and clocked the snail so it pointed the right way.
Since the car has a water bypass setup it means that I'll need to make some custom water lines for the turbo. The oil should be reasonably easy. There's plenty of room for the IC, so hopefully the install will be nice and smooth. Now if I can only find the time.
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06-25-2014, 09:52 PM
#976
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Catfish Turbo Install
After all this time posting on MT I finally went out and put a turbo in the Catfish.
I took the time to ceramic coat the FM exhaust log and to clean up the stock 1.6 intake manifold, and even clean up the wiring a bit.
It's a 2560 chinacharger with an exhaust that unfortunately didn't fit the FM outlet. Custom it is.
The turbo water lines are incorporated into the existing DIY water bypass. It worked out well because the Kia water inlet has a threaded boss that allows us to grab the cool water from the radiator. The hot stuff is dumped back into the mix at the back of the engine so the turbo coolant never goes through the block. The oil coolant routing is standard.
The IC fits really well and went on without having to relocate the radiator. There's a bit of clean-up of sharp edges and potential items that may rub, but it's all small stuff.
The only big thing left is the mid-pipe from the turbo. Once that's done we're in business.
I took the time to ceramic coat the FM exhaust log and to clean up the stock 1.6 intake manifold, and even clean up the wiring a bit.
It's a 2560 chinacharger with an exhaust that unfortunately didn't fit the FM outlet. Custom it is.
The turbo water lines are incorporated into the existing DIY water bypass. It worked out well because the Kia water inlet has a threaded boss that allows us to grab the cool water from the radiator. The hot stuff is dumped back into the mix at the back of the engine so the turbo coolant never goes through the block. The oil coolant routing is standard.
The IC fits really well and went on without having to relocate the radiator. There's a bit of clean-up of sharp edges and potential items that may rub, but it's all small stuff.
The only big thing left is the mid-pipe from the turbo. Once that's done we're in business.
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06-26-2014, 01:21 PM
#978
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I hate to trifle but it appears the hot water is coming from the back of the head to the turbo and then that hotter water goes into the inlet of the mixing manifold and then into the water pump and engine. That is unless you are running an external aftermarket water pump and a reverse flow cooling system with a gutted stock water pump (like Miata2Fast).
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06-26-2014, 01:23 PM
#979
I hate to trifle but it appears the hot water is coming from the back of the head to the turbo and then that hotter water goes into the inlet of the mixing manifold and then into the water pump and engine. That is unless you are running an external aftermarket water pump and a reverse flow cooling system with a gutted stock water pump (like Miata2Fast).
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06-26-2014, 03:02 PM
#980
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I hate to trifle but it appears the hot water is coming from the back of the head to the turbo and then that hotter water goes into the inlet of the mixing manifold and then into the water pump and engine. That is unless you are running an external aftermarket water pump and a reverse flow cooling system with a gutted stock water pump (like Miata2Fast).
The water coolant lines aren't yet bolted down as we are waiting for a couple of adapters, but the intention is to push cold water up to the turbo and then dump it out after the block. It seemed the cleanest and most efficient way, especially since we'd already done the coolant reroute.
The car is at RPM now (Richard's Performance Muffler) for a custom dump pipe, which is the last main piece of the puzzle.
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