FrankB

iTrader: (4)

You are correct, I have a BEGi reroute w/ a 99-00 head gasket.

I'm debating the FM radiator with the shoud kit or a TSE with a single fan no shroud. Not sure which one but I think either or will solve my issue.

shuiend

iTrader: (24)

TSE with a single stock fan and proper ducting would be my recommendation. How many people out there are putting down laptimes faster then Savington in a boosted miata? If he can properly cool his car with the TSE radiator and a single fan, it should be good enough for you.

I am not a fan of the FM shroud kit at all. While I have no empirical data, the shrouds on the back of the radiator in their kit scare me. I don't think the blocking the back and forcing all air to go through the fans at speed is better then just leaving the back of the radiator open. From looking at their testing page it seems like all the temp tests were done on an engine on and engine stand that was stationary with just a fan setup in front of it.


I think a proper test between them all would be on an actual car out on track with the same ducting, then swap radiators and fan setups.

Jeffbucc

Plus, with some ABS plastic, it isn't really too difficult to make some really good shrouding that works for your setup.

I think 4 total revisions took me about 5-6 hours till I was happy with sealing the sides of the radiator.

It isn't "tested" but I think it will work.

EO2K

iTrader: (37)

Yeah, about the only thing that gave me pause before purchasing the TSE was the lack of mount points for the AC fan. I don't have AC (anymore) but I was going to hook up the fans to run in parallel via a relay. Now I can't do that but it obviously wasn't a dealbreaker for me

I'm with Shuiend on this one, I didn't like the idea of the shroud either. No point in getting a larger rad and then blocking airflow with a bunch of sheet metal. If I was regularly sitting in traffic or operating at speeds where the forward motion of the car was not enough to cool it then maybe the shroud would make sense. Otherwise I see it as a detriment.

I'm sure FM did it right, I'm just was not a huge fan of the design.

Leafy

iTrader: (1)

It doesnt have the mounts on both sides? That sucks. If you run a flipped mixing manifold you cant use a stock sized fan on the drivers side so running a stock one on the passenger side would be my choice if I put a TSE rad in my car and decided to road race it.

EO2K

iTrader: (37)

If I find I need more sitting in traffic or trying to cooldown after a session, I can always add a 14" SPAL or something with through-the-core mounts and run the power on a relay with the stock fan. Lots of options out there.

FrankB

iTrader: (4)

Thanks for the comments guys! I just called Andrew and placed an order for a new TSE radiator!

myfirstmiata

I've gotten to ride in this car in person. Its a amazing car. Made me realize what I need to do with my msm

FrankB

iTrader: (4)

Well with another deployment coming to an end I should start having updates again soon. I have a few goodies waiting for me in my garage!

I was too late registering for NOLA's HPDE event on Jan 24-25 so I'm on a waiting list for cancelations. I did however register for the Barber Motorsports Park HPDE event on Feb 28 and Mar 1 so that will give me so extra time to get the car ready.

FrankB

iTrader: (4)

Okay so last week I FINALLY returned home and was able to start working on the car again!

I installed my Sparco Sprint seats and Schroth Profi-ii ASM FE harnesses with the dual sub belts. I'm using the "tall driver" brackets from Fab9 as well.

I've been driving with this setup for about a week now.. love it!

FrankB

iTrader: (4)

I ordered and installed some quik-latch mini's on the front bumper. Now I just need to remover the 4 bolts under the hood, click the two quik-latches and undo the brake duct hoses to remove the front bumper.

While I had the bumper off I decided to see what the front end would look like with the brake ducts painted black. I've also been debating upgrading my intercooler with a Fab9 one and also wanted to see how the black would look. I sprayed a light coat of black paint on the front of my current intercooler to see what it might look like. I'm not sure how I feel about the intercooler being painted though.

FrankB

iTrader: (4)

Last night my Singular Motorsports hood louvers came in too. Pre-bent and powder coated black!

I'm also currently waiting for the next shipment of Gen4 15x9 bronze 6UL's to match up to my new set of tires.. 225 NT01's

Chilicharger665

iTrader: (2)

Great progress! I bought the exact same seats and mounts that you did. I bet we both bought them during the Black Friday sale as well, lol. You said the mounts are bolt-in, but you have to remove the rear humps, so how did you do that?

I am interested in some pictures with your helmet on. What was your old setup and how much head clearance did you gain? Also, how tall are you?

I have one of the very first Fab9 intercoolers ever sold sitting in a box if you did indeed want to upgrade yours. PM me if interested.

FrankB

iTrader: (4)

You are correct I ordered my seats during the Black Friday sale. I guess I should have worded that better. When I was typing I was thinking to myself that the brackets bolt to the floor. But yes I removed the humps, I'll edit that post so I don't confuse anyone else.

I am 6ft tall and I sit so low it's amazing and weird at the same time. I now can see the entire guage cluster through the center of my 330mm steering wheel. I've gained at least a couple inches over my foamectomy setup. I'll be sure to get some pictures when I get a chance.

I'll keep that in mind and let you know.

FrankB

iTrader: (4)

Okay so I finally got around to updating this again. I took some pics showing how low my head is in relation to the rollbar with the Sparco Sprints.

I also did a little bit of maintenance on the hardtop while it was off and replaced my worn out brackets at the Frankenstein Bolts.

I upgraded my oil drain on my EFR to a -10AN from a -8AN line. I used a -10AN oil drain flange from Treadstone. While I still used the BEGi MSM 3/8NPT oil drain flange, I threaded a -10AN to 3/8NPT fitting into it and bored the inside of the fitting to remove the taper.

I replaced my 14" SPAL fan with a 13" fan from Xenocron and made brackets to mimic the factory install.

I removed my door panels and began a project of making door cards using the upper portion of NA panels. These panels started out as a 4'x8' sheet of 3/16" cardboard from Lowes. Cardboard was trimmed and first covered in headliner, then in black vinyl. I must say, I love the extra elbow room!

I finally put in my Beatrush Rear Diff Brace (been sitting in my garage since March 2013)

lastlt, I made an aluminum heat shield for the turbo and then decided to re-clock my turbo and change the routing of the hot side intercooler piping. I added a comparison picture of my new and old piping as well.

Sorry for the attached pics guys. I used to upload pics to Photobucket and then use the hyperlink feature, but I've gotten lazy.

williams805

iTrader: (2)

What bar is that? How tall are you?

FrankB

iTrader: (4)

Harddog Hardcore Hardtop M2 double diagonal.

I'm 6ft

99mx5

iTrader: (16)

Welcome back Frank! Keep it up! Always good to see progress.

williams805

iTrader: (2)

Props, thank you.

turbofan

iTrader: (1)

Wow, I'm gonna need spacers, ha. That'll be too low for me but it's what I've got sitting in the garage.