Man I can remember when my interior was that clean... Right when I bought it..

 

While a stock 99 is a helluva lot faster than a stock 1.6... both are like are laughably slow compared to any turbo.

 

This is true. My comment was made in a moment of depression ... when I was completely frustrated by the rebuild.

After driving a bone stock '96 for the past year I am desperately wanting my turbo miata back ... badly.

-Zach

 

lol this thread is great. Good build!

 

Got my hot parts back from the powder coat shop. I had them coated with Cerakote's high temp tungsten coating. I doubt it will offer much of a thermal benefit, however, it supposedly is a good rust inhibitor which makes it worthwhile (to me).



I also noticed a bunch of image links are dead so I've uploaded the old ones I was able to located on my HD to my IMGUR album here:

http://thasac.imgur.com/all/

I also scored a baller Stage8 10mm manifold 'kit' of amazon for <$20. Now every joint on my exhaust is either stage8 fastened with inconel studs (except for the OEM exhaust studs) or v-band ... I'm hoping my failure points have been minimized.

-Zach

 

Looks sexy for a greddy!

 

To quote Hornetball: "lipstick on a pig"

 

I'd rather kiss a pig with lipstick than no lipstick!

 

Because I'm no longer 18 and cannot justify driving an EZ-bake oven.



Overkill? A bit. I had the downpipe coated with a Cerakote 2000 deg 'tungsten' coating. I do not expect any significant thermal benefits from the coating, however, according to what I've read it should fend off oxidation (important to me since the DP flange isn't SS). DEI header wrap and a cool-tec clamp on shield.



Here's a close up of the Cerakote (ignore the warm hues - it's the halogen lighting reflecting on the finish). For the New Englands bros: I used sr Powder Coating NH in Bow, NH. The owner Chris is a nice guy to deal with and prices things fairly. I believe MightyMouse used him for his hot parts and some mics. powder coat.

In other news: The manifold/turbo are mounted up and the engine is ready to get cozy with the chassis again ... more pics to come when I can get better lighting for photoz ... my BA in fine arts would not allow for low light iphotography.

-Zach

 

Business trip photo dump! Got some work done this week.

 

More!

 

More!!! (Can you tell I like the Canon s100?)











So after making good progress on the '90, some drunk decided it would be fun to walk on the hood of my '96 (pics of damage to come).

 

Holy ****... You are doing it right! Fine piece of work.

 

Thanks man.

I'm trying hard to do it rightish (I add the 'ish' because 1.6).

Big goal at this point is to get the engine/trans in by next week. Then wiring (cringe). Then bushing removal (double cringe). Then tuning/troubleshoot (part out?).

-Zach

 

except for the 1.6L and Greddy kit.

 

It was new (better) turbo setup or Tein Monoflex (no ASTs at the time). I choose suspension. To be fair to the Greddy, aside from the awful spool the manifold has at least been pretty robust.

 

You are really taking care of your car and have a super clean build! I wish I could commit to that level of detail on mine right now.

Even riding on my shitty koni yellows, I have a hard time rationalizing paying for an upgrade to Teins or anything other than Xidas despite the car being mostly street duty. What made you choose the Monoflex?

 

A) I picked up a low mileage set from a member here for 1,200 bucks shipped.
B) At the time, AST/Xidas had yet to become the gospel
C) I was on stock suspension so I was simply looking for 'better' and not "the best'.
D) I do not prescribe to buying whatever this forum deems the best. Not because they aren't right, but rather its not in my budget and/or needs.

 

Drive another miata that isn't on the worst shocks ever developed for a miata and you'll change your mind quick.

and yes, I'm even including ricelands in the list.

 

Even KYB AGX?

I bought into that hype and quickly hit the 'sell sell sell' button.

-Zach