$2013 Lapping Zombie- Project Aftermath.
 

The Background

Some of you may remember my old build thread:
https://www.miataturbo.net/build-thr...-wrench-50515/

As it once was the car used to be described as ProjectSexPanther. The car started out as anaturally aspirated convertible and was converted into a turbocharged streetterror. The car had its ups and downsbut was finally put to rest June 9, 2011.

As it was
https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1342146868
https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1342146868



What there is left to work with
The partout went very well and as such there isn’t much leftof the car.
he remains are limited to the full chassis tub with suspension arms and a few body panels.
The car still has its right hand dash but noglove box or centre console.
The chassiswiring was all destroyed but was kept just in case.
The 1.6 miata transmissionand rear end are still around because of how undesirable these parts are.
Even the set of Honda wheels that were on thecar have been sold; the car is now sitting on the ground.

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1342146868
https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1342146868



The Goal
The goal with the car is to bring together a community tosource parts, build a car with almost no rules and have it compete againstother cars with way more budget-and win.
The car should fit within the GRM challenge rules which arebasically open to anything within the $2013 budget and above all be safe.

The competition
The GRM challenge is a challenge that hosts all kinds ofcustom vehicles. Almost anything goes. The challenge rates cars on three differentfronts; autocross, drag and show. So the cars cant look like a bag of ---- andwin.

The Plan

At the moment the car is so barren that it needs some workto look like a car; mainly for motivation. Getting the car back on all fours is priority number one.
-Top mounts need to be made for the suspension.
-OEM shocks will be used to roll the car around that havebeen fitted with a set of $20 second hand-never used eBay coilovers.
-The crown nuts that hold the balljoints in place need to befound and hope that they haven’t been thrown in the trash.
-Doors need to be sourced to make the car easier to look atand stay motivated.


Once the body is together and rolling I think that it shouldbe priority number one to source some kind of powerplant or at least define apath.
The car must be competitive. In saying that I am hoping to get input onwhat you guys would seriously like to see go into this. Remember the budget of the whole car is lessthan your standard Honda engine swap.
Two ideas on the table now are:
- selling the Miata transmission and buying a late model GMtruck engine retrofitted with some kind of cheap transmission to stay in budgetwith a ton of custom work; or
-source a miata engine to fit a turbo and nitrous to.



Beyond that there is plenty of time to talk about anddetermine the finishing details of this car. Those items being:
-suspension
-drivetrain mods like rear end
-interior
-wiring


Lets hear your input and get to sourcing Miata Parts…

In for some serious wicked wrenching

Putting together a list of materials for your most basic rotisserie you can think of.

Car is going to be a chassis up build for next year. Should be pretty dope.

I want to have the car on the rotator by the end of day saturday.

Back to the basics. The rotisserie isnt going to happen.


Can anyone measure for me the centre to centre spacing of the bolts for the suspension top hats on an NA? I will be building some custom drop top hats to get the car rolling again.

Full update to come shortly...

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1346619607

sub'd for sexiness

UPDATE! September 3, 2012
With the long weekend and my fiancé working I decided it would be a great time to strip the shell down, do an inventory of what I have, what I need and clean and organize it all.
My day started out placing the car where it will be for the coming months. Out of the way of everything else that will come inside for the winter and that I can leave space for my winter fabrication projects.
https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1346698603
On stands
https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1346698603
Under hood

Then I cleaned out the parts storage that was the inside of the car, organized them and did a quick vacuum of the shell.
https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1346698603
Cleaned up
https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1346698603
Parts dangling

Started my pile of parts that will never go back onto the car…
https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1346698603
Useless bumper
https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1346698603
Scraps

Finally, this is the reason to use this shell for a cheap project. NO RUST. All bolts come out like they would on a new car and its far less frustrating compared to dealing with Canadian rust buckets.
Clean
https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1346698603
https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1346698603
https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1346698603


The shell as it sits just before I leave the shop.
https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1346698603
End of day

Going to be a LONG build... deals like this need to happen throughout the entire build.

project cheap continues.
https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1347369025
Has brake lines and pads. pads to be assessed but supposedly only have 100 miles on them.

shipping is cheap too. :)

Damn you! I'll give you $11. Everythings looking good, sub'd for awesomeness to come.

Good luck man, subbed.

Did you ever make those top hats? Why do you need us to measure anyways? You have a car there measure the holes in the chassis that they bolt/studs need to go through.

I havent made them yet.

My shell is about an hour away from me and to save time i was hoping to measure them before going out there.

It will be a long term project, but I'm fine with that.

Nice, didn't see this thread.

Front bolt centre is 120mm. Can't get to the rears right now.

rears should be the same.

Thanks Dave.

VERBAL UPDATE: Project to have positive manifold pressure. Figured this site would like to hear!

Lining up some engines and i just need to go get my hair dryer with the doors.

I wish i could edit old posts. I would like the ability to edit my second post (3rd on page) to allow me to keep updating links to useful websites I find to be referenced with this project.

Mainly things like this:
https://www.miataturbo.net/engine-pe...l-packs-54865/
My LS2 coil installation - Miata Turbo Forum - Home of the Boostin' Bangers.

There was a for sale gutted miata in another thread, check it out in the classifieds.

Thanks.

What items are on this gutted miata that would be useful on my project? I am content with using my existing shell.

Err backwards, guy is selling everything but the shell.

I've got a lower FM downpipe that's been collecting dust for a long time if you're ever in the area. Not sure how useful it would be though.

Might be useful!

Come to wonderland October 20 for Halloween Haunt and I will grab it. :)

HELP ME COME UP WITH A PAINT AND GRAPHIC STYLE!

https://www.miataturbo.net/race-prep...03/#post929413


Matt

Dude with the brake calipers didnt come through on eBay. shitty buzz. neg rep.

Slowest build EVAR.
Should be doing some fabrication work in the next month for some more budget on this.

Not much to update on this car yet...life is slow and everyone around here thinks Miata's are gold mines!


However there are some pretty big things happening in the near future!
-I am moving into a new house with a garage on the property, so I wont have to drive an hour to work on my car! And;
-I am getting a few side jobs building Turbo manifolds again to generate some funds to light this project UP!


And because people like pictures...

Some pics of a turbo and wastegate I have in my posession right now that I am building a B series turbo manifold for a nice Honda Civic!

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1359160341
Garrett Turbo-2871R by Shlammed, on Flickr

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1359160341
TiAL MS-V wastegate by Shlammed, on Flickr


If your interested in following the fabrication process, I will be posting updates on my Facebook Page!
www.facebook.com/HellaFab

That's a sweet deal about the garage. Tends to make things a tad easier.

I think an nb1 oe front sway with all 4 end links you can have... if you pay shipping. lmk

is that an upgrade for an NA6?

I dont think that they are any bigger?

No miata progress. Busy building turbo Manifolds.



For those interested in pics here is one I have. The rest of the set is on my Facebook page.

www.facebook.com/HellaFab
https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1361071469

One month until I'm in my new house and shop!

I'm curious why leave so much room

Its for a Honda B series.

So a few reasons... The head tapers out at the top, this guy has a vented valve cover, the turbo points to the left, so it sits. In towards the flange.

This is one of my small diameter runner manifolds. This car is running a 2871 tial vband. It should be really responsive and perfect for tight tracks or autocross but still have upwards of 350whp

Wow that looks nice. I liked your FB page a couple weeks ago. How many turbo manifolds for Miata's have you done so far? I'm in the market for one very soon

I have done 3 early on in learning to fab. Im not trying to commercial post here.


This Honda job will upgrade my new garage so I can get it ready for my Miata. I am hoping to be out lapping with it this year...but we will see, since we just bought a house. If anything I hope to have it running stock...stock 1.6 diff, stock engine...whatever I can find for that be it 1.6 or 1.8.

Anyways...
Weld porn before I ran out of Argon... (from my facebook page)
https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1361300345

Matt

Anyone want to buy a RHD miata shell? Absolutely no rust.

I think it would be easier to find something to do this project as a complete car.
I will make a for sale thread to see if anyone wants it...


And some more fabrication shit.

3" indestructable vbands.
https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1361993944


3"-4" adapter for blast pipe tips.
https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1361993944


Picked up some more argon, so I will have some updates for my welding projects come next week. Obviously nothing on my miata yet though.

Bare RHD miata shell? Go sell it on club ricer for 4 grand.

Hey man I remember this car! I was a bit late at the time in getting in on your part out but nonetheless looking forward to your updates.

Not sure if you'll need anything but I'll be pulling my 1.6 out probably July but if you need any stock 1.6 or 1.8 parts let me know.

I'm out west in KW area but gf's in Ottawa so I pass by Kingston every now and then. I also see Jimmy C in Ottawa now and then too so many ways to work things out if you need anything.

Wait, are you giving up already?

I kinda expected that when I saw all the wires on the ground and no progress since then lol.

Let me know the deal with your engine dude. I will be interested if i still have the car.

People on kijiji and crap think Miata parts are gold.

Send me a PM and im sure we can work something out. I also have a friend with a scrap yard that has a ~2000 kia sportage that I could likely have pick a FE3 out of.

Made some welds.

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1362321409

Maybe I should make a fabrication thread. Lol


Miata isn't gone yet, so you never know.

Matt

Wow that looks beautiful!

Hopefully I'll be competing in the $2013 challenge with you. The idea of building a shell up is not a bad one, but I would highly recommend picking up a parts car that has been in an accident rather than trying to piece a whole car together. Down that way lies madness!

probably wont make it this year. just bought a house.


SIDE NOTE! HOUSE HAS GARAGE.

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1363894074

Im trying to find some free wheels to get my car to the point of rolling to be able to bring it into my new garage. If it is in there I feel like I would actually do something with it.


I am thinking FE3 swap on the cheap.

Since I do custom fabrication it shouldnt be a problem for me to get that engine in and fit.

Once it is physically installed I will worry about the rest after.

HellaFab project car!

Subscribed to this goodness

Thanks Zoo!

Getting closer to actually working on this car. I have been super busy with the move and welding jobs. I want to have the new garage wired and boarded before I bring the Miata in. I also need to find 2 more wheels to get it rolling.

I had another welding job today. Welded some aluminum IC pipes that a buddy brought down for his turbo '85 Corolla. Welded them up no problem.

Added budget to the racekar project.

Also started on one of my exhaust projects for more budget. 3" catback for a turbo Toyota Soarer with 4" blast pipes.

Here is a picture of a bead I made on the transition adapter (3"-4") for that blast pipe with my new inverter welder.

Straight pipe for the bitches.

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1364697927

Real miata updates.
I am getting the doors sunday and I hope to get it rolling and maybe to my shop within the month.

It will be hard to have this car in my shop not running with how busy I am with fabrication work. But I still hope to have a running FE3 in the car this year.

Doing work.



Had a little garage photoshoot of my downsized setup for the time being.
Once this job is done I think my miata will be making its way in for some V8 love.

Woah you might say when you hear this... but I think I can still do it for less than some of you spend on a boosted BP.

V8. dogbox. miata.




I have doors now, took forever for me to commit to making the trip. Will be a fun little car.
Engine with all accessories, wiring, sensors and electronics I found for $300. 2.5x the displacement of your BP means decent power with OEM finish.

The $2013 budget thing has kind of gone out the window and im making this as a fabrication demo car that I fully intend on using.

Details on the v8 you got for $300 ? In for the win, i like your fab work.

I had no idea you were that good at fabrication. Looking forward to this build you are brewing up.

You can't say v8 without specifying which v8 lol

details man

1.8*~2.5=~4.5

lets say +/- 0.3L?

I betcha its an 8 VALVE motor from a suzuki or something.

much more common than that.

lexus v8 4.0 litre?

more common than that still.

and doesnt fit within the displacement set out above. ;)

Going to hopefully get this thing standing on its own this weekend.

the seller that Im buying the engine from has a bigger bore engine for me to buy. probably going to get that instead.

question for those who have driven v8 miatas.... would you try to keep power steer or depower it? Im worried about the extra weight and wide competition tires at autocross speeds.

How wide of competition tires are we talking about? 225 street tires, dont be a pussy. 275 hoosiers, YOU NEED POWER STEERING.

well being that Im trying to do it on crazy budget (not $2000 anymore but wtv)...whatever I can get.

Would love to have some 275's at some point though.
The powertrain will really need 275's to really put a good run down.

5.0 mustang motor?

nah, too small.

Decided to light this project back up.

Bought some brake calipers off an NB miata on Ebay.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/99-MIATA-BRA...#ht_134wt_1428

I have doors now and a guage cluster hood as well. I really want to get some fab jobs im working on now out of the way so I can go to my parents and get the car rolling so i can trailer it back to my new house.