Fireindc

iTrader: (13)

Ride height looks about perfect to me, too. Just measure it and make sure there is about a 1/8" forward rake and enjoy your optimal street suspension geometry. I just raised mine to about that height and the way it handles bumps mid corner now is almost mind blowing .

Jeffbucc

Thanks guys. I literally could not have done this without all of your input and objective criticism. Although I'd probably have a few more dollars in my bank account without y'all provoking my OCD! Seriously though, thanks for the continuous support and probably being more patient than you usually are with others who don't know anything like me. If anyone finds themselves in Southern Utah, and I can figure out the tuning portion of the car, send me a PM and we'll take it for a spin up the canyon...you know...as long as you have a 32" waist to fit in the seats!

It is so surreal to be done with all the mechanical/body portions of the build. I was looking at the car last night trying to think of what I can do while I wait on the oil pressure gauge, and only came up with this list:

Wet sand/polish the paint
fix a couple dings in the paint from stupidity(read dropping tools)
tint windows(NM/AZ/NV owners know all to well the hell of untinted windows in the desert)
Alignment
paint pinch welds black and if time experiment with plastidipping the rockers
3M protection wrap the front bumper/front 18" of hood/top 4" of hard top/Mirrors/rear bumper/Headlights. I always regretted not doing this on my VW

All but the alignment aren't needed but will be done eventually

AEM wideband Analog gauge. Analog + wired to Lambda(4N), analog- to ground(2G) on DB12 connector.

Yup, I agree on adjusting the rake a bit. Definitely need to ensure all 4 corners are correct before the alignment is done. I can't wait to drive this thing again. The "mythical" SD Bilsteins are seriously some of the best matched dampers I've even driven in a car other than my dads 97 993. I couldn't believe how well the Miata handled on roads without destroying your will to live.

Fireindc

iTrader: (13)

This. The sun will destroy all. There are cars from 06/07 with peeling clear already driving around here, the sun damage is obscene. Also, make sure you get a shade blocker and put it up everytime you park the car outside, if you don't want a cracked/faded dash . >300 days of sunshine per year here!

I'm 1/2 tempted to make a trip there just to see your car. LOL, seriously.

concealer404

iTrader: (3)

Jeff you have the wideband sensor power and ground pulling from the same place as MS, right?

And did you manually enter the voltage = AFR min and max numbers into Tunerstudio?

vteckiller2000

iTrader: (4)

This^

You need to find the calibration curve of the wideband and apply it to the WB calibration in MS. Yours and Concealer's should be the same IIRC.

Jeffbucc

Yes sensor power and ground are on ms3x. The manual voltage input...I knew that...



Oil gauge gets here tomorrow, -10an line Wednesday. Seeing as it is finals week though, pray I get a chance to touch the car...damn college student employees. I need to dose all their drinks with Prozac.

Jeffbucc

Sorry meant to respond to this. Not sure how I can pull it out more, they are at their limit of adjustment.

I'd have to weld/slip on some tips to get it out of the cutout more.

Saying that. I have a TDI with a 3" turbo-back exhaust and no DPF, pretty used to the sooty rear bumper!


*edit* Would the car make a 2 hour drive to Vegas to get the fenders rolled without damage? A guy most the VW kids recommend does it for a good price there. Cheaper(when you factor in shipping) then renting one.

hornetball

iTrader: (4)

If you do soot the bumper, I found that a clay bar takes that stuff off quick. Then keep it waxed . . . rinse, wash, repeat. Not a big deal.

shlammed

iTrader: (8)

depends if it rubs or not.

just a few seconds of rubbing will mess it up.

leave it jacked up until you get there and then lower it enough that he can make it fit nicely.

or trailer it at your proposed ride height.

Harv

iTrader: (4)

I used this guy.

RollYourFender.Com - Rental Info - Fast, Easy, & Affordable Professional Fender Roller Rental

Your trip is cheaper when you factor in gas for a 2 hour drive (one way? or 2 hours there and back?)?

Jeffbucc

Thanks, that is actually a pretty good deal. Must have overlooked the website when I searched. Ordered and it is on its way.

Also registered and insured the car tonight. I love registering cheap cars! It was only about $90.

My gauge showed up as well; which will be tonight's activity.

Jeffbucc

OK, got it all hooked up, and cranking pressure is around 40 psi almost instantly. Worries about no oil pressure alleviated, thank god.

The sender it about the size of a AA battery with a 3 pin connector on it. Very slick and very easy to hook up.

The question now is how I mount the gauge. Do I do 3 in a row or do a triangle and put the oil pressure or boost(figure it is less important than AFR/oil) down below the other 2.

Only reason I lean towards the latter mostly is because of laziness. I wouldn't have to make a new panel that way...

festersays

iTrader: (3)

I'm with you on below the other two. Sure beats the hell out of making an entire new panel. I think 3 in a row would look a little too busy anyways.

hornetball

iTrader: (4)

3 in a row will fit and is a pretty standard config.

Going below that top row puts the gauge right behind the shifter. On the street, you can deal with it. I wouldn't recommend it for tracking (if it's a parameter you care about).

concealer404

iTrader: (3)

3 in a row with the enormous AEM "beauty rings" is going to require some grinding of your tombstone to clear.

Go triangle.


Apparently i don't have any daylight pictures, but you can see the small gap between each gauge here. This required about 1/4" ground out of the tombstone on either side. It's still pretty tight. You MIGHT, MIGHT be able to get them all close enough without grinding, but i don't feel great about those chances.

FAB

iTrader: (4)

3 AEM gauges are a tight fit. Mine are just about touching but it can be done. A third lower gauge might not look bad either.

Jeffbucc

Man the NB tombstone AC panel being on the bottom really gives you the 3" you need for a more ideal gauge placement.

Going to try triangle for now and probably make a 3 across arrangement later. I'm mentally done/sick of fabricating things at the moment.

Although, the easy thing to do would be to cut out a rectangle for the gauges, instead of individual holes and then cut the circles in the suede. It would look the same and I wouldn't have to make a new panel. Hmm yeah that will actually be easy! Just need to pull the fabric taught enough to hold its form with the void space behind it.

ScottyP3821

iTrader: (2)

Since people are giving ideas

Jeffbucc

Not bad but I'd like to keep the vents. 7% body fat means I get cold/hot easily. Or I'm just a *****...

ScottyP3821

iTrader: (2)

I use to feel that way too but then I got rid of the AC and I dont like heat blowing at my face so I put it on defrost/floor mix. To be honest I wouldnt even have any Heater core or blower if it wasnt for the ability to use it as an emergency radiator on the track.