brgracer's build thread
 

Yes, I know I have been seriously MIA, but wife, two kids, and too many projects will do that to you. I still have a long way to go, but figured that I would at least start the build thread, and yes, I promise that there is a turbo in there eventually.

I was in the process of rebuilding a motor and a new turbo setup for my current brg when I negotiated a deal on a much cleaner shell with an AWR widebody kit already installed, fresh paint, and some other goodies. The shell came with a gutted interior and stock drivetrain as well as r-pack lip, 1.8 brakes, chassis braces, manual steering rack, and 1.8 open diff.
http://i41.tinypic.com/1zb9dtu.jpg


So I started by pulling the stock drivetrain.
http://i43.tinypic.com/xkpoj6.jpg


Cleaned up rusty area underneath brake booster and installed the built shortblock and a 6-speed trans. Built shortblock consists of 0.020" overbore, wiseco pistons 8.5:1 comp ratio (ceramic top coat, dry film side coat, oil shedding bottom coat), CAT forged rods, ACL bearings, balanced rotating assembly, billet OP gears, shimmed oil pump, ARP head studs, cometic HG, and Clutchnet 3x PP with 6 puck disk. Also installed RX-7 diff with cryo'ed 3.63 R/P as well as suspension stuff (Tein Flex, FM front sway).
http://i43.tinypic.com/303k6ee.jpg


Then installed the worked head and thicker alum rad. Worked head consists of ported and ceramic coated intake/exhaust, ceramic coated combustion chambers, Supertech valvetrain with MS solid lifters and shim under bucket conversion, 5-angle valve job, Fidanza cam gears, Integral stage 3 cams. With the billet OP, balanced rotating assembly, and stiffer valve springs, I should be able to spin to around 8500rpm.
http://i42.tinypic.com/1248nyd.jpg

Since then, I have test run the engine on stock ECU, then wired in COPS and MS and did another test run with success.

Then it got hella cold so started working on the interior. Car came as below.
http://i43.tinypic.com/10mr9rm.jpg


Removed dash and cleaned up some MS/gauge wiring.
http://i42.tinypic.com/r0a49t.jpg


Installed AEM boost/WB gauges in a-pillar, cleaned up the interior, insulated the tranny tunnel, and started installing a black interior.
http://i41.tinypic.com/4q5p3.jpg

nice. what spring rates did you get for the Teins?

nice! Ive been waiting to see updates on this car

i love the interior conversion, unfortunately both of my miatas have tan interior. Those fender flares look like a ball-less scrotum. However, it looks like we now have two, built turbo 6-speed brg's on here.

nice radiator:
http://i39.tinypic.com/xpdduv.jpg

You're going to have one immensely awesome Miata the way this is going! Since you now have a wider car, what sort of decision have you made about wheels/tires?

Looking pretty awesome. I'm jealous of your 3.63 clutch LSD and think I need to build me one.

I upped the fronts to 9kg and left the rear at 6kg. I was tempted to run 10kg in the front, but figured that I'd try the 9kg first. I'm running an FM front sway and stock rear sway.


Will probably put on a set of 15x8 or 16x8, 0 offset SM/XXR wheels for now with 225/45/15 or 225/40/16 RS2 rubber since that's the widest non r-comp tire for 15/16" as the 245 tires available don't really translate to much wider on an 8" wheel (diff for a 9" wheel). Leaning toward 15" because there is a much bigger selection of tires. Aside from really pricey wheels (think 3k+ a set), I haven't found any other 15x8 or 16x8 wheels with a really low offset that will fill the flares without spacers. In the long run, I'll probably end up with 15x9 6ULs with r-comps when I become a better driver for the track, but I just don't feel like running 36mm spacers at the moment. To be completely honest, settling for the cheaper SM/XXR wheels as a hold me over until either I convince myself to pony up for a killer set of wheels or hoping for the slim chance that Emilio may one day make a low offset batch of 6ULs for those of us with flares. :)

Ironic coming from the man with the only set of 3.3 Mazda gears that I know. I would have traded you long ago. ;)

/drool..

Amazing build, truly top notch.

I'm seriously jealous.Wish I had the time/space for a build like that. Looks awesome.

good stuff...those flares will need some serious rim/tire combo

Yeah I'm just thinking that the 3.3 isn't as appropriate with the new car since I'm no longer interested in going for 400 whp. I'm thinking more about just doing some serious headwork and being happy with immediate spool and 300whp (limit of 2560).

Flipside IM pics. It should be getting here next week so I can install it. Pics are from his test mockup to make sure everything fit correctly. :) He also clocked the mustang TB so the stock throttle cable would be routed under the IM for a cleaner install.

http://i42.tinypic.com/1zyzlnr.jpg
http://i41.tinypic.com/2v28mxx.jpg
http://i39.tinypic.com/20a99p4.jpg

How much for the IM?

*boner*

:jerkit: This is looking awsome. Keep the updates coming.

That intake is badass! :drool:

Tom, I wish i was you.

WI. :)

I must say: Badass build. Looking great. Intake mani looks especially purrdy. ;) That's mostly what I've been invisioning for building my own manifold. I'm sure that one's Alh-ewh-min-e-um though.

aluminum? yes.

that intake mani made my day....brb need a towel

Oh my!!

Remote IAC?

Doesn't Paul run without any IAC? Shit I ran my first motor on MS without IAC the entire time before I blew it because I had no idea wtf "that thing below the tb" was lol.

I'll get pics of the runners and plenum after the IM arrives for you guys. I will probably run an IAC with the mustang TB.

As for pricing, I got prototype pricing, but talked with Rob and he said an IM would be $600 + shipping if you provide a core stock IM.

I don't run one on my 99'. Idles fine when cold if I tune it a bit rich, and idles a bit high when warm. I'm seriously thinking about putting a vacuum line Tee'd off the manifold to a solenoid or valve I can manually switch to idle up when cold, and then turn off for a normal idle when hot.

Looks good, I'm still surprised you went black instead of the tan. I really like the tan on green. But I do hate the stickey dash in the summer.

But the black looks good!

running a remote oem idle valve would be incredibly easy.

the black looks bomb digity. It's the best combo I've seen in a miata. I sent a picture of one to Tom, and the next day he was sourcing interior parts for the swap.

Pics of inside of new IM:

http://i41.tinypic.com/21j6kit.jpg
http://i39.tinypic.com/apijwh.jpg
http://i41.tinypic.com/aoq1as.jpg

I know there is never an excuse for not working on the car, but between work, family, selling a house, and buying a house, I've been pretty busy.

Anyway, some mild progress. Turbo clocked to correct position and all fittings attached. Manifold, turbo, EWG, and DP bolted up and to the car. Able to get the oil feed line attached as well as one of the coolant lines. It's a bitch to get a hand/wrench into some of the tight spaces. Also note the one pic, the manifold is below the level of the VC so fits with ease and not even close to the hood (for those of you who thought that it looked too high). Also, ignore the yellow VC, basically a placeholder to keep crap out of the head until I get the cut VC powercoated. Next project is the IM!
http://i40.tinypic.com/5oytd1.jpg
http://i44.tinypic.com/2378f8.jpg
http://i40.tinypic.com/2zgarsy.jpg
http://i39.tinypic.com/11rzqk9.jpg

Wow Tom, really looks great.

Sure does look awesome, sounds like you have one heck of a busy life going on outside of this project as well. You going to have it ready to drive this summer?

so hoping to have a reliably running car to come to the dyno with. adaptronic ALMOST kicked my ass. I wanna be there to see your awesome power victory.

WOW! This is awesome!

Badass man.

Love to see it in person some day.

fantesticle!

Wow, do you actually plan to have it at the dyno day? That'd be cool.

Looks good.

I don't think it will be ready unfortunately, close though.

damn that sucks, tom you can git er done!

Yeah, I wanted it to have it done for dyno day, but no dice. Just don't want to rush things and do it half-assed. Plus, I need a few more hose ends/fittings/etc..., and pretty much everything ships from warehouses in CA so 5-day wait. Sucks....it's always the little crap that holds you up sometimes.

What do you need? I have plenty of leftover hoses, fittings etc from my build. I'd even give you a hand this weekend to get this 3 year project done.

+1 make a list of everything you need and maybe we can collectively rummage through our stuff and see what we can come up with

Thanks for the offer you guys, but need crap like odd -AN fittings. Anyway, got more stuffs done...

Billet vacuum block for IM.
http://i41.tinypic.com/2vnqrt3.jpg

YAY! IM, 70mm mustang TB, and TunerToys fuel rail mounted. All vac lines as well as throttle cable mount/linkage under the IM for a clean install look. mustang TB clocked for the under the IM throttle cable.
http://i39.tinypic.com/2ngwgpe.jpg
http://i44.tinypic.com/2h3wzt0.jpg
http://i41.tinypic.com/2u40glw.jpg

Finally got the cut VC powercoated to match the IM. A little more subtle than the yellow.
http://i41.tinypic.com/1z2q0wm.jpg
http://i43.tinypic.com/luqth.jpg

Teaser on wheels/tires. 225/45/15 Hankook RS3s.
http://i41.tinypic.com/34xkg9g.jpg

wow. so very clean. the black im/vc is pure secks

GOD DAMN....that motor is a work of art!

man i wish my engine bay looked that clean

more pics of the wheels and body please11

I'll build you a replica for the low price of $7k.

Interesting....any updates? Its looking pretty similar to mine, except there will be a 62 cuin blower on the other side...

Attachment 204984

He has been busy closing on a new house and moving. So nothing really new yet. I think its pretty close though.

Yeah seriously that is a really good looking engine brgracer.

I've been reading through your build thread and I must say your intake manifold is pure sex. I was wondering if you could help provide a link, or some information that would aid me in the purchase of the manifold.

Does it throw off your tuning significantly, or have you not had the chance to run it yet?

Thanks

Its still in an untuned state, see my previous post.

You can buy the manifold from Welcome to Flipside. Rob is the guy who you want to speak to. He will answer any questions for you. Its an awesome unit that is perfect in every respect.

I have the same manifold except it is ported out quite a bit more. I just got the car started last week so I am still adjusting my idle. There is much more of a difference from a cold start to a hot restart. I blame this because you loose all the valves and IAC that bring heat to a cold start. I am also not running a TPS or a IAC. This gives a horrible idle. If you buy this piece and put on a Mustang Throttle Body then you have to adapt or use new IAC and TPS components.

I am attaching a video of a cold start just after the first time I have ever started the motor after a full build. Still need to change my fuel values. I have since got it to sit much more calm. Sorry for the horrid quality.

http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l2...h_DSCF4219.jpg

-Anthony

She RUNS!!!! Granted I need to take care of some small stuff like heat shielding stuff so things don't melt and tuning, but she idles and drives with no leaks! Almost there....too bad I'm moving next week so I might not get too much done soon, but I am working on it.

A few quick pics with new wheels as well. And before the peanut gallery pipes up, there will be spacers to push the rears out to fill the flares better, AND the car has not settled with the new suspension yet, hence the fender gap which will be adjusted later.

http://i29.tinypic.com/28ul6k9.jpg
http://i32.tinypic.com/rsqxeh.jpg

Finally moved. Have lots of unpacking to do, but hopefully will get to tune the car and then start a garage "build thread." Woo!

http://i28.tinypic.com/289kiyo&s.jpg

Wow- there's some ceiling height there. Congrats on the move. Next post of the car in the build thread will have the car on a lift? ;)

Wow, that is some ceiling! Lift!!!!

I'm slightly jealous of that height. Congrats on the move Tom! Where did you move to?

Yeah, I measured everything, and a lift is eventually in the plans, but I need to do some stuff like raise the garage door on that side first. That, and the garage flooring which goes in next week! Pics to follow next week.

Tim, I moved closer to you. Don't know if you consider that a good or bad thing. ;) I'm right outside Ambler, PA.

excellent work. im diggin the new bat cave. a lift is deff in order!