is that the baffle after LS?

BTW Joe I seriously think you should build the first electric CF.

hard to hate if they were there first. but I really have a hard time with people that move next to an existing track and then protest tack activities. just move already

10 good laps
 

We got 10 good laps at Laguna Seca before something electrical blowed up. gotbluemilk.com caught some of the action.

You know who cares about light weight parts?
 

You know who cares even more about making light parts than car racers? Bicycle racers.

They're looking to shed every gram of weight possible. So...if you look at this catch bottle from that perspective--and not the "what can I use from the sports locker" perspective, it looks pretty good. :)

The swirl pot was leaking a bit over time, and we were using a crappy Checker/Shucks/Kragen/O'Reilly catch bottle solution. With zip ties. It looked like crap. And leaked.

I drilled a hole for the hose into the place where the pop top would normally be located on the drink bottle, and then inserted a stainless sleeve inside the hose to keep its shape. A worm gear clamp prevents the hose from coming detached from the bottle top.

FYI--either the stock heat shield is going on the exhaust, or the bottle mount is getting moved, or the aluminum bottle is getting used. Or all three.

You sure you're not going to find that plastic bottle down the track on your following lap?

You should have went with an Arundel Mandible cage. I run two of those on my S5, and no it's not an audi. :)

Looking sexy as hell on the track!

Only unless it's a melted pile of goo. :)

The bottle is really snug, and a single zip tie at top would lock it in place. I think it's getting moved to the front face of the shock tower, which will be much cooler.

Why not just go with an aluminum drinking bottle?

Wrong color! Ok, I've got one ready and waiting, but tested with the plastic one that was available first.

Better?
 

Better? I was the lucky winner of this aluminum water bottle at Miatas at Mazda Raceway. It's being put to good use. :)

Definitely better.


Now do something about the exhaust manifold. ;)

Glad I'm not the only one who was disgusted by the ugly stock header on such a beautiful machine

Working on it...

Until then, check out the design contest we won!

Creaform Put Us to the Test Engineering Contest

Bauer Limited Production Wins Design Challenge! | Bauer Ltd

Soooooo I can't find the catfish assembly on grabcad...can you give us a link?

Oops...Brad probably took care of it.

Search for "CREAFORM contest" - GrabCAD news

Sure would be nice to replace that rusty header with an Absurdflow T3 low mount... :)

Is it just me or does the new Astin Martin Speedster concept look incredibly similar the Catfish from certain angles?

Exhibit A:

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1368979269

Exhibit B:

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1368979269

Aston Martin CC100 Speedster is a 180-mph centennial celebration

Looks like you hit the nail on the head with the design Cord.

Saw those photos this morning and honestly thought the same thing.

Damn that's crazy.

Thanks Ian, I'll take the comparison all day long. :) We considered doing that kind of side, and even had the frame cut out for it. However, it's so damn easy to just step over that it didn't make sense. Well, at least sense to me.

I've had a few people understandably say that the Catfish looks BMW-ish, but I always thought that it resembled Aston Martin, at least from the front.

Chuckle, too funny. The weight might be a bit off and the number of cylinders. Both probably by a factor of three.

So have you decided exactly how many monies one of these is going to cost me?

$200 million, or $13,900. You pick.

Did someone say the stock manifold was UGLY? You should see the California version :facepalm:

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1369600037

Yup thats the ugly 99-00 manifold.

Fugly exhaust + coolant reroute
 

Yes, it certainly is fugly. And now you can see it better because I finally got around to a coolant reroute. The nice thing about the Catfish is that I don't need to worry about the heater core, so there's just plain less "stuff" around.

--The swirl pot was also removed as the return tube is not the tallest point of the water. I'll mount the hose in place later so it doesn't bounce around.

--The water inlet was changed from swirl pot top to coolant return, for obvious reasons. The overflow bottle will sit on the passenger side this go-round.

--Since this engine has a Motec ECU, I kept the tacky in-line water temp sensor that goes to the Autometer gauge. Don't re-engineer when not needed.

--The rear ecu sensor was moved to the front block-off plate. I got lazy and ordered a block-off plate, but it wasn't thick enough to tap and thread, so I just made another one. the fuel injector wires needed to be run under the intake, which cleaned up engine bay a bit.

--The return inlet was removed, along with all the other garbage running under the exhaust. Now the engine looks downright lonely. And yet, that fugly exhaust sticks out like a sore thumb. Needs me a custom one...

--The Catfish is a joy to work on. Even the PITA work done at the back of the car was easy. The coil packs didn't even need to come off.

During the sourcing process for the reroute I did find out some new tricks, but I want to confirm them on a standard car before posting them here. I'm still a newb at Miatas and don't want to pass along crap information.

Hmm that water temp sensor by the copper t joint wouldnt be reading anything until the thermostat opens?

Good catch. :) That's already an old picture. I need to confirm a couple of things I did before I tell everyone and look like a complete boob.

...you might already be able to tell by looking at the pictures carefully...

Yeah i saw the temp sensor in the back too, was also curious why you have 3 of them :D

FrankenMiata:). There are actually only two sensors...one to the Motec and one to the Autometer. The ECU sensor is correctly placed, so no worries. Since this is not a standard build by any means, not everything transfers over. I would have the Autometer re routed already, but I need a non standard fitting to make it work...

Does it have anything to do with the shut-off valve at the back of the engine?

You mean the ignition key? :)

I had the choice of two temperature valves for the car; a 180 degree with no bypass holes and a 192 degree with three bypass holes. Because I live in Southern California, I drilled a bypass hole in the 180 degree valve and stuck that in. The holes are generally to allow air bubble to pass through and out of the system.

So, even with the Autometer gauge aft of the water bypass valve, it should still give readings under 180 degrees. The ECU gauge will always get the proper water temperature directly from the water in the head.

Just for reference, bypass valves use a wax that expands when heated to open the valve. 180 degrees is a good operating temperature for most engines IMO, and higher temperature-rated thermostats are probably around not for efficiency, but for emissions. My new placement will be prior to the bypass valve, as soon as I can find the proper hardware.

Haha, that's pretty funny, I found that too and was going to post it :)

Just let me borrow the catfish for a short while. I'll be sure it's returned with a turbo.

The regular ol' original centered/low mount should work with your lack of P/S & A/C. I don't have any actual manifolds I could send you but I can send you some geometry information. I assume you have the entire catfish chassis in CAD and can drop the manifold/turbo/flanges into your assembly.

Then anyone can build the manifold for you. ARTech has a slick quick way of making that manifold that I've since copied. And there's obviously a few others on this forum who are very good fabricators of that manifold :)

EDIT: I never made this manifold but it would be pretty simple as it uses a traditional collector, which is 'easier' and more forgiving when hand fabricating a manifold. Turbo is in the same spot in all my low/centered manifolds. Sorta In between the actual equal length I did for Lars and the original manifold.
https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1369768033

turbo position with respect to your steering shaft?
http://www.absurdflow.com/miata/stan...tieturbo13.jpg

Hey, if I can't get an Absurdflow original, being schooled by the designer is the next best thing. :) The Catfish frame is actually going through some fairly big pre-production changes that are intended to help packaging, simplicity of production and strength/safety. We're also working on getting a K-member digitized so it can be part of the drawing, so if you know of anyone who has already done this, let me know.

The 1.6 we have in it now is just not a good turbo candidate; it's got a really high compression ratio, and simply needs to be developed more as a car we can take out to track days. A higher flow exhaust is on the list.

The first production car will be NB-based, and will probably be turbocharged. I can't wait to work with the new frame layout to take advantage of all the extra space.

Seeing as headers is the subject de jour I want to get everyone's opinions on these headers.
https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1369834471

First Cord, do these look like they will work with the Catfish? They look like they have longer primaries than the stock header. Might work with changing the flange location on the exhaust that comes with the kit perhaps?

Second to the Miata Community, my Catfish will be a 1.8L NA for the first year or so. For $200 they are not going to break the bank but if they are going to break why bother is what I am thinking. Are these known headers, is there an opinion formed of them? Quality and/or performance?

Regards,

Miguel

Catfish? | The Story of a hand built car

That car is begging for a sexy custom header with swain white lightning coating.

Are you seriously suggesting he run some POS ebay "megan" header on this sexy beast?

Well I guess that answers the question of the quality of the header. ;)

And yep I am a miata :noob: I don't claim to be anything different.

The problem with many Ebay purchases is that what you're actually paying for is the life experience of wasting money chasing a low price.

The absolute best exhaust for the Catfish is one with a Trubo on it. The simple flange leading to a single exhaust tube makes packaging much easier. The turbo makes exhaust bends and tube length less crucial.

If you even think you might eventually go turbo, save your money and use the stock exhaust mani. Even good headers won't provide that much extra power.

Thanks everyone; this was the input I was looking for. I was not impressed with the factory manifold's collector when I first saw it. I wanted to budget for a new header in the initial build and this header seemed to be they only aftermarket header that bolted in the factory location allowing the use of Cord's custom exhaust. I did not realize this was an "ebay" header otherwise I would not have raised the question.

The FI upgrade is outside my budget for the initial build. It seems I'll be running the stock hardware for a little while.

Regards,

Miguel

Catfish Build Blog

To be honest the design doesn't look bad. It seems like the 4 to 2 long collectors then finally to one has given the best gains NA. The problem with long flange or the 4-2 -1 headers is that they simply extend the exhaust too far back to where it would normally reside, which is under your right foot.

We're making some final frame tweaks that should allow a free-flowing header with very few bends that heads straight out to the side exhaust. The header will be available, and will be specifically designed for a free-flowing side exit exhaust. For naturally aspirated, this custom header will be best.

The Catfish will come standard with a connector pipe between the stock header and the side pipe; this would be comparable to a performance setup, but isn't optimal. I'd consider it an exhaust to use while you get the rest of the car dialed in and figure out what kind of engine modifications you'll be doing. Again, the best exhaust will have a turbo attached to it, IMO.

BTW, love the build blog! I'll be checking that regularly. :) Let me know if you have any questions as you go along.

Brings new meaning to the advice of buying a donor car in great shape. If I were anywhere but the west coast I'd be flying here anyways to buy my donor. Fuck rust.

I was really shocked when I picked up the car by the amount of rust. Had I been able to inspect it beforehand I would have waited for another donor. But to ship one from the west coast, or to drive one over from there...yeah that's a big no. For me that would be an extra $2k. But to each there own.

Great news about the K-member design that will allow installation of a lot of different power plants. I hope you can make a K24 fit as I think that would be a great NA option for this beast!

I think that will be a stupid option. Why would you go to that much trouble for a modest increase in power over an F20C?

I assume you are talking about this post.

It would be because a K engine is 1/3 the price of an F, makes way better low and mid power, and has a much bigger market for sweet performance parts.

K member
 

The K member is being finished in CAD now, and will undergo FEA prior to production. It's intended to be lighter and stronger than stock, and be packaged in such a way that it will allow more room for exhausts and oil pans.

In that way it's somewhat modular; it could be used with an LS, 5.0 Mustang, F22C, 13B, K24, or whatever else you want to throw at it. Since it has more room, is stronger and lighter, why not?

As such it has direct application to any Miata swaps.

Your right the k24 is a stupid option.

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1371063844

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1371063844

I am right. For the cost of a K motor with a good head, plus an S2000 transmission, plus adapter plate/ flywheel/ clutch solution, plus motor mounts, plus custom driveshaft, plus engine management, plus custom header/ modded F20 intake manifold you could have built a mild turbo BP and gone faster for much less effort.

I'm hardly an engine swap hater, but a K swap is masterbation, not a 'better' option.

This ain't politics...everyone can actually be right. :) Well, except the guy who just adds NOS. :loser:

good press
 

Got some good press today:

Bauer Catfish is a Miata-based trackstar in the making [w/videos] - Autoblog

Track Day Bauer Catfish Officially Debuts

The real news is that I just got back from a short trip to see my suppliers in Asia, and we've got partz. :) Get ready for some cool new stuff that will debut with the Catfish, and will fit Miatas as well. :)

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1374176598

The shirts came out nice :naughty:

Dayum!!! Of all the places to get tagged, Der Weinerschnitzel had to be the place. :)

At least I'm headed to Laguna Seca.

Ack!

I don't know how you can stand to eat in that feculent grease-pit.

That's the thing!!! First time I show my face in a "Der" is 15 years and I get busted!

I have been in exactly one of them in my entire life.

I went in mistakenly assuming that they served actual wiener schnitzel. I was immediately hit by a wave of grease which suggested to me that they were probably even deep-frying the soft drinks. I left immediately.

Weiner snob...