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Fireindc's attempt to build a decent miata. (the search for more torque).

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Old 03-12-2015, 10:04 AM
  #741  
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#3: pay someone to properly balance your entire rotating assembly. My preferred machinist does it for $250, and both engines I've built with balanced assemblies run incredibly smooth.
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Old 03-12-2015, 11:38 AM
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Originally Posted by curly
#3: pay someone to properly balance your entire rotating assembly. My preferred machinist does it for $250, and both engines I've built with balanced assemblies run incredibly smooth.
Unfortunately spending any more money on the car right now is not an option. I have everything for the engine build already, just got to assemble it.

Then once the new motor is in the car, i'll have another 99 longblock to play with down the road. That engine can get the works, one day, perhaps.

I'm building a small house (cabin) on my property this summer. All of my money (and more) is already accounted for
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Old 03-12-2015, 02:59 PM
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A properly balanced BP is (as far as BP's can go) a thing to behold. Before, at idle with the mazdacomp mounts, you got a nice massage in the driver's seat. The torsion springs for the trunk would resonate.

Now, you can't really tell if the car is on without looking at gauges if you can't hear it.

At the dyno yesterday, when Laz would do a pull you could feel the vibration in the suspended decking on top of the dyno. With my car, not so much.
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Old 03-12-2015, 07:19 PM
  #744  
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I'm so glad i got my rotating assembly balanced. Not a hint of vibration at all anywhere. I will always recommend it.
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Old 03-12-2015, 09:56 PM
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Originally Posted by Fireindc
Thanks for the props, still loving the subaru. It's been thousands of miles now (10k +), and it barely uses oil, and i've never had to add coolant. Oil use on her is maybe a qt per 3,000 or so, so pretty much normal subaru 2.5 usage. Great car.

The miata.. oh how i lust for my miata. It's heavy on the brain now, and in its current state does run, i just don't want to drive it due to oil pressure issues. SO, the engine build will be commencing. I have a new schedule at work where i get off at 2, and now with spring forward I've got plenty of time each day after work.

SO GUYS, i've been out of the loop for a bit and i want to ask a few questions.

#1 (most important), what guide/manual should i be using for assembling my engine?

#2 what plasti-gauge should I buy/use for bearing tolerances? A link would make it easy and i would love you.

#3 WHERE can i take off material from my pistons to balance them ? I'd like to lighten the heaviest piston by a few grams to bring it back in line with the others, and keep my rotating assy somewhat balanced.

I've just ordered a piton ring filer, and a piston ring compressor to install the pistons.. so I should be set there. Wanting to get this bottom end assembled asap so i can play with the head.


NEW GOAL FOR THE CAR: not making crazy power, but making it a reliable dependable car that me and the misses can take on leisurely drives to colorado and whatnot on a whim. ONE DAY i'd like to be able to drive to mazdas at laguna seca. I'm tired of ******* wrenching and I just want to have fun
1. This book, How to Blueprint & Build a 4-Cylinder Short Block: For High-Performance (Speedpro)
How to Blueprint & Build a 4-Cylinder Short Block: For High-Performance (Speedpro): Des Hammill: 9781874105855: Amazon.com: Books How to Blueprint & Build a 4-Cylinder Short Block: For High-Performance (Speedpro): Des Hammill: 9781874105855: Amazon.com: Books


2. Autozone has 2 diff sizes, buy both if not sure, it's cheap. Whatever spec for clearance you are looking for, buy the one that does that size with good accuracy.

3. Covered in link on point 1!

Also I HIGHLY AGREE WITH YOUR LAST PART!!!!!!!!!! (the reliable part)

I too am seeking the same thing, to have a reliable car that I can drive anywhere, and not have to wrench on. So I feel you on that! I'm doing everything I can think of to achieve that goal right now, as I'm building my setup.
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Old 03-12-2015, 09:56 PM
  #746  
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Originally Posted by Mobius
A properly balanced BP is (as far as BP's can go) a thing to behold. Before, at idle with the mazdacomp mounts, you got a nice massage in the driver's seat. The torsion springs for the trunk would resonate.

Now, you can't really tell if the car is on without looking at gauges if you can't hear it.

At the dyno yesterday, when Laz would do a pull you could feel the vibration in the suspended decking on top of the dyno. With my car, not so much.
Originally Posted by Erat
I'm so glad i got my rotating assembly balanced. Not a hint of vibration at all anywhere. I will always recommend it.
I had my new shortblock balanced, hope this is the same for me!
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Old 03-16-2015, 08:47 PM
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I didn't get it done at first then as my parts sat there unassembled at home I decided to go for it. Stings less when you save up for months slowly and get it done. Crank, Flywheel PP etc. were all balanced. I hope it pays off as well.
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Old 01-06-2016, 03:03 PM
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Well.. my miata still sucks. But, I have an awesome place to live now.




The engine i was building had some scoring on the main bearings, so it will need the crank turned. No $$ for this currently, since I'm being a ski bum atm, but eventually I'll make progress. Miata is not going anywhere anytime soon.
Attached Thumbnails Fireindc's attempt to build a decent miata.  (the search for more torque).-80-vsclc2z_defd0f0524a990a863496a4fc8d2231b5e94bf82.jpg  
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Old 01-06-2016, 03:25 PM
  #749  
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Holy blast from the past!

Give me coordinates on your house and I'll buzz you. Flying out to ABQ next week -- would be a fun detour.
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Old 01-06-2016, 03:43 PM
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Sweeeeet setup man! Which side of the gorge? Still dreaming of getting a place up there...
Pretty good year to be a ski bum.... Might be up there Sat/Sun; will probably be at Tim's afterwards. I wear a neon green helmet if you ever see me in the lift line.

I got my crank turned at knighton's for something less than $100. Can't quite remember, but it wasn't too bad.
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Old 01-06-2016, 03:45 PM
  #751  
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Originally Posted by leboeuf
Sweeeeet setup man! Which side of the gorge? Still dreaming of getting a place up there...
Pretty good year to be a ski bum.... Might be up there Sat/Sun; will probably be at Tim's afterwards. I wear a neon green helmet if you ever see me in the lift line.

I got my crank turned at knighton's for something less than $100. Can't quite remember, but it wasn't too bad.
Thanks dude, and thanks for the info about the crank turning.

As for the location, it's on the Taos side of the gorge. I have both well and septic. I'm actually in el prado. View out my back window:



I'm working up there at TSV this year, you can find me in a blue TSV staff jacket. Either scanning tickets, or riding, both are part of my job. Bright green goggles, retro 80's reusch gloves.
Attached Thumbnails Fireindc's attempt to build a decent miata.  (the search for more torque).-80-11539161_10153026361197939_4158461946435672673_o_c160a67f29b5239f0df6c3d27f70148b1faeb952.jpg  
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Old 01-06-2016, 06:13 PM
  #752  
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oh snap looks who's back

nice house...looks like it's literally in the middle of nowhere
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Old 01-06-2016, 11:10 PM
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Holy **** man, nice view! You are officially excused from not having touched your build. How did this come together? Kit? Your plans? Your hammer? The first ever "Tiny House Jamboree" was here in the CoSpgs last fall, you would have dug it.
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Old 01-07-2016, 12:04 AM
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Honestly...?


I thought you died
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Old 01-09-2016, 06:23 PM
  #755  
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Originally Posted by 18psi
oh snap looks who's back

nice house...looks like it's literally in the middle of nowhere
I live in a rural location, and i'm about 15 minutes from town. It has all the things you need, power, internet, etc. It's on a well with a holding tank for septic.

Originally Posted by matthewdesigns
Holy **** man, nice view! You are officially excused from not having touched your build. How did this come together? Kit? Your plans? Your hammer? The first ever "Tiny House Jamboree" was here in the CoSpgs last fall, you would have dug it.
Hey budday, i heard about that tiny house jamboree dealio. Would love to check it out this year perhaps. I had the house build by some amish folk out of alamosa CO, check out Colorado Camping Cabins | Small Portable Cabins - Camping Cabins


Originally Posted by Efini~FC3S
Honestly...?


I thought you died
<3

Just took this picture today, before going to snowboard.



Annnnnyways, i do have plans to work on the car this spring. I'll see how that works out. New plans for the car is to make it dead reliable, so that me and the GF can drive it cross country. I just want to drive the damn thing more.
Attached Thumbnails Fireindc's attempt to build a decent miata.  (the search for more torque).-80-12492051_954246311331235_8470680798648419142_o_bca9d359a2bbde565d49ce144e16b161bd604a76.jpg  
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Old 04-13-2016, 02:51 PM
  #756  
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Taking your sweet time I see! No worries, its the same for me here... except I might pass you, literally and figuratively.

I'm aiming to have the motor done end of May and might be road tripping/moving across the US right through your region with the new motor in the car. Your thread really helped me get things together so I might just have to stop by and show you the result haha.
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Old 01-25-2017, 04:55 AM
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Thanks for documenting this. Just curious if you got anywhere with the rebuild.
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Old 11-05-2017, 10:13 PM
  #758  
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Towed the car to the shop. Sprayed it off and rolled it in. Pretty much got the engine ready to pull out in 2 hours. Just gotta pull the trans bolts, but everything else is done. I forget how easy (and enjoyable) these things are to work on. Current plan is to rebuild the 99 motor coming out of the car. Basic head job, mild built bottom end, bigger turbo.






Also, will I regret running this turbo? I recently rode in MatthewsDesigns's car, with a 2560, and realized how awesome that turbo is. It's a .64 hotside gt2860rs. Goal here is 300whp.
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Old 11-05-2017, 10:46 PM
  #759  
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keep the rs. welcome back
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Old 11-06-2017, 08:59 AM
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Yes, welcome back indeed.
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