patsmx5

iTrader: (16)

Yeah I don't like putting the regulator way back in the rear either. Much better to have as close to the injectors as possible. Putting it in the rear is basically the opposite of that. But it seems to work. I run mine in the tradition engine bay location, close to the injectors.

Always run a vacuum line. Improves idle and gives you more fuel flow capability up top. Win/win.

Der_Idiot

iTrader: (2)

Yeah I feel dumb for not doing it, I didn't even think to read up on it in the frenzy to get it prepared. It's run now, they mentioned they T'd off the port I grabbed the signal for the ECU; I'll move it to it's own port to prevent anything getting weird with the ECU signal when I pick it up.

Der_Idiot

iTrader: (2)

Car wasn't ready in time to retrieve, they're going to reschedule for Thursday night to finish it up. If I'm lucky nothing should come up and I'll be driving it again in 48 hours.

Der_Idiot

iTrader: (2)

Does anyone on the forum do coatings? I've been teasing the thought of a ceramic coating for the TSE manifold and EFR turbo before I install them; the recent pictures posted here are reason enough to me to do it. I'm shooting for mid 20s to 30psi (e85) once all is said and done so anything that can help prevent baking the engine bay is good for me. Not looking at blankets though, I want to show off my EFR

Der_Idiot

iTrader: (2)

Car's been at the shop since the 6th, they believe they'll have it ready by Tuesday next week but 2 weeks, really? This was quoted as a 5-6 hour endeavor. What exactly is the deal with my luck and 3rd party support? I think it's time to go get drunk.

patsmx5

iTrader: (16)

I would look into making a stainless heat shield. I made one for my header on my car, and it made an incredible difference. It took me about 8hrs or so to make mine after I had the material. But it's worth it, it's very effective and will be more durable than any coating.

I know the feeling. But look at the bright side, maybe they are doing a good job and need more time to do the job correct vs rushing it to get it out the door and taking shortcuts.

Der_Idiot

iTrader: (2)

Called the shop today, the tech was supposed to be mostly open today (they said he'd have it done Tuesday or Thursday) and they updated me saying he was booked for the day (....?) so only got a little work in. They got until Thursday afternoon to finish it or I'm going to find another shop and backcharge my card on their deposit. We've used the last of our Indian Summer up and it's back to the 50s by Friday and all of the leaves have changed and mostly fallen, which is what I was supposed to take the GF to see in the car too.

In other news, I have been considering my 2016 expenses for the car and came up with the following pre-plan for brakes, though in all likelihood this may wait until after I put in the new clutch and get the turbo bits together so that the car is drivable if I run short on funds:

-11.75" Wilwood Dynapro black calipers (4piston)
-10.9" Sport rear calipers/rotors
-Carbotech XP10 pads front / XP8 rear
-SuperMiata 1" master cylinder
-Sport brake booster - Non-ABS
-Brake proportioning valve

From what I've read this should be a pretty good compromise. I considered swapping out the sport rear calipers for something lighter weight but I like having my E-Brake function. Not sure if I want to upgrade to 6piston fronts or stick with 4, many folks are saying 6 is overkill and I don't think I'll really track enough to need them.

Also on the docket for 2016;

-EFR6758
-Trackspeed manifold (January?)
-Trackspeed downpipe (Spring?)
-Powdercoat all of the above
-Trackspeed Inconel stud kit
-Turbo lines
-949 twin disc clutch

E85 tune, higher boost and singular hood vents are also planned but that's for after the rest is finished. I need to put the twin disc clutch on and will probably do that before I install the EFR as I don't want to scratch the pretty powdercoating I'll have put on the components. Hopefully this can be done before June so I can actually get some track time in next year. I may yet end up doing this work sooner than later this winter with the annoying cycle of upgrade parts on car --> car is broken for the rest of the year.

Edit:

Going to drill and tap the TS manifold as I plan to put EGT, AFR and boost/vac gauges in the A-Pillar tri-pod from Moss, this is going to be as-time-permits though I need the boost/vac sooner as my FM one only up to 20psi (may be 25) and I plan to run up to 30 with the EFR. I've been debating changing dash gauges from green to red as red is easier on my eyes which is why I haven't bought any gauges yet.

Der_Idiot

iTrader: (2)

More delays, they fed me some bullshit about my O2 sensor being flaky, it's been 8 years so I went ahead and ordered another L2H2, however it's been almost a goddamn month since I dropped the car off, I mean really? Now they're saying they'll get the sensor installed and car tuned Monday.

This thing better run flawlessly.

patsmx5

iTrader: (16)

Damn yeah that sucks, they are really dragging this out longer then they should have. At least on on the O2, if it was 8yrs old it's probably not a bad idea to change it anyways.

Der_Idiot

iTrader: (2)

Update!

The car is back from the dyno tuning shop. They didn't secure the wideband wiring and the harness cought on the driveshaft, eating through some sheathing. This caused erratic readings on the ECU and rough idling/crusing. I re-spliced that and put it back however they also tore my new rubber inner shift boot (HOW?!)... They also ran the wire incorrectly and thus the boot didn't sit flush (see picture). I've heard very good things about these guys, this is a pretty surprising lack of professionalism.

The tune is working fairly well, however their map was 2.5* or more retarded across the board and I can feel the change in torque because of it. I've been massaging the map up little by little and the torque is coming back, but the 40-45* weather is keeping the car from staying above operating temperature. She's crazy fast again and there's no knock that I can tell but I haven't really been stressing the car. The torque curve in the picture should have a lot less falloff after 6k after adding 2*+ though I need to do something about the boost falling off around the same time, that's definitely not helping losing 2psi over a thousand rpm.

Gonna call them up and complain, they had it over a month with a very long leash. Guess I can't take that stance with them. I'm going to put my TSE stuff on when I get it and drive the car down to FM and have Jeremy get it running smoth (while taking a week off in CO, yeah!) next spring, I'm done trusting local tuners around here.

Der_Idiot

iTrader: (2)

I have a strange noise, almost like a playing card rubbing against wheel spokes on a bicycle that happens under boost. Seems to mainly come up when I go WOT and hit 10+ psi. Any ideas what that might be? Maybe it's noise leaking in through the tear in the boot?

I'm gonna try to catch it on video, but noise is notoriously hard to record with my phone. Maybe the gopro can catch it..

patsmx5

iTrader: (16)

Sorry for dumb question, but if you paid them to tune it, and they pulled timing (I'm assuming they did so because of knock), why are you putting timing back in? Seems odd to pay them to tune it and then you start tuning it. How are you checking for knock? When I was on pump gas, I could make more power with more timing, but it knocked.

Not sure on noise you described.

Der_Idiot

iTrader: (2)

I don't think they finished tuning the car, I pretty much showed up on Wednesday and took the car. They gave some excuses which I largely ignored, after a month of them having it in house I gave up waiting or giving them any benefit of the doubt. The tuner never showed his face and I only saw him the day I dropped the car off, he didn't answer the phone and wasn't present when I picked up the car. The ECU has a knock sensor and I haven't picked any up, however I've been adding timing carefully to make sure I didn't go overboard. I need to pull the front cover off the engine to see if they actually adjusted the cam gears or if that was bullshit.

Der_Idiot

iTrader: (2)

Going to Japan on Sunday for 2 weeks with the GF, I'll try to post some stuff up. 2 weeks in Okinawa, woo! Maybe I can find a Miata to rent for some RHD weirdness...

Der_Idiot

iTrader: (2)

I might be joining the twin disc clutch master race soon, need to allocate more funds on the card before I make the purchase though. Terrible timing but I can't complain if I'm getting a deal and know I was gonna buy it anyway.

sixshooter

iTrader: (12)

Okinawa has quite a late night car culture. I understand that 750whp cars don't count for crap. 1000whp plus is commonplace. My buddy spent 8 yrs there, if you want pointers.

Der_Idiot

iTrader: (2)

I'm back, it was a blast! I ended up spending the time on Kadena AF base, which didn't let us enter without our sponsor (who had a 21mo boy that got sick and threw fits. Essentially tied to her and the kid for the whole trip which limited fun activities). This compounded with my phone not working out there since it isn't GSM. I could get data off CDMA however I incurred a $150 bill for 25mb of data over 2weeks even with the international rate code applied. Not looking forward to calling the carrier.. End result: Watch cars drive by while sipping Sake/Japanese Whiskey. I was buzzed for most of the vacation lol.

I saw a lot of GTRs around as well as Supras. The Mazda dealership near Naha airport had a 16 Miata, which was nice. I also saw one in a garage when we went to the pottery village. The big issue I had was traffic, I could not live with that kind of traffic and the low speed limit was painful too. Saw an FD with a big (proper) wing and mile wide rubber, hearing him launch from a stop brought a tears to my eyes.

FYI; COCOs Curry is fantastic. The #7 at McD is NOT CHICKEN BUT FISH (fuuuuuuuck). Ramen is amazing no matter where I went. The GF doesn't like fish so Sushi sadly didn't happen. We went to Kyoto 18-21st and stayed in a small hotel room (6-tatami plus bathroom) and they added a third bed which made things... cramped. We saw the Fushimi-Inari shrine - The food stalls had some amazingly tasty stuff, the best of which was the Kobe beef kebab, the sauce... I had to change pants afterwards it was so good.

Closing comments: Absolutely a place to visit again, the people are very helpful and friendly. Food is great, though your digestive tract will take a while to adjust.

Der_Idiot

iTrader: (2)

Hooray! My trackspeed EFR manifold should arrive today along with the stud kid. Just need the downpipe and to figure out the water/oil lines and things should get really interesting :3

Kinda tempted by the thought of buying a cheap ratty 94-97 Miata to swap my collected turbo bits into and adding a pnp megasquirt. Slap some snow tires on and go for a ride slideways on the lake tracks. 10psi on a stock block and 92 seems reasonable no?

I already have the following bits;

-FM 1.8 Manifold
-GT2560
-FM water hardlines
-RC550 Injectors (99% sure I didn't sell these)
-Walbro 190
-Swap the clutch from Red to the new car while I put the twin in
-I think I still have my FM intercooler somewhere

I'd need to buy intercooler piping and a 3" catback for Red if I use the exhaust from there, which is ideal as it's already setup for this exact turbo/manifold and I'd need to alter it for the EFR. The only other bits I think I need are a Megasquirt, knock sensor and o2 sensor. I'd probably swap engine mounts while I'm in there because TWIIIIIST.

Der_Idiot

iTrader: (2)

I'm ordering the EFR speed sensor, I figure it will be a good idea to install it before the turbo is covered in grime. I hear I'll need a Sensor signal converter box from Full Race to use it w/ the Hydra, dunno what that'll cost though.

Also, I'm not positive but the trackspeed downpipe looks like it will end in the same area as OEM, so I'll need an exhaust system that I can mate up that isn't too expensive. I'll keep the current system and either sell it or put it in another Miata for lulz.

Anyone have any suggestions? I don't want to spend too much but I want it to be stainless at the very least. I want to install this all at once over a weekend, and I'll try to re-use the FM silicone intercooler hose, I have no AC and no PS so it should fit pretty well. Weather is already looking to be in the 50's starting Sunday too

Edit- Caucus tonight, I'll post some turbo/manifold pictures when I get back home.

Der_Idiot

iTrader: (2)

I'm going to send the manifold off to Swain to get the White Lightning coating applied, I'll cleanup the manifold and install and tape off the studs. I wonder how the etched TSE logo will look post coating? Probably completely covered I suppose.

Priced out engine coatings in case I follow through on a second Miata in the future, probably looking at 1250 for pistons/rods and coatings on the rods and piston crowns. Not bad actually, I paid a little less than that much for my Carrillo rods 7-8years ago.