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There was a white turbo Miata there with a Track Dog Racing banner on the windshield. I was so busy, I didn't get to go say hello. I wonder if that was a member here?
Hmm not sure. It's been quite awhile since I had my Miata out there (hell I haven't even owned my NC in 3 years).
I'm taking the BRZ back to stock over the winter and hopefully getting something I cant start going back out to Hallett with at least a few times per year.
If that turbo Miata is an NB he must be good friends with Gary and William at TDR. He was sharing their tent at Miata's at Hallet in September. Had a few issues for one of the sessions IIRC.
I think it was an NA. Actually, you bring up a good point. I assumed it was a turbo, because intercooler, BOV, and a hell of a lot of speed, but it could just as easily have a Rotrex. Whatever it was, it was pissing off a bunch of BMW drivers, and that was a delightful thing to witness.
Obviously, I won't be able to stop myself from completely refurbishing this thing. Any reason not to use Fel-Pro or similar gaskets?
I would cross check prices against OEM at Priority Mazda. When I last looked a few years back I don't think gasket prices were different enough to make me want to cheap out any. And with you not being in a hurry, you have time for shipping them.
Once again Lars is correct. I normally insist on OE for important seals and gaskets like crank, cam, transmission, etc., but have had good luck with aftermarket stuff in less critical areas. Parts.com has OE for about the same price as aftermarket stuff. I was having a hard time finding them on the various Mazda parts site. Searching for "plenum gasket" was the key that unlocked all the part numbers. "Manifold gasket" only brought up exhaust manifold gaskets, and "intake gasket" yielded no results.
Footnote: If you have not discovered parts.com, hold onto your wallet!
Are you familiar with the Mazdaspeed Motorsports Development store? Basically, if you race, autox, or do track days in a Mazda product, you can sign up with them and order OEM parts for that car online from them at dealer cost.
Yes. I have been a member for many years. Several of the parts that are on this Miata came from them. Although, it seems that every time I want to order something, I have to do the race results thing again, and it is always a process to get approved, because I don't do anything with any sanctioned bodies anymore. So, rather than jump through those hoops, I decided to pay $5 extra to get these gaskets elsewhere.
I think I have this all figured out. MER's old dyno is out of calibration or something, and THAT explains my pathetically low dyno numbers of 118 / 113. The only thing to do now is prove it using Virtual Dyno. Hang on. I'm going to go do some 2nd gear pulls and annoy everyone on the main drag. Be right back.
Glad the intake got there okay. I had to actually send another VICS that I had, the port on the side of the intake I was going to send first was really corroded and closed up.
Compression tested the engine again tonight. Cold dry numbers are 149, 149, 148, 150. The FSM states that standard hot compression is 198psi, and minimum is 146psi. I suppose this may have been a false start, and I need to redo it hot, so no conclusive results yet, unless someone tells me different.
The news isn't good. Hot dry compression is 151, 151, 151, 152. Hot wet compression is 180, 182, 181, 182. This engine is pretty much shot, and it's the rings.
My theory is granny ran it low on oil and drove it that way for awhile. I know the front of engine work was done at the dealership. I also know the front crank seal was leaking badly, judging by how much oil I cleaned up underneath. I'll send another oil sample to Blackstone just to be sure it isn't somehow recent. Really hate that I put so much time and money into a weak engine.
Options:
1. Run her til she blows!
2. Buy used whole engine.
3. Rebuild the block myself.
4. Have block rebuilt by someone who knows what he's doing.
5. Buy built block.
6. ???
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