Hamster - a pre-loved NA VVT swap that is now mine!
#1
Hamster - a pre-loved NA VVT swap that is now mine!
I wasn't originally planning to start a build thread for this car because it was already built. But since purchasing Oct 2021, quite a few mods have been done and I think it's deserving! Also a way to say thank you to all the great support we have in the Miata community. Also, the primary driver here will be my wife, who by the way is still a BMW snob (see F80 build in signature).
Previous owner did a bare body repaint and update circa 2016 and literally put 5000 street miles on it, 1 track event, and a handful of auto-x's. Build photos can be found here...
https://wheelwell.com/ozzie-suarez-1...zda-mx-5-miata
As purchased, it already had several goodies installed.
1.8 VVT, 5spd, and 4.3 Torsen from a 2002
Braineack MS3 Pro in stock ECU housing
6point roll cage
Dynapro calipers with 11.75” rotors
Koni Race & Ground Control adjusters
Racing Beat front sway
Racing Beat exhaust from header to tip
Miata Hubs front hubs
MOMO Mod 78, SuperCup seats, OMP belts
Poly bushings everywhere
Nice track worthy paint job
AWR fender flares in rear, rolled & pulled in front
245/275 staggered rim/tire setup
Here it is on the transport truck from Miami, FL. Also on the truck is the saran wrapped wonder, aka @accordionfolder V8 kit shipping container. We purchased this NA, a rolling NB chassis, and a new V8 swap kit all from the same seller, thanks Ozzie!
IMG_8757 by D S, on Flickr
IMG_8758 by D S, on Flickr
And here's a brief shake down video on 245/275 Hoosier A7s. No extended lower ball joints were installed so it was camber limited but surprisingly didn't push nearly as bad as I imagined. Even with a stock rear bar! And yes, that's a real GT2...
Previous owner did a bare body repaint and update circa 2016 and literally put 5000 street miles on it, 1 track event, and a handful of auto-x's. Build photos can be found here...
https://wheelwell.com/ozzie-suarez-1...zda-mx-5-miata
As purchased, it already had several goodies installed.
1.8 VVT, 5spd, and 4.3 Torsen from a 2002
Braineack MS3 Pro in stock ECU housing
6point roll cage
Dynapro calipers with 11.75” rotors
Koni Race & Ground Control adjusters
Racing Beat front sway
Racing Beat exhaust from header to tip
Miata Hubs front hubs
MOMO Mod 78, SuperCup seats, OMP belts
Poly bushings everywhere
Nice track worthy paint job
AWR fender flares in rear, rolled & pulled in front
245/275 staggered rim/tire setup
Here it is on the transport truck from Miami, FL. Also on the truck is the saran wrapped wonder, aka @accordionfolder V8 kit shipping container. We purchased this NA, a rolling NB chassis, and a new V8 swap kit all from the same seller, thanks Ozzie!
IMG_8757 by D S, on Flickr
IMG_8758 by D S, on Flickr
And here's a brief shake down video on 245/275 Hoosier A7s. No extended lower ball joints were installed so it was camber limited but surprisingly didn't push nearly as bad as I imagined. Even with a stock rear bar! And yes, that's a real GT2...
Last edited by bimmerboy; 03-05-2022 at 03:21 PM.
#2
We love all the supported track mods available to the Miata community! 9LR aero installed @flier129 . Dekegram 15x10s @doward on 245 RS4s. Xidas with 700/400 Swifts @emilio700 . Bauer lower balljoints @Good-Win Racing LLC . Door numbers from spinnywoosh. Rear subframe brace off eBay just because.
IMG_9302 by D S, on Flickr
IMG_9301 by D S, on Flickr
IMG_9372 by D S, on Flickr
IMG_9378 by D S, on Flickr
IMG_9379 by D S, on Flickr
IMG_9329 by D S, on Flickr
IMG_9302 by D S, on Flickr
IMG_9301 by D S, on Flickr
IMG_9372 by D S, on Flickr
IMG_9378 by D S, on Flickr
IMG_9379 by D S, on Flickr
IMG_9329 by D S, on Flickr
Last edited by bimmerboy; 03-05-2022 at 08:58 AM.
#3
Willwood 1" master cylinder and proportional valve @turbofan . The OEM NB2 strut brace needed some cutting and welding to fit. Completely necessary if using a BBK. The brakes would basically stand this thing on the nose with just a gentle press of the pedal so modulation is greatly improved. Rear prop valve definitely balances thing out as well.
IMG_9370 by D S, on Flickr
IMG_9368 by D S, on Flickr
IMG_9370 by D S, on Flickr
IMG_9368 by D S, on Flickr
#11
Picked it up from the tuner and managed to make the last sessions of a club day to test here out!
Tuner didn't hit the stop button on the dyno graphs so you can't go with the peak torque as that was on the decel curve. It was in for drivability updates and not hp/tq gain pulls. Anything under 4k rpm and less than WOT had a lot of bucking and other issues that made street driving and paddock maneuvers a pain. And my wife is not a standard transmission driver to begin with. According to my tuner, the other issue its having now is an intermittent low voltage issue. Not sure if the alternator belt is slipping, or maybe a bad ground, or maybe a bad coil, or maybe a bade positive cable, or bad connection. Anyways... 134hp/116tq.
And it sounds amazing crossing start finish in 4th gear around 7k rpm and entering the braking zone foe Turn 1A! Flyby clip below as well.
IMG_9432 by D S, on Flickr
Tuner didn't hit the stop button on the dyno graphs so you can't go with the peak torque as that was on the decel curve. It was in for drivability updates and not hp/tq gain pulls. Anything under 4k rpm and less than WOT had a lot of bucking and other issues that made street driving and paddock maneuvers a pain. And my wife is not a standard transmission driver to begin with. According to my tuner, the other issue its having now is an intermittent low voltage issue. Not sure if the alternator belt is slipping, or maybe a bad ground, or maybe a bad coil, or maybe a bade positive cable, or bad connection. Anyways... 134hp/116tq.
And it sounds amazing crossing start finish in 4th gear around 7k rpm and entering the braking zone foe Turn 1A! Flyby clip below as well.
IMG_9432 by D S, on Flickr
Last edited by bimmerboy; 03-18-2022 at 04:27 PM.
#12
Pretty fast data lap for Hamster by the fastest Miata guy we know! @accordionfolder Thanks Andy! It's ok, we know you haven't been on track all season and didn't tell you the cameras were on!
#13
Got tired of finding the air dam out of the groove and having to dig out all the little pebbles to get it back in. Plastic landscape edging to the rescue along with some aluminum expanded metal to help the opening keep its shape. Rock solid now!
And of course, my dear wife couldn't resist adding a touch of color (Behr exterior paint color matched to the orange wing wrap) and a bunch of decals she had been hanging on to.
IMG_9499 by D S, on Flickr
IMG_9500 by D S, on Flickr
IMG_9502 by D S, on Flickr
And of course, my dear wife couldn't resist adding a touch of color (Behr exterior paint color matched to the orange wing wrap) and a bunch of decals she had been hanging on to.
IMG_9499 by D S, on Flickr
IMG_9500 by D S, on Flickr
IMG_9502 by D S, on Flickr
#14
Added some hood vents from VRaptor. I was a bit apprehensive about cutting them out because I wanted to top mount... but I think it was still easier than trying to bottom mount.
Also made a no-bulb turn signal intake with some leftover material for the cold side CAI.
IMG_9519 by D S, on Flickr
IMG_9530 by D S, on Flickr
Also made a no-bulb turn signal intake with some leftover material for the cold side CAI.
IMG_9519 by D S, on Flickr
IMG_9530 by D S, on Flickr
#19
So painful! Glued down carpet material, glued down fluffy pad, and aluminum lined sound deadener on entire floor pan tunnel. Heat gun, scraper, mineral spirits, and single stage color matched urethane with a foam brush... not bad for a track car!
IMG_0160 by D S, on Flickr
IMG_0166 by D S, on Flickr
IMG_0160 by D S, on Flickr
IMG_0166 by D S, on Flickr