HOUSE CAT
 

Okay, it's a little early to start this thread but I'm starting a new in-house Catfish build. It will be another turbo, and will have a few items that I've been meaning to try, including a 5 speed mated to a 3.63 differential, new suspension, a V8 Roadster K member up front, and a few other tweaks that I've been meaning to try.

The frame came home today in the back of my truck. I thought for a second about adding some red safety flags to the back, but then thought that would be just silly.

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1440040010

<p>Mucho sexy. Hurry up and bring one up here.</p>

The main reason to start a new build was really because frame #1 is long in the tooth. We've learned much, and that learning curve has gone into the new frames...but not the one we drive around here. Time to change.

Time to change colors too. The LOUD colors will be covered up by something a bit more sedate. Should look nice, though.

While cleaning out the closet of stuff for the car, I came across the first subassembly braces we made. They tie the subassembly to the frame reasonably well. Maybe we'll throw those on the car too.

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1440135005

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1440564177


Red Baron Red holding a bright yellow Ohlins.


https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1440564177


Floor installed with differential vents in closed position.


https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1440564177


Powdercoated subassembly with 3.63 LSD.


https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1440564177


We added a little tab that will mount a Delrin puck. The puck will be a locator for the floor jack at the front of the car.


https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1440564177


Custom engine mounts are next...

oh myyyy

sub'ed.

would snuggle with.

Boner'd

super duper awesome

will this one get a proper NB1 or 2 1.8? As much as I love the prev one, seeing you put shiny pretty and nice parts on 1.6 was kinda like seeing you polish a turd.

I love your builds. Sub'd

Its certainly pretty, will it meet my expectations and taste like cherries should I lick it? ;)

Also, I'm no engineer, but what exactly is keeping the rear shocks from "coming together" at the top? Is there some sort of structure that is not present or am I just not seeing something? That "box" section in the rear looks like it needs to be closed across the top.

Please don't think I'm talking smack, its seriously neat and I'm glad you have a thread going here on MT for assembly. It really helps wrap the brain around what it takes to put one of these things together.

Also also, THANKS AGAIN for the T-shirts and key ring and Catfish swag! You guys should be nicer to Cord, he's good people :nono:

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1440721244
(T-shits and key ring obviously not shown)

Closed by like, the big red bar that spans the gap?

Who isn't nice to Cord?
I will fight for your honor.

Also, these are shocks, not struts. They pretty much only see vertical loads, not cornering ones.

--Ian

Btw what gauge is the sheet metal for the feet area floor? 2 layers?

.095 x 2, with the option to add anything from balsa core to aluminum honeycomb to plate steel, depending on your comfort level.

This is the first personal build since the very first Catfish was built in late 2012. I'm still driving that car, and I'm frankly trying to take everything we've learned in the past couple of years and apply it to this car.

And it's STILL not the newest design. The next frame--and all others afterwards--will have a secondary floor tube that will run just below the brake pedal....because that's what you'd do when you're stuffing a 320whp NA engine in your frame. That, and a WHOLE lot more. :) But that is a build thread for a different time...

edit: you're looking at a GM LFX V6 all-aluminum direct injection engine with Aisin MV7 6 speed transmission (130lbs-ish wet).

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1440738283

/\ I just wet my panties seeing that engine there

subbed for epic

Proper 99 NB, all forged 1883cc, MSPNP. I split the baby with 9.6 SuperTech pistons, but oh well. Still deciding on turbo, but will probably do a V-mount setup with the IC and radiator.

The brake inlets will be capped off, except for a 3" round hole with a hose that will snake over to some Singular Motorsports brake ducts. The front of the car gets way more air than it needs, so capping off the brake inlets will actually help cool the engine more...let ambient pressure behind the radiator.

Last, I parked next to a kinda nice car this morning:


https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1440906304




Costa Mesa Cars n Coffee. Barry Meguair was personally welcoming all the cars. :)

Ok now I'm really excited :D
Eagerly awaiting progress/pics