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If this doesnt make 400whp Im burning it

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Old 05-18-2018, 05:26 PM
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Default If this doesnt make 400whp Im burning it

Last year I got my NB miata after being out of the Miata game for 6-7 years. I found a great deal on a high mile NB with a horrible missfire. The missfire was due to a spark plug ground electrode literally not existing. Took the NB to Miata's at the gap and realized very quickly that the engine was on its last legs, burned/leaked oil from every orfice in the engine and would shoot coolant out of the overflow tank when driven hard. Not sure what the previous owner did to it, but pretty sure the head gasket was very very tired. Found an amazing deal on a used FM2 turbo kit mostly intact and went ahead and boosted the tired old motor knowing that it probably wouldnt last long. It lasted about 3 months before #1 and #2 cylinders got really low compression readings ( 60, 90 psi respectively ). Engine is making a knocking sound under load that I am going to diagnose when it comes out next week.

Ended up looking like this when we were done, FMII kit, GT2560R, Vibrant IC, Custom IC pipes, Custom exhaust to borla XR1 muffler.








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Old 05-18-2018, 05:29 PM
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Here is the current progress....ARP head/main studs, Manley rods, Wiseco 84.5mm 8.5:1 CR pistons, Boundary Stage 1 w/ 2 shims, fidanza Flywheel



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Old 05-18-2018, 05:34 PM
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Here are some shots of the block, cometic hg, gates racing kevlar belt, stock BP4w head, copper nuts i love





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Old 05-18-2018, 05:43 PM
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So this is how the car has been sitting for the last couple of months waiting on its new heart transplant. Machine shop took a while and Ive been sourcing parts for it while its been down, shes gonna be happy very soon. Next week its going on the lift, subframe is being dropped and the new engine is going in. The manifold and FM turbine elbow are getting ceramic coated locally and I will update this thread when more parts arrive. Also sourced a Squaretop manifold for her as well.
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Old 05-29-2018, 06:38 PM
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Progress update, the manifold and turbine elbow are 2000* ceramic coated from a local shop. Hopefully it will hold up, I have used Jethot in the past and it was great I just didnt feel like sending it out, and waiting forever to have them coat it. Made a custom oil drain line with -10 AN fittings. I think it looks pretty nice so far. I have a couple more pics to upload as well, engine is going in the car this week.



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Old 05-30-2018, 09:43 AM
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Just waiting on my friends lift to free up ( LS7 FD needed some love ) and this engine is going in. Got a squaretop from Harry B , ceramic coated it cast iron grey. PS pump went on as well. Still waiting on the Radium fuel rail and thats the last piece to the puzzle. I was going to use the stock rail but I thought lets go overboard, this typically happens when I build something.



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Old 05-30-2018, 10:39 AM
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looks clean. why'd you cut the vc
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Old 05-30-2018, 10:45 AM
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Originally Posted by 18psi
looks clean. why'd you cut the vc
Planning on adjustable cam gears in the near future, just didnt want to shell out the monies at the moment.
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Old 05-30-2018, 11:03 AM
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Thinking of doing the same; saves some hassle when adjusting cam timing so you can actually do that on a dyno. Also, you work fast! It should have been only a couple of days the squaretop arrived, right?
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Old 05-30-2018, 11:13 AM
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Originally Posted by HarryB
Thinking of doing the same; saves some hassle when adjusting cam timing so you can actually do that on a dyno. Also, you work fast! It should have been only a couple of days the squaretop arrived, right?
I believe it showed up last friday, had to drill out the stuck EGR bolt....that was a PITA lol. Thanks for the great deal on the manifold it sure cleaned up nice.
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Old 05-30-2018, 04:42 PM
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Everyone knows exposed cam gears frees up about 10-15 torque....
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Old 05-30-2018, 04:44 PM
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Originally Posted by 90LowNSlo
Everyone knows exposed cam gears frees up about 10-15 torque....
Everyone knows, its not how you stand by your car...its how you race your car..betta remember that.
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Old 05-30-2018, 04:49 PM
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everyone knows, it's how fabulous your hair looks floating in the air with the top down that matters
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Old 05-30-2018, 05:46 PM
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Originally Posted by 18psi
everyone knows, it's how fabulous your hair looks floating in the air with the top down that matters
At this point in my life I would like to have more hair to float around
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Old 05-31-2018, 12:20 AM
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Everyone knows, it's how you stand next to your car, making them wonder how fabulous your hair looks floating in the air while you race it. Remember that.
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Old 05-31-2018, 11:14 AM
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I could look at engine build pics all day. Nice parts, its going to hum real good.
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Old 05-31-2018, 08:04 PM
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Originally Posted by Verwah
I could look at engine build pics all day. Nice parts, its going to hum real good.

I agree, I love seeing engine builds. Some of the parts are so sexy its sad to see them go inside an engine only to get all dirty

More updates coming tomorrow, dropping the entire subframe going to pull the old engine and pressure wash the **** out of the subframe
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Old 06-01-2018, 09:40 PM
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I couldnt get my VC paint to wrinkle correctly... I think it was too cold. Ima have to sand it down and try again cause mine came out like ***
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Old 06-01-2018, 09:56 PM
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Originally Posted by 90LowNSlo
I couldnt get my VC paint to wrinkle correctly... I think it was too cold. Ima have to sand it down and try again cause mine came out like ***
You want to lay it on really thick. Also come at it from every angle possible, don't just go back and forth in the same pattern. Wrinkle paint needs to be layed on heavy
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Old 06-02-2018, 12:43 AM
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I did three heavy coats of three.. well coats. I did different angles too. I will retry again now that its warm and not have to leave it in a shed with the heater running
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