I would leave it as is to eliminate any variables for the testing/results/etc

Plus some companies will void any "warranty" they may offer if you wrap/coat

I think I will leave it as is as you suggested.

I just went by the machine shop and they said they won't be done with the crank until monday afternoon. The have had it for a damn month now, getting slightly irritated. I guess my plans for having it put back together this weekend are gone now, oh well it's suppose to be 100+ degrees this weekend anyways.

Quick question. Being this will be my first engine break in I want to make sure I do it right. I think I'm going to use this oil on the first start up and then change after 30-40 miles. And keep using this oil for the first 1000 miles or so and then switch to synthetic. What do you guys recommend for break in oil? Detergent, non-detergent?

AutoZone/Engine oil SAE HD-30 1 qt. (60144) | Engine Oil | AutoZone.com

Use a regular conventional motor oil for break in. You want the detergents to help trap small particulates from building and break-in and contain them in the oil filter. Using break-in lube during assembly of components is a pretty good idea. Using a supplement with ZDDP for break-in also isn't a terrible plan.

I used the regular Rotella T (white bottle) for a recent break-in. Dino oil + high detergency + high additives + cheap ($10/gallon at Wally World). Break in went well.

great intro, love your set up. good luck with the build, can't wait...

Ok finally making some progress after getting the crank back from the machine shop. I started with the bottom end assembly and everything went together pretty well, plasti-gauged everything and all looked good. I should be dropping the motor/trans into the car Saturday and hopefully first start up/break in later that day or Sunday if I run into any snags. Here is some eye candy.

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1410371621

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Looks awesome.

This would be a good time to do a reroute and get rid of all those little potential coolant leaks (I mean, small water lines).

Yeah I really need to do that now since it will be much easier and cleaner looking. I think its just crazy that the reroute kit is so expensive. Only thing is I don't think I will be able to get it shipped here by friday without paying an arm and a leg for shipping.

If you piece it together yourself it's not too bad. I think I did my reroute for ~120. put it on my tab.

You never reminded me to look for the crank trigger stuff. I'll try to remember to look tonight...
I might be able to get out of the house Sunday afternoon if you have it ready by then... So keep me posted ;)

Haha yeah I totally forgot about that when I got my crank back and was able to start assembly. Let me know what you find. I checked the B.E. oil pump and it already has that hole tapped for the sensor so it should bolt up no problem.

You don't happen to have any coolant reroute stuff laying around by any chance do you?

That would be awesome if you can make it out Sunday for first start up/break in to make sure I didn't over look something stupid. It's always nice to have another set of eyes to check your work.

Made good progress this weekend even though I didn't get to fire her up like I was hoping. Ran into a few small snags here and there which I kind of expected. Main one was the original intercooler piping on the throttle body side not working since the the 1.8 is longer in the front. I have got that taken care of now and also switched to a throttle body from a 02 miata to get rid of the IAC hose that plumbs into the intake piping and clears up a bunch of room. But of course the connectors were different so I had to source the connectors from a junkyard but got lucky and found both the TPS and IAC connectors at the first place I went. I hope to get everything buttoned up and get the engine started up sometime later this week.

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1410827241

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Echoing what others have said: Cool project and great intro/following progress. Sub'd and excited to see your CXRacing results etc.

Mani looks good, awaiting results. Do the reroute!!!

Thanks guys. Trying to get everything finished up today and hopefully started for the first time. There was a bunch of small stuff that needed to be done that I didn't realize at first.

I ordered a Begi rear spacer, Kia water neck and front block off plate. Should be here Monday hopefully. Kinda wish Begi wasn't so slow on shipping. I ordered the parts Monday morning and they didn't ship them until today. I should of had the re route parts by now if they hadn't took so long. I was wanting to do the re route before I started the car for the first time but I can't wait any longer! It will only be run for a couple of days before I get the re route done.

I will post back here after I get her started up and drive her for the first time. Hopefully the break in goes well and nothing breaks! Wish me luck guys!

Please shield that heater hose that goes next to the downpipe. Rubber will get brittle and rupture.

Looks good. +1 on heat control. Plastic brake reservoir is something else that gets soft.

Fuck yeah

Great intro thread, too.

Looking good man. I hope the "high compression" E85 setup catches on. We will be shipping another boost hungry 11.5:1 engine out on Tuesday.

Mazda guys are late to the game on this one (we also don't have highly competitive, sanctioned 1/4 mile "Miata only" shoot-offs like the Honda crowd does either). After some dialing in I've got very healthy EGT's and more aggressive timing than I would have been comfortable with on my previous setup. Can't beat the across-the-board benefits of going high compression & E85.

In for updates...