Jason's reverse Build
 

Now that we have this section, I thought I would share my story. It started back in 07 when I was looking for a replacement toy. I previously had a turbo miata many, many years ago so I knew that was the way to go. I have always like to start my projects with as close to a stock car as possible, but this time I thought that I might have had the best of both worlds. Not too far away from me was a 2001 with just over 9000 miles on it. It appeared to be in great condition and had a DIY turbo kit on it. The setup was a bit different and the car pulled pretty decent so I decided to buy it. If anything, this would be and ideal starting point for me. Here’s a few pictures of the car when I got it.

After buying the car it started to feel really slow as I got used to it. I put it on the dyno and it only put down 206 rwhp. This is when I started to look at upgrading things and at the same time trying to keep it emissions legal. I’ve always done been very patient when I buy parts and because of this I found a great deal on a turbo, manifold, external wastegate, intercooler and piping (thanks Mike). The intercooler pipes didn’t line up correctly on my car and the manifold flange was warped a little bit. At the price I paid I wasn’t concerned and these were both easily corrected. At about the same time I went searching for an ECU. I originally wanted the AEM F/IC because it was so cheap and I thought it would do what I wanted, but as I looked into it more I went with the Hydra from FM because of its ability to control VVT (thanks y8s). The exhaust is a 3” Enthuza with a catalytic converter in place. I never really cared for the BBS rims that the car came with so I upgraded to 15x9 6ULs and I’m pretty happy with them. I still wish I went with a wider tire than the 225s, but they are fine for now. Before I could get really crazy and have some fun with the car I had to pass my emissions test. Using the factory ECU, stock injectors and putting the MAF back in place, the car passed emissions this summer without any problems. Shortly there after I put the hydra in with the 750cc injectors and using the FM base map I made 277 rwhp at 10 pounds of boost. I have leaned it out a bit because it was pig rich and I feel that made a huge improvement but I haven’t been back to the dyno. I really like this setup for the street compared to my previous baby turbo which fell on its face at higher rpms. I will drive the car like this for the rest of the summer because if I don’t, I will lose interest in it and sell it.

I pulled it outside this morning and snapped a few shots. Nothing special, but possibly the last nice day up here until spring.

This summer I have noticed a bunch of threads with people selling built motors. Out of all the ones I saw, I either didn’t like the specs, the seller didn’t want to answer questions about the motor or it was not a price I was willing to pay. I check CL everyday and found a local guy selling parts from a wrecked car. I wanted a trunk without a spoiler on it and he had one. While speaking with him I mentioned that I was looking for a few other items. He said he had exactly what I was looking for. Next thing I knew he showed up at my house and delivered a FM motor, 6 speed transmission and my trunk lid. Although the engine needs some work before I can use it, I’m not too concerned. I will be able to take care of all that when I put a built 01 head on it. These are a few pictures from the day he dropped it in my garage. I’ll continue to update this over the next couple of months as I tear into it and have some progress to show.

Wow. pretty clean ass ride man, 277 whp at 10 psi is great, just immagine what you can get with your new motor, whats the specs on the turbo?

The turbo is a Precision SC61 with a .63 A/R T3 turbine side and I was running 91 octane gas for the dyno runs. I am hoping to hit around 400 to the wheels when I turn up the boost and I most likely will shoot for higher with water/methanol injection.

Nice setup, nice numbers. We need Videos! All the members on this forum with badass rides and they don't make videos. :(

You are building my dream car. '01 to '05 miata with a well-built turbo setup and the drivetrain to handle the power.

When I graduate and start making engineer-money, I am going to have that.

Great build, I am totally jealous.

What about the motor needs work?

Looks like you got a steal, i love your car.

The motor came out of a local car that was wrecked. In the accident the front end got pushed back into the engine and did some damage. It's all minor stuff and will not really matter since it will get a vvt head put on it anyways. I just want to make sure that everything is perfect on the head that I pull off before I sell it.

I am hoping to take it to the track on the 18th to see what it will trap in the quarter mile. With the weather already getting crappy around here, that will probably be the last time I drive it this year. I put just over 1000 miles on it this year for a grand total of just over 20000. Hopefully I can finish it this winter and actually enjoy it next year.

Nice job!

But I think you ll need a solution for the drivetrain if you have 300++++ whp ;)

Nice ride.

A couple of things arrived today.....

:eek5:

That looks like a big'n!

Looks like Santa came early! Sweet!

Where did you get that awesome manifold?

I've been looking at picking up an SC61 for my EGT- is there any reason you'd recommend against getting one?

That new manifold looks killer, btw.

I haven't had any problems with the SC61 except that I haven't really been able to find out much information about it. I have some friends in the honda and dsm crowd and they love this turbo.

Awesome. I've heard some bitching about it being laggy compared to similar sized Garretts, but since the car will be primarily a drag car at that point, I don't especially care.

Few pictures from today. The engine should be finished up in the next couple of weeks.

wow that is beautiful man...what kind of power are you looking to make with this new setup?

The goal is 380-400 on 92 octane pump gas and then 450+ using water/meth injection.

Holy fuck! Someday I need to get me a ride in one of these 400hp+ miatas. I can't even imagine it.

Finally got the old engine and transmission pulled. Now it's time to clean up the engine bay and make a little space....

Can we get more pics of that manifold? That looks nice.

Sure. If there's any specific angles or anything, please let me know and I can take a few more. I just hope it's worth the effort starting over with this as opposed to just using what I had.

Weld that flange back up. Any tubular manifold I have ever seen with a cut flange cracks!!! In-order to move at the flange something in the manifold has to give.... Usually a weld.

that engine you took out looks brand new, nice pics of looped lines as well

DAMN! your car is fucken SICK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Funny that you say that, I have had nothing but bad experiences with tubular manifolds with a solid flange. You've probably seen more of them than I have though. This manifold did hold up well on a different car for quite awhile. If it causes me problems later on I will mess with it, but for now I'm going to see how it does.

It almost is, the car is an 01 and it has less than 22,000 miles on it.

I put the back portion of the exhaust on today. Looks better than I thought it would, can't wait to hear it.

I cant wait to hear it too. Let me know before you start it so I can step outside and listen for it. ;) Hate that mad tyte JDM crooked exhaust look though. I would have to weld it differently if possible. Even if I had to make a nasty S bend with the piping. That exhaust gives the car a mean look though. Dont let any small children or midgets walk behind your car while you rev.

I like your old turbo and old exhaust better, but...

I already know why you don't like the new exhaust, but please tell me your thoughts on the new turbo.

Should be finishing up with the engine sometime next week. Ended up getting into it quite a bit deeper than I wanted to. I believe I have everything I need to finish it except a quality head gasket. Ordered the 3.63 gears yesterday so they will be going into the new rear end with the clutch type lsd. I will order a 44mm Tial wastegate this week and that should be all the parts I need to acquire unless I do a coolant reroute. Anyways, here's a few pictures of what arrived in the mail this past week. Some new gauges and the FM Level 2 Frankenclutch happy meal (their clutch was on back order so I went with the ACT).

That manifold is HOT. Tell us more! Where did you get it? I havent seen too many reputable external wastegate manifolds from the vendors, though maybe I havent searched hard enough. I have a Turbonetics gate I'd probably use myself, but exhaust manifolds are a little touchy IMO for my level of cut, weld, and fab.

The manifold is just a homemade external gate manifold. Nothing special about it and could be duplicated pretty easily.

What kind of turbo shroud/heat cover was that in the pictures, please?

That's just a generic turbo blanket that was part of a group buy on this forum.

One day I WILL have something as bad ass as this.

hey look at that, you're our first featured build for the portal.

Sweet, that just made day. Makes me want to finish it up even faster now.

Nice build man, I can't wait to see the end result.
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Several weeks ago I brought the engine to a friend to give me some much needed assistance finishing everything up. I might have been able to bolt it together and call it good on my own, but I had way too many questions to feel comfortable doing it on my own.

One of those things that concerned me was some wear on the cylinder walls. It wasn't as bad as I thought it was, but finding stuff like this is one of the downsides of buying a used engine. Most likely this was caused from not letting the motor warm up before driving it.

Anyways, here's where I'm at now. It should have been finished yesterday, but I'm at a crossroad. To use or not to use....

This is great cant wait to see it done. What rods and pistons are you using with this setup?

Wiseco pistons and Carrillo rods, it's one of FMs built bottom ends.

Made some more progress today. Got a fitting welded on the oil pan and finished inspecting everything for the bottom end. Oil pump is installed and the pan is back on, should finish up the rest tomorrow.

All i have to say is i am bloody jealous good work can't wait to see a video of it in action.

Dr.

my only question is how you got 277hp off a stock 1.8 at just 10lbs??!!

is it a VVT head?

plus you used a base map. maybe it is the injectors???

it's pretty easy to read. yes, vvt head. big turbo.

ok dude good answer...

big turbo doesn't mean jack until you get over 14 or 15 lbs of boost. it doesn't matter what kind of turbo you're running, it depends of the manifold boost pressure.

all i know is, he's starting with around 120-130 whp stock, and at 10 lbs of boost, no matter what injector size, AFR, or turbo size, it should only put down around 200-220 whp.

of the knowledge about boosting 1.8's that i've gained, you would need a built bottom end (idk about post '98, mine's a 97, but i think they're the same bottom end. if not, someone tell me the difference) and over 15 lbs of boost.



the only difference i could see with his car would be having a different tranny, or an lsd. but, idk what kind of advantage that gives you on the dyno.


someone please enlighten me.

Thanks for your insight, but please start a new thread to continue this discussion.

Your setup makes me want to start from scratch and go a completely different route than the one I did lol
STFU and GTFO you fucking threadjacking twat

Looks great. Every time I look at one of you guys build threads it reminds me of how much I can't wait to find another engine and start a real build, not just a stock rebuild.

Just a slight thread jack. I can't say I recall seeing anyone on here who has built a bottom end lately use aftermarket main caps. I suppose that is because ARP studs are all one needs for a "bulletproof" bottom end? Though my bottom end is stock, I still kind of wish I had use ARP main studs. Probably not needed though, as Im sure the rods will give long before I have any worries with caps or bolts.

i'm not threadjacking you asshole...just want a brief explanation on how he thinks his car made the power it did.

and jayl, i would start a new one, but i'm too new to do so i think.

so excuse me and never mind. i'll just keep reading you guy's stuff wondering whether it's bs or not.

So your trying to say 10psi on a 2554 and 10psi on a 3071 will make the same power? .....

it's hard to be a newb.

thank you, i think i've been clarified on this issue.

Made a little more progress tonight. Hope to finish up some cosmetic items in the next couple of days and I will probably put it in this weekend.