I had been having issues with it overheating even while on the freeway since I now had a big intercooler infront of my radiator. It covered the entire front opening of the bumper. The temps were getting to the Danger zone! Also I never figured what it was, but I think that the turbo heat kept killing the fan motors on the stock driver side fan. It happened with two different stock fans. So I bought two SPAL 30101522 12" fans and had my buddy make me a fan shroud which turned out pretty good.
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the fans/shroud definitely helped with the overheating problems, but now I have a new problem. The fans pull too many amps (13 amps each if I remember correctly) since I wired them in series, when they both turn on, it will stall the car while i'm idling. It's fine when driving. And well this is where I currently am with the build. Just need to figure out that last annoying things, overall it's running pretty smoothly. It's pretty darn fast too. : 3gears:

Got the Nakamae headliner installed
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I had been out of state for work in Yuma, Arizona for the past 5 months. But I'm back in California and anxious to continue with this build.

This is how it sat when I got back
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I had gotten used to driving my stock 93 LE miata, so when I drove the turbo miata it felt like a night and day difference!
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There's still plenty of things needed to finish this car. I'll keep posting my progress. I've been trying to take as much pics as I can, because who doesn't like looking at pictures.

Nice build thread, and props for not losing motivation despite the set-backs!

Love all the photos. You may want to add some rubber flaps on any areas on the shroud where they'd fit. Shroud will be less restrictive under operation at speed, but still shut for fan use.

SPAL 30130012: Replacement Rubber Flap For 11" Dual Fan Shroud | JEGS

Thanks! I took plenty of pics trying to document all this.
I already have two of those rubber flaps, I just haven't had a chance to install them. I'll be installing them just like the Flyin' Miata fan shroud.

While I was out of state, I made a few purchases that were being held for me until I got back to California.

I got a set of RS Active Type 2 headlights
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I also bought a broken US Racing Sports Type 2 bumper that I plan on getting repaired. Not sure I want to try repairing it myself.
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These parts will eventually be installed. I have a few other things I need to finish first.

I've had a spare USDM 1.8 VVT engine for almost two years and it was finally time to start building it. This is how it sat dormant waiting for me to give it some attention.
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Started disassembling the engine
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The engine was actually pretty clean inside and you could still see the crosshatch lines in the cylinder bores.
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Now I just need to drop these off at the machine shop
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It's amazing. You're using the same quilted vinyl as an engine stand that I used for my door cards and parcel shelf. So versatile.

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This is what I'll be installing into this engine.

• Manley H-beam rods,
• Supertech 8.6 CR 84mm pistons w/ Wiseco rings,
• ARP main and head studs,
• ACL main and rod bearings,
• Boundary Engineering street/strip oil pump,
• Supertech +1mm oversized intake and exhaust valves,
• Supertech double valve spring kit,
• MMD SUB lifters,
• ID1000 injectors,
• Skunk2 64mm throttle body,
• squaretop intake manifold,
• SuperMiata harmonic damper w/ 36-2 T trigger wheel, and all new mazda seals and gaskets.

haha I had scraps left over from when I made my quilted door panels. I might as well make use of it for something.

What turbo are you going with?

This sounds exactly like my setup, aside from my SUB being on a spare head, and I'm using Eagle h-beams.

I bought a MK Turbo kit in Lars' group buy in late 2015. I'll be using that until it bites the dust then get some type of baller setup. Most likely EFR setup as well.

I can get you a link to a bigger turbo once the built motor goes in if you want it. Then you can turn up the boost some more. Glad you are enjoying the setup so far. Let me know when you want to boost the LE.

I heard aidan wanted a set of red interior for his car, ya know to make it even more baller :bowrofl:
Good build thread OP, I enjoy the pictures!

Got my block and cylinder head back from the machine shop yesterday. I have been reading about leaking Supertech valve stem seals, and I don't want to take that chance and have mine leak once the engine is put together. I will be swapping them out for the valve seals that 949 Racing sells. Apparently they come from the same supplier as FelPro.
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The built motor will be put together and should be going in very soon. Send over that link, I'd be interested in a bigger turbo now that this motor will be able to handle what I throw at it. Will that bigger turbo work fine with my current MK turbo setup?
Thanks! More to come. The built engine and some more goodies are still waiting to be installed. I will continue to post my progress. Stay tuned!

Bigger turbo will drop right in. You can even reuse your current exhaust housing that is already ported on the new turbo fine.

My exhaust housing is not ported yet, it's on my to do list though. I saw some examples of the porting on your MKturbo thread.That would help with boost creep right? I also noticed that I can still push about 1-4 psi of boost with the waste gate wired open. Should I be able to build that much boost with the flap open and if not I'm guessing porting the waste gate hole would remedy this?

Yes, the turbo housing not being ported is why you get creep and hit boost with the waste gate wired open.

I would probably max out the turbo you have now, then upgrade later. I mostly say this to save you $200 right now.