Matt's Slocar (Ecotec NA build )
 

Well I realized I never started a build thread here after lurking for quite some time. figure it would be nice to document it here as well.

Originally bought the car as a senior in high school after saving up in 2014. Started out pretty basic with a 1.6l and some cosmetic ricer goods.
https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/264/32...a43eccd7_b.jpg
10459102_838457176164760_8015889067737522751_o (1) by Matt Maffucci, on Flickr

Did a few ricer mods to begin with, plastidip wheels, lip, and the whole nine yards lol.

https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/619/32...ac0810b2_b.jpg
10256443_888200817857062_4998302126028319474_o by Matt Maffucci, on Flickr

Then i kinda toasted the clutch. that plus the bad valve seals and health of the 1.6 motor, decided that a 1.8 swap would be a good idea. spent about a week pulling the old motor out, cleaning / painting the bay, and putting the new 1.8 in. Had to wait on some parts, and go back to school for a semester, so the car sat mid-timing belt swap for almost 4 months.

https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/461/31...dea20cb0_b.jpg
20160102_163302 by Matt Maffucci, on Flickr

couple more mods and added a hardtop finally
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DSC_0575 by Matt Maffucci, on Flickr

Started working full time in college simply to buy car parts lmao. Added Jass Lopros and APR mirrors
https://c1.staticflickr.com/6/5464/2...ab4c0c2e_b.jpg
20161112-DSC_0005 by Matt Maffucci, on Flickr

enjoyed the car with the 1.8 for some time, but then the thirst for more power came. My job parts out miatas, and luckily pontiac solstice / saturn sky as well. Was able to get a good deal on the engine, and went from there for the swap.

https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/564/32...d94b86fc_b.jpg
15122951_1188950701193543_4390347068700037272_o by Matt Maffucci, on Flickr

This part of the project began November of 2016......work and school got insanely busy so had to put the project on the back burner. Heres the car a little before getting the 1.8 plucked out. 6uls, and hardtop spoiler added here.
https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2843/3...536ef99e_b.jpg
20170424-DSC_0027 by Matt Maffucci, on Flickr

Got a swap specialties engine harness.....after installing it now, i really wish I splurged for something a bit better quality and reliable.
[img]https://i.imgur.com/Ul0vREa.jpg[/img

The last time with a 1.8
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still stock interior getting ready to be stripped
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this is now december of 2017, was able to get the chassis stripped and resprayed the engine bay.
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got a deal on a used Kaaz 1.5 way with a rx7 housing.
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Hard dog roll bar added
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Through the end of 2018 I was stockpiling more parts for the car.... v8 roadsters tubular subframe, paco strong arms, full poly bushings, etc

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I guess this is where the build really begins lmao.
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had a few small casualties fitting the engine, I guess this a lesson learned to test fit prior to painting the bay
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Gonna skip some of the nitty and gritty work I did, mostly cosmetic touches. wrinkle black paint everywhere. added a carbing 3 pt bar and some carbon bits. supermiata radiator and spal fan also added.
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We are now into fall 2018 and making some slow progress.
got a blackbird fabworx spoiler and R theory diffuser.

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got the engine harness fully installed.
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Trying the get the car running by the end of the year after running into a few chassis harness issues that needed resolving. Will add a complete build spec sheet in the post below. As well as adding future updates as they come.

Okay, pretty rough build spec sheet, mostly for personal documentation :)

Exterior :
- GV rep front lip
-turn signal intakes
- garagestar tow hook
- fiberglass side skirts
- R theory v1 diffuser
- blackbird fabworx black edition spoiler
- Jass performance lopro headlights
-Apr carbon mirrors
- Aerocatch hood latches
-OEM hardtop
- carbon hardtop spoiler



Interior
-vinyl leather stock seats
- 320mm momo monte carlo
- miataroadster short shifter w/ Tomei duracon knob (5 speed)
- center console delete
-flocked 1.6 NA dash
- hard dog double diagonal roll bar
- LRB speed door panels wrapped in foam and suede
- Radio / HVAC / AC systems all deleted
-Garagestar hardtop brackets

Drivetrain :
- 2.5l Le5 ecotec pulled from a 2006 saturn sky w/ 60k miles
- Ecotec Miata full swap kit w/ flashed eco
- swap specialties standalone harness
- k&N intake
-1320 slingshot header to 2.5" full custom exhaust
- V8roadster tubular subframe
- stock na 5 speed trans
- Kaaz 1.5 way lsd w/ rx7 housing
- NB 1 piece axles
- flyin miata happy meal clutch
- supermiata crossflow radiator w/ single spal fan
-


Suspension
- BC BR coilovers
-racing beat tubular front sway
- stock 1.8 rear sway bar
- R theory end links
- repainted NB control arms
- Energy suspension poly bushings
- bauer extended lower ball joints
- R package tie rod ends
- refreshed and depowered NA steering rack
- 15x9 Jongbloed wheels w/ 225/45 Nexen nfera sur4g
- Carbing 3pt strut tower brace
- Flyin miata frame rails w/ butterfly
- paco strong arms

- plus more im prolly forgetting. Engine bay fully wire tucked and pretty much everything deleted. engine bay sprayed in a gunmetal grey. car will be wrapped in a metallic blue as seen on the trunk lid with the bbfw spoiler.

In an attempt to get the car finish by the end the of year, I acquired a new 1.6 harness to work with. Spent roughly 20 hours or so mapping out the diagram and deleting any engine / hvac related wiring within the harness. Final result is something decently lighter and simpler. Retained any functions for lighting and combination switch accessories.

Attachment 228355

in the car, don't mid the partial rats nest, tucked engine bay means more stuff under the dash.

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annd heres where the fun begins.... purchased a swap specialties harness, which a few people have had issues with wires being reversed or switches. A few crank no starts lead me to now deciphering the engine harness to ensure its all correct. went through the stock wiring diagrams and made an excel sheet to make it easier to test each pin with a multimeter. now multiply these pins by 3 connectors with 20-30 wires each

Attachment 228357