Using as much of the Miata as possible in the beginning is paying dividends now by eliminating a lot of the problem solving (re: engine bay photos). Nice job!

 

Finally got a chance to mill the flanges on the manifold.







Turbo is finally installed for good tonight.

 

Been working steadily on it. Finished the Corrado big brake kit and Carbotech pad install that I swapped over from my V8 Miata. Lots of little details. I have (I think) all of the wiring hooked up. Threw a battery in and it cranked. Need coolant, lube for the tranny and diff and brake and clutch fluid and I'll try to start it. I patched in the MAF for the first start so it's like stock. When it runs I'll swap in the Megasquirt. No need for any more variables than I have now.

 

Picked up my new driveshaft from Inland Truck Parts. They couldn't use any of my old components so I had to buy all new parts. $475 down the drain. Oh, well, had to have it.



Decided to see if I could get it to start. Couldn't get the fuel pump to come on to charge the system. Finally figured out there was a ground by the rear tail lights that wasn't hooked up yet as I haven't done anything back there. Hooked that up and fuel pump came on. It charged the system and then started puking fuel under the car. Found out it was coming from a fuel injector. Pulled the rail and the offending fuel injector and there was no insulator under that injector. This baffled me as I drove the car home 100 miles before parting it out and the condition of the injector was such that I can't imagine the last time it was out. I don't know how it ran as long as it did.

Didn't have an insulator. I was going to pick one up tomorrow until I decided that it's just temporary until the Megasquirt goes in and bigger injectors go in. Ended up stuffing in two o-rings in the bore that fit tight. Buttoned it up and...

(clicky)

 

So, even after starting it a time or two last night it won't idle. Runs fine, revs fine, will idle around 1000rpm if I keep my foot on the gas but dies as soon as I let that off. No old gas in the car. Tank was removed and emptied and lines were empty as well.

I may just say "good enough" for now and deal with it after MS and injectors but it used to run and idle fine two years ago. My only concern was to start with a Perfectly Running car before going to the MS. A couple of things that are different from the original car that may be affecting it are

Idle air port on the TB is just wide open now. Didn't think this would be it as it would be wide open to the intake but who knows.

Extended wires on MAF so I didn't have to cut a hole in the inner fender for something that was temporary. Used old three wire trailer wire which was kind of suspect.

Factory O2 was cut, lengthened and installed in WB O2 port 36" back.

Exhaust is passing through turbo with wastegate wired open

The "two o-ring under injector to replace missing insulator" shouldn't affect anything but it's different. It seemed to run fine for the trip home when I bought it with no insulator. Injector must have been just pushed into the rail.

Possibly missing or improper grounding somewhere. I only have one engine ground now to the subframe. Need another for sure for head to unibody.

 

things I'd check: AFR, vacuum at idle, air leaks, MAF continuity...

 

MAF wires. It's touchy.

Edit: I didn't see you had the other thread. That idle port is letting in too much unmetered air.

 

That's your issue. A ton of air that the ECU has no idea about as it's bypassed the MAF / AFM (delete as applicable).

 

This is awesome, glad to see it runs! Now to get it boosted and some nasty videos of this old girl running tip top.

 

Getting little stuff done. Changed trans and diff fluids, bled brakes and clutch last night. Ordered Rivals. Need to pull out the MS and WB that I bought two years ago. Been so long I can't remember if there is a MAP and IAT sensor that came with it. IF not get them ordered and try swapping it in.

All of the couplers and charge pipes are due in the end of the week so I can finish plumbing the turbo. After that carpet and dash can go in. Need to order a windshield and door seals and I can start finishing up putting the doors, etc on. It's close. Should be done hopefully by the end of the month.

 

Intercooler and cold air intake complete. Filter is between the SAAB inner and old Miata inner fender so the only air that it can possibly draw is outside air.

 

Looks fantastic, any plans on running a larger radiator or will it cause clearance issues?

 

Awesomely clean as always! I used that coupler for my bov, super clean and good flow. I swear it made it louder too...

 

That is super clean! Props given! Nice place for the air filter, should make for nice cool air.

 

It is hard to believe how close this thing is to driving.

Any guess as to how much the car will weigh completed?

 

I have an automatic radiator in it which is twice as thick as stock, if that isn't enough I can go to any of the aftermarket Miata radiators. All mount points are stock Miata mount points so fitment wouldn't be an issue.

 

Original car was 2100 stock. I'm guessing 2300 with the Miata lump up front, turbo stuff, bigger trans and diff, roll bar and some small savings removing some interior parts, rear seat, lighter wheels and tires. It's getting Miata carpet (if I can ever get anyone to get back to me on one) door panels, headliner, Sparco Sprint V seats so not stripped interior.

 

I wish the breather was just going back to intake...

 

I'd also accept some variation on my air/oil separator design:

How to make a PCV air/oil separator.

 

You mean pre-turbo? I could easily tap in a bung in the CAI pipe. Damn, I just spent $9.99 on that sweet vatozone filter, too.