First update in a while as I've been working on rust repair for the last few weeks. Even though I spent 100 hours or so on it, it wasn't comment or photo-worthy. I got to work on some fun stuff finally. Got the roll bar in. I had to wait on adding the harness bar to the hoop/diagonal until the seats were in so that I knew how high to place it. That will go in tomorrow.





Got the seats in. I had to raise the seats from stock Miata height by 6" so I spent a lot of time figuring out that one. That and I had to move them inboard from the stock locations to clear the B pillar. Someone who owns a SAAB 96 said that he didn't know how they would fit with the tunnel in there. Well, they do and he didn't anticipate the power of someone who is building something essentially from scratch. Each was moved 3" inboard but because the bottom of the seat is flush with the top of the tunnel it worked. Sounds like the shifter location would be funky but your hand falls to the shifter even better than the stock location.

 

Progress will be slowing a bit. Decided to work on my welding skilz a bit so I'm taking a night class for TIG and MIG at the local community college a couple nights a week so I lose those shop nights. It just timed out that it started Monday, it's winter so I'm not losing "outdoor" time and I have always meant to do it.

I'm just self-taught and have been globbing metal together for over 20 years and decided that it's time to unlearn some bad habits and perfect my technique.

I am pretty much done with mods to the tub. I'm going to install the engine, trans, diff, controls, column, MC/ clutch and pedals just to make sure everything fits this weekend. Then I need to cut up three PPFs to stretch one and measure for a new longer driveshaft.

 

Two guys stopped out today so we installed the drivetrain.




Plenty of room to V-mount the radiator and intercooler.



We threw some old wheels on and set it down on the ground for the first time in a year. The fenders were zip-tied on just to see how much work they will need. The fronts won't be bad at all.




The rears will need some pretty good flares.



Still lots of work to do.

 

Damn I'm liking this. Can't wait to see more.

 

I'm expecting an evil laugh befitting a super-villain to come from you when you finish this.

 

this is one of the coolest build i have seen! In for more progress!

 

Getting the pedals and steering column mounted up and the heater/blower motor. Had to make all new brackets and position the steering wheel quite a bit higher than stock. Everything still turns smooth.

Going to be fun making a new dash.

 

Some motivation:

 

or

Depending on preference

"Wrong" engine in the front though...

 

Nahhhh NiklasFalk... sorry, but Scrappy's girl got you beat I'd bang that in a Volvo... or anywhere for that fact


But to be relavant to the build - yer crazy Stein - but I like it!

 

Now that I have the seat mounted - thigh portion of the Sprints is a full 12" off the floor - and the wheel in, it's like sitting in a Ranger or S-10 pickup. Strangely enough, the shifter location feels better dropping a hand down to it now than conventional Miata placement.

 

Modified one of my extra PPF's to accommodate the 10" longer wheelbase. As it's aluminum so I got to try out my new skilz from welding class. I cut up a spare to graft in a section and then cut four flanges to gusset the top and bottom.

 

This build is so great. I keep giggling just from the mere thought of seeing this on the track pwning n00bs.

 

Ohhhhhh yeah....

 

I've always liked this guy's swap, same concept:

Project "MX520" TOP SECRET - Page 56 - Project Datto - Ratsun Forums - Page 56

Scroll down to post #1119, their picture setup is weird, or else I'd post it here.

 

Super clean.

 

it might be clean, but it's still a 1.6L.

 

Got a bit more done. Finished the radiator install and welded in sheet metal to seal off the lower radiator. I forgot how thick the automatic radiators are compared to the stock 5 speed radiators. At least twice as thick. I thought it was more but not that much. I'm going to try it first and if I need more cooling I'll change it.

Intercooler, turbo and flanges to fabricate new turbo manifold are ordered.



Started on the dash fabrication.

 

Don't whack your knee on the corner of the center section! Looking good.

 

It's going to wrap around, not done yet.