Miotta gets drilled... (BUILD THREAD)
 

So I've been putting together a little parts stockpile to work on some changes on the car for this season. I'm not promising really quick updates... but I figured some people might be curious about the changes.

Engine bay projects:
Fix cracks in intake manifold, add bracing
Build new twin scroll smaller runner manifold
Strap on super clean Evo8 twin scroll turbo (thanks Neo)
Build downpipe for new turbo
Possibly convert my standalone MS1 to MS2 (resolution/boost control/response)
Full retune... use boost controller for more fun

Non-engine:
XTD Prolite flywheel
ACT HD w/ 6puck sprung disc (thanks Neo )
6spd Miata trans
Revalve Bilsteins for my current spring rates
rharris "tuckin99" flares
15x10 Diamond wheels? (only thing I don't have and am still on the fence about)

Car is on jackstands and hibernating... going to try and start picking away at the projects. IM removal and trans swap stuff first. Then onto turbo manifold build and whatnot.

Pictures as things actually happen.

Just for fun... stock photos :p
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http://www.turbochargers.com/store/images/evo8mit.JPG
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Maybe
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Turbo looks brand newz!! Thank god for noobs that crash their new sports cars. YW

Get those flares on already! ;) And make sure to think long and hard about going with the diamond racing wheels...I understand the budget deal, but those things are boat anchors.:2cents:

I know... but its hard to ignore 100 bucks or so a wheel. I'll just be more predictive and drive harder :p

Got my rivnuts in today also.... so the flare install can progress once I get unlazy.

$100 saved but 22lbs a rim though? I was just gonna ask you if you needed rivnuts..

He's cheap a fawk...I was IMing him the other day that some things you just can't cheap out on. Wide wheels are just one of those things.

You live like 3 miles away from me, how have I not seen this car?? :p I'm right by Fermilab. If you ever need help, send a message.

Heh, I don't really drive it around much. Mostly to and from track events and to work on it randomly at buddies down in South Holland.
Attachment 200795

Got IM off and start part way off.

Ordered pilot bearing and release bearing.

XTD 9lb flywheel received.

And I'm not set on wheels just yet... so no more fretting :P. To get through this season I have 225s I need to finish... I might just get a set of spacers to move the 15x8 +0s out and widen the track some.

what size tire options would you have for a 15x10?

if there is no advantage over what you have, then i would suggest just spacing thme like 20mm.

Mock up the flares yet?? I ordered my spacers and the 6uls will be ordered in the next few weeks...if you don't do anything before then you can see what my setup will look like to aid in the decision making process.

275/35/R15

Not really much other than racing meat available for the 15x10's

Yah, awsomely expensive tires.

I was also watching your spacer/wheel updates. Ill probably just spacer out my xxrs for now. Going to wait for the cast 949 9" wheels to come out.

Got last bits I needed for my 6spd swap. Going to be doing that Sunday.

So after borking my first pilot bearing... i got another and installed it. So now the clutch/flywheel is in.

Weight savings of lightweight 1.6l flywheel and act clutch VS 1.8l oem flywheel and clutch = 10lbs.

31lbs vs 21lbs.

6spd is bolted in and waiting for total car fluid change.

Going to move it to normal spot in garage and start ripping suspension off in anticipation of the revalved/shorted Bilsteins from Stewart.

Also might start on chopping more body away for the new flares.

Flares still are'nt on....damn!

I know.... Hopefully I have energy left tonight to move car out from corner so I can work on all corners. Then it'll be on the hit list of projects I can tackle. Along with stripping majority of suspension components.

What exactly did you do so I don't do the same? Installing mine tomorrow

If you get the diamond racing wheel, how cheap are you willing to let go the of the sportmaxx??

For short term I'll probably run wheels as is or spacer them until I kill tires. After that... unsure.

For bearing, I used a big socket like I always do, but my hand slipped and I ended up pounding the dust shield down onto the bearings. I was irritated with myself a bit that night.

Updates!

Up yours! You got the personalized "i'm lazy" update earlier today :p

Its in corner still...

:D
I know.

Think of this as motivation, bitch.

As I said... I'd be slow with updates... BUT I got stuff done today.

Reorganized the garage completely, cleaned it, put up some more cabinets and hung 3 new ceiling lights. Then got the car into working position for the all corners projects.

Got old suspension off (received my revalved Bilsteins from Stewart Development on Friady... WOOT)
Got one corner done with new calipers/brackets/pads/SS lines.

http://i295.photobucket.com/albums/m...a/9907ea26.jpg
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Still to do.... Tons... first in line though is finish new SS lines install and brake system refresh.

ignore this post... wrong thread :p

So 2 more corners of brakes are done. Rear hard line from splitter junction to LR brake line was toast... so I have new hardline coming in Friday. In that order is all the bushings/nuts/etc I need to put the suspension together and reinstall.

I'll be trying to work on flares/oil temp gauge and other random stuff until the parts for those projects arrive.

Also have last flange for downpipe build enroute. Going to keep the stock dual flapper internal WG from the Evo8 turbo and do a divorced dump setup, recirculating into the downpipe downstream.

Slowly makin progress!

OMG....take forever...

Picked up a new shift knob.... couldn't get the 5spd one off the shifter :p Plus... you need a 6spd knob for a 6spd... or uh... you can't find 6th gear?

So yah.... a pick of me touching my knob...
http://i295.photobucket.com/albums/m...d/a99b2333.jpg

are miata 6 speeds like others i have used where you have a lockout on reverse? i.e. push down or soemthing to get to reverse

Its more of an extra force required to get it over into position on the far right. But thats what I remember pushing it around without car running yet... and no fluid :p

I used to have a shift knob just like that (minus the 6th gear).. .I took it off after I got a nice round burn mark with a shift pattern on my palm one hot day.

man up. its like those fake tattoos that were cool once upon a time with the hippie crew... but cooler than those ever were.

My last track car had a similar knob. I liked it ALOT. Weighted knobs ftw.

I never go top down in the car... I removed it when I bought the car. So no worries of direct sun heat on it.... EVER.

The miata being a convertible was the main downside for me :p

Nice.... much more accurate thread title. It was nice playing with my knob the whole train ride home.... jiggle jiggle.

quit playing with your knob and get the "other" part of your build done!

I picked up the suspension bushings and crap to put my suspension together. Hoping my brake line comes in before I have to go home today. So i can bang out the suspension/brakes tonight/tomorrow.

I'll update as i go :p

Made good progress today. Got some morning gardening done before the rain came.
Then spent day doing some grilling and bunch of car work.

Got IM on and mostly hooked up. Few vacuum lines and intake side of setup is all back together.

All rivnuts are drilled and installed for flares. One side mounted for fun, still need paint.
Also put my somewhat abused 11" rotors back on front and the stock pads with them. Figured may as well get the brackets installed and swap rotors later... even though the big brake upgrade up front requires an annoying combination of loosening almost every bolt to remove bracket and get rotor off.
http://i295.photobucket.com/albums/m...s/2f9ca181.jpg

OHHHH and doing rivnuts without any tool is EASY. Requires one bolt that fits the rivnut. One washer with some grease on the side of the bolt head and a NUT that is LARGER than the bolt (its basically a guide/spacer).
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Cutting through bumper and backing plastic burns the eyes!!! UGH. No ventilation ftl.
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Double post

Also added two more braces onto the intake manifold.

If it breaks again... Someone can buy it for cheap

dibs lol

You got it, hopefully I don't need to take it off ever again though, no offense :p

Made some progress today. Was planning since I started tracking the car to use the OEM front brake dust/heat shields to build my brake ducts out of. DId that today with very little effort. SO EASY. Dremel/metal shears/pliers/hammer and I was able to cut out a section, rounding it and trim it so turn radius is all clear.
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Also reinforced my one night and cheap as shit splitter a bit. Added washers all over and plate of aluminum under to strengthen it. Lip is also getting sanded and painted the gloss black to match the flares, which I ALSO finally painted!!!
http://i295.photobucket.com/albums/m...s/654b34ca.jpg

Nobody seems to care about this build anymore... but I'll keep posting anyways. Should be making the manifold for the car next week or so....

So lip got paint, few layers and once dry I'll tackle it/splitter and brake duct feed install.

Also got the new (to me) Carbing/RS Aziwa/Moss (can't figure out who exactly made it) 3pt strut bar. Also used it to final mount my brake bias adjuster remote line and spent 10 minutes rigging a brake MC stop.
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It is so funny how flimsy the firewall is and how immediatly obvious the brake MC brace is. It's a polyurethane bushing, washer, some shelf bracket material.... JB welded together. It'll be interesting to see how long it lives :)

Luke Skywalker voice: "I care..."

Seriously though, pretty sweet. I have never seen a braced BMC before. I smell a new product for the ricers:

"Improve your braking consistency with a BMC brace! OEM structures do not have the rigidy to really keep your BMC geometry steady. This is not a problem in a normal commuter, as the flex makes for softer braking with some cushion to it. But if you are going to be driving hard or tracking your car, the extra consistency this little mod can give you is not to be forgotten!

Comes in normal finish, or the powdercoating of your choice for an additonal 30 dollars. Ships within 48 hours.

$74.37

Finance your build with it.

I am fucking drunk.

Yes you are, this is one of the few sites where drunk posting is encouraged, please, keep up the good work spare.

Some of the JDM strut bars have the brace built in. I've seen them done on all kinds of cars also. The firewall is just stamped sheet metal... if you get bored, have someone push the brakes while you watch the MC move.

Now go back to enjoying your drunk time :)

Update the build thread and they will come.

Seriously though, i enjoy your thread.

I LOVE the brake shield idea. Cheap and effective, perfect. And I actually ditched my strut tower brace but kept the left mount for my strut tower brace, works great. Anybody with a right hand drive want the other bracket?

That master cylinder stopper design looks very familiar....:giggle:

What you did with the brake shields was very clever. Keep it up!:bigtu:

Went and found yours... yup. Lot cheaper/crappier though :P (mine is)

i still read your thread.
now add some dead weight to the exhaust side of your engine.

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Splitter on and reinforced.
Fluids (minus coolant done)

Left:
Coolant
turbo manifold
downpipe
intake pipe
hotside IC pipe
passenger seat mounting
RETUNE
DRIVEEEEEEE

you forgot: add top hats.

Ooops yah. ie: redo front suspesion with new 5" springs and Brain's tophats.

So on todays menu:
Paint/install tow hooks
Begin jigging up manifold and dig into pipe layout/tacking/cutting etc... WTF have I gotten myself into...
Maybe other stuff... depending on how manifold goes.

I'm half tempted to pick up some thin plywood and fab up a rear diffuser also... we'll see how that goes.

Tow hooks installed. Had to weld in front differently than designed due to my vmount and missing lots of random stuff up front.
http://i295.photobucket.com/albums/m...s/31315717.jpg
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Raw manifold material
http://i295.photobucket.com/albums/m...s/1004f837.jpg
Polished up in prep
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Hopefully I can make some progress on manifold tonight. Been semi lazy today.

doing the bottom mount like most people on this site have been doing?