More Money Than Brains
 

Per request of Sixshooter I am starting my build thread with my early progress. I acquired a rust free 1995 miata from a 16 year old with tasteful mods including a 1 in ride height on raceland coilovers and an LED ridden interior. To say the least I was impressed :hahano:. It had a recent 900$ respray and is a nice 10 footer. Car at acquisition with my current daily behind it.

https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...4b4b475629.jpg
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...fd222f8195.jpg

In case you can't tell whats back there here is the front view

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...545e99b622.jpg

I must preface this build thread with the fact that I've never built a car and rarely worked on my previous cars and will be learning along the way so be patient as the obvious might not be such for me lol but Sixshooter and RyanG have been generous to help my retarded ass along the way. I previously owned an already built 1.6 with an early FM kit that made 231 HP that I sold after medical school so I am on a quest to build something better for 95% track use and 5% street use. Goal is for the 350+ HP range turbo build. Although this will mainly be a track car I do live in Florida where it is hot as nuts so the A/C is going to stay.

I acquired a quick jack system from FM for my one car garage. Overall the lift is nice and gets the car about 2 feet off the ground.

https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...d293f0689d.jpg

First effort was to remove the stock suspension

https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...4ad025a098.jpg

I am planning on replacing everything with this...most of which was finished as of yesterday.

https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...5c9021ec3c.jpg

It is incredibly handy to have V8 Roadsters local to us so I have been able to acquire many of my parts from him. His service is fantastic, his pieces are amazing, and he has been extremely patient and helpful to I who knows very little. I can't recommend him enough for those looking for many upgrades for their cars. I also picked up a set of Xidas and 15x9s from 949 in addition to a set of NT-01 tires.

https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...a32db78c94.jpg

Removed the fenders and front bumper and got these installed courtesy of V8 Roadsters

https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...63b84c95f8.jpg


With the help of Sixshooter was able to get the motor out in less than the year it would have taken me

https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...6ed6deecc9.jpg
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...86f5c938cf.jpg

The rest of the drivetrain was removed and I acquired these from the the local salvage yard

https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...982de5c228.jpg

https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...1bd8669616.jpg

One on left is a 3.23 Getrag and on the right is a 3.42 Getrag. The axles and hubs are currently being built by V8 Roadsters which takes about 3 weeks so currently waiting on those. I made an order to 949 racing for the motor and these showed up.

https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...32180f526e.jpg
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...207c591910.jpg
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...50ea901417.jpg
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https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...e8165b34ee.jpg
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...c3d7bb0c7e.jpg
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...acd796a789.jpg
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...e330870599.jpg
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...13a6446e61.jpg

https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...3cfb7ecfb6.jpg

https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...d4816a9150.jpg

https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...7d4595d5a0.jpg

https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...7e5117e4ab.jpg

Still waiting on more boxes for the motor to show up but also received this.

https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...6d1cb7e248.jpg

So far this is where progress stands. I have started disassembling the motor while I wait for the rest of the engine pieces. Plan is to take the motor to the same builder in Orlando that Sixshooter used. I will continue to post pictures and progress as I go. So far learned a lot and have so much more to go. Im trying to research as much as possible and basically reading as much as I can to decide what crap I want to put on the car. I thought about posting a list of the future stuff I plan to buy but I figure Ill just post things as they arrive because honestly some things I haven't figured out fully yet. Hopefully that works. Anyways looking forward to getting this built. I want to start track days in September when it becomes more tolerable outside so that is my goal for getting this complete. I work a full schedule so we shall see how that goes.

Went from zero to :likecat: in 1 post. Well played sir, you will do well here.

He was doing so much I was giving him crap for not documenting it here. I'm withholding poscats because of a few opportunities missed in this thread.

1. He's got two cats and posted no pictures of them

2. When Tony Montana introduces the first picture of his Miata the accompanying caption should be, "Say hello to my little friend."

Lol.

For someone with no prior wrenching experience he has no trepidation. He just jumps in and starts disassembling everything. I admire the drive and ambition to get to the track by the fall.

Sub'd! Seems like this build is going to contain more cats and glory in the future!

Welcome, thanks for documenting your very nice build.

This thread is relevant to my interests. Is the goal to have it ready for Sebring in October?

Just getting ready for the track in general. Just plan to trailer it for track days around Florida, Georgia, and Alabama.

Not all heroes wear capes.

Looks like a great build!

Just picked this baby up today. 2004 F250 6.0 Powerstroke. 5 Speed. Full Bulletproofing Complete with 220K miles. SCT Performance Tune. Pulls like a freight train. Pretty pumped about it truthfully.

https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...57d2c19905.jpg

https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...1374a51862.jpg

https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...6f5ece2fa8.jpg

https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...dfc2d8f839.jpg

https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...74d5ff080a.jpg

She knows whats up...didn't know this was mandatory lol.

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...a708b4b988.jpg

I'm jealous of all these minty shiny rust free NA's :/

I think that may be one of the most perfect photos ever posted on this site.

It is.

More Random Parts

https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...aff445610a.jpg

Backorders are frustrating. Wanting to take the motor to be built shortly after disassembly but have a few pieces for the internals that were backordered. Hopefully they don't slow things too much. Made the decision and stopped by the dealer and ordered new hardware for the suspension. Im sorta ---- and didn't want to use the old nuts and bolts.

*edit: for a sec there I thought: "boundary makes engine mounts now?"

could it be possible that tonymontana is jeffbuc reincarnated?

We will know for sure if he buys a steam cleaner

Does anyone have pictures of how they removed the rear hub dust shields?

This thread is very relevant to my interests, can't wait to see where you go with the car. You're certainly buying high-quality parts, that's for sure.

subscribed. sweet build so far.

I used this method. Took 5 minutes each. Very nice start on your build!

Rears can be removed by splitting the shield at the smallest dimension on the hub with a cold chisel and "unwrapping" them with channel locks.

There's an indentation for the chisel end to sit in to get it started.

From: https://www.miataturbo.net/suspensio...0/#post1044711

Thanks for the link. I ended up using a chisel on the back side of that narrow part and with 5-6 hard hits the shields came off in one piece. Took a total of 30 seconds.

https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...b12d63fc92.jpg

Pulled off the rear subframe to get it powder coated the same color as the front and get the Getrag bracket welded on. Shandelle is going to help me with this part. Also went ahead and bolted in the front subframe. My new hardware for the control arms will be here Monday so then I can finish installing the fronts as well as the Xidas.

https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...94a1695c9b.jpg
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...09b2e6dd5a.jpg

The subframe was pretty close to spot on. Had to beat the shit out of two parts on the car near middle bolts but all in all wasn't too bad to get it in. Was going to install the frame rails but hit a little snag. Some douche wad used the passenger side as a jack point and smashed it like a pancake so now I need to figure out how to rectify that so I can install them. Any advice on how to do that would be much appreciated. I may need to wait till its running so I can get it on a full lift I dunno.

.

All the accessories off...will pull the head tomorrow and finish disassembly to get her ready for the machine shop. My new suspension hardware should be in tomorrow so I should be able to get the front components on the car Tuesday.

https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...4411fbd43b.jpg

No pictures, but you could use a cutting wheel to notch the shield in a couple locations, then twist the thing off. I used two big channel lock pliers.

This is probably not the correct way to do it, but thats how I did it.

Appreciate the follow-up but got them off in 5 seconds with a chisel

As I said before, I used tin Snips on mine but it sounds like it was much easier the way you did it with the Chisel.

As for the frame rail, I had to adjust the sides of one of mine with a hammer to be able to slip the aftermarket frame rail over the factory one. I did not pull the bottom of it back out but simply hammered the sides inward where it was mushroomed.

Got the front control arms on tonight with the coilovers. Wasn't too terrible overall. The fit is snug so a rubber mallet and some persuasion was required. Haven't totally torqued everything down but so far doesn't look too bad.

https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...bd0c73460b.jpg
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...c5176c2914.jpg
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...b5d7118c45.jpg

Also pulled the head and and got a look at the original pistons. Here's a look at the inside. Excited for the new stuff to go in. Taking the motor on Thursday to Mazworx in Orlando where Sixshooter had his motor built.

https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...a2fb896d5c.jpg
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...43d1a412d6.jpg

Work at night to stay cool. Its nuclear in the garage right now during the day.

https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...1e881a6b6c.jpg

I love this build. #allofit

Im on call tonight so won't get much done sadly but had a few things show up today. Got lucky on my injectors and got a new set of the 1050x injectors. New SUB lifters also arrived so the motor is off to the builder tomorrow. Since I'm still waiting on the basically the whole drivetrain Ill likely start looking at what I want to do on the interior as far as seats, gauges, and such. Give me something to do on my 3-4 week wait on the motor. Any recommendations on gauges/monitoring I should do on the car. I presume ill do boost, oil temp, water temp, and afr. Ill probably swap the oil pressure gauge for the the 90-93 version and use that in the stock location. Any other thoughts not this?

https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...e8fa063133.jpg

This is an incredible #allofit build thread! Will this car end of being a dedicated track car? You may look into getting a race dash rather than going with individual gauges that will have to be installed out of your main line of sight. If you go with individual gauges, I would skip the boost gauge if you're using the EBC and MS.

I used a huge set of channel locks to straighten my frame rail. the metal is very soft and pretty easy to manipulate with a bit of leverage. I did this because I wanted a bit more control than a hammer.

Thanks for all the advice on the frame rails. Ill get out there and give that a try. I hope i have better luck. I hit the shit out of it with a hammer and it didn't seem too soft to me but Ill give it another go. In other news took the motor to orlando to these guys.

https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...9c764db74f.jpg
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...b467bc62f1.jpg

Excited to get that back. On the way back I received the email on my desired transmission option and promptly placed my order. Pretty excited about it too. I linked it below for those that don't get the newsletter.

https://kmiata.com/blogs/news/bmw-zf...eid=c0d3b42897

god damn your pockets fat. Glorious build

The power of no wife or kids

:greddy2: I'm so jealous, this is coming along nicely.

Those suspension pics are so damn sexy

you can buy completely new rear assemblies from Mazda, which is the upright + hub + dust shield and stuff all assembled, and things are clean enough to take apart and simply remove it.

Or you can buy completely new rear assemblies from Mazda, realize the rear dust shields block some of your rear suspension grease points (because you are going to bronze/poly, and zerk them, right?) and simply cut them off with tin snips from Harbor Freight. Takes all of 30 seconds. You just start cutting and leave a little ring around the hub, because who cares, rasekar.

I used tin snips and just twisted and cut with them until it yielded.

This is now a thread about removing rear dust shields.

And that task has already been successfully completed. :bowrofl:

New title: Tin snips vs dust shields.

Instructions unclear. Penis stuck in dust shield.

:rofl:

:eek5:

Small update this week. Been working like a dog. Torqued the front suspension, mounted the front sway bar, and mounted the brakes.

https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...4c2d0977c5.jpg
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...63220e5eff.jpg
https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...efc9f4f33c.jpg

Also got the new brake master cylinder mounted with the strut tower brace. Ran the brakes lines high to keep them away from the exhaust. Not sure how much it matters but whatever I did it.

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...e19926d935.jpg

Also the engine shop does this neat thing online where they take pictures of your engine progress and keep you updated. Probably smart...saves them a shitload of phone calls. So far looking good. Projected finish date is 8/29 on the motor.

https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...304822f923.png
https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...01f9bbb1bb.jpg

Otherwise progress is slow. Seems like everything is a month away. I've ordered my turbo kit, ECU, and fuel setup as well as the transmission swap. Rear subframe is getting powder coated then in approximately a week when the custom axles are done I can mount the rear back on the car. Wont be done by the end of August like I hoped but hopefully September is the month. Still little odds and ends to clean up. Trying to figure out with COP setup to go with...probably going to do LS coils but need to find a mounting solution that I like. Any thoughts on an Enthuza 3" exhaust for my build? My friend previously had a 2.5 and it had a nice sound.

That looks so good.

So my experience with mounting completely new brake hardware to the car (new MC, new lines, added abs)

a) the motive power bleeder is still boss. Works good. You want one

b) you will still need to have a compatriot to do some pumping of the new MC. I did not bench bleed mine. Caveat: I foolishly thought that the power bleeder would be my end all, and initially bled the whole system using only it. That doesn't work. Bench bleeding of a new MC is not required, but having someone pump the brakes and plumb that system is.

If I were to do it over with the equipment I have, I would first bleed the system as I did with the motive power bleeder. I would then, using one of the short front lines, have someone help me and do the pump-the-brakes-bleed. I would then do a complete re-bleed of the system starting at the rear with the motive power bleeder.

This should yield you firm ass brakes.

If you have ABS, during the last stage, you should cycle the ABS pump for each segment while bleeding. Rear, front left, front right.

Edit: the sound of the ABS pump changes once fluid is in it, you will hear this, and it will make sense. It cycles three times, rear, front left, front right. Once all three cycles sound like they have fluid in them you're good.

I love car porn, this looks great.

More updates from the machine shop. Short block is complete. Now awaiting the head.

https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...e3a34a7930.jpg
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...3e5c38c980.jpg
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...5164194165.jpg

Thank you for the advice on this.

That sure is pretty. Fun times ahead.

Was expecting billet main caps, a little bit disappointed

Was the head media blasted? (With what?)

those 8.6:1?

With the stickiest aluminum flakes you ever saw. They are everywhere.

Yes 8.6:1. The machine shop site says sand blasted...thats all I know...

Does the subframe give you more room to work around? The factory set up can be a pain to work around.

100%. I think under car access will be crazy different over the stock subframe. There is literally nothing to the tubular setup.

Went ahead and paid to become a supporter of the site. Pretty much all my thoughts, ideas, and plans have come from reading other's threads here so I figured I should give back for those helping me along here. My stupid ass wouldn't be this far without everyone's input.