Thanks man. Yeah I accepted a long time ago that if I keep driving fast/racing, one day I'll wreck. So when it happened, I was just doing what I could to minimize damage, minimize injuries. My adrenaline shot way up, but otherwise I was pretty calm. I didn't show it, but I was chatting with the ems/safety guys 30s after the crash.

Yeap. It was tough for sure. I can see the movie in my mind from the inside. That wall was coming fast!

I appreciate the support.

 

Far out Pat, that's a big hit, good to see you had no damage of note yourself, in these circs the first concern is the occupant(s), so very happy with that.

Good luck sorting the car, will follow to see if that uncovers a possible cause. Look forward to the next iteration!

 

I thought I had commented here, but it must have been on YT. Seriously sorry to see this, but I'm glad you are OK and I know the carwill come back better. I look forward to the updates, those low 6s are insane no doubt you were knocking on 5s.

 

Thanks man!


I appreciate it.

As for a small update. I got everything removed from the back that has bolts. Almost everything that was removed is damaged, no surprise.

Frame is bent both sides. The area where the seat goes against, all that is fine I believe. I think the frame is ok from that bulkhead, back 4 to 6 inches before it's twisted.

Right now, the thought is to cut the bent section off. I'm considering cutting the bodywork off just past the doors as well. Thoughts on if this is a horrible idea?

My reasoning for doing so.

• New section would be removeable, so replaceable in the future is much easier/cheaper.
• Gone out of the way now for new fab, will speed up future fab and maintenance A LOT. Working inside of body panels is such a paint especially when fabing new stuff.
• Can customize this if needed. Wider, longer, move axle back, different shape, integrate with a fastback. This may even be required for space to put a 4 link.

Downsides are I have to build a body, and how to remove/install it. Not sure how much work that would be, but probably suck. But, I could get the car running/driving without the bodywork which would be nice. I would like to get this back to rolling on its wheels soon. Really don't want the car down for a long time.

New frame idea is to custom fab it all, tube chassis mandrel bent 1 5/8" chrome moly tubing. I have the equip from the cage.

Also, thoughts for rear end as of now, but open to anything.

Ford 9", aluminum center section, lightweight spool, 35 spline gun drilled axles, as narrow as makes sense for the car, whatever common flange everybody uses for wheels, lightweight brakes with E-brake functionality, gearing in the 4.10 to 4.67 range depending on data/math for 1/8 mile racing. (Car has 3.55 now), simple math suggest 4.67 would be almost right for the 29psi power level.

Tires: Possibly same as now (26.0 x 10.0) or something different. If ever going to go with a 28" tire, now is the time. But not sure that's remotely needed. Would look crazy.

Springs/shocks. No clue yet, but I read good shocks are critical, so hopefully can buy and use whatever reasonably priced get-it-done shock is poppular. I read that seperate comp/rebound adjustment is critical for drag racing.

Suspension: 4 link. Beefy.

If I do all this, I'll be removing the following:

• Xidas
• Ford 8.8 IRS/Detroit True Trac Torsen/Locker/3.55's
• DSS 900HP axles/hubs
• Ronin 8.8 diff cradle
• Factory HT
• Factory frame/IRS parts
• Factory bodywork behind doors

And installing

• Custom rear bodywork
• Ford 9" Solid axle
• Axles rated for prob 2K HP
• custom tube chassis frame
• Custom fastback with rear bodywork

Been busy as we recently had a hurricane and lost power. But plan is to get a plan together, get pricing from a few folks for a built diff assembly, and then buy one or buy the parts and build it myself. But I'd like to pay and have an assembly ready to go be delivered.

 

I have no input. I just keep popping

Interesting to watch

 

I did a thing.

 

Cool man

 

Congrats man! Glad to see you carrying the torch forward!

 

Really cool. I always wanted one of these, perhaps I'll get one for my own 10ae.. excited to follow along!

 

I appreciate it! I'm really looking forward to this.

You should! I drove a FFS car when meeting with Tom, and it's impressive. Tom's car, I got to ride passenger, and it was impressively quick. Though he has a built motor and more boost, he never went over 5K RPM, and that thing was QUICK. Felt like it had a 4.0L V6 under the hood.

It's a big undertaking to get everything back into production. But I'm working on it. Hope to have them for sale around the middle of the year.

 

Well...... I did another thing.

For FFS, we are going to make a new CAI for the NA 1.8L Miata's, and we're also going to bring back the 1.6L coldside supercharger kits. Only problem is, I don't have a NA or 1.6L Miata. Until now!

Introducing, my 92 Sunburst Miata! 85k miles on it. Interior is 9.5/10. Body and paint are 7/10. But if you back up enough to take pics, it looks pretty good! Up close, it needs some works, probably a paint job. Also needs a top and rear finish panel.

I'm still super happy though! Never thought I'd own a sunburst Miata.

The previous owner did a fair amount of work. Pads/rotors all 4 corners, front calipers, master cylinder, flushed brakes, flushed clutch, timing belt/wp/front main seal/valve cover gasket/CAS o-ring, new battery, rebuilt shifter, rubber pads on pedals, cleaned interior really well, new aftermarket thick radiator, Koni shocks from FM (not sure if stock replacement or not). A lot of the front suspension/bushings has been redone. It drives really well.

Plan is to do a mini-restoration, kind of like what I did to the 10AE when I bought it. Although I am tempted to repaint this one at the end to get it looking like new. But I'm not sure on painting it yet.

 

Sick! Bro, that thing looks cleaner than you led on (and the initial pics showed), I think you definitely got a good deal on that. What a keeper. Excited to see what you do with it.

 

Thanks! I swear it photos a lot better than it looks in person. There are scratches/dings in the paint.

From looking at it, I'm 99% sure the front hood/fenders/bumper have been resprayed, but I think the rest of the paint is original. I also just confirmed what I suspected after realizing the front has been resprayed: it's been hit in the front before. It looks like the passenger side took a small hit years ago. The frame in that area around the coolant reservoir has marks from it being straightened back out. The repair work is OK, but not 100% IMO. So one day, maybe, I'll go in that area and improve upon it.

I just gave the engine bay a rough cleaning. Basically, lots of pressure washer, then hand scrubbing with simple green. Ideally, I need to unbolt some stuff and clean everything again, but this got 90% of the gunk off and it looks much better.