Cheap Turbo Build
#1
I'm a terrible person
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Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Arizona
Posts: 7,174
Total Cats: 180
Cheap Turbo Build
Sold most of my parts off the Miata. Cutting weight and going back to stock-ish. Goal is reliability and handling.
This will really just be my second car when my other car is getting work done.
This will really just be my second car when my other car is getting work done.
Last edited by FRT_Fun; 05-07-2011 at 11:13 PM.
#4
I'm a terrible person
Thread Starter
iTrader: (19)
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Arizona
Posts: 7,174
Total Cats: 180
Got rid of the car I was planning on doing this to, so now I'm back to my original red miata I got while deployed. The car is hardcore stripped. So the plan:
Spend as little money as possible.
Strip as much weight as possible.
Add a few braces.
Build: MS1 + Harness for the car.
Naturally Aspirated (for now).
Able to pass emissions.
Drive the **** out of it.
Future:
Cheapo turbo build.
Decent suspension.
Hard Top
Wheels
Things needed:
MS1
Fenders
Bumper
Hood
Miata Diff Nose
Wideband
Few random sensors
SS Brake Lines
SS Clutch Line
5spd Shifter
Steering Wheel
Spend as little money as possible.
Strip as much weight as possible.
Add a few braces.
Build: MS1 + Harness for the car.
Naturally Aspirated (for now).
Able to pass emissions.
Drive the **** out of it.
Future:
Cheapo turbo build.
Decent suspension.
Hard Top
Wheels
Things needed:
MS1
Fenders
Bumper
Hood
Miata Diff Nose
Wideband
Few random sensors
SS Brake Lines
SS Clutch Line
5spd Shifter
Steering Wheel
Last edited by FRT_Fun; 05-08-2011 at 12:27 PM.
#5
I'm a terrible person
Thread Starter
iTrader: (19)
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Arizona
Posts: 7,174
Total Cats: 180
This thread seriously needed some photos...
Pulled the rear subframe today. Front was already off. Tomorrow I may start on installing the control arms with polyurethane bushings installed. The whole subframe as well as under the car will be getting a good cleaning first.
Have the car sitting on two creepers lul. I could probably squat this car right now it weighs nothing.
Also below is my RX7 differential. Need to acquire a miata nose (anyone want to donate????) so I can get the ball rolling.
Pulled the rear subframe today. Front was already off. Tomorrow I may start on installing the control arms with polyurethane bushings installed. The whole subframe as well as under the car will be getting a good cleaning first.
Have the car sitting on two creepers lul. I could probably squat this car right now it weighs nothing.
Also below is my RX7 differential. Need to acquire a miata nose (anyone want to donate????) so I can get the ball rolling.
#6
I'm a terrible person
Thread Starter
iTrader: (19)
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Arizona
Posts: 7,174
Total Cats: 180
Transferring some stuff over from MFz.com to keep both build threads current Lots of stuff going on with some major updates each weekend from now on.
--------------------------------
Got some stuff done yesterday, good progress.
Stuck on a seized control arm bolt so gonna have to play with that a bit. Still need to replace the upper control ball joint on both sides. Once that is done I have to run a brake line on the rear subframe that broke when I removed it, and clean up the grim. Then the subframes should be done. Although I still have to assemble my RX7 LSD and mount it to the subframe (going to try and put the diff in the subframe before I install the subframe.. this could be fail.
Before I put the subframes back I am going to paint the engine bay. Most likely a dark grey color. Once that is done I can install the subframe and work installing all new brake lines. Going to reroute them more efficiently in the engine bay. Then install all new SS brake lines going to the calipers. Reinstall the disc brakes, calipers, and wheels and then I've got myself a roller again
Trying to get to this point in the next 3 months, which judging by my funds and time is realistic.
Once it gets to roller status, I can fit the engine and drivetrain and begin to put together the custom harness. That I forsee taking many many hours. At some point while doing that I'm gong to build MS. Once the harness is done I should be good to go! I'm hoping for that to be the last part.
--------------------------------
Got some stuff done yesterday, good progress.
Stuck on a seized control arm bolt so gonna have to play with that a bit. Still need to replace the upper control ball joint on both sides. Once that is done I have to run a brake line on the rear subframe that broke when I removed it, and clean up the grim. Then the subframes should be done. Although I still have to assemble my RX7 LSD and mount it to the subframe (going to try and put the diff in the subframe before I install the subframe.. this could be fail.
Before I put the subframes back I am going to paint the engine bay. Most likely a dark grey color. Once that is done I can install the subframe and work installing all new brake lines. Going to reroute them more efficiently in the engine bay. Then install all new SS brake lines going to the calipers. Reinstall the disc brakes, calipers, and wheels and then I've got myself a roller again
Trying to get to this point in the next 3 months, which judging by my funds and time is realistic.
Once it gets to roller status, I can fit the engine and drivetrain and begin to put together the custom harness. That I forsee taking many many hours. At some point while doing that I'm gong to build MS. Once the harness is done I should be good to go! I'm hoping for that to be the last part.
#8
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Thread Starter
iTrader: (19)
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Arizona
Posts: 7,174
Total Cats: 180
I forgot my camera at the shop so no pictures today. But I got A LOT done.
Everything was removed from the engine bay and interior... EVERYTHING.
Engine bay painted.
Subframe fully assembled (minus rotors).
Subframe installed.
Cleaned shop.
This weekend I will probably not get much done... probably prep the interior for paint. I need to purchase some stuff and I've used up my monthly allowance for car parts already
Everything was removed from the engine bay and interior... EVERYTHING.
Engine bay painted.
Subframe fully assembled (minus rotors).
Subframe installed.
Cleaned shop.
This weekend I will probably not get much done... probably prep the interior for paint. I need to purchase some stuff and I've used up my monthly allowance for car parts already
#12
I'm a terrible person
Thread Starter
iTrader: (19)
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Arizona
Posts: 7,174
Total Cats: 180
Moar tomorrow....
Rear subframe may be mounted. waiting on diff mounts
Interior painted (front portion) 100% done
Steering column painted. 95% done
Pedals + steering column installed. 25%
Brake Master installed. 75%
Clutch master installed. 75%
Old brake lines removed. Finished
Engine test fitted. yes
Harness. 15%
Rear subframe may be mounted. waiting on diff mounts
Interior painted (front portion) 100% done
Steering column painted. 95% done
Pedals + steering column installed. 25%
Brake Master installed. 75%
Clutch master installed. 75%
Old brake lines removed. Finished
Engine test fitted. yes
Harness. 15%
Last edited by FRT_Fun; 08-29-2011 at 01:43 PM.
#13
I'm a terrible person
Thread Starter
iTrader: (19)
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Arizona
Posts: 7,174
Total Cats: 180
Alright so today I got some stuff done. Was super hot so only a few hours worth.
As far as I can tell the interior paint is finished. Lightning is bad so will bring a light tomorrow and touch up any spots I missed.
Engine installed so I can start test fitting the harness and various othe parts.
Engine will be cleaned and painted before it's in for good.
Also ordered stuff for a coolant reroute:
Dayco 71989 Upper Radiator Hose
Auto7 311-0013 Thermostat Housing Cover
Gates 33644 Engine Coolant Thermostat Housing Gasket X 2
Thermostat housing block-off
Stant 13578 Thermostat - 180 Degrees Fahrenheit
As far as I can tell the interior paint is finished. Lightning is bad so will bring a light tomorrow and touch up any spots I missed.
Engine installed so I can start test fitting the harness and various othe parts.
Engine will be cleaned and painted before it's in for good.
Also ordered stuff for a coolant reroute:
Dayco 71989 Upper Radiator Hose
Auto7 311-0013 Thermostat Housing Cover
Gates 33644 Engine Coolant Thermostat Housing Gasket X 2
Thermostat housing block-off
Stant 13578 Thermostat - 180 Degrees Fahrenheit
Last edited by FRT_Fun; 08-27-2011 at 10:42 PM.
#14
Why is the top of the firewall cut like that, is it for weight savings? Also cut some more of the package tray out. I left the seam weld along the top edge and cut everything else out. If you are going with harness' you can cut out the shoulder belt towers. I did that with mine also. Looks like good progress so far. Did the car not come with a rear diff?
#15
I'm a terrible person
Thread Starter
iTrader: (19)
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Arizona
Posts: 7,174
Total Cats: 180
Eh I don't know why I cut it. In hindsight I'm hoping that it doesn't cause a problem in the rain. Although the only time this will be out in the rain is if I get caught in a thunderstorm or something.
Car came with an open diff. Ended up getting rid of it before I knew I needed the tailshaft/ring/pinion from it. DOH!
Car came with an open diff. Ended up getting rid of it before I knew I needed the tailshaft/ring/pinion from it. DOH!
#16
I'm a terrible person
Thread Starter
iTrader: (19)
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Arizona
Posts: 7,174
Total Cats: 180
Spend as little money as possible.
Strip as much weight as possible.
Add a few braces.
Build: MS1 + Harness for the car.
Naturally Aspirated (for now).
Able to pass emissions.
Drive the **** out of it.
Future:
Cheapo turbo build.
Decent suspension.
Hard Top
Wheels
Things needed:
MS1
Fenders
Bumper
Hood
Miata Diff Nose
Wideband
Few random sensors
SS Brake Lines
SS Clutch Line
5spd Shifter
Steering Wheel
Differential Mounts
IAT Sensor bung
Intake Filter
Clean Injectors
Strip as much weight as possible.
Add a few braces.
Build: MS1 + Harness for the car.
Naturally Aspirated (for now).
Able to pass emissions.
Drive the **** out of it.
Future:
Cheapo turbo build.
Decent suspension.
Hard Top
Wheels
Things needed:
Fenders
Bumper
Hood
SS Brake Lines
Steering Wheel
IAT Sensor bung
Intake Filter
Clean Injectors