Shoddy '90 gets some lovin'
 

Context: https://www.miataturbo.net/meet-gree...et-here-77216/

Just thought I'd start to document my foolish application of cash toward a chassis which was close to being better for parts. I started with a barely-driving $1000 '90 owned by a teenage kid with swagger. He advised me I'd need a trailer to get it from Dubuque to Madison, I said F that noise and loaded up a friend, and the WRX full of tools.

The bad:
Pissing coolant everywhere: fix = swagpaste. Got us home. Ultimately bought an OEM-style Koyorad.
"It overheats easily" oh god no please don't say that you ran it out of coolant. Yeah, he did.
Top is fucked. "It will hold rain". No it wont.
He locked his key in the trunk. Good. Now the trunklid is bent and wont close, the filler panel is now half a filler panel.
Paint is half single stage, half base plus clear. Single is faded to shit, clear coat is trashed.
Front bumper is held together with swag stickerbomb.
Holy what the fuck is this suspension I don't even.
Pissing brake fluid from the reservoir.

The "hey this isn't so bad":
Wow, no rocker rust.
It runs (really well actually), drives and stops.
It's not that dented up.
Fuck it, it's a grand.

Initial consultation pics:

Oh yeah, this is definitely assembled properly
https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1396481124

Check out dat paint! And those sweet dry-rotted 13" Farm and Fleet tires.
https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1396481124

I really wish I had a pic of the front bumper held with stickerbomb. It had clearly uh, "tapped" a large pole.

Initial expenditures went toward obtaining a non-cracked tail lamp, a straight front bumper, and replacing those horrible 13" wheels. Sold the wheels for a hundo, bought some daisies, an okay front bumper in red, and some tail lights. Spent about 10 hours making the paint look much better. Decided I ultimately wanted some different wheels.

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1396481124

Got lucky, found a fantastic condition hard top for dirt cheap. Too bad its purple
https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1396481124

Ran an autox, and it held up but started making funny noises. Found it!
https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1396481124

Loose bolt in the timing tract, sweet
https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1396481124

Remedied that. Ran another autox. Car is mechanically sound enough. Fun! Not much cash dumped. Then I got stupid.

Decided an MSM swap was going to happen. Guess I should pull that motor.

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1396482571
https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1396482571


Honestly, I'm just an anti-anti stubborn guy that didn't want a 1.6. Had I not found this thread, I probably would have not followed through on my dumb idea:
'90 Mazdaspeed Miata Rallycross Project: Builds and Project Cars forum: Grassroots Motorsports

If this guy is (clearly) having fun, why can't I?

I don't have any cool pics of of dropping the motor in, but here's a bit of a list of things that happened, parts that were purchased, problems that were solved:
949 1.8 organic clutch and new flywheel, slave, and flexihose
Innovate LC-2
Begi DP-back 2.5
Rev MS2e (still.. waiting)
Forge recirc
Deleted: EGR, VTCS, A/C, cruise, evap, shitbox AFM,
Kept: PS, heat
Re-using from 1.6: Coil, CAS, trans, VLSD, radiator and fans
Re-using from MSM: FMIC and piping, downpipe, intake?
Updated: return-style NB fuel rail, alternator
Relocated: Real oil pressure sender via Miatacage.com kit
Adapted: Coil bracket and TB bracket from Flyin Miata

Got clever and cut up the charge piping from the MSM. Tried to make a 2.5" CX piping kit fit, but it's not happening until the OEM fans go.

Variety of pics as it sits presently:

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1396482571
https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1396482571
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-H...184241_309.jpg
https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1396482571
https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1396482571
https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1396482571

Ditched the WRX, bought a tow rig. Now I can haul blown-motor, rusty parts cars with nice soft tops and good trunklids/filler panels. Swapped 'em, sold it plus the 1.6 I had spare, essentially a zero-sum game. But hey, Now the car's looking a bit better yet!

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1396482571

But there's still a lot of work to do...

Work yet to do:
Install NB style exhaust in NA chassis, likely need some hangers welded if nothing else.
Sort out where the IAC/TPS/IAT sensor pigtails go
Hack up an intake+filter, and route the plumbing for the recirc BPV, and MSM catch can (might as well since I've got the cross brace and tubing)
Wait for MS2e to arrive, and install it
Fluids

Then, hopefully, hadouken. :vash2:

First local autox is end of this month. :(

That's the last update for now. I haven't been real talkative to date, but now's the time, I suppose.

Wow, pretty neat budget build actually. Your FMIC setup had me cringing, but it looks like you plan on remedying that. How much did you pay for the msm setup?

Is the FMIC routing that janky? I put a pretty solid effort forth, and the mounts and piping are are really solid. I know the unit itself isn't favorable, but getting the thing running is priority #1 for now.

I paid too much! Though, the vendor got me the miscellaneous pieces I knew I'd need so it wasn't just a longblock + turbo. It saved me from having to buy a downpipe, FMIC, and piping -- even though I gave up on the piping too soon. This wasn't written down on paper and planned penny for penny vs. output. That's not what it's about for me.

Looks like it will function, just looks mismatched and the tiny (probably OEM msm) core is more what was making me cringe. A lot of work to fit a sub-par oem core, when you could buy an ebay core that would outperform it, look nicer, etc.

Anyways, don't let me bother you here. Function>form, so as long as it doesnt rub or leak, it's good enough.

Edit: also, those clamps. I assume those are the oem spring clamps, and i cannot imagine those holding any kind of boost on those painted FMIC pipes. I'd look into some t bolts!

No rubbing, no movement was a worry, thus the inevitable labor, as you mention.

Yep, note the tbolts on the lower piping for now so I can re-install bumper. Store ran out of the size I needed this weekend, I'll do the easy to reach pieces after they restock.

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1396635240

Looks like I've got some work to do.

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1397610771

Oops. Time to figure out what to use instead of the stock downpipe.

Anyone have a suggestion for an inexpensive catted piece that dumps to the stock flange location (will work w/ my Enthuza midpipe+XR)? From what I've read to date, it'd be best to stick w/ a cat. Contrary opinion welcome.

MS2e is in, sensors are all wired up, unit is back in the OE location and tidied up... but no start. Wonder if I've got my fuel/return mixed up. Can smell fuel. Checked the return side for fuel since it's easy to get at, indeed there was a bit there. Don't know if that's normal. Will have to check for a safe way to verify which side is which and go from there.

Out of time for tonight. Had been looking grim anyway, but likely confirmed I'll miss the first event of the season next weekend. Boo.