I've been testing the gauge cluster for my '90 in my '96 (NA6 cluster works in a NA8, Oil Press just reads constant).

I used the Revlimiter method (or at least his old method).I still need to play with the gauge faces some, which was to be expected. As for the design, I was trying to maintain some early '90s flavor but with some reduced visual complexity (trip delete, no km/h, unleaded labeling BS, etc.)

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1376504794
https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1376504794
https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1376504794
https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1376504794
https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1376504794
https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1376504794

-Zach

Everything.

Several good reasons! Have you had a chance to try them out in your running car?

On that note, how many more steps until it's on the road?



You don't need to tell me twice. That was my first lesson learned from not doing enough research prior to purchase. Luckily they were low priced (there's a reason for that). Never again! I will likely have to compromise in the near future because budget and the fact that I can only go up from here.

Even your shoes are nice and clean.

What a hipster. My car will be in mass this saturday if you wan to trek out to ayer to experience xidas.

I'm a designer man ... clients have expectations and I've got to be in costume.

I'll be in Shrewsbury Saturday dropping the engine back in the car (hopefully) so Saturday is probably out. Why Ayer? Is your fathers shop there? I work in Hollis NH and live in Lowell so Ayer is a short trip regardless of whether I'm leaving work or home.

-Zach

Ayer is where the race is.

Oh ya ... Devens.

This build is shiny and purty. I like it.

Another photo dump after a long frustrating weekend of constant set backs :fael:. I hoped to have it wired up by Sunday night, but that will have to wait. At least the engine is in and the car is starting to look whole again.

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1376919990
https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1376919990
https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1376919990
https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1376919990
https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1376919990
https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1376919990
https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1376919990
https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1376919990
https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1376919990

And one with the brace mocked up to starting mounting the FPR and figure out heat shielding for the Master Cylinder. Even if the brace does nothing, it's still a great piece of structure to mount/zip things to (heat shield, FPR, hoses, etc.)

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1376919990

Side note: If anyone has 1.6 fuel rail spacers I neeeeedz them (they went missing)

-Zach

I hope you blow the motor and upgrade to a 1.8L.

:brain:

I'd just see it as a great opportunity to "upgrade" to a long-nose 1.6 :party:

-Zach

you're a horrible person.

Hmmm ... so if I cut my ignitor connector and wired the COPs harness directly to the OEM harness, should I disconnect my COPs connectors when loading base maps?

-Zach

basemaps, no. firmware, yes.

Thanks for the clarification. As the build gets closer to completion I need to start spending more time in MS subforums.

-Zach

The level of cleanliness and attention to detail in this build so far killing me. Even seeing someone put this amount is frustrating me to just see it done haha.

I love this build thread. BUT I could never do something so clean. I'd never drive it.

Well, you share my father's frustration considering it has been taking up a bay in his garage for 2 years :party:.

Should fire/roll by November, however, September has 3 weddings, a house move, and the start of men's league hockey ... probably not going to get a whole lot done. The rest of the chassis painting and torsen swap will have to wait until spring.

-Zach

Now that the gauge cluster is pretty much done, I decided to start wrapping up the interior effort. I splurged on an RS Products HVAC plate since the simple graphics screen printed on black ano looks so damn proper ... especially with the current interior theme.

And before someone asks ... yes, not all the switches have a function :party: (3 looked too sparse). So far I only need/want hazards, headlight flip, and fans.

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1378212117
https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1378212117

-Zach

All your work looks so incredibly clean! probs for that, man...

Looks great!

I've been missing out on this thread. Really nice work. Wow. Props.

Thanks! I consider us unconsciously competing for the most time wasted on a 1.6+Greddy build.

I am very impressed with this build. Don't be surprised if I apply some of your ideas to my car. :dealwithit:

I don't. You win! LOL!

Great thread this, just read front to back.

I too have a Greddy setup, bought it looking much like yours, wires, pipes, nasty silicone and jubilee clips all over, wires dragging all over the place etc.

Past year since I bought it I've been restoring the body etc first, however I want to re-work the turbo install. This is a great level to aim for!

Thanks for the comment! Unfortunately, I broke my hand playing "non-check" men's league hockey so the project is paused until spring.

The nasty state of the Greddy install came courtesy of a 17 year old kid on a minimal budget, i.e., me ten years ago.

2001 (when intercooler options were limited to oem Starion/Conquest cores or, if you were baller, Izuzu NPR).
https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1382557941
2003 (summer before college ... should have saved my money)
https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1382557941
2013 (as it sits)
https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1382557941

-Zach

No sexual car updates BUT

...Santa did get me a very nice x-mas present.

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1388435266

Why did Santa get me a tool box for my garage? Because Santa (my father) bought himself a 1-owner, 37k mile 94-R package w/ panasports. I believe this toolbox to be a very generous "GTFO" for my '90. Ya, it's a Harbor Freight box; however, it looks and feels as good as some of the MAC/S-O boxes. a Lista box still kicks it's ass but hell, I'm a Saturday mechanic and I have no need for such niceties.

So, now that I have an insulated and relatively warm garage AND a proper toolbox with a growing tool collection, it appears as though I'll make some real progress ... once its tow-able (no front suspension at the moment).

Side note, a killer ratchet for the money @ toolfetch.com:

Armstrong 11-994


https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1388435266

US forged handle, locking flex-head, same 60 or 88 tooth guts as a $140 dollar Matco (mech rev'd during production hence the wildcard tooth count when buying used or from existing stock. Newer production should be the Matco 88 tooth mech).

That is all. See you in the spring!

-Zach

getting an OCD boner over here. you and jeffbuck should procreate:giggle:

seriously good job

:rofl:

I've been following jeffbucc's build thread with the same rigor that I follow /r/gonewild ;)


-Zach

That is one clean car you are building. Damn that engine bay.

In for smoky burnout/drift videos. :giggle:

Damn, I can't believe I haven't been paying attention to this thread. I just saw your engine bay pic on "another forum" and failed to connect the dots.

Fantastic work.

No progress pics/visual stimulation, BUT ... I did throw more money at the car.

949 order (after much debate as to whether I should get poly bushings ... those will wait as my stockers look okay and I'm trying to stop the financial hemorrhaging).

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1392744518

ANOTHER M-Carr order (it's just so satisfying). Got more misc. silicon seals and wire wraps, along with some shaft collars for the RB sway and goodies to fabricate a catch tank (because I'm a designer and therefor, none of the 100+ off-the-shelf catch tanks satisfied my obsession).

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1392744518

No it needs to warm the hell up so I can get this pile running after 10 years.

-Zach

Are we the same person? I just made the same order from 949 except without the prop valve and also bought the collars from mcmaster (for like the 3rd time now), since my dad stole my bar for his miata.

You mentioned the shaft collars in my Sway Bar post yesterday. I happened to have an M-Carr order open in another window and so, shaft collars were added.

We're not the same person, but I suspect our posts might have influenced some of our decisions. :burncash:

-Zach

1.6/1.8 question.

I'm trying to mock up my catch can, which I intend on mounting to the front of the cam cover since the reroute left all sorts of space (space which I don't have anywhere else).

Anyway ... my NA 1.6 (which the catch can is being fabricated for) is stored about an hour away. I am lazy and do not want to drive said hour. I DO have my NA 1.8 in my own garage which is adjacent to my 'shop'.

So the question is: Given that the lower timing covers and chrome vacuum tube appear to be shared components between 1.6 and 1.8's, are the cam cover dimensions roughly the same? i.e., will a bracket designed to hang off the front fit either? See picture below to get an idea of what I'm trying to do.


https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1392819980

Thanks in advance.

-Zach

I've got both in the garage. I'll take a look later. I "think" that the chrome breather tube was different though.

You could also mount that catch can with Adel clamps. Add a bit of an aerospace touch and it would not be dependent upon bolt spacing.

I explored the idea of mounting it in a manner which was more 'tolerant' of tolerances but making it rigid/fixed proved to be a bit of a pain.

The catch can is going to be fabricated out of rectangular tube aluminum extrusion so I can't clamp around it ... I'd have to weld on features. At that point it left me wondering 'why bother?". Otherwise I would have.

-Zach

I believe you can get those adel clamps for rectangular shapes.

Or you can just bend them to clamp irregular shapes. Do get the good ones (MS) though.

MS21919 DG / WDG CLAMPS from Aircraft Spruce

Mmmm ... size limited.

I'm going to start machining the canister tonight, once you guys see it you'll get a better understanding of why using a clamp is challenging.

It's closer to the size of a coolant header tank (not quite, but it's not tiny).


-Zach

One of those clamps is > 3". Are you bigger than that?

Anyways, still owe you a measurement on the cam cover. Have a dinner meeting, so probably tomorrow AM.

Oh baby, I am. :dealwithit:

Dear god Thasac. I finally took a night off from working on the car and just read your thread from the beginning. Talk about damn clean work man! I think you surpass me in cleanliness and OCD.

I wish I had half your fabrication skill...

First time seeing this thread, A+ build. Wish I had half the fab skills and attention to detail.

:bowrofl:

Took a measurement this morning. The bolt spacing on the front of the 1.6 and 1.8 valve covers are the same. I measured 115mm.

Thanks so so much, Hornet. 115mm matches spot on to my template so it looks like a go!

In other news, the miata budget took a hit last night courtesy of a Massachusetts-sized pothole. The Subaru is need of some love and care.

-Zach

Thanks for the kind words. I've been watching your thread closely as it is rare someone takes it to the level of detail you have. Not to turn this this into a back patting session BUT ... I have no where near the amount of time and ambition into my care. No way I'm taking apart and cleaning door locks :giggle:

In other news, I was down near my '90 for a men's league hockey game which enabled me to test/finish mocking up the catch tank. (editors note: sorry for the flash, it was dark. Ignore the engine bay hose management mess as I have't properly trimmed and routed everything, yet).

Tank ended up a little low due to the height of the fittings. Still plenty of clearance around the water pump pulley AND lower CG. Win win. Braket will get painted or powdercoated black, tank will stay raw aluminum as I like to see pretty tig welds.

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1393250327

Now that the bracket has been mocked up, I can start milling/trimming some weight off. It can't be seen in the pics, however, the bottom and back sides of the oil tank are milled out to reduce weight.

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1393250327

I crappy shot of my boost controller bracket. Everyone seems to leave there dangling with maybe a zip tie ... this will not suffice on my mighty 1.6 :party:

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1393250327

Obligatory full bay shot. Also shows the Aeromotive FPR which I splurged on and bracketed to the shock tower brace (note: I need to cut off the master cylinder since the brace was built for a RHD car).

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1393250327

I should also note, before getting the standard "Summit fittings suck" comment, that I am only using Summit fittings on non-critical vacuum lines. Fuel and oil lines will be Goodridge PTFE.

Next up on the list: Paint control arms and start bolting up the suspension.


-Zach

Apologizes for mess...
Has one of the cleanest bays.
:dealwithit:

Car looks great Man.


Have you been driving this car, or has it been under construction?

Under construction (though, aren't they always?).

The car hasn't been registered since I moved to Boston for college 10 years ago. Hasn't run in 6. I am ... very very very antsy to get this pile running.

My original goal was to have it caged, painted, seats/harnesses installed, and generally 'done done' exactly how I envisioned. Now, 4 years into the build with other life priorities quickly approaching (i.e., home/ring buying), I'll be satisfied if I can have a running/driving car by June, albeit one which does not match my rather lofty (and unreasonable) ambitions.

The main problem is finding time. It has been quite literally the last priority. My ex HATED the thing so that really stifled the first year of the build. She's long gone (or as gone as someone you dated for 7 years can be when you share 80% of the same friends) so now the car is back on the table but its prioritized behind the full time job, side contract work, helping the gf with her side contract work (frame cutting, marketing materials, shows and general random fabrication stuff ex.), hikes with the dog, men's league hockey, skiing, gym, 5k runs etc. etc. In short, it gets about 2-4 hours of attention a week, meaning progress is slow ... very slow.


-Zach

Yes...I can tell you are getting antsy with the detailed work you are performing...
;)

Just kidding man, I know how you feel. Actually, no I don't. 6 years is a long time, can't even contemplate that.

Sometimes it pays to have a bum knee so I can't get distracted from my work on the car.

Sounds like you and I suffer from the same problem I have this vision in my head of what I want the car to be, and I have a hard time being reasonable.

Pretty much. The added issue is that as an industrial designer, people pay me to design/make stuff 50-60 hours a week. I then carry that same enthusiasm/attention to detail back into my personal projects, which unfortunately have wildly different financial and time constraints ... yet I maintain the same expectations. It is an unfortunate sickness.

-Zach

Wow. Awesome build sir. The attention to detail is incredible, taking some pointers for my own build.

Looks promising, man. I noticed you said you're a designer...what kind of design?

Industrial Design (better described as product design).

I work for a product development consultancy which is focused on medical and lab scientific. Most of my work is high value IP which is not in the public domain. Here's a view designs which are:

Most recent Aircast boot, the Aircast Select

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1393367183
https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1393367183

Ninepoint Imaging System

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1393367183
https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1393367183

University work: Zach Hastings, Zach Hastings in Boston, MA

-Zach

I was wondering exactly how your fuel line system is routed. I wasn't sure if you fed the rail from the back with a T fitting then had the return from the top port or if you had your FPR before.

Like the below image, except instead of the OEM FPR, there is now an AN adapter.

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1393368659

Fuel in: both end ports
Fuel out: OEM top port

-Zach