So I've had this random drivetrain sitting in my garage since I bought it ... a year and a half ago.... and some. It was intended to power a Grassroots Motorsports Challenge car build. Through a few events (buying a 323 GTX, then buying a second...) of chance, I decided to thin the herd and sold off the Miata shell I had in the driveway for the build. Right around the GTX buying time, new turbo kits turbo was bad and I decided to change the path for the track car. I figured why not use the really fun drivetrain in the track car.

So track car Miotta VQ35 was born (vs my pseudo secret plans for the GRM build). I've had the car on jackstands and the drivetrain out for a few months. Don't expect this to be a super fast build.

Did another round of moving crap around, taking stock of parts, evaluating what I'm getting into etc... List is something like this:
Engine mounts (cutting subframe, possible steering rack moving)
Trans mount (will be done off of the bolt over framerail reinforcements)
Rear diff front mount (using Rx7 gsl 7" clutch type for super cheapness)
Wiring for e-pedal/harness adjustments/ecu reflash (security removal + tune)
Adjust fuel system for return style
Manifold Connector for turbo (assuming it fits... flipping OEM headers for cheapness)
Bang/crush/pinch/hammer/bang alot more... frame rails to fit frame rail reinforcement dealies
Downpipe (will build to replace turbo at first, NA to get everything working)
Exhaust
Transmission shifter relocation (shorten linkage and modify shifter holder)
Custom driveshaft (cutting up CF 350z driveshaft and rx7 rear, sending out to be built)
Install E-Pedal
Install new ISC tophats for rear
Rip out both subframes, clean up and install Delrin bushing LCA set.
Make mounts for HID projector ebay junk
Trim engine bay frame rails (don't expect to need clearance but doing it while I stitch welds up, and then paint)
Lots and lots of other random crap that will slowly drive me nuts all winter long.

I plan on and hope to have this ready for next track season. Initial plan is to prep the build for turbo... but run it NA for awhile so I can debug everything. I figure about 250whp NA will be fine for a bit anyways . Turbo will be a nice clean Holset HX35W I picked up... figure 400 with a silly powerband/torque curve will be fun.

Here are some pictures to show I actually moved stuff around.. and uh... started....

Organized chaos

After some clean up, junking Turbo Capri motor, old miata motor on stand, bringing everything out.














Did I mention that this won't be a fast build?

 

Love it. My prediction though? Looking at mighty mouse's build, among many others, you're hoping for track season 2011, but I'm going to guess track season 2012.

 

No way. This is splitime. He'll get it done by 2011. Just in the nick of time.

This is going to be good. You've always been an outside of the box thinker, this is the best so far.

 

This is something special. Subscribed and Good luck!

 

I've been waiting for you to tell us your evil plans for the miotta. Impressive, subscribed sir.

 

Can't wait to see the results.

 

He's probably been sitting on this build for at least a year. I predict late 2012.

 

Over a year for another car though, which never got started because I wanted this car back on track first.

All has changed

 

Now that my discouraging words have demotivated you...

 

In for badass track car re-built with a new power plant and drivetrain

Happy?

 

It's already a purpose driven track car...just needs a new power plant and drivetrain

 

Man its good to see you're finally getting this rolling

 

I see Delrin:

 

Yup, its also in my build list up top

 

we all know by now i cant read.

 

whats up with the window A/C unit laying on the floor? new interfooler?

this will be awesome.

 

Cat's out of the bag.

 

bad asssssssssss. we had a guy come to us with this idea at our shop but we turned him down becuase we had too much work to start something we've never done before and removing all the security stuff from the harness is hard as hell...this looks promising! i am def suscribing to see how this goes!!!

i love driving my buddies supercharged 350z. it moves like crazy and feels awesome but i hate how the 350z handles! so if you mate awesome handing and great power you got yourself a pretty badass little track car man.

 

Security stuff will basically be deleted. Even though I have an entire 350z wiring harness and security components. After going over lots of options, settled on an UpRev reflash. A buddy will handle that and while deleting the NATS stuff, it'll get a quick tune adjustment and a tweak to the e-throttle settings so it responds like a real throttle.

 

Good for you man. I did some serious crunching of numbers and thought processing on this swap for about two weeks and decided not to do it. I just could not forcast this kind of time into my schedule with a 13 month old and constantly traveling for my job.

Good luck!!!!

So, Mr. Envy here prob subscribing to this thread now.