Will do. Thanks Vlad. Did I ever get a cold start out to you?

Also ordered some Holley coil harnesses. It looks like a slight step up from what I've been using, and far better than the other spare I had that didn't look too fresh.

Good news bad news.

Motor is tired after 4 years of mixed daily abuse with an EFR pushing 20-30psi. All in all, the car is still running, it still feels fun but I had a leakdown/compression test performed while it was in the shop getting new tires and an alignment. Never got to see what it did after all the improvements over last years 400hp run; fixing boost leaks, retune, slipping clutch with more power etc...

Numbers:
Cylinder 1 150 - 4%
Cylinder 2 130 - 38%
Cylinder 3 155 - 7%
Cylinder 4 150 - 6%

One of the bigger concerns is that the VVT head I have on standby is SUB converted with Tomei cams. I've never operated with non-stock cams so figuring out it's range limitation of interference will be completely new for me. I guess stock cams and 8.6:1 pistons is quite the easy button as it's still non-interference. Vlad and other's have been insightful w.r.t. figuring this out. But I feel this will be my last built miata motor before I defect.

If anyone has any insights on verifying clearances, please feel free to share them. I'll be doing a search otherwise, but for the moment, all I can plan for is clamping the head onto the fresh block after claying the valve relief and crown, locking the timing, and gently rotating the crank to check for interference. If there is, then I don't know how to measure for safe angles of operation; I'll likely need to enlist the help of a $$$ engine shop and further question my decisions.

At the moment, I kinda want to turn the knob down from 11 and keep it at wastegate levels (which is still fun) and start acruing parts for a rebuild. There is a 8-10 week back log at the machine shop that I had used previously. I'm debating between just playing it cheap and re-ring/refresh bearings on existing block or building a brand new block on the side to compliment the brand new head (same/different pistons and rods?) and enjoying Build v3.0's sunset years through summer without a rush. Cost is a concern though, so it may be a combination of both. Hope it survives to MATG, and then just maybe refresh, otherwise I may play support vehicle and bring the Mazda3 wagon loaded with tools and beer. Mostly beer.

v4.0 will be my last BP hoorah.

I would agree with: 1) Lower power until no misfire. 2)Continue to enjoy until everything ready for refresh. 3) refresh and continue to enjoy

I'm sure there are dozens/hundreds of miata's out there with worse comp/leakdown that are still being boosted every day.

Yeah, my last engine was 35% leak on all 4. still ran like a champ! just smokey.

Last BP hoorah you say? Go with a TSE block.

That's not cool.

Instead of doing a new motor could you open this one up and just replace what is bad? That might be a noob question....

This is a pretty meaningless post. At the moment its not financially feasible given that all I might need is a re-ring. It's more economical to try to take care if it locally since it had been pretty stout all this time for daily use. Still going. I'm not measuring life in hours and I already have most components for a functioning motor. It's a matter of Dow time and shop availability. Plus TSE still gets dollars from me for a myriad of other parts.

I say it's my last hoorah because I'm getting bored with the amount of effort to squeeze juice from the BP (not that I need more). But I want to try something new to tinker on and wouldn't mind a new series to keep my mind occupied.

Yea at the moment I want to just enjoy it but am leaning on two options since I have a head all sorted. Either rings and bearings for v3.5 or if I can get a bare block and crank cheap enough, v4.0

I can't justify buying another complete motor only to tear it down for the block and crank. I'm leaning to just ride it out, 80% power, and keep collecting goodies until I can find a way to pull the motor. I have a narrow driveway and most folks aren't keen on me taking up their garage space for 2 months.

What did you have in mind for a non bp build? Turbo k swap maybe?

Turn it down and enjoy it while you collect some parts for a refresh of the current bottom end. That is my vote. I've learned that I hate the stress of the car always being down trying to make it perfect instead of just enjoying it while I can.

quoted for truth.

+1 I'm in the same boat. I think we get jaded going for the 1% when we have a really nice ride already.

My car is still in the shop for some reason.and im definitely losing my patience.

This was dropped off June 3rd to get new tires mounted and balanced, ride height adjustment, alignment and an exhaust hanger welded. I was told that it would have been done a week ago, and before that the prior week. Come to find out they hadn't even started. Monday I want to go collect my shit and take it elsewhere, but the number of shops that can stick to a reasonable timeline is dwindling. Why even bother scheduling me in to have the car sit for a month.

That would have been multiple days to e joy beautiful weather and a track day.

/rant



I fixed the headrests on the set of Infinit Fab carbon fiber seats I've been hoarding. It looks nice, I'll try them out and do like that they have the Anti-sub cutout. But overall upholstery is superior on Lotus seats.
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...49b37461d4.jpg
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...8eebf47aec.jpg
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...8d36e5b5b7.jpg



Also got some 0.5" Baltic birch and had a splitter cutout from a file (thanks Albert). Going to try to figure out mounting. Then seal it somehow..

​​​​​https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...df8c3c1cc3.jpg

That stuff should take a shop no more than a couple hours thats terrible service on their part. Are you certain your bad leakdown numbers are from rings? Maybe its the valves on that one cylinder that arent sealing, would be far less work since the other cylinders are still quite healthy

I used spray on bedliner or you can use some outdoor deck paid but around here that's like $50 a can where the 2 cans of bedlinen is maybe 20. As far as mounting I used the 2 holes that mount the original undertray in the rear then cables to hold the front in 4 places

They said they could hear it coming from the crankcase but either way, now that you mention it, it wouldn't hurt to get a second opinion. Worst case it might still be worthwhile for me to do a UOA and if needed have a machine shop check bearings on the bottom end. I do have a head that's all brandy new that can go on for next year.


Did you use swaged hardware or just eyelets and turn buckles? I have some stuff a Co worker gave me from his Honda that I might try to adapt. Just need to get the car back first.

Repaired the headrest on the infinit fab seats. Using some polyurea adhesive on some abs plastic backed plates to replace the cardboard that keeps disintegrating in hot humid summers.
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...d23b0aef47.jpg


All done!
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...fdc286490e.jpg



The seats had some superficial scratches and a couple deeper scratches from shipping and storage.https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...01cca5a29d.jpg







I got out some 1000/1500/2000/2500/5000 grit and wet sanded them down a bit and polished it up the best I could
https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...6348f8ef46.jpg

​​​​

Now they are a bit nicer and ready to tease out some potential local buyers


So shiny https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...dd1134fc34.jpg

I used 4 of each of the below. Built an aluminum sub structure for it. Before I did the aluminum substructure though i just used some 1" aluminum angle that was through bolted to the splitter and quick detatch on the top.

https://www.harborfreight.com/thread...ire-96888.html
https://www.harborfreight.com/fork-t...ire-96894.html

I forget do the Infinite fab seats work with the standard Lotus/miata <> flipside/Ryoku Rob brackets?

Yup!