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This is true, but I know the current head needs help, we can hear it out the turbo. It's easier for me to remove just the head than the whole engine so this is in an effort to save some labor. Car is kept outside, in a driveway, under all weather conditions. If a head comes off, it's easy enough to schlep it to a shop
And the leakdown adapter plate will keep crap out of the engine while you leave the head off
I don't like this. Working outside in the cold sucks.
Will cleanup pistons but preliminary inspections shows no signs of detonation. Head looked okish too but I'll let the machine shop take a look at the valve guides and seals. Or just run the Super head and let someone else deal with this refresh.
Need to make a couple spacers then will check leakdown past rings
That's a big maybe right now. There is someone interested in the Uberhead. It would have been awesome for science, but I feel like at this point, the transmission is the biggest concern. I do have that ZF 6 speed sitting in my driveway ready to go..........
That's a big maybe right now. There is someone interested in the Uberhead. It would have been awesome for science, but I feel like at this point, the transmission is the biggest concern. I do have that ZF 6 speed sitting in my driveway ready to go..........
Is your 6 speed still in one piece? I guess it is a ticking time bomb at your power level.
We were outside doing dent removal stuff to my girlfriends car as I kept looking back at the miata. The mirrors just looked so worn and though trying this with some spare marine epoxy laying around...what's the worst that could happen? They already looked pretty beat. 45 minutes of work spruced them up.
It's winter again which mean I'm in crisis mode trying to figure out if I have motivation to continue this project. As many folks already know, I struggle from time to time with parting out and starting over from scratch. I've talked to Shibby about it for over a year, and he finally pulled the gun and decided to move on. Buy His Stuff Here. I made the mistake of tabulating a for sale list and was staggered how much I have in this Miata and saddened about the amount required to cage it and buy a Kmiata trans kit to make it as reliable as can be. I just don't think I can cross that hurdle. Even though I already have the Getrag transmission on standby. Then it's axles...then its.....
I've described it recently like being in a bad relationship. You've settled, you're comfortable, don't have the will power to change, but secretly look at other cars/projects and think of what could be. I question if I actually enjoy working on this car, it has no nuance. I love working on my friends' cars and find the quality of work is generally higher than what I commit to working on my own. It comes and goes in waves; the urge to part out because it makes financial sense. But sentimental thoughts reel it back in, and it's a pretty tumultuous cycle. I have to admit, I could use the liquidated assets for other things right now, house stuff, accelerate loan payments, even pick up a shell and start over with a more modest build that would be more huckable around the track. Tax return this year is pretty garbage so that doesn't help....that would have been my ticket for the BMW trans kit. I feel like I've crumbled at the finish line before me. It's just a question of part out now - rip the bandaid off, part out later after enjoying it for one last summer/MATG, or try to sell it whole and take a massive loss but be done cold turkey.
As it sits the car is not assembled. Head is coming back from the shop soon. Lot's of changes to the setup that I may or may not actually get to run depending on how things go. This will be the third iteration of the build and there's still a make-or-break test I need to do. Leakdown past the rings. If it sucks, then I honestly wonder if that'll be the tipping point. If everything is fine, then I might just mindlessly continue reassembly and squeeze one more season and a couple track days in before parting ways. If there is any catastrophic failure, I don't think I'll rebuild. If the stock 6 speed shreds after 18psi tickles the megasquirt, then I don't think I'll rebuild.
New for 2019: Refreshed head with cams. I suspect leaky valves, so I had it sent off for a checkup. Also sporting the Supermiata reroute. I also happened to stumble on another set of tomei cams and impulsively purchased them which I fully regret. 2019 year of regrets.
Fluidampr - just something to try. No reason really, the Supermiata damper had been fine but again, I've been impulsive because boredom.
Twin scroll manifold
Top mount ramhorn. I'm keeping the EFR6758, but going to try out the 0.8 A/R T4 turbine housing. It's probably a bad idea, but this bad idea has been brewing for nearly two years; I'd even spoken to Abe about it before he committed more time to family. It's just been an ear worm after talking to matrussell122, Geoff at Full-Race, and a couple other folks. Just want to try something different because I'm bored and need stimulation. If it sucks, at least we will have data, and I can always go back to the trusty old single scroll. Ridge Fabrication was able to jig my Artech manifold so it keeps the same downpipe position and compressor housing orientation. It's an easy comparison because downpipe and intercooler are untouched. Very cost effective. Dual port IWG and 4 port EBC. I still envy Aidan's potentiometer controlled boost set points.
Aero?!
I have a splitter, designed by afm that I've been meaning to mount for some time. I also have a 9 Lives Wing because I'm cheap on the aero. Or I could sell it all and part the car out. I don't know. I already picked up a paint matched trunk for $100 so I can cut it up for the uprights.
ABS Knuckles?!
still need to replace all the bearings and hubs. I'd also like the transfer the SADFab upper spherical bushings but will likely have to torch the sleeves out of the current knuckles. I want to pirate the ABS sensors for possible traction control. Or just get rid of it.
If you made it this far, thanks for listening to my complaints. Just in a pretty bad funk.
Your reward
Getting messy
TLDR;
Financial priorities are changing. I'm not sure if this project does it for me anymore. I kinda want to start from scratch. I don't know if I should reassemble once more, enjoy and part out...or just start gutting it while I'm ahead. If I catch some inspiration to try one last time we can look forward to a cammed VVT head with a twin scroll setup for science. I have too much pride to start a go-fund-me for trans kit, but would gladly take stickers and poscats instead.
Last edited by psyber_0ptix; Feb 13, 2019 at 12:51 AM.
I hate to say it, but it really sounds like you're done with the project. If you don't have the love for the car or a strong desire to see it finished, a part out would probably make the most sense.
One thing I don't understand, though, is the desire to start over with another shell. I don't get that. If you don't want to chase huge power anymore and want something usable on track, why not sell your big power parts and put together the track build you're talking about? I can't understand parting this out just to start another Miata project over from scratch.
I read it. Allofit. And basically feel the same way/agree. Though if you're really this close, I'd throw it together and at least enjoy for one last time. Nothing worse than spending money only to get to hold the part and nothing more. Mechanical empathy will go a LONG way and you'd be surprised at how much that 6sp will hold with it
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