Turbos, megasquirts and cats
 

Well I guess it's about time I throw up my own build thread. Although the engine is in the car and running, here's a bit of some back ground info.

Started off with a 96
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Can't you just feel the homosexual happiness?

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After a few months of enjoying the stock miata power and handling I threw a bunch of money at 949 and got their shock/swaybar combo. Threw on some Rota wheels 15x9 +36, 949 knock off spec because no one had 6ULs and picked up a chaser hardtop locally for a decent price that leaked like no ones business.

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Everything was fine and dandy but I'm coming from the world of big HP NA Hondas so I figured what the hell, lets throw some money at the engine and rebuild a VVT longblock. Stock bottom end, headwork, Rebello cams, supertech valve train and a flat top intake. Threw in a 6 speed while I was at it. Also ordered up an MS3 from Rev. Tuned it myself and it made pretty good power for what it was.

All was great for a few months then a FM2 kit arrived in the mail and went on the car. Made good power but with tons of boost creep on the top end. Perhaps too much overlap from the cams? Not enough porting of the exhaust housing? Probably both.

Anyways, I've always liked the NB body style over the barn door headlight NA so I picked up an 02 early this year. Parted out the old engine and rebuilt the bottom end with supertech 9:1, ebay rods with ARP2000 bolts. Fully balanced. All assembled in the comfort of my dining room. Decided to be different and called up cat cams to get their turbo cams. I have nothing but great things to say about them. Through all my questions they were incredibly helpful, made me a custom set of cams in 2 weeks and had them shipped from Belgium to Texas in 2 days at no extra charge. Called up Rebello racing for some headwork, threw in some supertech valvetrain. The cams are Cat cams most aggressive profile. Running an EBC I'm getting 16psi at 3700rpm and it makes power to 8000rpm. Keeping it capped there. Dyno appointment in a couple weeks with Stephanie at BEGI so we will see exactly where the power peaks.

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Decided to get a little creative with the oil and water lines and tapped off the back of the head to keep the line short. I figured the VVT draws oil externally so I should be ok. But will keep an eye on the cams for any wear.

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Tapped the block for the water return.

Installed a set of LS2 coils for the extra sparks and threw in a FM 36-2 wheel. Believe it or not it idled better than stock.

Also drilled and tapped the block for a breather after seeing a post. Figured what the hell, can always plug it up if it sucks.

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Unfortunately after running the car and boosting 16psi, it blows oil out of the fitting. Probably because its coming straight off the oil galley return. So that will get a plug and I'll send my valve cover off the Abe at ARtech to get a -8 fitting welded on while he's doing my manifold, downpipe and exhaust.
Oh yea, that's happening in the next month or so. Used that awesome discount from Fab9 to order up a 6258. Hit up Abe for all the hotside happiness.

So as it sits now, the engine is running off a Rev MS3. Fueling is handled with ID1000's, Walbro 255hp, Fuelab FPR, converted to a return system. FM2 kit with the upgraded intercooler and 3" downpipe to enthuza 3" exhaust. Right now I'm running 16psi on the 2560. Good enough to get the car a little squirly in 4th gear once it hits peak boost.

I'll keep this post updated once I screw around with the car some more and get the ARtech fun parts installed.

Gavin approved
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Excellent start. Props!

Wow. Pretty much all of it without the drama.

Do you track it?

I've tried to lay low for the first year on here. Just reading and absorbing all the info that's already available. I've always been a fan of, do it right the first time and don't do it again. So I've tried to stick with quality, proven parts that works for every one around here. This really was a no brainer build. Just copied what worked for the guys on here.
When I lived in California and was into Hondas I used to track my civic and S2000 at least once a month. I've been doing track events since 99. I've either done track days or raced on every road course in California. With the military I haven't been able to really get to any track days locally. Schedule is always changing and weekends are spent working quite often. Now that I'm out and hanging out in texas for a few months I'm hoping to get to some of the local tracks before I move back to California.

You can come be my guest at MSR-C if you like.

Harris Hill is down in your parts.

It's kinda late now, especially if you are going for 'do it once do it right', but why 9:1? You've done everything else right, but I'm surprised to see that.

From everything I've seen people either run 8.6 or 9 pistons. I decided to go with the 9:1 since I don't plan on making massive power or pushing the 2560 or the EFR past 16-18psi.

It's more about being able to hit MBT than an actual cylinder pressure/compression issue.

That said, it's still quick as hell so who cares. :)

Info noted. If the engine blows up I'll go with the 8.6 pistons next time around.

Yeah the 8.6 will make more power at the same boost level (because you'll be able to run more timing) AND be safer.

That's a nice build list. I'm going to say hello and pay attention to the results of the cams and headwork.

Unless OP runs corn or race fuel :drool:

Well got it tuned by Stephanie at BEGI today. Pretty pleased with the results. It was hitting 17psi at 4000 and settled down to 16psi afterwards. Still running open loop. Will get closed loop dialed in and set to 16psi. Stephanie suggested that the turbo is choking the engine on the top end as indicated by the dyno chart.

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Very impressive, get some videos of this beast for us.