Well, you asked for it. MX6, band-aids, and F2T content
 

The masses have demanded it. The masses shall receive.


Well, back in mid-June 2009, i bought this for $900, and probably overpaid.

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1396118335

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1396118335

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1396118335

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1396118335

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1396118335

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1396118335

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1396118335

We're going to backdate this ish a bit.

4/2/10

Had a bunch of parts STOLEN off the car.

Tial 38mm wastegate
Greddy Type S BOV
Intercooler, piping, and all couplers and clamps.

The Greddy was welded to the intercooler.

Basically. It sucked.

So, here's where we stand: I've since purchased:

a Turbosmart Ultragate38 wastegate (black)
2x Turbonetics metal 38mm wg flanges
knockoff Type S bov (for testing purposes)
new oil pan gasket (stupid, i know)
new oil pan bolts
new hose to make a better fitting oil return line
new coolant feed lines
Evo 8 intercooler
shitload of piping, clamps, and couplers, ALL in black.
A/C delete pulley
Addco 1" rear swaybar
Energy Suspension Endlinks f/r
Energy Suspension sway bar bushings f/r


Painted my headlights and corner lights while i was at it. Yellow. Pics below.

Well, during teardown and prep of the car, i discovered something that i wasn't too happy about. The car has a rebuilt title, but everything lined up well, and the car drives perfectly, with no abnormal tire wear, so i figured it had just been the victim of a minor fender bender.

WRONG.

This sucker has been MANGLED at one point up front. There is no main bumper bar. There is only one bumper support/reinforcement, that being on the driver's side. The passenger side had an L-bracket welded to the radiator support to hold up the bumper on that side. That L-Bracket had to be removed for the Evo8 intercooler to fit. So i have to remove it, and get a bumper support.

So today, i spent 3 hours at the junkyard trying to pull one. I got everything off a 1989 MX6 LX, only to snap off the last 4 bolts to get the main bumper reinforcement off, and stupid me, forgot to bring a hammer. Move along, nothing to see here.

Ended up getting one off a 1989 626 LX. Here are some reasons i'm glad i have an MX6, or maybe just a molested MX6, and not a 626

1) I do not have 47 PHILLIPS HEAD screws, nuts, and bolts of assorted sizes holding on my bumper, bumper cover, lip, and inner fenders.
2) I do not have that STUPID chrome trim thing below the headlights.
3) I can get to everything in my engine bay without having to contort around those damn a/c lines that are cluster[fizzle]ed around the coolant overflow tank bracket that i was trying (and didn't succeed) to get. Guess mine will stay held in by speaker wire, huh?

Anyways, i hope this thing fits. I'd like to fire the car tomorrow and drive it. Preferably with the bumper installed.

Pics: (Will also update tomorrow with the first GOOD pictures of the car for everyone to see and laugh at.)

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1396118530

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1396118530

4/3/10

Didn't get much done today, found out that CXRacing screwed up more of my order (I really don't, nor can i use 2.25" to 2.0" reducers.), and the local rice shop can't get their orders in line. (Can i PLEASE have my Tial wastegate gaskets? PLEASE?)

So... here's some picture of the carnage to hold you over.

Here's the L-Bracket i was talking about:



Ugly half-destroyed front end:
https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1396118828


Not cool at all:
https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1396118828


Ugh. Really?
https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1396118828


Ugly engine bay:
https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1396118828


Detail shot of WG dump:
https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1396118828


Oh my. WTF is this?
https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1396118828


What an ugly mess:
https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1396118828


The new WG hotness:
https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1396118828


Heh heh heh. (stock exhaust, i SWEAR!)
https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1396118828

4/15/10

Went back out today to button everything up so all that's left on Saturday is finish the intercooler piping and fluids.

Put the crossmember back up, made a new oil return line (heater hose for now, will replace later with stainless braided line), fitted the wastegate, though i'll probably have to do it again when the right gaskets come in, new sun visors!!!! Soldered up the new sensor clips for the waterneck, put the flywheel cover back on, reinstalled the radiator hoses. Got a short list left:

1) Install 4 nuts on the wastegate bolts
2) New oil filter
3) oil
4) coolant
5) finish intercooler piping (waiting on two more couplers)
6) install bov (already have flanged pipe)

Then just gotta pull a fuse and prime it, then she's ready to roll.

And now, some pics:

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1396119281

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1396119281



I don't think my control arms are supposed to point this way....
https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1396119281


https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1396119281


I wasn't really expecting the car to be this low with the 2nd gen setup. Not sure if i like it.
https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1396119281

4/17/10


Well well well....

Only 3 things left:

1) Oil/Coolant
2) figure out what to do about the headlights (don't seem to fit with the IC piping)
3) Prime and start.


https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1396119572

4/25/10 - Stupid fugly swag mode engaged


Pics! (Yes, i need to fix my bumper.)

The car runs like a sewing machine, but drives like utter shit. Needs an alignment pretty badly. Will be taken care of this week, then i will get a video up of the car. (On dry roads, hopefully, spinning through 4th sucks.)


Yes... that IS the future ill-fated Escort in a former life sitting next to the MX6.
https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1396119769


https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1396119769


https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1396119769


5/2/10

Home with the Celica.
https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1396119769

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1396119769

Moar!

we should really have a section for non miata builds.

Sub'ed
Ben, The exhaust looks bad-ass. Hows the loudness? Probably not as bad as an open pipe Harley. I see driving next to people with their window down and flooring it. (Is Indiana conceal and carry?) :bowrofl:

Moar will come. This copy-paste thing is time-consuming. :rofl:

The exhaust is surprisingly quiet inside the car. Easily hold a conversation without having to raise your voice on the highway. Something that can't be said for either Miata we've had.

It's probably the quietest vehicle we have. (Cherokee has some stupid Magnaflow exhaust on it)

Now, when the wastegate opens, all bets are off. :vash2::party:

Blah blah blah there were some small updates between then and this post that nobody cares about. Here's the start of the next real "round."

12/7/10

Alrighty, small update, and pictures will follow in the next day or two.

My [shizzle]ty "weld" finally failed on the flange adapter. So i took the manifold off to get it re-welded. Found that the weld had failed completely and that the adapter was held on by 2 of the remaining bolts from the adapter when i first got the car. (bolt on adapter) Decided to just get new better quality bolts and just roll with that rather than take the crap shoot of welding 20 year old cast iron that had been heat cycled thousands of times.

Of course, as i am prone to do.... one thing led to another led to another led to another.

The front half of the car is all apart again.

Installed new Addco front endlinks. (that kinda sucked.) Fog lights are installed.

Innovate Auto Timer/Wideband display is flush mounted in the trim panel in front of the sunroof controls. Greddy Profec B Spec II and Greddy Turbo Timer are flush mounted in the cigarette tray. MSD Blaster2 coil is installed. Right now i'm fighting with the LC-1 and wiring it up to do narrowband simulation so i can stop running so rich after the car realises that it doesn't have an o2 sensor.

I decided NOT to do the TKT hybrid setup, so if anyone is interested in that setup, let me know. (Lacking ONLY a wastegate. Have manifold, dump tube, full 3" exhaust, and turbo. Uses stock oil feed.)

The Moroso catch can is mounted, but i don't have all the lines run to it yet. Gotta go get one of my spare valve covers tapped for AN fittings.

I'll be using the ZombieSS 440 ECU with Supra 440cc injectors on my current turbo setup until this turbo starts to fail, then i'll be jumping up to the DriftMotion CT26-57 come spring/summer. I have an Aeromotive 13109 AFPR that i'm waiting on two fittings to come in for. (FYI, the KL fuel rail adapters for aftermarket afpr work on 1st gens, too.)

The port polished head will be dropped off next month to have it gone through, might be putting in oversized valves, and WILL be doing dual valve springs. Have already talked to Delta Cams, and will be running their Stage 3 cam.

My ported and extrude honed intake manifold will be sent to a machine shop next month as well to be shortened, then i'll have to start figuring out what throttle body to try to make work on there. I see no reason why the car shouldn't make 300whp using Gavin's ideas of making the motor work smarter, not harder.

I also picked up a set of FD RX7 wheels that i'll be refinishing/polishing over the winter, and then i'll be cramming those with a set of 245/45-16 RS2s under the car, i anticipate needing to roll the fenders pretty drastically.

Pics will follow when i get back out to the car. It's currently sharing a garage with a built to the hilt drift 240/Silva with a built KA-T in it, so space is a little limited, but it works.

I'm HOPING the car should move under it's own power again this weekend, but i'd rather make sure that everything is set to go rather than rush it. But it's gotta get out of that garage so i can start tearing into the Celica, which is more important to me. (Sorry. :p)

1/21/11

They aren't sticking too well, and the dash is too brittle to set screws in there, and they're way bigger than i thought they would be.

I may try some Autometer pods, but i kinda doubt i'd like those either. Ricey A-pillar is probably my best choice unfortunately.

Probably going to get a different wideband as well.

Lights off.
https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1396272663

Lights on.
https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1396272663

Mess.
https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1396272663

Ugh.
https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1396272663


2/21/11

Maiden voyage was today.

Impressions:

I hate this Greddy Profec B Spec II. It's awful to set up, and i still haven't figured out how to stop it from giving me ALL the boost.

Now that i FINALLY have no exhaust leaks at all, the spool up on this thing is crazy. Time for a bigger turbo.

The Greddy RZ blow off valve is obnoxious. Not sure if i like it.

Addco front endlinks make a BIG difference. This thing feels really tight now.

For some reason, if i turn my lights on or present an electrical load to the car, my water temp gauge goes UP. Which is... weird. And annoying. Ideas?


I seem to be cruising at about 13:1 AFRs, and accelerating it'll climb into the 14s before richening out under boost. Little strange, but it seems to run great. (Stock ECU right now)



I also hate that i can't heel/toe this thing. I kept jamming my foot into the side of the console.

10/24/11

Well... update on the car i guess.

Trying out a generic dash pod right now for my gauges. Looks like crap.

FINALLY seeing sane water temps though, as of yesterday. This makes me happy.

Bought another POS Spectra 248 radiator because my old Spectra 248 radiator exploded. Mounted it in yesterday, dropped in a 180 degree t-stat, and mounted my ebay (facepalm) fan as a puller unit on the driver's side instead of the pusher on passenger side as it was prior.

WINNING!!!! Never gets above 205 degrees in traffic, and i can actually even WATCH the temps go down when the fan kicks on. Solid 185-190 degrees on the highway, so THAT at least is taken care of.


Bad news: My friggin' turbo manifold is leaking. AGAIN. I'm so over this piece of [shizzle]. Looks like this weekend i'm taking it apart again and trying to figure out where it's leaking. I'm hoping that one of my bolts just came loose on the flange adapter, but holy hell this is a pain.

Oil is leaking from... what looks to be the timing cover. Looked like head for a minute, but it's only on passenger corner. Also leaking from distributor. (LOL PART NLA!!!!) Also think my brand new valve cover gasket is leaking.

Fog lights are actually functioning now, which is good. I just have to clean up the wiring.


Probably going to order this to make thing easier and cleaner, especially for the future when the HKS "Tower Of Power" gets installed in spring.

Detailed Specifications for Array.Title - PN 5026—Blue Sea Systems


And i've put 12,500 miles on the car since i bought it two years and 4 months ago. Blargh.

Oh well. At least it drives well.

5/2/12 - SRS BZNS V.1

Ok so... shit went pretty bad on this car in the last couple weeks. I spent about 30 hours on it from Thursday night until Saturday early afternoon getting it back up and rolling.

Problems.
1) Oil leaks. Dizzy o-ring, oil pan, valve cover, oil return line
2) Exhaust leaks. Everywhere.
3) Coolant leak. Out the turbo.

So the exhaust leaks were getting bad, and come to find out, i could actually grab the turbo and wiggle it around on the manifold. Why? Well, the IDIOTS that built this (cough cough McCormick Motorsports cough cough) had the most fucktarded solution to mounting a CT26 to the factory flange as i've ever seen.

They had welded together a T2 and a CT flange, and THEN bolted that to the tapped stock manifold, so it all went IHI flange -> T2 flange -> CT flange. To make matters worse, the bolts used to hold it on were about 3mm too long, so they would bottom out before the flange ever sealed. BRILLIANT. I don't know how this car boosted at all.

Solution
Remove old E36 M3. Buy new bolts. Shorten said bolts a bit. Blast old E36 M3. Grind off the brazing crap that was on there. Bolt on stuff. Have baller older dude weld up the adapter to the manifold to doubly ensure it will never leak. Have baller older dude weld bolts in place to triply ensure they will never come out. PROFIT.


Finished product:
https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1396273010


NEXT.
As those of you who have watched the Escort build, i suffer greatly from "Project Creep." Let's examine.



"While I'm In Here..."
1) Walbro 255lph HP
2) Aeromotive 13109
3) Supra 440cc injectors
4) ZombieSS 440 Revision II ECU
5) Moroso oil catch can
6) Outlaw pheno spacers
7) New fuel filter

(All parts were previously accounted for in budget, this is just me finally getting around to installing parts that i've had for 2 years.)



Thursday night:
https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1396273010

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1396273010

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1396273010

More tear down. (Had it down to just block/head and trans, but no pics, sorry)
https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1396273010


First step of re-assembly, figure out fuel rail. WE GOT ALL THESE -AN FITTINGS AND I USED BRASS FITTINGS LIKE A BALLER.
https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1396273010


Fuel rail and 440s in:
https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1396273010


I worked through the night. This is about 6am on Saturday.
https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1396273010


7am on Saturday.
https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1396273010


Like a boss.
https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1396273010


Where the magic happens: (Placeholder for now until i repin my FCON harness)
https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1396273010


After that thrash, making it to an MX6/Probe meet where you're still the fastest car by a WIDE margin, priceless.
https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1396273010


End results? Well, it sounds better, pulls much better off-boost (no exhaust leaks and big timing advance from the ZombieSS ecu), doesn't mark its territory, and is getting over 30mpg.
My super reliable happy fun time butt dyno says it's a mid-low 13s car on 7psi now. This ECU has maps to 18-19psi and i'll be dynoing it on the 10th @ 15psi in a showdown against some turbo Dodges where i will be asserting F2T dominance.
I'm laying the throwdown now: The F2T is the unsung hero of the 80s turbo 4 bangers.
Next up: I finish suspension and attempt to fit 245/45-16s "under" stock fenders. Then FCON time and over 20psi of boost.


Don't let anyone else in your work area. They mess with your list.
https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1396273010

6/9/12

The MX6 likes to crash Miata meets.
https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1396273065

Memorial Day Weekend

I want to get underhood temps under control. (Proof of concept, further revisions coming at a later date. Only the exhaust wrap stayed long term)

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1396273128

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1396273128

Warning: Nerdy shit with no pictures incoming.

5/28/12

Another update: Still no secondary working fan. Turns out that actually my WORKING fan is the "additional" fan according to the FSM, and my "main cooling fan" isn't working at all.
The relay is tripping, fan works independently if i put power/ground to it, but put it all together, and no love.
Anyways, got the narrowband simulation working properly, so it runs even better and idles and cruises dead on to where it should be, isn't pulling timing, and is making MORE power. (Exactly what i needed.)
That said... i filled up again before i hooked up the narrowband simulation.
Drum roll please!
...
...
...
...
33MPG mixed driving.
WIN!


5/29/12

Turns out Axxis Metal Master pads only last about 15-20k miles. I was a bit bummed, since i got those on closeouts from Stillen 2 years ago and wasn't sure if i could find more.
RockAuto has 'em right now. Front set for $20 shipped! SOLD.

Had a slight issue this morning of a really lean idle (18.5:1, it was stumbling) at a couple stoplights before the car reached full operating temps. This was the first time this ecu has been run on this car in temperatures below 85 degrees, and this did not happen previously before i fed it the narrowband o2 signal from the LC1.

My theories:
1) Need to just reset the ECU and clear the codes anyways, then it can "re-learn."
2) ECU immediately gets narrowband o2 signal from LC-1 with a faster warmup than stock. Stock o2 was a one wire unit with no heater. LC-1 is heated, maybe it's in "ready mode" sooner than stock ecu?

Only issue with #2 is that i'm pretty sure "warmup enrichment" is dictated by coolant temp, so i'm thinking #1 is more likely.

No problems at all once car reaches operating temps, so i'm not real worried about it. We're cruising cycling between 14.5:1 and 15.2:1 AFRs, idling in the high 14s, and as soon as you bury the gas, it dips quick down to 11.0:1 and climbs back up a little bit (bigger turbo than chip was designed for) maxing at 12.1:1.

I'm pretty happy with it. Gotta turn up the boost and see how it handles it though. ECU is supposedly mapped to 18-19psi, so i'm hoping the AFRs don't change much.

Yeah i've been messing with the temp sensors as well trying to track down why my a/c fan circuit is actually the only one that's working. The main cooling fan circuit isn't functioning properly.
I've got a sensor/switch for 207 degrees and another for 226 degrees (according to FSM), then the one wire that goes to the gauge, and then the one that goes to ECU. So far i've been able to determine for sure that the gauge and the 226 sensors are functioning.
I'm not throwing any codes for bad coolant temp sensor, so i'd guess that the one going to the ECU is ok.
The one on the 207 circuit is the wildcard. If i take the connector off the sensor and ground it with ignition "ON," the fan doesn't kick on, but i can hear the relay click.
It's a bit confusing and electricity is like magic to me.
As for the AFR thing, i'll reset the ECU today or tomorrow and see what happens. Appreciate the help!


6/2/12

Got it. Apparently the relay that was clicking needed a previous circuit completed by the A/C pressure relay/switch before it would actually pass power to the fan. Had to rig up 12v power to the wire that came from the pressure switch once completed. So now it's seeing constant 12v there, but still won't power up until the thermoswitch on the water neck trips and grounds.



Not my favorite solution, but it works and was free.



I guess the radiators are warranteed, but when i left work yesterday, the one in the car had dumped a good gallon of coolant on the ground. I called Autozone to see if they would warranty (i've bought at least one, maybe two from them.) and they're actually lifetime warranty through Autozone.


However, they couldn't find my info in their system for the warranty, and i ended up talking to about 3 different extremely rude people about it. Ended up going to Autozone and paying for another one. Because i'm mad that they didn't enter my warranty info in their system, and at how i was treated yesterday, i'll be warrantying the old radiator through RockAuto, and then "returning" the new one i get to Autozone.


Also fixed the lean conditions last night. (Well, this morning around 5am.) Turns out i've never had the battery/chassis ground on the car. I noticed when i was limping the car from work yesterday that if i rolled up the window or turned the lights on, the AFRs would go way up and the fuel pump whine would drop in pitch a lot.


Threw on a chassis ground. All is well, and i actually need to take some fuel OUT of the system. (Hitting 10.8:1 under boost onset) My headlights are REALLY bright now!

To give you an idea how shitty this thing used to run... here's cruising AFRs. #friendsofOPEC.

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1396273328


6/8/12

Fixed the last of the coolant leaks, the car is leak free other than the oil pan gasket, and both fans are verified working.

I may or may not have tickled the boost controller a bit. No 2nd gear, and 3rd gear is a bit sketchy.

6/25/12

Awwwwwwww yeah.
https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1396273355

I guess i have updates... i need to take pictures, but:

1) The Greddy RZ has been removed, replaced with an early 90s OG HKS Racing BOV that i rebuilt on Saturday. Shit's rad. Tons of compressor stall if i let off anything 5psi or lower which is fun. Greatly reduced lag.

2) Got sick of all my bumpers sagging. Fixed it the right way. "The right way" being: Drill holes through bumpers and body, attach zip ties and cinch them closed. VOILA!!!! OEM panel gaps!

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-c...625_194239.jpg

6/30/12
Sooo... those horrible rattlecanned black wheels?

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1396273470


ALL the flakey!!!!
https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1396273470


Spacers and moar stuffs.
https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1396273470

9/5/12

Got some Mustang parts!!!! (Mach 1 front lip to be mounted on OG JDM Erebuni front bumper)
https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1396273538


FDs are kinda interesting.
https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1396273538

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1396273538

9/14/12

The Raging ---- Sore makes a 30-100mph pull on low boost, blowing the wastegate open.

Stacking another 10psi spring on top tomorrow, and jacking boost over 20psi.

10/3/12 - GRM $2012 Challenge recap

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1396273783

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1396273783

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1396273783

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1396273783

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1396273783

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1396273783

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1396273783

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1396273783

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1396273783

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1396273783

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1396273783

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1396273783

Finished 23rd out of 36, but the car had a Top Ten finish overall in it. I didn't know it until it was too late, but my turbo had been falling off most of the autocross day, which was explaining the weird spool up, which was part of why it was impossible to drive. (Pro driver took out the Timing Box and DNF'd his second run in the car, and then refused to take his third run.) I was told that the car had a 40-41 second run in it if the stars aligned properly. (FTD was 38.6... in a Jeep Cherokee, no joke.) The car had tons of grip, great turn-in, was very stable... until you tried to brake or hammer the gas at the same time you turned the wheel.

Then the drags... i made about 3 passes trying to figure out why i wasn't building more than 12psi of boost, cranking the boost controller and getting nothing. (But still trapping 100mph.)

Turns out my turbo had damn near fallen off, and there was a 1/3" gap between the manifold and turbo all around. The fact that it was still building 12psi just tells me that the F2T has insane exhaust velocity. Fixed it with 20 minutes left to go, although the gasket was pretty screwed at that point. Only had time to dial in boost back to 17psi, ended up with a 14.2 @ 108mph. For reference, the track sucked, it was balls hot, and that was the same trap speed as the MK1.5 MR2 that ran a 13.02.

At the time, i thought that if i had another 30 minutes, i could have gotten another second or so out of it, but turns out later that night that my clutch was dead, so that's that.

I put 2500 miles on it from Wednesday to Sunday, it never really skipped a beat, and got 37mpg combined through the whole trip including the weekend of beating the shit out of it.


I'm gonna Top Five this car next year. Currently shopping for clutch, LSD, and will run real tires on it next year. 11s or bust.

11/14/12 - I'm a waffle

Alright guys... i'm at a bit of a weird place with this car at this point and could use some direction.

First, Future Plans:

1) Install new clutch
2) Rebuild turbo (T67 or GT35R compressor side?)
3) Install Meth
4) Install built head
5) Install Ground Controls that i just scored
6) Install PFC FCON setup


Now, My Dilemma:

I'm not 100% happy with the way it looks, and i'm really not happy with the interior. (Well... lack thereof. It's mostly gutted from rear seats back.)

The outside is missing something, and i need to find some better quality fog lights that will mount where you see the shitty Harbor Freight ones mounted in the pictures.

I'd like to find a set of rear window louvers, but they're unobtanium. I have an Erebuni bumper to go on that i've repaired, but it's for an 88-89 bumper. (I have purchased an 88 MX6 GT parts car, but the bumper is fucked.) I could cut more holes in my 90 bumper to fit the Erebuni, but then i'd kinda really want to find the Erebuni sideskirts.

The inside... the dash is completely fucked, but i'm OK with the dashmat i've got. I plan on replacing my ProSport gauges with some period-correct HKS gauges to go with the FCON setup.

But beyond that... i don't know what to do. I'd like to have a nice stereo, but i won't have room in the console/dash for it with all the FCON stuff. I want a shorty console and i've done a half-assed one, but my fucking seatbelts are still in the middle below my elbow.


I need ideas if i'm going to keep this thing long term. It's a blast to drive, it's comfortable, it's ridiculously fast, but i get the feeling that it's only 90% there.

Throw 'em at me. Ridiculous ideas accepted and encouraged.

My only Requirements:

1) Cheap
2) Cheap
3) I refuse to remove the dash under any circumstances.

Random bodykit talk

As for your bumper bitching.... That's what the Erebuni does!

(This is actually a picture of the car that my bumper came off of.)
https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1396274006


I believe these are the sideskirts:
https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1396274006


I would KILL for this kit, but it's unobtanium:
https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1396274006

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1396274006

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1396274006

And i don't even hate the "Eurotrash" look on these cars:
https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1396274006

NICE! I really like this car.

Moar waffle

Thinking about it... But i can't decide between that or an old-school looking Panasonic.
https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1396274167


The car has a factory lip, which makes it a pain to really attach anything else...

Unless i do the Erebuni bumper. I already have a Mustang Mach 1 lip that is easy to make fit, and i think it would look BOSS.


I agree with you, but then to get anything worth getting, we're getting into the "Spend money" thing. And i need to keep as much rubber under this thing as possible. I have a clutch rated for 505ftlbs sitting on my dining room table. I'm going to use ALL OF IT. https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1396274167


Yep, i've done that before... will probably go that route with whatever i get.

Disregard the headlights... they were an experiment that i'll probably try again.

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1396274167

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1396274167

They looked better when they were freshly done. I'll just use LaminX next time
https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1396274167

11/29/12 - There Can Be Only One

Ok, so apparently my parts car for the F2T Miata project has some things i can use in my red MX6. WOOT!

Manual seatbelts have been acquired so i can finish off my shorty shifter console project, and i have MINTY MX6 seats!!!! Annnddddddd THEY'RE MAROON YAYY!!!!! Annnnnnnd a SHORT SHIFTER!!!!

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1396274269

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1396274269

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1396274269

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1396274269

12/19/12 - Lifetime Warranty Means You'll Be Replacing it Your Entire Lifetime

Autozone sucks. I removed 4 alternators and installed 3 over the weekend. I can now do this job in 10 minute starts to finish. It books 3 hours.

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1396274345


Gave Swank Force One an oil change for christmas!

Yep. That's straight up diesel oil. Chevron Delo 400. On sale at your local Autozone for $39/case. (3 gallons.) And an STP Corvette ZR-1 oil filter. ($3.59)
https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1396274345

2/7/13 - I need Band Aids. Lots of them. For my boo boos.

Things!!!! (Sold this piece of shit)
https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1396274412

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1396274412


https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1396274412

2/21/13


Oh, and this freshness should be dropped off today.

I dub thee: Home School Prom Queen
https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1396274546



This looks fun.

It's bad.

The BOV isn't working because well... it's not actually seeing a vacuum/boost source. The car has massive boost leaks to the point that it's fouling out the o2 sensor, which is then tripping a "lean condition" code.

Something isn't right with the wastegate which is part of why it's so slow. I think the diaphragm is fucked and it's just staying open all the time.

I already tore the wideband out. I think the wideband is fine, but the install wasn't drawing power/ground at a stable/good source.

The VAF extension is made of AIDS and fail, and could very well also be part of the reason the car runs like dog shit.

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1396274546

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1396274546


FML.
https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1396274546

3/11/13 - Shifting Gears, Let's Fuck Up Another One!

Started work on the black car. It needs a LOT of work, but luckily i'm up to the task.

With the help of Adamvanxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx, i compression tested it on Saturday. 120psi even across the board on a cold-ish motor. I'll call that good. Gave me the go-ahead to start tearing it down. Motor will be pulled and every seal/gasket replaced, and my spare fresh rebuilt head will go on.

Pull this off first. This was a huge pain in the ass because someone in the past had replaced the exhaust manifold studs with M10 studs. Which is a GOOD thing, but makes it impossible to get a socket over the inner bottom two nuts. Has to be done with either needle-nose vice grips, or an adjustable wrench.

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1396274721


Once i got the turbo setup off, noticed oil on the valves, and the valves were blatantly not sealing correctly. Yup, this head is fucked. You can also see some of the wiring nightmare i'm tasked with cleaning up.
https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1396274721


The car is an 88, but has 90-92 taillights (all red, looks way better, too bad one is cracked), but whomever did the swap also put a 90-92 grill on it. YUCK.
https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1396274721


I have most of the parts laying around to do a full 626 front end conversion on one of these cars. This car might be the one to have that happen. Just for shits and giggles, i test fitted the 626 grill to make sure it would interchange. It does, and looks pretty decent. I think we'll roll with this.
https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1396274721

3/18/13

Worked on it some more. Bad news. Car has some holes in the floor that were repaired (and i use the term loosely) as terribly as possible. Can't find another car fast enough, so i'm rolling with this thing and will just patch it as best as i can.

Piping off, cruise control removed. Took harness off of most of the motor. The wiring is in bad shape. All the wiring at the water neck sensors snapped off, and half the sensors are toast anyways. I'll just strip the circuits out of the harness and repair the wire that feeds the ECU. I'll put in a new programmable Thermostatic control module to control the fans, and we'll use an aftermarket water temp gauge.

None of the injectors were sealing. Leaking gas everywhere.
https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1396274887


This is probably fine, right?
https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1396274887


Never seen this sensor on a manual car before. Though, this is an early build date (June 1988) and there were some weird stuff on those early cars.
https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1396274887


Greeeeaaaaaaat.
https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1396274887



Saving for future reference. These cars are a pain in the ass when you fuck up the vacuum routing.
https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1396274887

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1396274887

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1396274887

3/24/13

I'm getting really good at pulling these motors by myself. v.v

More vacuum line goodness.
https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1396275564

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1396275564

My body is ready.
https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1396275564


Awful car is awful.
https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1396275564

This is probably fine.
https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1396275564

Working on a GRM $2013 Challenge budget means that when you fuck up the threads on a tie rod trying to pound it out of the spindle, you just re-tap it. You know... because the boot is still ok and a new tie rod end costs AT LEAST $7.
https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1396275564


Oh oh oh oh oh ohohohohohOHOHOHOHOHOHOHOHHHHHH!!!!
https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1396275564


I came!
https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1396275564


Raped another one.
https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1396275564


Pwnt.
https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1396275564

Dat stance.
https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1396275564

Oh look.
https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1396275564

5/9/13

Goodies are arriving for Home School Prom Queen.

I have many more things to unpack, but here's a preview or two.

Addco front hard poly endlinks.
https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1396275842

Peep THIS old school shit. History lesson: These are Axxis Metal Masters made by their parent company. WIN.
https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1396275842



80 feet of heatshrink! (This is not just for Home School Prom Queen, but also to tidy up the 6 PFC FCON harnesses i need to crank out.)
https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1396275842

5/11/13

Got some parts. Did some stuff.

Parts.
https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1396276037

More parts.
https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1396276037


Doing things.
https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1396276037


This motor was fucking disgusting.
https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1396276037

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1396276037


I'm guessing the cam or crank seal was leaking. Or... both. Yep. I just cut off the timing belt because it was soaked in oil. Fuck re-using that thing even though it only had 10k miles on it.
https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1396276037



Better than expected...
https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1396276037


235k miles. Still has crosshatching. Win.
https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1396276037


Cleaning. 2 cans of degreaser, half a bottle of purple power, and 5 cans of brake cleaner later.
https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1396276037

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1396276037

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1396276037


This head is gross. Not using it.
https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1396276037

Going to have to stop for now. The page i need to pull the next updates from is blocked at work due to "crude and inappropriate material."


So yeah... you know it's good.

bottom end on that black one looks great! Did not realize you had gotten another one.. you are a sick and twisted individual.

Subbd.

I'm not keeping that one. I'm building it for a GRM guy "mndsm" so he can have a fun beater/GRM Challenge car. Dude doesn't have time to do anything fun for himself, and i don't really have the time either, but i've done enough of these cars to be able to put together a stupid cheap and pretty reliable 350whp setup for him to enjoy for a few years. (Eventually the motor in the black car will go in a B2200 truck. Black car isn't in great shape chassis-wise, has limited time available to it.)


I've thrown around the idea of picking up a nicer one to replace the red car with, but i'm afraid it just won't be the same. :rofl:

More black car.

5/20/13
For now, though... i think we're probably going to end up with these pimpass AutoGauges (And i'll find some cool bulb condoms to use.... purple?)

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1396724185


My darling Petit Racing boost gauge. (For now at least... we're gonna need a 30psi gauge in the end.)
https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1396724185



And an MTX-L more than likely.

9/3/13
This looks kinda fun.

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1396724292

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1396724292

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1396724292

The valvetrain on that head wasn't great, and the cam was rusty, so i salvaged some parts off of some spare motors i had laying around.

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1396724452

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1396724452

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1396724452

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1396724452


Cleaned up and filled some mounts with 98a duro poly. (#CATBOX #SHITTINGINMYLITTER)
https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1396724452

[b]I don't know how Tomei makes a profit on these super legit adjustable fuel pressure regulators priced at $25 shipped from China, but i for one, am thankful. This probably won't make the car burn to the ground.
https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1396725259


Wastegate anus dump tube and some fallopian tubes for my gauges.
https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1396725259


These motors don't deserve good injectors, so i decided that some RX7 460s pushed to around..... 50psi base fuel pressure should be sufficient.
https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1396725259

That's the end of the black car for the time being. Neither car made it to GRM $2013. Will explain why.

12/6/13

Problems:
1) STILL haven't seen the 88-89 FCON harness in the mail. A little vexing, as there were other parts coming with it that are very useful to me.

2) Speedo gear tab broke off on the black car. This is important. It keeps transmission fluid in the transmission.

3) Innovate MTX-L on the black car is DOA. Car has a big turbo, and the Innovate was wired to do narrowband simulation to the stock ECU. No bueno.

4) I'm retarded and timed the black car 180 out. Easy fix. Not worth fucking with until i get issues 1-3 figured out.

And now back to the red car.

Hey guise, guess what!

Guise: What, Concealer?

The red car is going to live forever. Swank Force One will never die.
https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1396725664



Attention and stuff for red car gearing up for a quick 'n' dirty ground up rebuild over the course of a week. Ambitious? Sure. But yoloswaggotry and all that. There's meth labs here, i can do this.




EMPLOYING THE STATE-OF-THE-ART TECHNOLOGY (Go home HKS, you're drunk.)
https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1396725664

WHAT THE FUCK DO ALL THESE LETTERS EVEN MEAN?!?!? I'M SO ANGRY!!!!
https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1396725664


Hat. Why? I don't know. It was in my Picasa feed, deal with it.
https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1396725664


Suspension and shit. My heart goes out to the victims o- BLARGGGGHHHHHHHH ARE THOSE FUCKING CHEAPASS EBAY CAMBER PLATES/!?!?!?!
https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1396725664


Wow, you're fucking stupid. I can't believe you bought those.
https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1396725664


Good thing you got those super pimpy circa 1990 Ground Control coilovers, though. I bet they're still good. What's the spring rates? What do you mean they pre-date the current lbs/inch system that Eibach is using now?
https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1396725664

Center caps came in. ALL THE WAY FROM AUSTRALIA. I will do my best to mount them upside down in honor of their homeland.
https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1396725664

Apparently i purchased them from Martini Racing. I tried to search the googles for this wondrous form of racing that i'd never heard of before, but all i could come up with was a bunch of pussy sites decrying the effects of drinking and driving.
https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1396725664




Bought my first new part for the next Miata build. SOMETHING BIG. EPIC. GUARANTEED TO MAKE MIATA ENTHUSIASTS EVERYWHERE VOMIT UNCONTROLLABLY.
https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1396725664

The red car was a whole 'nother ball of wax entirely compared to the black car. That car was on the verge of killing me.

Casualties/Damage
1) Head gasket. Blown for probably.... the last 4 years.

2) Inner tie rods both had 1/8" of in/out play, and were looser than a Taiwanese boy.

3) Outer tie rods both blown

4) Driver's side ball joint boot gone, joint separating

5) Driver's wheel bearing fell out in 3 pieces.

6) 3 of the 4 bolts that hold the front of the north/south crossmembers to the front support were gone. My transmission mounts to one of these. Seems legit.

7) Just about 1/8" of carbon buildup on all 4 cylinders

8) Turbo horribly blown, mixing coolant and oil, and tons of bearing noise

9) #2 and #3 main bearing worn. Distinct polished sections on cylinder walls front and back. Side to side still has crosshatching.

10) #1 and #4 cylinder apparently ate part of my first turbo or something. 30-40 deep scores down the cylinder walls.

11) 4 chunks of magnetic material found in oil pan.






What do we do about it?

We "fix" it.

November 9th. Leaving in 4 days.
MX6 Kit!
https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1396725903


1 hour in.
https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1396725903


This looks delicious. I'm sure oil dripping into my transmission onto my clutch is fine.
https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1396725903


2 hours in.
https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1396725903

LOL RAEP.
https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1396725903

NEW MOTARRRRRRRR
https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1396725903

11/10 - leave in 3 days

And we're down to nothing up front. Looks promising.
https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1396725970



Long story short, though. I didn't make it. Still fighting a couple things.



But....


Penis.
https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1396725970





I HAVE driven it about a mile. I'm stupid, so i threw a built head on top of the old fucked up bottom end, because.... meh. F2T. None fucks given. It's really hard to drive now. I may have ruined it.

12/23/13

Runs again. Can't keep the fucking upper timing plate from spewing oil. Done the job three times now, most recently with an OEM Mazda gasket, torqued to FSM specs, put a straight edge on the plate to make sure it wasn't bent, and it's good.

Finally straightened out valvetrain, exhaust leaks are 100% gone, and it seems i've probably had a bad turbo on this since day 1. Lots and lots of spooly sounds at idle.

Very pissed off sounding car.

12/30/13

Figured it out. Not a happy camper.

So i guess now i get to throw my good head out, port one of my old ones and send it to the machine shop again (And let them know that i'd rather they not drop it again), buy another gasket set, and do all the fucking work all over again.

Everywhere you see the weird wavy ripple crap is bowed IN 1/16" or more. Also notice the damage to the cam journal.

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1396726196

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1396726196

1/27/14



Old NLA Mahle 0.030" pistons because i don't trust newfangled things and wish points ignitions were still things.
https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1396726288

My bottom is ready.
https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1396726288

Fits nicely in a Miata passenger seat. Best truck evar?
https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1396726288

Oh we lube-y, huh?
https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1396726288

TAKE IT ALL YOU DIRTY GIRL!!!!!
https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1396726288





Cost:
Block clean, bore, cut crank 0.010" and polish, recondition and shot peen rods, press pistons onto rods, and balance whole assembly: $400
Pistons: $30
Rings: $18
King Race bearings: $38

Total cost for fresh 500hp bottom end: $486

You fuckers still liking your Mazda BPs?

2/6/14

Motor is painted. Picking it up on Saturday. (And the ginormous intercooler you see. Will probably make its way onto the MX6 to simplify routing.)


https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1396726357

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1396726357

2/8/14

You guys want updates?

TheNuge and I went down to Memphis to grab all those parts and my new bottom end. Picked up a hitchhiker on the way home.


https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1396726446

That mostly brings us up to present day.

I'll post details on the new head that was worked by a friend out in Portland when i'm more bored.

In the meantime... let's talk about wheels and tires.

I value the opinions of you guys. Like your buttholes, they smell like roses.


'm having a wheel/tire dilemma. Unfortunately, i don't think there's any way to affordably make a set of Snowflakes work.
https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1396726588


Dilemma: Tires are REALLY expensive for the FD wheels. Like... REALLY expensive, and options are limited. RE-11s for $830 delivered or RA1s for $990. But, i love my FDs.

Solutions:
1) Sack up and continue feeding the car expensive tires, and get some solace in the fact that each set of tires should last two seasons.
2) Ditch FDs for street use (Possibly keep for race use, as R-comps are cheaper than street tires in this size, or just sell them to offset solution #3)
3) Move back to 17s and be delighted by cheap tire options.

If #3, i'd be going to a 255/40-17 tire, which will require some more rolling/body work. Not scary, just time consuming.

Would be looking at 17x9-10s, and tires would be in the $500-600 delivered area. (NT-05s, RS-Rs, etc)


So, now i'm going to spam you guys with wheels. Vote.

1) Keep FDs, sack up with tire cost.

2) SQUARE wheels G33 17x9 +15 (~$550 shipped): SQUARE Wheels G33 Model - 17x9 +15 5x114.3 (Set of 4 Wheels) - Enjuku Racing Parts, LLC

3) CNT CT-4 17x9 +30, white ($500 shipped): 17x9 CNT Ct 4 Wheels 5x100 5x114 White Rims Subaru WRX STI Scion TC Fr S | eBay

4) STR 518 17x9 +22, bronze ($570 shipped): 17x9 STR518 5x100 114 3 22mm Bronze Wheels Fits Mitsubishi Eclipse 1995 2012 | eBay

5) STR 520 17x9 +20, machined ($570 shipped): 17x9 STR520 5x100 114 3 20mm Silver Wheels Fits Honda Civic 2006 2013 Stance | eBay

6) JNC 001 17x9 +25, gold ($600 shipped): 17x9 JNC 001 5x114 3 25 Gold Classics Wheel Fit VW Jetta Golf Passat Beetle | eBay

7) STR 513 17x9 +20, white ($600 shipped): 17x9 White Machine Lip Str 513 Rims 5x100 5x114 3 Honda Toyota Dodge Ford | eBay

8) Varrstoen ES330 17x10 +22, hyper black ($760 shipped): 17x10 Varrstoen ES330 5x114 3 22 Hyper Black Wheels Aggressive Fitment | eBay

9) Varrstoen ES330 17x10 +22, matte black ($760 shipped): 17x10 Varrstoen ES330 5x114 3 22 Matt Black Wheels Aggressive Fitment 5x4 5 Rim | eBay

10) 17x10 STR 606 +20, gunmetal ($600 shipped): 17x10 Gun Metal Str 606 Rims 5x112 5x114 3 Mercedes Audi Toyota Lexus | eBay

11) 17x9 Rota RT5 +25, hyper black (~$750 shipped): 17x9 Rota RT5 - Hyper Black (5x114.3/e25/73) Wheeldude.com - Professional wheel dealer.


I know that offsets are all over the place, but i picked that range because i already have 20mm spacers necessary to make the FDs work. They'll all "fit," with varying amount of work, may or may not require spacer.

I think i can sell the FDs wrapped in the half-dead Star Specs for $400-$500 pretty easily.

So... cast your vote! 1-10

Picture of Swank Force One is below. Custom powdercoated hollow spoke FDs, 20mm spacers, 245/45-16s.
https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1396726588