Interesting. The exhaust doesn't smell super rich, but worth a shot. I would figure if one cylinder had fuel, but wasn't igniting that exhaust runner would be cool(er) compared to the adjacent ones.

I'll do some reading on Tunerstudio test-modes. Didn't realize they were in there.

Sooooo. Tested ignition today. Methodology was as follows :

Start engine, individually unplug each coil (since I'm running cop it was very easy) and notice results. Each coil when unplugged made engine studder and bog the same. Well, that means they're all firing. Crap.

I pulled each plug and did an ignition test through tunerstudio. Same. They all sparked, and seemed to operate normally.

I'll buy new plugs all the same and try it.

So I have fuel. I have spark....

I guess next step is to do a compression test (keep forgetting my tester at work). Will report back once I get the results of that. :hatecat:

Post tune and log

I just went through a similar situation. It turned out that one of my injectors wasn't firing.
If anything its realllllllly easy to test the injectors individually in tuner studio.
The fact that it will idle at an afr nearing 20:1 means that there's likely pure air being pumped into your exhaust.

Plugs all gapped the same? Similar appearance at the business end (i.e. no buildup, wetness, etc.)?

It is possible to have a slight misfire that will get worse (become a dead cylinder from a weak but still firing cylinder) once you remove fuel or spark.

Sorry guys, been busy as hell with work/life. Literally was JUST able to come back and check this and do some diagnosing today after work.

Ok so. Things I've done 2.0 :

-New-to-me Injector harness (off eBay, Tested each pin for continuity and checked all connection points for loose or frayed wires. Re-loomed.)
-Dedicated EV14 injector clips on harness, no more adapters.
-New (fresh out of vacuum bag) ID1000s.
-Brand new spark plugs. Tried both resistor and resistorless. (old plugs had good color and gap)
-Brand new Denso Toyota COPs (These are pricey!)
-Checked ignition harness for continuity on all pins.
-Un-clipped and re-clipped EVERY wire connector in the engine bay and even the main connectors on my Megasquirt.

STILL THE SAME F***ING PROBLEM :hatecat:

Keep forgetting to bring home compression tester... seriously this has been on my "list o stuff to do today" for the past two weeks. I even set alarms and somehow still can't get my act together. So no compression data

Wondering if my Megasquirt is flaky or on the way out. I bought one of those CAN O2 modules from Reverant and could never get it to work. Even got one warrantied by Andrew at Trackspeed and it still didn't work leading me to believe that the canbus on my megasquirt is faulty. DIY Autotune pretty much concluded the same thing.

I'm lost. Sad.. Angry that Summer is slipping away with zero miata miles.

Attached tune and log of startup for @aidandj to peep. He'll probably say I accidentally checked some box which makes my car retarded.

So am I understanding this right. It idles perfectly, but is very lean? How does it run, have you driven it?

Does it get better when CLTs go above 140 still?

Idles solid at 1100 rpm (target), lean as hell. Sounds like a Subaru, for sure sounds way different than normal. Really like it's misfiring.

The day it first happened engine was warm and at operating temperature. Had to limp it home. Still the same condition. Since then I haven't allowed it to run more a few seconds, so I don't have any data points above 140 degrees.

Next few weeks I may have time to check timing again and do a compression test. On the old worn out motor it still Idled and ran fine despite terrible low compression, so unless this motor has a hole in the piston, it should still idle fine methinks.

Sequential ignition or injection?

Neither. Batch for lyfe. Aka poverty MS2, and no real desire to fuck with wiring.

Turns out when your downpipe cracks before the o2 sensor three things happen :

1) It will give you a lean condition that you will chase all over the place :hatecat:
2) It will eventually break in half :hatecat:
3) you spool like crazy and make very loud turbo noises and exhaust pops :likecat:

I feel retarded. :facepalm:

Ah shit, but at least you found it.

Ah man, I never considered a air leak pre-O2 sensor. Shitty the DP crack and broke, what are the next steps?

Was it your Absurdflow DP that cracked?

Yes. Tim is going to fix it for me. Just need to yank it out and send it his way. I think he plans on gusseting the welds like some of his other DP designs.

I am exite. I was getting rather discouraged at it giving me grief. Turns out it was a simple problem, and this gives me some time withe the car on jackstands to wrap up a few other projects (meth injection namely :likecat:) and fix a few oil leaks (because I can't seem to build a motor that doesn't leak... :hatecat:)

Up To Next Season Potato Plans are as follows :
-Remove DP and send it to Tim to fix. :likecat:
-Meth injection wired and plummed
- Finish tuning at around 14-15 psi MBC
- Enjoy car for remainder of sunny season
-Winter is coming
- Pull suspension for rebuild/ Feal 441 / Xidas ???
- Probably throw down on delrin bushings from SAdFAb.
- Install back half of BBK + redo u-joint in driveshaft. Still want a 3.9 or 3.63 rear end.
- Maybe seats/Harnesses? I'm fucking tall (6'4.5") and need to figure out how to get close to passing broomstick.
- MS3 + sequential spark and injection (long overdue on this one)
- Turn up boost?
- Not die
- Suggestions ???

Right there is your problem....

https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...71985100d9.jpg

https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...b3fd47f7aa.jpg

Triple post FTW. :hatecat:

Got word back from Tim that my Downhipe is fixed and shipped back.

To celebrate I ordered Xidas. :likecat: :party:

That is all.

Le Update :

Tim mailed back my Downpipe. She's a beauty. He gusseted all the welds so no more cracking, AND to top it all off the gussets are laser'd with his logo. :likecat:

Should hopefully be making positive manifold pressure by next week sometime!! :party:
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...da7346970e.jpg

https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...9d2e815181.jpg

https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...6070e26c18.jpg

Also... one of these showed up... Now FedEx needs to find the remaining 3 :hatecat:
245-40r15 VR-1s on the way. Hope I can make them fit, if not flares.

https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...a2ff0ed036.jpg

Still talking to myself here.

Anyways! This doesn't happen every day. :party: :party: :party: :likecat:


https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...5256a273c1.jpg

Downpipe sure looks stout now!

Those laser'd gussets are fucking sex.

Are you in Denver still? I'm going to be there the weekend of 9/10, and if its up and running I'd love to come check it out.

Sub'd.

Tim made it happen with the baller laser skills. Couldn't be happier. I'm in Denver (well, just west of it in lakewood). PM me and i'll get you my direct line.

Should be rolling by end of the week. Need to sort Meth injection and tune for >14psi.

Winter project will be to install all the metric tone of parts I have:
-New Control arms with Poly bushes (need to get sadfab inserts)
-Xidas
-Somehow fit 15x10s + 245s. Flares would be cool, but going to try and do a hefty pull + roll.
-Seats of some sort
-brake bits.
-pay someone to make me a MS3 or buy a Rev/MSPNPpro

Kewl. Will do. Hope you figure out 15x10's and 245s. I know x9's and 245's fit with roll/pull

When you meet up prepare to be disappointed. Never will you see a pile of nice parts look like such utter shit. I'll buy you a beer as a consolation prize though.

FWIW I have never been in, nor drove another turbo miata so I have no idea how mine 'feels' by comparison. But I cannot wait to get it back on the road. :party:

We're currently hunting for like an air b&b or something. Planning on 2 days in denver. I'm sure I can manage to talk her into at least one car related thing.

Sorry about the downpipe. That thing was falling apart all over. The extra .875" of length should help. Next time you have the manifold off ship it to me and I'll add reinforcements to that too.

Cannot fault your work for that! I genuinely think my exhaust was much too short and my "make it fit" mentality first go around was the cause for the ultimate demise. Fits like it was meant to now though.

I may pull the head over winter so you may see the manifold over winter. Thanks again!!!

Got a little Meat for my Potato. :likecat:

Should be getting them mounted in upcoming days. Will be winter by the time I can get them mounted on car, but at least I can look at them in all their glory.

https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...df2e99d783.jpg

without any point of reference, those tires look like a mile wide

The entire stack is 42.5" tall as it sits. :giggle:

Ok Guys :

Car runs is rad, makes bewst, feels great.... EXCEPT

A stupid weird cut happens. Happened on first drive when I hit peak boost (~200kpa) the motor cut out and then came back on line. Luckily I was logging it, and it's weird. RPM says it drops to 0, duty cycle and pulse width drop to zero, then come back as normal.

Sooo I check boost control settings. Overboost cut was set to 200kpa with fuel cut. Duh. Bumped Overboost to 250kpa went out for a drive.... Happened again at 170kpa.... Wtf?

I have two screen shots of the log when it happens. Could this be spark blow-out (don't remember what these plugs were gapped at)? Why does RPM and Fuel drop to zero if that's the case?

In other news since the new Tunerstudio update my MS2 will constantly disconnect itself every couple of minutes and I have to unplug my usb and plug it back in. REALLY frustrating when I'm trying to VEAL a map...

https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...a59804129b.png

https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...ea3401c68b.png

Can you get a composite log of it happening?

And post the log file.

Will try to get a composite log of it next time I take it out. Just got to work today.

Normal logs :

200kpa cut is the 8/28 log
170kpa cut is the 8/29 log. In both instances if you search by max boost or max map it'll take you straight to the problem.

Went to lunch. Still dicked.

Boost cut at 250kpa, but doesn't make it above 170kpa. Looking at the log the RPM and Duty Cycle just crash, it feels like the motor falls out, then it comes back. I dont' know what spark blow-out feels like, but it feel like it would be less dramatic then this. Who knows. I'll gap my plugs down tonight at the end of work see if that helps. 100% boost related, I was able to take it up to redline in vacuum without issue.

Why would RPM drop to zero? My 94 is coil driven tachometer, but the MegaSquirt shouldn't rely on that signal to know RPM. Might need to create a thread on this subject. See if I can tempt Brain in to look at it.

https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...04478e4f36.png

You could be loosing cam or crank signal. The composite (trigger tooth) log will tell all. That's why Aidan asked for it.
The fact that you can get it to consistently behave this way will greatly help debug ;)

We wants composite log.

Also does tach drop with it?

Honestly don't know. I'm looking ahead and not at tach when it happens. Will observe next time it happens.

Tried to composite log on lunch run... did not catch it. Will try again. Still an idiot when it comes to composite logging.

Can't remember what the log looked like but we had a similar problem on NigelT's car. I only mention it because of the above quote. I swear Nigel said almost the same thing, turned out his were ancient and one was loose or something.
Are you running new plugs? Are they the bk7 or whatever we are all using?
If the answer is no, get new plugs.
I agree it's strange that everything drops except AFR. Maybe a loose/broken wire at the coil pack? Try new plugs first if you did not already.

My bad, I see that you do have new plugs. I used the popular bk7 plugs at the gap they were supplied with IIRC.
I would still double check that they are tight and the plug wires are fully engaged, but it seems like a loose wire.

I'm not using the typical BKR7E-11 plugs that are ubiquitous around here. Using the V-power R5671A7 plug. Just realized those are resistorless plugs. :doh: Not sure if it matters, but it's not the tried and true plug.

Going to go try and track down some BKR7E plugs locally to see if that helps. Will also check signal trigger wires.

Was plugs. 100%. Bewsting at a healthy 200kpa. :party: :likecat:

Glad I could help, those plugs make a world of difference. Next time I will recognize it in the log too, so thanks for the refresh.

Well @aidandj drove my car and it:

1) Didn't explode :likecat:
2) Made positive manifold pressure :eek5:
3) Maybe... maybe even impressed him. Jury is still out on that one.

Win in my book. :party:

Very impressed. Efr is awesome. After ebc and more tuning the car will be amazing. Would drive :)

I'm very excited.

Now that I'm all giddy about miataturbo approval by Aidan, I feel the need to document what I need to do over winter so I can attempt to keep myself on track and you guys can hold me accountable.

1) Footwork
1.1) Xidas (acquired)
1.2) Poly bushings (acquired) (need bronze inserts too, but mostly out of money)
1.3) Laugh at these 15x10s and 245s mounted.
1.4) Flares if needed (acquired)
2) Bewst
2.1) Rev MS3 Basic + CANb interface
2.2) Dual port WG actuator (acquired) and Mac 4 port solenoid EBC!!!
2.3) Finally finish meth injection kit + install the DW300 + associated wiring mess.
2.4) D585 coils (acquired), and some bracket. ugh. More wiring.
3) Aero
3.1) Canards (acquired)
3.2) Make a birch splitter. Have access to Nomex honeycomb and lots of aerospace composite stuff... but birch is easier to stomach when I smash it.
3.3) Singular wing?
4) Misc
4.1) Try to minimize all my engine leaks and install SPM damper with new front main seal.
4.2) re-do oil drain
4.3) Fix stripped exhaust stud on head

has this car ever turned a lap on track?

I would do a few track days to shake things out before throwing away $5k on aero/suspension. You won't know if things are getting better until you have a baseline. Hope I don't come across as negative, but I think baseline and testing are important. Besides track days are fun even if your car is slow.

I agree. No way you will max your car on the first day out. I would run low boost too.

No. :hatecat:

So real-talk, despite it's track-like parts pick, this is really a street car. I had visions of grandeur that I would track this, but it's just turned into a fun street car. My time is just too sparse to really invest the amount of time for track days, and I really don't want to half-ass a track day. This car has been exclusively a "teach myself how to [......]" build. First car build of any kind, first motor build, first experience with a turbo, first time tuning a car, etc. etc. I set out with a goal, research and learn the best I can, then go from there. There are certainly some contradictions in choices along the way, but that's just a process of learning.

I have the suspension in-hand, and most of that list already acquired. Due to my current living arrangement I only get garage time in chunks so I hoard parts then do phases of installs/configurations/tuning.

Taking trips to mexico I know my aero balance is off and need much more front aero. Front end gets light 75mph+

My current suspension is blown and I looked at the pricing to rebuild along with downtime and wasn't thrilled vs the performance the Monoflex's are capable of. Xidas were the answer there.

I need to get over my fear of wiring / electrical hence myself acquiring projects to bolster that skill set. D585 coils, EBC, Methanol, etc. These are all both reliability modifications as well as exercises to better my planning and execution of wiring / tuning.

Just like working in the bike shop, I get great joy out of building things. More often then not I get more joy out of building my bikes than riding. This car is a similar reflection. It's an exercise in building, researching, gaining knowledge, and it's a damn hoot to drive too! I'll eventually make it out to a track. But I have enough respect for the track and those who drive it to realize I'm not ready.

May be a bit long-winded, but I feel like I may have needed to clear up my goals a bit. This is not a show car. Not a track car. Just a silly street car that I get great joy out of building. I'll end up on the track eventually, but in the mean time I'll just enjoy building it.

P.S. Freaking awesome hanging out with you @aidandj today! :party:

I too had a blast. Hopefully we will be back soon.

OK- gotcha. It sounded like a track specific build on your list.


Carry on!

If this is a street car like you have mentioned, you should change your "Aero" category to "Appearance".......j/k. A solid build, but get to the track when you can, let these parts be used to their full potential!

Hahaha truth. The best part is that I honestly don't care too much what It looks like. So long as it works.... Well.

Aero is everywhere man. Even on the street.
:naughty:

d585 coils installed today.

Hacked my COP harness to steal car-end connectors. Made a new harness with ebay pigtails (worked quite well).

Bracket I bought of some member here waaaay back. Don't remember who. Doesn't fit well at all with the squaretop. Will be procuring Sadfab bracket.

Tried to use the Sixshooter Taylor Coil ends but they didn't fit over the Magnecore 8.5 wires I had. Maybe they'd work with the much thinner NGK wires. Ended up just carefully squishing the stock plug wires and using those until I order a set of Sadfab wires or a custom set from Magnecore.

No pics until I can wrap the harness I made. Looks like shit now with all them naked wires.


Also, no more breaking up at 14psi. Solid ignition makes the car run Soooooooo much smoother. Idles smoother, pulls smoother, more responsive to input. 10/10 would install again. :likecat:

Neat :party:

Love it. Get that shit dyno'd!!

If Hailey gets into school I might be back out in December.