New DIY build and 1.8 Conversion
 

So, just got done swapping in a 1.8 and installing a DIY turbo in 3 days. Would'nt have gotten anything done without the help of my friend who did all the work that involved skill!:rofl: It's in and running but dumbed down, until I can install an intercooler and the IAT. My buddy back purged the Manifold and Downpipe(correct me if I'm wrong) and inside and out the welds turned out beautiful!

99' 1.8 and transmission
TDO5 16g EVO III turbo
Custom Downpipe and Manifold
FM Stage 1 Clutch w/ stock flywheel resurfaced!
6" diff still, waiting for the inevitable(Pm me with a good deal on a 1.8 thirdmember)
Used RC 550cc injectors (thanks to this forum)
COP's waiting to be installed.
MSPNP2

Thanks for the pics..I have a pretty well equipped shop and have been waffling between DIY and pre-fabbed. Those pics help tons.

Any chance of you taking it out Friday or Saturday night?

No Chance
 

I'm taking it easy on her until i get the intercooler installed and tuned. Did you decide on Wednesday or Thursday to get the block?

Catch Can
 

Got the Catch Can Made and installed this weekend! Turned out nice!

Looks much better than the hoses going into the washer fluid bottle. I was thinking tomorrow. I have night classes on Tuesdays and Thursdays so Thursday wont work. Also, dont worry about the stock air box. I am just gonna pay a guy to do it. I dont feel like swapping everything back to stock. Especially if it fails and I have to put a new cat in it just to make it pass for 5 minutes. And I am still looking for my old arm rests... as well as my registration papers. I need to pick up some SS to make my catch can. I think I have a pretty cool idea if what I want to do. I made cardboard templates, just have to get the material.

Intercooler installed
 

Intercooler was installed this weekend, kept A/C and Power Steering.

looks great! I have the same intercooler and turbo setup except with the cracked ebay manifold mod, I already ordered the schedule 30 stainless piping to redo the manifold. Your's gives me an idea to go by as I even have my IC piping routed behind the PS pump like you.

Does your dump tube join back up to the exhaust? I'd imagine it would be crazy loud with an internal wastegate venting to atmosphere.

It did for a bit, but now it dumps into the downpipe. It wasn't that loud, but it wasn't braced to the downpipe and came off, so decided to remedy that issue:idea:

Looks good, still waiting to find a way to get mine tagged. I do not wanna go back to stock! I must have talked to the wrong guy at Stainless Distributors...the guy I talked to said they dont have any drop pieces and they dont cut pipe. For 2 1/2" SS pipe I would have to buy a 20' stick...way to much material, more than I would every use.

OP, was that manifold made from weld-els/t's purchased seperately, or was it a kit? Either way, where'd it all come from? And is that a knockoff turbo? I don't recognize the markings on the turbine housing. Interested to hear how well it holds up if so.

Wow, you work fast.
Nice progress.

The manifold was pieced together. There is a place in Modesto, CA called Stainless Steel Distributors where it all came from. The Turbo is a taiwanese knockoff, more expensive then a chinese copy and supposedly better (it was free thanks to my friend).

Been a while since I updated anything on this thread. The car now runs on E85 and is running 12psi. It still hasn't been on a dyno and will hopefully be on one soon. I tested my car vs my buddies lsx powered Volvo and it did well. Needs a few more pounds and a dyno tune, but overall I'm happy with the results.
<iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/EB43t8ptUGE" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

I wanna meet up and race:giggle:

Nice job and 'grats on that v8 kill. I wanna see moar vids of this thing

*Edit: props on that vid

Oh yeah, I forgot the most important part. This is still my commuter car that I put almost 100 miles per day on!

I'm surprised those 550's are enough for e85

Stock pump too?

Hey Ryan, I've been wondering where you've been. I've been meaning to text you to get you to come out one of these nights. My build is coming along nice, and we shall race lol

That manifold looks really well made! Do you know the tube thickness on the manifold and what grade of stainless you decided to run?

Thanks!

sorry really bad with updating apparently. The "550's" I purchased from a member on this forum weren't really "550's", but 370's:crx:. Needless to say I was wondering why I never had enough fuel. I'm now running decapped WRX Injectors, that are supposed to flow around 800.

I have a walbro 255 for a pump

Your going to put real injectors in this time, right? Shoot me a text next time your out and about.

1.5" schedule 40 304 stainless

Thanks for the info. I am really interested to see how the 304 ss material holds up to the turbo manifold task. I can see that the welds are high quality, but I am not sure if the low nickle ss will embritle and crack? I hope that it doesn't. Please keep this thread updated with and results you have. Are you using an EGT? My system is not installed yet but it includes the 1.8 JDM sport (ebay) manifold. Which I have read will crack, so I am preparing for building a higher quality manifold in time. Just made the jig this weekend so I can match the flange positions on the home built when I put it together.

I was lucky enough to see this car in person get a ride in it last weekend. It was great to meet you and hopefully my car will be as fast as yours someday. I love the fact that you kept the ac and power steering all working, I want to do the same. My only complaint is that E85 makes me hungry for some reason:giggle: I took some pics of your setup, I hope you don't mind me sharing.


https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1356986728
https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1356986728

Mine won't be that clean because I am keeping the MAF and running a piggyback. I really wish it would be that clean!

The engine is one of the only nice areas of the car ��

That filter will melt

Ask me how i know lol

Its on the list, but has been on for about six months without an issue. How did yours melt

Well not completely melt, but basically lots its shape/form to the point of slipping off and falling every other day. it was on my 1st setup which used a gt28

A simple 90* mandrel bend will take care of that and put it behind the headlight.

A 90* silicone coupler with a small length of pipe is more ideal and will fit better, but since I had a bend laying around, it was $25+shipping vs. $0 for me.