Rather than resurrect a 30 page build thread that never really ended, I've decided to start fresh. For those interested in the history of the car, see here -> https://www.miataturbo.net/prefabbed-turbo-kits-3/fm3-build-thread-%2A56k-dont-look%2A-21481/

I'm disgusted with the fact I let the car sit so long and get so bad to the point of now rusting. ******* brand new 6UL's and tires, ARTech hotside parts, fresh paint job, etc etc all just sitting...

So instead of letting it sit any longer I'm going to try and get it back on the road so I can enjoy life again. This time around I don't need to buy a **** ton of parts, so I should be able to get this buttoned up pretty quickly.

The goal is to get it back on the road first and foremost. Then once its drivable I want to refresh the paint where it needs it and little by little work on the smaller stuff when time allows. I started off by giving it a quick wash and made a list of "to do's".

Rebuild the turbo
New hardware for all hotside parts
New wastegate
New oil drain line
New battery
New rotors
Drain old gas and refill
Oil change
Move car down to the shop
Touch up rough paint spots (maybe repaint the hardtop)
New hoodpins
New shifter boot rubbers
Fix exhaust/test pipe fitment issues
New set of lug nuts
Re-tint
Fix radio mount
Full interior and exterior cleanup
New windshield cowl

That's the plan. I'm going to start buying parts now and hopefully send the turbo out Monday. If I don't get going on this NOW I don't know when I'll be motivated enough again to start.

I snapped some pictures of what it looked like after I washed it. Today was the first time I opened the doors since back in the summer. The pictures don't do it justice how bad of shape it really is in.

 

good luck man. its about time you drive that thing again

 

Some times you just have to banish your car until you feel like dealing with it again.

 

Well I took the next step and decided on who's going to rebuild the turbo. I debated doing it myself, but I really don't have the time to mess with it.

I called turbochargers.com and the guy was a dick. After about 20 seconds of listening to his voice I just hung up on him. Then I called Gpopshop and talked to Jim. He answered all my questions and was honest about the pricing. I liked how he treated me so I'll be sending the turbo to them first thing Monday morning. Hopefully it'll stay under $500.

Now I'm going to search around for what type of hardware I should get.

 

I found it, one question about the double DIN surround. Do you have any links as to where you got it?

 

glad you didn't go with tc.com. they suck *****.

 

I called up Bill at MiataRoadster and had him get me one. It came in a OEM style box from Japan. Fit perfect!

The guy was such a ********. I'm a dick, but when I deal with customers I'm not. The tone in his voice was starting to **** me off so I just hung up on him. lol

Last time I sent a turbo out to have it rebuilt I used Deadbolt. That was one of the WORST experiences I had with a vendor, ever.

 

Q: Did the Lexan fit properly on those headlights of yours?

 

Do share.
They are pretty common in the subaru community, and a friend is considering them for a 20g rebuild.

 

I opted for the kit without the lexan covers. IIRC people that did get the covers were having issues with them not fitting too well. These lights are cool because they look mean, but man did they take a lot of work to get them to fit. Eventually I plan on putting HID's in the low beams because the light output is terrible.

This was years ago so I cant remember the exact specifics, but it was in regards to my Greddy turbo. I cant remember if I sent it to them for just a general rebuild or the 19t upgrade. Once they had it communication was ******* nowhere to be found. Once I did get ahold of the guy he said as cocky as can be "they cant get the parts needed to rebuild so we'll be sending it back". This was a couple weeks of waiting without ANY communication on their part.

In the end there were a few heated emails back and forth between me and the owner. I called him every name in the book and promised him I would spread the word to steer clear of them.

 

Ouch. Seems like a quality turbo hardware/servicing company is hard to come by these days :(

 

Don't feel like looking through 27 pages, did you ever do a photo shoot board sliding the roll bar?

 

Never got it out in nice enough weather really and now after 2 snapped wrists I doubt I'd go for it. Who knows though, I'd still like to one day. Lol

 

To be fair rotors will do that in a day of sideways rain. And those hood pins are $7. What you need are those aero catch pins. Do a detailed write up for me, I wanna get rid of my rusty ones too.

Why not go china charger?

 

Get that car back on the road!

 

I'm pretty sure I remember the story being somewhere on this forum if you want more details....that is, if you feel like searching for it. lol.

 

While I agree that the rotors will get rusty in a weekend's amount of rain, these are a little worst than that. I'm definetly slapping on 4 new ones, but I'll reuse the pads. I had the god damn Aerocatch pins already but ended up selling them to someone on here becuase my bodyshop guy preffered these peices of ****! I have to see what his schedule is like and maybe get the car down there next week so he can help me out with them. I'll make sure to take plenty of pics on how it goes.

The chinacharger isn't worth the gamble for me. If I take the time and effort to fit it in and performance is shitty or it just plan craps out, that will only make this episode worst. I was planning on having it rebuilt anyways, but after putting up that poll last week it reassured me even more so. I'll be listing it for sale soon. T2871 clocked and ready for an EWG setup (actuator removed and flapper door welded shut).

Imagine parking your ride for 10 months. Its been too long! lol

Yeah I vaguely remember talking about it before and even 18psi saying that he was familiar with the company.

 

x2 on aerocatch. I had craptastic hood pins and they were terrible. Not to mention I have no hood latch so at the time it was way easy for somebody to go rooting around under my hood. They are pretty cake to install; just need some patients, a lot of measuring and pre-planning, a dremel, and a steady hand.

Glad to see your going to put this thing back together.

 

Well today I had some time to get the ball rolling a little faster.

I took all the rotors down to the shop and cleaned them up by hand. Not perfect, but damn better than they were and cheaper than buying 4 new ones! See Curly, I took your advice!

The bodyshop guy let me use his workbench and tools, then we put them in the spray booth and gave them a quick hit.

I have 2 friends coming over at 7am to help me push it out to the road, then I'll call for the flatbed. Tonight I got the car off the jack stands in the dark. It was just enough time to get everything back together.

 

Good job, one spot of rust done. I'm very tempted to purchase the aerocatch pins for $70 online, they're cheaper than expected, but still $70 I don't HAVE to spend. BTW those rings can be spread open and the pins can be wire wheeled too. A shot of clear coat might make them last longer, but it'll obviously start to chip pretty quick.