Miata Turbo Forum - Boost cars, acquire cats. - The custom fabrication thread! (Post pics of stuff you have made)

- Fabulous Fabrication (https://www.miataturbo.net/fabulous-fabrication-96/)

- - The custom fabrication thread! (Post pics of stuff you have made) (https://www.miataturbo.net/fabulous-fabrication-96/custom-fabrication-thread-post-pics-stuff-you-have-made-69633/)

The custom fabrication thread! (Post pics of stuff you have made)

I looked around and couldn't find any thread like this on this forum, so I figured I'd start one up.

This is for people who'd like to post some pictures of anything they have fabricated, welded, or just made. It really doesn't need to be miata specific, although I'm sure many post will be. Hopefully this thread can become very resourceful as it fills with many different and interesting post.

To the mods if it seems like I chose the wrong section please put it where you feel it's more appropriate.

I'll start off with a few things I've made in the last year while working at Pettit Racing.. My welding is improving, but not there yet.. steel, stainless, and aluminum.

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1353780839

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1353780839

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1353780839

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1353780839

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1353780839

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1353780839

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1353780839

Then this project, the leaning trike... Made completely from scratch , vrod motor, miata suspension (knew you guys would like that) You should just watch the videos they speak for themselves

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1353780839

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1353780839

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1353780839

Trike video

Trike drifting a little

Videos fixed.

Hint: you can't embed video using the [IMG] tag- that's for IMaGes. You need to upload it to Youtube and then use the [YT] tag.

This is called a nudger. It's for nudging parts into alignment for turning on the lathe.

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1353790204

No, I'm not gonna show anything for the Miata.

Dude I'm going to have to make one of those, I always experience too much flex whenever I turn down some delrin. Awesome!

Quote:

Originally Posted by rleete (Post 952850)

This is called a nudger. It's for nudging parts into alignment for turning on the lathe.

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1353790204

No, I'm not gonna show anything for the Miata.

hmm slick idea. I havent' seen one of those.

Ha, this thread should be a little more interesting than the "I drilled a hole in a rock to make a shift knob" thread over at CR. Although that was pretty awesome.

I'll start with the easy stuff. Block of plate thingy and COP bracket.

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1353810902

And a few things in this picture, license plate heat shield, modified ebay STB turned into a MC brace and MBC holder. Abe has a few "DIY" projects in this picture as well.

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1353810902

Made this switch plate, gauge holder, and amp bracket as well:

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1353810902

And this gauge bracket for the motorcycle, complete with neutral and oil pressure light.

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1353810902

There's not much room in an MSM's engine bay so when I wanted to mount my GREDDY oil filter relocation kit in the engine bay, figuring out where/how to mount it was an issue. An aluminium "box" bracket turned out to be a nice 'n tidy solution, all mounting bolts are virtually hidden:

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1353832770
https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1353832770
https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1353832770

The oil cooler needed a custom solution too, none of the commercial options are effective enough IMO. I mounted mine behind the right hand side foglight and made an aluminium duct to ensure that it had plenty of air flow through it:
https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1353832770
https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1353832770
https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1353832770

The oil cooler sits in front of the splash guard for protection:
https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1353832770

I'm really stoked about this thread, I'll post my bits and bobbles when I find pics of them on my computer.

This should get interesting very soon. Now that I have a welder I can attempt to fabricate everything.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lokiel (Post 952985)

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1353832770

Very clean, may I ask what type of metal/material you used here for the ducting? Hoping I can use something similar for my bumper -> radiator ducting.

Nice fab work, however have you checked for bonnet/hood clearance? I doubt the catch can or coils will fit...

The breather filter was one I just had laying around, so it doesn't clear. I will be getting a shorter filter. But everything else clears fine.
https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1353867140
https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1353867140
https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1353867140

No welding as of yet, except for shortening my wastegate actuator arm lol. All of this is just sheet metal fab, cut and bent by hand...no brake :sad:

Radiator/IC core/splash pan in aluminum and upper rad cover. Rad/IC are boxed in on the sides.

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...1&d=1353868244
https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...1&d=1353874193

Filter isolator in aluminum.

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...1&d=1353868244

Center stack gauge mount in white brass, painted black before install.

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...1&d=1353868244
https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...1&d=1353868244

Headlight duct (paint match was fail)

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...1&d=1353874367
http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t...2811183047.jpg
Attachment 185707

There's probably more but I can't think of anything atm.

That headlight duct is really cool, did you print out the template or make it yourself? And the gauge cluster is awesome too. Very cool stuff.

Thanks. Printed the duct shape from a pattern I found online. For the gauge cluster I make a cardboard mockup and transferred it to metal.

The Grant 3 bolt to momo 6 bolt adapter. The gen 2 version has the threaded holes rotated for the Joes racing 3 bolt to momo 6 bolt and thats in the car.

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1353899226

Wing support attachment point and fixture.

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1353899226

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1353899226

Rear brake disk adapter plates for a cavalier, lol.

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1353899226

Welded o2 bung into the down pipe I bought for the subie. Of course I wrapped it before I decided I wanted to put an 02 bung in, so it was drilled and welded with the wrap already on it.

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1353899226

Formula car upright and hub setup. I made most of the upright and did the milling parts on the hub. Everything in that assembly we designed/made besides the caliper, the rotor buttons and the hardware.

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1353899226

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1353899226

only thing i have a good picture of. made everything from scratch except the hardware. carbon fibre end plates and the elements are 5 layers of glass over foam.
http://www.casc.on.ca/forums/picture...&pictureid=183
http://www.casc.on.ca/forums/picture...&pictureid=184

Quote:

Originally Posted by uavjeep (Post 953117)

only thing i have a good picture of. made everything from scratch except the hardware. carbon fibre end plates and the elements are 5 layers of glass over foam.

You can't directly embed an image attachment from another forum. Find the actual target, or save it to you local PC and re-upload it here.

Quote:

Originally Posted by SJP0tato (Post 953017)

Very clean, may I ask what type of metal/material you used here for the ducting? Hoping I can use something similar for my bumper -> radiator ducting.

It's made from a thin aluminium sheet - the crinkle-press finish gives it additional strength. I bought it at Bunnings - an Aussie hardware store.

I plan to do some radiator ducting work at some stage but don't believe aluminium this thin will be up to the task.

The small size of the ducting "box" braced against the front of the oil cooler gives the oil cooler duct plenty of rigidity but given that the radiator surface areas are much larger, I'd want to use thicker/sturdier aluminium.

home brew t25 kit. ebay cast t3 with a t2 flange welded to it.. aluminum FMIC setup. -AN oil feed, return, pcv lines...
https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1353919181

there is a homebrew thread, but A for effort. It looks better than Techsalvagers shitbox.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pen2_the_penguin (Post 953162)

there is a homebrew thread, but A for effort. It looks better than Techsalvagers shitbox.

sorry didnt see that thread yet.. heres some non miata stuff i fab'd up

cold side pipe for a TSI

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1353932568

low rider radio flyer.. (customer wanted one.. lol)

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1353932568

just because

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1353932568

Quote:

Originally Posted by zipstrips (Post 953169)

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1353932568

Show-off. :D

Quote:

Originally Posted by zipstrips (Post 953169)

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1353932568

Woah, that's the new ebay manifold prototype isn't it?!?!

Quote:

Originally Posted by zipstrips (Post 953169)

now thats whats up

Not much metal work for me either.....fiberglass mostly.

Shorty Console (I also added the power windows):
https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1354331972

Tweeter pods in a-pillars:
https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1354331972

No more body line:
https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1354331972

This thread is so full of talent. Respect++ out to all of you.

I got tired of the darn E-Brake being in my way, and digging into my knee cap. So now it my passenger's problem.

And, I couldn't find a grill I liked that would keep big pieces of road trash out, so I came up with this.

KMag

Quote:

Originally Posted by vehicular (Post 955148)

I like this thread.

+1 some very neat stuff here

Quote:

Originally Posted by ctdrftna (Post 955141)

before i moved to The Lee Company, where i make aerospace,formula 1, and oil tool micro hydraulic components. I run CNC multi axis swiss machines(star,nomura), as well as cam type swiss screw machines (tornos)

i worked part time as a engine machinist/builder at Kehl Tech performance for 5 years

i didnt do the welding, i have a few friends that do my welding.

Props for mind-blowing awesomeness! :bowdown::bowdown:

f**k, this thread delivers fuzzy soft kittens of the gods.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ctdrftna (Post 955141)

I think that gets the award for Most Downforce on a Miata. holy cow. Can you do mine next? k. thanks.

Oh, there's more to come this winter ;)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kinavo (Post 955273)

I think that gets the award for Most Downforce on a Miata. holy cow. Can you do mine next? k. thanks.

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1351089300

Not on the car yet but... :jerkit: I wish I could run endplates on canards and I could run a diffuser.

Are we posting things we've done at work too or just at home? I say both!!

I'm lucky to build cool shit like this at my official job (valvetrain parts anyway):
http://bangshift.com/blog/pri-2012-m...nd-turbos.html

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1354552701

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1354552644

Quote:

Originally Posted by JMarsh (Post 954953)

Tweeter pods in a-pillars:
https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1354331972

got more pics/info on this process? Beats what I did in my door cards x 100.

Quote:

Originally Posted by TurboTim (Post 955430)

Wow, that looking even better than jesel shaft rockers

If this is a competition, it's simply not fair for Tim or Abe to participate... :fael:

:bowrofl:

Don't know about that, I cannot do most of the things already posted in this thread. :dunno:

I can now successfully put holes in metal with my TIG welder.
https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1354557705

I am not sure any of my work is worthy enough for this thread. Bad ass stuff in here. :vash2:

Quote:

Originally Posted by shuiend (Post 955459)

I can now successfully put holes in metal with my TIG welder.
https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1354557705

Something is going on there, galvanized metal, dipping the tip, and o2 mixing with the argon can all cause that yellow nastyness around the welds that I know of. I'm willing to be that if you fixed whatever is making the yellow residue you'll make it easier to weld.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Leafy (Post 955469)

What is going on is the first time I had ever tried to TIG weld. It was an interesting experience the first time I pushed down the pedal and the TIG torch lit up and I was melting metal. What is going on is completely my lack of experience or any guidance that is more then watching youtube videos.

Below is the last piece that I tried before I ran out of argon. I still have no clue what I am doing, but am slowly starting to learn.

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1354560418

I'm about to add a "Shuiend disrespect" warning. Don't violate it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Braineack (Post 955478)

I'm about to add a "Shuiend disrespect" warning. Don't violate it.

If my welds looked as good as his I would be talking smack right now... :crx:

My first MIG welds were pretty...then I burned a hole in the pipes.

Quote:

Originally Posted by TurboTim (Post 955456)

Don't know about that, I cannot do most of the things already posted in this thread. :dunno:

How about creating a roller valvetrain for the BP. Do you think it is possible? I always thought that would be awesome.

Anything is possible, but attaching a B-series honda head or something like that would be easier. But that's not going to happen.

More likely would be me finally sticking a NB head on one of the spintrons and seeing what works and what doesn't. But that's also not going to happen.

Quote:

Originally Posted by miata2fast (Post 955559)

How about creating a roller valvetrain for the BP. Do you think it is possible? I always thought that would be awesome.

I'm trying to envision the amount of space that exists between the top of the valve stem and the base of the camshaft lobe, presupposing that the lifter has been removed.

Seems like it would be less than (or nearly equal to) the diameter of a reasonably-sized roller, not to mention that you'd still need to engineer in some free space to be taken up by a under-bucket shim.