MiataKeith

Hey MT folks. I want to first acknowledge the wonderful resource that this website has been. Before this endeavor, I knew basically nothing about cars. My objective here is to provide a poorly written account of my experiences. Let's go!

I need a car.

Found a pretty mint 1997 Miata base with 42k and hardtop.
Picked it up for $5k. Happy.

I read and read and read and read and read. Then I feel like **** about every decision I make because forums can drive your out of your god damn mind. Then it begins.

To build **** you need tools. So I called up a exclusive tool club to start my collection.




Got to be safe.(Did this alone!)

(Fake style bar FTW)






Dog approved.

Done.



Need suspension. Read threads of people fighting. Buy V-Maxx





Rattle can.






On the ground. 8,000 adjustments because noob and balance prevails.
New brake pads, rotors and a good flush to finish.


What do you do when your DD is apart?



Finally threw the Miata up on stands and started tearing off the easy big stuff. Exhaust came off with only one hack.


Quick Parts List:
-Megasquirt
-RX-7 460CC Injectors
-Flyin Miata Cast DP to 3" full Stainless exhaust
-BEGI Mani/Coolant Re-Route/Charge Pipes and Misc.
-Koyo 52 MM Radiator
-FM Happy Meal Clutch Kit
-Chinacharger that hates me
-Other stuff



Take stuff off. Put more on.

This is the chinacharger after I chopped out the metal BEGI tacked in there for ***** and giggles without telling me.


That laptop and all of your mistakes built my shitty car!


Old.

New.

Break and build a million manifold whateverthefuck bolts because you suck at it.


It was pretty fantastic seeing a tangible turbo on my Miata.

Kept the oil cap from my MS3


Exhaust!





Stock end-links tough like lion.

The FM exhaust is simply top notch. Well done. Well done.

Don't give up. We're not Worthy!

Pictures.




I'm now losing my mind in excitement because awesome.


Gauges where they fit already.

IC



Running all the lines and wires.



So close. Can see floor.






This all took place in my mothers condo over a few weeks, which I am forever grateful for.(#independantamericanmale) This is the space the day after I finally rolled her out. Off-White so fresh.




Now she awaits the trailer.


I get impatient and buy a truck to make my Ruckus hit over 40MPH.
(This POS truck should have it's own thread)


Then I sell **** for Dyno.



(hated the a-pillar)


Alright a trailer.





So... Turbo was junk and didn't make much power. The turbo wouldn't hit 7PSI open gate. BEGI blah blah blah, no recourse... acceptance...
This car is still a ******* riot to drive to me. I feel like I had only driven a Chevrolet Corsica with blown shocks before this car.


I buy a Garrett 2560R but I'm lazy and my car wont break down. Months later and here I am waxing poetically about my Miata. Thank all of you very much for your help and I plan to elaborate a bit more another time. Thanks.
Pictures because...

[URL=http://s1221.photobucket.com/user/sr20dettoms3/media/IMG_0665.jpg.html]
Bad parking, I know.

[URL=http://s1221.photobucket.com/user/sr20dettoms3/media/IMG_0851.jpg.html]
[URL=http://s1221.photobucket.com/user/sr20dettoms3/media/IMG_0851.jpg.html]

Then i Bought Blizzaks off Craig's for $150 because I live in NH and my Miata deserves salt like the rest of them. It's hilariously fun and controlled in the snow. How did I do for the first round?

18psi

iTrader: (76)

lol nice post would read again.

so what was wrong with the churbo?

Full_Tilt_Boogie

iTrader: (1)

Its a BEGi kit with a churbo, so...

Jeffbucc

Good work! That car is clean!

Fireindc

iTrader: (13)

Awesome car and sweet thread you have so far. Is the 2560 on yet? You are going to love it.

RedCarmel

iTrader: (7)

Very sharp looking car and you have a solid foundation. I assume you're using a wideband?

sixshooter

iTrader: (12)

Good job on the intro and the build. Welcome to the forum!

frapjap

Good post! Sorry to hear about the turbo. Do you have any photos of the metal before grinding it out? Did you do that on your own before or after the outstanding customer service at begi decided that you weren't going to be worth their time since they already had your money?

Leafy

iTrader: (1)

Prop'ed for having a dog and not a cat. This should be in the build thread section.

I also hope that poor miata already had rocker rot before you drove it in the snow or else you're an *******.

dieselmiata

iTrader: (3)

Well done. It's good to see a Miata getting the treatment it deserves.

MiataKeith

Quick heads up that all my responses to questions will be like equivalent to making noises to a mechanic to diagnose something.

Upon the first start-up I quickly found out that coolant was not dumping back out of the turbo but into my exhaust. Sweet. Easiest way to move forward was to close loop that **** and rely on the beautiful cooling power of oil.

Running into such a low boost peak happened on the Dyno. He couldn't get over 7PSI with a BC or line off. The car pulls a hard vacuum and I'm not losing air anywhere. He did what he could with my allotted money and off I went.
Other than that the turbo has functioned properly aside from its pre-existing shittyness.

Im sure people on here could help me diagnose it and I could do some learning but I'm basically waiting for it to die.

MiataKeith

Thanks a lot! Don't let the Iphone fool you though. Swirly Swirly paint.

MiataKeith

Early spring I plan to swap out turbo's and tackle a few other things. I still have no idea what to expect when I swap them out. I'm still having a blast with the 160ish HP and no power till after 4k haha.

MiataKeith

Thanks for the kind words. I went with the Innovative LM-1.

18psi

iTrader: (76)

And begi wouldn't warranty the churbo?

MiataKeith

I can dig up some photo's in a bit I'm sure. I'm gonna stay away from reliving my experiences from BEGI for a bit haha. Let's just say it took over 8 months from full payment date. Many mistakes were made and I was promised sunshine and rainbows for 7 months and 20 some-odd days. Try disputing any inventory list over the span of about a year was impossible. Eventually I would like to seek out some other people who have been there too. We could share stories of turmoil and rebuild each others confidence in the free market.

18psi

iTrader: (76)

Wow.

bummer

MiataKeith

BEGI was so confusing. Some days they would help me as I wandered aimlessly into the project and other's the opposite. When it came down to money or recourse on anything though..... they screwed me. I was told point blank I didn't know what I was talking about when going through the coolant line ordeal. I was told it was impossible and it was my error. 10 minutes later they admit fault and tell me I can't be warrantied because it's been more than 30 days....?
It took them over 8 months to send me stuff. My original wait time was 2-3 weeks. I called BEGI concerned of all the threads that I sought on on here bashing them. They assured me that it was all smoke and mirrors from people "you can't please".
They even had the ***** to tell me the reasons my products weren't getting done. "Corky's buddy needs this or that" "Were understaffed" so on....
I don't want to come off as a arrogant but what the *****. Shouldn't be my problem.

MiataKeith

That Jack Russell is a top notch k-9.
I skipped out on the build section because I thought people would be nicer in the Noob section haha.

Allast, I am a ******* though. This Miata is pretty mint. It sat last winter and it just killed me. I'll probably DD a Miata in the winter as long as possible. We've gotten 16" in the last week and not an issue yet. I don't know how people can sit on such a fun car. It killed me when it was NA, no chance now.
I do have a $3 water spray booth on my way to work that i throw money at all winter too though.

18psi

iTrader: (76)

Trust me, you're not alone.

I really wish they'd pull their act together, but doesn't look like that's gonna happen any time soon.