Denoobitization Treatments Have Begun
11-18-2008, 03:12 PM
#1
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Denoobitization Treatments Have Begun
Hello all!
I have been studying your forum for a while now and I am quite impressed. The knowledge base in this group is impressive, and you all seem very helpful and interested in each other's projects. That is rare. Many other forums about any subject or interest are littered with unhelpful people who cure their boredom by making snide quips to strangers. Here many of you really seem to know each other and maintain a level of respect and actual interest in each other.
Most of the threads and info are unable to be seen without joining up(including the faqs), but from what I have been allowed to see over the last few weeks I have learned a great deal.
As for me, I have always been a car guy. Musclecars, hot rods, English cars, anything with an engine. I am new to turbo cars, but hope to learn quickly. I have a 96 Miata, 68 Austin Healey Sprite, 69 Opel GT, 68 GTO Conv. and a few others. I autocrossed my 89 RX-7 for over 5 years before selling it to buy my Miata. I tell everyone that the RX-7 just had too much power for me, so I had to drop 50hp and 500lbs and go to the Miata. The bone stock Miata has so far been autocrossed occasionally and is driven often on weekends.
I hope to be a contrubutor to the forum and not just a beneficiary.
I have been a pretty good lurker and not usually a "joiner" but here goes...
I have been studying your forum for a while now and I am quite impressed. The knowledge base in this group is impressive, and you all seem very helpful and interested in each other's projects. That is rare. Many other forums about any subject or interest are littered with unhelpful people who cure their boredom by making snide quips to strangers. Here many of you really seem to know each other and maintain a level of respect and actual interest in each other.
Most of the threads and info are unable to be seen without joining up(including the faqs), but from what I have been allowed to see over the last few weeks I have learned a great deal.
As for me, I have always been a car guy. Musclecars, hot rods, English cars, anything with an engine. I am new to turbo cars, but hope to learn quickly. I have a 96 Miata, 68 Austin Healey Sprite, 69 Opel GT, 68 GTO Conv. and a few others. I autocrossed my 89 RX-7 for over 5 years before selling it to buy my Miata. I tell everyone that the RX-7 just had too much power for me, so I had to drop 50hp and 500lbs and go to the Miata. The bone stock Miata has so far been autocrossed occasionally and is driven often on weekends.
I hope to be a contrubutor to the forum and not just a beneficiary.
I have been a pretty good lurker and not usually a "joiner" but here goes...
0
11-18-2008, 05:06 PM
#4
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Kotomile - What kind of wings are for penguins? My resolution is too poor to make it out.
Stein - I should look for some pics of those cars. None are "finished" because there are too many of them. Frankly, every time I look at them I only see the work that needs to be done and the imperfections glaring back at me. It reminds me of the paradox of the ugly but really sweet girlfriend. You really feel fulfilled and rewarded when you spend time with her, but you become uneasy and self-conscious when others are sizing her up. I love them all for their unique qualities, but they each need some kind of help.
Stein - I should look for some pics of those cars. None are "finished" because there are too many of them. Frankly, every time I look at them I only see the work that needs to be done and the imperfections glaring back at me. It reminds me of the paradox of the ugly but really sweet girlfriend. You really feel fulfilled and rewarded when you spend time with her, but you become uneasy and self-conscious when others are sizing her up. I love them all for their unique qualities, but they each need some kind of help.
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11-18-2008, 06:56 PM
#7
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Welcome. Nice intro!
I went to school at Tampa U. Loved the city. I try to pass by once in a blue moon.
I'd appreciate pics of the "bug eye". I got one of my 2 tickets while driving a loaner from a close friend when I was in Tampa. I loved that little car btw.
You seem to be closer to my age than most members here. I too have a 96 (Montego Blue in my case).
I went to school at Tampa U. Loved the city. I try to pass by once in a blue moon.
I'd appreciate pics of the "bug eye". I got one of my 2 tickets while driving a loaner from a close friend when I was in Tampa. I loved that little car btw.
You seem to be closer to my age than most members here. I too have a 96 (Montego Blue in my case).
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11-18-2008, 07:13 PM
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Rafa,
Sorry, it's no bugeye. They stopped making the bugeye in 64 or so and went to lights in the fenders instead of the hood after that. They also added a trunk lid and a massive engine. The bugeye had a 948cc engine. Mine has the enormous 1275cc monster (rated at no less than 52 gross HP when both sidedraft carbs were in agreement (which was only a theory)). Now that I am at home I'll see what pics I might have...
Sorry, it's no bugeye. They stopped making the bugeye in 64 or so and went to lights in the fenders instead of the hood after that. They also added a trunk lid and a massive engine. The bugeye had a 948cc engine. Mine has the enormous 1275cc monster (rated at no less than 52 gross HP when both sidedraft carbs were in agreement (which was only a theory)). Now that I am at home I'll see what pics I might have...
0
11-18-2008, 07:16 PM
#11
Lol, my dad had a few Sprites, he said the carbs would go out of adjustment if you looked at them funny. Interestingly, he went to USF and helped to stand up the campus' sports car club.
0
11-18-2008, 07:41 PM
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Found pics!
I am surprised I found anything at all. OK let's see if I attached them correctly. This interface is new to me as well.
The Miata is actually the bue/green metallic color even though it looks black in the picture.
I am surprised I found anything at all. OK let's see if I attached them correctly. This interface is new to me as well.
The Miata is actually the bue/green metallic color even though it looks black in the picture.
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11-18-2008, 07:42 PM
#14
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Rafa,
Sorry, it's no bugeye. They stopped making the bugeye in 64 or so and went to lights in the fenders instead of the hood after that. They also added a trunk lid and a massive engine. The bugeye had a 948cc engine. Mine has the enormous 1275cc monster (rated at no less than 52 gross HP when both sidedraft carbs were in agreement (which was only a theory)). Now that I am at home I'll see what pics I might have...
Sorry, it's no bugeye. They stopped making the bugeye in 64 or so and went to lights in the fenders instead of the hood after that. They also added a trunk lid and a massive engine. The bugeye had a 948cc engine. Mine has the enormous 1275cc monster (rated at no less than 52 gross HP when both sidedraft carbs were in agreement (which was only a theory)). Now that I am at home I'll see what pics I might have...
0
11-18-2008, 07:45 PM
#15
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I get the sense your Miata is also Montego Blue. It changes from blue to green depending on the lighting. If I ever get to repaint mine I'll go with some kind of blue.
BTW, if you don't mind, I'll upload a pic of one of my old cars tomorrow after I scan it and see if you can guess which car it is.
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11-18-2008, 10:42 PM
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The Opel has a chevy 60 degree 3.1 liter v-6 and a Borg Warner t-5 from a 92 Camaro that has the entire GM engine harness and ECU with it. I have been daydreaming about little twin turbos for that one, too.
I just need to concentrate on one at a time. That is the problem.
And the Goat...It is hard to get it stopped with just the 455cu. in. engine that is in it. Needs more brakes. Cowl shake is a bitch, and it will never handle well, but it is fun to get out on the interstate and cruise.
The Sprite is a go-kart. It makes the Miata seem heavy and bloated. It weighs about a thousand pounds less than the Miata. But the Miata always cranks up...
And the Miata is much faster.
I have to tell you about this. When I pulled the engine and trans out of the Sprite, the clutch in the Sprite is not much bigger than an audio CD. Roughly the size of a 45 record for those who remember record players. Everything is tiny. And different. Lots of felt and leather instead of plastic and rubber in various places. There was a cotter pin hanging loosely from a hole in the bottom of the transmission. I thought someone had the tranny apart and left a stinking cotter pin loose in it. Nope. I saw it later in the manual. It was refered to as a factory drip point! They intended for it to leak when they designed it. Now that's engineering! The car is full of oddities like that.
I just need to concentrate on one at a time. That is the problem.
And the Goat...It is hard to get it stopped with just the 455cu. in. engine that is in it. Needs more brakes. Cowl shake is a bitch, and it will never handle well, but it is fun to get out on the interstate and cruise.
The Sprite is a go-kart. It makes the Miata seem heavy and bloated. It weighs about a thousand pounds less than the Miata. But the Miata always cranks up...
And the Miata is much faster.
I have to tell you about this. When I pulled the engine and trans out of the Sprite, the clutch in the Sprite is not much bigger than an audio CD. Roughly the size of a 45 record for those who remember record players. Everything is tiny. And different. Lots of felt and leather instead of plastic and rubber in various places. There was a cotter pin hanging loosely from a hole in the bottom of the transmission. I thought someone had the tranny apart and left a stinking cotter pin loose in it. Nope. I saw it later in the manual. It was refered to as a factory drip point! They intended for it to leak when they designed it. Now that's engineering! The car is full of oddities like that.
0
11-18-2008, 11:42 PM
#19
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My old '58 Pan Head was like that. The crankcase was vented into the primary chain box and the vapor would condense back to a liquid and drip on the primary chain to lube it. Plus it had clutch plates in the goose neck with an adjustable **** on top so you could set dampening on the front end. Weird stuff!!!
Those were the days. Leather belts, rope seals, leaded gas and vinyl recordings!
OMFG I'm old!!!
Those were the days. Leather belts, rope seals, leaded gas and vinyl recordings!
OMFG I'm old!!!
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11-19-2008, 05:12 AM
#20
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