Old newb
 

hey guys, I've been around here for a while, but I generally use it for research. I don't have to ask many questions because of the wealth of knowledge from all you car nuts like me. I've build hot rods and muscle cars for years, some fast and some won best in show. I'm a fabricator, engine builder and general all around car nut. I have already built a miata engine w/ a 96 block, h-beam rods, wisecos and I gently messaged a 99 head. Now I'm looking to go back to forced induction, which is where you fellas come in. I have a homebrew M62 SC that I cobbled together that made enough power to screw a clutch and rings, smokey smokey. now that the engine is built, I think a turbo is in my sights. you may see me lurking around for parts, which will work better when I can pm. I have a 96' and I'm not afraid to abuse it!!

Welcome. I can't tell you much about a SC but there's a few rotor heads around here that could unless your mind is already made up. Which it sounds like it may be.

I would say go with a turbo anyway but I'm definitely biased. The power curve isn't as linear but the right sized turbo will spool fast and make more power any how. It's a real kick in the ass when it does spool up and lots of fun in a little car like a Miata.

Post up some pics of the hot rods if you got any. Pics are like crack around here, we just love eye candy. Enjoy your stay!!!

I may go back to the SC, since I have it already, but I'd rather go turbo. We'll see what the budget allows. I have some pics of the last car I was paid to build. I owned a custom shop for a short time before the economy kicked my teeth in and my investors bailed. We sold the car before it hit a single show and the guy that bought it won best in show first 9 out of 10 shows. I wanted at least one trophy from all the labor. Just FYI, don't ever build a Corvette!! Nothing fits and the engineering is ridiculous. I do have contacts at GM, so I talked to the plant manager in bowling green, he confirms the craziness with building Vettes. This car is custom in every way. I had to make the hood to clear the dual carbs, so that's a one off 427 scoop on an L88 hood. One of my best fiberglass jobs ever. I had to bring the dash out 3/4" to get the autometer guages to fit, like I said, crazy custom build. Oh the stories behind this project. Just a note, the sidepipes are jet hot coated and not just black paint. Here are a few highlights, enjoy. I hope the pics work
http://www.flickr.com/photos/25522602@N05/4795191124/
Well there's the problem, you have a loose nut behind the wheel
http://www.flickr.com/photos/2552260...n/photostream/
That's spray on bedliner coating the engine bay and bottom of car, turned out great
http://www.flickr.com/photos/2552260...n/photostream/
The seperation
http://www.flickr.com/photos/25522602@N05/4794546519/

I guess the pics didn't come out. I used flickr, but maybe they are too big?

Let's try this again. This should work in a round about way. You can guess which subtitle goes with the pics
http://www.flickr.com/photos/25522602@N05/4795191124/

Nice ride, man. Jeez, do you have to jack up the motor to change the belt or what?:giggle:

1/2" clearance for balancer, I had to notch the frame. every piece of the car had to be cut, welded, bent or messaged in some way. I had a vision and sometimes I need a BFH to make it fit. pretty cool turnout. fiberglass mono leaf front and back(no coils in front), 425 rwhp, electric actuated headlights, leather corbeau seats, autometer phantom gauges and every part has a story. all together about $50k in it. I built everything including the engine, but I farmed out the paint, that's a $10k paint job and my customer had the stupid stingray emblem put on the side. I hate it when customers tinker with my visions!!

Very nicely done. Bet it runs good too. It looks like a lot of fab work indeed but the end result was well worth it. Coming from a family of gear heads, it warms my heart to see a nice hot rod now and again.

My brother has had a bunch of Camaros, now he has a black '55 Chevy with a slightly built 396 in it. I bet he was a little confused when I told him I picked a Miata for a street car until I told him I put a huge turbo on it and was going to run 20 psi. He now has a Mazda Speed 3. I wonder if I influenced his decision a little.

My cousin has a '79 Malibu that him and one of the local NMCA guys are building a nitrous small block for. He plans on shooting 400-500 at it and is expecting about 1100 HP! It must run in the family.

Cool, that's what I cut my teeth on. V8 grunt. which is why i started with an SC, more linear power down low. I currently have a 71 Chevelle, 383 450rwhp tremec 5 speed, low to mid 7's in 8th and 80mph at 2,500 rpm. I also have a 67 Camaro, full build, all new sheetmetal, roof, quarters everything, the endless project. 69 chevy pickup farm truck, primer grey w/ Lt1 from 95 Camaro, a miata of course and my daily driver silverado.

I need one more post to sell stuff and join the turbo ranks, so here it is.

We will let it slide because of the badass vette... i think.

appreciated.. I need money to go turbo. I built the engine, so it's ready for real power. 250hp should be a good start.

Keep the SC and then turbo it as well, compound boost FTW!