Begi-S build thread
 

Hey,
I'm going to document my BEGI-S install on my '93 LE here. Hopefully the next newb will use the search engine and hit something useful here.

I'm in the Burlington, Vermont area, for those local.

So far, the car has the following mods:

1. Flying Miata frame rails (no butterfly yet)
2. Home made control arm brace
3. Racing Beat 2.5 single cat back with resonator

For the BEGI-S, I upgraded the following:

1. Boost gauge
2. Stainless water and oil lines
3. Stainless oil return line

My long term goal is to hit about 200hp, but I'm going to be doing it over the next couple years. I hope to build a MS and boomslang next winter, and then next summer I think I need to address the clutch and maybe bushings.

After that, I'll get back on the boost by adding an intercooler. I will probably fab it myself, since the BEGI piece seems pretty pricey.

I've snapped some shots as I tore stuff off. Pics as soon as they finish uploading.

Jim

http://picasaweb.google.com/jbresee/...56269487656194

Cleaning up the wipers with some fresh paint. They'd worn to bare metal.

http://picasaweb.google.com/jbresee/...56289085690882

Using black crinkle paint on the valve cover gasket. This is the Eastwood product. It seems ok.

http://picasaweb.google.com/jbresee/...58083269502498

What's wrong with this downpipe? Corky has a replacement in the mail for me.

http://picasaweb.google.com/jbresee/...56257024877138

Question for the BEG-S owners. In this picture, you can see the hose routing bracket placed on the frame. The instructions aren't clear on where this bracket sits. Are there pre-drilled holes somewhere, or do I drill the frame?

Right now, I'm fighting rusted bolts on the cat that I've completely stripped. I'm going to attack them with an easy out from Sears when I get some sleep.

Well, crap. I screwed up posting those images. Hook a newb up... how do I link inline images that are hosted on Picassa?
Thanks,
Jim

from the looks of it it's missing the other guide for the bolt to pass through and tie the two pieces together.

Looking good so far.


To upload pics you have to use the IMG tag(little postcard looking icon) and post the image location there.

To find the images "location" you right click the photo, and view properties. There you will find the location

Hopefully that helps.

Right-O
 

Yup. Should be week until it's here.

slow progress
 

I managed to beat the cat bolts to death today. They had become one with the studs.

I also got oil feed line in.

And then I hit the wall trying to get clearance to drill the pan.

On a thread somewhere I read that the best way to get at it was to drop the steering rack. But on reflection, I think that only works on manual steering racks. On the power, it just sucks.

I'm going to pick up a 90 degree chuck for the drill and give it another go later this week.

I'm getting really frustrated with the amount of time I get to spend on this. I'm getting about 2 hours a week. Sigh..

Try pulling the AC and you should have enough room to drill if you cant do it with it in there. Ive herd really long bits can get it done with the AC still in there. Drilling can be done at an angle, tapping needs to be done stright.

trying a 90 degree bit today....
 

I borrowed one of those 90 degree drills today - the kind used to drill holes in studs for plumbing and wiring.

I think that will give me the clearance I need. First I have to put the steering rack back together.

I'll let you know if it works out.

mmm, I do not look froward to drilling the pan. i have not done it, but if I could suggest - the way I will probably do it is to start it with the 12" 3/8 bit used for roll bar installation. that would act as a pilot hole and make using your angle bit easier to gain purchase with.

yes drilling a smaller hole is always easier, i used 4 different bits before i went to the tap size.

Tapped... what a pita
 

Ok..

I think I'm tapped in the right place without tagging the oil pickup.

What a pain!

I ended up removing the AC compressor to get a little room, but I think the 90 degree drill was the trick.

Don't drop the steering rack on a power steering car - it buys you nothing.

where are the pictures dude?

I'm stuck. Arrrgh.
 

What a frustrating day of wrenching.



Tapping the pan went fine. I got the turbo prepped. But when I went to put the manifold on, I can not get a wrench on the bolt on the lower middle. There just is not enough clearance.



http://picasaweb.google.com/jbresee/...84050866864882

The one I can't get to work is the lower one in the picture. I suspect I need to pull all the other nuts off and swap the copper nut for the original nut to gain just enough clearance to get the job done.


Also, I ended up spending a couple of hours customizing the pipe where it bolts up to the cat. The flange does not leave enough room for a bolt there.

Ass sucking day. Lots of time, little progress.

progress... measured in inches.
 

I managed to get the manifold on.

Turbo and downpipe are in. But check out the clearance in this pic:

http://picasaweb.google.com/jbresee/...81432045121714

Would you guys loosen the turbo to manifold bolts and see if it moves back at all, or would you take a hammer to the frame section where the pipe is touching?

Corky's instructions warn of the Cat touching the undercarriage, but I don't appear to have that risk.


Here's another view of the turbo mounting:

http://picasaweb.google.com/jbresee/...81422946404210

Running.
 

Ok, fired it up for the first time.

Idle is high - about 1500rpm, but smooth. I will go through the intake stuff and see if I can spot any leaks.

I also may have an exhaust leak at the cat. I need to check that out.

I haven't tested the fuel pressure regulator out yet. The pressure gauges is leaking, so I have to figure that out.

Getting close.... More pics tonight.

Jim

fuel pressure is low...
 

I'm at 20 psi.

When I pull the signal line, I don't see a boost in fuel pressure.


I need to noodle through this a bit.
Jim

any update on this?

update would be great. i will be getting my Begi-s very soon.

Update
 

I picked up another fuel pressure gauge, and confirmed the settings on the BEGI regulator.

It is working as designed. I have the following issues to deal with when I pull it out of storage for the summer:

1. I suspect the rear main seal is leaking, so I'll do the clutch when I'm in there.
2. The O2 sensor wires got toasted by touching the exhaust pipe near the turbo, so I have to re-wire that.


I'm hoping to build a megasquirt and then add an inter-cooler. My target HP at the end of the project is 225.

If you have any questions as you play with your BEGI-S, I'd be happy to try and help.
Jim