Gooo gawd! What is that terrible racket coming from that engine?!

 

Hydraulic lifters.

 

I think it is just sad that it is being replaced. I will keep an eye on oil level, and beat on it some more. Boost helps seal rings.

 

That beauty supposedly had 70k on it back in 2011...



And a few track days later, it had a rallyx spent 100% of the time above 6000rpm.



That's before a few dozen more track days, and then you got it, turbo charged it, learned to tune on it, and did a few dozen track days and now 2 trips to MRLS on it. I'd say it's led a good life...

 

Its led an epic life.

After talking with Ian I think it's a combo of valve guide seals and lack of rings. I get clouds of smoke on startup, and then some good puffs after boost.

I'm going to watch the oil level and track it tomorrow.

 

That's your car? Lol I remember seeing that a long time ago. That's awesome. You must never sell this.

 

That's the car the motor was in first.

 

Car made it through the day. Had an epic time.

 

Car threw an alternator belt in the middle of nowhere in the pouring rain last night. That was fun. Threw my spare on right before the headlamp died and made it to the campsite just fine. Pretty sure my starter is going out. Car just clicks when I try and start it. Parked on a hill for breakfast though, should be fine.

 

Sounds like it just needs to charge, should be fine after you get rolling. How many miles on the second leg?

 

It caught once. And started right away. Which makes me think it's the starter.

Another 5 hours today.

 

Bailed off i5 about 140 miles into Oregon. Taking back roads the rest of the way. Already found some amazing stuff. More pics when we get home.

 

Dammit! I was going to make a snide comment about your trailer and then I remembered I forgot to look at the leaf springs.

 

Currently if I want to start my Miata I need to open the hood, pound in the starter for 20 seconds with a pry bar, then start it.

It's fun. And rainy.

 

Lol. Aidan. Just lol.

Glad you had a good time.

 

I has video

you and ms Mobius gonna do the coast route with me next year?

 

Big giant recap post coming later today. But for now I'll leave these.

@codrus this is why we have a tarp on the trailer





I'm not kidding, we hit rain in San Jose, like an hour after leaving laguna.

And this is an amazing road we found in southern oregon. I wanted to be off i5 so we just looked at side roads until we saw this one. Total shot in the dark. And it turned out amazing.

Over 30 miles of this, fresh(ish) pavement, trees changing colors, and perfect curves.





I got a new phone, so I have been playing with that instead of uploading ****.

One more. Tree for scale.

 

That road looks amazing. I got to drive some similar ones in north central PA through the gaggle of state parks there. Switch backs, and sweepers, all freshly paved. About an hour or so just on those.

Sad to see that engine go though! At least it gave it it's all. Any chance of rebuilding it and moving it on to someone else?

 

It will definitely get sold probably on Craigslist it still makes good power just a decent amount of smoke.

It really doesn't use oil either I didn't add oil the whole trip and that was about two thousand plus miles and a track day

 

Huuugeee picture dump.

Miatas @ MRLS is by far my favorite track event. And this year was no different. Awesome people, awesome track. Slowly dying motor.

We started with a trip down the coast. Over 800 miles, and about 17 hours total of driving. With a stop in Brookings to camp, and then onto san francisco.

Did the whole thing with the trailer. Here is the weight of the car on the way back home. Front axle, rear axle, trailer





Add another 70 lbs for gas cans and that was our load

First leg from home to brookings.










After brookings we kept going down the coast. This is one of my favorite parts of the drive. The redwoods are just amazing.











This got us to san francisco. Where we stayed with some friends, before heading to laguna the next day




Filled up with oregon gas and then the fun begins











Sam Smith from road and track also took my car out for a few laps. That sucked. I hate other people driving my car




We signed the millionth miata






And also checked out vendor cars




Some rain on the way back home




Last campsite of the trip



And then in an effort to get off of i5 we found this amazing road in southern oregon.





Overall it was an amazing trip. I think it was the perfect sendoff for this motor that has taught me so much. It was a champ, and treated me so well. Over 2000 miles. with a track day in the middle. The motor has put up with over 20,000 boosted miles, 20+ track days, 1 of them with dual drivers, and it never once stuttered.

I'll miss you buddy. You've been a great guy.

This was its first drive in my car



I'll take more pictures of it's last.