XCLR8TN's BRG LS6 Build

[moerdogg]

This might be my favorite all-time Miata build. Love the V8 BRG!

Can you get a better lifting method for the engine install? Tilting it up with that 2x4 gives me the willies!

[XCLR8TN]

Ps. you need Brabus zip for Smart, makes the "oh so slow, what did you want to change gear, oo its a bad idea, maybe, ok there you go" gear change to usable, almost fast I would say.

Wait a min, what? lol

I have neglected this thread. Sorry! I got a ton of stuff done since last update.

-New Spec Stage 2 clutch shimmed/installed
-The engine and tranny are in
-Radiator brackets have been made but it's not in yet
-Headers are mounted
-Clutch and brake master cylinders are mounted
-Clutch pedal reinforced
-6.0L truck starter (shorter) replaced the 5.7L one for ease of access/installation of headers
-Fuel lines have been run
-XIDA CS's have been installed
-Tranny crossmember/frame rail brace mounting has been modified to tuck everything above the frame rails
-New wheels were painted
-Hood struts have arrived (yay no more hood prop!)
-Nardi arrived
-Wiring has been started... engine harness is ready but chassis wiring isn't done.
-Hub/QR arrived

Random wheel porn:



Nardi:



The car made it outside on the old wheels!



New coilovers to replace the STANCE:



Engine before it went in:




The hilarious size comparison



Tonight:

Swapped out the rear springs on the XIDAs. They came with 6"/500lb, I replaced with 5"/500lb to give me more clearance between the collar and the axle. Keep in mind, the V8R axles are larger in diameter than a stock Miata axle. You'll also notice how far back I yanked the axle boot so it wouldn't contact anything.

Before (about an 1/8" clearance):


After (a smidge over 1/2" clearance):


I'm not running any preload, just threaded the collars up till it kept the spring in place.


I forgot to put the driver side brake bracket on but by the time I made it to the passenger side I remembered...
Before and after of passenger side (this is to relocate the junction block to driver side and make a receptacle for the brake line on the passenger side):



Also mounted up the ECU, TAC box for the drive by wire pedal, fuse box, and the brake proportioning valve:

Bracket:


Mounted (out of the way but easier to get to than under the hood):

The brake lines going to/from the prop valve will mostly be hidden. That's next..

ECU bracket:


Mounted:


I used an OEM S10 mount for the ECU, and just bolted it to the homemade bracket so it wasn't rattling around. I still need to add rubber isolators, just in case.

New parts arrived, thanks to Miataroadster and Treasurecoastmiata:

[XCLR8TN]

This might be my favorite all-time Miata build. Love the V8 BRG!

Can you get a better lifting method for the engine install? Tilting it up with that 2x4 gives me the willies!

Yes, I lift it by myself and someone pushes the motor under lol. And thank you for the compliments

[I<3flippyheadlights]

This car, omg. Are you seeing the light at the end of the tunnel or are you still searching? The wheels look fan-freakin-tastic!

[XCLR8TN]

This car, omg. Are you seeing the light at the end of the tunnel or are you still searching? The wheels look fan-freakin-tastic!

The light is slowly getting brighter haha.

I have a short list saved on my phone..To remind me.

-wiring
-fluids
-battery
-intake
-headlights
-exhaust
-rad hoses
-brake lines
-hood

[treeafodo]

I've been following this build over on CR for a while. It's nice to see it over here.

[—tsingson—]

Awesome build so far man! And the wheels look great!

[Doward]

Yea MAN!!!

[wannafbody]

Those wheels are faptastic

[I<3flippyheadlights]

Yea MAN!!!

I wonder when they will catch on....

[jef]

I wonder when they will catch on....

*jess*

[— John J —]

Great progress Jess, its always interesting to see how your build has progressed. Wrap your starter with heat shield when you complete wiring of the starter. If you have not installed heat shields for the motor mounts then buy some from FM and install those too. A lesson taught to me by Mark @ Perry Racing from his V8 racing experience is that you cannot have too much heat shielding. I have heat shielding on fuel lines, ignition wiring by manifolds, and any other wiring areas where I believe there is the risk of heat exposure. You are almost at the end of a long journey and it looks good. I look forward to you project being on the road. By the way, they (the cars) never get done. And by all means move the air intake out of the engine bay too when you get to that point.

[samulis]

Wait a min, what? lol

You need to flash the ECU with Brabus stuff, it makes the notoriously slow gearchange faster. Or have they changed that?

If you have not installed heat shields for the motor mounts then buy some from FM and install those too. A lesson taught to me by Mark @ Perry Racing from his V8 racing experience is that you cannot have too much heat shielding. I have heat shielding on fuel lines, ignition wiring by manifolds, and any other wiring areas where I believe there is the risk of heat exposure..

Add fuel tank heat shielding, cover the exhaust under the gas tank.

[XCLR8TN]

Awesome build so far man! And the wheels look great!

Those wheels are faptastic

Glad you guys like them!

Yea MAN!!!

I laughed out loud haha

I wonder when they will catch on....

*jess*

Yeah, for those that don't know... I'm a girl. I may have short hair (it's super short in this pic below), but I am a girl.

Great progress Jess, its always interesting to see how your build has progressed. Wrap your starter with heat shield when you complete wiring of the starter. If you have not installed heat shields for the motor mounts then buy some from FM and install those too. A lesson taught to me by Mark @ Perry Racing from his V8 racing experience is that you cannot have too much heat shielding. I have heat shielding on fuel lines, ignition wiring by manifolds, and any other wiring areas where I believe there is the risk of heat exposure. You are almost at the end of a long journey and it looks good. I look forward to you project being on the road. By the way, they (the cars) never get done. And by all means move the air intake out of the engine bay too when you get to that point.

I wrapped the starter right after that pic was taken! Also, I have the motor mount heat shields. I'll look into fuel line shielding.

You need to flash the ECU with Brabus stuff, it makes the notoriously slow gearchange faster. Or have they changed that?

Add fuel tank heat shielding, cover the exhaust under the gas tank.

I had no idea the Brabus shifting was any different! I have the v2 TCU flash (or so the little piece of paper that came with my owners manual says). I still have the "searching for reverse issue" occasionally, though.

I painted the gas tank with the heat insulation paint I had, and doubled it up where the exhaust would be next to it. We'll see how I route the exhaust, if it seems too close I'll add more shielding.

[LostSoulMiata]

I'm on here now, so you must be on here too, Jess!