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cyotani
11-14-2012, 02:58 AM
After talking to a fellow so-cal member about suspension for a while, he referenced a thread on this site with a wealth of information.
I'm getting a little sick of the CR form>function crap, and trolling this site for a while I think I'm going to like this community. Hopefully I can learn a lot from you guys and contribute some myself.

Here's my build:


Meet Bulbasaur: I finally sourced a clean title straight frame shell and picked it up. It’s a 91 BRG with tan interior (which is kind of growing on me but black interior swap may be in the works… We’ll see). It’s got a whopping 320k miles on it and it looks to be 100% original. It has also been sitting for over 6 years (last tags were in 06) so it will some cleaning of all spider webs and creatures that used to call it home.

The goal is a Weekend Canyon car capable of handeling autocross/ track day duty. Emphasis on function over form as looks are really on the bottom of my priority list. Paint may be on my list as the last thing I do depending on budget and how the build goes. I want the car to first be quick with good handling, then later fast with a turbo or supercharger.

Budget for this build is cheap yet reliable. Almost every part I bought used except for important items such as clutch, suspension, etc. I’m looking to save every penny possible without cutting any corners.


The build Plan:

Stage 1: Get the Car running (COMPLETE!)
Remove seized engine and clean out engine bay. Install ACT clutch and drop in lower mileage healthy engine. Get the car smoged and registered. Drive the car a lot to break in clutch and make sure everything is functioning fine on the vehicle

Stage 2: safety + chassis stiffening (DONE)
Install Roll bar, harnesses, spacro seats and frame rails.

Stage 3: Set up Suspension (DONE)
Install all suspension components, control arms with bushing, 1.8 breaks, torsen, exhaust, etc. get an alignment and roll fenders to fit the 15x9 6ULs. Start auto crossing and hopefully some track days.

Stage 4: ECU and Tune (In Process)
Install Megasquirt, wideband and tune. Add IAT sensor and tune. Add BMW TPS and tune. Add RC 550’s and tune. Basically just get a lot of experience and become familiar with tunnerstudio so I can tune my forced induction set up down the road.


Stage 5: Power
Piece together a turbo or supercharger kit. Im leaning toward turbo at the moment because I always wanted to mess around with a turbo car. Planning on piecing together a kit from begi or flyin miata parts. I already have intercooler set up and piping in my garage. But this is a way in the future.

Stage 6: Paint?¿?


Parts List: (currently on the car)
Mazda Comp Motor Mounts
M-tunes coolant re-route
Oil filter relocation kit
Oil cooler
Magnecor wires
8 lb F1 racing flywheel
ACT 1.6 clutch
1.6 engine with about 50k miles


Going In Soon
15x9 6UL
Flyin Miata front sway (stock or disconnected rear)
Flyin Miata Frame Rails
Poly Differential Bushings
Megan EZ streets
1.8 Brakes
Poly Bushings in all control arms
Hard Dog Double Diagonal
Sparco Sprint 5 seats (mount to floor)
G Force 5 point Harness
Nardi Steering Wheel
Nrg quick release
4.1 torsen swap
Racing Beat exhaust
Test Pipe
Gv lip
R replica Rear spoiler (maybe)
Mud Flaps


Going in later
Mishimoto Radiator
DiyPNP
Wideband 02
RC 550 injectors
Walbro 255
IAT sensor
Variable TPS

Still need to buy
1.8 Hawk Brake Pads
Door Bars (Hard dog, blackfab or DIY?)
Turbo kit or supercharger kit




Picture Whore Time:
(Most of you probably skipped all of the above and went staight to this.)

http://i1089.photobucket.com/albums/i354/cyotani/IMG-20120804-00033.jpg

http://i1089.photobucket.com/albums/i354/cyotani/IMG-20120804-00035-1.jpg

http://i1089.photobucket.com/albums/i354/cyotani/East_San_Gabriel_Valley-20120809-00047.jpg

http://i1089.photobucket.com/albums/i354/cyotani/East_San_Gabriel_Valley-20120809-00050.jpg

http://i1089.photobucket.com/albums/i354/cyotani/East_San_Gabriel_Valley-20120809-00051.jpg

http://i1089.photobucket.com/albums/i354/cyotani/East_San_Gabriel_Valley-20120809-00054.jpg


(off with the F1 stage 3 clutch)
http://i1089.photobucket.com/albums/i354/cyotani/East_San_Gabriel_Valley-20120809-00056.jpg

f1 8 or 9 lb flywheel (i heard they hold up okay so im using it)
http://i1089.photobucket.com/albums/i354/cyotani/East_San_Gabriel_Valley-20120809-00058.jpg


Stage 1 of my build



This was probably the easiest engine install I've done. trick was to remove the coil pack for more fire wall clearance.

Had some wiring issues to the ignition switch due to a half assed security system install. Also the fuel bump was shot so I replaced that. It looks disgusting from sitting in for 7 years and the gas was discolored. So i drained that and fueled up with some fresh 91 octane and replaced the fuel filter. After that car started up with no problems.

The car drives solid! no issues at all except that infamous shake around 60-70 mph. After a test drive i took it over to got it smogged and it passed first time (which is a first for me). I couldn't register it yet those since the title transfer was not complete yet...


Here's some pics:


http://i1089.photobucket.com/albums/i354/cyotani/EastSanGabrielValley-20120810-00064.jpg

coolant reroute kit is neat.
http://i1089.photobucket.com/albums/i354/cyotani/EastSanGabrielValley-20120810-00063.jpg
http://i1089.photobucket.com/albums/i354/cyotani/EastSanGabrielValley-20120810-00062.jpg

old motor mounts were shot. mazada comp FTW!
http://i1089.photobucket.com/albums/i354/cyotani/EastSanGabrielValley-20120810-00065.jpg

my buddy helping me drop the motor in
http://i1089.photobucket.com/albums/i354/cyotani/EastSanGabrielValley-20120810-00069.jpg

http://i1089.photobucket.com/albums/i354/cyotani/EastSanGabrielValley-20120810-00072.jpg

ready for its first drive
http://i1089.photobucket.com/albums/i354/cyotani/EastSanGabrielValley-20120811-00076.jpg

http://i1089.photobucket.com/albums/i354/cyotani/EastSanGabrielValley-20120811-00083.jpg

still trying to figure out what to do about this.... the window zipper is bad to which sucks
http://i1089.photobucket.com/albums/i354/cyotani/EastSanGabrielValley-20120811-00084.jpg

I also got some goodies from Flyin Miata
http://i1089.photobucket.com/albums/i354/cyotani/EastSanGabrielValley-20120810-00061.jpg



Update:

My car official passed the 330k mile mark. Damn impressive.

http://i1089.photobucket.com/albums/i354/cyotani/IMG-20120815-00148.jpg




Installed this "marine amp" which includes everything needed to replace your headunit with just an aux input and volume knob. Its pretty effective in doing so and it only cost me $70. I have yet to tell how durable it is tho. but it will hopefully decrease the likely hood of someone trying to break into my car when they see a alpine head unit or something.

http://i1089.photobucket.com/albums/i354/cyotani/EastSanGabrielValley-20120813-00133.jpg


Also Racing Beat Exhaust is installed!

http://i1089.photobucket.com/albums/i354/cyotani/EastSanGabrielValley-20120813-00134.jpg
http://i1089.photobucket.com/albums/i354/cyotani/EastSanGabrielValley-20120813-00138.jpg
http://i1089.photobucket.com/albums/i354/cyotani/EastSanGabrielValley-20120813-00142.jpg


It sounds pretty good. Nice and quiet at idle and when cruising at half throttle. My Butt Dyno registered a 1.656 gain in HP and a 2.6969 Ft-Lb gain in torque (not bad).

cyotani
11-14-2012, 02:59 AM
First I got this little problem taken care of....


http://i1089.photobucket.com/albums/i354/cyotani/EastSanGabrielValley-20120818-00167.jpg



Then set off to tackle stage 2 (safety + chassis stiffening) of the build this weekend. Overall it went smoothly but was very time consuming. Since it was 105 + degree all weekend in the garage so I only worked at nights.


first night I got started on my Hard Dog Hard core double diagonal roll bar and fylinmiata frame rails.

The combination of these two items made a world of difference (i think mostly the frame rails). No more 65 mph shake. Frame rails are like Viagra except it lasts foreverrrrr. Very easy to install too. I would highly recommend this product!


interior in pieces
http://i1089.photobucket.com/albums/i354/cyotani/IMG-20120817-00156.jpg

http://i1089.photobucket.com/albums/i354/cyotani/IMG-20120817-00158.jpg

http://i1089.photobucket.com/albums/i354/cyotani/IMG-20120818-00161.jpg

Having 2 jacks is awesome
http://i1089.photobucket.com/albums/i354/cyotani/IMG-20120818-00162.jpg

http://i1089.photobucket.com/albums/i354/cyotani/IMG-20120818-00163.jpg


Anyways next evening i got to work on the seats which was a big head ache. First trial i mounted it to the floor but it sat a little too low and was uncomfortable due to the lack of recline. So I worked on modifying the stock sliders to work. The passenger side was easy with a little modification.

Driver side was similar except the rails were wider than floor mounts so I used one side of the oem mounts and drilled holes through the floor board for the other side and used large washers to hold it down ( i still need to fab mounting plates). Sliders work perfectly and the height is perfect. best of all I didnt have to spend $150 + for seat mounting supplies and I get sliders!


http://i1089.photobucket.com/albums/i354/cyotani/EastSanGabrielValley-20120818-00176.jpg

http://i1089.photobucket.com/albums/i354/cyotani/EastSanGabrielValley-20120818-00182.jpg

http://i1089.photobucket.com/albums/i354/cyotani/EastSanGabrielValley-20120818-00179.jpg

http://i1089.photobucket.com/albums/i354/cyotani/EastSanGabrielValley-20120819-00192.jpg

http://i1089.photobucket.com/albums/i354/cyotani/EastSanGabrielValley-20120819-00190.jpg

http://i1089.photobucket.com/albums/i354/cyotani/EastSanGabrielValley-20120819-00189.jpg

Harnesses are half done. I need to order a bolt in component for it since the roll bar I have has a plate welded in which blocks the traditional method of wrapping the straps around the harness bar.

Finally I did the steering wheel. I have a quick release but I need a slimmer hub to make it work comfortably.

Interior is getting to the point i like. I just need a better soft top and, nardi wood grain wheel and some nice tan floor mats.




Next up is suspension. stay tuned!



suspension components installed!

poly bushings on all control arms
Megan EZ streets
Flyin miata front sway
Tosen swap with poly bushings
1.8 brakes



old:
http://i1089.photobucket.com/albums/i354/cyotani/EastSanGabrielValley-20120825-00196.jpg

http://i1089.photobucket.com/albums/i354/cyotani/EastSanGabrielValley-20120825-00198.jpg

http://i1089.photobucket.com/albums/i354/cyotani/EastSanGabrielValley-20120825-00200.jpg

NEW:

http://i1089.photobucket.com/albums/i354/cyotani/EastSanGabrielValley-20120825-00204.jpg

http://i1089.photobucket.com/albums/i354/cyotani/EastSanGabrielValley-20120825-00206.jpg



poly diff busings.... (piece of cake with the right size socket, hammer and some brute force)

http://i1089.photobucket.com/albums/i354/cyotani/EastSanGabrielValley-20120825-00210.jpg

fuego time

http://i1089.photobucket.com/albums/i354/cyotani/EastSanGabrielValley-20120825-00237.jpg

torsen =)

http://i1089.photobucket.com/albums/i354/cyotani/EastSanGabrielValley-20120825-00214.jpg

a little adult lube.
http://i1089.photobucket.com/albums/i354/cyotani/EastSanGabrielValley-20120825-00218.jpg

http://i1089.photobucket.com/albums/i354/cyotani/EastSanGabrielValley-20120825-00220.jpg

bye bye 1.6 vlsd

http://i1089.photobucket.com/albums/i354/cyotani/EastSanGabrielValley-20120825-00226.jpg

http://i1089.photobucket.com/albums/i354/cyotani/EastSanGabrielValley-20120825-00231.jpg

http://i1089.photobucket.com/albums/i354/cyotani/EastSanGabrielValley-20120825-00238.jpg

http://i1089.photobucket.com/albums/i354/cyotani/EastSanGabrielValley-20120826-00244.jpg

http://i1089.photobucket.com/albums/i354/cyotani/EastSanGabrielValley-20120826-00246.jpg

1.8 brakes!

http://i1089.photobucket.com/albums/i354/cyotani/EastSanGabrielValley-20120826-00247.jpg

current ride height

http://i1089.photobucket.com/albums/i354/cyotani/EastSanGabrielValley-20120826-00249.jpg

cyotani
11-14-2012, 02:59 AM
Hella lights

http://i1089.photobucket.com/albums/i354/cyotani/EastSanGabrielValley-20120826-00258.jpg

old headlights

http://i1089.photobucket.com/albums/i354/cyotani/EastSanGabrielValley-20120826-00254.jpg

New lights

http://i1089.photobucket.com/albums/i354/cyotani/EastSanGabrielValley-20120826-00260.jpg


favorite shot so far

http://i1089.photobucket.com/albums/i354/cyotani/EastSanGabrielValley-20120826-00253.jpg

15x9 6ul with rs3s! Damn I love this set up
http://i1089.photobucket.com/albums/i354/cyotani/IMG_20120913_185619.jpg


first piece of turbo build

http://i1089.photobucket.com/albums/i354/cyotani/EastSanGabrielValley-20120830-00265.jpg

cyotani
11-14-2012, 03:03 AM
After getting this far in the build, I realized that Megan EZ street are not the most ideal set up for a autocross/track car. So I'm looking to upgrade my suspension in the near future. I have a cheap daily driver so I don't mind a stiff set up since this car will mostly see canyon roads and the track.

I'm currently looking into:
fortune auto 500
stance gr+
tein flex
revalved bilsteins with gc springs
variant kw1
other suggestions around the $1k-ish price range?

I<3flippyheadlights
11-14-2012, 07:56 AM
First off, welcome! The car looks great and you have put a fair amount of work into it (how is it a budget build at this point!? :P) After everything is said and done, I hope you do paint it. It will bring the car together.

Wish I could help you on your suspension. Most people just like to cruise with the EZ streets so I can understand why you would want something different. XJdesertfox posted a thread with the price of almost every suspension set up for Miatas. http://mazdaroadster.net/showthread.php?3143-%26%238658%3B-Miata-Suspension-Listed-by-Price-%26%238656%3B&highlight=spring+rates

The guy is really knows his stuff when it comes to suspension so read this thread also http://mazdaroadster.net/showthread.php?2167-Coilover-at-1200-price-point-So-many-options-gt-_-lt&highlight=spring+rates&p=52582#post52582

He has the same goal as you, at least I think, so the reading may help. Enjoy your time here at Mazdaroadster! Once again, love the car.

roy obanion
11-14-2012, 08:27 AM
You might want to consider the FM Vmaxx xtreme (adjustables). Oh and welcome to mazdaroadster! :D

Glad to see you save a BRG as well.

cyotani
11-14-2012, 12:40 PM
First off, welcome! The car looks great and you have put a fair amount of work into it (how is it a budget build at this point!? :P) After everything is said and done, I hope you do paint it. It will bring the car together.

Wish I could help you on your suspension. Most people just like to cruise with the EZ streets so I can understand why you would want something different. XJdesertfox posted a thread with the price of almost every suspension set up for Miatas. http://mazdaroadster.net/showthread.php?3143-%26%238658%3B-Miata-Suspension-Listed-by-Price-%26%238656%3B&highlight=spring+rates

The guy is really knows his stuff when it comes to suspension so read this thread also http://mazdaroadster.net/showthread.php?2167-Coilover-at-1200-price-point-So-many-options-gt-_-lt&highlight=spring+rates&p=52582#post52582

He has the same goal as you, at least I think, so the reading may help. Enjoy your time here at Mazdaroadster! Once again, love the car.


That actually was the guy I talked to on facebook. He loves his Xida but idk if I can spend that kind of money now

And for the budget part you'll be surprised at how much, or little, I've spent compared to whats actually in the car. almost every part is second hand and most of it gotten through purchasing an entire car then parting what I don't need out. For example, the engine, coolant re route, seats, harnesses, steering wheel, oil cooler all ended up being free after I picked up a wrecked car and made my money back parting out the rest. I am a college kid and my car is self funded through selling stuff on craigslist so I can put all my other money towards college loans. My turbo kit will be a pretty legit set up costing under $1k.


You might want to consider the FM Vmaxx xtreme (adjustables). Oh and welcome to mazdaroadster! :D

Glad to see you save a BRG as well.

I absolutely fell in love with the color. such a classic.

and I forgot to mention vmax as an option. I've heard some great reviews and some mediocre reviews on those. Suspension threads are weird because people hate on things they've never drove on. I really just need to find someone local with something I'm interested in and ask for a ride along.

I<3flippyheadlights
11-14-2012, 12:55 PM
Ah well that explains things. I am a college kid too and spent a fair amount of money on my car. I'm going the other route, I'll accumulate debt and work to buy car parts. You only live once and I'm not gonna slave through college and not enjoy life with the money I have! On the topic of boost, my set up will be under 1500 and thats SC, MS, clutch, injectors, gauges, and diff. WOOO FOR BUDGET!

cyotani
11-15-2012, 05:30 AM
Lost traction at GMR (mountain road) tonight. Slowed down alot but ran off the road and bumped into some loose dirt on the side of the mountain. Nothing to terrible but definitely a wake up call to not push the car too hard in the mountains. But damn that thing is just too fun to drive.

Luckily I was with some buddies and we got it pushed out and back home safely. It's got some minor damage, the alignment is off on my front right wheel but no bent control arms. I'm hoping just an alignment can get it back in spec. Also my 6ul might have gotten a little bent. I hope not but we'll see this weekend.

Oh well, live and learn.