XCLR8TN's BRG LS6 Build

[XCLR8TN]

My car is a 1991 BRG that originally had all options but an auto tranny. I could go through the various steps of modification that got me to this point (I might later), but I'll keep this to just the V8 build. Car had a Greddy turbo on it before.

Parts acquired thus far:

-LS6 engine with 9,000 miles out of an 01 Corvette Z06, no A/C or PS
-V8 Roadsters subframe mounting kit (includes tubular subframe, engine mounts, tranny crossmember, and frame rail braces)
-T56 transmission out of a 1999 Trans Am (6 speed), with B&M short shifter and skip-shift eliminator
-Monster Stage 3 clutch rated to 700 hp/tq (came with tranny)
-Drive by Wire throttle pedal from a 97-04 Vette
-Walbro 255
-Vette Filter/Regulator
-AN fittings and stainless lines
-LS1 Pilot Bearing (LS6 won't work)
-New Clutch Master Cylinder, bleed lines
-CTS Diff (05, 54k, 3.42 gears and LSD) and diff vent
-V8R Stage 1 Mounting kit
-Refreshed Hubs/Wheel bearings courtesy of Planet Miata
-Sport brakes with R4S pads
-OEM engine harness converted to standalone by Speartech
-TAC box to DBW pedal harness (Speartech also)
-V8R screw-on oil filter oil pan
-FM V8 Swap Front Sway Bar
-Racing Beat Endlinks F/R
-949Racing 6UL's; 15x9 +36 with 225/45/15 Toyo R1Rs


Parts that I still need for the swap:

Electrical
-ECU reflash to delete VATS and 2 of the 4 o2 sensors it is looking for
-Gauge solution
-New Miata body wiring harness (mostly just for the lights)

Exhaust
-Headers, waiting on Sanderson's 1.625" primary headers
-Exhaust system (probably custom 3" to a Y" to a single pipe back)

Other
-I decided I didn't want my ABS anymore (I had been running it relay-less anyways for about a year), so I yanked everything... which means I need a new non-ABS Master Cylinder (I have Sport brakes to go on) and new brake lines
-Radiator (more than likely FM)


Project goals:
-Shaved (DONE), tucked, and stitch welded (DONE) bay
-2200-2300lb curb weight (no A/C, PS, Cruise, ABS, heater)

Random notes:
-OEM Miata wiring harness with plugs for all options weighed 17lbs.

Progress pics

http://i971.photobucket.com/albums/ae196/XCLR8TN/My%20Miata%20Pics/LS6%20Build/During/cuts2.jpg

http://i971.photobucket.com/albums/ae196/XCLR8TN/yanked.jpg

http://i971.photobucket.com/albums/ae196/XCLR8TN/My%20Miata%20Pics/LS6%20Build/During/IMG_4818.jpg

http://i971.photobucket.com/albums/ae196/XCLR8TN/My%20Miata%20Pics/LS6%20Build/During/DSC_8551.jpg

All new pics get uploaded here, feel free to subscribe:

http://s971.photobucket.com/albums/ae196/XCLR8TN/My%20Miata%20Pics/LS6%20Build/During/

[XCLR8TN]

Stitch weld pics:


http://i971.photobucket.com/albums/ae196/XCLR8TN/My%20Miata%20Pics/LS6%20Build/During/DSC_8979.jpg

http://i971.photobucket.com/albums/ae196/XCLR8TN/My%20Miata%20Pics/LS6%20Build/During/DSC_8985.jpg

http://i971.photobucket.com/albums/ae196/XCLR8TN/My%20Miata%20Pics/LS6%20Build/During/DSC_8984.jpg

[XCLR8TN]

I added some parts to the motor...

-Texas Speed Cam Package (Torquer v3)
-Used Ported Oil Pump
-Mezeire Electric Water Pump (+Mezeire water pump inlet fitting (doesn't come with the pump!), Mezeire thermostat housing (pump didn't have a provision for a thermostat) w/small block chevy thermostat)
-ATI Super Damper no A/C provision
-LS2 Timing Chain
-Ford Red Top injectors
-ARP Crank Bolt
-F-body alternator and bracket


http://i971.photobucket.com/albums/ae196/XCLR8TN/My%20Miata%20Pics/LS6%20Build/During/IMG_9558-sm.jpg
http://i971.photobucket.com/albums/ae196/XCLR8TN/My%20Miata%20Pics/LS6%20Build/During/IMG_9560-sm.jpg

http://i971.photobucket.com/albums/ae196/XCLR8TN/My%20Miata%20Pics/LS6%20Build/During/089ec715.jpg
http://i971.photobucket.com/albums/ae196/XCLR8TN/My%20Miata%20Pics/LS6%20Build/During/dc26f6bf.jpg

[XCLR8TN]

Shaving the bay:

http://i971.photobucket.com/albums/ae196/XCLR8TN/My%20Miata%20Pics/LS6%20Build/During/30c35846.jpg

http://i971.photobucket.com/albums/ae196/XCLR8TN/My%20Miata%20Pics/LS6%20Build/During/8235ad5d.jpg

http://i971.photobucket.com/albums/ae196/XCLR8TN/My%20Miata%20Pics/LS6%20Build/During/1fe39802.jpg

[XCLR8TN]

Test fit:

http://i971.photobucket.com/albums/ae196/XCLR8TN/My%20Miata%20Pics/LS6%20Build/During/7a8533ea.jpg

[XCLR8TN]

Painted bay:

http://i971.photobucket.com/albums/ae196/XCLR8TN/My%20Miata%20Pics/LS6%20Build/During/a632bf96.jpg
http://i971.photobucket.com/albums/ae196/XCLR8TN/My%20Miata%20Pics/LS6%20Build/During/39120884.jpg
http://i971.photobucket.com/albums/ae196/XCLR8TN/My%20Miata%20Pics/LS6%20Build/During/e05360c5.jpg
http://i971.photobucket.com/albums/ae196/XCLR8TN/My%20Miata%20Pics/LS6%20Build/During/b5ac2084.jpg

Tada! It's not 100% perfect but good enough for me! :D

(the lower parts that aren't painted will be black)

[Caoboy]

what the holy shit excite.

[jadiemazing]

love this thread!! ;o)

[smaeda]

This is gonna be epic!

[urban]

Lol. jess is crazy

[TheFrohn]

can i has? lol

[MartyMcfly]

What heads are you running? 243?

[XCLR8TN]

Yes 243s Rick, why?

[recklessabandon]

good job. i'm glad to see you making progress.

[MartyMcfly]

I've been trying to unload a set. I was going to give you the friends and family discount lol.

[WASABI]

Jess, Now that spring is on it's way....any updates on the build?

[XCLR8TN]

Small ones...

I was under the impression that the headers came with V-band clamps welded on... because that's what I saw in every pic on FM's website... so I ordered 2 more V-bands for the other side of the exhaust... well... they come w/o V-band I guess. Now I need two more haha.

Headers arrived... if anyone has the FM headers with V-bands welded on could you contact me? I'm wondering if I can just have these welded on or do I really need to test fit them with the motor bolted up first.... reason I'm being so lazy is because I wanted to send the headers out to get coated. I wanted them ready to be installed when the time comes but the engine isn't in the car currently.

http://i971.photobucket.com/albums/ae196/XCLR8TN/My%20Miata%20Pics/LS6%20Build/During/IMG_0933.jpg

http://i971.photobucket.com/albums/ae196/XCLR8TN/My%20Miata%20Pics/LS6%20Build/During/IMG_0934.jpg

The radiator, stage 1 cooling fan/shroud, and brake prop valve should be arriving early April. Until then, I'm searching for a 01-05 Sport package, non ABS master cylinder... if anyone knows of the whereabouts of a USED one (dealer wants almost $400 new). I have Planet Miata searching for one, I tried a few LKQ's also.

As far as parts this is what I still need:
-Brake lines (tucked and non ABS routing)
-Master cylinder
-Seats (?!)
-Exhaust
-Body harness
-Cage
-Misc fluids

And then the whole thing needs put together, flat bedded to the dyno... and tuned! :P

I'm feeling a lot better about this the closer I get to getting all the parts together...

[Graeter]

YES!!!!

I`m glad the end is somewhat in sight! I can`t wait to see it this spring!

[Doward]

Jess, when the time comes, give me a ring! I'm more than willing to lend a hand with that lump of a motor!

[XCLR8TN]

I think it'll be soon Dan! :) I've got to swap a 1.6 into a miata this weekend and then once the weather makes up its mind as far as rain and what not I think the next few weeks will see small progress on the car, even if it's just cleaning stuff up :)

[XCLR8TN]

Well, it keeps raining on the weekends... So I've been working on the 90 I recently picked up for cheap ....

However, I got a few packages last week and am crossing my fingers that this weekend the weather will cooperate so I can put the motor in and check some things!

Rad, fans, fan shroud, and brake proportioning valve arrived from FM:

http://i971.photobucket.com/albums/ae196/XCLR8TN/My%20Miata%20Pics/LS6%20Build/During/2fedb29e.jpg

http://i971.photobucket.com/albums/ae196/XCLR8TN/My%20Miata%20Pics/LS6%20Build/During/6835929a.jpg

I also bought an Eibach rear sway bar :)

Yay! The parts list is dwindling...

[WASABI]

Good to hear you're keeping busy Jess! What is this '90 you speak of? Did I miss an announcement? What's she look like? What are your plans for it?

-Jim

[XCLR8TN]

Hey Jim, I didn't really announce it. I got it real cheap and it was ziebarted by whoever had it before... no rust hardly anywhere! Rebuilt salvage title, one of the frame rails is pretty messed up and the left front corner was hit before but like I said... cheap. The car had a Nissan motor in it so the kid I bought it from helped swapped the motor one weekend and I trailered it home. I was just going to drive it around as a DD and try to sell the 2. But it needs seats.... It starts but the clutch master is dead so I've been working on swapping that and misc other things.

http://i971.photobucket.com/albums/ae196/XCLR8TN/90%20Miata/fe12bc6a.jpg
http://i971.photobucket.com/albums/ae196/XCLR8TN/90%20Miata/c8a70c7f.jpg

No big deal. The panels are in great shape, straight but the paint is peeling... like every other early white Miata :P

[XCLR8TN]

I've been having some fun lately. I utilized my Friday off last week and did some parts running. Ordered tranny to block bolts and a GM diff vent (holy expensive tiny piece of metal), grabbed some copper nickel alloy brake line that is never supposed to rust, be strong enough, and easily bendable (by hand), made by a local company (S.U.R.&R.). Also picked the headers back up from coating and realized I'm a tard and forgot to have the V-bands welded on before I took them :( Bought some digi gauges, a starter blanket, and some allen head header bolts from Summit Racing. Also, the used MSM master cylinder and booster I ordered came. I should now have everything I need (besides fittings) to plumb my brake lines.

Test fit the engine AND tranny finally and everything clears :) Also bolted up and torqued all the rear end bits.

Pics!

http://i971.photobucket.com/albums/ae196/XCLR8TN/My%20Miata%20Pics/LS6%20Build/During/IMG_4999.jpg

http://i971.photobucket.com/albums/ae196/XCLR8TN/My%20Miata%20Pics/LS6%20Build/During/IMG_4996.jpg

http://i971.photobucket.com/albums/ae196/XCLR8TN/My%20Miata%20Pics/LS6%20Build/During/IMG_5011.jpg

http://i971.photobucket.com/albums/ae196/XCLR8TN/My%20Miata%20Pics/LS6%20Build/During/IMG_5207.jpg

http://i971.photobucket.com/albums/ae196/XCLR8TN/My%20Miata%20Pics/LS6%20Build/During/IMG_4246.jpg

http://i971.photobucket.com/albums/ae196/XCLR8TN/My%20Miata%20Pics/LS6%20Build/During/IMG_4295.jpg

http://i971.photobucket.com/albums/ae196/XCLR8TN/My%20Miata%20Pics/LS6%20Build/During/DSC_2330.jpg

http://i971.photobucket.com/albums/ae196/XCLR8TN/My%20Miata%20Pics/LS6%20Build/During/9b9590e9.jpg

http://i971.photobucket.com/albums/ae196/XCLR8TN/My%20Miata%20Pics/LS6%20Build/During/0e6d6044.jpg

It fits perfect!

[I<3flippyheadlights]

This car is going to be amazing when its done. Why are you selling the 2 again?

[XCLR8TN]

This car is going to be amazing when its done. Why are you selling the 2 again?

Because I traded for:
http://i971.photobucket.com/albums/ae196/XCLR8TN/2008%20Smart%20ForTwo%20Passion/Smart2.jpg

Shouldn't have went for that free test drive + $50 gift card. Too much fun.

[I<3flippyheadlights]

A SMART CAR!?

What in the wide world of sports.... You must really enjoy it then to get rid of the 2

[XCLR8TN]

A SMART CAR!?

What in the wide world of sports.... You must really enjoy it then to get rid of the 2Insurance is cheaper, it turns heads, and it's a lot of fun!

Well I'm not too confident in the used clutch that came with the tranny so I'll be picking up a center force full face disc from summit racing in the next few days.

[John J]

Jess,
Glad to see life is good and progress is being made. Also consider placing cardboard over both sides of the radiator for protection while the fitting of radiator installation is in progress. Remove said cardboard later before final installation gets completed to protect fins.

[samulis]

OH my words that run empty on this moment!
Why oh god, why arent these legal here.

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.

[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:

http://i971.photobucket.com/albums/ae196/XCLR8TN/My%20Miata%20Pics/LS6%20Build/During/Blurple2.jpg

Nardi:

http://i971.photobucket.com/albums/ae196/XCLR8TN/My%20Miata%20Pics/LS6%20Build/During/IMG_7336.jpg

The car made it outside on the old wheels!

http://i971.photobucket.com/albums/ae196/XCLR8TN/My%20Miata%20Pics/LS6%20Build/During/85E94DA2-A77B-4F18-B39D-88D33D33AEBC-2232-00000175C936A1AF.jpg

New coilovers to replace the STANCE:

http://i971.photobucket.com/albums/ae196/XCLR8TN/My%20Miata%20Pics/LS6%20Build/During/13D1459C-AB4F-4E20-8A43-D9ACFEC04811-10846-0000070C7C4D286D.jpg

Engine before it went in:

http://i971.photobucket.com/albums/ae196/XCLR8TN/My%20Miata%20Pics/LS6%20Build/During/StarterHeaderClearance.jpg
http://i971.photobucket.com/albums/ae196/XCLR8TN/My%20Miata%20Pics/LS6%20Build/During/SpecStage2.jpg

The hilarious size comparison :)

http://i971.photobucket.com/albums/ae196/XCLR8TN/My%20Miata%20Pics/LS6%20Build/During/SideShotV8vsSmart.jpg

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):
http://i971.photobucket.com/albums/ae196/XCLR8TN/My%20Miata%20Pics/LS6%20Build/During/6inchspring.jpg

After (a smidge over 1/2" clearance):
http://i971.photobucket.com/albums/ae196/XCLR8TN/My%20Miata%20Pics/LS6%20Build/During/5inchspring.jpg

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):

http://i971.photobucket.com/albums/ae196/XCLR8TN/My%20Miata%20Pics/LS6%20Build/During/PassSideBracket.jpg

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

Bracket:
http://i971.photobucket.com/albums/ae196/XCLR8TN/My%20Miata%20Pics/LS6%20Build/During/PropValve2.jpg

Mounted (out of the way but easier to get to than under the hood):
http://i971.photobucket.com/albums/ae196/XCLR8TN/My%20Miata%20Pics/LS6%20Build/During/PropValve.jpg
The brake lines going to/from the prop valve will mostly be hidden. That's next..

ECU bracket:
http://i971.photobucket.com/albums/ae196/XCLR8TN/My%20Miata%20Pics/LS6%20Build/During/ECU2.jpg

Mounted:
http://i971.photobucket.com/albums/ae196/XCLR8TN/My%20Miata%20Pics/LS6%20Build/During/ECU1.jpg

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:

http://i971.photobucket.com/albums/ae196/XCLR8TN/My%20Miata%20Pics/LS6%20Build/During/New-Sept.jpg

[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.

http://i971.photobucket.com/albums/ae196/XCLR8TN/Me/ad3304d8.jpg


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! :mrgreen:

[I<3flippyheadlights]

Too bad she hasn't updated this thread since last year.....

[LostSoulMiata]

Too bad she hasn't updated this thread since last year.....

I text her right after I posted up. She knows :3:

[Speed rock]

PayPal ready

[XCLR8TN]

Workin on an update, hold your horses!

[WASABI]

Workin on an update, hold your horses!

Take as long as you need Jess... we all know it's gonna be good!

[XCLR8TN]

If anything is doubled in here from previous pages, I apologize. I'm doing a mass update of build threads on separate forums that are all at different stages of the build :lol:


UPDATES

I bought universal steering rack boots, somehow both of mine were torn. The dealer wanted $60/side and I'm not about to pay that! I haven't had a chance to put them on because.........

The wiring is almost done!

A few people helped out and eventually what happened was:

-Speartech engine harness
-Painless (T-Bucket) chassis harness
-Kept OEM rear end light wiring (tucked--running through the rocker)

Most of it is wired up in the car, all of the front end light wiring is routed but not attached. I still have one bug to work out with the running lights... I have no idea why but they only turn on when the headlights are on (ie: the "running light" setting doesn't work). I'm wondering if it has to do with how the Mazda combo switch is wired compared to the Painless relay/fuse block set up. I gave up on flash-to-pass (I don't think I have ever used it). I managed to get a spare set of o2 harness extenders that I chopped and wired up the o2s finally!

What I'm waiting on:
-Turn signal lights to arrive (tomorrow)
-I need to figure out what size LED running light I can fit in the headlight opening
-How to seal the Morimoto H1 projectors for use in the foglight holes (home depot special)

I cranked it over real quick yesterday (no fuel and coils unplugged) just to make sure all the wiring was correct, and it is. I plan to add gas, flush the fuel lines, fill it with coolant, and then it should be good to go as far as starting it. I put oil in it a few months ago.

For a car running the bare minimum, there are still a lot of wires. XD It will get all tucked up, I was just working with routing stuff last night and this was how it was left. I can't even give you a number of times I had to cut a zip tie, undo electrical tape, or reroute wires, so I stopped making it pretty until it was DONE. :fp:

Everything under the hood got the heat shrink/adhesive filled butt connectors, the ones under the dash are normal butt connectors. I looked into the aviation grade solder-filled connectors but.... the normal kind are more readily available and I don't expect this car to see too severe weather conditions so I don't think there will be a problem.

http://i971.photobucket.com/albums/ae196/XCLR8TN/My%20Miata%20Pics/LS6%20Build/During/wiring_2013.jpg (http://s971.photobucket.com/user/XCLR8TN/media/My%20Miata%20Pics/LS6%20Build/During/wiring_2013.jpg.html)

I temporarily mounted the gauge cluster as well. I reused a Mazda connector on the gauges so I can unplug them easily.

http://i971.photobucket.com/albums/ae196/XCLR8TN/My%20Miata%20Pics/LS6%20Build/During/LED_cluster.jpg (http://s971.photobucket.com/user/XCLR8TN/media/My%20Miata%20Pics/LS6%20Build/During/LED_cluster.jpg.html)

http://i971.photobucket.com/albums/ae196/XCLR8TN/My%20Miata%20Pics/LS6%20Build/During/LED_cluster_light.jpg (http://s971.photobucket.com/user/XCLR8TN/media/My%20Miata%20Pics/LS6%20Build/During/LED_cluster_light.jpg.html)

http://i971.photobucket.com/albums/ae196/XCLR8TN/My%20Miata%20Pics/LS6%20Build/During/LED_cluster_open.jpg (http://s971.photobucket.com/user/XCLR8TN/media/My%20Miata%20Pics/LS6%20Build/During/LED_cluster_open.jpg.html)


A few little things here and there, too.... found a lower radiator hose that works (had to splice in a tube in between two pieces after searching through 3 parts stores inventory to no avail), the top one is a clusterf*ck due to how close the rad is combined with how much room I have next to the Mezeire water pump. I'll try and get pics later but it isn't the prettiest thing :(

Put some heatshielding (Spliced tube--DEI I think) on the fuel lines running near the exhaust as well.

Oh, and the exhaust is done. Still trying to find someone with a booth big enough to allow it to be ceramic coated. :/ I may end up trying some heat shield mat with better adhesive than the real thin gold and silver foils. Neither of those wanted to stick to my heat shield paint in the tranny tunnel, AT ALL.

The tips didn't quite turn out how I wanted, but I can only do so much because the mufflers have only so much area to exist in, so when they are angled like they are I ended up with a tear drop-shaped tip instead of an oval. It's hard to explain but I tried everything, and it took days lol.

This was before I cleaned the hole in the diffuser up and painted the whole diffuser:

http://i971.photobucket.com/albums/ae196/XCLR8TN/My%20Miata%20Pics/LS6%20Build/During/diffuser_1.jpg (http://s971.photobucket.com/user/XCLR8TN/media/My%20Miata%20Pics/LS6%20Build/During/diffuser_1.jpg.html)

Tires and wheels mounted:

http://i971.photobucket.com/albums/ae196/XCLR8TN/My%20Miata%20Pics/LS6%20Build/During/purple15x10mounted.jpg (http://s971.photobucket.com/user/XCLR8TN/media/My%20Miata%20Pics/LS6%20Build/During/purple15x10mounted.jpg.html)

http://i971.photobucket.com/albums/ae196/XCLR8TN/My%20Miata%20Pics/LS6%20Build/During/2254515rival_15x10.jpg (http://s971.photobucket.com/user/XCLR8TN/media/My%20Miata%20Pics/LS6%20Build/During/2254515rival_15x10.jpg.html)

Picked up a seat:

http://i971.photobucket.com/albums/ae196/XCLR8TN/My%20Miata%20Pics/LS6%20Build/During/72345851-641E-4E90-9FFE-290B6B5EE1CC-1520-000000AC236D1806.jpg

Sneak peak at what's to come:

http://i971.photobucket.com/albums/ae196/XCLR8TN/My%20Miata%20Pics/LS6%20Build/During/mounted.jpg (http://s971.photobucket.com/user/XCLR8TN/media/My%20Miata%20Pics/LS6%20Build/During/mounted.jpg.html)

In other news, I picked up a new DD and only modded it a little bit. Just K&N/Borla catback/BBF GT3 4 point bar.

http://i971.photobucket.com/albums/ae196/XCLR8TN/91%20Miata/DSC_4605.jpg (http://s971.photobucket.com/user/XCLR8TN/media/91%20Miata/DSC_4605.jpg.html)

[LostSoulMiata]

Busy, busy bee you are Jess! Looking great so far, I'm sure you can't wait to drive the hell out of it :slayer:

[XCLR8TN]

Small updates.

Got a new (used) multifunction switch after determining the stalk switch was bad on my old one (wtf).

Mounted a coolant overflow and bought some distilled water/water wetter which will be going in soon.

http://i971.photobucket.com/albums/ae196/XCLR8TN/My%20Miata%20Pics/LS6%20Build/During/D282F5CA-8DD6-4661-9149-DF5D2B3982B0-4816-00000211B11CDD65.jpg

Wired up the water pump finally. Fans are also wired up. Wondering how to put a switch on at least one of the fans so I can turn it on whenever I want, but still retain the ECU kicking them on at the right temp.

[XCLR8TN]

Moved the car out, put some water and gas in it....

http://i971.photobucket.com/albums/ae196/XCLR8TN/My%20Miata%20Pics/LS6%20Build/During/9392503D-53A2-40EE-B3C5-9DC48FFC2FAF-1975-000000CC80685324.jpg
http://i971.photobucket.com/albums/ae196/XCLR8TN/My%20Miata%20Pics/LS6%20Build/During/94D367B7-1448-45BD-AE9B-6DC97669388F-1975-000000CC92B9AFBD.jpg

Flushed the fuel lines...

http://i971.photobucket.com/albums/ae196/XCLR8TN/My%20Miata%20Pics/LS6%20Build/During/893E2C5F-7A36-4431-9240-58F246E86CA0-1983-000000D0384D1BA2-1.jpg

I have a small leak and I can't tell if it's coming from the fittings on top of the tank or the tank cover seal so I'm going to try and look at that tonight.

[XCLR8TN]

Little updates:

Found the OEM turn signal connectors and wired those up so I can use the Depo smoked turns I got last week.

Modified the bumper bracket to fit the intake.

http://i971.photobucket.com/albums/ae196/XCLR8TN/My%20Miata%20Pics/LS6%20Build/During/1A45878E-DB47-4AC8-A0BC-FA844389AC08-920-000000541EBC89A8.jpg

Next I'll be putting on new steering rack boots, taking the exhaust back off and dropping it off to get coated next week.

[LostSoulMiata]

http://www.baconwrappedmedia.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/funny-soon-meme-bacon-wrapped-media-33.jpg

[XCLR8TN]

LOL. Literally just dropped the exhaust off to get ceramic coated :)

Soon!

[kung fu jesus]

is it done yet?

[Martin]

Yeah, is is done yet?

[XCLR8TN]

Well I've been working on:

-Fitting the projectors into the foglight holes
-Finally torqued all of the suspension/drivetrain bolts and marked them this time (I could never remember which I did before as I assembled the car)
-Put the rear sway bar and new steering rack boots on (Autozone universals work perfect)

But in addition to that I did this:

79DC18TfpWo

ufBYFLIqflQ

After figuring out something in the tune was off (DTC wasn't on), and that I had unplugged the fuel pump... it started up. Being the idiot I am I decided to let it warm up to operating temp... and wait for the fans to make sure they would kick on when they should. They did, but they didn't bring the temps down. They hovered around 203-205 (fan 1 kicks on at 195 and fan 2 at 197, both kick off at 190). I figured out why later......... I totally forgot to take the piece of cardboard out of the front of the radiator that I was using to shield it while I worked on the car. So really, no air was going through the radiator at all, the car wasn't moving, and the LS didn't over heat lol. Win! It still needs burped, also.

http://i971.photobucket.com/albums/ae196/XCLR8TN/My%20Miata%20Pics/LS6%20Build/During/Engine_Bay_June_2013.jpg (http://s971.photobucket.com/user/XCLR8TN/media/My%20Miata%20Pics/LS6%20Build/During/Engine_Bay_June_2013.jpg.html)

If anyone has any ideas on the digital tach... it shows only in increments of 100, and is approx 200 rpm off. It shows 700 and the laptop shows 962rpms at warm idle. The wire going to the tach input on the gauges comes directly off the wiring harness Speartech sent me (which I assume is coming from the ECU). Yes, the tach on the gauges come preset for a V8.

Any thoughts?

Excited the car started and nothing blew up, got crunched, or caught on fire.

http://yourbrandlive.com/assets//images/blog/great_success_brandlive.png

[Demon I Am]

Awesome. Great to see it come alive! Maybe try checking the RPM with an external clamp to verify which RPM is closest to true?

[I<3flippyheadlights]

Holy shit it lives. I can't give you any advice for your problems BUT... It's awesome to actually hear this beast start. :mrgreen:

[XCLR8TN]

Awesome. Great to see it come alive! Maybe try checking the RPM with an external clamp to verify which RPM is closest to true?I have not. The laptop was hooked up right to the OBD-II port if it makes any difference. I keep forgetting to look at the gauges and see if it's still set on 8 cylinder.

Still waiting on the exhaust to be coated.............. the shop said it's been so humid that the headers they've been coating have been blistering and they were going to wait for a drop in humidity to do my exhaust.

So while I wait I started working on my headlight solution: Morimoto Mini H1's in the foglight holes. Before anyone says it--YES I KNOW THEY ARE ILLEGAL DUE TO HEIGHT. I will have LED running lights up top, also.

I learned that the black PVC melts, so I substituted aluminum. Hopefully it will act as a heat sink somewhat.

http://i971.photobucket.com/albums/ae196/XCLR8TN/My%20Miata%20Pics/LS6%20Build/During/Projector.jpg (http://s971.photobucket.com/user/XCLR8TN/media/My%20Miata%20Pics/LS6%20Build/During/Projector.jpg.html)

http://i971.photobucket.com/albums/ae196/XCLR8TN/My%20Miata%20Pics/LS6%20Build/During/MountingBracket.jpg (http://s971.photobucket.com/user/XCLR8TN/media/My%20Miata%20Pics/LS6%20Build/During/MountingBracket.jpg.html)

http://i971.photobucket.com/albums/ae196/XCLR8TN/My%20Miata%20Pics/LS6%20Build/During/Contraption.jpg (http://s971.photobucket.com/user/XCLR8TN/media/My%20Miata%20Pics/LS6%20Build/During/Contraption.jpg.html)

http://i971.photobucket.com/albums/ae196/XCLR8TN/My%20Miata%20Pics/LS6%20Build/During/Mounted.jpg (http://s971.photobucket.com/user/XCLR8TN/media/My%20Miata%20Pics/LS6%20Build/During/Mounted.jpg.html)

http://i971.photobucket.com/albums/ae196/XCLR8TN/My%20Miata%20Pics/LS6%20Build/During/Cutting_Shroud.jpg (http://s971.photobucket.com/user/XCLR8TN/media/My%20Miata%20Pics/LS6%20Build/During/Cutting_Shroud.jpg.html)

http://i971.photobucket.com/albums/ae196/XCLR8TN/My%20Miata%20Pics/LS6%20Build/During/Side_Angle.jpg (http://s971.photobucket.com/user/XCLR8TN/media/My%20Miata%20Pics/LS6%20Build/During/Side_Angle.jpg.html)

http://i971.photobucket.com/albums/ae196/XCLR8TN/My%20Miata%20Pics/LS6%20Build/During/Installed.jpg (http://s971.photobucket.com/user/XCLR8TN/media/My%20Miata%20Pics/LS6%20Build/During/Installed.jpg.html)

Nothing is finished or painted yet. I know PVC is kind of janky but I can't think of anything else cheap that's doable and easy to work with.

It will all get sealed and I grabbed some 90* rubber angle vents off some old Miata front turn signals that will get fitted to the top. I'm still working on the adjustability. The two brass screws are attached to two angled pieces of PVC so I can slide them to adjust in all directions a bit.

Any comments/suggestions welcome.

[theothersawyer]

That looks very good! I bought the fog lights and fog light brackets for my Adore bumper and have been wondering how to install them, but this is giving me some ideas! Awesome!!!

[XCLR8TN]

That looks very good! I bought the fog lights and fog light brackets for my Adore bumper and have been wondering how to install them, but this is giving me some ideas! Awesome!!!

Ah, wait till I make the tabs that actually connect it to the bracket haha

[theothersawyer]

Ah, wait till I make the tabs that actually connect it to the bracket haha
Interested!!!!

[iamdallas]

This car. Errrmuhghherd

[John J]

Now I understand your PVC melting problem, Jess. On my car the fog light holes are getting used to duct air to the front brakes.8484

[kung fu jesus]

http://www.popcorngif.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/LBt6j.gif

[etikoner]

Wow, congrats on getting it started!! super stoked for u

[XCLR8TN]

Still waiting on exhaust............

In the meanwhile this has happened:

-Rad ducting started
-Spring tabs attached to headlights, bumper trimmed a little around foglight holes and airdam
-Realized that the extra carbon from the middle of the splitter can become frame rail skidplates.

http://i971.photobucket.com/albums/ae196/XCLR8TN/My%20Miata%20Pics/LS6%20Build/During/IMG_4853.jpg (http://s971.photobucket.com/user/XCLR8TN/media/My%20Miata%20Pics/LS6%20Build/During/IMG_4853.jpg.html)

http://i971.photobucket.com/albums/ae196/XCLR8TN/My%20Miata%20Pics/LS6%20Build/During/IMG_4661.jpg (http://s971.photobucket.com/user/XCLR8TN/media/My%20Miata%20Pics/LS6%20Build/During/IMG_4661.jpg.html)

http://i971.photobucket.com/albums/ae196/XCLR8TN/My%20Miata%20Pics/LS6%20Build/During/IMG_4667.jpg (http://s971.photobucket.com/user/XCLR8TN/media/My%20Miata%20Pics/LS6%20Build/During/IMG_4667.jpg.html)


Now I understand your PVC melting problem, Jess. On my car the fog light holes are getting used to duct air to the front brakes.8484

My plan is to cut out the lower lip part, I'm afraid it will break off and take a piece of the bumper with it on the first hit it sees. This was great until I realized I'd be defeating the purpose of the splitter, since air would hit it and be forced under the car instead of creating downforce. So I think what I will do is attach ABS plastic (vertical) in that area in between the splitter and bumper and cut a few holes in it and use them as brake ducts and possibly oil pan duct.

[Phatmiata]

great idea with the fog lights, when I saw the backside of that bumper I was scratching my head as to how I would install lights in there ith no mounting brackets?

I ended up getting lazy and just sold the bumper. :fp: excellent work on your end!!!

[theothersawyer]

My plan is to cut out the lower lip part, I'm afraid it will break off and take a piece of the bumper with it on the first hit it sees. This was great until I realized I'd be defeating the purpose of the splitter, since air would hit it and be forced under the car instead of creating downforce. So I think what I will do is attach ABS plastic (vertical) in that area in between the splitter and bumper and cut a few holes in it and use them as brake ducts and possibly oil pan duct.
I hit a tire tread on the highway and my lip broke, luckily it broke in the middle! I ended up cutting the middle piece out and I am much happier now, but now I want Autokonexion to make a lip for the bumper!

great idea with the fog lights, when I saw the backside of that bumper I was scratching my head as to how I would install lights in there ith no mounting brackets?

I ended up getting lazy and just sold the bumper. :fp: excellent work on your end!!!

Yeah, I have been wondering what to do, which is why the fog lights and brackets are sitting on a shelf in the garage!

[XCLR8TN]

I hit a tire tread on the highway and my lip broke, luckily it broke in the middle! I ended up cutting the middle piece out and I am much happier now, but now I want Autokonexion to make a lip for the bumper!


Yeah, I have been wondering what to do, which is why the fog lights and brackets are sitting on a shelf in the garage!
Huh. Good to know! Maybe I'll make a few extra brackets in case anyone wants them? They are somewhat adjustable front/rear. For some reason (not sure if its my car or the bumper lol) one side is different than the other. I have a 4 finger gap inbetween the bumper to tire, and it's almost an inch different on the other side. The V8 subframe only goes on one way, so I have no idea how I would have that big of a difference. It's pretty odd, actually.

[XCLR8TN]

Picking up exhaust Monday... In the meanwhile:

Fender brackets and mini latch brackets made.

http://i971.photobucket.com/albums/ae196/XCLR8TN/My%20Miata%20Pics/LS6%20Build/During/A9C5D215-7FC1-4F17-91FB-900D7DF1B73B-1768-000000AA098461D5.jpg

http://i971.photobucket.com/albums/ae196/XCLR8TN/My%20Miata%20Pics/LS6%20Build/During/DA04FDB6-D1A4-48C0-9A2A-C5DC3899F763-1768-000000A9D8B21F5D.jpg

http://i971.photobucket.com/albums/ae196/XCLR8TN/My%20Miata%20Pics/LS6%20Build/During/A7F0E54E-B43D-4BCD-A2E2-1F5DBCD57A3B-1768-000000A92AD860BB.jpg

http://i971.photobucket.com/albums/ae196/XCLR8TN/My%20Miata%20Pics/LS6%20Build/During/0BD29AE2-8893-4B86-A89E-E108B7C3E01D-1768-000000A7E5DB2CE0.jpg

http://i971.photobucket.com/albums/ae196/XCLR8TN/My%20Miata%20Pics/LS6%20Build/During/92C71841-1BC7-421F-919E-CD34FDD638A8-1768-000000A80B133C0B.jpg

[XCLR8TN]

Finally.

http://i971.photobucket.com/albums/ae196/XCLR8TN/My%20Miata%20Pics/LS6%20Build/During/C2BE20C9-ADF4-4E12-BC53-F6FDC3F6A12D-1251-000000766F1DDCBB.jpg

[tanakapz]

that's quite the impressive fit. 3" piping?

[I<3flippyheadlights]

Wow the underside of that car is impressive

[XCLR8TN]

that's quite the impressive fit. 3" piping?
2.5", I wish the openings on the tranny mount were bigger radius so they would tuck up higher than the frame rails... I put those flex pipes up front but the rest of the exhaust is so solidly mounted they are more for hot/cold expansion than anything else. I can grab the exhaust and tug/push on it and it moves the whole car lol. Double hanger at the tranny right by the x pipe, and a single hanger in a V shape hooking both pipes before the vband and holding it to the subframe. All hangers are the poly ones from FM, they don't stretch at all o_O

Wow the underside of that car is impressive
Clean? I've had 3 years to clean and paint lol!

[kung fu jesus]

http://bite-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/soon1.gif
Gonna have this done before the snow flies? That gives you about 6 weeks, right?

[XCLR8TN]

Well then. Guess I need to bleed the clutch again. First wants to engage before it's actually in first, with the clutch pressed in >:O

This is all you get for now, I'm going to try and find a Motive bleeder locally.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uL8cIz_6Lqs

Oh and I cracked my bumper coming off the lift at 1 mph. I'm going to have to dremel the lip part off.

http://i971.photobucket.com/albums/ae196/XCLR8TN/My%20Miata%20Pics/LS6%20Build/During/crack.jpg (http://s971.photobucket.com/user/XCLR8TN/media/My%20Miata%20Pics/LS6%20Build/During/crack.jpg.html)

Ducting on the bottom is complete, still debating putting some up top. The air intake is definitely in the way.

http://i971.photobucket.com/albums/ae196/XCLR8TN/My%20Miata%20Pics/LS6%20Build/During/duct3.jpg (http://s971.photobucket.com/user/XCLR8TN/media/My%20Miata%20Pics/LS6%20Build/During/duct3.jpg.html)

http://i971.photobucket.com/albums/ae196/XCLR8TN/My%20Miata%20Pics/LS6%20Build/During/duct1.jpg (http://s971.photobucket.com/user/XCLR8TN/media/My%20Miata%20Pics/LS6%20Build/During/duct1.jpg.html)

http://i971.photobucket.com/albums/ae196/XCLR8TN/My%20Miata%20Pics/LS6%20Build/During/duct2.jpg (http://s971.photobucket.com/user/XCLR8TN/media/My%20Miata%20Pics/LS6%20Build/During/duct2.jpg.html)

http://i971.photobucket.com/albums/ae196/XCLR8TN/My%20Miata%20Pics/LS6%20Build/During/duct4.jpg (http://s971.photobucket.com/user/XCLR8TN/media/My%20Miata%20Pics/LS6%20Build/During/duct4.jpg.html)

[Gene Rodriguez]

Oh lord this sounds so nice. I'm usually against ls swaps but that sound :D

[XCLR8TN]

Oh lord this sounds so nice. I'm usually against ls swaps but that sound :D

I had no idea when I bought that cam that it would be aggressive enough to shake the entire car at idle, lol.

[psulja]

So tempted to go LS while looking through this thread!

Amazing build Jess, can't wait to see it in person one day.

[turbotyla]

What is the cam specs?

I bought a nasty cam too.

And the tuner can pull some timing at idol to get rid of some of chop.

[XCLR8TN]

What is the cam specs?

I bought a nasty cam too.

And the tuner can pull some timing at idol to get rid of some of chop.I only bought the cam for the lope hehe

Texas Speed Torquer V3 231/234 .643/.598 111

The tune in the ECU now was just a base tune, and even running closed loop. Once I get it back down to them and on the dyno I'm sure it will run better.

[WASABI]

Great work Jess! God that sounds AWESOME! I can't wait to see the dyno video. Keep it up!

-Cheers,

Jim

[tsingson]

Sounds sweet Jess. I'm so jelly of you.

[kung fu jesus]

http://www.bosozokustyle.com/wp-content/gallery/exhaust-of-the-week/bosozoku-exhaust-of-the-week-starring-toyota-soarer-gz20-pic1.jpg

do it.

[Spinnywhoosh]

Damn, what a great read this was!

[XCLR8TN]

I don't think this uploaded in high res from my phone :/

But I'll just leave this here. I have a few things to look into but.. IT DRIVES!


http://youtu.be/uLXbod2atPY

[WASABI]

http://youtu.be/xos2MnVxe-c

AWESOME! Great to see her move!

[John J]

Great to see it going down the street, Jess. I hope you enjoyed first drive in car as I did watching the video.

[flier129]

What an awesome build!

Are the axles still really close to the springs after an alignment?

[I<3flippyheadlights]

Did it make you smile like an idiot? :D

[XCLR8TN]

Are the axles still really close to the springs after an alignment?

Define "really close". I'll get a measurement for you tomorrow, but it shouldn't have changed since I swapped for a shorter spring.


Did it make you smile like an idiot? :DI may have giggled a bit but honestly the first few drives were super intimidating. The first drive when it was wet out was HORRIFYING.
Now that I have another mostly stock Miata, they feel so different. The V8 car FEELS much heavier. I blame this on no power steering and wide tires. Between the steering, the stiff clutch pedal and the fumes from the catless exhaust, it wears me out driving it. I get in the stock Miata and feel like I could throw it around as much as I want, which usually results in me taking a corner at the same speed I would in the other car and ending up sideways from just momentum + shitty tires lol.

Small updates, mostly pics. Trying to work out some issues with the clutch not disengaging all the way despite having the correct airgap and the coolant temps seen by the motor being much higher than what I see on my gauges (causing the fans to run constantly).

PICS!

Local meet:

http://i971.photobucket.com/albums/ae196/XCLR8TN/My%20Miata%20Pics/LS6%20Build/During/CB0E4F3A-3252-47E9-8DF2-C43327D9688B-1313-0000007C235F2B6D_zps709129eb.jpg (http://s971.photobucket.com/user/XCLR8TN/media/My%20Miata%20Pics/LS6%20Build/During/CB0E4F3A-3252-47E9-8DF2-C43327D9688B-1313-0000007C235F2B6D_zps709129eb.jpg.html)
http://i971.photobucket.com/albums/ae196/XCLR8TN/My%20Miata%20Pics/LS6%20Build/During/C2E387CE-0BC9-490F-BBB3-8F974A8E4B6B-1313-0000007BFB7AD5CC_zps5460d73f.jpg (http://s971.photobucket.com/user/XCLR8TN/media/My%20Miata%20Pics/LS6%20Build/During/C2E387CE-0BC9-490F-BBB3-8F974A8E4B6B-1313-0000007BFB7AD5CC_zps5460d73f.jpg.html)
http://i971.photobucket.com/albums/ae196/XCLR8TN/My%20Miata%20Pics/LS6%20Build/During/012E368A-585F-4E05-BF00-4A80F660C755-1313-0000007BDE06BE13_zps407b45b2.jpg (http://s971.photobucket.com/user/XCLR8TN/media/My%20Miata%20Pics/LS6%20Build/During/012E368A-585F-4E05-BF00-4A80F660C755-1313-0000007BDE06BE13_zps407b45b2.jpg.html)
http://i971.photobucket.com/albums/ae196/XCLR8TN/My%20Miata%20Pics/LS6%20Build/During/AF6D63D0-DCE2-4A9A-9697-40D26BA2E0A5-1313-0000007BD452F573_zps8dd03c3d.jpg (http://s971.photobucket.com/user/XCLR8TN/media/My%20Miata%20Pics/LS6%20Build/During/AF6D63D0-DCE2-4A9A-9697-40D26BA2E0A5-1313-0000007BD452F573_zps8dd03c3d.jpg.html)
http://i971.photobucket.com/albums/ae196/XCLR8TN/My%20Miata%20Pics/LS6%20Build/During/327BFB41-65B3-4DD4-B192-282B91997191-1313-0000007BBFA6D907_zpsc3c594cf.jpg (http://s971.photobucket.com/user/XCLR8TN/media/My%20Miata%20Pics/LS6%20Build/During/327BFB41-65B3-4DD4-B192-282B91997191-1313-0000007BBFA6D907_zpsc3c594cf.jpg.html)
http://i971.photobucket.com/albums/ae196/XCLR8TN/My%20Miata%20Pics/LS6%20Build/During/C622A34E-9433-4E1B-BCC6-40D18A123810-1313-0000007BA6819014_zps9c012bad.jpg (http://s971.photobucket.com/user/XCLR8TN/media/My%20Miata%20Pics/LS6%20Build/During/C622A34E-9433-4E1B-BCC6-40D18A123810-1313-0000007BA6819014_zps9c012bad.jpg.html)

Varying stages of modification lol:
http://i971.photobucket.com/albums/ae196/XCLR8TN/My%20Miata%20Pics/LS6%20Build/During/85C1A043-5529-4BC2-938E-38048EB5CC99-1313-0000007C04891A4A_zpsef6ee899.jpg (http://s971.photobucket.com/user/XCLR8TN/media/My%20Miata%20Pics/LS6%20Build/During/85C1A043-5529-4BC2-938E-38048EB5CC99-1313-0000007C04891A4A_zpsef6ee899.jpg.html)


This guy... got quite the surprise right before this picture was taken.

http://i971.photobucket.com/albums/ae196/XCLR8TN/My%20Miata%20Pics/LS6%20Build/During/8C86D55F-D59D-4CF2-9E83-7692D2ABCF21-1313-0000007BEA2E050C_zpsceb7a951.jpg (http://s971.photobucket.com/user/XCLR8TN/media/My%20Miata%20Pics/LS6%20Build/During/8C86D55F-D59D-4CF2-9E83-7692D2ABCF21-1313-0000007BEA2E050C_zpsceb7a951.jpg.html)

Edit: oh yeah, I temporarily plastidipped it so the bumper and trunk lid weren't mismatched.

http://i971.photobucket.com/albums/ae196/XCLR8TN/My%20Miata%20Pics/LS6%20Build/During/7931B9C4-8A27-40E3-880F-2CF8FFE5232A-1455-0000007B31021FAC_zps8280e5fc.jpg (http://s971.photobucket.com/user/XCLR8TN/media/My%20Miata%20Pics/LS6%20Build/During/7931B9C4-8A27-40E3-880F-2CF8FFE5232A-1455-0000007B31021FAC_zps8280e5fc.jpg.html)
http://i971.photobucket.com/albums/ae196/XCLR8TN/My%20Miata%20Pics/LS6%20Build/During/C27A234D-9E4F-4321-A43D-03D655C08E4E-1455-0000007B06A1F58A_zps714b539d.jpg (http://s971.photobucket.com/user/XCLR8TN/media/My%20Miata%20Pics/LS6%20Build/During/C27A234D-9E4F-4321-A43D-03D655C08E4E-1455-0000007B06A1F58A_zps714b539d.jpg.html)
http://i971.photobucket.com/albums/ae196/XCLR8TN/My%20Miata%20Pics/LS6%20Build/During/57B14231-8322-4513-96B2-F92C292A54F0-1455-0000007AD0C904A5_zps10f52675.jpg (http://s971.photobucket.com/user/XCLR8TN/media/My%20Miata%20Pics/LS6%20Build/During/57B14231-8322-4513-96B2-F92C292A54F0-1455-0000007AD0C904A5_zps10f52675.jpg.html)

[psulja]

So cool to finally see this thing driving! I really need to make a trip down to Ohio now. Had no idea it was getting painted white!

[Ihatecars]

Dat poor Camaro.
The amount of progress you've made it amazing. I want some more videos to listen to the greatness.

[psulja]

BTW Jess, we're all waiting on videos

[93miatale]

1+ video please :)

[atank]

WOW, what a great build thread, Love your Roadster!!!!!!!

[Phatmiata]

every time I see this thread I want to do a V8 swap......

[treeafodo]

You've got a lot done since I was last on the site!

[charchri4]

Still one of my favorite buids no matter what site you post on! Great build!

[Vegard]

Update? :)

[XCLR8TN]

Updates? I haven't touched it since the last posts really... crappy long winter is crappy and long, lol. It's sitting under the lift and about impossible to work on. When the weather warms up and STAYS warm, it'll get pushed outside the garage and worked on.

I need to check compression, as it got REALLY hot last year when the thermostat took a shit when I was an hour from home and I limped it back.

Made a coolant surge tank/fill point, as the problem I was having was a massive air bubble in the system and it was causing me to see much lower temps than the ECU was seeing, hence the fans running allllll the time. I sent the water pump in for a rebuild last month since it started making noise, sure enough one of the bearings needed replaced.

That combined with the clutch never fully disengaging and my fuel somehow boiling out of the vent line......... kept me from driving it.

Sooooooo yeah. Will work on it when it gets a little warmer :)

But I did buy a Fiat and a bike so... we shall see.

[WASABI]

Thanks for the update Jess. I hope you you get the bugs ironed out, so you can start to enjoy the car again... soon!

http://th08.deviantart.net/fs70/PRE/f/2012/321/a/b/you_rock_you_rule_stick_and_rock_finished_by_carto onsbykristopher-d5l996g.png

and, what's this talk about buying a Fiat?!?

[atank]

Yeah too nice of a Roadster to just let it sit!!!!!

[tsingson]

Fiat, Jess?

[XCLR8TN]

Fiat. His name is Angelo:
http://i971.photobucket.com/albums/ae196/XCLR8TN/2013%20Fiat%20Abarth%20-%20Angelo/BFB2E74B-80EC-4ABC-B942-7A3214C58193.jpg (http://s971.photobucket.com/user/XCLR8TN/media/2013%20Fiat%20Abarth%20-%20Angelo/BFB2E74B-80EC-4ABC-B942-7A3214C58193.jpg.html)

And matching Italian on 2 wheels, I think I'll name him Leonardo:

http://i971.photobucket.com/albums/ae196/XCLR8TN/2014%20Ducati%20899%20Panigale/6C3AA697-BF75-4066-B872-8E04FF269EA1.jpg (http://s971.photobucket.com/user/XCLR8TN/media/2014%20Ducati%20899%20Panigale/6C3AA697-BF75-4066-B872-8E04FF269EA1.jpg.html)

[XCLR8TN]

Also, update: car is now on top of the lift ready to be worked on!

[WASABI]

Fiat. His name is Angelo:
http://i971.photobucket.com/albums/ae196/XCLR8TN/2013%20Fiat%20Abarth%20-%20Angelo/BFB2E74B-80EC-4ABC-B942-7A3214C58193.jpg (http://s971.photobucket.com/user/XCLR8TN/media/2013%20Fiat%20Abarth%20-%20Angelo/BFB2E74B-80EC-4ABC-B942-7A3214C58193.jpg.html)

And matching Italian on 2 wheels, I think I'll name him Leonardo:

http://i971.photobucket.com/albums/ae196/XCLR8TN/2014%20Ducati%20899%20Panigale/6C3AA697-BF75-4066-B872-8E04FF269EA1.jpg (http://s971.photobucket.com/user/XCLR8TN/media/2014%20Ducati%20899%20Panigale/6C3AA697-BF75-4066-B872-8E04FF269EA1.jpg.html)

Jesus!!! I want to move out to Ohio and live with you, cause you've got the best toys! Beautiful bike, and an Abarth too?!? So much driving fun! Do you even have enough time to drive all of these? (if not, I'll be right over).

[Phatmiata]

did you just win the Power Ball Lotto??? :shock:

[XCLR8TN]

hahaha time will tell, I got the Abarth last month and the bike a week and a half ago.

Phat: no, put money down on Abarth (36 mos) and stretched loan out on 899 (72 mos) so payments were lower :) just switched jobs, wanted a bike for years so I made sure to get one before my job history went to shit lol. Can always sell it if need be.... both loans are 1.74% so I'm pretty happy.

[theothersawyer]

It's official (as if we didn't know this already) you are a badass! :D

[WASABI]

It's official (as if we didn't know this already) you are a badass! :D

A Badass, with very good credit!

[XCLR8TN]

A Badass, with very good credit!

bahahaha this is true!

[XCLR8TN]

This... this is my fuel issue.

Car running:

http://s971.photobucket.com/user/XCLR8TN/media/My%20Miata%20Pics/LS6%20Build/During/run.mp4.html

Car off:

http://s971.photobucket.com/user/XCLR8TN/media/My%20Miata%20Pics/LS6%20Build/During/off.mp4.html

[kung fu jesus]

Why aren't the wheels on Leo purple yet?

[kung fu jesus]

One of your Italian machines should be named "Il Duce".

Just sayin'.

[XCLR8TN]

Why aren't the wheels on Leo purple yet?

Because I have a thing for red and white lol. Last bike:
http://i971.photobucket.com/albums/ae196/XCLR8TN/CBR/76925_1660196355675_4208508_n.jpg (http://s971.photobucket.com/user/XCLR8TN/media/CBR/76925_1660196355675_4208508_n.jpg.html)

[Hyper]

so beautiful ...

[kung fu jesus]

I love the Abarth, but that Rimicci Corse rollover at T25 spooked me.

[XCLR8TN]

I love the Abarth, but that Rimicci Corse rollover at T25 spooked me.Meh. I just don't plan on putting slicks on it. I did roll the Smart car, at least next time I'll know what to expect.

[WASABI]

Meh. I just don't plan on putting slicks on it. I did roll the Smart car, at least next time I'll know what to expect.


Wait, WHAT?!? You rolled your Smaht Cah? (I'm from Boston). Where and when did this happen? Any video, pictures? Are you OK?

[theothersawyer]

Yeah, we need more details!