Lesac's Favorite Car

[Lesac]

Im gonna start off just by posing a bunch of pictures of the car from when I got it a couple years back, to curent. then Ill get into the curent stage.

Original craigslist photos

http://www.miataturbo.net/attachments/build-threads-57/66597-kevins-95-turbo-build-5507811818_97b26c89ed-jpg?dateline=1360030430

http://www.miataturbo.net/attachments/build-threads-57/66599-kevins-95-turbo-build-5507812874_fcd35ba6f7_z-jpg?dateline=1360030430



Bought car for $2800 with 123k miles

http://www.miataturbo.net/attachments/build-threads-57/66600-kevins-95-turbo-build-5338068888_8ff290dfa6-jpg?dateline=1360030430

http://www.miataturbo.net/attachments/build-threads-57/66601-kevins-95-turbo-build-5338066710_571f310cdd_z-jpg?dateline=1360030430

Cleaned car

http://www.miataturbo.net/attachments/build-threads-57/66602-kevins-95-turbo-build-5353636668_3a0c132b52_z-jpg?dateline=1360030430

Got stuck in this snow

http://www.miataturbo.net/attachments/build-threads-57/66603-kevins-95-turbo-build-5353638496_e14598bce1_z-jpg?dateline=1360030430

Added honda S2000 start button

http://www.miataturbo.net/attachments/build-threads-57/66604-kevins-95-turbo-build-5373467497_a04d024f6c_z-jpg?dateline=1360030430

Replaced badly worn steering wheel. Added snow plow.

http://www.miataturbo.net/attachments/build-threads-57/66605-kevins-95-turbo-build-5436721249_4933395682_z-jpg?dateline=1360030430

Made a mini me

http://www.miataturbo.net/attachments/build-threads-57/66606-kevins-95-turbo-build-5437362236_4ccd48f6ca_z-jpg?dateline=1360030430

Replaced all missing interior plastic and carpet, also got a new top and top boot.

http://www.miataturbo.net/attachments/build-threads-57/66607-kevins-95-turbo-build-5497061542_a703e76364_z-jpg?dateline=1360030430

http://www.miataturbo.net/attachments/build-threads-57/66608-kevins-95-turbo-build-5476277707_b52e3cf643_z-jpg?dateline=1360030430

New stereo, amp, and speakers

http://www.miataturbo.net/attachments/build-threads-57/66609-kevins-95-turbo-build-5518045360_fb2d5f9d8d_z-jpg?dateline=1360030430

$100 craigslist score

http://www.miataturbo.net/attachments/build-threads-57/66610-kevins-95-turbo-build-5531192660_0787631213_z-jpg?dateline=1360030430

http://www.miataturbo.net/attachments/build-threads-57/66611-kevins-95-turbo-build-5543000425_fbec82d8cf_z-jpg?dateline=1360030430

Made $3 door pulls

http://www.miataturbo.net/attachments/build-threads-57/66612-kevins-95-turbo-build-5542972731_3901ff9088_z-jpg?dateline=1360030430

Installed Zoom fuel lid

http://www.miataturbo.net/attachments/build-threads-57/66613-kevins-95-turbo-build-5543600116_f18f4d35d5_z-jpg?dateline=1360030430

Ordered a set of 15x8 Enkei J-Speed wheels, proceeded to monsterjam.

http://www.miataturbo.net/attachments/build-threads-57/66614-kevins-95-turbo-build-5578380571_2503a89dfe_z-jpg?dateline=1360030430

http://www.miataturbo.net/attachments/build-threads-57/66615-kevins-95-turbo-build-5581440058_76b65874ac_z-jpg?dateline=1360030430

Added sub and amp

http://www.miataturbo.net/attachments/build-threads-57/66616-kevins-95-turbo-build-5699635680_41a35764b9_z-jpg?dateline=1360030430

New suspension to fix monsterjam issue

http://www.miataturbo.net/attachments/build-threads-57/66617-kevins-95-turbo-build-5699053565_e65304e2d3_z-jpg?dateline=1360030430

Sold WRX DD

http://www.miataturbo.net/attachments/build-threads-57/66618-kevins-95-turbo-build-4919247332_31682b31d1_z-jpg?dateline=1360030430

Purchased Evo as DD

http://www.miataturbo.net/attachments/build-threads-57/66619-kevins-95-turbo-build-5746901196_03d08ac751_z-jpg?dateline=1360030430

Everyone loves big red tow hooks

http://www.miataturbo.net/attachments/build-threads-57/66620-kevins-95-turbo-build-5699664672_7ca3c0e814_z-jpg?dateline=1360030430

Replaced valve cover gasket, painted valve cover, and added STi wing

http://www.miataturbo.net/attachments/build-threads-57/66621-kevins-95-turbo-build-5848492043_5e72c58743_z-jpg?dateline=1360030430

Vinyl wrapped the hard top added Togue run front lip and planet-miata sideskirts.

http://www.miataturbo.net/attachments/build-threads-57/66622-kevins-95-turbo-build-6223445844_307c5a7741_z-jpg?dateline=1360030430

http://www.miataturbo.net/attachments/build-threads-57/66623-kevins-95-turbo-build-6223444284_a463c7d3ee_z-jpg?dateline=1360030430

http://www.miataturbo.net/attachments/build-threads-57/66624-kevins-95-turbo-build-6223442878_7e4d57175a_z-jpg?dateline=1360030430

Sold evo, bought cheap galant VR-4 DD and a house with a big garage!

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7040/6944572109_4de08116fe_z.jpg

http://www.miataturbo.net/attachments/build-threads-57/66626-kevins-95-turbo-build-6591259121_12cc0bb0b1_z-jpg?dateline=1360030430

Sold galant, bought Honda pilot as new DD

http://www.miataturbo.net/attachments/build-threads-57/66628-kevins-95-turbo-build-8024870506_dfd8fb7824_z-jpg?dateline=1360030430

[Lesac]

Sold Pilot because I have no need for a big family vehicle at 24. In return decided if I was going to make payments, it better be on something I love. Purchased STi DD.

http://www.miataturbo.net/attachments/build-threads-57/66629-kevins-95-turbo-build-8243034392_72b49e9972_z-jpg?dateline=1360030430

http://www.miataturbo.net/attachments/build-threads-57/66630-kevins-95-turbo-build-8241968081_e7917961aa_z-jpg?dateline=1360030430

http://www.miataturbo.net/attachments/build-threads-57/66631-kevins-95-turbo-build-8270241627_7905fe8dc8_z-jpg?dateline=1360030430

Steering wheel spacer, i was amazed what a difference this made

http://www.miataturbo.net/attachments/build-threads-57/66632-kevins-95-turbo-build-8428777684_953d6db30e_z-jpg?dateline=1360030430

Very poorly fitting headlight doors.

http://www.miataturbo.net/attachments/build-threads-57/66633-kevins-95-turbo-build-8428778586_b89790a575_z-jpg?dateline=1360030430

One more picture for now

http://www.miataturbo.net/attachments/build-threads-57/66635-kevins-95-turbo-build-dsc00140_zps0274dc58-jpg?dateline=1360030430

Lately Ive also been building and piecing my turbo kit together and have most of my parts waiting to go on the car :D

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8378/8518764403_119678817f_z.jpg

Also here is a random picture of my dog
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7103/7049991807_3e0ab85f11_z.jpg

My posts from here on out will be much more detailed as this is more of a catch up post. I feel as if ive only started on getting this car headed to the direction I want to take. So look for much more to come!

I have to say that this forum is by far my favorite of all the Miata boards, and I hope to become a bigger part of the community.

[treeafodo]

Looking good so far. Do you get bored of cars easily or something? Lol by Nice subie too :D

[maharaj]

Wow! The car has come a long way! Definately JDM top!

[theothersawyer]

That garage is massive!!! Nice cars!

[I<3flippyheadlights]

I love all of this... ALL OF IT

[Agent☣Orange]

Nice Miata and parts but more picts of that garage!

[etikoner]

Nice car. Seems kind of familiar to me...

Also I think i've either sold you something or bought something from you lol.

[Lesac]

well here is a friends car that has been in my garage for the last month being parted out

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8102/8518765357_51dfde8bf6_z.jpg

the junkyard hauled it away this weekend and it was finally warm enough that I could to some cleaning and move my car over to its "install spot" where it will begin its turbo transformation

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8225/8555178403_b7c07a3969_z.jpg
the white stuff in this picture is snow, not scraped paint haha.



Nice car. Seems kind of familiar to me...

Also I think i've either sold you something or bought something from you lol.

You sold me this wheel for my game chair thing :D

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8523/8474927966_874b54a3a9_z.jpg

[etikoner]

Oh snap that's right! lol
I love that gamer wheel station btw. So badass. I wanna come over just to play GT5 lol

Keep the build up, your car is sweeet :)
What suspension are you on?

[Lesac]

Oh snap that's right! lol
I love that gamer wheel station btw. So badass. I wanna come over just to play GT5 lol

Keep the build up, your car is sweeet :)
What suspension are you on?


Thanks,

Suspension is Koni yellow struts with Ebay cheapo coilover perches and threaded sleeves(now only in the front, I took the rear sleeves out and the spring is sitting on the shock perch.) Front springs are QA1 400lb and rears are Suspension Techniques 250lb. Front has NB top hats and Rears are Flyin Miata. I also have FCM front bumpstops and FM rears.
The rear is as low as it can be with this setup but still has full travel, It unfortunately will hit the ground before it hits bumpstops. However this is one of the smoothest riding lowered cars Ive ever ridden in. The fact that it isnt "slammed" im sure helps this trait. Its almost as cushy as stock, but without the height and roll. the car stays very planted and I love the way it drives.
I bought this suspension setup used and tweaked it a bit to my liking, but in a lot of ways Id recommend building something custom for the same price as cheap coil overs. I would like to attempt to take a hair of the camber back out of the car, and Im planning on having it 4 wheel balanced and aligned at one of the local race shops this spring.

[etikoner]

Nice, sounds similar to what I had, albeit with a few differences. My next step was to change springs out on my bilsteins, but I bought coilovers instead lol.

Once you get corner weighted and aligned it'll be sweet.

[Lesac]

just did this quick little thing to see what stripes would look like. since I dont have photoshop at work this is the best i could come up with. Yes i know the font and spacing is wrong, but whats your thoughts?
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8231/8555464853_4471023c8a_c.jpg

[etikoner]

Not bad... I'd like to see it done with gloss black vinyl.

[Lesac]

We had some nice weather here yesterday so I decided to go ahead and tackle the intercooler and some other little issues
I finished
-hamering out the body under the fender from a previous cavaliere incident
-delete charcoal canister
-mount intercooler
-run 80% of intercooler piping
-relocate cruise control

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8386/8560054819_bfe86d0b6a_c.jpg
I took the plastic tray thing out of the grille and cut into it to have the intercooler sit inside of it. I know a lot of guys mount this a little further back, but since im keeping my AC the dryer is in the way. to get around this I moved the condesate lines up as far as possible and bent the dryer back towards the condenser as far as possible. its a tight fit, but it works well.

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8227/8561161958_07d889009f_c.jpg

here is the crazy thing, It doesnt even look like there is an intercooler there at all!
the top is held in by 2 C shaped brackets I made out of some aluminum. they are just bent over and screwed into the front bumper support.
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8093/8561162490_b90a95deeb_c.jpg

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8509/8560056075_2eee6faa23_c.jpg

Since im keeping AC, and its pretty much in the way of everything I had to route the hot side IC piping around and inside the fender. I busted out the dremel and hammer and went to town making an opening. It comes out directly behind the headlight, under the rubber hood bushing. I think this is about the only place to put it that the tire wont rub on the pipe.
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8239/8560056373_10e6e80209_c.jpg

Here is a rough mockup of how the piping will sit. the other side just has a 90 off the intercooler that goes strait back, then a 90 strait up in front of the engine to the throttle body.
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8242/8560056661_40d93df731_c.jpg

I need to take more pictures and could get more if it would help anybody in their own builds.

[Lesac]

Decided to add a few more pictures

pipe roughly to where turbo will sit
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8505/8561843441_7cc67a4762_c.jpg

aluminum intercooler brakets (they will be covered by bumper and radiator cooling panel)
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8523/8562951536_9d6e04e0c6_z.jpg

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8366/8561844287_98a0963484_c.jpg

throttle body intake (not sure i like how this sits so i may try and get a bigger 90 so it goes strait down)
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8246/8561844591_3e84141cde_c.jpg

Charcoal Canister and coolant overflow gone, had to take coolant tank out to fix fender fitment from accident. Id like to do a different coolant tank, not sure what yet.
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8520/8561844951_19191ac144_c.jpg

blurry picture of where I relocated the cruise control to.
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8516/8561845327_4424797a20_c.jpg

[Lesac]

Ok guys my birthday is at the end of this month. I'm thinking of buying garage vary tail lights as birthday present to myself. They are expensive so someone talk me out of it.

[Lesac]

Out in the garage yet again today. got a few things done but not as much as Id like. First off my friend making my manifold brought it by so far to mock it up. unfortunately the runners he had made were too long so he pretty much has to start over. good news is that it is going to be a very cool piece when done. sorry no pictures of the manifold yet.
On to pictures!

Im all about reusing parts so I took one of the hoses from the charcoal canister and cut it down the center as a grommet for the intercooler pipe to go through
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8389/8570507108_9fecdc6d33_c.jpg

After about 45 min of swearing, straining, praying, and with the help of a jack, some tow straps, a crow bar and a big effin hammer, I was able to get my OBX header out. Thank god I will never have to do that by myself again.
Bad news is that I scraped my valve cover pretty good. I guess this would be the opportunity to change colors or valve covers. I have a protege one as well and I have not decided which I want to use and what color. Im thinking either Red or Gold.
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8374/8569411341_7ed15aafe0_c.jpg

My boost gauge and pod also came today. I usually dont care for anything mounted on the A pillar but with such limited space in these little cars, I gave in and did it anyway. I havent mounted the pod to the trim yet, but just wired it up to check lighting. I know Autometer has a dimmer module that I may have to add, since this thing is bright! For those of you wondering, it is the Autometer GS series mechanical boost gauge. I like that it has a silver trim ring, and lights up green. Also I may try and find a small visor for this thing so it doesnt reflect off the windshield at night.
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8235/8570508540_b0d9a810d5_c.jpg

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8518/8569412233_f12f462a8b_c.jpg

Thats it for now, Im yet again waiting on some more parts in the mail before I can start adding more things.

[Lesac]

here is one of the manifold mocked up. should be done and welded tomorrow.
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8376/8591296434_d58b6bacda_c.jpg

[Lesac]

yay manifold. just have to go get it. will have more better pics later.
Special thanks to Glenn, (the builder of my manifold)

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8123/8608569168_0c6a105b68_z.jpg

[Lesac]

So I had this welded up thinking "oh yeah the bumper will still fit" Note- i dont actually have a pic of this welded.
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8242/8560056661_40d93df731_z.jpg
well it didnt fit, so I had to do a bit more cutting and hammering, and said screw it and kept the connector. also you can see where I had the pipe welded previously
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8121/8607610075_6f175ceb00_z.jpg
its a SERIOUSLY tight fit between the frame and the bumper. but it fits!

[Lesac]

Intercooler mounted with bumper on, ill have better pictures when its all buttoned up this week.

you cant even tell there is an IC there.

http://www.miataturbo.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=72099&dateline=1364790471

[Lesac]

Picked up my manifold and took a few pictures while I mock up the rest of intercooler and intake piping. The blue couplers are borrowed and I will be ordering new black ones. I will also be getting a smaller air filter and building a box around it. Also I flipped the fitting on the power steering pump 180 and bent it towards the reservoir to be out of the way of the turbo inlet. Last Ive ordered a flyinmiata lower radiator hose to give a bit more clearance in the front. I just do not have it yet.
What do you think?
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8104/8612074932_20127d8490_c.jpg

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8125/8612075406_81cb891053_c.jpg

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8121/8610969435_3c7858a3b9_c.jpg

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8536/8610969677_1dedea31e7_c.jpg

[Lesac]

I ordered new black 90degree couplers, more t-bolt clamps and an AEM dry filter.
since I hade to go into work I wasnt able to get much else done. But I did manage to start on my intake box pattern.

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8397/8614220499_f3c68ff349_c.jpg

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8399/8615329276_4c13724be7_c.jpg

[I<3flippyheadlights]

Wow! It is packed in there. Why did you mount the turbo that way instead of above? (I know barely anything on turbos)

[Lesac]

Honestly I dont really know why I went for a low mount setup. It was kind of the choice of who built the manifold. and I went along with it. I guess the only real advantage I can think of is that the exhaust should be easier to run.

[kung fu jesus]

Lower mounts help with heat, too. You have to remember how hot those turbos get. It doesn't play nice with the brake likes, brake master reservoir and other rubber/plastic bits.

[tsingson]

Looking good! Your garage is HUGE!

[I<3flippyheadlights]

Lower mounts help with heat, too. You have to remember how hot those turbos get. It doesn't play nice with the brake likes, brake master reservoir and other rubber/plastic bits.

Thanks for clearing that up!

[Lesac]

Thanks guys, Im loving having the garage space, hating having people want to store stuff all the time lol.
KFJ- thanks for clearing up why its a low mount. I knew there was another reason. Now I sound like a total turbo noob, but im really not.

I cannot wait to get this thing back on the road, its seriously killing me seeing it sit there when the weather is nice.

[Lesac]

Ghetto radiator flush performed today!!!

also got the 550cc injectors installed

https://fbcdn-sphotos-c-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-frc1/919337_10100277279741603_1727772930_o.jpg

[Lesac]

Installed my LC-1

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7287/8736821234_37ca6ed60e_c.jpg

[etikoner]

Wow!! That is really cool. Wonder how it looks from the back..