Author Topic: 10secdream's 2003 NB Mazda Miata - Choo Choo Whoosh Time (Read 23310 times)

10secdream · « **Reply #150 on:** January 11, 2019, 08:39:59 am »

Well the time has come to actually move forward with this project and get it ready for spring. I am dedicating every Thursday evening at minimum to complete this task.

I didn't get too far with the tear down but I wanted to familiarize myself with the vehicle and stay organized.

This year I am planning to get some side mount brackets that I can use with the factory seat rails so my car is my accessible for other drivers.

LRM_EXPORT_127726849926002_20190111_082350244 by Stephen Mitchell, on Flickr

Getting this vehicle on jack stands is not an easy task but I did need to charge the battery prior to move the vehicle into the correct position. Snag one for the night. Once the battery charged for a bit the car came to life.

LRM_EXPORT_127732341940768_20190111_082355736 by Stephen Mitchell, on Flickr

Going to stay organized for this project so I am labeling everything.

LRM_EXPORT_127744250943725_20190111_082407645 by Stephen Mitchell, on Flickr

Managed to remove the front bumper, drain the radiator, remove the radiator and some other odds and ends. This is how she sat at the end of the evening.

LRM_EXPORT_127763778112701_20190111_082427172 by Stephen Mitchell, on Flickr

LRM_EXPORT_127785508954970_20190111_082448903 by Stephen Mitchell, on Flickr

kijho · « **Reply #151 on:** January 11, 2019, 09:06:11 am »

Oooooo very nice

jellynuts · « **Reply #152 on:** January 11, 2019, 03:07:04 pm »

Quote from: 10secdream on January 11, 2019, 08:39:59 am

Getting this vehicle on jack stands is not an easy task

Why is that? Do all Miatas share this?

10secdream · « **Reply #153 on:** January 11, 2019, 05:39:42 pm »

Quote from: jellynuts on January 11, 2019, 03:07:04 pm

Why is that? Do all Miatas share this?

It's low and the frame rails are a weak spot so i block it up to get a jack under it. Once I get frame rail reinforcements this issue will be resolved l.

GrantC · « **Reply #154 on:** January 11, 2019, 06:39:03 pm »

PA has some ramps that seem to be a lot like the former "Takata Low Down Slope LDS".

https://www.princessauto.com/en/detail/9-000-lb-low-profile-vehicle-ramps/A-p8792327e

SlowLGT · « **Reply #155 on:** January 11, 2019, 08:15:53 pm »

I use the left over 2x8 from my deck project and Master craft low profile jack.

10secdream · « **Reply #156 on:** April 22, 2019, 09:59:03 am »

Small update but the supercharger is removed and the I should have the engine and transmission out shortly.

LRM_EXPORT_234714112603502_20190422_095034892 by Stephen Mitchell, on Flickr

LRM_EXPORT_234705024463950_20190422_095025804 by Stephen Mitchell, on Flickr

10secdream · « **Reply #157 on:** April 29, 2019, 09:10:29 am »

Managed to get a fair bit done this weekend thanks to Spencer and Carlos.

Engine and transmission are now out of the car and I will start transferring everything over to the new longblock.

LRM_EXPORT_676804874373430_20190429_085234640 by Stephen Mitchell, on Flickr

LRM_EXPORT_676838351123379_20190429_085308117 by Stephen Mitchell, on Flickr

LRM_EXPORT_676860325637183_20190429_085330092 by Stephen Mitchell, on Flickr

SlowLGT · « **Reply #158 on:** April 29, 2019, 09:18:12 am »

As per WSC tradition, you cannot post a photo of a engineless car without a photo of you standing in the engine bay. Please fix your post ASAP.

10secdream · « **Reply #159 on:** April 29, 2019, 09:32:48 am »

I took a bunch of photos but they aren't on my phone anymore.... $:-\$

I will bug Spencer for some.

kijho · « **Reply #160 on:** April 29, 2019, 10:31:29 am »

I'll post up some more pics tonight! Fun weekend wrenching, I've never seen/ assisted with/ pulled an engine or transmission out. Pretty cool, even though I only took out a bolt or two

Was fun when it finally came free and was hanging in the air on the hoist haha!

10secdream · « **Reply #161 on:** April 30, 2019, 10:02:15 am »

DSC01781 by SHPIXX, on Flickr

DSC01815 by SHPIXX, on Flickr

10secdream · « **Reply #162 on:** May 07, 2019, 09:19:54 am »

Started to make a bit more progress on the Miata. Started cleaning off the transmission and new engine and swapping some things over. I also wanted to know the condition of my current engine so we pulled the head to inspect. As suspected cylinder 3 is a bit melted but the rings and cylinder wall are completely fine. The head is also in perfect condition as well which makes this engine perfect for a rebuild.

The next step is to order a bunch of seals and gaskets and start putting together the replacement long block.

LRM_EXPORT_159755489889977_20190507_081019683 by Stephen Mitchell, on Flickr

LRM_EXPORT_159735548284657_20190507_080959741 by Stephen Mitchell, on Flickr

LRM_EXPORT_159721063163995_20190507_080945256 by Stephen Mitchell, on Flickr

RockThePylon · « **Reply #163 on:** May 07, 2019, 09:44:33 pm »

Melty melt probably caused by knocky knock.

Not sure what you're keeping for the new engine... If the other pistons are pretty minty, maybe send the injectors away for a cleaning/flow testing?

Asstuna · « **Reply #164 on:** May 07, 2019, 10:54:05 pm »

I wonder if those valve buckets fit a Focus SVT engine...

10secdream · « **Reply #165 on:** May 08, 2019, 08:26:48 am »

Quote from: RockThePylon on May 07, 2019, 09:44:33 pm

Melty melt probably caused by knocky knock.

Not sure what you're keeping for the new engine... If the other pistons are pretty minty, maybe send the injectors away for a cleaning/flow testing?

I picked up some used PNP EV14 550cc injectors to handle the fuel requirements of the new supercharger. I am not taking any chances though and they are getting sent away for cleaning, flow testing and new seals.

10secdream · « **Reply #166 on:** May 08, 2019, 08:27:31 am »

Quote from: Asstuna on May 07, 2019, 10:54:05 pm

I wonder if those valve buckets fit a Focus SVT engine...

They probably do.

10secdream · « **Reply #167 on:** May 13, 2019, 10:17:12 am »

I spend the weekend wrenching on the Miata in this beautiful weather. At the beginning of the week I made a list and got all the necessary seals and gaskets needed for the used longblock (cam seals, front main, rear mail, intake/exhaust gaskets, various crush washers, o rings, seals for the water pump/tstat housings ect., valve cover gaskets). I decided I was going to do this right so I ordered all the oem stuff from Mazda.

The plan is to reuse the existing timing belt/tensioner and water pump off the motor I pulled out of the car because they were recently done and it feels bad to replace components that look good.

Managed to get the majority of the seals replaced but the crank seal did not go in straight so I need to get a new one. Hopefully I can get that sometime this week and finish putting together the motor and getting it ready to drop back into the car.

I also decided to spray paint my valve cover wrinkle red. Not bad for a rattle can job and it should look ok.

LRM_EXPORT_10272358925188_20190513_100213781 by Stephen Mitchell, on Flickr

LRM_EXPORT_10282588499749_20190513_100224011 by Stephen Mitchell, on Flickr

Apparently this is how the techs at Mazda hold together the cams. We also used a cam lock tool as a secondary.

LRM_EXPORT_10289822065886_20190513_100231245 by Stephen Mitchell, on Flickr

LRM_EXPORT_10305600562510_20190513_100247023 by Stephen Mitchell, on Flickr

LRM_EXPORT_10311944139965_20190513_100253367 by Stephen Mitchell, on Flickr

kijho · « **Reply #168 on:** May 13, 2019, 10:35:36 am »

Ayy my dude putting in the work!! I really like the wrinkle red valve cover, we're almost kind of somewhat similar now with my red Perrin cover

Can't wait to see this driving and we'll go shoot some photos!

10secdream · « **Reply #169 on:** May 16, 2019, 09:55:16 am »

Made some decent progress last night. I got some new fuel injector seals and got the injectors installed into the fuel rail. OEM front crank seal was installed and the timing belt was put back on along with the timing covers. Valve cover, intake and exhaust manifold were also installed with new gaskets.

Once the majority of the motor was buttoned up it was taken off the stand a new rear main was put on along with the flywheel and new clutch. I figured this time around we would try installing the engine and transmission in one go. It took a bit of finesse as I left the powersteering, AC and other components in the engine bay but eventually it all went back in. Pretty happy with the progress we made last night.

LRM_EXPORT_185818448327777_20190516_091542308 by Stephen Mitchell, on Flickr

LRM_EXPORT_185804097662910_20190516_091527957 by Stephen Mitchell, on Flickr

LRM_EXPORT_185790887385031_20190516_091514747 by Stephen Mitchell, on Flickr

SlowLGT · « **Reply #170 on:** May 16, 2019, 01:54:44 pm »

So... We both doing our first shake downs at ASA lapping day on May 26?

10secdream · « **Reply #171 on:** May 16, 2019, 02:02:11 pm »

Quote from: SlowLGT on May 16, 2019, 01:54:44 pm

So... We both doing our first shake downs at ASA lapping day on May 26?

That is going to be a hard no for me. I need at least 2-3 weeks to break in a clutch and feel confident with my tune . I also need to diagnose any issues before track duty.

10secdream · « **Reply #172 on:** May 17, 2019, 09:41:22 am »

Made a little more progress on the Miata last night. Managed to delete all the unnecessary bits on the passenger side of the engine bay as none of these are functional with megasquirt (evap, some boost sensor, secondary fuel dampener). The engine bay is a lot tidier now which is nice. I then mocked up the supercharger, put in the radiator and checked the clearances for the AC and the intercooler. Its all going to be a tight fit but it is going to work.

LRM_EXPORT_253791036086972_20190517_084705921 by Stephen Mitchell, on Flickr

10secdream · « **Reply #173 on:** May 23, 2019, 10:18:10 am »

Intercooler is now fully installed in the car. I also managed to button up everything under the car (driveshaft, transmission, wiring, starter motor, clutch slave, all the bracing, exhaust and O2 sensors). The next thing I need to do is borrow a 30mm deep socket so I can install the factory oil cooler and then I can put the alternator back in the car. All that is left is replacing all the fluids at this point and hope she fires up.

I also ordered another set of wheels and tires for the car. This set is more for driving around and going to the odd autox event on without feeling like I will die in the rain. I will keep the R-comps for lapping days.

kijho · « **Reply #174 on:** May 23, 2019, 10:32:35 am »

Quote from: 10secdream on May 23, 2019, 10:18:10 am

and hope she fires up.

Praying for success