Whoops

[kcbhiw]

Death came to Challenge Miata that wasn't. It's demise came quickly and painfully. I have to hand it to Phil. He handled it a lot better than I would have.

He'll be bringing it to my house this weekend so that I can swap a new engine into it. Unfortunately, the turbo will have to be replaced also as it injested a few junks of an adventurous connecting rod.

The carnage:

http://www.msprotege.com/members/kcbhiw/Phils.JPG

[Prodigy]

I'd be uber PO'd if the engine AND turbo were toasted due to one mistake.
Sorry phil.


If you need any help on the engine swap...
I'd be glad to swing by and lend a hand.
(I could bring the engine hoist over to speed up the process)

[kcbhiw]

I think there was something seriously wrong with the car before Phil received it. First, the stock injectors are undersized and second, I wonder what the timing advance was set to.

[aMaff]

Timebomb ftl. That sucks Phil, but you'll have it back. Now where is that pic of the award she won? ;)

[The Mad Swede]

Ouch! Sorry to hear. At least it went out in style. If your gonna go, go with a bang! (headbang)

[JDM-P5]

Ha ha...yeah...definitely for sure.

[chiefmg]

Sorry to hear about that Phil. Make sure you keep some fragged part of the engine as a memento. I have a nicely holed piston from my former racebike to look at occasionally.

[JDM-P5]

Sorry to hear about that Phil. Make sure you keep some fragged part of the engine as a memento. I have a nicely holed piston from my former racebike to look at occasionally.
Yep yep...I was thinking about doing that.

[kcbhiw]

Yep yep...I was thinking about doing that.

I charge extra for pistons with holes. :D

[chiefmg]

I charge extra for pistons with holes. :D

Nah, they're easy to make. Just have a valve keeper break in half, let the valve drop into the engine while it is turning at least 8,000 rpm, and voila! That also netted me a cylinder head that has a valve head imbedded in it (upside down no less). Never found any sign of the valve stem.

[kcbhiw]

Phil finally got a chance to drop off his Miata off last night and the disection has commenced today. During the process of disconnecting and removing various bits to enable removal of the engine, I discovered several oddites. It, at one time, had some sort of engine management as there are taps for sensors in various places including but not limited to an EGT port, ECT tap, and BOV. Furthermore, the wiring harness is butchered and there are exposed crimp on connectors everywhere, ugh.

The most notable abnomaility was how far the timing was advanced. Looking at it's position, the CAS was advanced no less than 20*. In fact, it was modified to be advanced outside of the OE range.

Just for fun, I'll post a few pics of the process of the removal and install of the old and new engines (as well as a few of the bottom end rebuild of the replacement engine).

[kcbhiw]

Compared below are images of the CAS positions of my challenge Miata (~12* BTDC) and Phil's Miata (assumably >20*). Note how the upper portion of the mounting area has been removed to facilitate further advancment. Why this was ever done is beyond me.

1st pic = 'normal'
2nd pic = not so good with boost.

[aMaff]

Aren't you supposed to retard timing for boost???

Also, did the PO cut that to get more advance? That's nuts!

[JDM-P5]

Yep. I saw these pics lastnight and was scratching my head like +WHAAAAAT!?+ Eh, she's in good hands now, so keep the faith people!!

[MiaTurbo]

with ~5psi, and 20*+ timing, wasn't it pinging?

[JDM-P5]

Nope. Haha....I should've checked on that earlier...but the suspension took me for a spin and I got side tracked. :(

[MiaTurbo]

Damn.. Mine was pinging at 6psi, with 12* timing... I pushed it back to 8* until I got a Bipes. Then set base at 14* and didn't have any problem with it set to pull back 10* depending on airflow/temp. Should have pulled back a little more at the track.. I learned the hard way too: running down Corvettes at VIR + 93 octane = going home on 3 cylinders. lol

Next year I'm going to try some 440cc injectors from a Supra :D It really needed more fuel, instead of less timing. either way if you don't get it right, as we learned, BOOM...

[JDM-P5]

Ouch!
Yeah...on a positive not, when Kev gets this thing running...it'll be good to go.

[MiaTurbo]

Mine wasn't as catastrophic as yours. i ended up burning a valve on #4 (http://faditara.smugmug.com/photos/19927325-M.jpg). This problem is mostly due to the poor coolant flow on the back of the motor. But more fuel/less timing would have saved it with cooler cylinder temps.

It just started out sounding like a bad miss. I pulled the plugs and saw #4 was as black as my heart on Valentine's day. At first I thought it was an ignition miss, replaced the wires, and plugs, but nothing. The car still ran fine above 4000rpm, so I went out another session... the noise was a little louder, and I decided to come in early. As I was going to the pits, I could have sworn is sounded like a burnt valve, but with the turbo, and my helmet, it was hard to tell. I decided to call it a weekend, and hope that I could make the 2+ hour drive home. By the time I got home, so much raw fuel went through the turbo, it superheated it as it compressed it and the turbine housing actually expanded and pushed out on the studs, snapping 2 of them. So now I'm running on 3 cylinders, with an exhaust leak... it sounded like a badly tuned VW aircooled engine, lol

[JDM-P5]

DAMN!
When was this?

[MiaTurbo]

last year. I was just going to do a head job, but since the motor had 200k miles on it, I decided to replace it even though the cylinders still had the crosshatching on the walls. Raw fuel was in the oil, so I'm sure the bearings were on the way out too.

[kcbhiw]

Just to remind you all, this is what happens with bad tuning ;).

Crank case ventilation is a good thing. But this is a bit extreme....

(Pay no attention to the craptastic lighting)

[k-lea]

I don't know wether to think that looks painful, or just plain hot.

[JDM-P5]

*shakes head*

[MiaTurbo]

the picture of a motor coming out of a red Miada looks vary familiar.

[JDM-P5]

Kev called me today & informed me that the crank work was done and that I have a few things to order to get the motor set back up.
Also I recieved the FMIC I ordered...pics tonight. ;)

Turboyata:second coming

[JDM-P5]

UPDATE:
Kevin & I have been getting the parts buying rolling for the "comeback kid".
So the parts that I currently have (or purchased today) are:
1 pair of red/black racing seats
1 pair of red/black mazdaspeed race belts
1 turboxs type-s bov
1 stock dsm bov (will not use)
1 turboxs mbc (came w/the car)
1 75mm fmic w/pipes
1 turboxs flange
http://myspace-096.vo.llnwd.net/01301/69/05/1301215096_l.jpg
http://myspace-774.vo.llnwd.net/01541/47/74/1541954774_l.jpg
http://myspace-646.vo.llnwd.net/01541/64/65/1541955646_l.jpg

Kev got the cranshaft machined and got the bearings etc. I'll have him add pics and all the other details.

Stay Tuned.
(ughdance)

[Pitlab77]

who made the pipes?

[Pitlab77]

Damn.. Mine was pinging at 6psi, with 12* timing... I pushed it back to 8* until I got a Bipes. Then set base at 14* and didn't have any problem with it set to pull back 10* depending on airflow/temp. Should have pulled back a little more at the track.. I learned the hard way too: running down Corvettes at VIR + 93 octane = going home on 3 cylinders. lol

Next year I'm going to try some 440cc injectors from a Supra :D It really needed more fuel, instead of less timing. either way if you don't get it right, as we learned, BOOM...

some of the my friends www.miataturbo.net are using water injection to run higher timming on greddy setups.

[JDM-P5]

who made the pipes?
I bought the pipes on ebay...they were made for a turbo 240sx.
$170 for the pipes/fmic.

[Pitlab77]

Oh I was thinking they look different that most miata pipes in how they were bent

[aMaff]

You gonna beat-it-to-fit-paint-it-to-match?

[JDM-P5]

Oh I was thinking they look different that most miata pipes in how they were bent
Yes we are planning on getting it to work somehow...lol...I paid $1500 for the car w/a greddy kit...so yeeeeeeeah. ;)

[JDM-P5]

You gonna beat-it-to-fit-paint-it-to-match?
lol....haha

[kcbhiw]

During the process of swapping a new crank into the donor engine (more to come on that), I dismantlement the busted engine to salvage a couple of parts and to satisfy my curiosity. Upon removing the head, I found all four pistons to be melted around the outer edge on the intake side (see 4th pic). There's not much that is salvageable. The head is banged up a bit on the number three hole and two valves are bent (expected due to the flung rod).

Here are a few shots of the tear down....

EDIT: Note the "blue"-ness of the big end of what's left of the #3 rod. That sucker got just a bit warm at some point. That probably happened when Phil called to inform me that the car is "knocking" (peep)

[kcbhiw]

Since it's been decided to get the car running as inexpensively as possible, I donated a used engine with a worn short nose to Phil's project. That said, it's obvious that the crankshaft had to be replaced. As I had one lying around, I dropped it off at the machine shop for a polishing and later went to work swapping out the worn crank on the donor motor. The "new" crank is of the big nose design. With new rod, main, and thrust, bearings installed, the engine should last another 100k miles considering everything else tested good when I received it.

Hopefully, I'll have this thing in the car shortly after the new year.

[kcbhiw]

Considering the engine blew chunks, and the turbocharger felt a bit 'crunchy', it was best that it too receive a new bearing set. Neither the compressor nor turbine wheels were damaged, so it was a better solution to rebuild than replace. Fortunately during the tear down, there were no severe signs of wear and the dragging was due to trash and sludge that had built up over time. After the rebuild, it was as good as new (well, as close to new as cheap can bring it).

(Apologies, these pics are a bit on the large side).

[aMaff]

*sings*Which one, doesn't belong?*/sesame street*

[JDM-P5]

Sweet....don't forget to put my uber cool valve cover back on there...haha.


[KB=Argg stupid admin buttons - Pay attention!]

[kcbhiw]

Sweet....don't forget to put my uber cool valve cover back on there...haha.



You mean the one that has peeling paint around the bolts? Sure thing. ;)

[JDM-P5]

You mean the one that has peeling paint around the bolts? Sure thing. ;)
haha...hells yeah!

[JDM-P5]

Even though the car is @ Kev's...here are some updated pics of what she looked like right before I drove her to the GRM Challenge 2006.

[JDM-P5]

And random parts have been filtering in:
Exedy clutch is at Kev's house.
Mazdaspeed steering wheel & hub (black w/red stitching is killer).
CF driver side head lamp induction cover (ughdance) .
Still waiting on the flange for the turbo xs bov. (pissed)

**EDIT**
My room mate misplaced my flange...it's been sitting under my coffee table (2 shelf) & I finally found it.

[JDM-P5]

YAY!! for turboxs flange!(ughdance)

[JDM-P5]

UPDATES:
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c71/97dsmbishi/DSCF0018.jpg
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c71/97dsmbishi/DSCF0022.jpg
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c71/97dsmbishi/DSCF0021.jpg
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c71/97dsmbishi/DSCF0020.jpg
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c71/97dsmbishi/DSCF0019.jpg

Thanks to "The Evil Genius" KCBHIW for the hard work he put in to get the motor to it's current stage.

[kcbhiw]

Yaaay! It goes in today.

Pay no attention to the grime. It is a budget/time constrained rebuild afterall ;).

[JDM-P5]

Yaaay! It goes in today.

Pay no attention to the grime. It is a budget/time constrained rebuild afterall ;).

OOh yeah!

[kcbhiw]

The engine is installed and wired.
My back hurts.
Here are some pictures.
Have fun.

:)

[Prodigy]

Lookin good.

[kcbhiw]

Lookin good.


lol, not really. It's nasty as hell.

[JDM-P5]

The engine is installed and wired.
My back hurts.
Here are some pictures.
Have fun.

:)
Man hell yeah!

[JDM-P5]

lol, not really. It's nasty as hell.
I'll clean her up when I get her back.

[aMaff]

The engine is installed and wired.
My back hurts.
Here are some pictures.
Have fun.

:)
Nice work. So, you'll have a black one in the garage next weekend, right? :p

[kcbhiw]

Nice work. So, you'll have a black one in the garage next weekend, right? :p

Don't count on it.

Maybe the next, though. I need a break, hehe.

[aMaff]

lol understandable

[JDM-P5]

Kev for Prez.

[sonb8c]

sorry new to here but got a question that I need to asked. Did mazdaspeed actually made those 2" racing harness?? Since that is the only thing holding you down and keep you alive in case of an accident should you get something that is DOT approved instead such as Schroth

[JDM-P5]

sorry new to here but got a question that I need to asked. Did mazdaspeed actually made those 2" racing harness?? Since that is the only thing holding you down and keep you alive in case of an accident should you get something that is DOT approved instead such as Schroth
Hmmm...that's a good question...and in all actuality...I'm not sure.
Look @ it this way...I'm taking the turboyata to Turkey, DOT has no say there. Kev is getting a free set and they will most likely end up in his GRM Challenge car...which again isn't street legal in any case. So, we'll just have to see I suppose. I'm getting my roll bar fabbed and installed by the good folks up @ Kirk Racing http://www.kirkracing.com/index.cfm?FuseAction=Photos&Catalog=Yes&PhotoID=19 in B'ham, AL. I'll be taking the harnesses w/me and I'll have them do the install to make sure everything is kosher. That should be going down as soon as I have the car back in my possesion. Thanks for the heads up though...and stay tuned. (ughdance)

[aMaff]

Phil, lemme know how that Kirk bar comes out. I'm serioulsy considering them, as (if I can remember right) they're over $100 cheaper than Hard Dog.

[JDM-P5]

Phil, lemme know how that Kirk bar comes out. I'm serioulsy considering them, as (if I can remember right) they're over $100 cheaper than Hard Dog.
Yes, they are cheaper & I will definitely let you know what the outcome is.

From their site:
Miata Four Point Bar - $350.00
This four point bar for the Miata includes a main loop with two rear legs and double diagonal braces. This bar works with the soft top and the factory and Robbins glass windows. An optional horizontal brace can be added.

Miata Six Point Bar - $485.00
This Miata six point bar fits up to a 1999 Miata. This is the same design as the 4 point bar and includes the horizontal brace and two side bars for added chassis stiffening. Getting in and out with this bar is suprisingly easy.

[kcbhiw]

The car runs, finally! I'll post pics or whatever tomorrow, but for the time being, I leave you with this:

Good engine + crap/oil in exhaust from blown engine = time to wash the P5. (doh)
http://www.msprotege.com/members/kcbhiw/soot.JPG

[JDM-P5]

The car runs, finally! I'll post pics or whatever tomorrow, but for the time being, I leave you with this:

Good engine + crap/oil in exhaust from blown engine = time to wash the P5. (doh)
http://www.msprotege.com/members/kcbhiw/soot.JPG
Uhhhh...yeah sorry 'bout that.
Can't wait for the video clip.

[MiaTurbo]

nice.

BTW, I have the exact same steering wheel :)

[JDM-P5]

nice.

BTW, I have the exact same steering wheel :)
Yeah...did you install it yourself also? I picked up a steering wheel puller and want to make sure I do it right. :)

Man, we were so close to getting the car home last night...if you haven't yet heard, the motor quit on us again (presumably a faulty oil plug), luckily, the majority of the oil came out @ a gas station only a few miles from Kev's house.
Weird, even before that though, the car was giving us signs (it ran out of gas 50 feet from a gas station)...guess she was saying "Don't drive me you stupid wanker!". Either way, it's a learning step for me as Kev was nice enough to take the time out to show me the ropes about what was going down last night, even when he was TO'd about the car....which wasn't any of his fault. These things just happen & maybe happened for a reason...who knows. All in all, my boss drove me out there & I drove her mustang back w/no problems or incidents on the way home. Now we're both in the office & tired as hell...haha. Hopefully, Gabriel will be back home this weekend. :)
Kev still (first).
Thanks for all the help.

[MiaTurbo]

Yeah...did you install it yourself also? I picked up a steering wheel puller and want to make sure I do it right. :)

.puller? you don't need it. Take off the airbag (4 10mm bolts), 21mm nut holds the wheel on. Then wiggle the wheel off. I've done several Miadas and never had an issue.

[JDM-P5]

puller? you don't need it. Take off the airbag (4 10mm bolts), 21mm nut holds the wheel on. Then wiggle the wheel off. I've done several Miadas and never had an issue.
Damnit! Haha..I have the airbag off already. Hmmm...I'll have to look at it when I get the car back. Last time I tried taking it off, the stupid thing didn't move. I was cussin' up a storm...haha.

[MiaTurbo]

shake it side to side, then top to bottom. Or just use the puller since you already have it :p

[TheMAN]

sure, go ahead and do that.. then get your steering off center

[JDM-P5]

sure, go ahead and do that.. then get your steering off center
Well...that's why I got the puller.
Was going to get the car alignment done, then pull the old one & install the new one.
Besides, I'm sure if Fadi did it w/no problems...it can't be an issue.
(poke)

[aMaff]

wouldn't you be better off replacing the wheel then do the alignment after, just in case you need to tweak something?

[JDM-P5]

wouldn't you be better off replacing the wheel then do the alignment after, just in case you need to tweak something?
I was told do the alignment first.

[MiaTurbo]

sure, go ahead and do that.. then get your steering off center
the hub adapter is splined. the steering shaft is splined. you can get the wheel within 2-3 degrees. You can swap 1 miada wheel to another miada and there's still a chance it'll be not straight due to manufacturing tolerances, and the puller will not make any difference in that. That's why you do a quick toe adjustment afterwards to center the wheel.

[JDM-P5]

the hub adapter is splined. the steering shaft is splined. you can get the wheel within 2-3 degrees. You can swap 1 miada wheel to another miada and there's still a chance it'll be not straight due to manufacturing tolerances, and the puller will not make any difference in that. That's why you do a quick toe adjustment afterwards to center the wheel.
Listen to the man...thanks amigo.

[JDM-P5]

Update:
Spoke w/Kevin on the phone yesterday.
He had only one thing to say:
"Your car is fun as hell!".
I took that as good news...then he went on to say he drove it to work, lunch and home, with no issues. So the car was saved.
Thank God.
Should have 'Gabriel' back in my possesion on Sunday (going up early to knock out some minor details).

So here's what's left to get accomplished:
Get new seats installed on Tues/Wed
Make an appointment w/Kirk Racing to get my roll bar installed
on Fri
Install the new boost gauge
Clean the car as best as possible
Drive the car BACK to Atlanta for shipment to Turkey from the port.

w00t

[aMaff]

Phil, how tall are you? Do you have a helmet to test out the 2" rollbar rule?

[kcbhiw]

Phil, how tall are you? Do you have a helmet to test out the 2" rollbar rule?

I did it again....


Anyway, I doubt that'll apply in Turkey.....

[aMaff]

I did it again....


Anyway, I doubt that'll apply in Turkey.....
but it'll apply here when I finally track the car....

[JDM-P5]

It won't matter for me...not now at least. But the bar is SCCA legal.
I will try to remember to take a helmet up there w/me.
I am 5'9".

[JDM-P5]

I actually just got off the phone w/Mark @ Kirk Racing Products.
I told him I needed to make an appointment. He informed me that the next opening he'd have would be the 2nd week in Feb. From my "Uhhhhh..." he could tell that something was up, so said "You have an event coming up?" I like where this guys head was at...so if someone asks you a question like that, you know they are all business. So, I told him my upcoming situation (& that the car was a *former* GRM Challenge car). He then told me to come in next Friday and his crew would knock it out in the same day. Then I remembered my harnesses and asked about the optional harness bar...he said no charge. He even told me to bring them up and he will install those properly for me too.
Coolness.
Now, I'm trying to get hold of a buddy that owns a shop here in town to see if he can knock out my racing seats installation for me. :)

[aMaff]

While you're there, can you find out how much the harness bar would be? If we can arrange it, next time you're in ATL I'd like to sit in your car and see how I fit lol

[JDM-P5]

While you're there, can you find out how much the harness bar would be? If we can arrange it, next time you're in ATL I'd like to sit in your car and see how I fit lol
The NEXT time I'll be in ATL (with Gabriel)...will be the day I drop her off @ the PORT. You are welcome to meet me somewhere around there so you can see/drive/test fit. Otherwise...you're coming down to Bama...heh heh.

[aMaff]

Shit. Check y0 aim, foo!

[JDM-P5]

Shit. Check y0 aim, foo!
AIM is on..but only @ home. I'm @ the officina!
Here's the addy of the port:
2579 Campbell Boulevard
Ellenwood, GA 30294
See how far outta the way that is...

[JDM-P5]

Also....whereTF is the Engine Block Number located on the yatas?
I was just informed by the Port ppl, that I NEED to have that (customs actually), so I don't cheat the system and install another motor over there...haha.

[aMaff]

No idea. Depending on the day and time I could probably make it out. It's just on the south side of atlanta.

[JDM-P5]

No idea. Depending on the day and time I could probably make it out. It's just on the south side of atlanta.
Werd...I'll let you now. It'll have to be between M-F 8am-3:30pm...that's the only time they are open...lol.

[kcbhiw]

Also....whereTF is the Engine Block Number located on the yatas?
I was just informed by the Port ppl, that I NEED to have that (customs actually), so I don't cheat the system and install another motor over there...haha.

The only ID on the engine is a VIN plate on the oil pan. Unfortunately, said plate doesn't match the car's VIN, for obvious reasons. Will that cause a problem?

[JDM-P5]

The only ID on the engine is a VIN plate on the oil pan. Unfortunately, said plate doesn't match the car's VIN, for obvious reasons. Will that cause a problem?
Nah. Good to go bro.

[JDM-P5]

Man...talk about a crazy day yesterday. It took me about 6 hours just to get OUT of GA yesterday. The cranky girl kept blowing out various pipes and couplings while I was driving her on the highway, so after some rather 'scary' situations on 575 & 75, I decided to get off in Kennesaw and do some searching for parts. Kev & I agreed that a certain rubber coupling would keep slipping off due to weight from a certain pipe. So after wasting precious time at Autozone/Advance/O'Reily's...I stopped @ Wal-Mart...then made my way to Home Depot...the life saver. I ended up making a decision to get a piece of 2" PVC pipe to replace the heavy metal one that was previously installed. It definitely made a huge difference. It stayed on and only slipped off once. I decided to stay in the slow lane the entire way back and my avg speed was 65 mph. One thing I have to check out is a CEL that seemed to pop up on the trip back. Kev thinks it may be a fuel issue (bigger injectors are installed) or it could be a fouled O2....but I'm going to run the self check diagnostic today and see what comes of it.
Anywho, enough chatter, here's some pics:
You can see the suspect pipe in this pic...the long RED one closest to the radiator
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c71/97dsmbishi/CIMG1687.jpg
Varios GRMyata shots:
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c71/97dsmbishi/CIMG1700.jpg
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c71/97dsmbishi/CIMG1696.jpg
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c71/97dsmbishi/CIMG1704.jpg
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c71/97dsmbishi/CIMG1711.jpg
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c71/97dsmbishi/CIMG1714.jpg
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c71/97dsmbishi/CIMG1720-1.jpg
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c71/97dsmbishi/CIMG1701.jpg

[JDM-P5]

Here's the first test run w/the TurboXS BOV installed...Keving driving.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_UGPQbk4vqc

[kcbhiw]

Varios GRMyata shots:



http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c71/97dsmbishi/CIMG1711.jpg




Heh, I'm diggin' this pic. (nana)

[JDM-P5]

Heh, I'm diggin' this pic. (nana)
Heh heh...I likey also....& bro...the front of yours is just gleaming...haha!

[aMaff]

Heh heh...I likey also....& bro...the front of yours is just gleaming...haha!
That's what that awesome sanding job on the front bumper cover'll getcha! lol :p

And by awesome, I mean I scuffed it up for 15 minutes, we looked at it and said 'Eh, it's fuckin late, that's good enough' lol

[JDM-P5]

That's what that awesome sanding job on the front bumper cover'll getcha! lol :p

And by awesome, I mean I scuffed it up for 15 minutes, we looked at it and said 'Eh, it's fuckin late, that's good enough' lol
Heh heh...good on you then! I'll have to hit *err...touch* Gabriel w/some rubbing compound & wax like Kev suggested...it's just been raining here...boo!

[k-lea]

Very nice Phil! I got my baby back yesterday as well. ;P

[MiaTurbo]

cool deal :)

BTW, a trick to keeping hoses on is to spray some hairspray on the end of the hose and clamp it on while the spray is still tacky ;)

[JDM-P5]

cool deal :)

BTW, a trick to keeping hoses on is to spray some hairspray on the end of the hose and clamp it on while the spray is still tacky ;)
That is a pretty nifty trick. I'll have to do that (if it pops off again)...If it ain't broke...don't fix it.

[JDM-P5]

Phil, how tall are you? Do you have a helmet to test out the 2" rollbar rule?
Andrew...spoke w/Mike up at Kirk Racing...here's the scoop:
Roll bar
$350
Intall
$65/hr (about a 3hr install) $195
$350
+$195
------
$545

Just to remind you..they are throwing me a bone (free harness bar & installation of my harnesses) as a courtesy....because I'm Military. :)

[aMaff]

That's cool. I'd probably end up just hauling the bar back here w/ the P5 and installing it here. You know how much the harness bar option is? Is it bolt on or weld in?

[JDM-P5]

That's cool. I'd probably end up just hauling the bar back here w/ the P5 and installing it here. You know how much the harness bar option is? Is it bolt on or weld in?
True true.
Weld in I believe.

I also finished up my ECU cover as mine was missing. Cost me less than $10 for the plexiglass and a set of screws. Looks pretty dang good if I say so myself...I will post up a pic after work.

Planning to install my new boost gauge this evening after work too...the current one does not illuminate.

Also, my seats did not fit..figures. Even though I did all that drilling and mounted the stock Miata rails to the race seats...I overlooked the fact that the rails are now wider that what they were on the stock seats. So, I put the stock seats back in & I am too time pressed to try and create a bracket for them @ this time. They will go into storage w/the P5. If I see a set over there in Turkey...I'll get a set there. If not, oh well....that's life....unless someone wants a set off brand new racing seats...I'll let them go fo the cheapy.

[kcbhiw]

cool deal :)

BTW, a trick to keeping hoses on is to spray some hairspray on the end of the hose and clamp it on while the spray is still tacky ;)

I was thinking about this not too long ago. Years back when I was into offroad biking, I would use hairspray to fit new handle grips to the handle bar. They'd slide on easy, and never come off once the hair spray dried.

[JDM-P5]

Here are some new shots:
Kev & I w/the GRMiatas:
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c71/97dsmbishi/DSCF0082.jpg
RatsBack CF HL cover w/duct:
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c71/97dsmbishi/CIMG1722.jpg
Phil's DIY ECU cover:
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c71/97dsmbishi/CIMG1726.jpg
Prosport Boost gauge (ignore the misc. wires...I'm going to make a new mount):
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c71/97dsmbishi/CIMG1728.jpg
30 sec clip of the prosport opening ceremony and its actions under load:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rTIRnek6zbM
(ughdance)

[aMaff]

lookin good! Now go take another vid, and actually get some boost so we can hear that BOV!

[JDM-P5]

lookin good! Now go take another vid, and actually get some boost so we can hear that BOV!
I'll do a nice driving clip tomorrow...pending the weather of course.

[JDM-P5]

Well...due to the fact that the car was already gutted and I was military (10% discount)...I had the Kirk Racing 4-pt roll bar purchased & installed for $392.40...after 2x checking the receipt he took 10% off the bar AND the labor.
I would HIGHLY recommend someone wanting a really sweet bolt in bar to purchase one from KR Products.

Andrew...I already told him you were interested and that you would be calling him sometime soon....also...I got the bolted in roll bar..not the welded one (we discussed this on AIM the other day).

Also...Mark (the owner) has 2 full race rx7's...no pics...my bad....that he is planning to sell. He's making the jump from Mazda to BMW.

Anywho...here are some pictures (I'll have better ones this week!):
Ignore my old bike race helmet (the only one I have in my possesion Andrew)...it def clears 2 inches...so SCCA legal :)
The dude thinking "Oh shit...cool bar..." is my Dad.
(poke)
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c71/97dsmbishi/CIMG1732.jpg
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c71/97dsmbishi/CIMG1740.jpg
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c71/97dsmbishi/CIMG1739.jpg
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c71/97dsmbishi/CIMG1736.jpg
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c71/97dsmbishi/CIMG1738.jpg

[kcbhiw]

That's a very nice bar. I may have to look into one sometime this year.

I wish I could say the same for the helmet.

[JDM-P5]

That's a very nice bar. I may have to look into one sometime this year.

I wish I could say the same for the helmet.

Ha ha...protection is protection foo'!!

Yes..it's quite nice mang!

[JDM-P5]

Decided to try covering the top section around the center a/c vents and run the prosport boost gauge through the left vent. Here are the pics:
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c71/97dsmbishi/CIMG0004.jpg
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c71/97dsmbishi/CIMG0007.jpg

[kcbhiw]

What's that ricey looking CF thing on your e-brake handle? ;)

[JDM-P5]

I had a handle cover sitting around in the garage...it fit..so it went on.
;)

[JDM-P5]

Well...it's raining here and I had to get some stuff out on the street...so I put the top up. Since I had the top up, figured I'd snap a few of what the bar looks like when covered up. I've pretty much finished the center panel pieces. It looks good, but I'm considering doing it over yet again....more sanding and more paint. But, for now (til it ships at least)...it's good.
I also made a template if anyone is interested. (ughdance)
From the front:
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c71/97dsmbishi/CIMG0010.jpg
Inside:
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c71/97dsmbishi/CIMG0009-1.jpg
From the rear:
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c71/97dsmbishi/CIMG0002.jpg
Center panel:
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c71/97dsmbishi/CIMG0006.jpg

I'm in need of a small MAZDA decal...anyone have any they wanna donate?

[JDM-P5]

So..it's my 1st day here in Turkey...won't have my car til next month, had a wonderful day out w/a wonderful chic & need less to say I'm happy. Of course I haven't started working yet...haha. Looks like I will be buying ALL (most of at least) my clothes online & shipping them....the prices here are ridiculous! I stopped at the Timberland store...$150 for $70 Tims...I can actually MAKE money here if I wanted to...haha. Anyway...since this is a car forum...you know I was searching for random stuff...and I found this:
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c71/97dsmbishi/HPIM0020-1.jpg
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c71/97dsmbishi/HPIM0018.jpg
Just across the street from my hotel...I mean...I was floored! 13" wheels...that will look hella cool on the turboyata. The guy didn't speak English well...When I get my turkish delight to get the "turkish" price...I will let you guys know what's up.