It’s time to build a new engine. So here’s the thread. As with everybody, time is tight, but I will do my best. Blah, blah, blah….
’99 with less than 40,000 miles, but already on the 2nd engine.
The car- next to my SHO:

The windshield of the Miata ends below the rear deck of the Taurus!

This happened two years ago:

The block-vent is attributed to an improperly tuned first generation FMII setup. That’s the one with the link piggyback controlling two additional injectors and retarding timing. No wideband. Old T28.
In order to get back to driving a shortblock from an NA 1.8 was installed. In addition I installed MS3/X with 850cc Five-O injectors, as well as LC-1 wideband. Stock ECU is still installed for emissions. Making that boomslang harness sucked! Stock ECU is still controlling idle, VICS and AC.
And since some of the valves were seriously bent, I replaced all 16 with Supertech +1mm valves and added Supertech springs.
This setup has seriously less power than before:

Not sure what’s happening here. Torque drops like a rock above 5krpm. I thought with the bigger valves that would not be the case. Maybe the VICS isn’t working. Need to check.
This shortblock has seen better days, so I sourced another block & crank. Dropped it off at the machine shop. Here’s what’s going into it:
- Supertech 8.6:1 pistons
- China rods
- ARP bolts
- Super-awesome harmonic balancer
- ….
Pics:


The block has been bored and decked. The machinist asked my 3 times if I was certain about the 0.004" piston clearance, but I held my ground!
Next week it’s time for checking the mains (was waiting for the ARP bolts). And then it’s assembly time. I’ve never assembled an engine, so I’ll try and document every step, looking for feedback on what I did wrong.

Further down the line I hope I can afford an Artech/EFR setup. I think this engine should be able to take it.

 

Nice carnage.
Looks like a good start. What about securing the vics open and trying Virtual Dyno again.

 

Stefan, I took a few photos when you were over of your old fm setup...I've never seen anything like it and I'm glad you no longer use it. I'm speaking mainly of the tiny fuel rail pre throttle body. Post photos if you can...I'm sure it's something no other member has seen.

 

Its easy to test the vics functionality. The noid should be energized at idle. If you unplug the electrical connector from the noid you should hear and see the actuator move them to the high rpm position, plug it back in and they'll move back to the low rpm position.

 

Man, that's a nice looking NB. Great color, and the wheels look really good on it.

I've got a fast "practical" car too. Poncho G8GT.

 

I wanted to get the G8, but it was too late- the brand had been closed down and I had to get a new car- used was no option.
I'll see if I can play with the VICS and take pictures of my secondary injector setup later today. Right now it's too bloody hot in the garage. It's pool time.

 

Not to thread drift too much, but I wonder if you could elaborate a bit for me on the reasoning behind this. It's a subject which both confuses and fascinates me.

 

My apologies. Didn't mean to cause confusion!
The explanation is simple: It's a company car. And we always get them new, always for three years. Company policy. No mystery here. Everybody move along.
</threaddrift>

 

The VICS seems to work just fine. The little actuator actuates with the engine running at idle. When I remove the connector, it moves back. It's not currently controlled by the MS3- I left that to the stock ECU. But maybe that's not working. Kind of hard to look at when driving. I guess I'll run a Virtual Dyno log with it disconnected and see what happens.

And here are the requested pictures of the legacy injectors from the old link piggyback. That's what FM used to do in order to get additional fuel in. Not very elegant, but it worked well enough. They are NOT connected anymore.

 

That is amazing. That was done with a link, right? I find it so funny how they put injectors pre throttle body...
What a blast from the past!

 

I've seen the injectors pre throttle body on some of the bigger power MZR DISI (mazdaspeed3/6) builds. Since they can't get bigger injectors they spray fuel before the throttle body. Works well for them and much better than using meth as fuel.