Astroboy's reliability build (pic intensive)
#1
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Location: oahu
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Backstory: 90 chassis from Long Island that went cross country to Oahu after its first swap (short nose to long). Did some autox in Hawaii, swapped to a BP, did a hackjob boosting it, and shipped it back to CT. Sorted everything out and cracked out 213whp/191tq@9psi on this setup: BP, coolant reroute, OTT intercooler setup, RX7 550's, standalone MS1, Koyo 37mm rad, modified ebay catchcan, 8.3lb flywheel, stage 3 spec clutch w/ aluminum pp, hondata im gasket, tubular mani, 3" turboback exhaust w/magnablow highflow cat and blowmaster muffler.
Going to:
COPS
99 Head w/ dual exhaust cams and fm cam gear (only have one)
84mm supertech pistons 9.0:1
mtuned rods (5 pre loved ones)
mtuned dual feed fuel rail
190lph hp fuel pump
Injector Dynamics fuel injectors 1000cc
new gaskets, pumps, and belts
6 speed
3.63 gearset
torsen
Head is going to have work done on the ports and valves. Block is going to be bored, dipped, and checked for straightness. Everything in the rotating assembly is going to be balanced.
Currently interior is out thinning out the harness, engine is going to be pulled by this weekend, have the shop picked out for the head and block work (about $900 for everything from a reputable shop), and have almost all the parts for completion (waiting for the gearbox to come in, and need to order/find the gearset and torsen). Once the engine is pulled I am going to clean the bay up and do some stitch welding in the engine bay and cabin followed by paint.
My finish time is the end of March or when my wife has our kid, whichever comes first. Have some sorta constructive criticism?? Lay it on me. Want to be an unconstructive dick? Watch this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mfcefpoCj0M
Pics:
![](http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5247/5309812183_7cddd231d7_b.jpg)
![](https://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/148287_151472334900114_100001120466954_260491_4810688_n.jpg)
![](https://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/63451_155535871160427_100001120466954_281995_1790535_n.jpg)
![](https://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/165269_159560867424594_100001120466954_308050_3056517_n.jpg)
![](https://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/166847_159561474091200_100001120466954_308054_4040083_n.jpg)
I'd like to thank everybody that sold me their old parts for sweet prices! I will be uploading pics of the hardware and engine bay when the engine gets plucked later in the week.
Going to:
COPS
99 Head w/ dual exhaust cams and fm cam gear (only have one)
84mm supertech pistons 9.0:1
mtuned rods (5 pre loved ones)
mtuned dual feed fuel rail
190lph hp fuel pump
Injector Dynamics fuel injectors 1000cc
new gaskets, pumps, and belts
6 speed
3.63 gearset
torsen
Head is going to have work done on the ports and valves. Block is going to be bored, dipped, and checked for straightness. Everything in the rotating assembly is going to be balanced.
Currently interior is out thinning out the harness, engine is going to be pulled by this weekend, have the shop picked out for the head and block work (about $900 for everything from a reputable shop), and have almost all the parts for completion (waiting for the gearbox to come in, and need to order/find the gearset and torsen). Once the engine is pulled I am going to clean the bay up and do some stitch welding in the engine bay and cabin followed by paint.
My finish time is the end of March or when my wife has our kid, whichever comes first. Have some sorta constructive criticism?? Lay it on me. Want to be an unconstructive dick? Watch this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mfcefpoCj0M
Pics:
![](http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5247/5309812183_7cddd231d7_b.jpg)
![](https://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/148287_151472334900114_100001120466954_260491_4810688_n.jpg)
![](https://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/63451_155535871160427_100001120466954_281995_1790535_n.jpg)
![](https://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/165269_159560867424594_100001120466954_308050_3056517_n.jpg)
![](https://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/166847_159561474091200_100001120466954_308054_4040083_n.jpg)
I'd like to thank everybody that sold me their old parts for sweet prices! I will be uploading pics of the hardware and engine bay when the engine gets plucked later in the week.
#4
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Location: oahu
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Built engine and the 6 speed. I am going to get some pretty full proof lines also (water and pressure/vaccume). I couldn't think of a better title but that was the driving force behind this build...get 300ish whp and not have to worry about grenading the gearbox (currently using a 90 5 speed), blowing/melting a line, bending a rod, or breaking a piston.
The bumper is going to go under the knife after the car is up and running to give me some more clearance.
The bumper is going to go under the knife after the car is up and running to give me some more clearance.
#7
![Default](https://www.miataturbo.net/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Plus, he might have a magic 5 speed! The ones that last forever, like mine
![Giggle](https://www.miataturbo.net/images/smilies/gay.gif)
Astroboy, your car is cool looking. I had "so-so" feelings about the Adore bumper but it's growing on me.
#8
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Thanks guys. I may have the magic 5 speed but don't want to push it. It has made magical whining noises for the past 60000ish miles. I am going to be tracking it out here once she is put together so we'll see how the 6 speed does.
#9
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She's now ready to have the engine pulled. Should have it out tomorrow, only a month behind schedule :(
![](https://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/182888_168282066552474_100001120466954_351148_7128035_n.jpg)
![](https://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/180811_168282166552464_100001120466954_351149_5740612_n.jpg)
The goods:
![](https://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash1/169095_168282423219105_100001120466954_351152_3392885_n.jpg)
![](https://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/182693_168282333219114_100001120466954_351151_7334262_n.jpg)
![](https://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/180383_168282503219097_100001120466954_351153_3248291_n.jpg)
And if anybody knows the origin of this Exhaust manifold please chime in. I am trying to decide if I should move the ewg off #4 and get it to draw/exhaust off all cylinders and if so how.
![](https://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/169012_168282619885752_100001120466954_351154_900562_n.jpg)
![](https://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/180627_168282706552410_100001120466954_351155_2693331_n.jpg)
This is what will be attached to it:
![](https://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/hs046.snc6/167650_166732893374058_100001120466954_343861_333628_n.jpg)
And I need to make this my avatar:
![](https://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/182888_168282066552474_100001120466954_351148_7128035_n.jpg)
![](https://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/180811_168282166552464_100001120466954_351149_5740612_n.jpg)
The goods:
![](https://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash1/169095_168282423219105_100001120466954_351152_3392885_n.jpg)
![](https://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/182693_168282333219114_100001120466954_351151_7334262_n.jpg)
![](https://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/180383_168282503219097_100001120466954_351153_3248291_n.jpg)
And if anybody knows the origin of this Exhaust manifold please chime in. I am trying to decide if I should move the ewg off #4 and get it to draw/exhaust off all cylinders and if so how.
![](https://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/169012_168282619885752_100001120466954_351154_900562_n.jpg)
![](https://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/180627_168282706552410_100001120466954_351155_2693331_n.jpg)
This is what will be attached to it:
![](https://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/hs046.snc6/167650_166732893374058_100001120466954_343861_333628_n.jpg)
And I need to make this my avatar:
![](https://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/182819_168282246552456_100001120466954_351150_934225_n.jpg)
Last edited by astroboy; 02-20-2011 at 08:09 PM. Reason: IMG code escapes me :(
#12
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Location: oahu
Posts: 1,787
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I really want to move the ewg to the top and plug the opening for it...or build a new manifold seeing how 2 runners are the same length, one is an inch shorter, and the one with the ewg is an inch longer.
Fae,there is no lable plate on the turbo so I am going by the wheel measurements and the mt guesstimate is a 3071 made by Garrett and is replacing a 3074 by Turbonetics it is a Garrett T3/T04E 50T .48/.60
Today we managed to make a HUGE ******* mess, put together an engine stand, and gank the engine/transmission out. Everything looks kosher to me so far
We'll see if there is more to the story upon teardown this week.
![](https://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/180845_168744206506260_100001120466954_352928_2943850_n.jpg)
Fae,
Today we managed to make a HUGE ******* mess, put together an engine stand, and gank the engine/transmission out. Everything looks kosher to me so far
![big grin](https://www.miataturbo.net/images/smilies/biggrin.gif)
![](https://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/180845_168744206506260_100001120466954_352928_2943850_n.jpg)
![](https://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/181504_168744279839586_100001120466954_352929_4721468_n.jpg)
Last edited by astroboy; 02-12-2011 at 11:41 PM.
#15
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How does not knowing exactly what trim turbo I have, have any bearing on the reliability of the car? Perhaps it won't spool as quickly as I would like but I don't see how a rebuilt turbo will my setup less reliable. Care to elaborate jack?
#16
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For valentines day I cleaned up some oil, removed all the accessories, removed the head, and took some pics. All the cylinder bores have the crosshatching still in them and it looks like I was leaking some oil from valve seals (especially from #2 & #3). I am not sure what is going on in cylinder 1 & 4 but I am sure when I pull the rotating assembly out I will extract more info from it. Here are the pics:
![](https://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/180149_169203209793693_100001120466954_355479_2680293_n.jpg)
![](https://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash1/181509_169203303127017_100001120466954_355480_4386476_n.jpg)
![](https://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/180001_169203379793676_100001120466954_355481_8240740_n.jpg)
Cylinders 2 and 1 (in that order). It is hard to see but there is a black spot at the top of cylinder 1 only on the left side of the cylinder and only at the top.
![](https://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash1/180025_169203469793667_100001120466954_355482_704607_n.jpg)
Cylinder 4 and 3 (same) and cylinder 4 has the same **** as 1. I can't feel a pit or anything so idk what's going on.
![](https://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/180545_169203553126992_100001120466954_355483_1511043_n.jpg)
And my discombobulation:
![](https://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/180149_169203209793693_100001120466954_355479_2680293_n.jpg)
![](https://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash1/181509_169203303127017_100001120466954_355480_4386476_n.jpg)
![](https://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/180001_169203379793676_100001120466954_355481_8240740_n.jpg)
Cylinders 2 and 1 (in that order). It is hard to see but there is a black spot at the top of cylinder 1 only on the left side of the cylinder and only at the top.
![](https://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash1/180025_169203469793667_100001120466954_355482_704607_n.jpg)
Cylinder 4 and 3 (same) and cylinder 4 has the same **** as 1. I can't feel a pit or anything so idk what's going on.
![](https://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/180545_169203553126992_100001120466954_355483_1511043_n.jpg)
And my discombobulation:
![](https://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/179869_169203639793650_100001120466954_355484_461294_n.jpg)
#20
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The majority is with my cheap 18-55 Nikkor, the one with sweet dof of the engine out is with my 50 prime, all shot through a D5000 with a steady hand. Very minor photoshop (No sharpening things) and it is hosted on facebook which is known to reduce the quality of hosted photozzz.
I don't mind if you copy it, if I decide to make a new manifold (which would be a copy of schlammed's design) you can just buy mine ![wink](https://www.miataturbo.net/images/smilies/wink.gif)
Rip your car into tiny pieces?
![wink](https://www.miataturbo.net/images/smilies/wink.gif)
Rip your car into tiny pieces?