Curly's boring mt.net circle of life completion (Turbo->N/A conversion)
#201
Cpt. Slow
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Um...I think that was Abe's decision. I told him I had zero issues with clearance since I don't have power steering or air conditioning, but if I recall correctly charge pipe routing, turbo size (later on, sr20 fits everywhere), and ease of access is so much easier with side mounts.
I also had some issues with my oil drain, it's surprisingly tight, even for a side mount. I know the bottom mount v-band guys have a hellish time with their oil drain. Stuff to keep in mind.
If I did it again, I'd stick with side mount, but go for a more flowing manifold.
Something like this:
![](https://www.miataturbo.net/attachments/general-miata-chat-9/77861-1-6-turbo-high-flowing-manifold-polling-p10304022_zps5919c0f7-jpg?dateline=1369865427)
On another note, if you google "miata side mount turbo manifold", my thread is the first result! Woot.
I also had some issues with my oil drain, it's surprisingly tight, even for a side mount. I know the bottom mount v-band guys have a hellish time with their oil drain. Stuff to keep in mind.
If I did it again, I'd stick with side mount, but go for a more flowing manifold.
Something like this:
On another note, if you google "miata side mount turbo manifold", my thread is the first result! Woot.
#205
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I modified the heater hardline to still run under the exhaust manifold, but then I attached a silicone hose to it and connected it to a Tee in the lower rad hose. not the most efficient way but I was in a hurry to get it together. Eventually I will just get a hose barb elbow welded on to the mixing manifold to pop the silicone line onto.
#206
Cpt. Slow
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Originally I drilled and tapped the stock O-ring location for a large (forget the size) NPT-hose barb piece, and had a rubber line going from the heater core to there. I've since capped that, and now have a hose going all the way from the heater core to a "T" in the lower radiator line. It's actually very clean, and once I installed a 90* off the heater core, it got it the hell away from the turbo manifold. There's multiple ways of doing it, it's just whatever works best for you.
And the way I see it, having 1" of rubber hose versus 20' is all the same, it's when you start introducing multiple unions and clamps that you start running into problems with leaks and such.
And the way I see it, having 1" of rubber hose versus 20' is all the same, it's when you start introducing multiple unions and clamps that you start running into problems with leaks and such.
#207
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But I'm now running on NB sport Bilsteins, my same 450/300 spring setup, Ebay sleeves, NB hats front and rear, with stock bushings and FCM bump stops.
Also these are upside down with no set screws, and at the lowest position. I'm happy with the height, but they're definitely not for the "slammed" crowd. I'll have to work on this. It's definitely a nice DD/raceable height, but there's no doubt that on a billiard smooth track I'd be beneficial to run slightly lower. Actually, they're mounted exactly as shown in the picture, as low as possible, even mounted with the numbers upside down.
Also these are upside down with no set screws, and at the lowest position. I'm happy with the height, but they're definitely not for the "slammed" crowd. I'll have to work on this. It's definitely a nice DD/raceable height, but there's no doubt that on a billiard smooth track I'd be beneficial to run slightly lower. Actually, they're mounted exactly as shown in the picture, as low as possible, even mounted with the numbers upside down.
I have ebay coil sleeves and am wondering about springs and rates for my gutted '92.
Matt
#208
Cpt. Slow
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Rates are 450 and 300. Both are 7"
We have an identical setup in Lazarus (search here or CR for build thread), however it has FM top hats and 6" springs, 550/400 I think? He also has 4" long threaded collars. That was the key, I bought 7" for some reason, and have had nothing but trouble. Buy the smaller 4" collars and 6" springs. We run incredibly light, I think around 1800lbs at this point, with 6" springs and at the bottom of the adjustment.
With a heavier car and a slightly more streetable ride height, I think you'd be right around the middle of the adjustment range which is perfect.
Good:
92 95 96 00 Honda Civic CRX Silver Adjustable coilover Springs lowering Sleeves | eBay
The ebay springs are generally assumed to be decently matched 550# springs, so I would purchase a 6" rear springs to match and find a 4" collar, 6-7" ebay set that works and run those.
Note: those links I posted were for sleeve length, not diameter, make sure they fit your shock before buying!
We have an identical setup in Lazarus (search here or CR for build thread), however it has FM top hats and 6" springs, 550/400 I think? He also has 4" long threaded collars. That was the key, I bought 7" for some reason, and have had nothing but trouble. Buy the smaller 4" collars and 6" springs. We run incredibly light, I think around 1800lbs at this point, with 6" springs and at the bottom of the adjustment.
With a heavier car and a slightly more streetable ride height, I think you'd be right around the middle of the adjustment range which is perfect.
Good:
92 95 96 00 Honda Civic CRX Silver Adjustable coilover Springs lowering Sleeves | eBay
The ebay springs are generally assumed to be decently matched 550# springs, so I would purchase a 6" rear springs to match and find a 4" collar, 6-7" ebay set that works and run those.
Note: those links I posted were for sleeve length, not diameter, make sure they fit your shock before buying!
Last edited by curly; 07-22-2017 at 09:08 AM.
#209
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Back from the dead! Haven't done much to the car since the suspension. But my ebay ceramic clutch has been getting more and more annoying, my transmission is whining way too much for my liking, and the throwout bearing sounds like it has rocks inside it any time it gets hot.
So my 949 clutch gets here today. In the mean time, I've been fixing leaks.
First, I JB welded my oil drain fitting. Hopefully this sucker won't go anywhere.
![](https://www.miataturbo.net/attachments/build-threads-57/100503-curlys-boring-mt-net-circle-life-completion-turbo-n-conversion-70ed46ac-6071-4659-b3e1-e017d762e677_zpsrch6uyni.jpg?dateline=1390324018)
Then I replaced my sandwich plate o-ring, which was clearly the wrong size.
![](https://www.miataturbo.net/attachments/build-threads-57/100504-curlys-boring-mt-net-circle-life-completion-turbo-n-conversion-98b749fb-234c-4293-a2eb-e5409df37ec3_zpsqmtpnxh8.jpg?dateline=1390324018)
A new-to-me transmission received a new input seal, and my barely used output seal was transferred over.
![](https://www.miataturbo.net/attachments/build-threads-57/100505-curlys-boring-mt-net-circle-life-completion-turbo-n-conversion-f096db29-6e63-4c4f-a5bf-ee1366b1d14a_zpsmtigukow.jpg?dateline=1390324018)
And a couple labels to make my life easier in the future.
![](https://www.miataturbo.net/attachments/build-threads-57/100506-curlys-boring-mt-net-circle-life-completion-turbo-n-conversion-bf15ecb6-c505-4ed1-80b8-904162a20957_zpswwqwamew.jpg?dateline=1390324018)
Next I need to figure out WTF to do with this leak.
![](https://www.miataturbo.net/attachments/build-threads-57/100507-curlys-boring-mt-net-circle-life-completion-turbo-n-conversion-dcd53acf-1060-4ad7-a281-c3b70e03da1a_zpss5ixmjqp.jpg?dateline=1390324018)
This was just for fun, I've wanted to get rid of my ebay short shifter that's just a little too much shifting effort, but my stock shifter was long gone. This came with the new/used transmission, but needed a little beautifying in my drill press.
So my 949 clutch gets here today. In the mean time, I've been fixing leaks.
First, I JB welded my oil drain fitting. Hopefully this sucker won't go anywhere.
![](https://www.miataturbo.net/attachments/build-threads-57/100503-curlys-boring-mt-net-circle-life-completion-turbo-n-conversion-70ed46ac-6071-4659-b3e1-e017d762e677_zpsrch6uyni.jpg?dateline=1390324018)
Then I replaced my sandwich plate o-ring, which was clearly the wrong size.
![](https://www.miataturbo.net/attachments/build-threads-57/100504-curlys-boring-mt-net-circle-life-completion-turbo-n-conversion-98b749fb-234c-4293-a2eb-e5409df37ec3_zpsqmtpnxh8.jpg?dateline=1390324018)
A new-to-me transmission received a new input seal, and my barely used output seal was transferred over.
![](https://www.miataturbo.net/attachments/build-threads-57/100505-curlys-boring-mt-net-circle-life-completion-turbo-n-conversion-f096db29-6e63-4c4f-a5bf-ee1366b1d14a_zpsmtigukow.jpg?dateline=1390324018)
And a couple labels to make my life easier in the future.
![](https://www.miataturbo.net/attachments/build-threads-57/100506-curlys-boring-mt-net-circle-life-completion-turbo-n-conversion-bf15ecb6-c505-4ed1-80b8-904162a20957_zpswwqwamew.jpg?dateline=1390324018)
Next I need to figure out WTF to do with this leak.
![](https://www.miataturbo.net/attachments/build-threads-57/100507-curlys-boring-mt-net-circle-life-completion-turbo-n-conversion-dcd53acf-1060-4ad7-a281-c3b70e03da1a_zpss5ixmjqp.jpg?dateline=1390324018)
This was just for fun, I've wanted to get rid of my ebay short shifter that's just a little too much shifting effort, but my stock shifter was long gone. This came with the new/used transmission, but needed a little beautifying in my drill press.
![](https://www.miataturbo.net/attachments/build-threads-57/100508-curlys-boring-mt-net-circle-life-completion-turbo-n-conversion-648f7176-8f2a-4314-8a81-b0af032a98f3_zpsdbiay9jh.jpg?dateline=1390324018)
#212
Cpt. Slow
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Yes, all still on my 1.6 flywheel. I was hoping I could keep it (949 was out of stock for a while), since I had the weight ring removed back when I was a machinist. So it's currently 15.4lbs on the bathroom scale, which is about a 4-5lb loss compared to stock, all for $300 less than an FM/949 lightened flywheel.
#217
Cpt. Slow
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Just took it off, no time to check it yet. But the hardware was all tightish. I would of snugged it up, but I figure while the engine is out I should pull the turbo and really check the flanges. I had the head flange sanded for like $15 a while ago, it was really warped, so I wouldn't be surprised if this one was too. Dunno what to do about that...
#219
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That's what I do when Im done manifolds. even if it looks flat and bolts up fine, it can use a light decking.
Find someone with a belt sander. If they have a metal belt, its about 15 seconds of "work".
Find someone with a belt sander. If they have a metal belt, its about 15 seconds of "work".
![](https://www.miataturbo.net/attachments/build-threads-57/100561-curlys-boring-mt-net-circle-life-completion-turbo-n-conversion-11533320604_dbe933657f_z.jpg?dateline=1390363999)