In Which I Build A Street Car
#108
Let's update this.
Some swag for those of you that are thirsty.
2017-12-18_05-13-27 by concealer404, on Flickr
Some swag for those of you that are thirsty.
2017-12-18_05-13-27 by concealer404, on Flickr
#109
12/18/17
Vteckiller2000 came and visited me this weekend. That was nice. We ate like crap, drank some good beer, and did a little work to the car. Old steering rack is out, old oil drain bung is out, and the differential is re-installed with the MR Delrin bushings inserted. Had to swap housings with an old 4.30 open i had laying around. Seemed easier than messing with the bushings in the Torsen housing anymore.
No great pictures other than him messing with my rack.
Hater shown being a great bike stand and coat rack.
2017-12-18_05-22-33 by concealer404, on Flickr
Oh yeah, and i got new foglights. Prices on not-messed-up NB1 fog housings are awful, the oem fog lights are terrible anyways, and i'd have to buy new bulbs even after i paid way too much money for a good housing. This seemed easier.
2017-12-18_05-26-38 by concealer404, on Flickr
Vteckiller2000 came and visited me this weekend. That was nice. We ate like crap, drank some good beer, and did a little work to the car. Old steering rack is out, old oil drain bung is out, and the differential is re-installed with the MR Delrin bushings inserted. Had to swap housings with an old 4.30 open i had laying around. Seemed easier than messing with the bushings in the Torsen housing anymore.
No great pictures other than him messing with my rack.
Hater shown being a great bike stand and coat rack.
2017-12-18_05-22-33 by concealer404, on Flickr
Oh yeah, and i got new foglights. Prices on not-messed-up NB1 fog housings are awful, the oem fog lights are terrible anyways, and i'd have to buy new bulbs even after i paid way too much money for a good housing. This seemed easier.
2017-12-18_05-26-38 by concealer404, on Flickr
#110
2/28/18
Got a care package from my boi Adam.
2018-02-07_04-57-47 by concealer404, on Flickr
Wait for it....
2018-02-08_06-05-25 by concealer404, on Flickr
Da ba dee da ba daa
2018-02-08_06-04-31 by concealer404, on Flickr
Removed 12 gallons of E85 and a big walbro pump. Installed stock pump. Sans oem FPR because where we're going, we don't need that.
2018-02-25_11-37-50 by concealer404, on Flickr
Installed a depowered rack i got from Jason McDaniels because he's a cool dude. With V8R aluminum rack bushings because.... street car?
2018-02-25_03-47-04 by concealer404, on Flickr
OEM exhaust manifold gasket and VC gasket because i had them laying around from other things.
2018-02-25_03-47-19 by concealer404, on Flickr
Fancy header, fancy mounts, fancy nuts.
2018-02-25_03-47-33 by concealer404, on Flickr
Near final what the end result of this side will look like in the bay.
2018-02-25_03-47-53 by concealer404, on Flickr
More swag.
2018-02-26_05-19-49 by concealer404, on Flickr
Got a care package from my boi Adam.
2018-02-07_04-57-47 by concealer404, on Flickr
Wait for it....
2018-02-08_06-05-25 by concealer404, on Flickr
Da ba dee da ba daa
2018-02-08_06-04-31 by concealer404, on Flickr
Removed 12 gallons of E85 and a big walbro pump. Installed stock pump. Sans oem FPR because where we're going, we don't need that.
2018-02-25_11-37-50 by concealer404, on Flickr
Installed a depowered rack i got from Jason McDaniels because he's a cool dude. With V8R aluminum rack bushings because.... street car?
2018-02-25_03-47-04 by concealer404, on Flickr
OEM exhaust manifold gasket and VC gasket because i had them laying around from other things.
2018-02-25_03-47-19 by concealer404, on Flickr
Fancy header, fancy mounts, fancy nuts.
2018-02-25_03-47-33 by concealer404, on Flickr
Near final what the end result of this side will look like in the bay.
2018-02-25_03-47-53 by concealer404, on Flickr
More swag.
2018-02-26_05-19-49 by concealer404, on Flickr
#111
3/30/18
Disjointed update. Actual work done since last update is minimal. Work is a mess and i'm house shopping.
Target is to get this thing on the road next weekend.
Got this cool leather Lady J from vteckiller2000.
2018-03-05_08-09-44 by concealer404, on Flickr
Got this.
2018-03-14_06-40-10 by concealer404, on Flickr
Time for my hotboi to battle it out with my OCD.
2018-03-14_06-40-23 by concealer404, on Flickr
Inner tie rod locks from Mazda, the CORRECT exhaust gaskets from 949Racing, because after the whole stupid muffler debacle with Racing Beat, turns out they sent me the wrong gasket. Neat.
2018-03-23_03-32-28 by concealer404, on Flickr
Oil pan turbo drain plug and some barbs to do the thing to the fuel system that everyone is convinced will make the car explode.
2018-03-28_10-12-17 by concealer404, on Flickr
99-00 header EGR plugs on right. (Terminals are for Hater.)
2018-03-28_10-12-36 by concealer404, on Flickr
Oem "coin tray" to replace air bag module.
2018-03-28_10-12-54 by concealer404, on Flickr
Not sure if happy in pants or triggered.
2018-03-30_11-29-17 by concealer404, on Flickr
Disjointed update. Actual work done since last update is minimal. Work is a mess and i'm house shopping.
Target is to get this thing on the road next weekend.
Got this cool leather Lady J from vteckiller2000.
2018-03-05_08-09-44 by concealer404, on Flickr
Got this.
2018-03-14_06-40-10 by concealer404, on Flickr
Time for my hotboi to battle it out with my OCD.
2018-03-14_06-40-23 by concealer404, on Flickr
Inner tie rod locks from Mazda, the CORRECT exhaust gaskets from 949Racing, because after the whole stupid muffler debacle with Racing Beat, turns out they sent me the wrong gasket. Neat.
2018-03-23_03-32-28 by concealer404, on Flickr
Oil pan turbo drain plug and some barbs to do the thing to the fuel system that everyone is convinced will make the car explode.
2018-03-28_10-12-17 by concealer404, on Flickr
99-00 header EGR plugs on right. (Terminals are for Hater.)
2018-03-28_10-12-36 by concealer404, on Flickr
Oem "coin tray" to replace air bag module.
2018-03-28_10-12-54 by concealer404, on Flickr
Not sure if happy in pants or triggered.
2018-03-30_11-29-17 by concealer404, on Flickr
#112
5/14/18
Did somebody say updatez?
Need this return-style system to ensure the car never runs on a US ecu again.
2018-04-15_10-41-28 by concealer404, on Flickr
Snagged a set of NA6 polished VC bolts for $150 shipped, got a great deal!
2018-04-15_10-41-47 by concealer404, on Flickr
Red is gross.
2018-04-15_10-42-40 by concealer404, on Flickr
Exhaust fitment on point.
2018-04-15_10-43-37 by concealer404, on Flickr
NB with more than 20k miles? Yeah good luck with that passenger axle, buddy.
2018-04-15_10-44-18 by concealer404, on Flickr
Close enough.
2018-04-15_10-44-55 by concealer404, on Flickr
Did somebody say updatez?
Need this return-style system to ensure the car never runs on a US ecu again.
2018-04-15_10-41-28 by concealer404, on Flickr
Snagged a set of NA6 polished VC bolts for $150 shipped, got a great deal!
2018-04-15_10-41-47 by concealer404, on Flickr
Red is gross.
2018-04-15_10-42-40 by concealer404, on Flickr
Exhaust fitment on point.
2018-04-15_10-43-37 by concealer404, on Flickr
NB with more than 20k miles? Yeah good luck with that passenger axle, buddy.
2018-04-15_10-44-18 by concealer404, on Flickr
Close enough.
2018-04-15_10-44-55 by concealer404, on Flickr
#113
The most JDM swag.
2018-04-15_10-45-08 by concealer404, on Flickr
Mmmmmm.
2018-04-15_10-45-21 by concealer404, on Flickr
Stand back i'm doing a science.
2018-04-15_10-45-52 by concealer404, on Flickr
Old hand-me-downs from Hater saved the day on the passenger rear.
2018-04-15_10-46-48 by concealer404, on Flickr
New hotness on top, old busted on bottom.
2018-04-15_10-47-50 by concealer404, on Flickr
Got to remove driver side motor mount because got a defective set from V8R. Yay. Fished it out from the top without removing the header because i'm a god.
2018-04-23_02-34-14 by concealer404, on Flickr
Yep. Confirmed i got one drop plate and one normal plate.
2018-04-23_02-34-29 by concealer404, on Flickr
Old busted left, new hotness right. (Prior to swapping top hats)
2018-04-23_02-35-21 by concealer404, on Flickr
So pretty. Much jdm. Very wow. Such oem appearance.
2018-04-23_02-36-21 by concealer404, on Flickr
4 corner new hotness. Two Six revalved MSM bilsteins, Integra Speedthane custom length bump stops, Bauer Limited sleeves/perches, Eibach spring sliders, Hyperco CS100 helper springs, Hyperco 700/400 main springs, custom rear extended hats, Maruha 20mm extended front hats.
2018-04-23_02-37-10 by concealer404, on Flickr
Life hacks for rear coilover install with oem rubber bushings.
2018-04-23_02-37-27 by concealer404, on Flickr
2018-04-15_10-45-08 by concealer404, on Flickr
Mmmmmm.
2018-04-15_10-45-21 by concealer404, on Flickr
Stand back i'm doing a science.
2018-04-15_10-45-52 by concealer404, on Flickr
Old hand-me-downs from Hater saved the day on the passenger rear.
2018-04-15_10-46-48 by concealer404, on Flickr
New hotness on top, old busted on bottom.
2018-04-15_10-47-50 by concealer404, on Flickr
Got to remove driver side motor mount because got a defective set from V8R. Yay. Fished it out from the top without removing the header because i'm a god.
2018-04-23_02-34-14 by concealer404, on Flickr
Yep. Confirmed i got one drop plate and one normal plate.
2018-04-23_02-34-29 by concealer404, on Flickr
Old busted left, new hotness right. (Prior to swapping top hats)
2018-04-23_02-35-21 by concealer404, on Flickr
So pretty. Much jdm. Very wow. Such oem appearance.
2018-04-23_02-36-21 by concealer404, on Flickr
4 corner new hotness. Two Six revalved MSM bilsteins, Integra Speedthane custom length bump stops, Bauer Limited sleeves/perches, Eibach spring sliders, Hyperco CS100 helper springs, Hyperco 700/400 main springs, custom rear extended hats, Maruha 20mm extended front hats.
2018-04-23_02-37-10 by concealer404, on Flickr
Life hacks for rear coilover install with oem rubber bushings.
2018-04-23_02-37-27 by concealer404, on Flickr
#114
Whatchoo know 'bout useless JDM parts?
2018-04-23_02-37-51 by concealer404, on Flickr
Happy.
2018-04-23_02-38-02 by concealer404, on Flickr
V8R endlinks. I do not recommend these. They are too long. I got them to sorta work by not using spacers on any of the ends, and adjusting them as short as they will go. However, since i'm at the smallest possible end of the adjustment to just sorta make them work, there is no "dialing in" possible. Spend $10/pr more for 949s.
2018-04-23_02-38-23 by concealer404, on Flickr
At ride height.
2018-04-23_02-38-45 by concealer404, on Flickr
Race daily suspension/brakes.
2018-04-23_02-39-12 by concealer404, on Flickr
GS fender braces going in.
2018-04-23_02-39-27 by concealer404, on Flickr
Minty rust-free 56k mile NB? Doesn't matter, lower fender bolts still gonna snap.
2018-04-23_02-39-42 by concealer404, on Flickr
Broke the rest off flush, then drilled through it.
2018-04-23_02-39-55 by concealer404, on Flickr
Then used this life-saving contraption.
2018-04-23_02-40-10 by concealer404, on Flickr
Then covered up all my work.
2018-04-23_02-40-25 by concealer404, on Flickr
Then put trunk carpet and plastics back in. This was surprisingly difficult, as i've not seen a complete/oem trunk in a few years, let alone every actually put one IN.
2018-04-23_02-40-39 by concealer404, on Flickr
2018-04-23_02-37-51 by concealer404, on Flickr
Happy.
2018-04-23_02-38-02 by concealer404, on Flickr
V8R endlinks. I do not recommend these. They are too long. I got them to sorta work by not using spacers on any of the ends, and adjusting them as short as they will go. However, since i'm at the smallest possible end of the adjustment to just sorta make them work, there is no "dialing in" possible. Spend $10/pr more for 949s.
2018-04-23_02-38-23 by concealer404, on Flickr
At ride height.
2018-04-23_02-38-45 by concealer404, on Flickr
Race daily suspension/brakes.
2018-04-23_02-39-12 by concealer404, on Flickr
GS fender braces going in.
2018-04-23_02-39-27 by concealer404, on Flickr
Minty rust-free 56k mile NB? Doesn't matter, lower fender bolts still gonna snap.
2018-04-23_02-39-42 by concealer404, on Flickr
Broke the rest off flush, then drilled through it.
2018-04-23_02-39-55 by concealer404, on Flickr
Then used this life-saving contraption.
2018-04-23_02-40-10 by concealer404, on Flickr
Then covered up all my work.
2018-04-23_02-40-25 by concealer404, on Flickr
Then put trunk carpet and plastics back in. This was surprisingly difficult, as i've not seen a complete/oem trunk in a few years, let alone every actually put one IN.
2018-04-23_02-40-39 by concealer404, on Flickr
#115
Soooo meatyyyyyyyy
2018-04-23_02-41-02 by concealer404, on Flickr
Can't drive a Miata without one.
2018-04-23_05-06-07 by concealer404, on Flickr
Blueeeeeeeee
2018-04-23_05-06-22 by concealer404, on Flickr
DD needs ATE200.
2018-04-29_10-25-49 by concealer404, on Flickr
Put the bumper on about 11 times. Kept forgetting little parts that needed to go behind it. Many were missing because previous turbo install, so i had to dig into my spare supply a few times.
2018-04-29_10-26-21 by concealer404, on Flickr
Magically turned my intake polished (stolen from Hater), and installed GS radiator panel.
2018-04-29_10-26-51 by concealer404, on Flickr
Hitting the ground for the first time in awhile.
2018-04-29_10-27-19 by concealer404, on Flickr
Wow so vintage. Peep the Revlimiter oil cap.
2018-05-01_09-19-58 by concealer404, on Flickr
2018-04-23_02-41-02 by concealer404, on Flickr
Can't drive a Miata without one.
2018-04-23_05-06-07 by concealer404, on Flickr
Blueeeeeeeee
2018-04-23_05-06-22 by concealer404, on Flickr
DD needs ATE200.
2018-04-29_10-25-49 by concealer404, on Flickr
Put the bumper on about 11 times. Kept forgetting little parts that needed to go behind it. Many were missing because previous turbo install, so i had to dig into my spare supply a few times.
2018-04-29_10-26-21 by concealer404, on Flickr
Magically turned my intake polished (stolen from Hater), and installed GS radiator panel.
2018-04-29_10-26-51 by concealer404, on Flickr
Hitting the ground for the first time in awhile.
2018-04-29_10-27-19 by concealer404, on Flickr
Wow so vintage. Peep the Revlimiter oil cap.
2018-05-01_09-19-58 by concealer404, on Flickr
#116
Messed with this thing.
2018-05-01_09-20-35 by concealer404, on Flickr
Exploded it.
2018-05-01_09-20-48 by concealer404, on Flickr
Grainy potato pics of interior. Yep still tan door panels. Keep putting off buying the flat panels because i'm going to need custom speaker holes cut. Peep the window switch. Auto down, sucka!
2018-05-01_09-21-02 by concealer404, on Flickr
2018-05-01_09-21-16 by concealer404, on Flickr
2018-05-01_09-21-32 by concealer404, on Flickr
ShadowMX5's old wheel looking fresh.
2018-05-01_09-21-58 by concealer404, on Flickr
Half got away with my fitment gamble. Front fits without roll of any kind. Rear will need a flat roll.
2018-05-01_09-21-44 by concealer404, on Flickr
2018-05-01_09-20-35 by concealer404, on Flickr
Exploded it.
2018-05-01_09-20-48 by concealer404, on Flickr
Grainy potato pics of interior. Yep still tan door panels. Keep putting off buying the flat panels because i'm going to need custom speaker holes cut. Peep the window switch. Auto down, sucka!
2018-05-01_09-21-02 by concealer404, on Flickr
2018-05-01_09-21-16 by concealer404, on Flickr
2018-05-01_09-21-32 by concealer404, on Flickr
ShadowMX5's old wheel looking fresh.
2018-05-01_09-21-58 by concealer404, on Flickr
Half got away with my fitment gamble. Front fits without roll of any kind. Rear will need a flat roll.
2018-05-01_09-21-44 by concealer404, on Flickr
#117
Then test drive. First time the car moved under its own power in about 3 years.
2018-05-02_07-49-13 by concealer404, on Flickr
2018-05-02_07-49-26 by concealer404, on Flickr
2018-05-02_07-49-41 by concealer404, on Flickr
2018-05-02_07-49-57 by concealer404, on Flickr
2018-05-02_07-50-09 by concealer404, on Flickr
Dem guages. (Need to take them back out to convert the odometer to red.)
2018-05-05_10-52-40 by concealer404, on Flickr
2018-05-02_07-49-13 by concealer404, on Flickr
2018-05-02_07-49-26 by concealer404, on Flickr
2018-05-02_07-49-41 by concealer404, on Flickr
2018-05-02_07-49-57 by concealer404, on Flickr
2018-05-02_07-50-09 by concealer404, on Flickr
Dem guages. (Need to take them back out to convert the odometer to red.)
2018-05-05_10-52-40 by concealer404, on Flickr
#118
Where we stand today (051418)
I've been sorting a few things. I spent way too much time removing the oem hardtop latches. Then installed GS brackets. I hate this design, and i'm pretty sure my Miatacage brackets are defective. Will be purchasing Jass brackets soon. I cannibalized two NB2 hvac panels to make one good one, so it has NB2 panel now. Got both NB2 dimmer and fog/cruise switches in.
Things remaining to sort before alignment:
1) Car doesn't idle right. Seems to idle at about 800-850rpm when cold, but 1500rpm when hot. Suspect vacuum leak or IACV. Friend of mine dropped off another upper plenum complete with TB. I pulled mine off to swap it and noticed that A) mine looks fresh, B) his doesn't, and C) my upper injector bushings look pretty trashed. Ordered a bushing/seal set, will be here tomorrow. I will rebuild them and reinstall, probably with my plenum back on and see what happens.
2) We have a fairly substantial trans leak. Only when driving. I cleaned it all up last time i put it on jackstands 4-5 days ago, and it has stayed bone dry since. Need to pull reverse switch and reseal, then check to be sure the turret isn't leaking for the 12th time. The leak is manifesting itself in drips directly below the reverse switch, so i'm cautiously optimistic.
3) Have to roll rear fenders. Setup mostly clears now, but i'm also running -4* camber in back just to drive it.
3b) Have to set ride height. I hate doing this. Have been avoiding it.
4) Side mirrors rattle like crazy and are loose. Seems weird that this minty cars has that problem, but Hater doesn't. Will remedy this and install delrin window guides at same time.
5) Align it.
6) Install H1 projector retrofit and LED fogs.
7) Stereo. This will involve LRB door panels wrapped in NA black cloth seat fabric as well. Looking at 8" Focal components, Sony AX100 Android Auto headunit, and a Soundstream or Kenwood digital amp.
General thoughts:
I may have shot myself in the foot by not driving Hater immediately before building this thing. I thought i needed to bring it back from Hater about 2 notches. After putting 60 miles on this car.... i think it needed to come back 5-6. Eiffel is pretty rowdy. Steering is manic, response is crazy, making it a bit hard to not drive at low speeds like a jerkoff when combined with the 6spd/4.30 combo. We're getting some pretty crazy resonance between 1500-2000rpm as well, CRAZY loud. Can't tell if it's drone node from the RB setup or if there's some other alignment issues (PPF?) with the stiff mounts. Going off of Mazda's specs, the PPF is high at trans side, but 1) i can't figure out how to pull it down, and 2) i'm unsure how high it is, because i have GS frame rails installed and they mess up the measurement.
It does SOUND really good outside the car though.
I've been sorting a few things. I spent way too much time removing the oem hardtop latches. Then installed GS brackets. I hate this design, and i'm pretty sure my Miatacage brackets are defective. Will be purchasing Jass brackets soon. I cannibalized two NB2 hvac panels to make one good one, so it has NB2 panel now. Got both NB2 dimmer and fog/cruise switches in.
Things remaining to sort before alignment:
1) Car doesn't idle right. Seems to idle at about 800-850rpm when cold, but 1500rpm when hot. Suspect vacuum leak or IACV. Friend of mine dropped off another upper plenum complete with TB. I pulled mine off to swap it and noticed that A) mine looks fresh, B) his doesn't, and C) my upper injector bushings look pretty trashed. Ordered a bushing/seal set, will be here tomorrow. I will rebuild them and reinstall, probably with my plenum back on and see what happens.
2) We have a fairly substantial trans leak. Only when driving. I cleaned it all up last time i put it on jackstands 4-5 days ago, and it has stayed bone dry since. Need to pull reverse switch and reseal, then check to be sure the turret isn't leaking for the 12th time. The leak is manifesting itself in drips directly below the reverse switch, so i'm cautiously optimistic.
3) Have to roll rear fenders. Setup mostly clears now, but i'm also running -4* camber in back just to drive it.
3b) Have to set ride height. I hate doing this. Have been avoiding it.
4) Side mirrors rattle like crazy and are loose. Seems weird that this minty cars has that problem, but Hater doesn't. Will remedy this and install delrin window guides at same time.
5) Align it.
6) Install H1 projector retrofit and LED fogs.
7) Stereo. This will involve LRB door panels wrapped in NA black cloth seat fabric as well. Looking at 8" Focal components, Sony AX100 Android Auto headunit, and a Soundstream or Kenwood digital amp.
General thoughts:
I may have shot myself in the foot by not driving Hater immediately before building this thing. I thought i needed to bring it back from Hater about 2 notches. After putting 60 miles on this car.... i think it needed to come back 5-6. Eiffel is pretty rowdy. Steering is manic, response is crazy, making it a bit hard to not drive at low speeds like a jerkoff when combined with the 6spd/4.30 combo. We're getting some pretty crazy resonance between 1500-2000rpm as well, CRAZY loud. Can't tell if it's drone node from the RB setup or if there's some other alignment issues (PPF?) with the stiff mounts. Going off of Mazda's specs, the PPF is high at trans side, but 1) i can't figure out how to pull it down, and 2) i'm unsure how high it is, because i have GS frame rails installed and they mess up the measurement.
It does SOUND really good outside the car though.