imput's first turbo build
#21
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Stopped by today, didn't really do a whole lot, my buddies TIG broke down, so we just mocked up places everything, and decided on the exhaust design. Everything hopefully should be done tomorrow.
Thinking of this location for the coolant overflow
![](https://www.miataturbo.net/attachments/build-threads-57/26976-imputs-first-turbo-build-photo0561.jpg?dateline=1319491191)
![](https://www.miataturbo.net/attachments/build-threads-57/26977-imputs-first-turbo-build-photo0563.jpg?dateline=1319491191)
gonna just weld a bracket on to a clamp to mount it, so it can easily be moved, and usable.
decided that the catch cans going here, gonna remove the fitting, and just weld some -8ANs in there.
Thinking of this location for the coolant overflow
![](https://www.miataturbo.net/attachments/build-threads-57/26976-imputs-first-turbo-build-photo0561.jpg?dateline=1319491191)
![](https://www.miataturbo.net/attachments/build-threads-57/26977-imputs-first-turbo-build-photo0563.jpg?dateline=1319491191)
gonna just weld a bracket on to a clamp to mount it, so it can easily be moved, and usable.
decided that the catch cans going here, gonna remove the fitting, and just weld some -8ANs in there.
![](https://www.miataturbo.net/attachments/build-threads-57/26978-imputs-first-turbo-build-photo0567.jpg?dateline=1319491191)
#22
![Default](https://www.miataturbo.net/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Unfortunately exhaust still isn't done yet, catch cans are tho, we decided to change some stuff. Originally I was gonna get the AVO downpipe hacked, so it's a 2.5 to 3" downpipe; but then we decided that it would be better just to keep the downpipe intact, since it fits perfect, and just make a little 2.5-3" extension for the exhaust, and eventually just make a 3" downpipe bolt up to the new Vband location.
The ugly AVO downpipe :(
![](https://www.miataturbo.net/attachments/build-threads-57/27028-imputs-first-turbo-build-photo0570.jpg?dateline=1319607376)
This is the little extension piece he made, looks super sweet.
![](https://www.miataturbo.net/attachments/build-threads-57/27029-imputs-first-turbo-build-photo0568.jpg?dateline=1319607376)
And of course V-Band everything after that.
![](https://www.miataturbo.net/attachments/build-threads-57/27030-imputs-first-turbo-build-photo0576.jpg?dateline=1319607376)
One of my main concerns with the exhaust was to keep it as high as possible, so I wont have to worry about it scraping everywhere. The location now is freaking perfect, tucked nicely.
![](https://www.miataturbo.net/attachments/build-threads-57/27031-imputs-first-turbo-build-photo0591.jpg?dateline=1319607376)
Also wanted it to be light as it can be while being really durable. So I choose Vibrant 304 stainless steel for everything including the hangers.
![](https://www.miataturbo.net/attachments/build-threads-57/27032-imputs-first-turbo-build-photo0592.jpg?dateline=1319607376)
Just a random shot of the intercooler gap, gonna be a perfect place to mount a oil and a power steering cooler.
The ugly AVO downpipe :(
![](https://www.miataturbo.net/attachments/build-threads-57/27028-imputs-first-turbo-build-photo0570.jpg?dateline=1319607376)
This is the little extension piece he made, looks super sweet.
![](https://www.miataturbo.net/attachments/build-threads-57/27029-imputs-first-turbo-build-photo0568.jpg?dateline=1319607376)
And of course V-Band everything after that.
![](https://www.miataturbo.net/attachments/build-threads-57/27030-imputs-first-turbo-build-photo0576.jpg?dateline=1319607376)
One of my main concerns with the exhaust was to keep it as high as possible, so I wont have to worry about it scraping everywhere. The location now is freaking perfect, tucked nicely.
![](https://www.miataturbo.net/attachments/build-threads-57/27031-imputs-first-turbo-build-photo0591.jpg?dateline=1319607376)
Also wanted it to be light as it can be while being really durable. So I choose Vibrant 304 stainless steel for everything including the hangers.
![](https://www.miataturbo.net/attachments/build-threads-57/27032-imputs-first-turbo-build-photo0592.jpg?dateline=1319607376)
Just a random shot of the intercooler gap, gonna be a perfect place to mount a oil and a power steering cooler.
![](https://www.miataturbo.net/attachments/build-threads-57/27033-imputs-first-turbo-build-photo0575.jpg?dateline=1319607376)
#23
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Exhaust done, car stared up right away!!! Still have to fix some random stuff tho, before I can really drive it, random leak from the manifold from a stud rubbing, need to saw that off, and then it should be good.
Took these pics before the exhaust hangers were made, but I'm super happy with the exhaust, its higher than everything in the car, the entire exhaust probably weighs between 15-20lbs. The muffler is a Vibrant SS race muffler, weights a little over 1lb haha.
![](https://www.miataturbo.net/attachments/build-threads-57/27072-imputs-first-turbo-build-photo0600.jpg?dateline=1319664505)
originally the plan was to make a dolphin tip, but we ran out of bends, haha.
![](https://www.miataturbo.net/attachments/build-threads-57/27073-imputs-first-turbo-build-photo0601.jpg?dateline=1319664505)
![](https://www.miataturbo.net/attachments/build-threads-57/27074-imputs-first-turbo-build-photo0602.jpg?dateline=1319664505)
![](https://www.miataturbo.net/attachments/build-threads-57/27075-imputs-first-turbo-build-photo0603.jpg?dateline=1319664505)
was gonna add an additional vband, but not really needed, and it wont fit anywhere, everything is tucked really nice.
![](https://www.miataturbo.net/attachments/build-threads-57/27076-imputs-first-turbo-build-photo0606.jpg?dateline=1319664505)
Took these pics before the exhaust hangers were made, but I'm super happy with the exhaust, its higher than everything in the car, the entire exhaust probably weighs between 15-20lbs. The muffler is a Vibrant SS race muffler, weights a little over 1lb haha.
![](https://www.miataturbo.net/attachments/build-threads-57/27072-imputs-first-turbo-build-photo0600.jpg?dateline=1319664505)
originally the plan was to make a dolphin tip, but we ran out of bends, haha.
![](https://www.miataturbo.net/attachments/build-threads-57/27073-imputs-first-turbo-build-photo0601.jpg?dateline=1319664505)
![](https://www.miataturbo.net/attachments/build-threads-57/27074-imputs-first-turbo-build-photo0602.jpg?dateline=1319664505)
![](https://www.miataturbo.net/attachments/build-threads-57/27075-imputs-first-turbo-build-photo0603.jpg?dateline=1319664505)
was gonna add an additional vband, but not really needed, and it wont fit anywhere, everything is tucked really nice.
![](https://www.miataturbo.net/attachments/build-threads-57/27076-imputs-first-turbo-build-photo0606.jpg?dateline=1319664505)
![](https://www.miataturbo.net/attachments/build-threads-57/27077-imputs-first-turbo-build-photo0607.jpg?dateline=1319664505)
#28
![Default](https://www.miataturbo.net/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Did some more stuff today, fixed some random issues. Originally I was gonna do a drift day tomorrow, but my tune sucks ***, so I'm going to get it dyno tuned instead. Hopefully everything goes smooth.
changed my plugs put some iridium NGK's in, got another gauge pod, so I was able to move my gauges around.
![](https://www.miataturbo.net/attachments/build-threads-57/27199-imputs-first-turbo-build-photo0614-1.jpg?dateline=1319950902)
![](https://www.miataturbo.net/attachments/build-threads-57/27200-imputs-first-turbo-build-photo0635.jpg?dateline=1319950902)
Installed my new valve cover & sparkplug cover, and make some lines for the catch can. Tried to clean it up a bit, but its so damn messy, haha, a tuck is def coming soon
![](https://www.miataturbo.net/attachments/build-threads-57/27201-imputs-first-turbo-build-photo0633.jpg?dateline=1319950902)
![](https://www.miataturbo.net/attachments/build-threads-57/27202-imputs-first-turbo-build-photo0632.jpg?dateline=1319950902)
changed my plugs put some iridium NGK's in, got another gauge pod, so I was able to move my gauges around.
![](https://www.miataturbo.net/attachments/build-threads-57/27199-imputs-first-turbo-build-photo0614-1.jpg?dateline=1319950902)
![](https://www.miataturbo.net/attachments/build-threads-57/27200-imputs-first-turbo-build-photo0635.jpg?dateline=1319950902)
Installed my new valve cover & sparkplug cover, and make some lines for the catch can. Tried to clean it up a bit, but its so damn messy, haha, a tuck is def coming soon
![](https://www.miataturbo.net/attachments/build-threads-57/27201-imputs-first-turbo-build-photo0633.jpg?dateline=1319950902)
![](https://www.miataturbo.net/attachments/build-threads-57/27202-imputs-first-turbo-build-photo0632.jpg?dateline=1319950902)
![](https://www.miataturbo.net/attachments/build-threads-57/27203-imputs-first-turbo-build-photo0631.jpg?dateline=1319950902)
#38
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I would also have made the vent lines much, much larger than -8AN, and I would not have vented the passenger side of the valve cover. You're going to see the passenger side can fill with oil very, very quickly.
Also, not to be a dick, but I really don't think you made 220whp at 8psi from a 2554R. I had a similar setup ('99 longblock, 2554R, 3" exhaust, standalone) and I made 217whp at 15psi on a Mustang dyno. Your dyno chart tells us nothing - it's so bad I don't even know what mistake the dyno operator made.
#40
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Throw it away. You are going to nuke the spark plug wires. They don't last very long as-is, and encasing them in a shell so the valve cover can bake them is exactly the opposite of what you want to do.
I would also have made the vent lines much, much larger than -8AN, and I would not have vented the passenger side of the valve cover. You're going to see the passenger side can fill with oil very, very quickly.
I would also have made the vent lines much, much larger than -8AN, and I would not have vented the passenger side of the valve cover. You're going to see the passenger side can fill with oil very, very quickly.
Also, not to be a dick, but I really don't think you made 220whp at 8psi from a 2554R. I had a similar setup ('99 longblock, 2554R, 3" exhaust, standalone) and I made 217whp at 15psi on a Mustang dyno. Your dyno chart tells us nothing - it's so bad I don't even know what mistake the dyno operator made.
Last edited by imput1234; 11-02-2011 at 10:40 AM.