Mobius's Build - Brotrex and Bromex galore!
#221
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Stuff happened in my garage today.
BUT FIRST
Gordon, really, you want to compare heads with me? Really? You know yours can't go as high as mine.
Anyway, to the pics!
V8 Roadsters Current Generation Front Lower Control Arms.
Might I say, they are kinda sexy. Built stronk like Rosie the Riviter!
![](https://www.miataturbo.net/attachments/build-threads-57/130380-mobiuss-build-brotrex-bromex-galore-strongwomen.jpg?dateline=1420350888)
![](https://www.miataturbo.net/attachments/build-threads-57/130376d1420349864-mobiuss-build-brotrex-bromex-galore-20150103_v8r_arm1-medium-.jpg)
Old head was removed, and the innards exposed. Yes, it ran rich for the last couple of years. Other than that, though, nothing really to be seen:
![](https://www.miataturbo.net/attachments/build-threads-57/130379d1420349990-mobiuss-build-brotrex-bromex-galore-20150103_engine_block_1-medium-.jpg)
Pistons look fine. Cylinder walls look fine.
And then ...
And then ...
And then !
Some beer happened, and some discussions happened. Curly got off work, came by, and some more beer and discussions happened.
Scope Creep Alert
#allthethings are now happening. Well, all but pistons:
Now, since all of the above are happening, it seems to make sense to port match the exhaust. Which puts me in the market for a header. Which, OMFG, I have never wanted to buy because nobody has ever shown dyno results (that I can find, maybe my fu is weak, please enlighten me) that show that anything flows *significantly* better than the stock 01-05 4->1 header. It's a pretty damn good piece for stock. But if I'm going to port match something, do I want to port match the stock header? Not sure I can do that.
And so you ask, as you must, if you are astute, Stock Pistons?? Why? Convince me otherwise. The car will see autocross use and track use with street use. The last 2 years, the mileage on the car has been roughly 50/50 between street and track use. We drive it, but it's not a daily, but we drive it. I want it to be street friendly-ish. I won't see over 200 ft/lbs with the rotrex. I plan to rev for my power. Why do I need to spend money on pistons when stock pistons should fit my power goals. Feel free to enlighten me.
Edit: I plan to rev to 8k.
BUT FIRST
Gordon, really, you want to compare heads with me? Really? You know yours can't go as high as mine.
Anyway, to the pics!
V8 Roadsters Current Generation Front Lower Control Arms.
Might I say, they are kinda sexy. Built stronk like Rosie the Riviter!
![](https://www.miataturbo.net/attachments/build-threads-57/130380-mobiuss-build-brotrex-bromex-galore-strongwomen.jpg?dateline=1420350888)
![](https://www.miataturbo.net/attachments/build-threads-57/130376d1420349864-mobiuss-build-brotrex-bromex-galore-20150103_v8r_arm1-medium-.jpg)
Old head was removed, and the innards exposed. Yes, it ran rich for the last couple of years. Other than that, though, nothing really to be seen:
![](https://www.miataturbo.net/attachments/build-threads-57/130379d1420349990-mobiuss-build-brotrex-bromex-galore-20150103_engine_block_1-medium-.jpg)
Pistons look fine. Cylinder walls look fine.
And then ...
And then ...
And then !
Some beer happened, and some discussions happened. Curly got off work, came by, and some more beer and discussions happened.
Scope Creep Alert
#allthethings are now happening. Well, all but pistons:
- Rods
- Rings
- Supermiata Damper (what trigger wheel do I want? 36?)
- BE oil pump (extreme? wtf do I buy here?)
- Squaretop (port matched)
- already happening but maybe not previously mentioned: Skunk2 throttle body, to which the mani will be port matched
Now, since all of the above are happening, it seems to make sense to port match the exhaust. Which puts me in the market for a header. Which, OMFG, I have never wanted to buy because nobody has ever shown dyno results (that I can find, maybe my fu is weak, please enlighten me) that show that anything flows *significantly* better than the stock 01-05 4->1 header. It's a pretty damn good piece for stock. But if I'm going to port match something, do I want to port match the stock header? Not sure I can do that.
And so you ask, as you must, if you are astute, Stock Pistons?? Why? Convince me otherwise. The car will see autocross use and track use with street use. The last 2 years, the mileage on the car has been roughly 50/50 between street and track use. We drive it, but it's not a daily, but we drive it. I want it to be street friendly-ish. I won't see over 200 ft/lbs with the rotrex. I plan to rev for my power. Why do I need to spend money on pistons when stock pistons should fit my power goals. Feel free to enlighten me.
Edit: I plan to rev to 8k.
#223
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Header Question:
I have the opportunity to purchase from a fellow mt.net member a ceramic coated racing beat header for 99-00. As far as he knows, the only difference is in EGR fittings.
Can anyone verify differences between 99-00 header and 01-05 header? If I do not care about EGR, which I no longer do, does that matter?
I have the opportunity to purchase from a fellow mt.net member a ceramic coated racing beat header for 99-00. As far as he knows, the only difference is in EGR fittings.
Can anyone verify differences between 99-00 header and 01-05 header? If I do not care about EGR, which I no longer do, does that matter?
#224
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They are fine for what you want to do.
But, I will ask: why spend so much money doing all this, and not just do pistons too? And den.................spin that brotrex for all its worth and make more like 300-350whp or something?
Now now, hear me out: I love me some overbuilt cars, I really do, and I also love me some budget builds, I really do.
But, and maybe I'm way off here, this seems like a weird combination of both and neither. You're obviously making it rain benjamins, and cutting what, $500 out of the budget?
I dunno. Supertech alloy combo is pretty dd friendly. And since you're balling hard with cnc head and allthethings, might as well put the rest of the setup to good use.
just a thought
PS: I heard RB header was the one to get if you don't want to spend an extra $1000 for an extra 1hp
But, I will ask: why spend so much money doing all this, and not just do pistons too? And den.................spin that brotrex for all its worth and make more like 300-350whp or something?
Now now, hear me out: I love me some overbuilt cars, I really do, and I also love me some budget builds, I really do.
But, and maybe I'm way off here, this seems like a weird combination of both and neither. You're obviously making it rain benjamins, and cutting what, $500 out of the budget?
I dunno. Supertech alloy combo is pretty dd friendly. And since you're balling hard with cnc head and allthethings, might as well put the rest of the setup to good use.
just a thought
PS: I heard RB header was the one to get if you don't want to spend an extra $1000 for an extra 1hp
#225
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Heh you have exactly nailed it. I am not a broke college student, and believe in spending money where it counts, but I am also a stingy-*** bastard, and don't like to spend money when I don't have to. So if my stock pistons will keep doing the job for the foreseeable future, I say why not. But if they won't and I should replace them, I will.
I have however run up against my "discretionary" budget and will have to potentially seek more funds from the family CFO. If there's a strong case to be made for new pistons she'll probably approve them. But from what I remember reading from various threads, none of aftermarket pistons are ideal in terms of how they're shaped. I am thinking of some Hustler threads, among others. If there's a piston set I should be considering let me know now.
I had planned to wait until Emilio came out with his über-pistons, but everything is happening now. So, now it is.
I have however run up against my "discretionary" budget and will have to potentially seek more funds from the family CFO. If there's a strong case to be made for new pistons she'll probably approve them. But from what I remember reading from various threads, none of aftermarket pistons are ideal in terms of how they're shaped. I am thinking of some Hustler threads, among others. If there's a piston set I should be considering let me know now.
I had planned to wait until Emilio came out with his über-pistons, but everything is happening now. So, now it is.
#226
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Ordered:
Manley Rods
timing belt/idlers/water pump/ that stuff
arp head studs
RB header
To Be Ordered:
Supermiata damper
Real Oil Pump
rings
ACL race bearings
roadstersport midpipe (because hollowed-cat stock NB2 midpipe resonates like your moms' vagina)
And then it's all up to Curly. While he does the engine I will do the hood louvers on the spare hood, clean my dirty engine bay, work on the splitter mount design, and do my front rotor friction rings. Maybe even repack some hubs. Probably drink some beer too.
Edit: received, don't think I've mentioned it yet, Tial QRV recirculation valve. My missing boost will not be due to a faulty recirc valve.
Manley Rods
timing belt/idlers/water pump/ that stuff
arp head studs
RB header
To Be Ordered:
Supermiata damper
Real Oil Pump
rings
ACL race bearings
roadstersport midpipe (because hollowed-cat stock NB2 midpipe resonates like your moms' vagina)
And then it's all up to Curly. While he does the engine I will do the hood louvers on the spare hood, clean my dirty engine bay, work on the splitter mount design, and do my front rotor friction rings. Maybe even repack some hubs. Probably drink some beer too.
Edit: received, don't think I've mentioned it yet, Tial QRV recirculation valve. My missing boost will not be due to a faulty recirc valve.
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Dammit he has fled to Mexico!
In other news, I believe that with my latest acquisition, my build has become Truly Baller:
![](https://www.miataturbo.net/attachments/insert-bs-here-4/130532d1420568818-ai-generated-cat-pictures-thread-unicorn_socks_model-medium-.jpg)
I mean, seriously, these socks actually exist? And they were not created (AFAIK) by an mt.net member as a joke.
2 seconds/lap EASY I say.
In other news, I believe that with my latest acquisition, my build has become Truly Baller:
![](https://www.miataturbo.net/attachments/insert-bs-here-4/130532d1420568818-ai-generated-cat-pictures-thread-unicorn_socks_model-medium-.jpg)
I mean, seriously, these socks actually exist? And they were not created (AFAIK) by an mt.net member as a joke.
2 seconds/lap EASY I say.
#233
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RB header on the way that will be coated.
My compressor is the same as the one on Deviant, which is a 300hp motor. I am shooting for 250ish. Maybe more, we'll see. Plenty of boost to be had. Deviant also has a CNC head, not VVT, but +2 ex valves instead of +1 and it has cams.
My compressor is the same as the one on Deviant, which is a 300hp motor. I am shooting for 250ish. Maybe more, we'll see. Plenty of boost to be had. Deviant also has a CNC head, not VVT, but +2 ex valves instead of +1 and it has cams.
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Engine is out. First time I've pulled an engine. It would be a lot easier if I didn't have to move the car out to the driveway to get the necessary room. Something to look forward to for Garage Retirement.0
Tomorrow I'll take comparison pictures of the heads then get it ready to ship to emilio.
So, a noobish question, in terms of cleaning the old head enough for shipping, any reason I can't wipe it down and then spray it up with brake cleaner?
Tomorrow I'll take comparison pictures of the heads then get it ready to ship to emilio.
So, a noobish question, in terms of cleaning the old head enough for shipping, any reason I can't wipe it down and then spray it up with brake cleaner?
#235
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I don't think I'd clean it too much. The concern is the steel parts, you don't want rust so oil is your friend. OTOH, Emilio is probably replacing all that stuff for you anyway, so . . . .
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There is also a time limit to this. I want it to be ready to go in March. Not boring saves time. I can swing the current build with my allocated funds. New pistons puts me into begging territory with Ms Mobius and I don't want to go there.
The next time this motor comes out it will get completely refreshed, bored over, new pistons, etc. I have dumped the money into the external pieces that will carry over with this engine into its next rebuild - the intake manifold, the throttle body, and the header. Those are all getting port matched to the head.
I want more power and more revs. I will also be running more grip. Bob has shown us the whimper limits for the six speed for the power+grip combo - 300wtq and 275 Hoosiers shatters the transmission. 200wtq and 225 Hoosiers should be fine, and that's where I plan to be.
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I was able to get decent comparison shots of the combustion chamber, but for the intake and exhaust ports, it just wasn't happening on my old head. I spent some time with a brass brush and brake cleaner for you guys trying to make it less black in there, but no dice. The human eye could make out the differences pretty well but it was too dark in there to get any decent photos with the camera.
Old head CC:
![](http://i1280.photobucket.com/albums/a489/Mobius104/automotive/engine%20pics/old_head_cc_zps4e8e48e6.jpg~original)
New head CC:
![](http://i1280.photobucket.com/albums/a489/Mobius104/automotive/engine%20pics/cnc_head_cc_zps5620a092.jpg~original)
New head exhaust shot 1:
![](http://i1280.photobucket.com/albums/a489/Mobius104/automotive/engine%20pics/cnc_intake1_zps93858f16.jpg~original)
New head exhaust shot 2:
![](http://i1280.photobucket.com/albums/a489/Mobius104/automotive/engine%20pics/cnc_intake2_zps01fd38bc.jpg~original)
New head intake shot :
Old head CC:
![](http://i1280.photobucket.com/albums/a489/Mobius104/automotive/engine%20pics/old_head_cc_zps4e8e48e6.jpg~original)
New head CC:
![](http://i1280.photobucket.com/albums/a489/Mobius104/automotive/engine%20pics/cnc_head_cc_zps5620a092.jpg~original)
New head exhaust shot 1:
![](http://i1280.photobucket.com/albums/a489/Mobius104/automotive/engine%20pics/cnc_intake1_zps93858f16.jpg~original)
New head exhaust shot 2:
![](http://i1280.photobucket.com/albums/a489/Mobius104/automotive/engine%20pics/cnc_intake2_zps01fd38bc.jpg~original)
New head intake shot :
![](http://i1280.photobucket.com/albums/a489/Mobius104/automotive/engine%20pics/cnc_exh1_zps8e1855fc.jpg~original)