My Money Pit - part 2 (next time do it right the first time)
#202
Senior Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (4)
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Toronto, ON
Posts: 1,446
Total Cats: 6
![Default](https://www.miataturbo.net/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Haven't done much of anything recently. I went to do my first 1/4 mile run with this car but it got rained out. The only run I got in was 17.xx @ 102mph. I gave up 3/4 way because it felt like I was driving on ice. I actually thought I broke something because it didn't feel like I was accelerating.
I decided to clean the garage and buy a new toolbox before winter in order to keep things organized with the new engine
![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Bg2hcpOExcQ/To8_gRFWjmI/AAAAAAAAB68/mGJDjyBLKFE/s912/IMG-20111007-00333.jpg)
Oh, and I got this new tow vehicle. Car is off the road for winter now, so I just sit in the driveway and rev it when I feel like being a ricer....like today.
I decided to clean the garage and buy a new toolbox before winter in order to keep things organized with the new engine
![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Bg2hcpOExcQ/To8_gRFWjmI/AAAAAAAAB68/mGJDjyBLKFE/s912/IMG-20111007-00333.jpg)
Oh, and I got this new tow vehicle. Car is off the road for winter now, so I just sit in the driveway and rev it when I feel like being a ricer....like today.
![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/--l-bg_uLDHU/TsFwKOol0HI/AAAAAAAAB74/YGmc9xQipKA/s912/car.jpg)
#205
Senior Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (4)
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Toronto, ON
Posts: 1,446
Total Cats: 6
![Default](https://www.miataturbo.net/images/icons/icon1.gif)
The engine is still untouched. I've been on the fence about pistons, so it hasn't moved. Aftermarket cast 94 pistons, or just get forged. I don't feel like putting money into machine work, I spent most of my toy money doing my basement theatre (which is another money pit in itself).
Finally found out what all my rattling is coming from, the WGA was loose and the dump tube brace broke. This is what happens when you think you have a maintenance free car.
6 months of procrastination, 2 hours of work, a water jet and plywood get me to this point. I've order parts to make a quick release bumper and still have to get some aircraft cable instead of turnbuckles for bracing.
![](https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-ZiLGpGAECrA/T1eMK0viMXI/AAAAAAAAB-U/x9CfutmqxNU/s912/IMG_2711.JPG)
![](https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-S3Wbijxzqv4/T1eMUE-cTRI/AAAAAAAAB-c/E5QMZZuu1Ug/s912/IMG_2712.JPG)
![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Wekk3Ew66TQ/T1eMYNjzzGI/AAAAAAAAB-k/rqRxie2yYwc/s912/IMG_2703.JPG)
![](https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-zwmCuq6JJHE/T1eMlz2ZtxI/AAAAAAAAB-s/68FzmV4E7dk/s640/IMG_2704.JPG)
Fak, more like 8 months procrastination now that I check when the splitter began
Finally found out what all my rattling is coming from, the WGA was loose and the dump tube brace broke. This is what happens when you think you have a maintenance free car.
6 months of procrastination, 2 hours of work, a water jet and plywood get me to this point. I've order parts to make a quick release bumper and still have to get some aircraft cable instead of turnbuckles for bracing.
Fak, more like 8 months procrastination now that I check when the splitter began
![](https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-gSJj-d5bEpw/ThtiDRJMjtI/AAAAAAAABxE/sXJs_wE7lBU/s800/split1.jpg)
Last edited by dgmorr; 03-07-2012 at 12:09 PM.
#211
Senior Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (4)
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Toronto, ON
Posts: 1,446
Total Cats: 6
![Default](https://www.miataturbo.net/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Over a year of not tackling my front sway bar and end links, I finally cut it off. I blew my nose and this appeared. Will I die?
![](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-gmsBuzPcd6M/T3uwKkvQnRI/AAAAAAAACHQ/9asme9XiNcc/s640/.jpg)
Took a while to wrestle the new bar and brace in their new home. Do I have these end links in the right orientation?
![](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-cAxngzuuf4U/T3uweVAJ5sI/AAAAAAAACHY/peK2MK9AtNI/s640/sway.jpg)
Just have to wait for my new tires to arrive, do an oil change, cut a hole in the splitter for my dump tube and I'll get to test it all out again. Unfortunately I don't have the same tires as last year, so I won't get to benchmark the aero improvements.
![](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-gmsBuzPcd6M/T3uwKkvQnRI/AAAAAAAACHQ/9asme9XiNcc/s640/.jpg)
Took a while to wrestle the new bar and brace in their new home. Do I have these end links in the right orientation?
![](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-cAxngzuuf4U/T3uweVAJ5sI/AAAAAAAACHY/peK2MK9AtNI/s640/sway.jpg)
Just have to wait for my new tires to arrive, do an oil change, cut a hole in the splitter for my dump tube and I'll get to test it all out again. Unfortunately I don't have the same tires as last year, so I won't get to benchmark the aero improvements.
#213
Senior Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (4)
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Toronto, ON
Posts: 1,446
Total Cats: 6
![Default](https://www.miataturbo.net/images/icons/icon1.gif)
First track day tomorrow, feeling anxious - speeds will be a lot higher with the aero I think.
Finished the splitter. Changed the oil. R&R the sway bar. Installed new fan. Installed under tray. Did a once over.
The black hood looks gay. Doubt I'll get it painted unless it's free. It's a piece of ----.
Finished the splitter. Changed the oil. R&R the sway bar. Installed new fan. Installed under tray. Did a once over.
The black hood looks gay. Doubt I'll get it painted unless it's free. It's a piece of ----.
#214
Senior Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (4)
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Toronto, ON
Posts: 1,446
Total Cats: 6
![Default](https://www.miataturbo.net/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Took it to the track today. Have a lot of new issues to work out. I don't know if I was driving harder due to the aero mods and tires, but I started overheating after my 5th lap. Water was boiling out the overflow. Took if out for a few more sessions and after destroying several Porsches I decided to take a break. What's up with "fast" cars not giving a point-by in the straights and nearly rear ending them because braking way too early, W-T-F.
Car decided to start running lean after my last break, I chose not to data log so I'm starting from nowhere to figure that out.
NT-01s and aero should have been done wayyyy sooner. Able to go flat out right after apex vs babying it until the exit.
Car decided to start running lean after my last break, I chose not to data log so I'm starting from nowhere to figure that out.
NT-01s and aero should have been done wayyyy sooner. Able to go flat out right after apex vs babying it until the exit.
#218
Senior Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (4)
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Toronto, ON
Posts: 1,446
Total Cats: 6
![Default](https://www.miataturbo.net/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Funny you ask. It looked like rust and algae when I opened the reservoir at the track. It was distilled water with wetter. I know I know, should have checked it first and flushed after the winter. I'm going to flush and use water with water wetter and try again. Still doesn't explain the lean condition, I only went up 3/4 the factory temp gauge. I've been there before. Unless I went way off up the trim scale and factory gauge wasn't in synch.
I have a bunch of rattling to work out again. I went farming yesterday too, splitter survived. Felt like this. At least I took some high end cars down.
![](https://www.miataturbo.net/attachments/build-threads-57/40912-my-money-pit-part-2-next-time-do-right-first-time-depressed.jpg?dateline=1334842296)
#219
Senior Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (4)
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Toronto, ON
Posts: 1,446
Total Cats: 6
![Default](https://www.miataturbo.net/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Compression test numbers for my notes. Cool engine, throttle open. Assuming it will be a lot closer to spec when warmed up.
Cyl1 - 165
Cyl2 - 165
Cyl3 - 163
Cyl4 - 162
Specs I found:
Standard 182 psi
Minimum 128 psi
Maximum Difference Between Cylinders 28 psi
Cyl1 - 165
Cyl2 - 165
Cyl3 - 163
Cyl4 - 162
Specs I found:
Standard 182 psi
Minimum 128 psi
Maximum Difference Between Cylinders 28 psi