Finally my own build thread
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (5)
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Troy, MI
Posts: 854
Total Cats: 14
![Default](https://www.miataturbo.net/images/icons/icon1.gif)
After 4 months of prep I started the turbo install last weekend. Many forum members will notice parts that they were going to throw out, but sold to me instead
.
Started by removing the stock manifold and exhaust system. The previous owner decided he would weld the entire exhaust into one piece, so it took a fair amount of wiggling and twisting to remove.
2.25" catback exhaust installed:
![](http://img403.imageshack.us/img403/4656/dsc00428to5.jpg)
Got the ETD manifold repaired over the week (it had a crack due to relief cuts), and I hogged out all the stud holes so it has space to expand when hot.
![](http://img294.imageshack.us/img294/6787/dsc00423iz3.jpg)
Everything is just mocked up so I can figure out the charge pipe routing. Not that I will use the ridiculous Greddy ? pipe in its present form:
![](http://img141.imageshack.us/img141/1/dsc00422gh3.jpg)
Cold side is pretty much figured out:
![](http://img177.imageshack.us/img177/8034/dsc00425hg6.jpg)
The pipes don't hang that much below the car:
![](http://img125.imageshack.us/img125/156/dsc00427pd0.jpg)
Green wire indicates the radiator position. The intercooler brackets will need some cutting. Here the intercooler is just kept on the ground (working alone, that too in an apartment parking lot, sucks):
![](http://img174.imageshack.us/img174/6563/dsc00424kt4.jpg)
Boost gauge and the innocuous megasquirt serial comm plug (time to play spot-the-DB9
):
![](http://img216.imageshack.us/img216/3196/dsc00431qi0.jpg)
I still need to mount the wastegate actuator. Its just sitting on one hole. Think it'll be ok on one bolt?
![](https://www.miataturbo.net/images/smilies/smile.gif)
Started by removing the stock manifold and exhaust system. The previous owner decided he would weld the entire exhaust into one piece, so it took a fair amount of wiggling and twisting to remove.
2.25" catback exhaust installed:
![](http://img403.imageshack.us/img403/4656/dsc00428to5.jpg)
Got the ETD manifold repaired over the week (it had a crack due to relief cuts), and I hogged out all the stud holes so it has space to expand when hot.
![](http://img294.imageshack.us/img294/6787/dsc00423iz3.jpg)
Everything is just mocked up so I can figure out the charge pipe routing. Not that I will use the ridiculous Greddy ? pipe in its present form:
![](http://img141.imageshack.us/img141/1/dsc00422gh3.jpg)
Cold side is pretty much figured out:
![](http://img177.imageshack.us/img177/8034/dsc00425hg6.jpg)
The pipes don't hang that much below the car:
![](http://img125.imageshack.us/img125/156/dsc00427pd0.jpg)
Green wire indicates the radiator position. The intercooler brackets will need some cutting. Here the intercooler is just kept on the ground (working alone, that too in an apartment parking lot, sucks):
![](http://img174.imageshack.us/img174/6563/dsc00424kt4.jpg)
Boost gauge and the innocuous megasquirt serial comm plug (time to play spot-the-DB9
![wink](https://www.miataturbo.net/images/smilies/wink.gif)
![](http://img216.imageshack.us/img216/3196/dsc00431qi0.jpg)
I still need to mount the wastegate actuator. Its just sitting on one hole. Think it'll be ok on one bolt?
#3
![Default](https://www.miataturbo.net/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Nice exhaust and boost gauge.
Looks like its coming along well. Keep the pics coming.
__________________
Best Car Insurance | Auto Protection Today | FREE Trade-In Quote
![Biggthumpup](https://www.miataturbo.net/images/smilies/biggthumpup.gif)
__________________
Best Car Insurance | Auto Protection Today | FREE Trade-In Quote
#7
![Default](https://www.miataturbo.net/images/icons/icon1.gif)
If so, then it is the audio connector in the plate.
We ran microsquirt on the FSAE car this year, otherwise I would have been in the dark.
Met Bruce Bowling at competition actually.
Looks like a fun build, can't wait to get my **** started.
#8
Senior Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (5)
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Troy, MI
Posts: 854
Total Cats: 14
![Default](https://www.miataturbo.net/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Yeah its the stereo plug.
Progress is really slow due to my schedule. I hope to finish plumbing the intercooler this week. I just found out my drill takes a max of 3/8" bits, need to return it and buy a 1/2" one. Gotta love harbor freight's extended warranty.
Progress is really slow due to my schedule. I hope to finish plumbing the intercooler this week. I just found out my drill takes a max of 3/8" bits, need to return it and buy a 1/2" one. Gotta love harbor freight's extended warranty.
#11
![Default](https://www.miataturbo.net/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Can someone please educate me with regards to relief cuts? I have read lots of conflicting posts on the subject. People say that the Greddy manifolds MUST have relief cuts or they will crack. Pipefather has just had his ETD repaired as it cracked BECAUSE of relief cuts and by the looks of the pictures he has welded the cuts up. I may be being very dense but this is confusing the hell out of me :P
Thanks
Tom
Thanks
Tom
#14
Senior Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (5)
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Troy, MI
Posts: 854
Total Cats: 14
![Default](https://www.miataturbo.net/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Oil pan drilled and tapped. Really, I dont know what the big deal is about this. It took me all of 15 minutes to do the actual work. Of course, I took off the passenger side wheel and got good access to the area with the drill held horizontal.
I started with a pilot drill bit about as big as the 9/16" bit's web diameter. That made it easier to center the large bit and prevented walking. I was able to get an accurate round hole without any swearing or struggling. I used PTFE lubricant on the drill which also contained all the drill swarf. It made tapping a heck of a lot easier too.
![](http://img255.imageshack.us/img255/23/dsc00452dx9.jpg)
This is the fitting I used. It is 3/8" NPT to 5/8" barb, along with a locknut. I used fuel/oil resistant pipe thread sealant, and there was no need for any jb weld as the subsequent flushing operation showed no leaks.
![](http://img232.imageshack.us/img232/8720/dsc00450dj5.jpg)
![](http://img174.imageshack.us/img174/5921/dsc00448cv0.jpg)
I sanded and painted the manifold with BBQ spray paint. Looking good now. Don't know for how long it'll stay on though:
![](http://img181.imageshack.us/img181/9650/dsc00457sn8.jpg)
![](http://img118.imageshack.us/img118/464/dsc00460dy4.jpg)
The intercooler as seen from the outside of the car:
![](http://img183.imageshack.us/img183/8959/dsc00456hv7.jpg)
Yeah, I know
You can't quite see it.
Finally, pics of the car as it sits today:
![](http://img167.imageshack.us/img167/676/dsc00461vs2.jpg)
I started with a pilot drill bit about as big as the 9/16" bit's web diameter. That made it easier to center the large bit and prevented walking. I was able to get an accurate round hole without any swearing or struggling. I used PTFE lubricant on the drill which also contained all the drill swarf. It made tapping a heck of a lot easier too.
![](http://img255.imageshack.us/img255/23/dsc00452dx9.jpg)
This is the fitting I used. It is 3/8" NPT to 5/8" barb, along with a locknut. I used fuel/oil resistant pipe thread sealant, and there was no need for any jb weld as the subsequent flushing operation showed no leaks.
![](http://img232.imageshack.us/img232/8720/dsc00450dj5.jpg)
![](http://img174.imageshack.us/img174/5921/dsc00448cv0.jpg)
I sanded and painted the manifold with BBQ spray paint. Looking good now. Don't know for how long it'll stay on though:
![](http://img181.imageshack.us/img181/9650/dsc00457sn8.jpg)
![](http://img118.imageshack.us/img118/464/dsc00460dy4.jpg)
The intercooler as seen from the outside of the car:
![](http://img183.imageshack.us/img183/8959/dsc00456hv7.jpg)
Yeah, I know
![](https://www.miataturbo.net/images/smilies/cool.gif)
Finally, pics of the car as it sits today:
![](http://img167.imageshack.us/img167/676/dsc00461vs2.jpg)
![](http://img72.imageshack.us/img72/2122/dsc00429ue5.jpg)
#15
Senior Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (5)
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Troy, MI
Posts: 854
Total Cats: 14
![Default](https://www.miataturbo.net/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Any ideas on quick and dirty ways of plumbing the intake side of the compressor?
![](http://img165.imageshack.us/img165/817/dsc00462mn7.jpg)
The coupler coming off the compressor is 2.5" ID and necessary for the bypass valve return line. The AFM and greddy stock foam filter is what I have.
Is the corrugated hose you get at home depot/hardware store a good solution?
![](http://img165.imageshack.us/img165/817/dsc00462mn7.jpg)
The coupler coming off the compressor is 2.5" ID and necessary for the bypass valve return line. The AFM and greddy stock foam filter is what I have.
Is the corrugated hose you get at home depot/hardware store a good solution?
#16
Cpt. Slow
![](/mt2011/images_td/ranks/supporter1.gif)
iTrader: (25)
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Oregon City, OR
Posts: 14,326
Total Cats: 1,181
![Default](https://www.miataturbo.net/images/icons/icon1.gif)
the flex hose will work temporarily, PRE-COMPRESSOR ONLY! obviously it will expand massively after the turbo, but I see you already have metal pipes there already.
I put my afm with a fairly flat filter straight off the turbo, but didn't have the recirculating pipe (VTA) and a greddy turbo+manifold, so I dunno how much farther forward/backward yours fits
I used exhaust paint on my manifold, it turns greyish, but its lasted a month or two including a track day.
props from me too for doing this in a parking lot!
I put my afm with a fairly flat filter straight off the turbo, but didn't have the recirculating pipe (VTA) and a greddy turbo+manifold, so I dunno how much farther forward/backward yours fits
I used exhaust paint on my manifold, it turns greyish, but its lasted a month or two including a track day.
props from me too for doing this in a parking lot!
#18
I identify as a bear.
![](/mt2011/images_td/ranks/supporter1.gif)
![](/mt2011/images_td/ranks/smod.png)
iTrader: (8)
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Chicago. (The less-murder part.)
Posts: 33,206
Total Cats: 6,708
![Default](https://www.miataturbo.net/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Be gone the AFM!
Or is it there to comply with a series rule? If that be the case, could you not put the AFM directly on the compressor inlet, or on a short 90? Doesn't really matter the mounting angle if it's not being used. A clever person might even open it up and loosen the spring a few dozen turns.
#20
Senior Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (5)
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Troy, MI
Posts: 854
Total Cats: 14