Why I sold My Miata: Replacement car pics.
#143
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Spoken like a true VW enthusiast. (From a two-time former VW owner.)
So you're using the under-plug thermocouple as a reference to compare to the drilled-out Porsche sensor? Where'd that new sensor come from? It doesn't look anything like the old VDO one I remember from years back.
So you're using the under-plug thermocouple as a reference to compare to the drilled-out Porsche sensor? Where'd that new sensor come from? It doesn't look anything like the old VDO one I remember from years back.
#144
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Spoken like a true VW enthusiast. (From a two-time former VW owner.)
So you're using the under-plug thermocouple as a reference to compare to the drilled-out Porsche sensor? Where'd that new sensor come from? It doesn't look anything like the old VDO one I remember from years back.
So you're using the under-plug thermocouple as a reference to compare to the drilled-out Porsche sensor? Where'd that new sensor come from? It doesn't look anything like the old VDO one I remember from years back.
Modded a ring connector, some JBweld, KAPTON tape and silicon wire to take the heat. standard heatshrink will not take the heat
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This is my first and last aircooled vw, I still have the golf tdi that is my namesake on the interent, and had 2 rabbit convertibles. The last one was 16v swapped, that thing rolled out.
#145
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So I am like so way overdo for a big update. So much has happened.
The superhigh compression was causing an overheating issue, it kept wanting to run too hot. The ultimate solution was to pull the engine and install head-gaskets to drop the compression a bit, down to about 8.5:1. This worked very well. I also in this period became less panicy about 1. cly head temps of 375F on my gauge that was probably never meant to go that high, and 2. Using temps from the stock FI location (to quote A/C guys "any other spot other than under the #3 spark plug is useless"). It responds to load almost instantly to load, and is very near #3. I made an under plug temp sensor, but for my trip decided to live in ignorance and bliss. I will compare later.
I also bought and installed a real MOMO steering wheel. Its nice and stiff and feels good in the hands.
So I got a trailer, the truck was up to snuff, and loaded the car and headed to the dragon.
Up there I bonded with the car. It was very fun and gave me zero, zip, none, nada issues. The cyl head temps stay incheck pounding though the mountains, only 2 or three times on long climbs up the skyway did i have to lift to manage temps. Its was fast and i was not even really pushing it since I have not driven it in anger much. And that is on a tire that is, uh, not ideal for a serious sports car like this.
I am happy with the engine and the power it makes for now. I still need to get it to idle right on the idle jets. I think I need WAY bigger jets; they are .45 right now I think. After that i'll go back to the dyno and see the 100ish hp it makes and be happy with it for awhile. I also finially got the valve covers to stop leaking.
Oh, and I got wet. see pics.
I put over 800 hard miles on the car in TN in one week. There is an oil leak somewhere that is not a drop, but get the car dirty. not worried about it. in 800 miles used about 0.5 gal of oil, and that with lots and lots of high rpm and full throttle.
I got on Killboys highlights three times. I also bought a pic, and have a few that others snapped. It was a blast. I also have lots and lots of gopro video, some of which is here....
![](https://www.miataturbo.net/attachments/insert-bs-here-4/53392-why-i-sold-my-miata-replacement-car-pics-dragon12web_wet.jpg?dateline=1346255350)
![](https://www.miataturbo.net/attachments/insert-bs-here-4/53393-why-i-sold-my-miata-replacement-car-pics-dragon12web_highlight3.jpg?dateline=1346255350)
![](https://www.miataturbo.net/attachments/insert-bs-here-4/53394-why-i-sold-my-miata-replacement-car-pics-dragon12web_highlight2.jpg?dateline=1346255350)
![](https://www.miataturbo.net/attachments/insert-bs-here-4/53395-why-i-sold-my-miata-replacement-car-pics-dragon12web_highlight1.jpg?dateline=1346255350)
![](https://www.miataturbo.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=53396&dateline=1346255350)
![](https://www.miataturbo.net/attachments/insert-bs-here-4/53397-why-i-sold-my-miata-replacement-car-pics-dragon12web_217278.jpg?dateline=1346255350)
Thanks for reading. I need to align, play, and drive this thing!
ps. the future...i see it.
The superhigh compression was causing an overheating issue, it kept wanting to run too hot. The ultimate solution was to pull the engine and install head-gaskets to drop the compression a bit, down to about 8.5:1. This worked very well. I also in this period became less panicy about 1. cly head temps of 375F on my gauge that was probably never meant to go that high, and 2. Using temps from the stock FI location (to quote A/C guys "any other spot other than under the #3 spark plug is useless"). It responds to load almost instantly to load, and is very near #3. I made an under plug temp sensor, but for my trip decided to live in ignorance and bliss. I will compare later.
I also bought and installed a real MOMO steering wheel. Its nice and stiff and feels good in the hands.
So I got a trailer, the truck was up to snuff, and loaded the car and headed to the dragon.
Up there I bonded with the car. It was very fun and gave me zero, zip, none, nada issues. The cyl head temps stay incheck pounding though the mountains, only 2 or three times on long climbs up the skyway did i have to lift to manage temps. Its was fast and i was not even really pushing it since I have not driven it in anger much. And that is on a tire that is, uh, not ideal for a serious sports car like this.
I am happy with the engine and the power it makes for now. I still need to get it to idle right on the idle jets. I think I need WAY bigger jets; they are .45 right now I think. After that i'll go back to the dyno and see the 100ish hp it makes and be happy with it for awhile. I also finially got the valve covers to stop leaking.
Oh, and I got wet. see pics.
I put over 800 hard miles on the car in TN in one week. There is an oil leak somewhere that is not a drop, but get the car dirty. not worried about it. in 800 miles used about 0.5 gal of oil, and that with lots and lots of high rpm and full throttle.
I got on Killboys highlights three times. I also bought a pic, and have a few that others snapped. It was a blast. I also have lots and lots of gopro video, some of which is here....
![](https://www.miataturbo.net/attachments/insert-bs-here-4/53392-why-i-sold-my-miata-replacement-car-pics-dragon12web_wet.jpg?dateline=1346255350)
![](https://www.miataturbo.net/attachments/insert-bs-here-4/53393-why-i-sold-my-miata-replacement-car-pics-dragon12web_highlight3.jpg?dateline=1346255350)
![](https://www.miataturbo.net/attachments/insert-bs-here-4/53394-why-i-sold-my-miata-replacement-car-pics-dragon12web_highlight2.jpg?dateline=1346255350)
![](https://www.miataturbo.net/attachments/insert-bs-here-4/53395-why-i-sold-my-miata-replacement-car-pics-dragon12web_highlight1.jpg?dateline=1346255350)
![](https://www.miataturbo.net/attachments/insert-bs-here-4/53397-why-i-sold-my-miata-replacement-car-pics-dragon12web_217278.jpg?dateline=1346255350)
Thanks for reading. I need to align, play, and drive this thing!
ps. the future...i see it.
![](https://www.miataturbo.net/attachments/insert-bs-here-4/53398-why-i-sold-my-miata-replacement-car-pics-13brotary.jpg?dateline=1346255350)
#146
Boost Pope
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Well now that's just gorgeous. I really like the way the front bodywork and side-pods turned out. Danny's a hell of an artist.
One thing I'm really curious about- you'd mentioned paying special attention to the #3 cylinder insofar as temp sensing. I know that this one tended to be problematic in the pre-doghouse era type 1 motors, but I'd always assumed that VW addressed that issue in the pancake design with at least the same level of competance as they did with the doghouse-style shroud. I have essentially zero hands-on experiance with the type 4, and I've never really had occassion to learn much about them.
One thing I'm really curious about- you'd mentioned paying special attention to the #3 cylinder insofar as temp sensing. I know that this one tended to be problematic in the pre-doghouse era type 1 motors, but I'd always assumed that VW addressed that issue in the pancake design with at least the same level of competance as they did with the doghouse-style shroud. I have essentially zero hands-on experiance with the type 4, and I've never really had occassion to learn much about them.
#147
Moderator
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They respond well to big external oil coolers since they rely heavily on the oil to help cool the engine. Make sure the hoses and fittings are big enough not to restrict flow. The engine does have a horizontal oil baffle in it to prevent sloshing under cornering, right? Some engines had them and some didn't.
#156
Boost Pope
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[Minor Thread Crap]
You know what I'd really like to have? A Formula Vee car. Except it would have the '68+ IRS style transmission, A-arm suspension front and rear, and a bit of a chassis stretch such that there's space for a larger fuel tank and a tiny cargo area, along with my freakishly tall body.
[/Minor Thread Crap]
You know what I'd really like to have? A Formula Vee car. Except it would have the '68+ IRS style transmission, A-arm suspension front and rear, and a bit of a chassis stretch such that there's space for a larger fuel tank and a tiny cargo area, along with my freakishly tall body.
[/Minor Thread Crap]
#157
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One thing I'm really curious about- you'd mentioned paying special attention to the #3 cylinder insofar as temp sensing. I know that this one tended to be problematic in the pre-doghouse era type 1 motors, but I'd always assumed that VW addressed that issue in the pancake design .....
They respond well to big external oil coolers since they rely heavily on the oil to help cool the engine. Make sure the hoses and fittings are big enough not to restrict flow. The engine does have a horizontal oil baffle in it to prevent sloshing under cornering, right? Some engines had them and some didn't.
[Minor Thread Crap]
You know what I'd really like to have? A Formula Vee car. Except it would have the '68+ IRS style transmission, A-arm suspension front and rear, and a bit of a chassis stretch such that there's space for a larger fuel tank and a tiny cargo area, along with my freakishly tall body.
[/Minor Thread Crap]
You know what I'd really like to have? A Formula Vee car. Except it would have the '68+ IRS style transmission, A-arm suspension front and rear, and a bit of a chassis stretch such that there's space for a larger fuel tank and a tiny cargo area, along with my freakishly tall body.
[/Minor Thread Crap]