Build thread? Sure.

This project grew from a desire to have a pared down, minimalist street Miata with very high performance that would also be fully race prepped and able to do w2w. We threw around many concept ideas, including simply unbolting everything possible (including all body panels), welding a hoop in and calling it good. While quick and basic, it would have been fugly and have crap aero. So we gravitated towards an EP look with smooth external shapes, low with big fenders. To that we add another 200whp and a whole bunch of aero.

Originally intended as a home for the 2.0L high (really high) compression ITB motor we built, we decided to drop the CR, run milder cams and just transplant the Jackson Racing Rotrex kit with a bigger C30-94 blower. That's an easy 400whp on E85 with our whammy engine.

Power plans settled, I wanted a simple look externally. The cage is a clean and simple design. Body work consists of 30mm wider AK Kevlar/FRP fenders and 30mm wider rear qtr panels. Lightyear dry carbon hood and doors. Dry carbon trunk lid made by a friend. APR dual element GT-1000 wing, proprietary splitter, front diffuser and dive planes. We think the car will weigh about 1800lbs dry.

I haven't yet decided on all the cooling solutions but the current plan is to have the radiator, diff and trans coolers in the back. Front will just be the I/C, O/C and little Rotrex O/C. I have an idea for an I/C mount and aero integration I have been kicking around for a while that we might do.

For starters we will run an AZ-6 from an MSM. At some point, we hope to have our close ratio AZ-6 dog box conversion in it. Dampers will be Gen 2 Xida singles for starters, semi active doubles later down the road as development progresses. 3.9 OS Giken with our proprietary tune. 11.75 Wilwood Dynalite front and 10.75 Wilwood Powerlite 2 pot rear brakes. We will add our Keisler drop spindles when we can get a set of custom length Xidas built for them.

Rolling stock will be 15x10 6UL's of course. Street rubber will be hand grooved 245/40/15 RC-1's. Track rubber will be either uncut 245 RC-1's or 245/580R15 Hoosiers. We still have a pile of sticker R80's I won back from my NASA days. Gotta use them up!

The plan for the dash layout is simple. A sheet of carbon or aluminum with an IQ3. Small center dash with toggle starter, fire, ABS and master switch.

Haven't decided on seats yet. I'd like to be able to remove the head restraints for street so I'm thinking some custom aluminum seats with bolt on head restraints. It's exciting to be finally working in this project after seeing it only in my head for the last 4 years. We hope to have it running as a mule by late Spring, dial it in over the summer and debut art MRLS in the fall.

One key project goal is the ability to give ride in this thing. We have helmets with bluetooth voice activated intercom, HNRS for passengers, arm restraints, grab handles, two position footrest and 6 points. The last bit would be streaming in car video in the garage at MRLS. Should be a e ticket ride

Cage was built for us by TC Design in Campbell, CA

Note the two intersections sitting low and one behind the other to reduce aero drag.




Firewall junction from underneath




Door jamb area significantly boxed


Shock mount reinforcements. This tube is also tied into the firewall and cowl to help box the entire area.


The tube from the main hoop to dash bar can be quickly unbolted with these cool QR's. They transfer all bending, twisting and tension loads as if it was a solid tube. To avoid stress concentrations, they are a slip fit into the tubes they connect.

 

That is going to be a wild ride. Who doesn't love a new car build?

 

Subbed for fastest "street" miata, ever.

Awaiting spec miata record times on cooldown laps...

 

I love these builds. It looks like a great project. Will be following this one.

 

AZ-6 Dog box conversion for 400hp. Want that!!!

 

History of the name for us newbs who haven't been around long?

 

Orange Giant Killer

 

Very cool, looking forward to more updates.

 

Sub'd to see this one come to fruition.

This build AND a K motor build. Really cool stuff going on over there!

 

I saw an FIA seat with removable halos at Wine Country in December. Can't remember who made it, but it exists and you should use it

 

Thanks for the tip. Sparco Ergo. Ordered a medium for the driver, large for the passenger.

 

Very nice! I'll take over/under bets at 1870lbs dry.

 

Love the removable high side bars.

Look forward to seeing the completed car.

 

Nice a Pro ADV with removable sides.

 

Thanks for reminding me how dumb I was to put a miatacage kit in my car.

This thing is gonna be awesome.

 

Looks to be verruh nice.

 

More info on that cage bar quick disconnect. Do the two pieces physically fit inside each other or not?

 

Just the finger like interlock as seen in the picture. 5/16" grade 8 socket head cap screw through from opposite sides. The interface is designed to transfer all the loads a tube will see.

I think the only engineering compromises would be, and I'm guessing:

-A bit more weight
-The tube it's connected to would become effectively stiffer in that area which could concentrate stress unless it's accounted for, which it is in this case.
-A bit more cost
-In my case, I'll have to make some sort of rounded cover to shield the upper interface during street driving since my noggin will be nearby with the head restraints removed from the seat.
-Everything else being equal, less welds are better than more welds but that's being nit picky

I don't know who makes the connectors but I'm guessing it's some place that makes hardware for offroad/sand rails or something like that. I could see an LSx engined sand rail being easier to service with a few strategically placed connectors.

 

Dat bike doe in the first pic...

 

Pit bike. We also use it to take mail to the box down the street. Auto shift. Very comfy. Full race.