825 replies to this topic

[speedengineer]

Jason, loving the thread - keep posting more pics!

 

Pics are easy, and many more to come.  But, I'm all out of ideas for more graphs!

 

So, in lieu of a graph, here is a classic from the webcomic xkcd.com.  Hopefully this trend with programming skill also holds true for race car building....

[Tom Hampton]

This effect spreads across a lot of things: bowling, billiards, softball, political debate, alcohol consumption, reproductive practices...

[speedengineer]

This effect spreads across a lot of things: bowling, billiards, softball, political debate, alcohol consumption, reproductive practices...

 

So, what you're saying is that when someone drinks enough alcohol to get to the ballmer peak, they become skillful at consuming more alcohol?  That sounds like a stable control system: The closer you get to the correct BAC, the more accurately you can control your ability to maintain that BAC.  hehe, nerd jokes 

[speedengineer]

Yay!!  Steering rack wording is clarified!

 

http://cdn.growasset....pdf?1457364282

 

 

Tech Bulletin
Spec Miata
1. #18994 (Jason Kohler) Clarification of 9.1.7.C.3.h Regarding De-Powering Steering Racks
In GCR section 9.1.7.C.3.h., make the following changes:
"Manual or power steering racks may be used. Power steering racks may be converted to manual by removing all power steering components  and the 2-piece pinion shaft may be welded. Removal of power steering components is allowed."

 

[Tom Hampton]

So, what you're saying is that when someone drinks enough alcohol to get to the ballmer peak, they become skillful at consuming more alcohol?  That sounds like a stable control system: The closer you get to the correct BAC, the more accurately you can control your ability to maintain that BAC.  hehe, nerd jokes 

Actually, no. There is a pole in the right half of the Alcohol consumption vs. BAC control transfer function, s-plane.  Prior to reaching the BAC optimum, fine BAC control is increasing.  However, A state of euphoria is reached at BAC=optimum, whereby the subject believes that even more alcohol will result in an even higher feeling of euphoria.  All BAC sensitivity is lost, and for a period the subject actually believes that he/she is not intoxicated.  As performance begins to fall off, the subject invariably assumes that he/she is sobering up and that more alcohol is required to re-attain that optimal state.  At this point, the control system goes unstable, and BAC% increases, exponentially. 

[speedengineer]

Actually, no. There is a pole in the right half of the Alcohol consumption vs. BAC control transfer function, s-plane.  Prior to reaching the BAC optimum, fine BAC control is increasing.  However, A state of euphoria is reached at BAC=optimum, whereby the subject believes that even more alcohol will result in an even higher feeling of euphoria.  All BAC sensitivity is lost, and for a period the subject actually believes that he/she is not intoxicated.  As performance begins to fall off, the subject invariably assumes that he/she is sobering up and that more alcohol is required to re-attain that optimal state.  At this point, the control system goes unstable, and BAC% increases, exponentially. 

Sounds like you're speaking from personal experience? 

[Tom Hampton]

It has been known to happen on occasion.  The rest of the story is best left to telling over a nice bourbon---interestingly, yet another skill that follows the Ballmer Law (storytelling). 

[speedengineer]

So, anybody know what the connecting rod orientation is supposed to be? Service manual says "side with the oil grove towards front of motor" but both sides of the rods have the oil groove. Should the side with the rod bearing tang grooves be on intake or exhaust side?

[chris haldeman]

Intake

[speedengineer]

Intake

Thanks Chris!!

[chris haldeman]

Yep yep no problem

[speedengineer]

Didn't take any photos tonight, but made a little progress on the engine front:

 

- Measured bore diameter and piston diameter to check piston-to-wall clearance

- Measured main and rod bearing clearances

- Measured crank end play

- Measured and set ring end gaps.  The only rings that needed filing were the scrapers, which were a few thou under the factory minimum spec.

- Loaded the rings onto the pistons

 

And there goes the evening!  People complain about the cost of engines, but there really is a lot of time and care that goes into them.  So much time involved with measuring, inspecting, machining, measuring again, CCing, cleaning, assembling, etc. 

[38bfast]

Not just the engine, the whole car. The more detailed the work is the more time to do it. Attention to the details is the recipe for success.

[Danny Steyn]

Not just the engine, the whole car. The more detailed the work is the more time to do it. Attention to the details is the recipe for success.

 

Life is in the details!

[speedengineer]

- Installed the pistons onto the rods

- Blew out all the oil passages in the block and crank

- Installed oil squirters

- Installed one of the brass oil galley plugs, need to pick up a second.

- Installed crank, torqued main caps, etc

- Installed piston/rod assemblies, torqued rod caps, etc

- Installed rear main seal

- Installed oil pump

 

Tip, you'll need to find the correct length m8 bolt for the lower right oil pump hole.  I think this was where the A/C compressor used to attach to.  Having built an s2k and now two miata race cars, I have literally hundreds of m6, m8, and m10 bolts, and yet not one m8 bolt in my collection was the correct length for the lower right oil pump hole.  Remember having this problem last year too.  I ended up using a m8 bolt I had from an american car, cut down to the correct length.  Of course, this means it has a 13mm head size instead of 12mm.  grrrr!! 

 

Next up, finish cleaning the old rtv off the oil pan, install it after the windage tray and oil pickup.  Install water pump.  Then it's on to the cylinder head.

 

[speedengineer]

- Cleaned and prepped oil pan, windage tray, and oil pickup

- Installed oil pickup, pan

- Installed water pump, timing belt pulleys

- Cleaned/installed oil cooler, oil filter

 

 

[Jason J Ball]

Does a stock 99' come with an oil cooler?

[davew]

Does a stock 99' come with an oil cooler?

All 1.8's came with an oil cooler. It is a water to oil sandwich plate style. Shown right behind the oil filter

 

Dave

[38bfast]

Do I see corroded bolts going back in on the oil pump. You slipping on us Jason.

[speedengineer]

Do I see corroded bolts going back in on the oil pump. You slipping on us Jason.

 

Ha!  You're just seeing things Ralph!  I would never.  But if there were corroded bolts, then maybe I'll have to get the dremel out and polish them up.  Just for you