825 replies to this topic

[speedengineer]

If you did a search, Saul (aka Mark Bennett) tested and reported.

I had searched for this several weeks ago, and couldn't find information.  Wasn't able to find Mark's thread just now either.    Do you have a link by chance?

[Dave D.]

They have said that the front fender liners help direct cool air up to the airbox inlet.

[Kyle Freiheit]

Its not just temperature but pressure as well. Buy a magnehelic or 2 and test for yourself.

 

Kyle

[Bench Racer]

Jayson, today is  the 7th day. It's time for a mini progress report. 

 

I'm in Royal Oak for the wekend, do I need to come bust your things? 

[38bfast]

Bench come on out to Waterford hills Sunday. There will be a bunch of SMs dusting the rust off for the beginning of the season test and tune.

[speedengineer]

Ok, ok I'll update some stuff. 

 

Motor is done.  Just needs the intake manifold installed, for the most part. 

 

Block ready to receive the cylinder head:

 

Cylinder head installed. This photo was taken at some point during the valve lash check procedure.  On the NB cars, with the solid lifters, you have to install the smallest lash shims you have, then the camshafts, measure clearance with a feeler gauge.  Then you do some math and figure out what shims you need, and how many you already own and which ones you need to get.  Then you either order some from Mazda for $7 a pop and wait a week, or you call up your buddy to help you out.  Thanks Hardy!

 

Engine in mostly complete state.  Pretty VHT wrinkle black on valve cover.  #sofast.  Or maybe it's #lookssofast we don't know yet

 

Here is a pic of the steering column.  I rattle canned it cause it was too ugly for me to stand.  I also painted the clutch pedal bracket and the brake/gas pedal bracket the same way, but they made it on the car before I was able to get a photo.

 

 

Wiring harness and other components behind the dash are installed.  Dash will go in soon.  No pics, but The entire rear wiring harness is now installed (except kill switch and battery, etc).  I've also reinstalled all the trim and molding around the doors, widshield, and trunk opening.  Reinstalled the trunk lid, latch, opening cables, door handles, Wheeler's poly triangle windows with vents, and more I'm sure.

[speedengineer]

Tight battle for 2nd place going on here.  The race is only half over, so plenty of time left for position swaps.  Jim, you're still in the running for a podium but you're going to have to push a little harder, ok!

 

haha 

 

[Bench Racer]

Going to keep working on my only podium finish.

[Tom Hampton]

Why is this not a bar graph?

[Bench Racer]

Was in Royal Oak, MI for the weekend. With son and grandson went out to Waterford Hills road course. Chatted with MI clan, Ralph Provitz, Jonathan Smart, Justi Hillie, Michael Novak, Kristin Novak and met Jason Kohler.  First time at the track, looks like a driver is constantly on the wheel and not resting. Justin, skip Grattan for Drago, get him to come Waterford Hills.  Kidding Jim.

[38bfast]

great to see you this weekend Bench. Fun low key day at the track. Other than I had to drive the fat lady around.

[JSmart]

Was in Royal Oak, MI for the weekend. With son and grandson went out to Waterford Hills road course. Chatted with MI clan, Ralph Provitz, Jonathan Smart, Justi Hillie, Michael Novak, Kristin Novak and met Jason Kohler.  First time at the track, looks like a driver is constantly on the wheel and not resting. Justin, skip Grattan for Drago, get him to come Waterford Hills.  Kidding Jim.

 

It was nice to meet you (again) in person. I normally go by Jordan; at least that's what my parents call me (don't worry, most people who meet me remember my name starts with a J, but can't remember what J name it is. I've been called Jared, John, Jason, Justin... At this point I'm considering just going by J, haha).

 

If we could get a Majors-level SM crowd to come out to Waterford for a weekend, it'd make my year.

[Bench Racer]

It was nice to meet you (again) in person. I normally go by Jordan; at least that's what my parents call me (don't worry, most people who meet me remember my name starts with a J, but can't remember what J name it is. I've been called Jared, John, Jason, Justin... At this point I'm considering just going by J, haha).

 

If we could get a Majors-level SM crowd to come out to Waterford for a weekend, it'd make my year.

  I'll do the parents thing from now on Jordan.

[speedengineer]

Just registered for Pitt Race Majors, plus the test n tune day.  Ouch, that was expensive.  $815 just in entry fees for a three day weekend.  But, now I've got some extra motivation to get the car done in time    Can't wait!
 
14 SM registered so far. 
https://www.motorspo...29C57BF327280C#.

Ayers, Todd	   1999	OH
Campbell, Charlie  1999	PA
Ciufo, Chris	   1990	NY
Ciufo, David	   1999	NY
Fetch, Brandon	   1996	NJ
Henson II, James   1992	OH
Kicera, Tyler	   2002	PA
Kicera, Vic	   2001	PA
Kohler, Jason	   1999	MI
Lattanzio, Michael 1999	PA
MacDonald, Robert  1999	OH
Metz, Dave	   1999	OH
Orton, Eric	   1999	PA
Todaro, Frank	   2000	OH

[Jim Drago]

Just registered for Pitt Race Majors, plus the test n tune day.  Ouch, that was expensive.  $815 just in entry fees for a three day weekend.  But, now I've got some extra motivation to get the car done in time    Can't wait!
 
14 SM registered so far. 
https://www.motorspo...29C57BF327280C#.

Ayers, Todd	   1999	OH
Campbell, Charlie  1999	PA
Ciufo, Chris	   1990	NY
Ciufo, David	   1999	NY
Fetch, Brandon	   1996	NJ
Henson II, James   1992	OH
Kicera, Tyler	   2002	PA
Kicera, Vic	   2001	PA
Kohler, Jason	   1999	MI
Lattanzio, Michael 1999	PA
MacDonald, Robert  1999	OH
Metz, Dave	   1999	OH
Orton, Eric	   1999	PA
Todaro, Frank	   2000	OH

I'm thinking you have a top 15 in the bag

[Caveman-kwebb99]

Jim are you thinking a top 15 would make it clearly a front running car?

[FTodaro]

Do I get any kind of an award for mounting the first doughnut on his door

[speedengineer]

Ha!  I am hoping for a good finish, but that's not a realistic expectation, unfortunately.  Odds are stacked against me.  Ideally I would have time to get the car out to a test n tune before an event, plus I'd run a regional and not a majors for a first event.  Additionally, I haven't been on track since October, so will be rusty.  I've actually never driven a spec miata before either.  And I've never been to Pitt Race before.  And I've no idea yet if my motor will even make any hp.  Slim chances for a top finish! 

 

But, I do think top 15 is quite manageable    Maybe not if some more of you decide to show up!

 

Frank....don't even tease!  I'll be so sad if something happens to the car on the first weekend with it 

[wreckerboy]

^^^ Builds cars well. Manages expectations well.

[Tom Hampton]

Frank....don't even tease!  I'll be so sad if something happens to the car on the first weekend with it 

My first weekend after painting the car was an HPDE....so, not much chance of a swirley. Nevertheless, I did manage to lose it on entry to a high-speed sweeper, and spun down to the apex taking out the apex cone, and riding the curbing for 75 feet. I still have the imprint of the cone on the passenger side door, and some red/white curbing paint smudges on my frame rails.  :-)