Lets do it again! - GRM $2007 Turbocharged Miata Build!

kcbhiw said:
I depart for the Challenge in a touch less than 12 days.....and I have so much to do. Mid-summer, I said to myself: "Self, there isn't nearly as much work needed on the Challenger this year as there was in the past two years, I'll work on the CSP Miata today." Day after day, I did that and now I'm paying for it. However, things are well and I'm sure I'll have her up to snuff in time.

The turbo has been swapped and operates perfectly, as far as I can assess to this point. After replacing the holey coupling, the car boosts much more smoothly as opposed to the boost coming in like a freight train at full bore. I'm saitisfied...for now. Boost control is the next step, so I'm sure that'll open a whole other can of worms :).

In the mean time, a few pics are in order. The first image depicts the launch control switch bracket. Anyone who has spent any amount of time under the driver's side dash knows how painful it is to do any work there. I've found myself in contorted positions that I was previously unware I could perform. Anyway, the switch is activated when the clutch pedal is fully pressed.

The next three images detail the new turbo heatsheild that was completed tonight. I wanted more shielding around the brakes' master cylinder and proportioning valve. It's basically an elaborate box with adequate clearance for the brake components and dip stick. I added a bit of edge bracing as well to keep vibration and noise down. This was built from a single peice of sheet metal.

Last is the new radio delete panel. The past two years' panels were quickly constructed and rather gaudy and vague. For the latest panel, I used the CNC engraver at work to cut the text and painstakingly painted the wording....something I'll never do again, heh. I blew four hours completing it. It took less time to swap the turbo. Nonetheless, I think it was worth it.

(Sorry about the large pics)
Click to expand...

Dude...nice work on those.
LOL...is that the old boost gauge from my original setup? I'm pretty sure I gave one to you.
 
Thanks for the support, guys! The car performed exceptionally well, FWIW. I'm a bit dismayed, however, that the drags had to be cancelled. With that, I don't feel as though my 3rd place overall is really justified. I wouldn't have landed that trophy had the drags not been cancelled. Regardless, I'm thrilled with the 3rd place auto-x trophy (it has a little Miata model on it :) ). The car handled better than it ever has, responded well to input and had plenty of power. The only issue was overboost as the MegaSquirt kept killing spark/fuel to prevent engine damage (though, I'd dialed it in that way). I'm sure I could have moved up a couple tenths had it not killed power on the straights, but I digress. 15 PSI seemed to work well :D. I held on to second for quite some time by a mere 0.001 seconds until some good friends took over the 2nd place spot on their last run (doh!). I'm not complaining at all, though, as I constructed and assembled the turbocharger setup on their car (yay!).

Next year is up in the air as I would like to build the 1991 Mercury Tracer LTS I have into AWD turbocharged go-fast machine. If I can wing it, I'll take the Miata again as well, but considering the nature of the GRM Challenge venue, the Miata is past her prime. I'm really happy that she trophied this year.

Again, thanks for everyone's support over the past 3 years. I would like to hope that my build has inspired someone to build their car or at least provided a tip or two. And Phil, yes, that is your old boost gauge :).

Attached are a few pics from the event. The number plate supplied this year was HUGE! A handful of the lower numbered cars were supplied larger panels as they had run out of the smaller counterparts. With the approaching fowl weather, and in my hurried state, it didn't even occur to me to attempt to trim it down. Oh well....

(Apologies, again, for the size)
 

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Kevin, you are indeed my inspiration (2thumbs)

How's the truck? get home ok?
 
Nice man...glad it came in handy!! 3rd over all kicks ass bro. Damn, I miss the Challenge already! Did Wil come down or at least compete this year? And I spy a blue miata...n/a, fi'd?
Anyhow, I am curious to see how the AWD setup in a Tracer works out...best of luck to you in that aspect!
 
Kickass work Kevin. You have one night of lodging in Vegas anytime for 1 hour of wrenching on my Miata. :) ;) And I mean that wink entirely in a hetero Miata way. :D
 
Last edited:
kcbhiw said:
Thanks for the support, guys! The car performed exceptionally well, FWIW. I'm a bit dismayed, however, that the drags had to be cancelled. With that, I don't feel as though my 3rd place overall is really justified. I wouldn't have landed that trophy had the drags not been cancelled. Regardless, I'm thrilled with the 3rd place auto-x trophy (it has a little Miata model on it :) ). The car handled better than it ever has, responded well to input and had plenty of power. The only issue was overboost as the MegaSquirt kept killing spark/fuel to prevent engine damage (though, I'd dialed it in that way). I'm sure I could have moved up a couple tenths had it not killed power on the straights, but I digress. 15 PSI seemed to work well :D. I held on to second for quite some time by a mere 0.001 seconds until some good friends took over the 2nd place spot on their last run (doh!). I'm not complaining at all, though, as I constructed and assembled the turbocharger setup on their car (yay!).

Next year is up in the air as I would like to build the 1991 Mercury Tracer LTS I have into AWD turbocharged go-fast machine. If I can wing it, I'll take the Miata again as well, but considering the nature of the GRM Challenge venue, the Miata is past her prime. I'm really happy that she trophied this year.

Again, thanks for everyone's support over the past 3 years. I would like to hope that my build has inspired someone to build their car or at least provided a tip or two. And Phil, yes, that is your old boost gauge :).

Attached are a few pics from the event. The number plate supplied this year was HUGE! A handful of the lower numbered cars were supplied larger panels as they had run out of the smaller counterparts. With the approaching fowl weather, and in my hurried state, it didn't even occur to me to attempt to trim it down. Oh well....

(Apologies, again, for the size)
Click to expand...

3rd place overall is Awesome (2thumbs) Thank you for sharing your GRM Challenge experience for the past 3 years...It’s been a great & inspiring read!

With your eye on the Tracer for next year...What will be the fate of your faithful Miata Challenger?

Also...unfortunately I don’t see any Mazdas247.com decals on the Miata...So you never received anything from Rickman? :(
 
ANT...it's on there:
http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=117765
look next to the NASA sticker....you will see it.


Antoine said:
3rd place overall is Awesome (2thumbs) Thank you for sharing your GRM Challenge experience for the past 3 years...Its been a great & inspiring read!

With your eye on the Tracer for next year...What will be the fate of your faithful Miata Challenger?

Also...unfortunately I dont see any Mazdas247.com decals on the Miata...So you never received anything from Rickman? :(
Click to expand...
 
Nice work Kevin! I just was poking around on GRM's site and saw you placed third.. Nice job
 
Antoine said:
Thanks for pointing it out...by it's hardly visible :(...I ordered white decals (* Three 18" (2.45" italicized) mazdas247.com decals in white for member kcbhiw)...Hmmm...In anycase, thanks to Kevin for reppin the Forums! :D

I'll have to sort this out with Rickman...
Click to expand...

Rickman sent the proper vinyl. It was my mistake that I applied the silver.
 
RacerXGirl said:
Have you recovered yet? Or are you still post-GRM-frazzled? :p
Click to expand...

I was almost fully recovered last Wednesday when I left for Wil's wedding. I've since restarted the recovery process...as of this morning :).
 
kcbhiw said:
I was almost fully recovered last Wednesday when I left for Wil's wedding. I've since restarted the recovery process...as of this morning :).
Click to expand...

ah so THAT'S why you've been on radio silence this whole time. I thought the GR Challenge had just beaten your ass that bad ;)
 
kcbhiw said:
I was almost fully recovered last Wednesday when I left for Wil's wedding. I've since restarted the recovery process...as of this morning :).
Click to expand...

HOLY s***!
Wil got married?
******* hell...give him some congrats next time you talk to him!
Recover well friend.
 
So I made it home from a business trip just in time to hit the dyno tonight. It was sort of a spur of the moment thing, but what the heck. I'm quite happy with the numbers, really. 187RWHP @ 168.2 ft/lb. Not bad for a car that is at a current build cost of a mere $1975 with about an hour's worth of street tuning :D. There is definately a lot of room for improvement, though. Did I mention that it's super fun to drive?

DSCN5031.JPG


DSCN5029.JPG
 
nice numbers... but for the love of christ take that really ugly 3' tall number panel off lol


EDIT HAHAHAHAHAHA I just realized you're still running slicks. Priceless! What'd Arthur have to say about that?
 
Last edited:
and that $1975 includes the purshace of the car. well done sir, well done.
 
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