Not yet. It seems to run quite smoothly. We will definitely run compression again if we take the plugs out again.
We have Radiator brackets coming along with tie rods and a windshield seal. Hopefully do a neighborhood blast in a couple weeks!
Not yet. It seems to run quite smoothly. We will definitely run compression again if we take the plugs out again.
We have Radiator brackets coming along with tie rods and a windshield seal. Hopefully do a neighborhood blast in a couple weeks!
What's on the car for suspension? I ran a Miata on $60 Ebay coilover sleeves and springs, and made up a 26mm front sway bar by modifying a unit from a Ford Ranger. If you get the right springs and bar it'll handle really well.
garaithon said:Everyone's hard work paid off! Fired right up with a fresh charge on the battery!
Bump for the new page! Glad to see it didn't need a bunch of group-think diagnostics.
In reply to garaithon :
BERK Ya Brother! 👍😎👏
DeadSkunk (Warren) said:What's on the car for suspension? I ran a Miata on $60 Ebay coilover sleeves and springs, and made up a 26mm front sway bar by modifying a unit from a Ford Ranger. If you get the right springs and bar it'll handle really well.
At the moment, it's 100% stock 1999 Miata stuff. Thanks for the tips on possible improvements.
I want to reiterate the HUGE THANK YOU to everyone who came out last week to help wrench on the car 🚗. With this milestone, it suddenly feels achievable and within reach. Outstanding. A million thanks 🙏
Garage night.
Finished welding the front fenders on.
Before:
After (still needs some grinding):
That was a pretty big gap to fill.
Made some brackets out of miscellaneous scrap Gariation had on hand:
Welded a few nuts:
Mounted the fuse box:
Another update about last night's progress soon, when I get a bit more time....
NOHOME said:In reply to Indy - Guy :
........
Having said that, I would love to see a picture of the space created in front of the engine by extending the chassis 7" in the engine bay. Miata swaps start with buying a very expensive front K member from V8 Roadsters or Flying Miata and I wonder if the setback would solve this issue?
Ask and you shall receive:
Gariation got the lower radiator brackets installed. That required some cutting of the Volvo nose sheet metal rails, some bracket bending and a big berkeleying hammer.
Mostly got the clutch bleed, and were off to a good start on bleeding the brakes, but unfortunately the driver rear caliper bleeder screw broke.
If it is any consolation or motivation, I can confirm that the harmonic balancer on the LS swap is pretty close to where the Miata balancer is in relation to the steering rack. The space around the sides of the K member do not look like they would be a problems ( quite the opposite as they would be landing pads for engine mount)
So An LS would probably fit in the space available without having to buy the expensive V8 roadsters K member. The Ford 302 probably would not because of the front mounted oil pump and required sump.
Steering shaft extension welded in too:
A few things crossed off the list:
The side profile of this car is pretty cool 😎:
In reply to Indy - Guy :
I lile the face in the door. I assume it was deliberate?
In reply to NOHOME :
The face is absolutely coincidental. We were "trying on" green and blue.
Another Monday garage night.
New caliper because broken bleed screw.
Gariation whipped up some sweet upper radiator brackets:
Zoom Zoom
New Tie rod ends:
Exhaust work and then installed:
Driver door installed
Radiator hoses fitted, new thermostat gasket installed, fluids filled. We're close to first test drive 🫰
Curious what 
"Triangulate Subframe" entails?
In reply to NOHOME :
The sub frame rear mounts are moved 7 inches forward. We would like to add just a bit more bracing to the brackets that relocate those mounting points. We will have to get a picture up of what we are talking about.
garaithon said:In reply to NOHOME :
The sub frame rear mounts are moved 7 inches forward. We would like to add just a bit more bracing to the brackets that relocate those mounting points. We will have to get a picture up of what we are talking about.
Looking back several pages, I found this picture:
We'd like to join these two brackets with a connecting brace. Something like this:
In reply to Indy - Guy :
Might be on the long side? Maybe try editing down on YouTube shorts? Can't wait to make some more laps!!
YES!!! I've been away from this thread way too long. Congrats! Looking forward to seeing you again next month...next month!? Man I need to get my car ready!
Fantastic!
That has made my day. Good showing my friend!
That was an awesome first drive. How did it drive overall? does it feel solid?
I agree with you that the rear of the K member could be better supported. Mine is a tubular V8 swap K member so stretching the length was not a big deal.
Pete
NOHOME said:That was an awesome first drive. How did it drive overall? does it feel solid?
Pete
Sorry for the delayed response.
That video is LEGIT the first drive. That's why you see me scrambling to hop in the car and ride along (note we flipped a coin to see who would pilot the maiden voyage). As you could probably tell, it was dark out, so we literally zip tied a headlight into one side.
As a result we didn't get much seat time. Three short little out and back trips of about 3/8 of a mile each, in a residential neighborhood. As a result, couldn't give too much feedback, but it didn't have any obvious weird dynamics/behavior at low speeds. We're planning a bit more sear time this Saturday.
Stay tuned.
I'm just now getting around to documenting Monday night's garage time:
Gariation got the coolant overflow/catch bottle mounted:
The boys worked on a rear shelf area cosmetic improvement using existing extra materials (Volvo door cards and Miata trunk carpet):
Gariation welded up some sway bar mounts:
Then I got both headlights installed properly with these old adjuster screws and NOT zip ties:
And continuing the trend that seems to have developed, a team work night selfie:
Agreed.
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