exninja

iTrader: (1)

Check that. I just bought a set of bushings for a really good price so I'm going to rip those control arms off again. Oh well.

exninja

iTrader: (1)

Started installing the bushings and grease zerks

07blackg5

iTrader: (8)

Scissor me Xerxes!

exninja

iTrader: (1)

Finished the bushings and put the rear end back together


Meanwhile I confirmed my suspicion on the source of the Miata's oil leak

Kolt

That's nasty

exninja

iTrader: (1)

Yup. When the cam sensor o-ring didn't fix it I knew what it was. Glad I waited to fix it since I'm getting rid of it anyways.

07blackg5

iTrader: (8)

where are the burnout videos?

exninja

iTrader: (1)

Made some progress this week. Put the control arms back together on the front. Did my first weld; I welded a CTS throttle pedal to the Miata pedal bracket:


I then drilled holes in the Miata flywheel for the ecotec bolt pattern:

I also popped the oil pan off of the motor to start the oil pan swap process. I have the forged rods, so that was good. Didn't take a picture of that.

63 Nova SS

iTrader: (3)

Nice to see you moving on it. Subframe looks nice.

exninja

iTrader: (1)

Thanks Nova!

exninja

iTrader: (1)

Took some convincing but the oil pan is on

jdbaugh1

iTrader: (1)

Some of the holes not quite align or what?

exninja

iTrader: (1)

It was a little crooked, my guess is due to welding. The longer bolts had some trouble starting because of it. It should be sealed enough.

63 Nova SS

iTrader: (3)

Nice!

exninja

iTrader: (1)

An eagle eye will spot the part that doesn't belong:



I used a thermostat housing from a 2.2 cavy. Word on the street is it will clear the Miata trans. The original requires a spacer, and this was easier (and doesn't leave the pipe crooked). Didn't do much last night otherwise, just drained the Miata motor and moved it out of the way. Right now I'm waiting on some arp bolts so I can mate the engine to the trans, then put the frame down on it. After that is fitting everything for welding brackets.

T-Man

iTrader: (3)

Some fine progress with this lovely weather we're having! Nice job.

exninja

iTrader: (1)

Thanks! It's humid but bearable

ProfDNS

Slowly but surely.

exninja

iTrader: (1)

Painfully slow but yes, progressing. I'm doing more than I thought I would during the summer. I've been held up by parts a lot.

ProfDNS

You're not in a huge rush to finish it either since there is no "deadline" really. Just as soon as possible but not at a break-neck pace.

exninja

iTrader: (1)

My goal is to be able to enjoy it before next summer, especially since they are repaving a really fun road nearby. The hard part will be getting the electrical sorted since I'll basically be splicing together two harnesses. But yes, no deadline makes for a relaxing build as long as I can keep working on it.

exninja

iTrader: (1)

Small update.
Been doing some grinding this week. First I notched the bell housing so that the starter will fit:


Then I started putting the clutch, etc. together. The holes that I drilled in the flywheel were spot on. The ring gear of the flywheel interferes with the starter very slightly, so rather than remove the ring gear I just grinded the starter a little:


Loctite on the flywheel bolts, install the clutch, and the adapter plate:


Now just need to mate it to the transmission then I'll lower the frame onto it to start the wire harness.

Snail_SS

iTrader: (3)

That's reminds me of all the work I need to do on my car lol good progress man!

63 Nova SS

iTrader: (3)

Notched the bellhousing- that's putting it mildly.

exninja

iTrader: (1)

Thanks Snail! good luck on your swap

hahahahahahaha took forever with a grinder, made a mess, and still might be short (you can see the original line i marked).