We take rigging classes at work to minimize this. Seen a lot of straps break over the years. Glad you were thinking through it.

 

Seems like I need to learn some strapping guidelines lol that went over my head

 

Definitely no turning back now

 

All Miatas should be in that pile.

 

 

Worked on the LE5 a little tonight. Took off the engine harness and popped open the valve cover. I was worried about sludge, but I didn't see anything alarming. The oil has been dry for a while, but the cams look fine. I'm waiting on some bolts to hook up the starter, then I'll crank it to do a compression test while it's still under warranty from the junkyard.

 

Did a compression test last week. First pass was about 100-120 psi for all of them. The crappy AutoZone gauge didn't hold pressure so I couldn't get an accurate reading. I put some oil in the cylinders and after figuring out what I did wrong, they numbers were all around 210psi (i think i still had too much oil in the cylinders). So I'm satisfied the compression looks good. I just ordered a new timing kit and some gaskets so those will go on next. The car kit will arrive sometime this month, and the engine swap kit is about 2 weeks out.

 

Project looks like it is coming along nice.

Could you have sold the body to offset some of the project costs?

Also, as an engineer - this is one of the reasons why I like this site.

 

Thanks!

I could have sold the body, but it may have been more expensive and/or a hassle to get it registered when it's done. The reason someone wanted the shell (I did have people ask) was for the title, but I wanted to hang on to that. Most of the DMV inspection is verifying that I didn't steal parts, and having a title helps a lot. I figured it was worth risking at the most $50 of profit for the potential of issues later. I got $30 in scrap for it.

Even though there's not much engineering to be done with this project, it's nice to get my hands dirty rather than sit at a desk.

 

Timing chain and related gaskets are in. Built a stand to hold up the exocet frame over the rollerskate so that it won't take up two garage stalls. Might put some casters on it so that I can just wheel it out of the garage. Next steps would be to start cleaning stuff. Not much else to do while I wait for these kits to arrive.

 

What else are you waiting for?

 

I have two kits on the way: one contains a transmission adapter, engine mounts, and oil pan for putting the LE5 into a Miata, and the other is the kit car itself (contains tube frame and a couple body panels mostly). The car is supposed to arrive next week, and there is no estimate for the engine swap kit.

 

I see. I guess you would be working on the frame and the suspension until the engine kit comes in. Are you going to be painting the frame, or does that come powdercoated/painted/etc?

 

I have been a bit disappointed on the engine swap maker's inability to estimate lead times. They're running about double what they've been quoting people. I waited too long to pull the trigger on it, and I failed to realize the inconvenience of not being able to put the engine together before the frame comes. I've got a solution built that will help. It'll hold the frame over the rollerskate until it's ready to mate. I'll be able to roll it out into the driveway too.

I'm undecided on coating, but I'm heavily leaning towards painting it myself and spend the money elsewhere. Having it shipped powdercoated was an option but shipping would have been about $800 more than what it cost to ship bare (not including the coating price), and I'll want to weld some stuff to the frame anyways.

 

To be fair, you've been trying to judge what's needed, and well of course money and projected times. Still, this is mostly the company's fault at this point for not delivering as promised.

You should paint it yourself. I mean, when I did my rims, it was the first time I've ever done something like that, but I enjoyed the process and the outcome was something I was really proud of.

 

Por-15 it and then paint over

 

Chassis 311 is home!

 

Very nice!

 

ok you have had it for 3 days, why is it not a rolling chassis yet? lol

 

hahahaha

I know you're joking, but, I'm being a little lazy right now. I took saturday for some "us" time with the family and church. also, my motivation is tanking now that the daytime highs are above 100° and will be for the next 4 months. Once I accept that as fact, I'll be working again. I also did a little bit of work on the Tahoe.

I do have some things to do, even as I wait for the engine swap kit to arrive. There are a few odds and ends that I need to weld on before I do the paint and floor riveting, such as brake flex line brackets, etc. I need to figure out my seat solution(s), which will likely involve welding a hard mount on the pax side and fitting sliders on the driver's side. I'll have a bunch of brackets to weld in the engine bay, but that will need to wait till the motor is in.

 

Yeah you should have a burnout video uploaded by now at least

 

looks like that street has a pretty good slope... at minimum I would expect a soapbox run in it

 

That is perspective. There is at best a 1% grade.

 

still enough to roll a chassis down. No excuses

 

I misread.

I would, but then i'd have to push it back up the driveway. No gracias.