Jon in Detroit Chassis #123 Build

[jon]

Hi All,

I still have a couple months until my frame shows up, but I wanted to start a thread to share my progress and get advice. I have on order an Exocet Sport frame. Going to be powder coated in 'Crystal Grey', with jet black body panels and fenders. Pretty pumped!

 www.prismaticpowders.com/colors/PMB-5913/CRYSTAL-GREY/

About me: Engineer at Ford Motor Company. I work on electric vehicles there. I learned how to wrench on my Miata. I bought it when in college. I've driven it on the track a fair amount. No major mods done to it, but just trying to keep it rolling. I imagine this car will end up taking most of my time away from my other pastimes.

My donor:
-1990 classic red Miata
-short nose crank
- unknown # of miles
- Plenty of rust!
- Runs OK for a 25 year old car
- VLSD that still works well

Here she is, the day I purchased it in 2008:


I drove it daily for a while in college, even during Michigan winter! It got me by. The head gasket blew one winter, so I spent a very cold winter vacation fixing that... good times.



I replaced most of the suspension and brakes, got a roll bar, hard top, seat and harness, basics. The rear wheel wells got pretty rusty, so as a learning experience, I cut them out! I replaced the rusted sections. I think it actually came out OK for a track car.




This is how it sits today:





Plans for my Exocet:
- Strip down miata and powder coat all suspension and subframe components. I have a TechShop near me and just took a powder coating and media blasting class. I plan on doing all of this work myself.
- New suspension, probably flying miata Vmaxx
- new clutch and flywheel
- Replace all of the rubber bushings

Looking for advice:
My 1.6 is tired and has the short nose crank. It burns a fair amount of oil. I want my Exocet to be 'like new' in as many ways I can make it. I would much rather have a long nose or big nose 1.6. I really don't care at this point for any power mods. I just want it running like a new car

I am willing to pay to extent for a new engine. Options include:
1. Having my 1.6 rebuilt with new crank
2. Finding a later 1.6 with the big nose and having that rebuilt
3. Crate engine (try to search my options, suggestions welcome)
4. 1.8 swap (I'd rather not, I have enough projects with this car, so I want to make my life easier and keep the 1.6)

Any suggestions on that front?

Looking forward to starting my build!

[jwagner]

Welcome to the world of Exocet.  With your skill level and familiarity with Miatas, it should be a piece of cake.

How much HP will you be happy with in the long run (and what's the budget)?  I wouldn't discount finding a 99+ NB engine since that's not a difficult swap and it's significantly more powerful than a 1.6.  If that's not enough, Ii'd look at a turbo with a used 1.6  since that's less expensive than a rebuild and the 1.6 is a good candidate for forced induction.  If the long term goal is a lot more HP, a rebuild of your 1.6 to beef up the internals might make sense.

I'm starting to lust over the LFX - lots of torque and HP in a fairly light package.

[einy]

... Or, do as I am doing and start with the 1.6 you have, concentrate on getting the handling dialed in, and later go whatever direction suits you power train wise at that time!

Either way, welcome !

[zeitgeist]

Jon if you need any help or don't mind some questions duing your teardown and build I am in Dearborn and would be glad to lend a hand. Looking for a donor now for a Race chassis build for trackdays and good weather street use. Nice shot at Waterford.

Mike

[e-mail]

[steadfast]

Interested in understanding the power levels you are looking for. Are you planning to F/I in the future?

[jgilbert]

Jon, welcome to the forum I'm sure with your experience and skills you will be a great asset to the family.

Electrics is the one area that consistently seems to cause problems, best tip I would give is label EVERY connector/ lead, even the 'spare' ones. Also tons of photos for reference.

Enjoy your build, ask loads of questions, and keep the updates coming.

John

PS looks like a great lake in the background for the swim leg of your triathlon training!

[jon]

Thank you all for the welcome!

Right now, I have no plans for any power mods. I will not discount it, though, maybe at some point I'd get a small turbo and run 5-6 psi... Still my 'plan' is for a stock NA6 engine right now. I figure I have enough of a project building this car, I'll leave figuring out a turbo for later.

Really, I want to make this car pristine. Most people just say: "find a running junkyard engine and go". Something about having a 'like new' motor appeals to me.

I have not done any kind of engine rebuild work before. Here is my question: Am I crazy to even consider paying $2000+ for a rebuilt motor? A few places sell re-manufactured long blocks online (with the big nose crank).

Zeitgeist (Mike), I will let you know when I start building.

[tonyb]

Apr 4, 2015 14:09:56 GMT jon said:

Jon, minus the obvious situations in life (legal & moral typically), I'm not much of a believer in right and wrong.  With that, I don't see any craziness at all in considering such a motor.  Actually, it appeals to me as well...


It's your build, and you are the decision-maker.


A Motown engineer with Miata experience should make for an interesting build thread...  Thanks for sharing with us.

[jon]

Finally have started to tear this thing down. I am really surprised at the demand for parts on Craigslist.



The dash was kind of a pain to get out!



Ordered some parts. Frame should be a month away. Getting excited, but I have a lot of work to do!

[greg]

Apr 4, 2015 14:09:56 GMT jon said:

Am I crazy to even consider paying $2000+ for a rebuilt motor?

Not at all. To properly rebuild your current engine will be $1700-2000 so to get one already done and the one you really want is worth every dollar.

[jon]

I decided to contact an engine builder that is local to refresh my 1.6. I am in the process of trying to find a long nose, or big nose crank to go along with it. He is going to give me a quote next week.

Some generic autoparts places sell reman long blocks. I decided against those partially because there was no way to confirm that I was getting a block from a manual trans miata (the 1.6 auto blocks have lower compression).

[dietcoke]

Throw in some upgraded rods if you're bothering to go through it.

[jon]

Got an email this morning!! Pumped!

Will be ready in a week or so once the powder is done. I plan on going
to get it and drive it back to detroit in a Penske moving truck.




I've got work to do. Full speed ahead!

[ImprobableConstruct]

Congratulations! It will be good to see a new build thread. There were a bunch of us but we are all now mostly done.

[zeitgeist]

Good to hear Jon. I bet you can hardly wait to get started on the further build. I just bought a 99 for my donor in Indianapolis and will be going to the Kit car and Import national show at Carlisle PA next weekend to check them out and likely place my order. The offer still stands if you want any help.