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Post by Luke Anker on Apr 16, 2015 18:09:40 GMT
Ending a Miata's life and creating something amazing. Resurrection Temple has been assembled FEBRUARY 18, 2015 / LEAVE A COMMENT / EDIT Just a quick update, last weekend I picked up a canvas garage to build the Exocet in. It’s 10X20 feet and looks great! Got to love craigslist. Now, time to find a donor to drag in there and dismantle it with friends over many beers.   |
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Post by Luke Anker on Apr 16, 2015 18:16:50 GMT
The donor car! 1993 Mazda MX-5 Nicknamed “Sammy” MARCH 14, 2015 I’ve been looking through craigslist in my area for a cheap donor car and found this little gem. Listed at $800 a running 1993 Miata 1.6 MT with 200+k on the clock. Runs great already, but I’ll pass the time by refreshing this engine while I wait for the kit to arrive  This little guy was in an unfortunate fender bender and then sandwiched at a low speed, thus where the nickname stemmed “Sammy” the sand which. Drives straight and seems to not have any subframe damage. Oh did I mention I talked the guy down to $650? Deal of the day!      |
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Post by Luke Anker on Apr 16, 2015 18:19:30 GMT
Day 2 Progress Report MARCH 16, 2015 Friday and Saturday I had a chance to start digging into the Miata and removing all it’s guts. I towed the car up to the main gate and then drove it up the driveway for the last couple hundred yards under it’s own power as a Miata. I rolled down the windows into the doors disconnected the battery terminals and picked up a hammer. POWER! (Oh Clarkson… you would have been proud). I have been enjoying the spring mountain weather even in the evening while I dissasembled “Sammy” starting with the hood and trunk, then moved to the doors for more room in the cabin. (Friday Night)   The next morning (Saturday) I decided to stroll over to home depot for a few new tools *school girl squeeling noises* and a sweet new toolbox. Akira, my husky, approves   Put Pantera Station on Pandora, hooked up to the “Ghetto Blaster” and got busy on removing the dash and interior bits. With my trusty shapie and roll of yellow masking tape I began to label EVERYTHING!   |
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Post by Luke Anker on Apr 16, 2015 18:20:26 GMT
Time to order the Exocet Sport Kit!
MARCH 24, 2015
Tomorrow’s the big day!!! I am calling up Flyin’ Miata to place my order for the Exomotive Exocet Sport Kit. Currently there is a 22-24 week lead time for me to get my kit. I’ll just take that time to do an engine refresh while I wait. I’m so excited to see this project finished.
Here’s what i’m thinking on doing for my order:
Kit:
-Exocet Sport Kit
Options:
-Fenders and Assembly
-Bodywork gel coat color: Glossy Jet Black
-Unpainted frame, then powder coat it locally here to save on shipping.
-Coilover suspension spacers
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Post by Luke Anker on Apr 16, 2015 18:25:21 GMT
The force is strong with this build! MARCH 30, 2015 It’s been about a week-ish since i’ve last posted so time to catch you all up. First off as you can see below i’m taking every safety precaution possible *BEER AND POWER TOOLS*!!! haha. Oh and just a heads up for next week * spoiler alert * ill be posting the separation photos if all goes to plan. Just need to find a buddy with an engine hoist… See each photo for a quick summary of what has been done this week. ![]()  Accomplishments update with photos below: This engine bay is too crowded, so it’s time to loosen up the wiring loom some more and get it out of the car.  Almost there! The loom is now pulled through the firewall into the interior.  Now that the left side is done, just need to do the same thing on the other, should be easy right?! Wrong…  Huzzah!!! The loom is free and fully labeled. I’ve shoved it all in a box for save keeping for now. The rear portion of the loom is in this box as well but forgot to take pictures and was very anticlimactic anyway.  Okay, the wiring is now out as you can see, but there is much to do in there still. I then focused on removing the pedal assembly, steering column and the center dash + a/c unit on the right.  Steering column assembly removed- CHECK! Pedal assembly(gas/brake/clutch) removed- CHECK! Brake booster removed- CHECK!  I had realized that I have not shown you all the sweet ass progress checklist i’ve make in true roadkill fashion. Im for sure going to keep it once the project is over.   |
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Post by Luke Anker on Apr 16, 2015 18:29:17 GMT
We have lift-off! APRIL 6, 2015 This weekend was so much fun pulling the uni-body from the PPF! I was lucky enough to borrow a few needed items to get things accomplished this weekend.(THANK YOU CHLOE & MICHAEL) I went to the dump and got rid of many old Miata bits that were unsalvageable or unsellable and I needed to pick up that 2 TON engine hoist shown below. Anyway, getting the two apart was a pain in the ass at first, but once I got a nice big cheater bar things went a bit more smoothly. Of course as always you can see Akira my Husky was playing the role of my lazy assistant.  Started to lift and found many little things that I had missed that were getting hung up on the uni-body.  But, as night fell friends trickled in and we prevailed in splitting the two apart. Huzzah! We then proceeded to have a glorious taco night and enjoyed some celebratory beers.  La Honda Buddies and our new friend Richard  Power Plant Frame all by it’s lonesome.  haha.  Slowly rolled it back into the tent garage where the front/rear subframes and suspension assembly will all be reconditioned with the following: -Marine cleaned and and surface rust removed with a wire wheel. -A coat of POR-15(Gloss Black) for looks and protection. -New bushings  So much potential just sitting there!!! My prize from the bottom of the cereal box.  |
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Post by gwnwar on Apr 16, 2015 18:36:40 GMT
Welcome to the forum.. Good to see another USA build.. If you would update your profile with donor year and engine size maybe city you live in.. Also make a signature line for bottom of posts. Nice work shop sure is better then just a tree.. Might want to round up some wood pallets to put down and cover with cheap plywood to make a floor..
I would be interested in a few parts from the donor email me your email and phone number.. tix4u2fly@gmail.com
I am in Fayetteville Arkansas.. Good luck have fun walk away for awhile when you have to..
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Post by steadfast on Apr 16, 2015 19:11:29 GMT
Good to meet you a few weeks/months ago. Glad to see how quickly this has progressed! Keep up the good work, and keep us updated.
-Geoff
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Post by Luke Anker on Apr 30, 2015 17:19:54 GMT
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Post by steadfast on Apr 30, 2015 17:47:07 GMT
I have all the tools from FM for replacing seals, come to think of it, I have every tool they sell! If you would like to borrow, let me know. They work wonders!
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Post by Luke Anker on Apr 30, 2015 18:23:52 GMT
Hey man, that would be great! I wont have the engine pulled for another week or so as the hoist is still shipping, but when that happens it would be very helpful to borrow thanks! I haven't rebuilt an engine before, luckily my father was a mechanic for like 10+ years so that helps too. Once this ride is completed we should get a bay area exocet meet going OR crash a few miata club meets haha.
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Post by colin on May 15, 2015 2:17:38 GMT
Hey man, that would be great! I wont have the engine pulled for another week or so as the hoist is still shipping, but when that happens it would be very helpful to borrow thanks! I haven't rebuilt an engine before, luckily my father was a mechanic for like 10+ years so that helps too. Once this ride is completed we should get a bay area exocet meet going OR crash a few miata club meets haha. Definitely in for that Bay Area Exocet meet up! Think its going to be a while before I can come in mine though, I just started donor dis-assembly. |
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Post by colin on May 15, 2015 2:50:24 GMT
Oh, one other question. How was it pushing the roller skate around? Any concerns bending that brace?
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Post by einy on May 15, 2015 11:05:01 GMT
None that I had run into ...
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Post by gwnwar on May 15, 2015 18:39:39 GMT
Should be no problem if you put 2x4 wood 8" long between the sub frames and lower shock mounts.
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This little guy was in an unfortunate fender bender and then sandwiched at a low speed, thus where the nickname stemmed “Sammy” the sand which. Drives straight and seems to not have any subframe damage. Oh did I mention I talked the guy down to $650? Deal of the day!
haha.
