Chasis 138 checking in from Alberta, Canada.

[Trenon]

jmills are you talking about the silicone hoses or do they actually sell flex turbo piping? The issue is that I have changed the intake manifold to the begi one which has a 3" TB inlet and is in a different location. The new manifold moves the TB closer to the rad which is a bit of an issue. I will most likely have to weld up something as I don't think I can get a bend that tight. I have a 3 to 2.5" reducing elbow I bought and it will not clear the fan on the rad.

[jmills]

www.flyinmiata.com/na8-new-style-fm-intercooler-upgrade.html
This is the kit I used in place of the BEGI hard pipes and too-wide intercooler I had previously.

[Trenon]

yeah that is the piping I had, it won't work.

[jmills]

I flipped the lower piping on the intake manifold side and trimmed both sides to make it fit, also had to trim the turbo-side pipe a bit to squeeze it under the bodywork. I also had to grind away part of the lower radiator mounts to make room under the bodywork.

I had similar issues with rad clearance and had to cut down the piping where it goes onto the throttle body and get creative with the coolant piping as well. Lots of cut, test repeat unfortunately.

What part won't work for you?

[Trenon]

I have an aftermarket intake manifold (BEGI) with an 70mm throttle body. The TB is bigger (3" not 2.5) and closer to the rad than the stock position. As the diameter on the TB is larger there is no way the FM parts will work on it, I have been looking for 135 degree reducing elbows but no one seems to make them. I have a 90 degree 3 - 2.5" reducing elbow and it won't fit, nor would there be any room to connect anything too it.

I'm thinking of welding up some sort of 3" to 2.5" 135 degree tight radius thing to get down to where I can meetup with the FM silicone hose. Might have to miter something up.

[mawdo81]

Came across 3" donuts the other day designed to be cut and welded to give the tightest possible radius for the tube. www.ecsengines.com.au/aluminium-donut-3 might be helpful...

[Trenon]

I've never seen those before. Do you just cut them and weld ends on?

I may still just mitre some pipe. 80$ + international shipping seems a bit steep for a single fitting. Maybe I can find something similar locally.

My build has slowed down dramatically. Had a kid back in October. I really need to get some hours in the garage for this thing to be ready in spring.

[mawdo81]

I came across them looking for something else but yes, I think that's the idea. Congrats on the baby, but don't rush the build for the sake of it.

[Trenon]

I'm still around. Have been making slow progress. What I've done since my last post:

Took off all the knuckles
Replaced all wheel bearings
Finished the majority of non lighting wiring
Mounted the driver seat
Finished routing brake lines - they are bled and ready to go
Bled clutch line
Decided to make my own inter cooler piping fitting for my clearance problem (pics to follow)

What's next:
Buying a bead roller to finish inter cooler fittings
Decided to go with a welded in floor - will reinforce with bead roller
Might go with welded side panels as well instead of acrylic. Haven't decided yet.
Test the engine electronics
Fire the beast up

Questions I have:

Anyone know how thick the steel floors are? I'm guessing 16g. Going to pickup some plate and cut them out.

Test fitting:

Actual miter bend i will use:

[Trenon]

So this is what I ended up making for my inlet to my throttle body. You can see how little room there is even with the tight miter bend in there.  3" x 2.5" silicon reducer to ~120 deg 3 cut 20 deg miter to FM silicon tubing. 

I still have to weld a bung on for the BOV, I'm just waiting on the tubing to get here. 

[Trenon]

Had a big day this weekend. The provincial inspector came by (they come to your house here, sweet!) and assigned my car a VIN. The province now recognizes it as a car. I just have to get a vehicle safety done (when its ready) and it is street legal.

Hurdle 1 passed.

[Trenon]

Had a hour to work on the car today.

It started.

I must say I was really impressed. I cut almost every wire in the car, changed the engine displacement, changed the throttle body, fuel system, various sensors, and everything worked.

There are a few leaks to sort out but I'm pretty stoked.

[zeitgeist]

Congrats Trenon. That is the best feeling following such uncertainty.

[jmills]

Congrats!! Next big milestone is taking it around the block.

[Trenon]

So everything seems to work except the fuel gage. Any ideas on why it would read empty? I traced the wires back and they are all connected.