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MrJoshua
MrJoshua SuperDork
3/10/11 3:57 p.m.

$2011 firm

edit: located in Gainesville, FL 1 mile from I75

The time has come to move on to other projects so sadly we must let the Miata go. The build was mostly documented in this thread: Husband and Wife $08 Challenge Build

Here is a summary:
The car is a 1990 or so fairly straight body Miata that I bought from a co-worker of my wifes. My wife expressed interest in learning some mechanical skills so I coached her through a pretty thorough tear down and build of the car. We barely finished the car in time for $08 and entered. It did alright taking home the Phil Kime Spirit of the Event award. The car then sat for nearly two years at which point some upgrades were made, and the car again was finished at the last minute and entered in $2010. The car did great in the autocross at both events, mediocre in the drags, and poorly in the concours. The car has never been properly tuned, never been properly aligned, and never been through troubleshooting. It has 2 challenge events worth of driving plus about 1 mile of testing.

This car is easily capable of a top 15 finish if someone is willing to put some time into it

Chassis:
-1990 Miata painted with rustoleum aluminum. (It could use a new paint job)
-Headlight buckets removed, driving lights in flash to pass holes.

Interior: -All carpet and trim removed.
-Keith Tanner Half Dash
-Stock Miata seats with seatback center pad removed. (Sits you 2" deeper in seatback)

Engine:
-Stock Miata engine -Megasquirt
-New Greddy manifold, turbo, and downpipe
-3" downpipe back exhaust -front mount intercooler
-550 injectors
-Corvette FPR
-DIY Dual feed fuel rail -Walbro 255 fuel pump
-New NGK blue plug wires
-New Timing belt, valve cover gaskets, assorted other gaskets
-Poly motor mounts
-Edit: forgot to mention the lightweight flywheel and heavy duty pressure plate

Suspension:
-Home brew poly suspension bushings
-R1 motorcycle coilovers rear (aluminum double adjustible 550lbs/inch) -Tokico Illuminas with 550 lbs/inch motorcycle springs
-factory rear sway disconnected. -Diamond racing 13x8 4" backspace wheels with Hoosier 225/45/13 tires

Extras included but not currently on car:
-Spare 1.6 Miata engine and trans (was running when pulled)
-4 13x8 3" backspace Diamond Racing Wheels
-MazdaComp 80% lock Clutch Limited Slip Diff Pumpkin for first gen RX7 (should fit Miata housing) -spare Miata Diff and housing disassembled
-First Gen RX7 LSD and housing
-Poly Diff mount
-Anything else Miata related I feel like throwing in when you pick it up

Known Issues:
-The car ran pig rich in $08 because the car was not seeing proper engine temperature and never got out of cold start mode.
-The car also ran rich in $08 because the 255 fuel pump was overpowering the stock FPR to exacerbate the problem.
-In $2010 I added the Corvette FPR and modified the fuel system to have a dual feed rail. The Corvette FPR runs at least 15psi more than the Miata FPR so again the car ran pig rich. I never did learn enough about Megasquirt to make a good map in time so I just suffered through pig rich in $2010 as well.
-The rear crank seal is probably shot-car is leaking oil from the bellhousing drain hole.
-Alignment is merely an approximate. All bellcranks are at the nuetral position.
-Slight contact of intercooler piping with frame rail
-downpipe to exhaust junction is about the ugliest thing I have ever made.
-Paint is dusty and ugly. It was a neat concept, but it didn't turn out well.

I would really love to see someone enter this car and let it live up to its potential. It placed 8th in the autocross with a crap alignment on ancient tires. The engine has a least 75 more hp available by simply turning up the boost and giving it a good tune. The car is under 2k lbs with a passenger seat still bolted in. The potential is here if someone has the time. Unfortunately I am not the person to do it, so it is someone else's turn.

The other thread has a bunch of pics and I have more if you want them.

John Brown
John Brown GRM+ Memberand SuperDork
3/10/11 4:20 p.m.

Gaak.

Need moar moneez.

4cylndrfury
4cylndrfury SuperDork
3/10/11 4:40 p.m.

thank sweet baby jeezis you are in Florida...where turbo miatae are going for 2 stacks...and where the good job is...and the good weather...wait, why am I staying in Ohio???

Nashco
Nashco SuperDork
3/10/11 5:41 p.m.
MrJoshua wrote: This car is easily capable of a top 15 finish if someone is willing to put some time into it

Given the types of junk that turn into top 15 finishers after "some time" goes into it, that's not saying much! You could say that about a rusty VW or a Civic shell.

Good luck with the sale.

Bryce

MrJoshua
MrJoshua SuperDork
3/10/11 5:48 p.m.
Nashco wrote:
MrJoshua wrote: This car is easily capable of a top 15 finish if someone is willing to put some time into it
Given the types of junk that turn into top 15 finishers after "some time" goes into it, that's not saying much! You could say that about a rusty VW or a Civic shell. Good luck with the sale. Bryce

I originally put "Top 10" in the ad and changed it to "Top 15" because I didn't want to argue about it. The key word here is "easily", as in: without professional fabricating, painting, welding, shopping, bookkeeping, bartering, or driving skills your average amateur mechanic could put this car in the top 15.

fastasleep
fastasleep Reader
3/10/11 6:26 p.m.

Josh,

Interested in a Festiva turbo + $$$ for a trade? Will be in Florida next week...........

-Les

MrJoshua
MrJoshua SuperDork
3/10/11 6:40 p.m.

In reply to fastasleep:

Unfortunately I need to sell this one outright. Need to clear up the space and the funds.

dyintorace
dyintorace GRM+ Memberand SuperDork
3/10/11 7:03 p.m.

Sniff sniff. Sorry to see this one go.

fastasleep
fastasleep Reader
3/10/11 7:05 p.m.
MrJoshua wrote: In reply to fastasleep: Unfortunately I need to sell this one outright. Need to clear up the space and the funds.

Uhhhh....I'd be happy to clear up your funds....

-Les

MrJoshua
MrJoshua SuperDork
3/10/11 7:30 p.m.
dyintorace wrote: Sniff sniff. Sorry to see this one go.

Me too. I do question the wisdom of selling the one project car I have that is close to actually being "turn key" and keeping the other 4 or so pigs that need so much work.

MrJoshua
MrJoshua SuperDork
3/10/11 7:31 p.m.

In reply to fastasleep:

Doh! Free up some space, acquire some funds!

Billy_Bottle_Caps
Billy_Bottle_Caps Reader
3/10/11 8:32 p.m.

Man that sounds like a smokin deal for all that... GLWS..

dyintorace
dyintorace GRM+ Memberand SuperDork
3/10/11 8:44 p.m.
MrJoshua wrote:
dyintorace wrote: Sniff sniff. Sorry to see this one go.
Me too. I do question the wisdom of selling the one project car I have that is close to actually being "turn key" and keeping the other 4 or so pigs that need so much work.

It will be worth it if you get the red car running/driving. You'll forget all about the Miata!

MrJoshua
MrJoshua SuperDork
3/11/11 5:48 a.m.

In reply to dyintorace:

Greg Voth
Greg Voth HalfDork
3/11/11 8:11 a.m.

I would be interested in the First Gen RX-7 stuff if you were willing to seperate a little.

SVreX
SVreX SuperDork
3/11/11 9:08 a.m.

You mean you are actually selling a complete and runnning car??

Bump for a great seller.

MrJoshua
MrJoshua SuperDork
3/11/11 10:49 a.m.

In reply to SVreX:

Nuts isn't it!

In reply to Greg: If it doesn't sell quickly I might consider it.

alfadriver
alfadriver SuperDork
3/11/11 12:43 p.m.

Anyone want to guess of the FMV of the stuff NOT on the car? It would be nice to be able to get new tires, and the $2011 cost would prohibit that.

Not that I'm in the market, but it would sure help the next owner. Thankfully, you are, like, forever away.

MrJoshua
MrJoshua SuperDork
3/11/11 12:57 p.m.
alfadriver wrote: Anyone want to guess of the FMV of the stuff NOT on the car? It would be nice to be able to get new tires, and the $2011 cost would prohibit that. Not that I'm in the market, but it would sure help the next owner. Thankfully, you are, like, forever away.

The solution to that is separate receipts for parts of the package. If I were buying it I would get a separate receipt for the engine. That would free up plenty of room for a set of tires and some paint. Add a roll bar (non budget) and go.

dyintorace
dyintorace GRM+ Memberand SuperDork
3/11/11 1:09 p.m.

Hmm. Just had a thought. Can I call dibs until we talk?

Derick Freese
Derick Freese Dork
3/11/11 5:44 p.m.

I wish I had the money for this to be an option at all.

MrJoshua
MrJoshua SuperDork
3/11/11 7:09 p.m.
Derick Freese wrote: I wish I had the money for this to be an option at all.

I want you to save money for the E36.

Ignorant
Ignorant SuperDork
3/11/11 7:13 p.m.

damnit....... This car is so awesome.. Next year..

dyintorace
dyintorace GRM+ Memberand SuperDork
3/14/11 7:38 a.m.

I was thinking Chump Car with this, but, after reading the rules, they use an index for car values and won't look at receipts for sell-off. Given that, it doesn't make sense for me.

MrJoshua
MrJoshua SuperDork
3/14/11 8:39 a.m.

Gah! Somebody buy this thing and save me from having to deal with Craigslist buyers!

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