miata+ v8+ sticky tires= race car??

[nine lives johnny]

in ofder to keep track of my status updates ill post my build thread and updates to my car i'll post in this topic.
in 2010 i decided that my 350z wan no longer competitive in auto x. the scca rules classed them as corvettes. being that a 350z isn't a corvette i was screwed. so i went to the best auto x car i could find... a miata.



I picked up a 1999 with 250kmiles and a blown motor.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif
i know the pics suck but i started and didn't really think about doing a blog.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif
i got a viper spec t-56 for a 2000 camaro and a sfi bell housing.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif
my seat that i will be using. currently used as a desk chair/forza game station
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif
mocking up some gauges *note there is no speedo
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/12/4824065020_285e429f74-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/12/4824059358_6de989ec50-1.jpg
this is at project x getting rebuilt
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/12/4824062006_576e348aec_b-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif
me and horses balls doing tear down.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/12/4828757536_3ece98a5d6_z-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/12/4828760832_dd6335f081_z-1.jpg
seam welding helps me feel weight transitions better
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/12/4828754098_3028f5a8fe_z-1.jpg
parts came in the mail
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/12/4838399476_ec9a04331f_z-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/12/4837770623_0c7f629cc0_z-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/12/4837763065_ca54128314_z-1.jpg


what a mess https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/12/4837747181_3f8f644f1e_z-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/12/4838353262_587957a3fe_z-1.jpg
my new wheels next to the gf's wheels
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/12/4838345494_5efa7d869d_z-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/12/4863628428_db05984246_z-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/12/4863017355_4c35285f24_z-1.jpg
hammered!!!

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/12/4863021987_c277d831fe_z-1.jpg
i got the roll bar in

[nine lives johnny]

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/12/4863026603_abcc47fa26_z-1.jpg
tubular k member for ls1's into miatas lol
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/12/4863031011_98bf683259_z-1.jpg
done!
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/12/4863655182_26769491ee_z-1.jpg
new rad
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/12/4863039565_072813a8e3_z-1.jpg
the stock one on the left
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/12/4863043851_bac52eb887_z-1.jpg
new 2 piece rotors
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/12/4863056333_496871c129_z-1.jpg
hot cam installed
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif
note start button *nackers did it*
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif
i got the diff welded up and i will be installing it on Sunday,

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif
and the dash is installed
so i busted out my nice camera
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif

[nine lives johnny]

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif
track tire https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/12/4838353262_587957a3fe_z-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/12/5009736345_999bf77cc1_z-1.jpg
^track bumper :)
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/12/5010341130_8bc80beb1f_z-1.jpg
i ordered a universal race car harness. so i re-wired everything and as you can see the headlights work. this made me vary excited.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/12/5010341260_2ebeb294bf_z-1.jpg
i made my own y pipe
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/12/5010341364_4ab41189e6_z-1.jpg
and here it is all bent and welded up
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/12/5010341486_ffd05cfa06_z-1.jpg
i installed the fenders, and while i was at it i threw the bumpers and hood on it.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/12/5010341606_8f267b6f17_z-1.jpg
you can see the 45* angle of the radiator thaanks to nackers. he spent n afternoon welding it up.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/12/5010341710_ded200a62e_z-1.jpg

[nine lives johnny]

with the track bumper
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/12/5010341838_209597dbc3_z-1.jpg

the track wheels wrapped in toyo r1r's
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/12/5009737393_131d956f62_z-1.jpg

fuel lines came in :)
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/12/5009737519_1b8641489a_z-1.jpg

requested pic of my bell housing
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/12/5010342218_d63e84b2a2_z-1.jpg

as it sits right now
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/12/5009737751_87e8b8558f_z-1.jpg

http://www.twitvid.com/R22KM

as it sits now
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif

[nine lives johnny]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nbPc3BnRyEk
first little drive

http://youtu.be/L80UTCVLMzI
first auto x

[nine lives johnny]

then we got it on the dyno!!!
http://www.youtube.com/user/begoodchopshop#p/a/u/0/ZBauf9W18nY


https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/12/IMG_1393JPG-1.jpg


numbers and general yada yada http://www.johnnycichowski.com/2011/03/dyno-time.html

[nine lives johnny]

so it weaighs 24xx lbs http://www.johnnycichowski.com/2011/03/ls1-miatatale-of-scales.html

51939
51940

[Gitter Dun]

Theres a video on Utube with a video of a Miata with an LS motor running at Infineon Raceway and passing everything in site.

Pretty freakin' awesome to watch. I'll see if I can dig it up.

[nine lives johnny]

i would love to race infinitron. cool thing about this miata is that a stock one weighs 2300 lbs. and mine was 2400 and 3 times the power. i was looking into a set of heads for it. i would like 4 times the power lol

[nine lives johnny]

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif
i added an apr wing then took some shots for the proposal

[67rstbkt]

Nice Build!! Quick question on the Bellhousing: did you do anything to check runout? I have a similar housing from Mcleod and am trying to figure out a good way to do that.
Thanks

[coolwelder62]

Very Cool.I am really like'n late model stuff W/LS swap's.

[DaleBird82]

Johnny I cant wait to have my NA done this spring... Better watch out! :P
Nicely done though. Saw it sitting outside yesterday

[nine lives johnny]

Dale!! i've heard allot about you. every time i tell anyone local that i was building a ls1 they asked me if my name was dale lol. you gotta bring your car out to some events, we'll propbly get our own class.


Nice Build!! Quick question on the Bellhousing: did you do anything to check runout? I have a similar housing from Mcleod and am trying to figure out a good way to do that.
Thanks

jay lenno has a good video on how to check run out on a bellhousing. fast forward to 3:11
http://www.jaylenosgarage.com/video/1970-dodge-challenger-rt-update/1134860/

[CruizinKev]

oh thats cool! nice build!! :twothumbs

[bonecrrusher]

Nice...

[Mike Holleman]

That's just bad ass. I run with a bunch of Miatas. Great little cars with no power. You fixed that. Bet that thing will be fun on a big road course. Vettes don't like being passed, but by a Miata. Feelings will be hurt.

[nine lives johnny]

ams ran a track day up here. me and a zr1 where trading positions. it was fun.

[nine lives johnny]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8lqQwSdlITY&feature=player_embedded#!

The first miata spec race. we competed in the unlimited miata class. We took home first in class and 3rd overall. I was happy with the results considering i beat allot of people running slicks.

[nine lives johnny]

there is a monthly car show in Chicago called supercar Saturday. it takes place on the first of every month. it's kinda like cars and coffee.
51979
51980
allot of supercars show up.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/12/_MG_1770-1.jpg
allot of classics show up too

51981
i parked next to the corvettes seeing that my car is more chevy then mazda.
51982
51983
51984
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/12/IMG_1757-1.jpg


51985
the day after was a track day
51986
51987
chasing down a g8

[nine lives johnny]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FU4TCQJ4z7Y
a crap quality video from WMHM don't worry ill get a better video editor soon.

[nine lives johnny]

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif

one of the guys on thechicagogarage.com took some pics of me running last year

[Tig]

Man, that looks great. Awesome job.
Thats gotta be one of the best looking Miatas Ive seen.

[nine lives johnny]

As you might have seen, the car was crashed at holley’s LS fest. I recommend any potato lovin` Americans to come out to the 2012 event
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif
“Potato loving?” think of a camed v8 and say potato-potato- potato-potato- potato-potato----- potato-potato- you’ll get it.
Any way.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif
We fixed up what we could and finished the weekend. after the crash the car wasn’t as fast as it was. The first day I finished first with a few sec to burn. Day2 and 3 we where just stuck in 2nd
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif
I got the car hole to check out the damage. The core support was ****ed, the frame was bent, and the fender, bumper, hood and headlight where all destroyed.
When this happened I was broke as a joke. I spent all my $$ getting my car down to KY, paying for hotel rooms, and food for everyone that went with. Not to mention I didn’t have a job.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif
So I got a job and moved to charlotte NC.
After about 2 months of work I saved enough cash to start buying replacement pieces.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif
Rented a truck and bought a hood.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif
Went down to maz mart to find the biggest item that would fit in the back of a wrx/saab wagon
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif
I removed all of the damaged parts from the car. The frame rail was bent thankfully before the suspension pickup points. This did require me to cut a massive amount of car away

[nine lives johnny]

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif

So I welded the new core support. Took my time and measured it up.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif


fitting well. looks like i'll move on to the next part of my project.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif


Honk if the only thing attached to your tyranny is a short block!

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif

New set of heads from Texas speed. This should get me into the 425hp range

PRC Stage 2.5 5.3L CNC Ported Heads

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2012/04/1172_1_-1.png






2.02"/1.575" Stainless Steel Valves
PRC .650" Lift Dual Valve Spring Kit Complete with Dual
Springs, Titanium Retainers, Seats, & Seals
Completely Assembled and Milled to your Specifications
58-63cc Chambers


got a new set of texas speed heads. ls7 roller lifters and the upgraded ls2 lifter trays. ill post pics of those when i get home.

[nine lives johnny]

got some parts in the mail so it was back to work!!!
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif

some oil
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif

for the ls7 lifters
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif

you can see the ls2 lifter trays. other then beaing able to fit into a ls1 they seem to be more oil flow friendly
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif

now you can see them side by side. ls2 trays are on the right.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif

filling them up wif oil
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif

the new heads next to the lightly used ones
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif


much much larger valves, and they are ported too. should flow nicely.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif


ls motors have a strange torq procedure. you torq them to 22 ft libs turn them 90* and turn them 90* again. putting little lines on the bolts helps keep track.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gifhttps://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif

got them on
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif

I'm still waiting on a set of holley valve covers to come in. when they came in, it will be ready to start.

[rfalker1]

sorry to hear about the crash!! Awesome build though. The car looks amazing!!!

[Tig]

I love this car.

[TheBandit]

Love the levity in your posts. I can hear the "potato" sound playing in my head - cracked me up. Also scared my wife when I busted up laughing at your "biggest thing I could find at mazda mart" - caught me off guard with that one and even if it's not THAT funny, I still managed to spit my drink. Hope the new heads yield good results. The car is awesome. Wish you had some video to go with the pics.

[Rick Dorion]

How did I miss this! Great write-up. Great car.

[rohrt]

Is that a monster miata kit as was shown on Stacey Davids garage?

Freaking awsome.

[sokoloka]

Because, racecar.

[SS PUNISHER]

Is that a monster miata kit as was shown on Stacey Davids garage?Freaking awsome.That kit is for a 5.0, this is waaaaaaay better!!!Great build!

[shovellac]

I was wondering when the monster kit was gonna show up on this thread, still awesome, much more even! hows it handle? like a slot car?

[bonecrrusher]

So are you still in Charlotte?

[mikes70]

Man, something about putting good horsepower to a small lightweight two seater...mmm...sounds familer....great stuff. Great write up. Keep it sunny side up...

[67goatman455]

i wish every project thread was as funny as yours! lol love the project! keep at it!

[Chad-1stGen]

Very nice! Looking forward to hearing about the new improved version :)

[nine lives johnny]

So are you still in Charlotte?

yep still in town. workin like a dog at PFC.


Love the levity in your posts. I can hear the "potato" sound playing in my head - cracked me up. Also scared my wife when I busted up laughing at your "biggest thing I could find at mazda mart" - caught me off guard with that one and even if it's not THAT funny, I still managed to spit my drink. Hope the new heads yield good results. The car is awesome. Wish you had some video to go with the pics.

thanks man. i try to not take life too seriously :P
videos will be up soon. for some reason i'm constantly waiting on ups. i have many parts on order that can't find my house. when they find home I'll fire this thing up and get videos 4 everyone.


Is that a monster miata kit as was shown on Stacey Davids garage?

Freaking awsome.

hell no. that kit is stamped steel and fit a 5.0. you can get those kits for a fraction of the v8 roadster kit. plus the v8r kit shaves an extra 10 lbs. not that i'm anti-monster miata kit but i spent the chedder i would like the cred... :P


Because, racecar.
**** yea!!

[joemac]

I like these little cars. Might get one myself one day, although I like them best with the hard top I think.

[Ratty 46]

Impressive build. I'll keep watching.

R46

[acegto]

Me likey...