Next project idea's

I'm foolishly starting to think about another project car so I will just offer a few idea's I have at this time yet nothing is set in stone.

1. 1st gen Miata with a built/turbocharged engine. I have driven stock Miata's and the only thing missing was hp.

2. 2nd Gen MR2 of which I'm no stranger but been there/done that so I'm looking for an original concept.

3. Porsche 944 ie 951/952 with a stroker/turbo, max hp with a great chassis and profile.

Opinions greatly appreciated,
Gregg

ps, I was thunking about stuffing a V12 into a small chassis but the cost and build process time/money would be rediculous for a reliable 400+rwhp 'daily driver' if I took that route.

 

Regardless of the chassis I choose it will be a turbocharged combustion (non rotary) 4-cylinder. I had a few crazy idea's such as a V12 swap but then all handling aspects would be lost, no nose heavy pigs for this carnivore. If I can find an unmolested/unwrecked 944
chassis/car I'm 99% certain I will either stroke & turbo the engine or just build a 3SGTE for it.

 

That is something I have been thinking about in a sense as I'm considering a Gen I or II Mitsu GSX as the 4G63 is as good as the 3SGTE and finding a Toyota Celica GT-Four All-Trac Turbo would be rather difficult (although there is one that I know of here in Houston).
Another rather obscure consideration is a Mazda 323 GTX. Although all the vehicles discussed are great I'm still heavily leaning towards the 1st Gen Miata as they are very very inexpensive and I could focus more ($) on the engine/chassis/suspension.

Still just a pipe dream at the moment but hopefully not for long.

Thanks for the input everyone,
Gregg

 

Well the decision has been made and fortunately I will/can use this vehicle as a very reliable daily driver and save on insurance aswell. It is a '99 'Twilight Blue Mica' Miata with 95K on clock and imho in very good condition considering the year. I will be doing an even swap tomorrow (KBB value of my current vehicle) and I once worked for this dealership so I know firsthand the quality of work they do and I know I can trust them.

Not the actual car but it is identical in every aspect.
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Well picked her up Monday and love it and so far I only have one small dislike. I am 5'11 so even with the seat all the way back my right knee rides against the tranny tunnel. Here are a few pics along with a story concerning the last two. I was returning from a friends ranch in Needville heading north on the Grand Parkway ie 99 (around 8am) where the speed limit is 60mph and I had been watching some idiot behind me for the past mile or so.

Now it gets good as I was passing a slower vehicle doing 55mph said idiot gets so close even his headlights were not visible, it was as if he was in my backseat if I had one. I motion for him to back off and then he proceeds to bump me twice damaging my rear bumper cover!!!!! I immediately got 911 on the phone and gave them the make/model and plate number then I exited and pulled over waiting for a deputy and filed a police report. About 3pm the deputy contacts me and said he spoke with the driver who admitted to the officer he shot me the finger and cut me off but he denied any contact WTF!!!!
The driver in actuality ran from the sce

I would have loved to been able to follow him and see his face when I approached his vehicle with a badge and pistol on my hip yet I am still waiting for my background check to be completed at a local PD. I have some paperwork to drop off at the dealership today completeing my transaction with the salesman who also happens to be one of the owners son's. I am going to ask him if he can give me a written statement testifying that the damage did not previously exist.

So to make a long story short I am either going to get the damage repaired and possibly a new paint job.
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Well the performance bug was just in hibernation as I am already researching performance upgrades although I am impressed with the stock package. My plan is to focus on the suspension and brakes first and then decide what path I will take with the engine but I will be boosting the car eventually. I surfed the Flyin Miata website today as they are the most advanced Miata upgrade people I know of but knowing me I will put together my own turbo package just as I did with my MR2T.

The engine bay will be a 'walk in the park' compared to the MR2T but I'm looking forward to greasy hand's and bleeding knuckle's again lol. I'm also excited about the saving's I have recieved on insurance as I added 'uninsured motorist' to my full coverage policy yet I am still saving $20/month.

 

The turbo model here in the US ran a 3SGTE, (T) standing for turbo.

 

I love the S2000 engine but the Mazda 1.6 is an iron block with a decent flowing head so I'm thinking simplicity. The S2000 would require an ecu and harness aswell as (maybe) some modifications such as engine/tranny mounts etc etc. One thing I have realized over the past few days is how quick the Miata is with barely 100rwhp. Oh I almost forgot that I am not a S/C fan simply because your boost limit is determined by your pulley.

One thing great about this car is that I can get the suspension upgraded and attend 'Miata Spec' series events at MSR when possible. I just got the car so all is mearly just speculation at this point but hey I'm smiling with every mile.

 

Turn's out the driver of the vehicle who hit me was/is uninsured so I want to persue a legal 'small claims' suit against him, I need advice!!!!!

 

Anywho I have a friend who owns a very reputable bodyshop here and he said don't even worry about it so I have decided not to persue any legal action against the driver who hit me, karma is a ***** and he will eventually get what he deserves.

So back to my ZOOM ZOOM project, I have recently purchased a K&N cone filter to replace the stock airbox and will soon be installing Eibach performance springs. The next mod will be a Corky Bell 2.5" turbo muffler in preparation for my built turbo motor/monster.

 

I wanted to go Spec racing until I found out all that it entails and since this is my DD I was not willing to strip the interior etc etc. I know exactly where I want to go with this project and that is somewhere in the 400-500rwhp range but for now I'm just adding the basic bolt-on's and then start on a motor. I'm in no rush either so the final product is probably atleast 1-2yr's away.

In all reality it would be less expensive to just buy another kart but since I cannot commute in one..... lol.

 

So moving on I thought I would share (please don't ask me why) the look I am going to clone. I'm not certain how the wheel/tire combo will look without the skirts but I like it alot, what do ya think?? Yes I'm installing what some call a 'fart can' but from experience I know they have a deep mellow sound. Aswell some may ask why such wide rims/tires and all I can say is that I dig the look and down the road I might want to go with a widebody look.
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Update: Well I found a shop that builds custom parts for Miata's so I thought I would share pics of the exhaust and intake manifold I will be purchasing in preparation for my forged and boosted engine. Oh and I have made the decision to go with the rims I had on my SC300.

The exhaust manifold pic is off another car but I will get the first intake manifold from him (the pic is just a mockup and not a production example, his welding skills can be seen via this pic of one of his downpipes.
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