Gator Bait

Popped my head in on another thread and it was suggested I actually introduce myself and my (soon to be mine) car.

Me: transitioning from 2 wheel thrills to 4 wheels. I thought a rock crawler would satisfy my motorized urges and I love it, but I have a slight desire for things that go fast too. The Jeep takes up all my wrenching time as there tends to be the constant cycle of break..upgrade...break...rinse...repeat. I'm attracted to small quick cars with the last toy being an 09 Mini Cooper JCW. It's been a favorite, but I asked it for more [boost] than it was willing to give so we parted company with the rings still barley intact. I'm looking for liter bike type acceleration in the next steed. Not much out there that is going to provide that with protection from the elements and A/C for a working man's salary. An LS3 NA should satisfy...and if it falls short, there's an unending supply of mods to be performed.

Car: A Flyn Miata built 92 black and tan NA with an LS376/480. You can see the build thread on their site. The car's name is Bert. The previous owner had the conversion done. I had a couple of small changes made while waiting to pick it up next week and have many other plans but want to get some seat time in it before hitting "checkout" on the various carts I have filled up online. Top of the list is an ASA cam though. And while the motor is exposed possibly the new LT headers and an intake solution. Bert doesn't have the vett intake FM does on all it's builds now as he was an older build. I may go down that beaten path but really want to find a unique solution. It needs a bit of me in it beyond cosmetics and a few go fast changes. It'll be primarily used as a weekend toy. It'll see some track days and hope to equal my bike times (not overly impressive). I've never driven a car on track but have ridden all the local tracks on bikes. I'm sure I have a learning curve ahead of me. I'd also like to run the Texas Mile. ...just because it's there and I like to go fast and prefer the nice officers spend there time entertaining someone other than me. Interior will stay wife friendly so it will not shed weight and fully expect it'll gain some.

I guess that's it for now...I'll post up fresh pics from our drive home from FM to DFW. Going to be a nice get to know you trip with some gorgeous scenery and twisty roads.

rick

Hey Gator Bait, welcome to v8miata.net

Make sure to check out v8ms' picture gallery here
CLICK TO CHECK IT OUT - RATE PICTURES

Hope to see you around!

jreid1000

Welcome!
Another LS powered Black and Tan NA!!

jrmotorsports55

Welcome. Sounds like a wicked car!

Jason

charchri4

For those who did what I did here is the build. Flyin' Miata : Projects: Bert the V8 Miata

That is a really nice looking car! +1 on the cam and intake. That is a terrible place to pick up intake air. Those are the 2nd gen headers which really are not bad. Did they put big brakes in the car when they built it? I don't see an adjustable prop valve so I bet not and if not that would be a good place to start. Actually now that I think about it if it was me I would start with an exhaust cut out, autocross and trip to the strip!

OK I'll quit babbling and just tell you I am thrilled for you! You are going to love that car! Welcome to the fun I look forward to seeing more of you and Bert!

Gator Bait

I should have added the link, thanks. Bert had the upgraded front brakes with stock rears running through the oem proportioning valve. I had FM install the 11" rear set up with the manual proportioning valve. The front hubs were tired so they replaced them also. While in there they installed ARP studs and a brake cooling duct plate. I'll finish up the brake intake and hose for the ducts myself. The engine air intake will be the first on my list. I have a number of ideas, but will need to get my hands on the car. It may be as simple as a heat-shield/airbox and some header wrap for now, or my own variation of the vette intake. Long tube headers aren't high on my concerns list as I'm fine with short tubes but I want them at least ceramic coated at some point. It'll likely come down to if I'm going to leave HP on the table with the intake, I might as well do the same leaving the short tubes. Every tinkerer wants "more" but I'm not willing to go TOO deep into diminishing returns. The ASA cam is just too easy to not do it and Keith's write ups on it have me drooling. But it'd be a future mod once my wallet has had some time to heal.

With all that rambling...my real priorities will be addressing AITs and a double din GPS/Radio, and I have my eye on a purty wood steering wheel. The steering wheel is staying on the Christmas list. Keeps me out of the dog house if I leave my wife something to buy for me.

charchri4

LOL roger that Christmas list! Man I wish I had your brakes that sounds sweet! Do you know if this engine is run with a mass airflow sensor or is it speed density? If it's maf you will probably gain way more bang for the buck with intake work than exhaust. Yours is not near as bad as my disaster but still the bends and intake temps are not doing you any favors. You are lucky to be in a city with good tuners and guys that really know these engines well.

I hear you on the asa. I went from 220i/224e .575" 112 LSA to 226i/236e .525" 110 LSA and can't say I have anymore power but I do like the flatter torque curve and wicked idle. Actually I'm so juvenile I changed the idle trim, airflow and timing tables at idle so it sounds way more insane that it really is. Everyone will tell you there are better cams for power and that is true but I chose the asa on Keiths write up too and am happy with it. It will still break the tires loose at 80 with no problem so yeah that's good enough... BTW the Howards cams version is the same specs with a hair more modern ramp speed and is ruffly half the price as the GMPP one.

I predict your wallet will be DOA the moment you roll into Palisade CO but there will be no shortage of smiles per mile on the way home! When do you make the trip?

Gator Bait

We fly into Grand Junction this coming Friday morning. Sign paperwork then head towards Telluride for lunch, then on to Durango. Keith was kind enough to point me to what looks to be a fun route. Rafting Saturday, then more nice driving Sunday winding our way south. Monday will be a misery of flat straight slab. Maybe some Texas mile warm-ups?

The car has the hot cam in it now. But I love mid rpm torque and the graphs Kieth posted really makes a case of the ASA. I'm sure Keith/FM's choice of the ASA is because that's what is in the LS376/525 from GM and they that's a motor they offer. I will expand my search to other cams. I'm very concerned about how traction limited the car will be. If it lights the rear too easily with the hot cam, more low end torque may not be such a great thing. If it can bite, I'm about as stupid a HP nut as they come. It's all bench racing until I've actually gotten behind the wheel. I have to give Keith a huge thanks for putting up with all my questions. He's been great about getting back to me on my constant questions and changes to what I want.

As for being juvenile...I'm researching rear mount turbo kits. The inner idiot would like to see somewhere north of 500 whp. Not likely to ever pursue it beyond Saturday morning internet surfing, but sure would make for some interesting driving experiences.

edit: It has a maf. FM is updating the tune prior to pick up. I suspect some additional adjustment will be needed to optimize for sea level and 100* Texas heat. But as you mentioned, there is talent near by.

Gator Bait

Keith sent me a teaser pic.. I can't wait for Friday!!

charchri4

I can hear it screaming VROOM VROOM from here!! I bet you can't wait I sure would not be sleeping this week! I hope you have a wonderful trip! And that you budgeted for speeding tickets...

Gator Bait

You know it...what's really bad is Keith told me there's a track day in Grand Junction they are going to and only $45 on Sat. I already promised my lovely bride to do some things she wanted to do. It'd been great fun running the track with those guys, but not worth the disappointment on my sweetie's face.

charchri4

Speaking as a person that has been extremely happily married for 31 years and gets no crap from spending way to much of frivolous cars - you are a very VERY wise man! Besides if she is anything like mine there is not much better than rolling down the road in the car of your dreams with the gal of your dreams beside you.

And no making her scream either LOL!!!

Gator Bait

My wife is always at my side. We've been accused of being quite codependent and wear the title proudly. I accuse her of being a bad influence though. Nothing like hearing the squeal and giggle of a true adrenalin junky soul mate! Be it knee down two up on a sport bike, or rock crawling the Jeep, she's down for it. Don't know if she's hotter in her all white motorcycle racing leathers or cut off jean shorts and t-shirt that says she goes from makeup to mud in 2 seconds flat. You boys should be envious! ..but ya... soul mate and love of my life. No way am I choosing a track day over her plans...but if she knew...she'd encourage me to go...she's just that gal.

charchri4

I think I can safely speak for the rest of the V8 Miata brothers here we just went from being envious to down right hating you!

No question it pays to marry well and you nailed that one! I've got a couple friends that have wives that enjoy their motor sports with them and it's really neat to see them share that. For me my wife and I still laugh about the time she rode with me at an autocross and she screamed non stop for 60 seconds! Ah what joy they bring us!

Well 3 days and counting... You are planning on posting photos of the trip right? Of the car that is...

Gator Bait

The wait is killing me!! Hope the weather holds. RA1's aren't exactly rain tires.

Just found out one of my life long friends just bought a new 'vette with all the goodies. Didn't take long for a track challenge to get thrown down.

Gator Bait

Had a great weekend picking Bert up from Flyn' Miata! Keith was kind enough to pick my wife and I up from the airport in Grand Junction then gave us the tour of their facility while the paperwork was being prepared. Wife green lighted a "catfish" build. It is pretty sweet in person...maybe down the road. Bert worked flawlessly in the mtns and the trip home. I had it in my mind that it would be more prone to lighting the tires under heavy throttle but not the case at all. It will lite up a bit under wot from 1st to second and chirp 3rd, but otherwise it just hooks. The brakes and suspension work quite well also. I'm quite happy, although I will be dialing in a bit more rear brake little by little (per Keith's suggestion). Very happy with the purchase and looking forward to making Bert mine with just a few changes here and there. ..ok..maybe more than a few. I have a list.

Oh...and the RA1's had no issues in the few downpours encountered on the trip home.

Gator Bait

68 degrees, not a cloud in the sky. 3rd gear corner exits at wot, rear end stepping out just enough to remind me why 100 wear tires min are required. Giggling as I slam 4th. Wife shaking her head and grinning. I shift 5th still under wot. Passport X50 starts screaming. All four corners dig in against the blacktop. Up shift to 6th for stealth exhaust mode...... Courtesy wave to Mr Ossifer...... Heart drops out of throat and returns to normal rhythm. ...down shift and go again...

It was a very good day!