V8MiataMike

Here is what I did with the radiator.

Fans are mounted as pullers.



Radiator brackets modified to include brackets for condenser mounts. It is a little tough to see in the picture but since the radiator can not move forward, I added the ears on the lower condenser brackets to prevent the radiator from moving toward the engine. The hose is resting on the bracket ear.





I deliberately waited till after I did a little road testing to assess the ride height of the car. It has a 4WD stance if you ask me... This is where it sits after the road test.



And thanks everyone for the congrats! Feels good to get it moving on its own!

V8MiataMike

Getting started on exhaust. This could take a while...

Ordered a bunch of U bends, pipe, X pipe and MagnaFlow mufflers (3 chamber).

I want the nice V8 sound but have something that does not drone. I'm hoping this works.

tbone heller

I had mine done by a shop in Canton. James has been doing custom exhaust work for years. They had all of the stuff in stock, & installed it cheaper than I could have purchased just the parts alone. You can stop by & check it out if you would like.

jrmotorsports55

How did u mount the fans? Thru bolts per Martin manual? I was going to make brackets, but thru bolts will give most clearance for pullers.

Jason

V8MiataMike

Jason, I bought those plastic transmission cooler "zip ties" things. They had them at the auto parts store. Pushed them threw from the fan side and slid the pads on them from the other. I just don't like the sound of bolts going threw the radiator.

Mike

jrmotorsports55

Gotcha. That's what it looked like, wanted to be sure. Do the fans feel pretty secure with those? I know a lot of aftermarket set ups use those for mounting.

Jason

V8MiataMike

The fans are really light weight so I think the plastic squeeze ties will do fine. The Monster kit uses bolts to tie together the condenser and everything in one big assembly so that makes sense but in this case the condenser is mounted on its one so no need for bolts.

V8MiataMike

The exhaust is not totally done - need to fabricate additional hanger mounts along the system - but here is the initial setup.



















The X pipe makes for a really nice sound (in my opinion anyway) but it is sure enough droning. I do not have the tip extensions on yet so maybe that will help. Exhaust may be blowing onto inside of bumper at the moment...

jrmotorsports55

Looks great!

V8MiataMike

Before I removed the front control arms, I took some close up pictures of the adjustment cams.



The before and after feel of the "alignment" is much better now with the cams back in their original place prior to diss-assembly. Almost like I do not need to get it aligned.


I completed the exhaust with stainless tips. Got rid of some of that drone (exhaust was hitting inside of bumper without the extension of the tips...)




It is time now for the "small details" completion and clean up. Been driving it around and the overall stance has come down a bit but it looks like I will be taking the shocks out to cut all 4 springs a bit to lower the car.

V8MiataMike

I am declaring the V8 conversion phase of this project complete. I installed a red top Optima battery and it made a huge difference. The original battery in the car was 5 years old and had lots of problems barely starting the engine cold and could not do it when it was hot. What a difference. The Optima spins the engine effortlessly hot or cold.






I've run the gas out of the tank now (filled prior to tear down including fuel conditioner) so the next trip will be to the gas station.

I'm not detecting issues with the brakes. They seem to be working fine so no hurry at this time to upgrade although that will be in an upcoming phase.

Next steps:

• Audio system - 2 DIN
• Ride height - cut springs/adjustable coil overs
• Wheels/tires
• Body and paint
• Interior
• A/C system completion/charge - early summer

So there is lots to do but in the mean time, having fun with the ride!

WolfGT

Congrats on the build! Enjoy.

jrmotorsports55

Congrats!

MX-Brad

Awesome build, and quick. You started Dec.1 ?
I wish daisy's could hold a bit wider/stickier rubber. Ultimate sleeper with them. Think I'm going to look for a set for mine.

V8MiataMike

December 1st was the official start date. Official "complete" date is January 31st. I still have a ton to do on the car but it is running great. Tinkering will go on for a long time I'm sure!

I had a guy come up to me at the Home Depot parking lot as soon as I started it today that needed the whole run down on the build. You guys must get that all the time.

Wicked fun!

5.0MX5

"I had a guy come up to me at the Home Depot parking lot as soon as I started it today that needed the whole run down on the build. You guys must get that all the time."

While solving my cars "running warm" issues I drove around a few days without the hood. If you really wanna visit with strangers try that trick. It'll take you back to the old Hot Rod days.

V8MiataMike

Kinda boring but a fun ride to the parts store. Gets a little sideways at 1:25 in.

Closed course and professional driver. Do not attempt...

MX-Brad

F%#kin' eh. Awesome.

jrmotorsports55

Love it!

MiataDoug

I am interested in your comment about the front end looking kind of 4WD. Did that get any different after you drove it more? Is that normal? I had my engine in for a test fit and it still seemed like the front springs lift up the car to much in the front end? Is this normal for Martins kit?

V8MiataMike

I don't know if it is normal for the kit or not but I wound up cutting the springs to lower it down. I think it was 3/4 of a coil. Looks much better now!

I would wait till you are completely done with the build in terms of installing/adding items of "weight" to ensure end resulting ride height is what you want.

MiataDoug

Thanks so much for the info. It is amazing to be able to get answers to the 101 little things that are concerning. Glad I joined the site.

V8MiataMike

Update to cooling system.

I replaced the two small puller fans with an OEM Ford Contour dual fan setup. Significant improvement in overall air flow to be sure.

V8MiataMike

I have been "off the grid" for a while but thought I would post some updates to this overall build.

I looked and shopped and looked some more for wheels and what I wanted to do. I ran across a photo of Mike's (CVX 20) Miata with Mustang Halibrand-ish looking wheels which I had a set of and really liked the look. Thanks to Mike he set me up with the machining work to make the 5 lug conversion properly and that is the route I took.

Brakes are now updated too with 2004 Mustang PBR aluminum dual piston calipers and rotors on the front and NC Miata rotors on the back. Braking is incredible now.

New paint is also on the car (with black A pillars/windshield frame and mirrors) along with a new Robins top. Stereo upgraded with rear 8" speakers installed and a behind the seat slim sub woofer (which does a surprisingly good job).

Here are some pictures for the updates.

jrmotorsports55

Looks great!