Dave - Just loving that full engine bay shot up above! It looks so nice, clean, and well thought-out. Three quick questions - because I'm curious: What is the black, rectangular box to the right of the wiper motor on the firewall? Also, how are you routing the heater hoses? I can see them at the water pump, but not certain how they are run towards the firewall and into the heater core. (Maybe I'm just blind!) Also, are you going to run A/C?? I haven't wired and plumbed my A/C (after being on the road for 16 months..) yet...
It all is coming together so well.

 

Thanks for the kind words. The little black box is the main fuse that comes with the American Autowire kit.

At the moment Im not running heat or a/c. Coming off the block, I just have the lines looped. The way the coolant is bypassed through the thermostat, it seemed like a bad idea to just block them off. Its a 50/50 debate on any ls website whether or not its necessary. Figured Id err on the side of caution. I fabbed up some plugs for the holes in the firewall until Im ready, if ever, to put heat in it. Dont think I'll ever run a/c.

 

That fuel system is beautiful. I might have to replicate that setup somehow.

I just need to justify the cost of the flaring tool to myself.

 

I like what you're doing here... Our little Mazda heater cores put out quite a bit of BTU's, that's for sure!

 

So, as well as trying to button up all the loose ends Ive finally got the rear subframe altered for exhaust routing.
I based it off Flyin Miatas front diff hanger, sort of, and welded in bungs to bolt to.
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I had the driveshaft built locally. Turned out great, although the prices for these things took me a bit by surprise. Nice looking piece though.
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Ive finished the front half of the exhaust, still havnt decided on mufflers yet. So many choices. I really like the dual in/dual out that FM has on their system for ease of routing. But I also think that 2 seperate mufflers will be quieter.
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I found out the Aim dash can read fuel level if converted to 0-5v signal. Iron Canyon sells a nice converter for this specific need. So now the only auxiliary guage will be fuel pressure.

Getting darn close to taking her to get alligned, corner weighted and tuned.

 

are those the header extensions available from V8R? With Cats?

 

Yep, the V8R extensions but without cats. For some reason they did not line up just right and needed trimming and another turn added to place them centered in the trans crossmember.

 

Did you find anybody for corner weighting and alignment? If you are in the Orlando area I may have a guy who can help.

 

Van B, I sent you a pm.

Thanks

 

So when's the maiden voyage scheduled?

 

I sent him a message. I think he is in Winter Park.

 

This coming week. Need to bleed the brakes and clutch. Install the aerocatch latches and take it to an alignment shop.

 

Too bad you're not local, I'd gladly do your alignment.

 

I hate you so much right now, I feel like I am so far from having mine done and here you are just about to drive......

I do like that x-pipe connection though, that is the exact same one I bought

 

Ha, haters gonna hate.

The exhaust build went fairly well considering it was my first one. I ended up using 98% of the bends in the U-fit kit and have about 30 feet of straight sections left. Not sure if the kit was worth it with all the leftovers but at least it gave me all the bends needed. When the hanger mount show up I can finish it off. Mufflers are polished Magnaflows with straight thru design. I was trying to go with a quiet sleeper exhaust but it turned out to be a bit louder than expected. Sounds great though along with the resonators.
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which U-fit kit did you buy? all stainless? I think I am going to go with the stainless flowmaster kit

 

Yep, the stainless Flowmaster kit is what I used.

 

Excellent, I am really glad you did this because I was tossing back and forth between the flowmaster kit or one from mandrel bends.com

I guess since you used most all of the bends I should expect the same thing.

 

Great work Dave!

 

Thanks Tom!

 

The exhaust hangars showed up so I was able to button up the exhaust last week.

I ran into an issue with the fans. The GMPP harness comes with a single wire fan output and I had both of them wired to that circuit. Once i brought the motor up to temp I turned it off and then immediately turned on the ignition switch. The fans kicked on for a second then tripped the relay. Seems I'll have to wire in dual relays, one for each fan. Hope to have this solved this week.

 

Hi, I am a novice at MIG welding. Please excuse the ignorance but what did you weld up your exhaust with? Thanks, Rutter

 

I use a Hobart 190 230V mig. It welds very nicely, minus my skills, and can weld up to 1/4" plate. I also opted for the feed gun that will do aluminum which I havnt tried yet as I dont have the proper gas for it.

 

Obviously you used SS wire, what gas did you use?

 

I cheaped out and used C25. Im sure the welds will rust, I just couldnt justify purchasing a seperate bottle of trimix for one exhaust job. Im going to keep an eye on it and plan to get it coated once it starts to oxidize.