Crispy's Project Overkill: Turbo 5.3
 

It's been a long time since I decided to take on this project and now I believe it is worthy of a build thread.

Before we get into my build, I would like to say thanks to all of you for contributing to this awesome resource we call V8miata.net. I have been lurking for a while and soaking up all kinds of great info.

The car: 1992 mariner blue miata "A" package w/hardtop. I have owned this car for 16 years now. The car is fitted with some suspension mods and a Hard Dog 4-point rollbar.

The plan: Built aluminum 5.3(LH6), Viper T56, Cobra 8.8 LSD, V8R subframe. Also, I am going to run some boost and fuel it using Holley EFI.

Purpose: Street car that will make me grin ear to ear. There's nothing really more to it.



Believe it or not, this all started with a bare engine block. Yes, this was the very 1st part that I purchased(Ebay $175).
https://www.v8miata.net/attachment.p...1&d=1454887422

I came across a good hookup for hotrod engine parts and machining, so my engine build got a little out of hand. Over the course of about a year, it turned into an animal consisting of:

Callies Magnum crankshaft 58x
Callies forged H-beam rods
Wiseco 3.80" forged pistons
Coated bearings
ARP studs throughout
The cam is custom grind: 223/231 .650/.600 112+2
Katech C5R timing set
New LS7 lifter and trays
Melling HV oil pump

https://www.v8miata.net/attachment.p...1&d=1454886980


I scored some 243 casting cylinder heads form a donor motor out of an avalanche. I had them CNC ported, installed Ferrea stainless valves, BTR hardened pushrods, BTR .660" springs/Ti retainers, and upgraded the rockers with Comps trunion kit. They heads are secured with ARP studs.
https://www.v8miata.net/attachment.p...1&d=1454887100

https://www.v8miata.net/attachment.p...1&d=1454887100

https://www.v8miata.net/attachment.p...1&d=1454887100

Fitted with Holley 302-2 oil pan, pickup, and race baffle:
https://www.v8miata.net/attachment.p...1&d=1454892451https://www.v8miata.net/attachment.p...1&d=1454892451https://www.v8miata.net/attachment.p...1&d=1454892451https://www.v8miata.net/attachment.p...1&d=1454892451

Note: Manual steering rack^^^

Tired of the search for a proper 4-corner coolant crossover that would fit under a factory intake, I decided to make one. In order for that to happen, I had to teach myself to bronze braze.

https://www.v8miata.net/attachment.p...1&d=1454901806

https://www.v8miata.net/attachment.p...1&d=1454901806
https://www.v8miata.net/attachment.p...1&d=1454901806

ATI Super Damper hub with ARP crank bolt. I had to boil the hub for about 30 min to install on the crank. Even then, it was a bear to pull on to the crank. I made a custom puller, and it worked, but found when I removed it that my puller was stretched to the point that it is now useless.
https://www.v8miata.net/attachment.p...1&d=1454902368
https://www.v8miata.net/attachment.p...1&d=1454902368
https://www.v8miata.net/attachment.p...1&d=1454902368

I fitted Holley valve covers to keep the engine clean.
https://www.v8miata.net/attachment.p...1&d=1454902911

Installed the LS2 intake. This was a factory new takeoff that I bought from SDparts.com. It came with the injectors, rail and throttle. I will use these injectors and rails when I dyno the engine for break-in. Then they will be ditched for high flow units more suited for boosted applications.

Coil packs and ATI damper now fitted also.

https://www.v8miata.net/attachment.p...1&d=1454902911

The drivetrain will consist of Driveshaft Shop 1000hp axle/hub kit mated to a refreshed cobra IRS carbon clutched LSD.

https://www.v8miata.net/attachment.p...1&d=1454904000
The T56 is from a Viper, and a Lakewood RM6038 bell housing(not pictured) will take care of fitting the viper trans to the LS. This will require an adaptor pilot bearing. Also, I have a McLoed RST twin disc clutch(also not pictured).
https://www.v8miata.net/attachment.p...1&d=1454904000

The subframes are out and the interior is partially disassembled. This is the current status of the car. Lot's of work ahead of me. Be patient with me;)

https://www.v8miata.net/attachment.p...1&d=1454904000

....and a pic just for fun.

https://www.v8miata.net/attachment.p...1&d=1454904000

Wow, let me jump in here... Just doing a normal check-in with the forum and had to do a double take here. I'd say you have quite an impressive build strategy! I will gladly follow along and say thanks now for posting YOUR thread here. Somebody just turned the heat up in this place... :)

Great start to a build thread here, looking forward to seeing how you set up that turbo.

fantastic looking build so far, but I've gotta ask how come you're keeping stock ls7 lifters VS some nice Morel or Lunati ones with link bars to eliminate the trays (and possibility of spinning a lifter in the bore)

Me as well! So far, the plan is to run a remote electric water pump(notice the coolant adaptors in the last pic?), and possibly tube the front core support for more clearance. The manifolds will likely have to be fabricated.

Hi Steve. I was concerned about this too. Maybe I still am a little. At the time, I did a lot of reading and asking around, and convinced myself that most failures of the Chevy lifters were attributed to a poorly setup valvetrain, used parts with new, incorrect pushrods, poor quality cams, used trays, poor maintenance, worn springs......you get the idea. I set up my valvetrain with the help of my machinist. I expressed a little concern and he didn't seem to have any worries.

Does this guarantee that the lifters are up to the task? Not at all. I realize that this is a machine and anything can fail at any time. I am going to run it on the engine dyno to break it in before I put it into the Miata. Maybe I will convince myself by then that the $600 lifters are worth it. Who knows:)

nice build. sending you good vibes.

one thing though the Lakewood RM6038 bell housing. i had one of those, it hung 2" below the bottom of the car. might i recommend getting a t56 bell housing from tremic. that saved me 15lbs and gave me more clearance.

Jeez. I know it is a bit larger, but 2"? I guess I will cross that bridge when I get to it. I was hoping to avoid cutting the input shaft of the transmission in order to fit a f-body bell housing. Thanks for the heads up!

Update in the Lakewood bell housing: After thinking about Be Good's post about the Lakewood bell housing creating ground clearance issues, I decided to line it up with a bell housing from an F-body. I measured 1 inch of flange that may have to be trimmed.

https://www.v8miata.net/attachment.p...1&d=1455127287

I had to cut the flange off of the Lakewood bell housing on my Cobra. Those things are made out of some serious metal.

I fabbed up a rear diff mount today:
https://www.v8miata.net/attachments/...217_190837.jpg
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I like it!!!

Mike

That's a corvette beltline damper without a/c right? Whats the PN on it. I need a skinny damper without the a/c ring.

Nice informative information...thanks!

Completed the front portion of the diff mount yesterday:

https://www.v8miata.net/attachment.p...1&d=1456153137

https://www.v8miata.net/attachment.p...1&d=1456153079

Nice

Nice welds you have there

Thanks!

Subscribed.

Oh and hi buddy. Being the happy owner of your previous work, I am excited to see how clean this one comes out.

Welcome aboard bud. Thanks for following.

Hello. Is there a link for previous build?

He is referring to my previous 4cyl turbo engine/drivetrain.

This thread is awesome ! Subrscribed! Turbo ls should haul the mail !

Looks Great! I am the guy with the Turbo LS1 NC. I am in the middle of putting another one together after having a slight mishap with a guardrail. Yours should make plenty of power for sure!

BTW... I can probably beat most any prices on the Holley EFI stuff. I have a dominator on mine with all kinds of options and LOVE it! If you want me to hook you up on any of that, let me know!

Hbwiggins,

Thanks for chiming in. I am a huge fan of your car. Sorry to hear about the wreck! I will be looking forward to your next build for sure.

I would like to pick your brain about the Holley and a couple of other topics. I'll PM you.

Small update:

Control arms arrived. Awesome quality! Not sure how I feel about the color. They appear black on Shandelle's website. Maybe I will have them re-coated down the road.https://www.v8miata.net/attachment.p...1&d=1459790945


-The front and rear subframes, along with some other misc parts are going in for blasting and powder coating soon.


-The engine is going to a local speed shop for an engine dyno break-in.


-I am currently in the process of modifying my hard dog sport roll bar with some diagonals and a harness bar. I was going to cage the car, but this will likely wait until next spring when I can drive the car over to my buddies race shop.

Did those frame rails and cross member show up yet?

Yes sir! That were at my house when I got home from work today. Thank you.

V8R frame rails and trans cross member courtesy of Ryan. Is it just me or are these a lot beefier than FM's?
https://www.v8miata.net/attachment.p...1&d=1460393185

Great thread Chris! subscribed.

My car underwent a little surgery over the weekend. I still have to cut around the tunnel and widen it. That HF spot weld bit is awesome!

https://www.v8miata.net/attachment.p...1&d=1460394199

I removed the pinch welds on the front frame rails for added clearance. I am
going to stitch these, and then fab up some right angle rails to weld over the factory flimsy sheetmetal. The bulkhead still needs some grinding and shaping. I am toying with the idea of removing the gussets under the frame rails at the bulkhead, and then fabbing up tubular diagonals to take the place of them. I was really surprised to see how flimsy this fame material is from the factory. https://www.v8miata.net/attachment.p...1&d=1460393964

***Cheap tool plug warning***

I took a chance on the Harbor Freight tubing notcher and bi-metal hole saws. I was actually very pleased. After several cuts through 1 1/2" 1/8" wall DOM, no broken teeth. I ran my drill at about 200 rpm and used plenty of oil. Check it out.
https://www.v8miata.net/attachment.p...1&d=1460394592
https://www.v8miata.net/attachment.p...1&d=1460394592

awesome build you will love those control arms especially in a different color!

Why yes you will! Gotta have some eye candy to look at when you crawl under there and need reminding about all the money you spent..!

They come in red or that funny grey. They don't offer them black for some reason Shandelle explained to me a while back, something about imitators I think. I ordered mine raw so I could paint them myself (VHT Black)

Did you check pickup height for your oil pan? I measured mine and it was just about 1/2" which I think is too much

Mine came it at about 1/4" pre-gasket. Maybe 5/16" when secured with gasket.

Which pan did you use Steve?

Same pan, 302-2. I ended up using a washer underneath where the pickup bolted to the windage tray and then a little persuasion with the pry bar to achieve about 3/8".

Steve, did you use studs for the mains? The ARP nuts under the windage tray are rather tall. I wonder if the difference is due to this.

https://www.v8miata.net/attachment.p...1&d=1461070612

Yeah that's gotta be it. I used stock main bolts.

The engine went to the dyno for a proper break-in. It made 423hp, 379 torque. It should be respectably stout when boosted and tuned.

What, where is the video? I can't wait to see this thing come alive!

Got my dyno sheet yesterday. 90psi oil pressure at 225deg!!!!!!! Wow. I guess the stock relief spring will be installed in the oil pump.


https://www.v8miata.net/attachment.p...1&d=1464804434