Project Thunderbolt - my LS3 MazdaSpeed video build series
03-31-2015, 11:59 PM
#26
Jim Stainer
Yeah I've been thinking it's done also. That header thing was pretty much a dead giveaway. For a top shelf build like this if he was even close to where he is at in the videos it just doesn't make sense to put those 1 1/2 headers in the car. There is only about 500 bucks difference between the 1 1/2s and the 1 3/4s and clearly he knows that would make a world of difference with that motor. I wonder if he pulled the plug on the Sandersons before the new headers were even available last fall.
Then there is a the Q&A video that was obviously current but it was done with no shots of the car or garage. For a fella doing the epic level video he is, standing in front of a closet door talking about a car that's right around the corner in the garage just didn't make sense. Then there is the pace. He's a family man with a day job and plenty of other stuff going on in life and hes getting a heck of a lot done every 2 weeks plus producing a top quality video that has to take plenty of hours to do.
I'm not about the call the man a liar or say he's deceiving us but there is plenty here to make a guy wonder.
Then there is a the Q&A video that was obviously current but it was done with no shots of the car or garage. For a fella doing the epic level video he is, standing in front of a closet door talking about a car that's right around the corner in the garage just didn't make sense. Then there is the pace. He's a family man with a day job and plenty of other stuff going on in life and hes getting a heck of a lot done every 2 weeks plus producing a top quality video that has to take plenty of hours to do.
I'm not about the call the man a liar or say he's deceiving us but there is plenty here to make a guy wonder.
04-01-2015, 02:20 AM
#27
V8 Miata Participant
It would be a lot easier to complete all the work and video taping and then assemble the footage after the fact, so not to worry about deadlines and not coming close. Afterall, I'm pretty sure that's how most film production is done, yea? :-D
I'm going to agree, with a full time life, building it this fast would be impressive. Though not out of the question.
I'm going to agree, with a full time life, building it this fast would be impressive. Though not out of the question.
04-01-2015, 05:41 AM
#28
Haha, I wish it was Michael! That said, I did work with Summit some time ago on the timing of the updates, but I still have tons of work to do before it's ready for the road. The whole build and documentation of it has been lots of fun!
04-01-2015, 06:20 AM
#29
V8 Miata Fanatic
04-01-2015, 06:31 AM
#30
Oops, I didn't see the comments on the next page of the thread!
Jim, you talk about me like I'm not on here. Haha! 
I'm not trying to deceive anyone, the car is definitely not done. There is still TONS to do. I can understand your perspective and even understand if this method annoys some folks, as normal build threads are updated in real time and I put stuff out there when I finish each video update, which happened in not too distant past.
I do record in advance, as is the case with most all video production, but that is simply for my sanity and so that I can put out videos on a regular basis. In the past I've tried posting videos in almost real time and it is impossible. Just about every V8 Miata specific part I ordered for this car was on backorder at least by a couple weeks and the Tremec 2.66 gearset was on national backorder for months. That alone would've derailed any semblance of release schedule.
I make goofball videos of me wrenching in my garage when I have time. I have been doing it for a few years. Folks seem to like them, so I keep doing them. I shot the Q&A in my house because the garage has too much echo for extended speaking parts. Maybe someday I'll get a helper who could help me rig up a good lav mic setup. It would make sense to film the Q&As in the garage, but it just doesn't work right now.
As for the headers, I considered V8Rs long tubes from the start. They are obviously nice. That said, there were some compromises that weren't worth making for how I'll use the car. I contacted Sanderson and found out that they could make their shorty headers in either 1 1/2 or 1 5/8 diameter. I chose the 1 5/8 and wasn't thrilled with the fit. So my options are make my own or the FM headers. I don't have time to make my own, so it became an easy choice. They'll be fine, headers are upgrade-able. Someday I'll likely make a set. It's been awhile since I've made a set of headers, but my buddy has those "header mockup legos" that he'll let me borrow, so I think that'll make it easier.
Oh man, I wish I could build this fast! I started the build process (and thus recording footage) in September of 2014. That seems like ages ago to me, but I don't get much time in the garage and given that I do all of this stuff by myself, I have to record far ahead of time or I would go insane. For example, the transmission gearset was on backorder from Tremec for months. If I was shooting in near real time, that would've been a bit of a problem. 
You're right, this is the case with most all video production and is necessary given how long it takes to write and edit, especially when you literally do it all yourself.
Yeah I've been thinking it's done also. That header thing was pretty much a dead giveaway. For a top shelf build like this if he was even close to where he is at in the videos it just doesn't make sense to put those 1 1/2 headers in the car. There is only about 500 bucks difference between the 1 1/2s and the 1 3/4s and clearly he knows that would make a world of difference with that motor. I wonder if he pulled the plug on the Sandersons before the new headers were even available last fall.
Then there is a the Q&A video that was obviously current but it was done with no shots of the car or garage. For a fella doing the epic level video he is, standing in front of a closet door talking about a car that's right around the corner in the garage just didn't make sense. Then there is the pace. He's a family man with a day job and plenty of other stuff going on in life and hes getting a heck of a lot done every 2 weeks plus producing a top quality video that has to take plenty of hours to do.
I'm not about the call the man a liar or say he's deceiving us but there is plenty here to make a guy wonder.
Then there is a the Q&A video that was obviously current but it was done with no shots of the car or garage. For a fella doing the epic level video he is, standing in front of a closet door talking about a car that's right around the corner in the garage just didn't make sense. Then there is the pace. He's a family man with a day job and plenty of other stuff going on in life and hes getting a heck of a lot done every 2 weeks plus producing a top quality video that has to take plenty of hours to do.
I'm not about the call the man a liar or say he's deceiving us but there is plenty here to make a guy wonder.
I'm not trying to deceive anyone, the car is definitely not done. There is still TONS to do. I can understand your perspective and even understand if this method annoys some folks, as normal build threads are updated in real time and I put stuff out there when I finish each video update, which happened in not too distant past. I do record in advance, as is the case with most all video production, but that is simply for my sanity and so that I can put out videos on a regular basis. In the past I've tried posting videos in almost real time and it is impossible. Just about every V8 Miata specific part I ordered for this car was on backorder at least by a couple weeks and the Tremec 2.66 gearset was on national backorder for months. That alone would've derailed any semblance of release schedule.
I make goofball videos of me wrenching in my garage when I have time. I have been doing it for a few years. Folks seem to like them, so I keep doing them. I shot the Q&A in my house because the garage has too much echo for extended speaking parts. Maybe someday I'll get a helper who could help me rig up a good lav mic setup. It would make sense to film the Q&As in the garage, but it just doesn't work right now.
As for the headers, I considered V8Rs long tubes from the start. They are obviously nice. That said, there were some compromises that weren't worth making for how I'll use the car. I contacted Sanderson and found out that they could make their shorty headers in either 1 1/2 or 1 5/8 diameter. I chose the 1 5/8 and wasn't thrilled with the fit. So my options are make my own or the FM headers. I don't have time to make my own, so it became an easy choice. They'll be fine, headers are upgrade-able. Someday I'll likely make a set. It's been awhile since I've made a set of headers, but my buddy has those "header mockup legos" that he'll let me borrow, so I think that'll make it easier.
It would be a lot easier to complete all the work and video taping and then assemble the footage after the fact, so not to worry about deadlines and not coming close. Afterall, I'm pretty sure that's how most film production is done, yea? :-D
I'm going to agree, with a full time life, building it this fast would be impressive. Though not out of the question.
I'm going to agree, with a full time life, building it this fast would be impressive. Though not out of the question.
You're right, this is the case with most all video production and is necessary given how long it takes to write and edit, especially when you literally do it all yourself.
04-01-2015, 06:40 AM
#31
V8 Miata Protégé
Either way, keep them coming I really enjoy the video and envy your method of doing things! lol
On another note, What compromises weren't you willing to except with the long tubes? I just got my set but I haven't gotten to the mock up stage yet.
On another note, What compromises weren't you willing to except with the long tubes? I just got my set but I haven't gotten to the mock up stage yet.
04-01-2015, 08:26 AM
#32
V8 Miata Fanatic
+1
I'm really enjoying this series too.
Regarding the off topic comments: I just assumed from the start this build was done before the first video came out, but it doesn't matter to me one way or the other...who cares?
I'm really enjoying this series too.
Regarding the off topic comments: I just assumed from the start this build was done before the first video came out, but it doesn't matter to me one way or the other...who cares?
04-01-2015, 08:38 AM
#33
Jim Stainer
LOL oh no I knew you are here and would read it and yeah I shouldn't chat with Michael in your build thread and mess it up on you. I didn't mean to take up a bunch of your time writing all that out but it is fun to hear the backstory.
I hope you understand that we're not picking on you at all here. We've all been there and many of us have done enough work with video to know you'd be hiding a red cape and big S on your chest that make this all possible. Someday you should do a wrap up video on the project on how you did the video work and pulled this all off like you are doing. It's just so well done and so quickly coming together it seems too good to be true.
For what it's worth I did feel there were a couple of indicators suggesting the car is not done as well. For one thing after you turn that key the first time you'd be hard pressed not to shout your joy from the roof tops and put up a post of her running somewhere. Also not coming to Atlanta when you are so close and so into V8 Miatas was a dead giveaway that the car is not on the road yet.
So basically we are just having fun speculating at your expense! I assure you we meant no offense and Brad is right it really doesn't make any difference or make what you are doing any less epic one way or the other. I for one very much appreciate you letting us in your shop and making such a wonderful documentary of the process.
I hope you understand that we're not picking on you at all here. We've all been there and many of us have done enough work with video to know you'd be hiding a red cape and big S on your chest that make this all possible. Someday you should do a wrap up video on the project on how you did the video work and pulled this all off like you are doing. It's just so well done and so quickly coming together it seems too good to be true.
For what it's worth I did feel there were a couple of indicators suggesting the car is not done as well. For one thing after you turn that key the first time you'd be hard pressed not to shout your joy from the roof tops and put up a post of her running somewhere. Also not coming to Atlanta when you are so close and so into V8 Miatas was a dead giveaway that the car is not on the road yet.
So basically we are just having fun speculating at your expense! I assure you we meant no offense and Brad is right it really doesn't make any difference or make what you are doing any less epic one way or the other. I for one very much appreciate you letting us in your shop and making such a wonderful documentary of the process.
04-01-2015, 08:49 AM
#34
V8 Miata Participant
Well, I'm glad to hear you aren't super human, just motivated, haha. You are a lot further along than I am, considering you started 3 months after I did.
Interesting call on the headers. I really want a set of 1-7/8 if I can find them, so far no luck. V8R said its not possible with their layout, and Kooks deferred me to V8R, so custom is likely the only route, in which I am sure I will run into the same issues the other guys did and give up! It is about 15hp on the table with my motor, though.
Tremec. Holy crap don't get me started. I'm STILL waiting on an output shaft, a year later after original inquiry. They will have them in June, a year and a month after the fact. I started my Trans back in May, and have been waiting since. They way they work their inventory seems to be 1. let it run out, 2. see if people want to buy the stuff again 3. after enough people ask for out of stock parts, think about making them 4. get coffee, go back to step 2. Step 5. Make stuff as slow as possible. I called easily 12 tremec/gm vendors for that part and one company had the last one they wouldn't sell.
And everyone's right, The only real important question to answer here is will you be in Atlanta on the 25th??
Interesting call on the headers. I really want a set of 1-7/8 if I can find them, so far no luck. V8R said its not possible with their layout, and Kooks deferred me to V8R, so custom is likely the only route, in which I am sure I will run into the same issues the other guys did and give up! It is about 15hp on the table with my motor, though.
Tremec. Holy crap don't get me started. I'm STILL waiting on an output shaft, a year later after original inquiry. They will have them in June, a year and a month after the fact. I started my Trans back in May, and have been waiting since. They way they work their inventory seems to be 1. let it run out, 2. see if people want to buy the stuff again 3. after enough people ask for out of stock parts, think about making them 4. get coffee, go back to step 2. Step 5. Make stuff as slow as possible. I called easily 12 tremec/gm vendors for that part and one company had the last one they wouldn't sell.
And everyone's right, The only real important question to answer here is will you be in Atlanta on the 25th??
04-01-2015, 01:26 PM
#35
V8 Miata Fan
These builds take FOREVER it seems like. Not just with the Miata stuff, but with anything custom that you are concerned with doing correctly. I ordered up lots of parts and never took my car apart until I had 90% of everything to do the job. That was around Christmas and I am still waiting on stuff... All the little things add up to a ton of money and time. One good thing about having to wait on some parts is that you can spend time on what you do have to work with and make it nicer! Thanks again for the videos! Now get that thing ready for The Mitty!
04-02-2015, 12:51 AM
#36
V8 Miata Participant
These builds take FOREVER it seems like. Not just with the Miata stuff, but with anything custom that you are concerned with doing correctly. I ordered up lots of parts and never took my car apart until I had 90% of everything to do the job. That was around Christmas and I am still waiting on stuff... All the little things add up to a ton of money and time. One good thing about having to wait on some parts is that you can spend time on what you do have to work with and make it nicer! Thanks again for the videos! Now get that thing ready for The Mitty!
04-10-2015, 08:46 AM
#37
Thanks for the support and kind words fellas, I appreciate it as always! Here's the latest update, where it's time to join the engine and transmission, then chuck 'em into the car to make sure all of the chassis mods are ready for final welding. If you'd like to see more pictures and other detail, take a gander at my website: www.V8Mazda.com
Thank you for checking this stuff out and I hope y'all are getting ready to drive your V8 Miatas as the weather warms up!
-Tom
Thank you for checking this stuff out and I hope y'all are getting ready to drive your V8 Miatas as the weather warms up!
-Tom
04-26-2015, 06:19 PM
#42
Thank you Michael! I thought about doing the doors, but decided to see how it turned out without doing them, as it would be a pretty complicated job. It could pretty easily be done later on though if needed. I'll let everyone know how this stuff worked out!
04-26-2015, 08:33 PM
#43
V8 Miata Fanatic
I know it's what FM does now instead of the stick down stuff mine has. I saw a couple of cars in progress when I was picking Bert up. Once mine is 25 I won't have to pass emissions in TX. At that time I'll redo my exhaust with long tubes and no cats. My intent is to spay the undercarriage while I'm at it (drive train will be completely pulled). ..point is...looking forward to your impressions.
04-26-2015, 09:38 PM
#44
V8 Miata Protégé
After seeing your video, that pretty much sealed the deal for me. I'll be ordering the kit pretty soon. Do you think 1 gallon of each would be sufficient? I'd be doing inside and tunnel, but no trunk. At $90 a gallon I'd rather not over order this stuff.
04-27-2015, 03:01 PM
#45
V8 Miata Fan
I used the CI product on the complete underside of my car. It made a huge difference on heat. Noise isn't very bad right now but I am thinking of doing the interior with the noise reduction stuff! I used most of a gallon on just the bottom side of the car but I may have gone a little think. Underdog should be able to tell you exactly how much he used.
04-28-2015, 08:07 AM
#46
I know it's what FM does now instead of the stick down stuff mine has. I saw a couple of cars in progress when I was picking Bert up. Once mine is 25 I won't have to pass emissions in TX. At that time I'll redo my exhaust with long tubes and no cats. My intent is to spay the undercarriage while I'm at it (drive train will be completely pulled). ..point is...looking forward to your impressions.
I used the CI product on the complete underside of my car. It made a huge difference on heat. Noise isn't very bad right now but I am thinking of doing the interior with the noise reduction stuff! I used most of a gallon on just the bottom side of the car but I may have gone a little think. Underdog should be able to tell you exactly how much he used.
05-08-2015, 11:23 AM
#48
Hello Everyone and here's the latest update! This time around the chassis work is complete and reassembly can begin. Thank you as always for checking this out, if you'd like to see more photos and details, check out my car project website at Thunderbolt: The LS3 V8 Powered MX-5 Mazda Miata | Home
The following 3 users liked this post by Underdog:
05-11-2015, 06:18 AM
#50
