I did a lot of research before jumping into this project, its not my first build but im also not a fabricator. Im not using any kits for this build, ill try to make everything myself... to start with im using a 98 Ls1 from a trans am, t56 6 speed transmission and an 8.8 ford differential... The car is a 93 1.6 miata...

 

LOL well you will be a fabricator when you are done! If you have not already seen it check out some of our world class fabricators work here https://www.v8miata.net/v8-miata-con...esources-2349/ And don't skip over the Ford builds, there is a lot of smarts in those cars you can learn from.

Subscribed and here to help!

 

k-frame cut and welded for starter clearance


gussets, be gone! along with the whole front clip...

 

modified the rear crossmember to bolt on the differential...

picked up an 8.8 differential at a local salvage yard for 200 bucks and axles were about 300 each... ready to go in the car...

 

got a few parts in the mail... t76 turbo, electric fans, griffin radiator, wilwood clutch master cylinder for the T56 transmission, lines to blled the tranny, fuel lines and some fittings...
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since im going turbo i want to try the up and foward headers... still need some piping to mount the turbo

 

Fitted the engine and bolted the headers, then i welded some brackets to support the rx7 bumper...
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What kind of axles are those?

 

i got them from thmotorsports... theyre rated for 500hp

 

What level are they? I am only seeing the 400hp ones for a price anywhere like that? IT looks in the pictures like you got the pro axles with the bolt on inner cv, but those are a lot more expensive.

Do you have a part number for them? Sorry for all the questions, I have been doing a lot of axle research lately so its on my mind. I bought a 03 cobra diff but I am finding the costs go up exponentially to use 31 spline inner CV's. I will probably be putting in 28 spline spider gears in that diff and using these axles if they were $600 total.

 

Say what????? I thought you said you were not a fabricator? Looks to me like you know your way around a welder just fine to me! I love the RX7 bumper idea that is going to be really sweet.

What is the 8.8 out of? It looks a little different than most of them I have seen.

Really nice work Edgar, thanks for posting it!

 

i believe i got the level 2 axles...
charchri4 - well i got an arc welder and a grinder... im wanting to tackle down the exhaust system in stainless steel with 309 welding rods...
im sorting out pre-bent pipes from summit all in 3"

 

bought an air compressor from harbor freight and a cheap spraygun to primer the rx7 bumper, propped the intercooler in place with a paint bucket and mocked up the radiator under the bumper
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whats a good site for stainless v-band clamps... i need 2 female sides...

 

ok just ordered some pipes for the exhaust... as soon as i get them i weld my custom turbo mount...

 

i hope i get my pipes tomorrow... also im gonna weld some radiator supports, see how those come out...

 

lol I am going the EXACT same direction, great minds think alike. Good to have someone I can follow suit of.

 

Diddo. It looks like a few bowtie turbo builds are happening/finishing soon. It's going to be a little ridiculous

 

Made a foam turbo to use as mock up...

 

I mounted the radiator with angle iron and made a support for the intercooler... the radiator mounts at an angle while the intercooler sits in the mouth of the bumper... im having fitment issues with the piping for the turbo and i really hate the idea of a rear mount turbo so im considering a rear mounted radiator setup
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this is where my build currently sits, got one figerglassed fender and one headlight mounted... both intercooler and radiators are mounted... to to mirror the other side but i want my crossover and downpipe done first...
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Got any side pics of that fender? That thing is going to be WIDE! What are you going to do out back to make it look even?

 

Scissortails, looking back, did you really need to remove that much of the subframe to fit the starter?

I am going to test fit my 4.8 LR4 this weekend (while I doubt ill be able to get it all the way in as I still have the truck pan on it). I am hoping to be able to find out how much I need to clearance the subframe, and start removing sections.

 

i wish i had a pic to show u the starter clearance but i removed the k-frame again... all that space wasnt necessary but if your starter were to go out it gives you ample working space... im cutting the other side of the k-frame now so i can clear the downpipe...

 

Really wish you had a picture as well ha.

I was hoping I could get away with possibly just a U shaped channel for clearance, but as I dont have my trans yet I had planned to push the motor against the firewall, and start at the back of the subframe and remove up to a few inches in front of where the starter sits to give myself a little play room, it would be optimum if I didnt have to cut into the cross brace between the two sides because you create a weak point by doing such.

 

as far as the oil pan, try using one from a firebird or trans am... i went with a low pro holley oil pan because i wanted to put the engine as low as possible for handling reasons... and your truck intake will probably have clearance issues with the hood...