Tips for those considering building a V8 Miata.
11-13-2013, 12:41 PM
#1
Jim Stainer
Thread Starter
Tips for those considering building a V8 Miata.
I’m putting out an open-ended list here for guys to add to that have built cars. I’m looking for stuff that 1st timers might not know or pick up from reading around the web. I'm not looking to replace or to get to the level of engine specific detail in Jasons great Ford thread but more to fill in the general gaps that are in most build threads and manuals.
Feel free to chine in and add your thoughts or if you think I have something wrong that is great too.
Feel free to chine in and add your thoughts or if you think I have something wrong that is great too.
Last edited by charchri4; 11-13-2013 at 01:22 PM.
11-13-2013, 12:42 PM
#2
Jim Stainer
Thread Starter
1 The old sayings around this subject are just as true as they ever were. There is no replacement for displacement. You can have reliability, tons of power or cheap pick any 2. And if the wife aint happy, nobodys happy.
2 Marry well. If your wife dosn't support this your build is doomed. Also if you have younger kids spend the time with them now while you can because I can tell you first hand it really stinks when they leave for college.
3 If #1 and #2 are not in good shape stop here, buy a sensible car, focus on what matters and save yourself much trouble.
4 Planning is everything. Take at least a month and read every build thread you can and study the conversion web sites closely. I have yet to hear of any build costing what the builder expected it would so pay close attention to what parts are used so you can cost them in your plan. The big stuff is easy to figure it's the dozen trips to pick up $20 items that eat you alive. As you weigh the decision to build factor in 30 to 50% more than you think it will cost to build your car and you will probably be about right. It's no fun having Visa own your build when it is done...
Also consider insurance for the car when it is done is rather tricky. See this post for info on that: http://jimsmiata.blogspot.com/2013/1...conundrum.html
5 When you are confident you understand the process develop a build plan. The core of the plan should be a list of needed parts, tools and supplies in the order they will be needed. Consider carefully the lead time for parts in the sequence of the build. NAPA will have the new water pump on the shelf but the custom radiator could take 6 or more weeks to get. It’s no fun overrunning your supply line and waiting for parts. It is just as bad to spend a grand on wheels and tires when the car won't be on the ground for many months.
6 Get your shop ready. Now is the time to hang the extra lights and pick up the HD jack stands you have always wanted and don’t skimp on either of them. Also clean all the crap off your bench and from all the corners of the garage because you will have tons of parts to deal with. You are going to spend at least 200 hours on this so make your work space as comfortable and organized as possible. Depending on the time of year heat in the north and A/C in the south go a long way to making the build process enjoyable.
7 Lay in supplies. It takes 5 rolls of electrical tape, 250 wire ties, 15 cans of brake clean, 1 roll of gaffers tape, 1 roll of masking or painters tape, 1 can of liquid wrench and a bag of floor dry to build a v8 miata. (note a 50/50 mix of ATF and Acetone works 3 times better than anything in a spray can like PB blaster or Liquid wrench) Also pick up a new set of safety glasses, another fire extinguisher and hearing protection. Beer, tea and **** bottle as necessary...
8 Stoke up the tool box. Beyond the obvious hand tools it is very helpful to some duplicates so you don’t waste time looking for tools. Assuming you already have a fairly complete set of hand tools I suggest you add:
3 each of wire cutter, LED pen light and utility knife. (Keep one set under the hood, one set inside the car and one set in your pocket)
2 each 10 mm combination wrench, 12mm combination wrench, 14mm combination wrench, 10 mm deep socket, 12mm deep socket, 14mm deep socket.
1 each 17mm combination wrench, 17mm deep socket. For LS builds 13mm combination wrench, 15mm combination wrench, 13mm deep socket, 15mm deep socket. For a Ford build ??
2 Marry well. If your wife dosn't support this your build is doomed. Also if you have younger kids spend the time with them now while you can because I can tell you first hand it really stinks when they leave for college.
3 If #1 and #2 are not in good shape stop here, buy a sensible car, focus on what matters and save yourself much trouble.
4 Planning is everything. Take at least a month and read every build thread you can and study the conversion web sites closely. I have yet to hear of any build costing what the builder expected it would so pay close attention to what parts are used so you can cost them in your plan. The big stuff is easy to figure it's the dozen trips to pick up $20 items that eat you alive. As you weigh the decision to build factor in 30 to 50% more than you think it will cost to build your car and you will probably be about right. It's no fun having Visa own your build when it is done...
Also consider insurance for the car when it is done is rather tricky. See this post for info on that: http://jimsmiata.blogspot.com/2013/1...conundrum.html
5 When you are confident you understand the process develop a build plan. The core of the plan should be a list of needed parts, tools and supplies in the order they will be needed. Consider carefully the lead time for parts in the sequence of the build. NAPA will have the new water pump on the shelf but the custom radiator could take 6 or more weeks to get. It’s no fun overrunning your supply line and waiting for parts. It is just as bad to spend a grand on wheels and tires when the car won't be on the ground for many months.
6 Get your shop ready. Now is the time to hang the extra lights and pick up the HD jack stands you have always wanted and don’t skimp on either of them. Also clean all the crap off your bench and from all the corners of the garage because you will have tons of parts to deal with. You are going to spend at least 200 hours on this so make your work space as comfortable and organized as possible. Depending on the time of year heat in the north and A/C in the south go a long way to making the build process enjoyable.
7 Lay in supplies. It takes 5 rolls of electrical tape, 250 wire ties, 15 cans of brake clean, 1 roll of gaffers tape, 1 roll of masking or painters tape, 1 can of liquid wrench and a bag of floor dry to build a v8 miata. (note a 50/50 mix of ATF and Acetone works 3 times better than anything in a spray can like PB blaster or Liquid wrench) Also pick up a new set of safety glasses, another fire extinguisher and hearing protection. Beer, tea and **** bottle as necessary...
8 Stoke up the tool box. Beyond the obvious hand tools it is very helpful to some duplicates so you don’t waste time looking for tools. Assuming you already have a fairly complete set of hand tools I suggest you add:
3 each of wire cutter, LED pen light and utility knife. (Keep one set under the hood, one set inside the car and one set in your pocket)
2 each 10 mm combination wrench, 12mm combination wrench, 14mm combination wrench, 10 mm deep socket, 12mm deep socket, 14mm deep socket.
1 each 17mm combination wrench, 17mm deep socket. For LS builds 13mm combination wrench, 15mm combination wrench, 13mm deep socket, 15mm deep socket. For a Ford build ??
Last edited by charchri4; 03-23-2014 at 03:51 PM.
11-13-2013, 12:43 PM
#3
Jim Stainer
Thread Starter
9 Prepare for the mental game. The 2 biggest things that trip most people up are wiring and exhaust but most builders don’t expect or prepare for the mental strain of the build. The warnings you hear about this being a marathon not a sprint are true. It is really easy to get down and feel like you are never going to finish when you see little progress with much effort.
The trick is to take the big picture view when you plan but when you head out to the shop just focus on one job at a time. If you don’t the enormity of the project can be overwhelming and you end up with so many systems and parts in process at once it’s hard to focus on one or know what to do next. It’s really not rocket science it’s just a big rocket!
10 Your camera is your friend. Take photos of EVERYTHING! Not just for the build thread but to see how it was before you messed with it. I can’t tell you how many times I went back to my photo file to see where that bracket went or how whatever tank bolted on. Yes you will think it is a waste of time and you will never look at a shot you are taking but trust me on this one you can't take too many photos as you go.
11 Be careful what you sell or toss. I went to my Camaro carcass more times than I could count for things I never dreamed I would need. Need a line for the overflow tank? No problem the Camaro fuel line is perfect. Need a heat shield? No problem the Camaro has tons of them. Need a longer 15mm bolt? You get the picture don’t clean out the parts pile till you have some miles on the build.
12. More to come as suggestions come in...
The trick is to take the big picture view when you plan but when you head out to the shop just focus on one job at a time. If you don’t the enormity of the project can be overwhelming and you end up with so many systems and parts in process at once it’s hard to focus on one or know what to do next. It’s really not rocket science it’s just a big rocket!
10 Your camera is your friend. Take photos of EVERYTHING! Not just for the build thread but to see how it was before you messed with it. I can’t tell you how many times I went back to my photo file to see where that bracket went or how whatever tank bolted on. Yes you will think it is a waste of time and you will never look at a shot you are taking but trust me on this one you can't take too many photos as you go.
11 Be careful what you sell or toss. I went to my Camaro carcass more times than I could count for things I never dreamed I would need. Need a line for the overflow tank? No problem the Camaro fuel line is perfect. Need a heat shield? No problem the Camaro has tons of them. Need a longer 15mm bolt? You get the picture don’t clean out the parts pile till you have some miles on the build.
12. More to come as suggestions come in...
Last edited by charchri4; 11-13-2013 at 04:52 PM.
02-20-2014, 01:52 PM
#4
V8 Miata Fan
13. Almost everything you do is going to take longer than you thought it would. If you have a completion date you really want to hit, you are setting yourself up for failure (at least of the mental kind). How do you eat an elephant - one bite at a time. Take your time to enjoy the build.
02-20-2014, 02:27 PM
#5
Jim Stainer
Thread Starter
Thank you! Yes this thread needs to be updated and that is a +1 for sure. Even though I really thought I could hit them with ease I set and missed 3 major goals and it was really defeating. It is so much better to just enjoy the process than to miss meaningless goals you feel bad about missing.
Now on a side note to that part of the anxiety I experienced is because I am in Minnesota and our Miata season is very short. So as June passed to July and on to August with the car still not on the road the fear of getting it done just in time to store it away for 6 months was a big deal. The mistake was starting in midwinter rather than toward the end of fall. Not a big deal if you are in the sunbelt but it really was for me!
Now on a side note to that part of the anxiety I experienced is because I am in Minnesota and our Miata season is very short. So as June passed to July and on to August with the car still not on the road the fear of getting it done just in time to store it away for 6 months was a big deal. The mistake was starting in midwinter rather than toward the end of fall. Not a big deal if you are in the sunbelt but it really was for me!
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