PAdutch's misadventures in Miataland

[DocWalt]

Kinda bummed I missed the PCA event. I know people were hitting 95 there... I "only" hit 90 at the NEPA event this weekend.

What Megasquirt are you going to run?

[PAdutch]

Originally Posted by DocWalt

Kinda bummed I missed the PCA event. I know people were hitting 95 there... I "only" hit 90 at the NEPA event this weekend.

What Megasquirt are you going to run?

It's an MSlabs MS3. Plug and play and should have all the capabilities I need. Along with accommodating turbos if I ever get the itch. I have a lot of learning to do with it though, hopefully I get it down pat over the winter.

[DocWalt]

Originally Posted by PAdutch

It's an MSlabs MS3. Plug and play and should have all the capabilities I need. Along with accommodating turbos if I ever get the itch. I have a lot of learning to do with it though, hopefully I get it down pat over the winter.

I don't have any experience with the MS3, but feel free to ping me if you have any questions about how you can dial in certain things.

[PAdutch]

Originally Posted by DocWalt

I don't have any experience with the MS3, but feel free to ping me if you have any questions about how you can dial in certain things.

Cool thanks. I did some tuning with my evo on evoscan/ecuflash, Im assuming this will be similar. I just need to figure out idle stuff and target A/F ratios for a NA car.

Once I go ITB i have to go alpha tuning. Tuning off the throttle position. Im sure that will take a while.

[DocWalt]

Megasquirt has an ITB mode that blends alpha-n & speed density. I've played with it only to learn it when I got around to doing ITBs, it seems pretty easy to tune. The default mode blending and whatnot seemed to work half-decently. Definitely time consuming though...

[blue91lx]

Originally Posted by PAdutch

Cool thanks. I did some tuning with my evo on evoscan/ecuflash, Im assuming this will be similar. I just need to figure out idle stuff and target A/F ratios for a NA car.

Once I go ITB i have to go alpha tuning. Tuning off the throttle position. Im sure that will take a while.

Originally Posted by DocWalt

Megasquirt has an ITB mode that blends alpha-n & speed density. I've played with it only to learn it when I got around to doing ITBs, it seems pretty easy to tune. The default mode blending and whatnot seemed to work half-decently. Definitely time consuming though...

Progress looking good! I envy the seat time that both of you get- I'm sure you guys have a blast.

E30s face the same same ITB tuning problems- I didn't want to go with MS with the M20 to run ITBs which is why I went 24V (you can run airbox and tune w/MAF).

[PAdutch]

Originally Posted by DocWalt

Megasquirt has an ITB mode that blends alpha-n & speed density. I've played with it only to learn it when I got around to doing ITBs, it seems pretty easy to tune. The default mode blending and whatnot seemed to work half-decently. Definitely time consuming though...

That's how I understand it and it does seem pretty straight forward. Its definitely going to be an uphill battle VVT + ITB + engine swap = lots of time. Maybe its good Pennsylvania winters are long .

Originally Posted by blue91lx

Progress looking good! I envy the seat time that both of you get- I'm sure you guys have a blast.

E30s face the same same ITB tuning problems- I didn't want to go with MS with the M20 to run ITBs which is why I went 24V (you can run airbox and tune w/MAF).

I know I said it before but a miata with big slicks has to be the most fun you can have without breaking the bank.

I know ITBs are a pain, I wouldn't be surprised if I end up using a manifold for a while.

[PAdutch]

I pulled the intake manifold of the VVT engine this weekend. I'm a little nervous about all the blackness in there. I realize It most likely means a PCV issue. I'm nervous there is a bad valve seal or something. I will probably pull the head and get it checked out. Maybe a valve job is in the future. I was debating just throwing the motor in the car and seeing what I got. I still might do that but seems more risk now.

[PAdutch]

I have not been making any kind of progress for a couple months now. Hunting season dictates that I spend my time in the woods this time of year. After some success hunting my season is essentially over so its back to car stuff.

I have been spending money though, stock pilling parts for when I get back at it.

I did manage to get the car running on the megasquirt last weekend. At least I know it works now and can count on it for the engine swap. I am now prioritizing inspecting the VVT engine I have to get it ready for the swap.

I have also located a complete ABS system I hope to get this weekend and swap while the engine is out.

I have a few other things happening with the car atm but will let the for some suspense!

[DocWalt]

Geez, I read that as "swapping the ABS system this weekend" and was thinking that Miatas must be REALLY easy to work on.

[PAdutch]

Originally Posted by DocWalt

Geez, I read that as "swapping the ABS system this weekend" and was thinking that Miatas must be REALLY easy to work on.

To be honest, it could be done in a weekend.

here is the list:
ABS computer
ABS Controller (the block where all the lines go)
All spindles
Wheel speed sensors + all associated wiring
Wiring harness
Axel shafts (To bad I knocked the rings off when I bough them)

All these things are not difficult just a bunch of tasks to complete. The big question is does it bolt into a non abs car in a CSP legal way.

On an NB the swap is even easier, the controller and computer are one unit. I would use that but it doesnt bolt up in a legal way.

[DocWalt]

Sounds like fun

Too long until the next season

[PAdutch]

Photo dump time.

Yesterday I received next year wheels. 949 racing 6uls in 15x12! At this point I believe I am one of the few people in the world that possess these things. As you can see they are wide a Sh!t. Im excited. The carparison picture is them next to 275/35-15 hoosiers on 15x10s.

Invigerated by the new wheels I started tearing down the VVT engine. Everything under the valve cover looked okay but needs a more detailed inspection.

[Khellen]

Needs more unicorn vinyl!

[PAdutch]

Originally Posted by Khellen

Needs more unicorn vinyl!

Look who rises from the depths.

It sure would be nice to have some unicorns and rainbows .

[DocWalt]

Do it.

Also, good lord those wheels are fat.

[PAdutch]

I pulled the head off of the VVT engine this weekeend. Some carbon build-up but overall looks okay. Cylinder 3 did look wet, Im not sure if it just sat with the valves open or has a valve seal leak. Either way I plan to rebuild the head, springs, valve seals, if I feel ambitious I'll lap the valves.

If anybody has a good method to clean carbon build-up feel free to clue me in.






I also bought this. Another wrecked miata (that makes 5 miatas Ive owned this year ), this one is a 93 automatic with ABS. I plan to swap ABS to the race car which is no small task. Neither is finding a NA ABS car as they are sorta rare.

[DocWalt]

Simple green or purple power for the carbon. Don't let it sit on the aluminum.

NA ABS systems are über rare, nice

[PAdutch]

Originally Posted by DocWalt

Simple green or purple power for the carbon. Don't let it sit on the aluminum.

NA ABS systems are über rare, nice

Thanks, Ill give simple green a shot tonight.

I made sure I snatched up the ABS car quickly even though it means I need to go through another partout which has become annoying.

[PAdutch]

Ive been busy parting the ABS car out. Looks like I will get all the parts I want for nothing, plus make a little cash.

Unconventional engine pulling.



Hopefully, next week I can finish up the ABS car and get back to building the race car.