ProjectMx

(06/02/08) Things are still progressing much more slowly than I'd like. Gas prices are killing me and since i'll be in mexico for most of july it is hard to get work done on the car and get everything else done I need to do before I leave. I have figured out the axle issue and will be mailing back the axles to get the right ones, I should be ordering the ARP bolts and nuts i've been wanting, and the list is getting much shorter to get the car ready: drill two holes in the box for the fuel cell, buy and run the hoses for coolant and fuel, make two brackets for radiator, cut last bit off front subframe, modify engine support member and front engine mount for better fit, make rear mount, locate custom length spark plug wires, fit in miata wire harnes, finish swapping dash and install new seats. I am hoping towards the end of the month to get a good long weekend to do this.  

 

(03/31/08) Well It has been a while but i finally got to do some work. A few friends from http://www.clubprotege.com came over this weekend to help, Andy and David were a huge help. We stripped my old MX-3, pulled over a few of the 4 cylinder parts to use on the new car, finally got the engine and trans into the car and it fits perfectly, and finished modifying and painting the front subframe. We still have a decent amount to do but the car is much closer now to running. Also some changes have been made as to what will be controlling the car. I sold the Greddy E-manage Ultimate and picked up an AEM EMS full stand alone system.  

 

(10/28/07) Had a huge slow period due to being in the hospital several times for kidney stones. So after 3 surgueries, 4 emergency room visits and 2 hospital stay overs I am well enough to get more work done. We had our first sucessful engine test fit and I will have pictures up soon of that. I found front endlinks to use for now (not sure if these will continue to be used more than 6 months but we'll see). We have a slight issue with the left left side (standing in front of the car looking at engine) engine mount and i'm looking into the cause. Aside from that I have a full miata wire harness and I maybe completely rewire the car with that. Well that is all for now. Since I moved to detroit I will only be able to work on the car once a month maybe twice so I have no solid date on completion. I just hope it's soon.  

 

(06/11/07) The engine is done! The engine is completely together and timing is even done on the exhintake (or exintake ) mod. I'll probably through on the header and crank pulley before dropping the engine in since it will be easier. Also The sway bar is in (Will be making custom end links for it soon) and the custom manual steering rack is in (a depowered GS steering rack)

 

(05/28/07) The engine is only waiting on two bolts! It is completely together however and looks great. I am cleaning the trans up and prepping it for installation. My girlfriend came over this weekend and helped with some of the work and even scrubbed the engine bay for me (she great) to prep that for installation also... we discovered after she cleaned that mazda didn't completely pain the engine bay some some areas are still in primer green underneath the road grime so I may have to paint the engine bay before the engine goes in.

 

(03/15/07) The last engine parts are on order! Pics as soon as they arrive and new information has been added to the Engine "Heart of the Machince" Page

 

(01/29/07) Pictures are up of the finished head and nearly complete engine as well as the custom frame rails and AWD rear end

 

(10/06/06) Dropped off Cylinder head to have it finished

 

(10/16/06) Just recieved several new parts for the car and will be posting pictures this weekend

 

(01/16/07) The Engine is nearing completion and pics can be seen on the engine page!