An idler pulley is on the list, I've had 0 issues though with the current setup so I haven't made it to big of a priority yet.

I have some extra fire sleeve I can probably use, I figured the SS oil feed should be enough to handle the heat, the downpipe is wrapped and sealed up with some High Temp paint as well. The heater hose is up nice and tight on the car.

With the wrapped downpipe and my $10 dollar heat shield on the hotside the heat seems to be well contained. I would def like to get everything protected over there for piece of mind

As for the IC pipe on that side, I clocked the turbo and Ill be using a 90 coupler on the turbo outlet, and a hump hose for the coupler on the intercooler, that'll allow me to use an 'L' for the piping on that side, should be pretty straight forward. Hopefully the hump hose allows for enough play.

 

When it comes to heat sleeving, more is always better IMO

Also, the s/s lines are really effective at conducting the heat so I've always made it a priority to protect them with the fire sleeve. For anything near the turbo anyway.

 

Ill probably buy some more from Summit...it seems like everytime I get something crossed off the list for completion 2 more things get added in it's place. (this is interesting)

 

I hope to have this thing back on the ground by the end of next week. IC piping showed up out of no where. Need to have a few welds done and figure out where I want to place the BOV.

 

That looks good. Good work.

 

hey man just read through your whole build. I got the same turbo but with a divided housing. I can't wait to see what kinda numbers I can push. I got the whole kit from Sean, he is local to me also which is awsome. But seriously our cars are twins outside of the fact that I have a front mount (want a v-mount but have to wait till next winter) and the car is silver. Reading this makes me want to hurry the hell up on my build and get her running. I laughed when you said that you finally pulled out the power steering because it took me forever to decided if I am keeping it or not and finally decided to yank it out.

Thanks for the motivation and your car looks great man!

 

mine's more of a twin to yours than his is. I also got the divided housing from sean. I also have a front mount, I just have a black car.

 

At least we are all in the same 'Region' I guess...would be nice to meet some of the northern car guys.

 

Update time...As it normally goes when you're working on a car, you get one thing finished on the list it means you add 2 more things to do. I have finally got over that hill and it's read to start back up for the first time...just need to start it up and check for leaks, and make the ducting....little things here and there

I converted the rack to a manual rack and removed AC as well...in the process I bought some solid steering rack bushings and did some more cleaning. Ill be hunting for some oil pressure/temp gauges soon.

Before


After


Engine bay is pretty much complete...though nothing is ever complete.

 

Engine bay is lookin' good

A few little nit-picks:

*Change to one color vacuum hose.
*Get some 1 inch DEI velcro heat sleeving for those heater hosed by the downpipe.
*Where's your coolant overflow hose?

 

Some of the vacuum hose in there is the silicone hose that was left when I pulled the rats nest out, Ill eventually go all black I have some sleeving hanging out somewhere in the garage, hopefully I can find it when I clean up a bit

I'm funning the FC neck, and I just turned it so the coolant overflow came out the back instead of sticking out the front.

 

is there a write up somewhere of how to completely de-power the rack?

 

There's a few but half of them are missing pictures...it's pretty straight forward if you read the FSM and follow the FlyingMiata write up. If you do happen give it a shot feel free to ask me some questions Ill be more than glad to help.

 

will do, now that its starting to get nicer I might give it a shot.

 

how'd you get the tie-rod ball joints out without the SST? I'm having trouble with mine, and one of the bolts and nuts are rusted together and just spin as one unit

 

Put the shaft in the vice with a towel around it...then I hit the tabs up on the washer and used a huge *** wrench to loosen the inner tie rod. It's torqued down to 80ft/lbs from the factory with some thread sealant just to give you a reference of how hard youll be pulling to break it loose.

 

thanks, I got it out this afternoon

 

I just put a nut on the tie rod (just the top) so if i slipped with the hammer i wouldn't screw up the threads. Then whacked the side of the spindle a few times and it pretty much fell out.

Not sure about the nut and bolt rust though.

 

thanks, I said **** it and ordered new tie rods and cut the bolts, upon removal it appears as if the knuckle and the bolt had rusted together. Yippie.

 

I was able to drive mine around the block today....one word. AMAZING. I hope to have some updated pics up by the weekend. Time to start researching and hunting down some oil pressure/temp gauges

 

I'll have to pester you for advice when I de-power my rack in the coming months. Fantastic build man.

 

Drove the car around the neighborhood and it feels amazing. I can say at this point the hardest of the work is done. Here's a few pictures. I will make ducting soon and enjoy the good weather in the meantime.

 

ugh... I'm tempted to get the steering bushings, how much were they and where'd you get them?

edit: they'll actually be visible in my car

2nd edit: do you not have a way to block the air from escaping around the sides of the IC and rad?

 

Powerflex bushings (purple) and yes they are visible and look good, I'm glad I repainted the rack and cleaned it up.

I will be making a duct yes, I'm just driving the car around for now and checking it for any bugs. I couldn't pass up this rare 60-70 degree weather either. Ill be looking into gauges next and start making a template for the duct.

 

I just might have to.

Oh, new write up on de-powering the rack if you want to review it. I don't think I forgot anything.
https://www.rx7club.com/3rd-generation-specific-1993-2002-16/how-de-power-your-steering-rack-942543/