Looking at starting a new project

Buffalo · Postby **Buffalo** » Tue Feb 17, 2009 9:14

My buddy knows a shop here in Arvada that did his old Camaro. He said they are really good. I will get the name of the shop and the number so you can check them out. I don't personally know anyone.

coloskydiver · Postby **coloskydiver** » Sat Feb 21, 2009 9:14

It is nothing to impressive. I bought a Ford 302 out of a 96 Exploder off of Craig's List for $200, tore it down to a bare block and need to get cleaned up. The block was in good shape, no scoring or any other visible damage, just need to get it bored .030 over for the stroker kit. My plan for now is to install the bottom and top end of the motor, then it will have to sit for a little bit why I save up some more money. I did find a really good machine shop called Gunn Automotive off of Federal and Alameda. One of my clients is an old school hot rodder and has restored like 8 muscle cars and he highly recommends this place. They are going to steam clean the block, bore the it out .030 over with each cylinder being bored specifically to the corresponding piston, deck the block, hone the cylinders/lifters, line hone for the cam and press the rods and pistons together. All this for $345. I wish I could see them do all the work. Machine work is pretty coo. I find it amazing how they can be so accurate with such small increments. Once I get the block back I will post up some pics. I am waiting for the stroker kit to arrive so I can drop off the rods and pistons for them to finish it up.

RedRoadster · Postby **RedRoadster** » Fri Mar 20, 2009 9:14

Drooooooool.....

coloskydiver · Postby **coloskydiver** » Mon Apr 06, 2009 9:14

My Mazda family just got a little bigger.

I found it on Ebay and picked it up for a really good price. It is a 1990 and only has 98K miles on it. I guess step one is complete. If you are going to start a project car, you need to have the car.

I am still waiting for my stroker kit to arrive and I am getting really frustrated. I ordered the kit 2 months ago and still haven't seen it yet. I called today and was told that it was all being balanced and should ship in a day or two. There is nothing worse than waiting for car parts. As soon as I get that I can get the parts over to the machine shop to finish up the bottom end done, but will then have to bag the motor till I have enough money for the top end. Waiting sucks.

Rich · Postby **Rich** » Tue Apr 07, 2009 9:14

Nice! While you're waiting, you should start pricing suspension/wheels/cage etc.

RedRoadster · Postby **RedRoadster** » Tue Apr 07, 2009 9:14

Fat Cat Motorsports is who I'd recommend for the suspension bits. What are you doing for the tranny / rear? And I apologize.. the first time through this thread, I totally missed the part about needing the car itself..

coloskydiver · Postby **coloskydiver** » Tue Apr 07, 2009 9:14

For the trans I will be using a T5 five speed and a 7.5" Ford rear end that I will upgrade to a limited slip. I am still looking around for the rear end if any one knows where to find one. They are found in 1990's T-Birds and Crown Vics , but I really have not been looking that hard. First goal is to finish getting the motor built.

Postby **RX-7 Chris** » Tue Apr 07, 2009 9:14

A 7.5" is that going to hold up? I would want to go stronger then that.

Ranger · Postby **Ranger** » Tue Apr 07, 2009 9:14

That's what I was thinking too. My choice would probably be an 8.8" out of a fox body Mustang / T-bird / Cougar. Light, cheap, and durable (with some upgrades). Is there a size limitation?

Postby **RX-7 Chris** » Tue Apr 07, 2009 9:14

The stock rear in an FB/miata is basically a 7" rear so going to a 7.5" doesn't seem like much an improvement I would also think an 8.8" would be the way to go. If the motor you were installing was stock then I would think you would be ok but not with a built motor.

coloskydiver · Postby **coloskydiver** » Tue Apr 07, 2009 9:14

This is what EVERYONE says and I would tend to agree but everything that I have read says that it is more than enough. There are guys that have Monsters in the 450-550 HP range (supercharged 347's or LS3's) running the 7.5 with no problem. I would have to say that the weight of the car has a lot to do with it. The Miata does not weigh much even with a small block v8 in it and it does not take much to get it moving. However to it does require going with a lot stronger axles that are included in the Monster Miata kit. At a certain point I have to trust all the engineering and testing that goes in the these types of kits. The kit calls for a 7.5" Ford rear end and that is what I will put in (untill I blow it up).

Postby **RX-7 Chris** » Wed Apr 08, 2009 9:14

I didn't realize it had upgraded axles, that makes all the difference.

Looking at starting a new project

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