CF-55

CF-55 video!

Fri, 15 Jun 2012 14:00:18 -0400

We'll happily admit that we're better at building cars than shooting masterpieces, but after many requests for the newfangled moving pictures we gave it a shot.
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Dave's been enjoying the car.

Fri, 25 May 2012 17:35:38 -0400

As you can see, it's been detailed to within an inch of its life and it's gorgeous. Here's his most recent report:
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The car's all done.

Mon, 21 May 2012 20:15:37 -0400

Dave and his wife flew out to pick it up and drove it home. This picture was taken on top of Independence Pass at about 12,000' above sea level. Dave reports a very pleasant trip and 28 mpg. These cars are built to be driven, and we're happy to see them get used.

Every FM-built V8 Miata gets a plate with the name of the owner on it.

Thu, 03 May 2012 21:02:05 -0400

It's a custom car, built to fulfill a dream.

More detail work on the car.

Thu, 03 May 2012 21:01:28 -0400

We used a washer bottle from a Suzuki Cappuccino and mounted it at the base of the windshield. Makes for a nice clean result. We're going to start stocking these.

Here's an interesting comparison.

Thu, 03 May 2012 21:00:26 -0400

That's the stock air filter from an LS7 (505 hp) Corvette on the bottom. On top, the air filter from the 638 supercharged LS9. Guess which one flows more? Installing the LS9 filter is worth around 5 hp and it drops right in. Since we're buying a new filter for these cars anyhow, it only makes sense to get the best.

The final result.

Fri, 20 Apr 2012 19:07:01 -0400

There are still a few details to be sorted out, but it's time to start putting a few road miles on the car.
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Because this car will likely spend quite a bit of its life with the hood popped, we added some hydraulic lifts to open up nice and wide and get rid of the hood prop.

Fri, 20 Apr 2012 18:57:49 -0400

With the hood latch removed, we turned to Aerocatch for hood retention duties.

Fri, 20 Apr 2012 18:56:53 -0400

These are really nice because they're clean and low profile, but easier to use than traditional pins. The procedure is almost identical to the way the top latches work on a Miata, actually.
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In order to make room for the intake, the hood had to be trimmed somewhat.

Fri, 20 Apr 2012 18:54:36 -0400

Actually, it had to be trimmed just a bit more than shown in this picture, the area around the hood latch was opened up further.

Time for surgery.

Fri, 20 Apr 2012 18:53:46 -0400

We trimmed the metal in the nose to make room for the new intake. We then welded some cross bars back in after taking the picture. The intake we'll be using is the same one found on the 2012 Z06 Corvette.

So, just what do you have to do in order to fit that intake on an NB?

Thu, 22 Mar 2012 16:26:55 -0400

Here's all the cutting. The bumper support needs to get sectioned and a small piece of the radiator support has to be trimmed off. We'll add a steel reinforcement behind the bumper support. None of this is visible when the intake is installed. Two rivnuts have been added to the radiator support in order to mount the intake. Not shown in the picture, we managed to retain the hood prop by turning it sideways and attaching it to the rivnuts on the right side of the picture.
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Voila, a cold air intake on an NB.

Tue, 20 Mar 2012 20:30:44 -0400

Poor Elvis served as the guinea pig for this. We tried an Airaid, a K&N and this stock LS3 intake. The lower profile of the stock unit meant we were able to retain the radiator support with minor modifications and no change to the radiator position. The filter is pulling air from just inside the mouth of the car, out of the direct airstream to minimize bug impacts.
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We're exploring a few different options for the intake on the car.

Tue, 13 Mar 2012 21:53:45 -0400

Dave is eager for cold air, and it's time to come up with a better option than what we've been using. The Targa Miata served as the proof-of-concept car, and a few other V8 builders working along the same path tried some variations.
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Hmmm.

Fri, 09 Mar 2012 20:29:01 -0500

We don't need no steenking hood latch.

A shot of the rolling stock.

Thu, 08 Mar 2012 14:37:17 -0500

Special request from Dave!

Here's another view of the car out in the wild.

Thu, 08 Mar 2012 11:47:45 -0500

There are no overt modifications on the outside, but you can tell it's a little tougher than your typical MSM.

It has escaped!

Wed, 07 Mar 2012 20:03:37 -0500

The LS3-powered Mazdaspeed has prowled the streets for the first time under dramatic skies. The initial test drive was a great success - the 430 hp motor is a total pussycat at idle and around the parking lot. Everything feels good. We still have some work to do on various components and chasing down little noises as well as setting up the suspension, but it's a nice one.
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The AC lines, modified to have GM parts on one end and Miata on the other.

Wed, 07 Mar 2012 20:00:30 -0500

We'll bolt them in to place and take the car down to have the AC system recharged soon.

Almost an entire interior!

Fri, 02 Mar 2012 16:58:09 -0500

Wrenches on floor are from the clutch adjustment. The car now has all its hydraulics bled and ready.