Flyin' Miata : Projects: Dan's 1997

October 15, 2009 - We need an extra hole to feed the V8 wiring harness through the firewall.
On an NB, we can use the factory grommets but not on the NA. So we poked a new hole through the firewall and finished it with a factory grommet.
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October 16, 2009 - The radiator mounts are moved forward to gain clearance, and to work with the heavy duty sway bar mounts.

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October 16, 2009 - The LS3 windage tray is cut for clearance with the V8 Roadsters oil pan & pickup tube.

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October 21, 2009 - The second layer of carpet isn't as flashy.
Nor as slippery.
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October 21, 2009 - This little box contains enslaved gerbils.
Which are prodded by computer control to run faster or slower on their wheel, thus driving the speedometer cable. It's all very high tech.
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October 28, 2009 - Some parts of the build are not sexy.
Reassembling all the wiring under the dash and in the engine bay while modifying the tach and mounting the gerbil box for the speedometer are amongst those parts.
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October 28, 2009 - While we had the interior out, we installed a new stainless steel Deuce to keep Dan's hair from getting mussed should he get himself in trouble.
Plus it gives that Cobra vibe. In case the noise wasn't enough.
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October 30, 2009 - Drivetrain installation is getting close.
This oil pan is just too cool for school.
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October 30, 2009 - Not exciting, but progress.
Interior is 80% back together.
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October 30, 2009 - Wires are starting to invade the engine bay.
Thank you GM for labeling everything so well.
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November 2, 2009 - Jon puts the final touches on the engine before it gets installed.
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November 3, 2009 - The engine is in.
It appears there are still some parts missing, however.
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November 3, 2009 - These heatshields protect the motor mounts from the heat of the headers.
We get a lot of comments on how well the engines fit in these cars, but it's still a lot of engine stuffed into a fairly small space.
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November 4, 2009 - Nice view of new subframe and custom oil pan.
The new pan is carefully shaped to clear the subframe and has internal baffles and spring loaded doors to keep the oil pick-up submerged, even in extreme maneuvers.
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November 5, 2009 - Jon has the engine in and is working on the headers.
The headers need custom pipes and O2 bungs welded on, then they go off to be ceramic coated.
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November 11, 2009 - Here's a peek at the modifications required to clear the header.
This is probably the tightest fit in the whole V8 installation.
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November 11, 2009 - Jon's finished modifying the rear subframe, and the Getrag diff is installed and ready to go.
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November 12, 2009 - The shifter is centered, right where it should be. No cutting required!
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November 12, 2009 - The long stud treatment.

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