The Pi Car

We needed to do some road testing to ensure everything on the car is in perfect shape.

Fri, 26 Mar 2010 14:48:21 -0400

But the soft top is in poor shape - it's going to be fixed as soon as the car returns to its owner. So we stuck one of our hardtops on. We're not sure it improved the aesthetics of the car.
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The end result.

Thu, 11 Mar 2010 19:06:18 -0500

No, she's not pretty. Yes, that's a Merlot hood with peeling clearcoat. Yes, the nose badge is missing. Don't worry, it's not the final look for the car - the owner has big plans for it.
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First drive!

Thu, 11 Mar 2010 18:56:56 -0500

While everyone was distracted by the progress of the rear subframe on Mike's car, Jon finished putting together this car and it rumbled into life this morning. On the first test drive, everything worked well.
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The adjustable proportioning valve for the big brake kit is in place.

Tue, 09 Mar 2010 20:23:33 -0500

Time to bleed the hydraulics.

Tue, 09 Mar 2010 13:40:16 -0500

Jon bleeds the clutch while Tyler provides pumping services.

While we weren't looking, Jon reassembled the interior.

Tue, 09 Mar 2010 13:39:48 -0500

This car's starting to look pretty complete!

There haven't been any big dramatic changes on the car recently, but that doesn't mean Jon's been goofing around.

Fri, 26 Feb 2010 18:28:18 -0500

All the subsystems have to go in. Here he's drilling a hole for a bracket for wiring for the speedometer adapter. The AC is almost done, the exhaust is in, the car's mostly wired - it's getting pretty close to First Noise time.

The exhaust system has arrived back from getting a ceramic coating.

Tue, 23 Feb 2010 16:55:01 -0500

This not only looks good, but it helps keep heat out of the car. The bulges right near the Y pipe are metallic core catalytic converters.

This little guy is a power steering cooler.

Thu, 18 Feb 2010 18:28:16 -0500

For those crazed autocross runs.

The car's getting buttoned up.

Thu, 18 Feb 2010 18:27:55 -0500

Tyler's installing the fender liners after bolting the fenders over the new Frog Arms.

The LS3 uses a returnless fuel system.

Fri, 12 Feb 2010 20:01:49 -0500

But the 1990-97 Miata has a return style. It's actually a fairly easy problem to solve. A Corvette fuel filter has the regulator built in and set to the correct pressure for an LS3. On line goes from the pump to the filter, and a smaller line acts as a return. Voila!

Here's a peek at the engine subframe and suspension.

Wed, 10 Feb 2010 14:41:48 -0500

It's more of a battle to fit all those parts in there than you'd think, but the end result looks as if it was designed that way. You can see the tiny GM air conditioning compressor tucked in where the Miata alternator used to live.
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While nobody was looking, the rear suspension was installed under the car.

Wed, 10 Feb 2010 14:39:55 -0500

Jon is in the process of building the exhaust system now.

The engine bay is starting to fill up slowly.

Thu, 04 Feb 2010 16:58:16 -0500

It doesn't look so big from down here.

Wed, 03 Feb 2010 18:16:25 -0500

The tubular subframe really opens up a lot of room.

The engine is in!

Wed, 03 Feb 2010 18:15:56 -0500

Now it's time to start hooking things up for real.

Naturally, the car is receiving a set of FM big brakes to make sure the whoa matches the go.

Fri, 29 Jan 2010 12:18:41 -0500

In the rear, the stock caliper is used so we can keep the parking brake. It might be hard to believe, but those are just used calipers after a good cleaning.

Tyler puts the finishing touches on the rear subframe assembly.

Fri, 29 Jan 2010 12:17:09 -0500

Next step is to simply bolt the whole thing in.

Since the LS3 runs on drive-by-wire, we have to alter the stock pedal box for the new pedal.

Fri, 29 Jan 2010 12:16:41 -0500

It's surprisingly easy to do. The pedal comes with the new ECU.

The engine, transmission, flywheel and clutch are all assembled and mounted on the subframe.

Tue, 26 Jan 2010 14:45:12 -0500

Since we have access to a lift, we find it easiest to simply lower the car onto the drivetrain instead of wiggling it in from the top.