Garage Talk
Sprint Booster for MX5!
Last Updated (Monday, 28 April 2008 13:03) Written by Angie Filax Tuesday, 15 April 2008 06:24
MX5 Lotus XI Crossbreed
Last Updated (Tuesday, 19 February 2008 15:54) Written by Bill Jurgenson Saturday, 16 February 2008 01:45


Its been a little while, since I last brought everyone up to speed on the progress of the Miata to Lotus 11 transformation. The mechanicals have been completed with the installation of a Jackson Racing supercharger and a 99 Torsen differential and halfshafts. The car now feels quick and surefooted out of the corners.
Work has begun on the body molds. By comparing the two photos, the yellow version being last summer, you can see the front clip has been modified by extending the grill opening 6 inches forward which has the effect of closing down the opening. The opening no longer dominates the front of the car. A slight power bulge on the driver's side was created to clear the front blower pulley. A power bulge has been added to the center of the hood to increase engine clearance and to provide a heat escape on its rear edge. The accompanying picture is of the hood prior to creating the mold. Mods on the hood were done with styrofoam and duct tape, covered with drywall compound, body filler, glazing putty, latex paint, epoxy paint and urethane primer. At the point this photo was taken, 5 coats of mold parting wax have been applied.
Brake Bleeder Project - Part I
Last Updated (Tuesday, 19 February 2008 15:29) Written by Blair Groves Wednesday, 16 January 2008 04:15
After a long hiatus, Miata Garage is back at last! And this time you're in for a special treat!
There's that one thing you want, only if there was a good reason to lay out the bucks for it. It's there in your face, every time you go to the hardware department at Canadian Tire, Home Depot, Revy, Building Box... well you get the picture... An air compressor I mean! (Read while doing the Tim Allan primal tool-man "grunt" and saying "more power").
The possibilities are endless. Adding compressed air to our arsenal of tools brings weekend mechanics like us one step closer to automotive Utopia. (Is that a good segue or what?)
OK all you budding mechanics, here's the strategy:
Remind that significant other how much she/he "enjoys" pumping the brake and clutch pedal whenever you have to bleed the system. (Make sure to do this when you're out of striking distance though!) If you significant other is like Cora Lee, you're well onto the next step in justifying the purchase of an air compressor that would do Tim the Toolman proud!
The clincher is when you tell her or him that you're going to be able to bleed the brake and clutch hydraulic systems by yourself when you get that compressor and build our next month's project.
Manipulative? Yes! But sometimes you gotta do what you have to, in order to get what you want. (Err, I mean get what you need).
For those who can't wait to get started, here's a shopping list of some items that you'll need:
- 2' x 4' x 5/8" G2S plywood (*A)
- 2, 4 litre/1 gallon glass wine jugs (*B)
- 6' of 3/8" (inside diameter) clear vinyl tubing (*B)
- 2 x 12" x 3/8" (outside diameter) poly- butylene water supply tubes (*A)
- 2 black rubber stoppers to fit glass jugs above (*A)
- undercoating gun (*C)
- 1/4" npt ball valve (*A)
- 1/4" npt 3" threaded pipe, iron or brass (*A)
- Lisle Tools "One Man Brake Bleeder" (*D)
Legend:
- *A = available through Revy, Home Depot, etc..
- *B = available at wine/beer making supply stores
- *C = available at Princess Automotive
- *D = available at Canadian Tire, Princess Automotive, etc...
Next month we'll go over the design and operating theory behind the do-it- yourself vacuum brake bleeder.
Page 1 of 1
- Start
- Prev
- 1
- Next
- End
Garage Talk