Shades - 1996 MX-3 RS

Shades · Post by **Shades** » November 30th, 2005, 7:38 pm

I think I'm gonna document my BP build up, so maybe if someone does the same down the road they can learn from my mistakes (which I hope not to make).

A little about me. First off I work in an automotive machine shop... I'm apprenticing for my automotive machinist ticket. This means I can do all my own machining, and hopefully take some pictures along the way for all to see.

Ok, here's the info.

It's a BP outta a 92 Ford Escort GT. I bought the whole car for $1000... so I aquired an engine, G-Series tranny, and rear disc brake. I do believe that this Escort GT was born in the US somewhere and brought up here into Canada, cause the rear wing was different along with other asthetic parts, and the speedometer was in MPH.

Things and facts I've learn about stripping this apart:

~ You can use a MBSP (main bearing support plate) that was only installed in the later Miata's for extra support on the crank twisting (I also learned that they installed them on some Protege's aswell,wierd). All the holes are drilled and tapped in the main caps and EVEN in the oil pan the 'dimples' aka cut outs are already there and you don't need to get a 2001 oil pan (like I was expecting).
http://members.aol.com/solomiata/MBSP.html

~The block came with a oil cooler... which for later when I plan to turbo it will help.
~Also as stated in the website below, my block did come with two plugs in the back of the block, used later for turbo oiling.
http://members.aol.com/solomiata/BP8.html

I'll add more later as I learn.

Components I'll be using:

FM Wiseco 9:1 forged pistons (only come in 1mm oversized)
Bore the block to 1mm oversize to match the pistons
Carrillo A-beam rods
Mazda MBSP plate
Manley intake and exhaust SS oversized valves, cut back for flow
3 angle valve grind
Eibach or Ferrea valve spring and titanium retainers
Solid lifters
Performance ground stock cams
Unorthodox Racing underdrive pulley
SPEC lightened flywheel
SPEC Stage 2+ clutch
Milling off the Ford symbol on the valve cover and polish
Port match and polish the head and manifolds
Balancing the whole engine
Maybe o-ring the block
Custom headers to be made... Not sure where
GTR intake manifold
Bored TB, if possible
Escort GT ECU

I do plan to turbo it down the road. I've been doing a little research and I want:

Garrett GT28 ball bearing turbo
Mandrel bent piping (turbo and exhaust) from the only place that does it in Vancouver
RX-7 fuel pump (I believe 3rd gen)

More research needed on these:
Bigger injectors
Intercooler
Not sure what I want for management

Other upgrades to go with the motor:

G-Series tranny
Rear disc conversions
Lowered... not sure what springs yet
MazdaSpeed adjustable struts

Previous dead thread: http://www.mx-3.com/phpbb2/viewtopic.ph ... highlight=

Shades · Post by **Shades** » November 30th, 2005, 7:39 pm

Stupid FORD symbol has to go, half glass beaded...

BP block with the long oil filter tube cause the oil cooler sits behind it...

My head, with the two valves taken out so I could measure them...

Anyone know what these symbols are and what the crank number is suppose to be?

Shiny Oil Pan?!... are you crazy!

That nipple of a bolt has to be cut off in order to fit into the Escort pan... this is the MBSP from a Miata.

More Pictures...
http://s491.photobucket.com/albums/rr27 ... uild/BP01/

Shades · Post by **Shades** » November 30th, 2005, 7:44 pm

SPEC Stage 2+ Clutch and Flywheel

Flywheel is 10lbs lighter, and the clutch (which I paid $70us to get lightened) is only 1.75lbs lighter.

Here is the Unorthodox Racing Pulley for the thick nose crank (not for my crank, ARG)

Pulley is 3.75lbs lighter.

More pictures... http://s491.photobucket.com/albums/rr27 ... uild/BP02/

Shades · Post by **Shades** » November 30th, 2005, 7:45 pm

I'm using the 93 Miata UR pulley for my crank... not the 91-92 Miata UR pulley!

Got my Carrillo A-beam rods today! WOO!

More pictures here... http://s491.photobucket.com/albums/rr27 ... uild/BP03/

Shades · Post by **Shades** » November 30th, 2005, 7:52 pm

Where I sit right now is... I'm waiting for my Pistons from Flyin' Miata. They said it will be shipped from Wiseco on the 28th, and then they should get them and ship them out soon. Pictures when I get them will follow.

As soon as I get those pistons I can start the machining... well after Christmas cause that kinda drains the cash flow along with being in apprentice schooling and not at work.

Need this motor in soon, my foot is twitching and I got beat by a Toyota Echo the other day... I was sad.

This will be my track/summer car.

To go with this engine and suspension upgrade I have 17" Axis Maglite's in Bright Silver (4-spoke). Many people hate them, but to each his own.

Performance before appearance.

JWMX3 · Post by **JWMX3** » November 30th, 2005, 8:29 pm

nice pickup for 1000 $

you will like the clutch, i have the stage 2 on my K8 and it grabs pretty good, we'll see what its like with more power soon though

fieromx3 · Post by **fieromx3** » December 4th, 2005, 12:42 pm

nice work man! im glad to see more and more ppl are doing heavy engine work to make BIG powa! performance kicks appearance asses......well IMO any way keep up the good work

Shades · Post by **Shades** » December 24th, 2005, 12:44 pm

Thought I'd do some kinda update... I brought my block to work and now it sits over Christmas in the hot tank (costic acid bath). This should strip everything not cast iron off the block since the block was so dirty even after I jet washed it and wire wheeled it.

Next step would be to balance the crank, bore, o-ring (if there is enough space on the deck), and reface the block.

I'll try and steal my friend digicam and get some pics in... always better with visuals.

Shades · Post by **Shades** » January 4th, 2006, 2:36 am

Got some boring pictures of my Wiseco 9:1 pistons and stiffer springs, titanium retainers and aluminum seats.

Extended pictures... http://s491.photobucket.com/albums/rr27 ... uild/BP04/

Funds are running low as the VISA Christmas bill came in... yikes, and my car insurance is coming up! Gonna try and do some stuff that doesn't cost anything like port and polishing in the next few weeks... gotta go buy a carbide burr set first.

Shades · Post by **Shades** » January 5th, 2006, 10:20 am

Block is outta the costic tank... all clean!

Shades · Post by **Shades** » January 7th, 2006, 6:59 pm

Ok, just got back from work. Took my head and crank there...

Measured up the crank and it needs to be ground on the mains and the throws... it has excess clearance, more so on the throws.

Took apart the head and glass beaded it... looks all pretty and forgot to take pictures. Need to buy a carbide burr set to start my port and polishing... but looks like the casting is pretty good to begin with... so there isn't much porting that need to be done.
It has a nice short short short radius... just a lip that needs to be taken out. The exhaust side is pretty much port matched... but the intake side is way small, so that needs to be opened up.
Oh yeah the valve seats only have a 45 degree on them... and it looks like there is adequate space for moving the seat back for the oversized valves... and I'll cut the 3 angles.

Took a look at the springs today... the Supertech vs stock. It appears that they have the same spring pressure... except the maximum coil bind is smaller on the Supertech than stock, this will give me more clearance for when I have a larger lift on my cams. I'm just hoping it won't slap the piston.
AND I learned that since I got aftermarket retainers, I need the aftermarket valve keepers to go with them... bastards!

Things I need to pick up...
Mazdaspeed Struts
Manley Oversized Stainless Steel Valves
Carbide Burr set

atlantamx3 · Post by **atlantamx3** » January 7th, 2006, 8:00 pm

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE Either paint or powdercoat that block!

Rust= UGLY!

Shades · Post by **Shades** » January 7th, 2006, 9:35 pm

OH, don't worry my friend... it's getting a fresh coat of paint... when it's ready to get put together. I had to strip off all the mud and rust first... that's just bare metal with corrosion you're seeing.

Shades · Post by **Shades** » January 18th, 2006, 12:55 am

Picked up my Mazdaspeed Adjustable Struts today... I think I'm gonna change the ugly green colour... and some of it got chipped during shipping.

http://s491.photobucket.com/albums/rr27 ... uild/BP05/

Other updates... My Manley Oversized Stainless Steel Valves won't be here for at least a month... trying to cut down on shipping costs by going the long route. Which is good cause car insurance is coming up in March...

Gonna try and do some porting this weekend maybe...

J0HN_R1 · Post by **J0HN_R1** » January 26th, 2006, 11:24 pm

Nice build-up so far dude... Keep up the good work...!