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That's a manual rack right? Doesn't look like the power rack I hacked all to hell. Great looking build so far, you do excellent work!

Well I'm declaring victory on the chassis......at least the structural part. Next step is to swing the engine/trans back in so I can locate the seat, pedals, and steering wheel.

This makes finish welding the chassis a piece of cake.

Time flys and not much accomplished. Hopefully Christmas break will be allow a few full days of work. The seats are all mounted less belts. The steering wheel is set, and the pedals are next.

I've had probably too much time to mull over the position of the scuttle (Jack's Haynes Roadster model) relative to the steering wheel. I think I'm going to move it back as far as possible, that is until it interfers with the stock Miata turn signals. I think this will give me that long nose/hood look, that makes the Caterhams so appealing to me. I wil have to rework the F/G scuttle a little to make it start the transition along the side of the chassis.

Well I bit the bullet and purchased the BEGI Shanghai-S Turbo kit. I had always planned on doing this mod after I got the car up and running, but there is just to many things going on in the confinded space of the chassis to leave it for later. I have to give a little credit to "first350" (http://www.locostusa.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=35&t=9631)...........the pics of his build have been very helpful in helping me plan out my mine.

If anyone is thinking of doing a turbo Miata build please give BEGI a serious consideration. The level of quality, completeness of the kit, attention to detail, customization ability, and dollar value are above and beyond anyone else.

Here is the installed turbo.....and yes the turbo and the oil drain ftg/hose clear the steering; that was my main concern.

Also here is the completed pedal assy.....Southwest Speed pedals, fabbed gas pedal that uses unmodified stock Miata throttle cable. Still need to fab and attach a aluminum throttle pedal pad/cover and dead pedal.

ooohhhh....I like Turbos

nicely done w/ the install - looks like you've got a little more room than I do (your steering column is goes under the top of the bulk head whereas mine has a joint and is mounted on top of the bulkhead)...how do you plan to route the exhaust? (out the bonnet?)

dang...just realizing how much more space you'll have b/c your turbo sits a few inches lower - then your turbo out (to Intake Manifold) can go up...nice job!

I have a divorced flange from BEGI on backorder. After I add a modified "R-tube" around the turbo I think I will have no other choice than to run the turbo/wastegate exhaust pipes out of the bonnet similar to how you did it. I'd like to route it out the side to avoid notching out the bonnet............we'll see.

Yes......I've got tons of room compared to your set up. I think alot of it has to do with the cast manifold and smaller turbo. Here's another shot to let you drool over the vast amount of room.

Any progress?

Just blowing the dust of this build log. Progress really slows down when you get down to the nitty gritty detail fab portions. Radiator is mounted, along with the seats. Brackets for harnesses is made, just need to find time to weld them in. I have the gas tank complete and I'm busy changing the fuel line routing on a daily basis......for only having at little room to work in, I can sure find alot of different paths to take. Incorporated the stock Miata rear sway bar so that I can mount one if I need to later.

Ready to make a few purchases from our favorite Locost Supplier....Jack at Kinetic Vehicles. Just posting a few pics so Jack has a better understanding of what I need. Thanks Jack.

More pics for Jack at Kinetic. For anyone that cares, the Haynes Roadster scuttle can be flexed to fit a 44" wide chassis.

Well Jack at Kinetic came through again; roll bar kit and windshield frame parts all ready to go. Onto something that is as boring as it gets.....wiring.

Are you shooting for both to be the same height? I just see the level up there.

Nope, just looking for something that is eye pleasing. Already have the roll bar height set to clear my helmet and the minimum height of the windshield frame to keep it out of my line of site.

updates?

Updates...........working on composite panels and tooling molds. I'm going to use glass, kevlar, and carbon to make best use of their properties. More updates to come, plus an estimated weight savings vs. using aluminum and/or steel.