Rust_Bucket's FlyW8 1.8L Miata Based Build

[toylocost]

Wow man, just wow. The car looks stunning. Beautiful work. And CONGRATULATIONS! Get a video up pronto! Thanks for the inspiration and motivation. That is awesome!

[carguy123]

Woke the neighbors up did we? Good!

Looks like you had a great time.

You did read the post on Hempy's first time didn't you? Did you check your welds before you opened it up?

[junior]

That is AWSOME!

You mentioned stuff about the springs pre-load and such being to stiff. I know NOTHING about suspension tuning. I can feel that things feel different but have no idea what is good or bad. Weather says its going to be 73 today, so I will be pulling the car back out. Enjoy the day.

J. R.

[GonzoRacer]

Way to go, Rusty!!! Beautiful test drive, great lookin' car, well done all around, Sir!!! Many, many congratulations!!!

Rust Bucket said: "My own personal flavor of crazy, ambitious, raucous, delicious FUN."

AMEN, BROTHER!!!! If that isn't the perfect summation of why to do this, I don't think there ever will be one.

Congratulations on the test drive, and thanks for that quote.
May I steal it???

JD Kemp

[a.moore]

Nice job on the test drive. The car looks great.

[rust_bucket]

Woke the neighbors up did we? Good!

Looks like you had a great time.

You did read the post on Hempy's first time didn't you? Did you check your welds before you opened it up?

I did, both. I turned the thing over and over like a tumbleweed when I final welded it. - Literally half a day of searching for missed and bad welds. The only one I found after paint was about a 1/2" on the inside of the rear upper hoop. I'm pretty satisfied I got it all. I will of course re-inspect periodically to make sure I'm not missing anything.

[rust_bucket]

That is AWSOME!

You mentioned stuff about the springs pre-load and such being to stiff. I know NOTHING about suspension tuning. I can feel that things feel different but have no idea what is good or bad. Weather says its going to be 73 today, so I will be pulling the car back out. Enjoy the day.

J. R.

I dont' know a lot about it either, I go by feel as well, but that's what it comes down in the end. I have a pretty good concept of how the different variables influence behavior and it's a matter of tweaking things a bit at a time to hone in on it. I've found the iphone is a remarkably good camber angle measuring device. !
- I have a friend at work who is a master chassis tuner. He's worked with several professional teams. I fully intend to beg, bribe, blackmail him into helping me sort it out once I get it on the road/track. - Who knows, you might be able to trade some seat time for him to help you tune yours too.

[rust_bucket]

Way to go, Rusty!!! Beautiful test drive, great lookin' car, well done all around, Sir!!! Many, many congratulations!!!

Rust Bucket said: "My own personal flavor of crazy, ambitious, raucous, delicious FUN."

AMEN, BROTHER!!!! If that isn't the perfect summation of why to do this, I don't think there ever will be one.

Congratulations on the test drive, and thanks for that quote.
May I steal it???

JD Kemp

You may. I don't know that I've ever been quoted before. (OK that's not true, my wife occasionally tells me things I've said... That doesn't always turn out the way I hope, but you, you are welcome to quote me.)

[junior]

That is AWSOME!

You mentioned stuff about the springs pre-load and such being to stiff. I know NOTHING about suspension tuning. I can feel that things feel different but have no idea what is good or bad. Weather says its going to be 73 today, so I will be pulling the car back out. Enjoy the day.

J. R.

I dont' know a lot about it either, I go by feel as well, but that's what it comes down in the end. I have a pretty good concept of how the different variables influence behavior and it's a matter of tweaking things a bit at a time to hone in on it. I've found the iphone is a remarkably good camber angle measuring device. !
- I have a friend at work who is a master chassis tuner. He's worked with several professional teams. I fully intend to beg, bribe, blackmail him into helping me sort it out once I get it on the road/track. - Who knows, you might be able to trade some seat time for him to help you tune yours too.

EXCELLENT. Because my butt dyno has NO chassis tuning in it. I change suspension settings and notice that it has better or worse traction in a corner, but as for when people talk about how "turn in" is crisper or rebound is better or car is flat in the corner......I need to get my butt calibrated because I just can't really feel it. I don't know, I'm dumb I guess when it comes to that. I will have to get your buddy to take my car for a spin and tell me what he thinks. Ever since the crash of my friend I am really nervous about letting other people drive it. I told my wife never again.

J. R.

[rust_bucket]

I will have to get your buddy to take my car for a spin and tell me what he thinks. Ever since the crash of my friend I am really nervous about letting other people drive it. I told my wife never again.

J. R.

Understandably you're nervous about turning over the reigns. I too am very hesitant to let anyone else drive it. - Maybe my dad IF he wants to. He's been my resident fan throughout this whole process and has helped out quite a bit. I owe it to him.

I of course am volunteering this guy's services without even asking, but I'm sure he could give you pretty good feedback by just lapping an empty parking lot a bit. - I'll show him a picture of your car and see what he says. I'd guess he's up for an adventure.

[rustdad]

I was witness to the miracle . . . and took pictures. It's just like "Rusty" said and trust me, I'm the expert when it comes to filtering out his exaggerations. It spun, it barked, it crackled, it roared to life . . . it ran like a scalded dog! It was a thrill and I never left the driveway . . . (I've seen him drive before). Congratulations son! Well done! And what a great quote. Can I steal it too? . . . you know I will.

[rust_bucket]

Thanks rustdad. You're the best.

- So the question is, are you brave enough to get behind the wheel?

(So if I'm rust_bucket, does that make you rust_bathtub, or rust_trough, or rust_faucet? No? Ok, Rustdad it is. )

[chetcpo]

AWESOME! I still remember the feeling... it's something you will never forget. Congratulations on your accomplishment! I'm sure you made Rusty Sr. a proud papa! Way to stick it out. These builds seem to drag on forever, but as you've discovered finishing can be rewarding beyond belief. Good job!

[rustdad]

Thanks rustdad. You're the best.

- So the question is, are you brave enough to get behind the wheel?

(So if I'm rust_bucket, does that make you rust_bathtub, or rust_trough, or rust_faucet? No? Ok, Rustdad it is. )

Yes I'm well brave enough to get behind the tiny little wheel, assuming it clears my tiny little gut. And on the bravery front, getting behind the wheel of this masterpiece is a pale immitation of what it took to get into the passenger seat of your previous adventure: the fire-breathing, smoke-belching, gut-wrenching, fluid-leaking, neighbor-scaring, dog-fleeing, header-melting, pulse-pounding, un-stopable, barely-steerable, media-notifying, where-is-the-fire-extinguisher? - F-100 big block monster on the rusty fourteen pound old-rail, crossmember-missing frame . . . on its initial trial run. I survived that and even learned to love driving it . . . although I never could keep the fat rear tires on the ground. . . . So, when it's ready for a 2nd pilot, hand me the key and show me where the anti-theft button is and I'm ready to go.
If you're rust_bucket I guess I'm rust tub. . . . but rustdad will do.

[GonzoRacer]

Thanks rustdad. You're the best.

- So the question is, are you brave enough to get behind the wheel?

(So if I'm rust_bucket, does that make you rust_bathtub, or rust_trough, or rust_faucet? No? Ok, Rustdad it is. )

Yes I'm well brave enough to get behind the tiny little wheel, assuming it clears my tiny little gut. And on the bravery front, getting behind the wheel of this masterpiece is a pale immitation of what it took to get into the passenger seat of your previous adventure: the fire-breathing, smoke-belching, gut-wrenching, fluid-leaking, neighbor-scaring, dog-fleeing, header-melting, pulse-pounding, un-stopable, barely-steerable, media-notifying, where-is-the-fire-extinguisher? - F-100 big block monster on the rusty fourteen pound old-rail, crossmember-missing frame . . . on its initial trial run. I survived that and even learned to love driving it . . . although I never could keep the fat rear tires on the ground. . . . So, when it's ready for a 2nd pilot, hand me the key and show me where the anti-theft button is and I'm ready to go.
If you're rust_bucket I guess I'm rust tub. . . . but rustdad will do.

Rusty Jr-
Your "old man" sounds like a helluva guy. Cherish that gift.

Rusty Sr-
Can I buy ya a beer some day?


JDK