Flyin' Miata : Build diaries

Dave's CF-55
This Mazdaspeed is here for a complete workover as a fast street car. All of the components are chosen with this goal in mind.
Start from the beginning
Latest update, February 03, 2012
The long process of reassembly begins.
The car may never be this clean again.
Read this entry

The Gatmobile
Joel's 2005 Mazdaspeed gets a major makeover.
Start from the beginning
Latest update, August 25, 2011
The car is done and delivered.
We spent a bit more time shaking down various aspects of the car, then Joel flew out to pick up the car and drive it home. The car turned out beautifully. Every one of these that we build seems to drive just a little better than the last.
(more on the FM site)
Read this entry

Project 707
This poor car has quite a history with us. Keith's doing a budget refresh to turn it into a street car with a vintage flair for a friend. No big horsepower in this one!
This isn't an official FM project, it's what one of our employees is doing on his own time.
Start from the beginning
Latest update, April 19, 2011
Eric and the final result.
He's overjoyed with how it turned out. He had a very strong vision for the car, and that's the key to a successful modification. Anything he considered doing was held up against that vision. This keeps the end result cohesive and consistent. Every potential change was compared against how it fit in, from the pattern on top of the shift knob to the choice of wheels.
(more on the FM site)
Read this entry

The NC V8 project
After dropping V8s into more than a dozen 1990-05 cars, it's time for us to take on the current generation. This is the transformation of our 2009 from salvage car to a real beast.
Start from the beginning
Latest update, February 02, 2012
Betty knows the secret to success is accessorizing, so now she has an alternator and a/c compressor, with PS coming soon.
Read this entry

The Targa V8
In 2008, the Targa Miata ran in the Targa Newfoundland. It did well, but a lack of power kept it from challenging for outright victory. We're changing that and installing a built L33 V8 - an all-aluminum mill that should put out north of 400 hp.
Start from the beginning
Latest update, January 25, 2012
Targa 2011 videos are online!
Not every stage - yet - but there are 19 videos from the race uploaded to the Targamiata.com video page as well as the Targa Miata YouTube channel. Bumpercam, roofcam, crewcam and even the classic in-car shot. The patch from Janel's intercom means excellent audio in most of the in-car clips, so you can really hear what she's saying as well as the hollering of the big engine. More videos are gradually being added when I have a spare minute here and there.
(more on the FM site)
Read this entry

Laguna Blue
This pretty 1995 Laguna Blue Miata got reworked with a major horsepower injection.
Start from the beginning
Latest update, October 27, 2010
A final shot of the engine bay with the coil covers installed.
The car left FM on the weekend and will be delivered to an excited owner tomorrow. Enjoy the car, Pat!
Read this entry

Scuba Steve
This 2002 checked into the Flyin' Miata hospital complaining of a torque deficiency. So we performed a heart transplant.
Start from the beginning
Latest update, August 09, 2010
All buttoned up and ready to go!
Does Steve look happy to you?
(more on the FM site)
Read this entry

Bert
Bert is a 1992 Miata that has had an FM II turbo system for years. However, it's time for the big step: a big V8.
Start from the beginning
Latest update, October 11, 2010
The car's just about to leave us to head back to its owner.
Here's the final state of the engine bay. The 1990-97 models have a smaller engine compartment than the 1999-05 cars, which means the fuel rail covers can't be installed without modifying the hood.
Read this entry

Igor
Igor is a 1999 Miata that came into our hands as a salvage car. But he was too good to take apart, so we decided to have a little fun.
With an armful of off-the-shelf Flyin' Miata parts and a few spare body panels, we transformed Igor from a sad little stock Miata to one of the staff favorites on the street and the track.
Start from the beginning
Latest update, April 06, 2010
The big brake kit comes with an adjustable proportioning valve so that we can fine-tune the brake balance.
This can make a dramatic difference in the braking ability of the car if it's set up right, so it's an inexpensive way to improve the stopping power of almost any Miata.
Read this entry

Mike's V8
A nice 2002 gets a horsepower injection as we install a 480 hp LS3 engine.
Start from the beginning
Latest update, May 19, 2010
A final portrait.
We brought Mike's car down to the Miatas in Moab event where it was a big hit. The trucking company will be picking it up shortly to take back home to him.
(more on the FM site)
Read this entry

Elvis
Elvis has had a number of engines over the years - a high boost stroker, a high compression naturally aspirated engine - but when the time came for us to do our first V8 conversion, he was our victim.
Start from the beginning
Latest update, January 27, 2011
If you had X-ray vision, this is what Elvis would look like.
We're doing a bit of work to buff up the paint.
Read this entry

The Rocketship
A 1993 LE that combines luxury touring with very strong turbo power.
We originally built this car several years ago. It's back for upgrades.
Start from the beginning
Latest update, April 28, 2010
The car needs more spark, so we've mounted a set of coils from an LS3 V8 on the car.
The bracket design - done by Tyler - worked so well we're putting it into production, and we'll have a Big Spark kit coming soon.
Read this entry

The Pi Car
Another 1990-97 V8 conversion. What can't be improved by installing 480 horsepower? This car is at the beginning of a long journey. We're dealing with the performance, the aesthetics will follow later.
Start from the beginning
Latest update, March 26, 2010
We needed to do some road testing to ensure everything on the car is in perfect shape.
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.
(more on the FM site)
Read this entry

Dan's V8
This was the first 1990-97 Miata to get the Flyin' Miata V8 treatment.
Start from the beginning
Latest update, April 28, 2010
Dan lives in Alberta, Canada.
Between his northern address and our high elevation, he wasn't able to come pick up the car for a long time. He finally flew in and drove the car home. It's shown here in Montana.
(more on the FM site)
Read this entry

Geoff's car
We know this car well. It's been to us several times over the years for various upgrades. But Geoff decided it was time for the big step, and had us put an LS2 underhood.
Start from the beginning
Latest update, October 01, 2009
Pretty much the last step.
The GM ecu puts out 56000 pulses/mile, while the Miata speedo expects 8,000. This interface box lets us doctor the signal. Fine tuning involves driving at a steady speed and calibrating off a GPS.
Read this entry

The Silver MSM
This car came to us fairly modified from the start. But that didn't mean there wasn't a lot to do! The chosen engine was a 500 hp LS2 from Holden.
Start from the beginning
Latest update, August 14, 2009
Thaaat's all folks!
Headed home.
Read this entry

The green 99
The first customer V8 build. We put a 480 hp LS3 in, and gave the whole car a makeover.
Start from the beginning
Latest update, October 11, 2010
While we're working on the car, we're also installing a set of gauges so the engine can be fully monitored.
Read this entry

John's Westfield
We don't offer turn-key Westfields anymore, but here's one we built in-house. John's planning to take this thing touring all over the US, so it's set up with a little more luxury than most Westies. For example, it has heated seats, a trailer hitch and even a roof!
Start from the beginning
Latest update, August 12, 2010
Here's John's touring setup.
The trailer is designed for motorcycles and he reports it tows extremely well. The car's fitted with various lighting upgrades and stuffed with amateur radio gear.
(more on the FM site)
Read this entry

The FM Westfield - modifications
Follow along the post-construction life of our little turbocharged lightweight.
Start from the beginning
Latest update, April 08, 2009
AIM dash.
This thing is cool. It plugs into the Hydra ecu and gives us whatever info the ecu has, apparently including an imaginary sixth gear.
Read this entry

The FM Westfield - build
We built the first Miata-based Westfield with left hand drive. We came across a few little problems and helped Westfield sort everything out.
Start from the beginning
Latest update, October 14, 2008
A late arrival, the heatshield for the exhaust.
Read this entry

The Targa Miata
The Targa Newfoundland is a week-long tarmac rally that combines runs through tight little village roads to undulating coastal highways. So, how would you build the perfect naturally aspirated Miata to handle it?
Build and development
The race - first in class and 16th overall!

The Seven
Before Westfield came out with their Miata-powered lightweight, Keith built one of his own. Then he took on the Ariel Atom on the track and even wrote a book about it. Completed, but still occasionally updated.
The Seven

The MGB GT
How do you get baby supercar performance with classic style? If you think like Keith does, you take a 1972 MGB GT, cut the frame off at the firewall, build a new frame with Miata geometry, add a custom three-link rear suspension and then ram the drivetrain from a 1998 Camaro inside. This one is currently under construction.
The MG