Rental Car: 1990, 2001 longblock, AEM

The white turbo car we just finished up is back with its owner being abused (hopefully), so we're gearing up for our next build. I've had this '90 shell kicking around for quite a while, never really got around to doing anything with it until now. We decided to take the 2001 motor from our salvage NB and stick it in along with an AEM and a slew of other goodies and build a Miata Challenge mod class car. This car will be available for rental in California once it's built.

The car, powerwashed and tucked into the "project position" of our shop:



Tired old 1.6. This motor spent some time with a 2560R strapped to the side of it, so it's lived a good life.



Pretty tired interior. The whole car is like this, tired but salvageable. What it does have is a hardtop and a TC Designs half cage, which is why we're starting with it.



Motor's out, still gross. Need to bust out the powerwasher again. Next step is to get the rear end swapped out for the 4.30 Torsen...





and get the rest of the suspension torn out.

Along with the 2001 longblock, it's also getting:
-AEM EMS
-full RB exhaust
-custom intake
-possibly a JDM intake manifold
-possibly a set of Integral cams
-15x9s, NT-01s
-Trackspeed Engineering BBK
-949racing XIDAs
-poly bushings, sways, etc.
-seats and harnesses

Our goal is to keep the AC system and a radio as well - the idea is that we can load a jack and a small toolbox in the trunk, drive it to the track in comfort, beat on it all day long, and then drive it home again. Looking to see ~150whp while staying naturally aspirated for reliability and ease of maintenance. Enough power that it will hold its own in SV Red but not so much that it's a handful to drive for new drivers.

Stay tuned, our completion goal is mid June on this one.