Project Prelude M
09-02-2013, 07:04 PM
#26
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Re: Project Prelude M
I figured that you would be needing to go that route.
Will you using the factory dash or will that be thrown out for a custom dash? If you sit it back as far as I think you need too, then the Heater core is going to be in the way, in which case you will just need to leave that out.
I know you can do anything you desire since this is all fabrication, I just wanted to know how much of the OEM you will be keeping or will you be completely disgard everything for a racecar setup???
Will you using the factory dash or will that be thrown out for a custom dash? If you sit it back as far as I think you need too, then the Heater core is going to be in the way, in which case you will just need to leave that out.
I know you can do anything you desire since this is all fabrication, I just wanted to know how much of the OEM you will be keeping or will you be completely disgard everything for a racecar setup???
Probably the factory dash and for the heater core, it can be move and or replace by one that will fit.
Honestly I'm more worried about the transmission right now. This is probably one of the less reliable system ever made IMO. To know more, everyone can do a search with Maserati F1 transmission (DuoSelect). When I bought the car, I knew little about it but the more I learned, the more I'm not interested to use it. It's expensive, not reliable and it's completely controlled by a computer.
I'm currently doing research to use a manual transmission. Maserati sold some with the 4.2 but they are almost impossible to find. I'm considering other one like the T5 or T56, 5 and 6 speed use in Camaro, Mustang, Viper and others. It mean a custom build bell housing and finding a rear end. In the long run, it will be a lot cheaper and I'll have more possibility for upgrades.
If I don't use the transmission, they're no real reason to use the suspension and brake, they are so expensive. It cheaper to buy a complete Willwood set and a custom build suspension. Example of OEM cost? Front upper arm 900$, front left shock 1000, front brake pads 600, front left wheel 1000... You know what I mean.
My first plan was to used as much as possible from the Maserati, including front and rear sub frame, suspensions, brake, wheels...
Right now, I will probably only use the engine, it's always about the engine anyway!
Yannick
09-02-2013, 09:54 PM
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Re: Project Prelude M
Your work is wonderful. My brother I are so intrested in this build cant wait to see the finished vehicle. Thisis a dream build I loved my prelude so much but it sits now that I have e92 m3 this will be the best v8 in a 3rd gen
09-02-2013, 10:45 PM
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Re: Project Prelude M
Probably the factory dash and for the heater core, it can be move and or replace by one that will fit.
Honestly I'm more worried about the transmission right now. This is probably one of the less reliable system ever made IMO. To know more, everyone can do a search with Maserati F1 transmission (DuoSelect). When I bought the car, I knew little about it but the more I learned, the more I'm not interested to use it. It's expensive, not reliable and it's completely controlled by a computer.
I'm currently doing research to use a manual transmission. Maserati sold some with the 4.2 but they are almost impossible to find. I'm considering other one like the T5 or T56, 5 and 6 speed use in Camaro, Mustang, Viper and others. It mean a custom build bell housing and finding a rear end. In the long run, it will be a lot cheaper and I'll have more possibility for upgrades.
If I don't use the transmission, they're no real reason to use the suspension and brake, they are so expensive. It cheaper to buy a complete Willwood set and a custom build suspension. Example of OEM cost? Front upper arm 900$, front left shock 1000, front brake pads 600, front left wheel 1000... You know what I mean.
My first plan was to used as much as possible from the Maserati, including front and rear sub frame, suspensions, brake, wheels...
Right now, I will probably only use the engine, it's always about the engine anyway!
Yannick
Honestly I'm more worried about the transmission right now. This is probably one of the less reliable system ever made IMO. To know more, everyone can do a search with Maserati F1 transmission (DuoSelect). When I bought the car, I knew little about it but the more I learned, the more I'm not interested to use it. It's expensive, not reliable and it's completely controlled by a computer.
I'm currently doing research to use a manual transmission. Maserati sold some with the 4.2 but they are almost impossible to find. I'm considering other one like the T5 or T56, 5 and 6 speed use in Camaro, Mustang, Viper and others. It mean a custom build bell housing and finding a rear end. In the long run, it will be a lot cheaper and I'll have more possibility for upgrades.
If I don't use the transmission, they're no real reason to use the suspension and brake, they are so expensive. It cheaper to buy a complete Willwood set and a custom build suspension. Example of OEM cost? Front upper arm 900$, front left shock 1000, front brake pads 600, front left wheel 1000... You know what I mean.
My first plan was to used as much as possible from the Maserati, including front and rear sub frame, suspensions, brake, wheels...
Right now, I will probably only use the engine, it's always about the engine anyway!
Yannick
Trust my Yannick, I understand more than most about what you are saying about using parts that have better aftermarket support.
If you ever have any questions about all things 3rd gen, just pm me or email me, and I will be more than happy to do what I can to help or point you to someone who will know.
Sean
(email below in my sig)
09-20-2013, 05:15 PM
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Re: Project Prelude M
Good timing! I have good news and bad news. My camera is not working right now 
I'll probably buy a new one since it's an old Canon A550!
For the transmission, I removed the bell housing and the clutch and examined closely the situation. This is an 8.5 inch twin disc clutch with 25 spline and there no transmission that can fit without major modification, I'll need a custom input shaft for the transmission or a custom clutch and an adapter plate. So back to the first option witch is using the original drive train. I will not use the suspension and brake from the Maserati.
I finally bought a car... The pictures are from the ads.
I know...
Very good shape for an 1991 and I paid 1100 for it with the hard top.
Obliviously it's not a Prelude, sorry to disappoint everyone but it should be fun anyway. Today I removed the engine and transmission. This week end, I'll try to put the Maserati engine for the first mark up and realize how crazy this thing will be!
I'll keep the update coming even if it's not a Prelude... I hope you will enjoy it anyway.
I'll probably buy a new one since it's an old Canon A550!For the transmission, I removed the bell housing and the clutch and examined closely the situation. This is an 8.5 inch twin disc clutch with 25 spline and there no transmission that can fit without major modification, I'll need a custom input shaft for the transmission or a custom clutch and an adapter plate. So back to the first option witch is using the original drive train. I will not use the suspension and brake from the Maserati.
I finally bought a car... The pictures are from the ads.
I know...
Very good shape for an 1991 and I paid 1100 for it with the hard top.
Obliviously it's not a Prelude, sorry to disappoint everyone but it should be fun anyway. Today I removed the engine and transmission. This week end, I'll try to put the Maserati engine for the first mark up and realize how crazy this thing will be!
I'll keep the update coming even if it's not a Prelude... I hope you will enjoy it anyway.
09-20-2013, 06:17 PM
#31
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Re: Project Prelude M
Man this is awesome!! On another point i was wathcing "HOW DO THEY DO IT? - Supercars" on discovery channel this mornign while iw as at work and they were doing the maserati Quat car, it was very interesting watching them put it all together. Not sure if oyu know but these cars are half assembled by ferrari....
I cant wait to see this miata ****** fly!!!
I cant wait to see this miata ****** fly!!!
09-20-2013, 06:50 PM
#32
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Re: Project Prelude M
I know, Ferrari is the reason why Maserati is back on the market, it was almost dead when Ferrari bought it. You can find all the info on Wikipedia.
09-21-2013, 03:15 PM
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Re: Project Prelude M
2013-09-21
Better view of the car.
After a cleaning, I did not have a camera when I removed the engine.
Work from the previous owner...:sad: I'll fix that.
Almost no rust! It's from Quebec, usually the car 5 years old are more rusted than that!
I started a new thread at http://forum.miata.net/vb/showthread.php?t=516336, It's the same update but the comments are different.
Better view of the car.
After a cleaning, I did not have a camera when I removed the engine.
Work from the previous owner...:sad: I'll fix that.
Almost no rust! It's from Quebec, usually the car 5 years old are more rusted than that!
I started a new thread at http://forum.miata.net/vb/showthread.php?t=516336, It's the same update but the comments are different.
09-21-2013, 03:31 PM
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Re: Project Prelude M
2013-09-21
This was to give me an idea how to attach the transmission. The support for the transmission will connect to the sub frame and to the roll cage. As you can see, the front of the transmission is 21 inches and will hit the original fuel tank...
Here is the answer. It will fit...
Right there! It's an extreme fit but nothing that can't be done.
Some modification needed over there. It's not centered yet, it's need to move 1.5 inch.
This was to give me an idea how to attach the transmission. The support for the transmission will connect to the sub frame and to the roll cage. As you can see, the front of the transmission is 21 inches and will hit the original fuel tank...
Here is the answer. It will fit...
Right there! It's an extreme fit but nothing that can't be done.
Some modification needed over there. It's not centered yet, it's need to move 1.5 inch.
09-22-2013, 12:15 PM
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Re: Project Prelude M
With crazy project like that, the car itself doesn't matter, It's more about the how to do it.
I took time to have more accurate measurement.
Engine
Height, lower to the highest, 24 3/4, 28 with the original engine support.
Length, head is 23 and the back to the throttle body is 28
Wide, head back is 26, front is 27 1/2, header is 28 1/2
Miata
Wide, inside frame rail is 28. Should be very close!
Length is fine,
Hood clearance from the lowest part of the sub frame, 26 front and 29 back.
I hope I didn't made any errors, It's from memory, I forgot my paper at the garage.
Here my high quality tool used!
Interior ready!
Tomorrow is the big day, initial testing with the engine.
Last edited by Cibaru; 09-22-2013 at 06:56 PM.
09-23-2013, 02:04 PM
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Re: Project Prelude M
The 944 transmission probably doesn't fit with the clutch. You need that and an adapter plate. This is a 8.5 inches twin disc and a custom one is not cheap.
Usually people doing Miata with a V8 use the 7.5 or 8.8 IRS Ford or Getrac. They're companies that build custom sub frame and even axles.
Even if the electronics is ''heavy'', I think the cost of using the original transmission is lower than a new set-up.
Last edited by Cibaru; 09-23-2013 at 06:37 PM.
09-23-2013, 02:04 PM
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Re: Project Prelude M
The clearance is to close. I'll replace both front rail with 2x3 and the roll cage with connect to that.
Hard to see, but the bell housing is at the same height as the frame floor.
I know the cut is rough, it doesn't matter since I'll have to rebuild this entire section. I have the plan for the measurements and they will be in their specification when done. You can see that the steering column will need to be move, It will be where the rail frame is, this is why I need to start from scratch. The exhaust will maybe have interference with the lower arm.
Yes the hood close correctly. Overall, I'm happy with how the engine fit, a lot of work to be done and this is the fun part, figuring out how to do it.
09-24-2013, 02:20 AM
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Re: Project Prelude M
Dissappointed this was not in a 3rd gen, it would have been even more interesting.
But a Miata is still a fun chassis to mess with as well.
But a Miata is still a fun chassis to mess with as well.
09-30-2013, 06:34 PM
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Re: Project Prelude M
The frame is completed. (sorry about the bad picture)
The front and rear section after the shock tower will be replace with thinner steel to make a deformation zone. Maybe I'll use something already available, more details later.
The frame is close from the original Miata,
The exhaust is about 2 inch lower than the frame rail, It can be easily modified if it's cause trouble.
Now I have plenty of space for the steering column. I don't know if I'm gonna use the original Miata steering rack.
No update for 2 weeks since I'm going outside of town to work for 10 days.
The next thing I'll do is to fix the engine and transmission to the frame. I'll probably not use the Miata sub frame. Suspension? I don't know yet. With such a stiff frame, with a roll cage, it make sense to look at other option.
The front and rear section after the shock tower will be replace with thinner steel to make a deformation zone. Maybe I'll use something already available, more details later.
The frame is close from the original Miata,
The exhaust is about 2 inch lower than the frame rail, It can be easily modified if it's cause trouble.
Now I have plenty of space for the steering column. I don't know if I'm gonna use the original Miata steering rack.
No update for 2 weeks since I'm going outside of town to work for 10 days.
The next thing I'll do is to fix the engine and transmission to the frame. I'll probably not use the Miata sub frame. Suspension? I don't know yet. With such a stiff frame, with a roll cage, it make sense to look at other option.
09-30-2013, 06:51 PM
#45
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Re: Project Prelude M
And since this is not a Civic hatch, I'm subscribed.
10-04-2013, 12:14 PM
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10-04-2013, 12:44 PM
#49
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Re: Project Prelude M
There's always gonna be "That Guy"... "Where's the lude?" Read the post bro!
And, YES!! We want updates... that's what makes this all worth while. Building up anticipation to the final product. That's like paying for a stripper that shows up to the house already naked and sweaty... NOT FUN!
