Issues with 97 Coldside Install

[Race Grandpa]

Yesterday my mechanic had me come to the shop so he could show me the issues he is facing in doing the install of my coldside on my 97.

I had intended on taking detailed notes. However, after about 2 minutes everything he was telling me was over my head. The one thing that I remember him saying was that he was having a hard time figuring out where everything can be placed in such limited space. He did not think the instructions were either detailed enough or covered earlier models.

He is going to call Tom.

However, I thought some of you could shed some light on things you ran into on your 97 Coldside install and how you solved the problems before my mechanic and Tom start talking.

Thanks

[Tom @ Fast Forward]

He hasn't started yet and he has determined that it won't fit?

[Race Grandpa]

He is ready to put on the SC and is giving more thought on how to approach it and then will put together a list of questions that others on the forum can not answer and contact you.

He is taking pictures of everything he is doing.

Since I have another car, I am not pressing he to get it finished for awhile.

I told him that you answered my e-mail at 3:30 am this week. :eek:

I hope you can take a few hours off this weekend. If not, I am going to have my shrink call you about those crazy hours you work :no:

I really like the YoYo. Thanks.

[Tom @ Fast Forward]

Except for church, my phone is always on and I am available 7 days a week. We are on California time for the next few months. I'll be here when he needs me.

[Race Grandpa]

Thanks Tom,

I was remise in not mentioning that he has never put on a SC or Turbo. So that may the reason he perceives some problems. (So maybe no problems at all.) He has only laided the various parts and not installed one of them. The reason for the original post was to see if their was any suggestions from the forum members when they did the install. I am I pretty sure that the remote oil filter will have to go and I can sell it on the Miata.net forum.

I chose him because we go to the same church and he was a mechanic for 7 years at the local Mazda dealership.

None of the mechanics at the local Mazda dealership have experience installing SC or turbos. Their shop rates are about $20 more per hour. I expect that a dealership would charge a lot more even though the difference in the shop rates is not that much. (In the past I have found this to be the case with numerous dealerships.)

He will call you in about 2 weeks.

Paul

[socal pat]

No shrinks allowed. You have to remember that Tom actually LOVES what he is doing. To him it's not really work. I bet dollars to doughnuts that once your mechanic gets into the job it will explain itself to him. He'll spend the day saying "Oh! now I see." He just needas a little orientation time to get friendly with it. :)

[Tom @ Fast Forward]

Download the 3D drawing for him. That will help alot.

[Race Grandpa]

Thanks Tom,

Those 3-D drawings are COOL.


The first drawing shows that we were trying to put the intake hose, MAF and filter in the wrong place.

:oops:


Can I e-mail a link to the site. (I am on the leading edge of low technology.)

Paul.



:party:

[Tom @ Fast Forward]

Absolutely. Email him the link. That drawing will help hoim understand. You can use that drawing and take the pieces apart and look at all of the pieces to see every nut, bolt and screw. They only error in the 94-97 drawing is that it still shows the JRPC and SS for fuel management instead of the new PC-Pros. The 01-05 3D drawing is up to date in that respect.

[Race Grandpa]

Thanks.

I will call you about the problems I am having with the paper jams with my printer.

[Race Grandpa]

I have woke up and figured out the problem was me - or should I say the mechanic that I was going to use.

:stupid:



I figured out that this guy preferrred to do brake jobs, etc. at the dealerships non-warranty flat rates and likes to be paid in cash. (And he is on our church council - real sad)

I should have taken up the offer from a person in Seattle who offerred to come down and help me for no $$$.

But I have found a shop in Tacoma that has a dyno and lots of experience.

If you live in Washington state and are looking for someone to do the install, contact me.

Tom was more patient with me than what I deserved. :angel:


Thanks Tom.

[Tom @ Fast Forward]

Email me the name of the bad one. I try to keep track of those as well as the good ones.