This project car started life as a blue 1992 B package Miata with 145,000 miles on the odometer, The car will be a rolling advertisement for Apex Automotive Engineering, We want to have something a little different, with a little more power.

The car uses fiberglass body work (Mazda Competition) and a custom made hood that will help exit under hood temperatures and increase the efficiency of the heavy duty FM radiator. The 1.6 motor will be rebuilt using Stock rings and bearings, along with the stock crank, pistons and rods. The head has been port and polished with new valves and springs installed (Import Machine Service 508.872.RACE).

The engine will have the large Autorotor and intercooler from Corky Bell, but it will be installed on the right side of the motor under the intake manifold. A TEC-II computer system will be utilised for engine control along with 440 fuel injectors. Update: The engine was tuned on a Dynojet chassis dyno, it produced 201HP at the rear wheels with 175 ft/lb of torque at 9.5 - 10psi.

The suspension is out of a '99 M2 Miata including the sub frames and uprights. Adjustable Ground Control sway bars, Koni shocks and Eibach springs with adjustable spring mounts will also be installed. The rear end differential is a Torsen type limited slip with a 4:10 ratio The exhaust will be a Boig header with a 2.25" collector and custom 2.5" straight back incorporating a high flow catalytic converter and a Borla muffler, exiting out the left rear side, making room for the spare tire under the right rear trunk area.

The car has come together nicely, the power comes on instantly, it's going to get a little used to driving, but we hope to have it on the track in 2002.

Return to Special Projects

Copyright © 2000
APEX Automotive Engineering