I have been modifying and building cars since I was 17 years old and that's actually how I got my start in mechanical engineering. It just so happens I kept the same car since I was 17 years old (Mazdaspeed6). Most of my knowledge is in small 4 cylinder turbocharged engines. I love to tinker with mechanical systems and I apply most of my learning here to other aspects of my life. I enjoy watching the platform grow. When I started, the fastest mazdaspeed was 10 second quarter mile. That was huge! Now, 7/21 someone just obtained a 9.06 quarter mile time at 167mph.
Bought this car for $800 with a blown-up engine because the previous owner didn't know what he was doing when modifying the car. I replaced the engine with a new factory long block, replaced all oil seals, refreshed the transmission, and fabricated my own budget turbo system. Car runs a 57mm turbo, auxiliary fueling, and too many other parts to list. I haven’t turned up the power as I daily drive this car, but it does spin tires at 12 PSI of boost in 3rd gear.
Figure 1: Day 1 of bringing car home.
Figure 2: Day 1 of bringing car home.
Figure 3: Day 1 of bringing car home.
Figure 4: Putting in new factory engine and old turbo setup.
Figure 5: Refreshed transmission.
Figure 6: Original turbo kit built was scrapped after 500 miles because the cheap ebay manifold wasn't sealing on the head properly.
Figure 7: Custom fabricated a SS304 downpipe and exhaust for new turbo kit. It all merged up to a electronic muffler from Varex.
Figure 8: Made the downpipe modular and purged during welding.
Video 1: Video displaying the tight fit of downpipe due to Varex Muffler. No nothing rattles or interferes with mating parts; small clerances and definately hardest pipe fit to do by yourself. But worth it because Varex Remote Controller Muffler ;)
Figure 9: Some exhaust 304 stainless welds. Didn't find pictures of the aluminum pipe welds.
Figure 10: Nice light aluminum flywheel good for about 400HP+ streetcar! Feels responsive.
Figure 11: Finalized engine bay with new turbo kit. Did all welding and fabrication my myself.
Figure 12: First oil change on new turbo kit (500 miles on new factory engine). As always, made the car sleeper as possible, such as: hiding the front mount intercooler under the bumper, quiet varex muffler with remote control to open up for 3" straight through exhaust, and stock wheels with taller tires.
The car that started it all! The old setup is pictured below. It ran a 11.6 at around 120mph with a terrible 60' time (only had two passes in for the day). After racing this summer of 2019, I drove it from Anchorage, AK to Seattle, WA (2400 miles approximately). Currently I am installing a new engine and bigger turbo, fabricating the intercooler piping and exhaust, and setting up a whole new fuel system. I am running auxiallary injectors (two extra per cylinder) instead of methonal injection. I find this much more reliable. Previously, I was using methonal injection with x2 DO10 nozzles pre-throttle body. The new setup will work identical but be controlled with injectors and stand alone fuel cell and pump. No more nozzles and solenoids. More to come!
Figure 12: 2019 Post drive from Anchorage, AK to Seattle, WA. The catch can fell off (right side) which is why it's zip tied down.
Figure 13: New engine installation soon; good for 700hp. Old setup made around 480-55hp.
Figure 14: Exterior is sleeper as possible.
Video 2: WARNING LOUD VIDEO!!!! Test pass 11.6 at 119 back in 2019.
Figure 15: Only got two passes in that day, terrible 60' (1.87 seconds) car could be faster! My best 60' was about 1.62 seconds in 2013.
Figure 16: I had the engine bay quite flashy, When the built engine first went in (2016).
Levon Markossian - 2021