Project-Zero: Brake nuts, rear studs.

Front Brakes

I found that the threads of the tube nuts installed on the front brake lines at the GBS workshop were garbage, wouldn't thread on to the GBS supplied ATR braided flexible brake lines. Some other owners have run into the same issue, they've resolved it using an M10x1 tap to clean up the threads. I opted to replace the tube nuts, I was able to steal a good set from a friend's build. 

Rear Brakes

Rear brakes were zero dramas, everything there was fine.

Rear Hub Studs

With the use of a 20-ton press, I installed a set of ARP wheel studs in the Sierra rear hubs. I wanted to use ARP studs to match the style of studs in the front hubs. Turns out that ARP's NA/NB Miata/MX-5 extended wheels as almost a perfect, especially with the use of a 20-ton press.

Project-Zero: Build Vlog 8.22.2020

Starting to build some momentum. Current focus is to get the front end assembled. (Control arms, uprights, brakes, steering rack, etc.) Ran into a small question that required a email to the GBS Workshops.

In the video I make the statement that the shock I'm holding is for the wrong car. This is not correct. This was my confusion about the way GBS manages their stock keeping. GBS have two stock keeping units for the ATR Shocks, one for Ford and one for Mazda; each SKU is a set of four shocks.  Between the two SKUs, the front shocks are identical while the rears have different stroke length. Nowhere on their site could I find information conferring this information about the two SKUs but it was confirmed for me by GBS via email. (As of the morning of 8/24/2020.)

My concern was whether or not there might be a difference in front shock stroke length the two SKUs since my car is running Mazda gear up front and Ford gear out back.  Would have been nice if GBS used three SKUs instead of two. (i.e individual Front Ford/Mazda, Rear Ford, and Rear Mazda SKUs would have been a little less confusing)

Anyway, that's sorted. Shock installment in the next Vlog.

Project-Zero: Rear wheel studs for Ford Sierra hubs

Problem:

I want to install extended wheel studs on my Zero's rear hubs that match the length and style of the ARP studs I just installed on the front hubs.

• Front Hubs: Mazda NA/NB MX-5 Miata
• Rear Hubs: Ford Sierra

Research: 

I grabbed some measurements from the Sierra hubs I have, then started to Google.

Everything Ford related that I type after this is based on this post from the UK Locost Builder's Forum. Everything I write about MX-5 bits is taken directly from ARP's published product materials.

I'm also about to mix a lot of Imperial and Metric units, you've been warned.

Ford Sierra rear hubs come in 0.518" (13.15mm) knurl diameter.

Mazda Miata rear hubs come in two flavors, 0.507" (~12.9mm) or 0.579" (~14.7mm) knurl diameter

Conclusion:

My take away is that I can use ARP '94+ MX-5 studs in the Ford Sierra if I bore the stud holes to 9/16th. ( That's about a 0.002" interference fit, well within the capability of a hydraulic press. )