So... What can you do with a $700 Miata, a $300 eBay motor and the super-charger from a Toyota Previa mini-van? How about auction off over $3,000 worth of excess Miata parts and build a screaming 200 rwhp 1800 pound handful of a cone-eating beast!

Rob Welsh of ATS Machine Safety Solutions took some time out to give me the tour of this formerly civilized Miata. Those of you with the mod bugs might enjoy taking a peek inside this conversion. Fender flares looking familiar? Think Dodge Omni...

Rob tells me the next project is to remove the front bumper and bracing and replace it with an aluminum bumper/air dam... At 1800 pounds, he's got another 300 pounds to lose in E Mod.

Inside the shop, a new (lighter, simpler) intake manifold was being worked up to facilitate an upgrade to an M62. Rob has been blessed with a good supply of "used" slicks from Southeast region Formula Atlantic drivers. He's also contemplating swapping in some 626 pieces in hopes of taller gearing. He's shooting for 50+ in 1st and 75-80 in 2nd. As it stands now, he figures he travels 15 feet in first before shifting to 2nd.

Now I just have to figure out a great excuse to come to North Carolina for a visit during the autocross season. This car looks like an absolute blast to thread through the cones!

It's yellow! No silly windshield, instrument cluster or other silliness in this ride.

Ten and a half inch wide wheels wearing those "used" slicks, courtesy of eBay.

Braided line carries the fuel. Somewhere far beneath the rear deck are the remants of the factory fuel tank and the battery. Tech inspectors apparently go a bit batty over the hidden battery...