nigelt

iTrader: (10)

Look what arrived today!!

becausericecar

I've also picked up a pair of Elise seats in beige, and I'm going to dye them BMW burgundy, along with the other accents. They should give me a lot more head room, and be comfy and look sweet. What else can you ask for?

nigelt

iTrader: (10)

I got 'er on the frame rack today, and was advised to replace the rear panel (the one that goes between the tail lights). After some grumbling, I acquiesced and took it off the rack without making any pulls. I'll take another crack at it in a couple weeks when the part gets in.

nigelt

iTrader: (10)

I've got to commit a couple weeks on the frame rack to fix the damage properly, so while I'm twiddling my thumbs over that, I've made a couple more changes.

I re-oriented the iPhone mount since the iPhone sucks in landscape, which also made room for the wideband gauge, and eventually a boost gauge.



I also changed out the cigarette lighter for a double USB charger.



And I t-ed off the vacuum line from the cruise control and ran it to the foot well, ready for MS glory.

nigelt

iTrader: (10)

Got my MS3x all hooked up today. WB, AIT, and the works. Plugged it in to my computer and set up the settings for all the sensors. Cranked it over, and nothing.
At that point I was out of time, so I went back to stock and I'll have to read some threads and stuff to figure out what I might have missed.

nigelt

iTrader: (10)

I have some progress, and some non-progress to report.

First, the non-progress. I've basically run out of time for my build, due to increasing family obligations. Also, I took a class at my local community college so I could have access to a frame rack and painting booth. I didn't get the time I needed on the frame rack, and now the semester is over. Basically, I had to say **** it. No turbo for me. No properly repaired car for me. So here is the progress I did make:

1. Alignment to FM specs. Hey, if all my wheels are pointing the right way, that's good enough right?

2. Paint. By the time I was certain that I wouldn't get the time I needed on the San Francisco City College frame rack, the painting booth was also booked up for the rest of the semester. Boo. But hey, who needs a painting booth anyway? I just converted my carport into a painting booth.





I think it came out okay!



Not perfect though. I may fix this properly one day, or it might just be a beater daily/track car until I buy something else.



This dent looks like you should just be able to pull it out, but it is related to some compression from the accident. It really should be gently removed by pulling the back of the unibody on a frame rack. I would have liked to just remove the dent, but I'll have to save it for the bigger frame-straightening project if I ever get to it.



Now I just have to buff it up and slap a MSM spoiler on it.

PS. Yeah, those altezzas are kinda ugly. I got both for the price I can sell my one good tail light for. I'll hit them with a couple coats of light tint to lessen their impact. The important part is that this car is super fun to drive, and it is all basically the same color. Woot!

nigelt

iTrader: (10)

accidental double post. Er, bonus post!

18psi

iTrader: (76)

muffler is bent too?
if you need one I got one for you. free

nigelt

iTrader: (10)

It was bent. Now it's slightly unbent. Also the visible hole in it has been welded closed. I thought the loud growl was from the upsized diameter cat back and roadster sport muffler. With the hole plugged it's pretty normal!

Thanks for the offer! Let me see if I'm heading out to Sacramento any time soon.

nigelt

iTrader: (10)

Seam welding.

I went with the caterpillar-style, and figured I'd just grind away where I was going to weld. Seemed to work okay except that the paint kept catching on fire. Next time I'd probably just grind it all down, and then also I'd probably do more welds of the same length for better coverage. But meh, it's way better than the shitty factory spot welds.

shuiend

iTrader: (24)

I am a bit sad that a MKTurbo setup won't be going on this thing.

nigelt

iTrader: (10)

I'm extremely sad. When I slowly accelerate with my foot to the floor, I just have to imagine a wailing turbo, a whoosh from a BOV and third gear tire spin.

nigelt

iTrader: (10)

MORE RED!!

Yup, I made my interior redder, becausericecar. Mostly though because I really don't like the brown interior on the metalic grey exterior. I went with "BMW Burgundy"



Before:


Before/After:


After:


I think it came out pretty good! I'm quite surprised actually. I read some good reviews, but I still felt like I was rolling the dice.

nigelt

iTrader: (10)

Update time!

With the seam welding and a good alignment, this car now handles exceptionally well. The dyed interior is holding up shockingly well.

I put some better brake pads in and cleaned the air filter and took it to Sonoma raceway and had a blast. The biggest problem is that I don't come close to passing the broomstick test, even with a low mounted race seat. I guess I'll need a bigger car to get my tall *** to the track.

I've also decided that I'm going to do this whole turbo thing with the goal of ending up with a kick *** street machine, so we'll see how that goes...

nigelt

iTrader: (10)

MS3 went in today. This one was Reverant built and included a solid base map. So easy - I just followed the instructions, started the car, and drove away.
Next up: Flow Force Injectors and MK Turbo!

nigelt

iTrader: (10)

Also... just in case anyone thought the above was a good idea - I saved $100 on only having to do an alignment once, but I just had to spend $250 replacing my two front tires after crazy wear after only 5000 miles. False economy.

aidandj

iTrader: (5)

How tall are you? I'm 6'1" and mostly torso and I pass broomstick by an inch or 2.

Aluminum seat mounted to the floor.

nigelt

iTrader: (10)

I'm 6'2" and when I sit upright on the floor without a seat I'm over, slightly reclined I pass. Problem is I drive to work every day in this car, and drive to LA about once every 3 months. An aluminum seat bolted to the floor with the rear humps cut out would work for the broomstick test, but would be a major PITA on the street. I'd love to find a solution that allows me to go back to stock seats when I'm not on the track.

Mobius

iTrader: (2)

Marrad seat for you. Designed for miatas, includes brackets, has slider. Works with 6pt harness. FTW. I have one, it is *much more comfortable* than my stock 01 foamectomied seat with the cushions in, and works well for track/autocross. It is somewhat expensive, but it is comfortable, it works, and it is designed specifically to fit into NB miatas.

For reference, I am 6'2, 34" inseam, 32" waist. I pass the broomstick test with a helmet with my Hard Dog M2 Hardcore Hardtop rollbar.

Marrad miata seat at Goodwin Racing.

Edit: it is not the least expensive option out there. But it works - it's comfortable, gets you as low as you can get, accepts harnesses, works with 3pt stock belts.

Chilicharger665

iTrader: (2)

Richard and I are the Marrad tag team. Perhaps we have convinced E02K, but I will back up Mobi here too. Get a Marrad! The new version with the side belt holes is rad.

nigelt

iTrader: (10)

$1000 for a seat? Crazy. Did you buy 2, or use something cheaper for the passenger side?