Stripping a Miata for the hell of it...
06-12-2010, 09:52 PM
#1
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Stripping a Miata for the hell of it...
Well, I had my reasons..
I actually had four reasons to strip the interior..
* The airbag sensor had to be reset, so I had the remove it..
* I was sick and tired of the heat inside the car, especially after the S/C install. My feet were literally burning during long drives.
* There was a wiring mess under and behind the dash area: The previous owner had an alarm installed, and that was a royal **** up.. And, I installed a crapload of this and that since I bought the car, too. All that had to be cleaned up.
* Again, before I bought the car, the ECU was reflashed for some reason. The ******* who did the job took a knife to the carpet rather than taking his time to remove it properly. (My ECU is under the passenger footwell, just like the US NA models.) So, there was a three foot tear in the carpet, and it looked ghetto as hell.
So, once I had enough reasons, I stripped the interior. Under driving rain..
I actually had four reasons to strip the interior..
* The airbag sensor had to be reset, so I had the remove it..
* I was sick and tired of the heat inside the car, especially after the S/C install. My feet were literally burning during long drives.
* There was a wiring mess under and behind the dash area: The previous owner had an alarm installed, and that was a royal **** up.. And, I installed a crapload of this and that since I bought the car, too. All that had to be cleaned up.
* Again, before I bought the car, the ECU was reflashed for some reason. The ******* who did the job took a knife to the carpet rather than taking his time to remove it properly. (My ECU is under the passenger footwell, just like the US NA models.) So, there was a three foot tear in the carpet, and it looked ghetto as hell.
So, once I had enough reasons, I stripped the interior. Under driving rain..
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06-12-2010, 10:02 PM
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I also made universal plugs for electrical connections for all the aftermarket stuff.
Here is the ground junction. The other end is bolted to the engine block. Has 0.00 ohm continuity to the ECU grounds, too.
I made an 8 terminal outlet, just in case..
Here is the ground junction. The other end is bolted to the engine block. Has 0.00 ohm continuity to the ECU grounds, too.
I made an 8 terminal outlet, just in case..
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06-12-2010, 10:08 PM
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Next step was an additional fuse box. I bolted that on the firewall in the engine compartment. 3mm wires all around.
The idea is, instead of tapping into the existing circuitry for switched 12V, I thought I could install a 30 A relay inside car and connect a 6 way plug on hat to power the stereo, AFR gauge, etc.. That is also fed from the additional fuse box.
Once I started cleaning up the wiring, I was able to remove a TON of unnecessary wires from under there. I soldered and shrinkwrapped all connections.
Unfortunately I do not have those pics in this computer.. I'll post them a bit later.
The idea is, instead of tapping into the existing circuitry for switched 12V, I thought I could install a 30 A relay inside car and connect a 6 way plug on hat to power the stereo, AFR gauge, etc.. That is also fed from the additional fuse box.
Once I started cleaning up the wiring, I was able to remove a TON of unnecessary wires from under there. I soldered and shrinkwrapped all connections.
Unfortunately I do not have those pics in this computer.. I'll post them a bit later.
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06-12-2010, 10:17 PM
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Next came the insulation phase..
I located this killer insulation material which is only 3/8" thick, but can stand up the the full blast of the heat gun at maybe 4 inches, practically for ever..
It has aluminum on one side, and the backing is self adhesive.. Comes in 3' wide rolls, and they sell it for about 8 bucks for a meter! I bought 5 meters of the thing which is about 15 X 3 feet!
There is also an incredibly sticky aluminum tape which is identical to the top layer of the insulation. When you stick down two pieces and tape them together, it makes a virtually seamless surface.
The middle portion feels like hard(ish) sponge. It self heals, does not absorb water, is fire retardent, and does not release toxic fumes.. very cool to work with.
I located this killer insulation material which is only 3/8" thick, but can stand up the the full blast of the heat gun at maybe 4 inches, practically for ever..
It has aluminum on one side, and the backing is self adhesive.. Comes in 3' wide rolls, and they sell it for about 8 bucks for a meter! I bought 5 meters of the thing which is about 15 X 3 feet!
There is also an incredibly sticky aluminum tape which is identical to the top layer of the insulation. When you stick down two pieces and tape them together, it makes a virtually seamless surface.
The middle portion feels like hard(ish) sponge. It self heals, does not absorb water, is fire retardent, and does not release toxic fumes.. very cool to work with.
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06-12-2010, 10:26 PM
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I also had the carpet repaired..
Speaking of the carpet, I had to cut and trim here and there to make it fit the now raised floorboards.. I am very happy with the result.
The airbag module was reset, as well. I paid about $65 for the job, but it really is nothing compared to the cost of replacing the SAS unit.
I have about one more day left in the car - there is really a lot to do, and I am taking my time with all the electrical and fitment issues.
I am coming up with all sorts of insulation ideas along the way, too. I found a way to use the insulaton materşal under the hood, for instance.
More pics coming soon. It is 05:25 am here now, and I needs some sleep...
Speaking of the carpet, I had to cut and trim here and there to make it fit the now raised floorboards.. I am very happy with the result.
The airbag module was reset, as well. I paid about $65 for the job, but it really is nothing compared to the cost of replacing the SAS unit.
I have about one more day left in the car - there is really a lot to do, and I am taking my time with all the electrical and fitment issues.
I am coming up with all sorts of insulation ideas along the way, too. I found a way to use the insulaton materşal under the hood, for instance.
More pics coming soon. It is 05:25 am here now, and I needs some sleep...
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06-13-2010, 03:12 AM
#16
What is the insulation material called? Who makes it?
Thanks.
-Raj
Thanks.
-Raj
Next came the insulation phase..
I located this killer insulation material which is only 3/8" thick, but can stand up the the full blast of the heat gun at maybe 4 inches, practically for ever..
It has aluminum on one side, and the backing is self adhesive.. Comes in 3' wide rolls, and they sell it for about 8 bucks for a meter! I bought 5 meters of the thing which is about 15 X 3 feet!
There is also an incredibly sticky aluminum tape which is identical to the top layer of the insulation. When you stick down two pieces and tape them together, it makes a virtually seamless surface.
The middle portion feels like hard(ish) sponge. It self heals, does not absorb water, is fire retardent, and does not release toxic fumes.. very cool to work with.
I located this killer insulation material which is only 3/8" thick, but can stand up the the full blast of the heat gun at maybe 4 inches, practically for ever..
It has aluminum on one side, and the backing is self adhesive.. Comes in 3' wide rolls, and they sell it for about 8 bucks for a meter! I bought 5 meters of the thing which is about 15 X 3 feet!
There is also an incredibly sticky aluminum tape which is identical to the top layer of the insulation. When you stick down two pieces and tape them together, it makes a virtually seamless surface.
The middle portion feels like hard(ish) sponge. It self heals, does not absorb water, is fire retardent, and does not release toxic fumes.. very cool to work with.
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06-18-2010, 06:36 PM
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Let me put it this way..
I filled it up today. Cost me 162 TL.
With the current exchange rate, it comes out to $111.72.
3.74 TL/liter = $9.90/Gallon as of today.
Used to be around 11.50.
The dumbfuck excuse of a government we have over here has no idea about collecting taxes so they go around ******* the regular folks to make up their carefully crafted deficit. About 2/3 of that amount is just taxes..
I filled it up today. Cost me 162 TL.
With the current exchange rate, it comes out to $111.72.
3.74 TL/liter = $9.90/Gallon as of today.
Used to be around 11.50.
The dumbfuck excuse of a government we have over here has no idea about collecting taxes so they go around ******* the regular folks to make up their carefully crafted deficit. About 2/3 of that amount is just taxes..
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06-18-2010, 08:04 PM
#20
Keep us updated on how well that insulation works. I need to do that along with reinstalling my a/c.
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