Tekel

iTrader: (2)

Hey guys and gal. Thought I would take some time to introduce myself. This is my first miata and so far I am enjoying the ride. I picked up a '97 with 45k on it about 2 months ago and have already racked up 5k more on her. The car seems in great shape and was well taken care of outside of it looks like it was in a hail storm and the previous owner attempted to buff it and buffed right through the paint in some places. It came from the past owner with upgraded plugs, wires, an intake (though I have since learned its located in a crappy spot) and a new exedy clutch and fidanza flywheel not net installed. Like everyone else here I plan on going FI some time in the future. If this happens before this time next year I will be excited! For right now I just plan on being a fly on the wall and reading up and trying to learn a bit.

My car experience is fairly minimal right now. I can change oil, tires and plugs but not much more.

So far I like the price and concept of the Begi Shanghai setup. My power target right now is up in the air, I just know it is faster than stock

Now for some pics:
Have a feeling I will catch some flack for the "lazy eyes" here, they came on the car and I don't mind them.

jbrown7815

iTrader: (1)

Welcome, read the FAQ's and what not. Nice car.

ThatGuy85

iTrader: (4)

Not bad! I'm at about the same technical level as you and learning every day.

I do have a question though, in the first pic are the lights fully raised? How in the eff does light even get out onto the road?

Also, instead of buying a complete kit, it may be cheaper to look through the classifieds and piece together your own kit. It's what I've been doing and so far I've saved an assload of cash.

rider384

iTrader: (3)

Good luck with your build! When I started mine, I had even less experience than you... I didn't know how to change an oil filter, lol. This was actually less than a year ago and now I did my own turbo Miata, installed every single piece with my own hands and tuned it myself.

Luckily, MT.net has taught me much

Tekel

iTrader: (2)

The headlights up like that are turned off, when on I have the full barn doors. I have an adjuster installed where I can control how far down the lights are when they are off. From what I was told it helps bring more air into the engine. If someone knows different please let me know . As time passes I may get more confident and do my own build. But as it stands I like the thought of a box coming with every part I need in it.

Thanks

ThatGuy85

iTrader: (4)

Hm, well I've never heard that before but it's plausible. A better solution would be to get some turn signal intakes.

02semiata

Welcome. The car looks nice and clean. Also you need to replace your radiator like yesterday. The end caps(the plastic part at the top) is all brown. After your done reading everything there is to know about miata's you will see that is a sign of a dying radiator. He is a picture of a radiator in good shape.

RotorNutFD3S

iTrader: (33)

Brown endtanks don't necessarily indicate a dying radiator, I've seen quite a few last a while in that condition. The OEM radiator in my '99 just failed from endtank seperation and the tanks were black like the one pictured above, and it was only a year old. That being said, an aluminum radiator is a great idea anyway.

Welcome to the forum!

02semiata

Well you know a lot more then me so I will take your word for it. But I though the owner should know.

Tekel

iTrader: (2)

Thanks, I will on that ASAP since I have a 1500mile road trip ahead of me in 2 weeks. Is it best to just get one off a scrapped car? Is it interchangeable between 1.6/1.8/at/mt? Doing some searching but am at work so have to keep looking over my shoulder

RotorNutFD3S

iTrader: (33)

Not discounting what you said at all as it is usually a good indicator, just not the only one, that's all. But it seems the stock and stock replacement radiators on these cars can be pretty unpredictable no matter how they look.

Instead of going with another OEM, you might want to look into an aluminum radiator. They're more durable and will cool the car a lot more efficiently. A lot of people are very happy with the Mishimoto radiator, which can be had for $225-250 shipped to your door brand new. Aluminums also pop up on here used quite a bit. You'll need an NA (90-97) specific unit, NB (99-05) radiators mount differently.

SlideRuler

my rad has been brown-topped since I bought it at 70k. It has 76k now. I don't take it above 4 or 5k so maybe I've been lucky. Don't beat on it, and it'll be fine.

02semiata

I believe the AT is bigger also you would need one for a 90-97(NA model). I would just pick up a Aluminum unless you find a OEM cheap. Here is a link for a list of after-market Radiators and the one I would get if I was you.

Recommendation
http://www.good-win-racing.com/Mazda...t/61-0444.html

List
http://www.good-win-racing.com/Mazda.../Radiator.html

02semiata

If you told me I couldn't beat on my Miata I wouldn't own it. If the car leaves the garage it will hit red line more then onces thats for sure

FRT_Fun

iTrader: (19)

I doubt that your miata really needs extra air into the engine bay in it's current state. Personally I think it looks retarded JDM wannabe to have it like that, but to each his own. At least you are aware that it's not everyone's style and won't get butt hurt by my comments. Very clean car other than that.

RavynX

iTrader: (3)

Welcome to the boards. Nice find. Read read read and keep the shiny side up!

jbrown7815

iTrader: (1)

My Koyo Radiator works well. I would def. spend the money for a aluminum.

SlideRuler

Is it worth spending almost $500 on a race radiator like Flyin Miata? Or would ~$300 for a Koyo suffice?

02semiata

Read the thread buddy 3 people already posted what they use/recommend. But being the nice guy I am I will give you a link that will help answer your question

http://trackdogracing.com/website/co...ad_compare.htm

SlideRuler

^ um okay, obviously a race radiator is better. Now it's just deciding between PWR and Flyin' Miata. I think FM would be my choice...