Dustinb's 9 years of modifications - mostly fail.
 

Figured it was time to document the history of my car since I bought it on August the 7th, 2002, for $5500 Canadian. It was a basically stock 1990 miata except for 14" Eagle rims and a sony cd player. I've always taken a bunch of photos of my vehicles to document the changes, and oh man, I sure did some horrible things to this car. I like to think it's ended up awesome and there's no longer any fail, but I'm sure I'll look back on this 8 years from now and think "god damnit what was I thinking?!" Hopefully this will save some people from making the same mistakes I did. Here goes:

August 8, 2002
The day after ownership. I immediately washed it, installed some blue seat covers I had from my previous car, and put on a sweet bolt-on exhaust tip.
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/_T...20Pics%201.jpg

February 11, 2003
OK this is before I owned a digital camera and I packed all my photo albums due to a renovation. But basically within this 6 month period I installed a Racing Beat power pulse cold air intake, stubby antenna, a used hard top for $600, and a front license plate mount (got a $100 ticket for not having my front plate on).
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/_T...nsaw%20001.jpg

May 1, 2003.
I had a timing belt job done in April, and one month later my motor is destroyed. Crank bolt sheared off and awesome happened. My mechanics convinced me into getting a factory rebuilt motor for the low low price of $2600. With the centerforce dual friction clutch, and labor, final bill came up to $4800
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/_T...blem%20005.jpg

August 24, 2003.
I get my car back on the 22nd of August. In that time I have installed a racing beat single hoop style bar, Corbeau A4 seats, Ratsback racing carbon fiber air dam, and a bunch of blue accent paint and accessories on the inside. Amazing.
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/_T...show%20019.jpg
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/_T...show%20021.jpg
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/_T...show%20018.jpg

January 23, 2004.
For some reason I decided carbon fiber was ugly and had the ratsback racing piece painted. Also had a spoiler painted and installed that my wife bought me for Christmas.
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/_T...0/DSC00074.JPG
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/_T...0/DSC00075.JPG

To be continued on next post.

April 30, 2004.

I got a fiberglass racing beat deck cover and stainless steel gauge cluster. Also installed the Racing Beat rear side fairing kit.
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/_T...0/DSC00210.JPG

September 7, 2004.
After a headlight motor failure I installed a Midtenn Miata flush headlight kit. The light was absolutely horrible but I did like the look of them. Also installed sweet side flame graphics and a light up LED exhaust tip.
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/_T...0/DSC00703.JPG
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/_T...0/DSC00706.JPG

November 21, 2004.
Do you know what would make my car even cooler? Blue neon lights.
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/_T...0/DSC00817.JPG

February 28, 2005.
I learn in an instant how weak the rear 1.6 differential is when I rev the car to 6500 rpm and dump the clutch. Well, I did that probably about 20 times. Replaced with a torsen rear end from a 94.
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/_T...0/DSC00882.JPG

June 15, 2005.
NEW RIMS!! Well used, but new to my sweet ride. 16" BSA 10 spokes. They served me well.
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/_T...0/DSC01185.JPG

July 4, 2005.
The car in my mind is finished. Nothing left to do. Just enjoy it in all its ricer glory. Added turn signal intakes just for the hell of it.
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/_T...0/DSC01210.JPG

August 5, 2005.
I can't sit still and put in a header and a racing beat elbow intake - replacing the power pulse intake. Oh yah, and sweet yellow wire wrap.
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/_T...0/DSC01305.JPG

To be continued...

Please, dont continue lol

Holy shit. That's a lot of fail.

November 24, 2005.
Custom powder coated valve cover. Some weird blue/green with gold sparkles.
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/_T...0/DSC01462.JPG

February 10, 2006.
VIS RE Style front bumper painted and installed. I remove the TSI's and install a shorter metal antenna. Also installed a generic steering wheel from fleabay.
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/_T...0/DSC01620.JPG

April 11, 2006.
OBX catback exhaust, fake carbon fiber rear tail lights, molded OE mud flaps. Also installed a big stainless radiator air deflector thing, rear view night vision camera, and a 2.5" LCD screen.
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/_T...6/DSC01718.JPG
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/_T...0/DSC01726.JPG

May 28, 2006
Not much change, just a sweet pic during a road trip.
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/_T...0/DSC01970.JPG

October 9th, 2007.
Started taking the blue out of the interior, installed an OBX height shifter, and also finally changed the suspension. Put in Tein s-tech springs and KYB GR2 shocks.
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/_T...0/IMG_2005.jpg

June 13, 2008.
I got into drag racing and starting thinking about getting boost. Installed a bunch of gauges, shift light, and a new stereo. I also installed a hard dog deuce roll bar after watching a friend of mine die in their miata. They were on a highway, went into the center by accident, flipped the car and it crushed the passenger.
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/_T...0/IMG_2859.jpg

To be continued...

OK here's where it gets good.

From June 13, 2008 to February 2009. I don't take any pictures of the car because I hate every moment of it. I ordered an SS autochrome turbo manifold and then scrambled to find a turbo that fit it. Ended up finding a garrett t25 for the Eclipse. Get it installed and the thing is puking oil out of it. I ordered a new 16g turbo from a local shop and went with that. Used the AEM f/ic to tune. I also installed a barrel style air to water intercooler. On the first night of it running I have it on the dyno. The turbo boost spikes to 19psi and grenades cylinder four (didn't have a dual feed fuel rail).

February 12, 2009.
I say fuck it and order a 1.8 motor, AEM EMS, and get the car running. Installed an ACT HDSS clutch, and did the timing belt, etc. Also ordered a cheap raceland header until I figure out the turbo. I did all the work myself on the ground. Easy.
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/_T...0/IMG_3589.JPG

June 11, 2009.
I make another mistake with my turbo build. I picked up a used Nissan 300ZX TT Garrett t25 turbo and build my entire setup around that. Bought a used HKS manifold from someone on MT, and then had everything else custom fabbed (at this point I'm working at a performance car shop and convinced the fab guy to do everything for free). Yonaka front mount intercooler, 2.5" charge pipes, divorced gas downpipe, etc.
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/_T...0/IMG_4303.JPG
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/_T...0/IMG_4296.JPG
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/_T...0/IMG_4297.JPG

I quickly realize why this setup was a mistake. This is the most power I can make:
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/_T...I_Db8/HPTQ.GIF

The response is unbelievable for the street, but for drag racing there is no power up top.
I'm a sad panda.

July 1, 2009.
The car is running great with the new turbo setup, but my insurance expires in two months and then I'm parking the car.
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/_T...0/IMG_4516.JPG

February 23, 2010.
I sell the entire turbo setup except for charge pipes and intercooler. Order a flyin miata DIY manifold and downpipe, Konig Retrack 15x7.5 wheels, a new actual momo wheel, and an OBX GT28R ball bearing turbo. It's freaking huge. I'm giddy.
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/_T...0/IMG_5055.JPG
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/_T...0/DSC00425.JPG

Turbo dies after about 10 kilometers. The cartridge became unbalanced and it makes horrible grinding sounds.

May 4, 2010.
New Godspeed GT28 turbo arrives and I put it in right away. Am very wary of what might happen.
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/_T...0/DSC00671.JPG

May 24, 2010.
The turbo is running great, and I'm once again happy with the car. At a car show a portable mustang dyno is brought in and I throw the car on it.
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/_T...0/DSC00750.JPG
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/_T...0/DSC00753.JPG
I make 214hp and 220 torque. Very happy.
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/_T...-24%20Dyno.jpg

December 10, 2010.
I finally install an air filter and turn the boost up to 14psi. Also get a 2.5" topspeed pro-1 exhaust, turn up the timing and lean out my fuel mixture.
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/_T...0/DSC01582.JPG

January 7, 2011.
The old shop I used to work at has a cheap dyno day ($52). I bring the car in thinking I'll make about 220 horse on a dyno dynamics dyno.
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/_T...01686small.jpg

I shit my pants.
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/_T...ynohpsmall.jpg

Car is running awesome and is just a blast to drive. I'll be picking up some new drag radials this season and hope to lay down a really good time. As far as plans I might put some water/meth in it, but not sure yet. In the end, I suppose it was worth it because I'm really happy with what I have. But for the love of everything good, please don't do what I did. Do your research. Do it right.

I'll take from your sig that you saw the error of you ricer ways and made a real car out of it, but daym that is a hellva rocky start.....

edit: also in above pic your yoko avids are on backwards.....

Hahah, damn you.

So sad to see the ghost flames go :(

Ahhh someone deleted my post! I must say Dustin, I was getting worried with the "progress" your car was making before I made my comment. Anyone that has an intake on their turbo that reminds me of a stainless steel erect horses penis makes happy

We all make our mistakes:

circa 2002 :giggle:

http://memimage.cardomain.com/ride_i...0031_large.jpg

-Zach

Reminds me of my cars beginnnings

http://memimage.cardomain.com/ride_i...0003_large.jpg

Well done, it's come to a much better place.


My car's beginnings, not mine:

Attachment 190787

Wow, what a great thread!

I like how as soon as you add power to the engine, the bay is suddenly dirty.

lol at horse penis. After I put it together I knew it looked totally phallic and was like "oh god," but decided "meh" and went with it. Now it's sweet because it made good power :p

Hey at least you had turbo. Greddy turbo's are legit son.

That's what I'm talking about. Flush lights, TSI's! But I bet you didn't have the ghost flames!! Oh one other thing, if anyone is in Canada and still has daytime running lights, DON'T BUY TSI'S. The plastic piece that holds the bulbs melt because of the constant heat. Only took about an hour for mine to get destroyed. I ended up making my own light bulb holder out of plumbing components but still, a big pain.

Lol what is it with mariner blue and horrible decisions?

Hey I'm glad some people are enjoying this. I still try to keep my engine bay somewhat clean but it's totally secondary to power now. It's so much better to be making power then trying to look awesome.

Yeah, but I too have brought it to a better place. And it's still got an endless list of needs.

Attachment 190783