Miata Turbo Forum - Boost cars, acquire cats. - In Which I Build A Street Car

Where we stand today (051418)

I've been sorting a few things. I spent way too much time removing the oem hardtop latches. Then installed GS brackets. I hate this design, and i'm pretty sure my Miatacage brackets are defective. Will be purchasing Jass brackets soon. I cannibalized two NB2 hvac panels to make one good one, so it has NB2 panel now. Got both NB2 dimmer and fog/cruise switches in.

Things remaining to sort before alignment:
1) Car doesn't idle right. Seems to idle at about 800-850rpm when cold, but 1500rpm when hot. Suspect vacuum leak or IACV. Friend of mine dropped off another upper plenum complete with TB. I pulled mine off to swap it and noticed that A) mine looks fresh, B) his doesn't, and C) my upper injector bushings look pretty trashed. Ordered a bushing/seal set, will be here tomorrow. I will rebuild them and reinstall, probably with my plenum back on and see what happens.

2) We have a fairly substantial trans leak. Only when driving. I cleaned it all up last time i put it on jackstands 4-5 days ago, and it has stayed bone dry since. Need to pull reverse switch and reseal, then check to be sure the turret isn't leaking for the 12th time. The leak is manifesting itself in drips directly below the reverse switch, so i'm cautiously optimistic.

3) Have to roll rear fenders. Setup mostly clears now, but i'm also running -4* camber in back just to drive it.
3b) Have to set ride height. I hate doing this. Have been avoiding it.

4) Side mirrors rattle like crazy and are loose. Seems weird that this minty cars has that problem, but Hater doesn't. Will remedy this and install delrin window guides at same time.

5) Align it.

6) Install H1 projector retrofit and LED fogs.

7) Stereo. This will involve LRB door panels wrapped in NA black cloth seat fabric as well. Looking at 8" Focal components, Sony AX100 Android Auto headunit, and a Soundstream or Kenwood digital amp.

General thoughts:
I may have shot myself in the foot by not driving Hater immediately before building this thing. I thought i needed to bring it back from Hater about 2 notches. After putting 60 miles on this car.... i think it needed to come back 5-6. Eiffel is pretty rowdy. Steering is manic, response is crazy, making it a bit hard to not drive at low speeds like a jerkoff when combined with the 6spd/4.30 combo. We're getting some pretty crazy resonance between 1500-2000rpm as well, CRAZY loud. Can't tell if it's drone node from the RB setup or if there's some other alignment issues (PPF?) with the stiff mounts. Going off of Mazda's specs, the PPF is high at trans side, but 1) i can't figure out how to pull it down, and 2) i'm unsure how high it is, because i have GS frame rails installed and they mess up the measurement.

It does SOUND really good outside the car though.