Like a fine wine
 

My name is Dave and I like to party. Two years ago I was on the hunt for an S2000 to buy for secondary/play car. I had a budget in mind, but that didn't allow for many modifications for a clean, lower mileage car. A friend suggested that I should look at Miatas. And to be honest, I always thought of them as a gay hairdresser car. Hey, If you don't know you don't know. So, I stumbled upon this website, and was absolutely hooked at the potential of the car and the wealth of knowledge that contributed to this site.

I knew the car to buy would be a 94+ with the 1.8 and upgrades that comes with it. I looked on and off for awhile only to be let down with rusty cars with high mileage (Pennsylvania). Last year in April I did end up buying a nice project car. Two older gentleman owned the car before me and ironically enough, the 86 year old I bought it from fermented his own wine. This will be my first car to turbocharge and expand my knowledge.
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...186cb4160.jpeg

First day I picked up the car, style bar and all (it's gone now don't worry).


https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...ea84cbdca.jpeg
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...0600cd145.jpeg

Even though this car has low miles it wasn't exactly maintained like it should have been. So RS4s and new brakes all around to start.

https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...89fed02ee.jpeg
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...c1999cbc9.jpeg

Since I'm a bit of a detail guy who admires nice paint, the next project was correcting the paint.

https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...49ae42770.jpeg
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...7c3a738e9.jpeg
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...9497893da.jpeg
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...70dd693fb.jpeg
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...b5d5f8d3b.jpeg
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...f9be37df8.jpeg
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...accb07ce2.jpeg

Oh, and a first post wouldn't be complete without

https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...a9473d1c9.jpeg
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...09d2683e1.jpeg

Spartacus and Gizmo

Next up was a little bit of audio to make the car more daily-ablehttps://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...8bc86da45.jpeg
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...88e74c2fd.jpeg
https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...7dcaedf4e.jpeg
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...4fbc73a07.jpeg


I picked up a tombstone from a 97 on ebay and integrated the aftermarket tweeters into the oem ones. The Bluetooth is really nice I have to say.

I was itching to lower the car and stiffen up the steering, and this place led me in the right direction with the DIY Billies. So I made a shopping list and assembled the coilovers.

https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...9a74de8a9.jpeg
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...d44f46e76.jpeg
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...ae4353fda.jpeg
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...4c19a2651.jpeg
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...3fcd18ed3.jpeg
https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...a5ec3b63e.jpeg

I went with new NB Billies from TireRack and 450F 300R spring rates, ISC top hat F&R, and accessories from Summit Racing. I used 949s Racings dual duty alignment specs after I put the car back together.
I'm pretty happy with this set up so far for mostly a street car, although over train tracks it sound like the car is going to explode. I'm just guessing that's most Miatas though.

https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...620de9750.jpeg
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...8d61c1da6.jpeg
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...f9abb33e4.jpeg

Here's how she looks, needs some wheels though..

I picked up a oil pressure sender and gauge from miatamecca via eBay and followed Sixshooters write up.


https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...a481f626e.jpeg

https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...740465d80.jpeg
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...c6635968b.jpeg

Locally I found a 99 NB Nardi to match my shift knob. Feels a lot better than the NA wheel that's for sure!

https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...b108a3692.jpeg
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...705e8aeb9.jpeg
https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...e389a7561.jpeg

In anticipation for boost I wanted this car to run cool with the a/c cranking. Supermiata was the one stop shop. The install wasn't too bad, as I took my time. Removing the front PPF bolts, and jacking up the trans gave some more clearance. I don't think this was mentioned in the instructions as I read about it on the reroute thread. Also, I think the part about cutting the fan shroud by the water neck was left out as well. I put the whole thing back in the car only to take it back out since the hose wouldn't attach the inlet neck. It does look nice though I have to say. My temps stay right around 185-205ish with the 195 deg included thermostat.

https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...e9872a2c4.jpeg
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...377150a83.jpeg
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...69ddbbc24.jpeg
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...1f7546cc9.jpeg
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...67afa233a.jpeg
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...48aa9973f.jpeg
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...05c5ab4a0.jpeg
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...b14410584.jpeg
https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...4701aa844.jpeg
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...cafe5e913.jpeg
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...c24632a00.jpeg
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...343cfa711.jpeg

Next up I bought a BNIB clutch from the classifieds (FM1). This was my first clutch job and it honestly wasn't too bad. The second time was even easier. Wait what? Yeah I thought I installed the new rear main seal good, but nooo. I started to notice some oil from the trans weep hole shortly after the first attempt. I ponied up and bought the FM rear main install tool this time. So anyone that's never replaced a clutch or rear main buy, burrow, or rent that tool if you can. It's just not worth doing thing twice.

I did replace the master and slave cylinder as well as having the stock flywheel resurfaced.

https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...4030c71a9.jpeg
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...9eb9d2ef8.jpeg

https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...224e131f6.jpeg
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...0fb2044e5.jpeg
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...d11c9fb41.jpeg

New CAS o-ring, valve cover gasket, paint and TDR cooling panel.

https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...2f33c4292.jpeg
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...e03411619.jpeg

Good amount of flashing I'd say.


https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...624ca19fe.jpeg

Lobe with 39k on it


https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...df7357bad.jpeg

The car looks incredible man! Love that paint color and looks like you did a great job restoring it, keep it up! Enjoying it pretty much stock, or are you getting it ready for boost?

Welcome to the forum. There's ample evidence you've studied quite a bit prior to this introduction. We're happy to have you here.

Thanks man! Getting ready for boost! I just installed an MS3X so I'm just getting used to the whole process. Kinda overwhelming to an extent, but it's drivable after using autotune.

Thank you, this site is one of a kind, truly. I've looked through so many threads and builds over last few years. Still have a lot to learn with tuning and the turbo stuff, but I'll get there!

Very nice and clean. Keep it up. Welcome to the forum.

MS3 is intimidating at first but there are so many write ups for everything that you can find in a 15 second google search. Learn what each function does and things will start to click! Looks like you will have no issues

Uh, no, Dave. I just said that I party, so maybe you could do something different from me.

Solid work man!

Beautiful car and quality parts. License plate is pretty clever too. Welcome!

Thank you

haha I thought someone might pick that up.

Thanks!

Thank you, I did see the plate used somewhere else, so I can't take full ownership. It fits the car and the whole story pretty well though.

Welcome. I named my tomcat Spartacus too!!

Welcome! Beautiful car, and the build looks quality so far. So are the photos, keep them coming!

Nice! He keeps me company when I'm working on the car. Gizzy is a little too scared of the loud noises and what not.

Thanks!

Thanks, I try, when possible to take some nice photos for everyone's viewing pleasure. More on the way!

Well done. That car was an excellent find, and everything you've done since is great. Really like the attention to detail, e.g. tunnel shielding and exhaust wrap on the reroute hose to protect it from the EGR pipe. I'm looking forward to keeping up with this build.