Mazduh

Yesterday I finally installed the 5xracing timing wheel. Pretty simple install. Also refreshed the accessory belts with some fresh gates belts.

Check out my fat little toes!






I didn't clean everything but there was also a tun of build up on the cps so I used a tooth brush to clean it up some. Set the timing wheel to 14.5 degrees over the stock 10.

Initial drive was pretty promising. Can't say I feel a huge difference, not that I was really expecting one. Might be placebo but I do feel like the cars midrange acceleration in 2nd and 3rd gear has more pep too it. It doesn't have as much of a lul in the rpm band.

Chiburbian

iTrader: (1)

Had to remember that you aren't running a megasquirt currently. I was wondering why you needed to do this. This serves no function on a MS car correct?

Mazduh

Not really since with a ms you can control timing electronically. This is controlling timing mechanically. When I go to install a megasquirt I have to remember to verify mechanical timing and match it with the ms or just adjust timing back to stock.

Mazduh

Anyone have recommendations on swaybar endlinks? I have the 949 racing ones and while they work, it's quite annoying how loud they are and clatter around a lot. Being just open-ended heimjoints the link can just move freely which makes noise. I'm thinking I'll need to find some closed-end heim-joint endlinks.

curly

iTrader: (25)

Something is broken then. Check for play, they shouldn't clatter a lot. They're considered consumables, albeit only every few years.

Mazduh

Well I have had them for about 4 years so maybe it's time to replace them.

Mazduh

So I did a dry compression test on both cars. I wanted to test the MSM motor especially before it goes into storage and while it was still in the car etc.

As you can see the MSM motor has probably seen better days. It's at 106k and have been driven hard for atleast the last 60k.

Though, the 99 motor turns out to be a complete cherry. At 120k I'd say that's pretty damn good. So good that I wonder if it's the original motor in the car. I haven't yet looked at the VIN on the motor and matched it to the VIN on the car.

Mazduh

I also installed some cheapo speakers/tweeters with ghetto cutouts to fit them to the door. I also installed a $25 headunit I got from ebay.

Mazduh

I didn't like how the radio sat in the dash since it was kinda flimsy. I remembered I still had my old gauge mounting plate from some company I can't remember. So I used that. The gauges are oil temp and oil pressure. I haven't yet wired them up or anything yet, for now they are just placeholders. I'll get the wideband from the MSM moved over to the 99 at some point too.

emilio700

iTrader: (3)

Miata End Link parts

Mazduh

Build thread graced by the gods... Not worthy!

LOL thanks gonna be ordering some soon.

Mazduh

So the MSM sits in pieces at my parents house and my dad has been throwing a fit lately I'm using up the little space he has in the garage. So I'm forced to store it elsewhere for winter. Found a local guy willing to store both the 99 and MSM for $100 a month in his concrete floor, closed aluminum barn. This is vastly cheaper then anything else I was able to find for just storing the MSM by itself. Uhaul and extraspace storage want something like $240 monthly for a 8x15 unit. The only catch is it will strictly only be winter storage and I can't really come and go as I please or work in the barn on the car at all. Which kinda sucks but no biggie.

I spent an hour or so putting the stock suspension off the 99 onto the MSM to get it rollable so it can be moved to storage.

Suspension selfie!



All set and ready to be moved 2 nights ago. Got the stock nb suspension on, cleaned the interior and packed up a good amount of the parts I had laying around. Tight space to work in in my parents cluttered garage.




Random pics from getting the car towed to storage:










Finally got everything situated in storage. But moving the cars around I noticed some oil on the floor. The owner noticed too, I instantly felt like **** cause I told him both cars were leak free etc. Come to find out that the 99 has an oil leak. Must have sprung up on my drive to storage since it wasn't leaking at my parents house. Initial inspection the oil appears to be coming from the passenger side of the motor, maybe a leaky seal on the oil filter or something. I didn't have the time really to investigate, so I just threw some carboard down and a oil bucket and will adress the leak come spring.

So this is how they will sit the next few months:



I'll come back at some point and maybe put the rest of the car on jack stands and tender the battery.

Chiburbian

iTrader: (1)

Sad to see them go into storage but at the same time it's nice knowing that you don't have to worry about salt and stuff and you have your garage space back in the mean time. My car will be going into storage this week as well.

Mazduh

Yeah it's pretty much a night and day difference working on the MSM then working on the 99 when it comes to rust. As much as I enjoy a miata in the winter the rust/salt is not worth it.

Seriously toying around with the idea of selling the MSM motor and bnr setup as a package deal instead of parting. I'd probably ask $3k obo. Those funds would do nicely in my pocket for my future build I wanna do. I'm just so wishy-washy on what I wanna do with all these extra parts. I kinda like the idea of sitting on a whole other surplus of extra parts in case I need anything. Guess it's just the packrat in me.

Chiburbian

iTrader: (1)

I would give it a try. If you can get more money from the motor+turbo combo setup because it's hooked to a stock MSM motor assembly I think you should take it. MSM motors aren't THAT much more special than a stock 99 motor and you would be building whatever motor you bought as a core and replacing the insides anyhow. (if you are going for Trackspeed EFR type power)

I would just post the ad both ways, with or without the MSM motor.

Mazduh

I probably won't have that motor out of the car till next summer anyways so it's purely speculation at this point. I've gotten a few nibbles on the turbo setup but haven't really wanted to sell it just yet. I'd really rather sell local. I've got plenty of time to sit on it till I find the right buyer anyways.

Mazduh

Small update. Haven't even looked at my cars since my last post. :sad1: But I found a deal on facebook groups I just couldn't pass up. I've wanted a set of these wheels for years and just never had the extra cash or couldn't find them when I did. But I finally found a set for the right price. Ended up trading my stock 99 wheels with good tire and some cash on top for these 15x7 O.Z. Racing Superleggeras.










I also picked up a new intercooler for a project further down the road.

Mazduh

Since it's -1* today and the car is in storage and I have absolutly nothing going on with it... Here is a picture of my kittehs...

Mazduh

Gonna take the car out of storage next weekend assuming weather gets nice this week.

Got a bunch of stuff I need to do before the first track day of the season April 2nd.

Top priority will be getting the rollbar installed asap. I'm working downtown Chicago now so my weekdays are shot. Hoping to install 19th-20th.

Now for some pics:

Mazduh

Finally a part came in I've wanted to try for years but never had the extra cash laying around to buy. Super excited to get this on the 99.