apexanimal

I've been wanting to do it for about 15 years now...

I bought a nb2 miata in April (has the stock sport brakes, and torsen rear end), and have started in on it.

Here's where I'm at:

1. all interior trim, and carpet is gone
2. a/c system, including compressor is gone
3. spare tire and trunk trim is gone
4. stereo is gone
5. fog lights are gone
6. removed the factory soft top in favor of a lightweight fiberglass hardtop w/ a lexan rear window
7. dash was swapped to a first gen

I'm in an airport flying back from a visit with OG Racing (if you're going racing, you really need to talk to them - really fantastic customer support and stock selection).

Here's the plan:

1. Enter and participate in the One Lap of America in 2018
1.a. This means I have to have a roll cage installed... having an 8 point put in by summers end
1.b. Since I have to have a cage to compete, I need to get seats, harnesses, a helmet, and a HANS device... safety equipment will be first due to the entry rules.
1.c. Upgrade brakes - ss lines, ate fluid, basic blanks, and either g-loc or hawk pads
1.d. Tires - I'll likely need to ride the factory suspension with either Conti's or the new RS4's... the wheels i want (15x9's) require the use of coilovers and I'm pretty sure I'm not going to have the funding to get all that on before the event.

2. Start running in local hpde events with my eye on competing in Gridlife's Time Attack series

Once safety, brakes, and suspension is completed, I'll be looking towards swapping out the vvt engine and doing a honda k swap. likely the k24a2 with a e46 transmission from the m3 (that's one of transmissions thats in the running atm).

the OLOA is a benefit event, and I'm in the final stages of choosing a brain cancer organization to raise funds for. My father, Bill Robertson, was an avid car enthusiast, & did racing of his own back in the day. He & I entered the '02 OLOA, but were forced to withdraw. I've been wanting to go ever since. He was diagnosed of a glioblastoma, & died later. This is in his memory, & for future memories with my son, Willem, who my father was never able to meet.

I'll post more updates as they happen, and will likely be looking for any help that you're willing to offer.



facebook.com/robertsonracingmiata for pics and updates.

aidandj

iTrader: (5)

Subbed. Cool project. Hope you make it work.

turbofan

iTrader: (1)

You don't happen to be the same apexanimal from PTCrew, do you?

I didn't realize how embarrassing that question was til I typed it.

apexanimal

not embarrassing at all!

and yes... it's me. hello.


i just ordered the omp wrc-r for me, and the wrc-xl for the passenger with the planted side mounts. once those are in, it's going to get the cage welded, then i'll order the harnesses, hans, and helmet!

turbofan

iTrader: (1)

Haha.

Roman get in your head too?? Glad to see you here. Still teaching? More importantly, still have that blue devil?

aidandj

iTrader: (5)

I'm tempted to ban both of you for owning pt cruisers

turbofan

iTrader: (1)

Ours were even the same color!

sonofthehill

iTrader: (1)

apexanimal

This escalated quickly

Roman was a good guy... not teaching anymore. I'm in western michigan doing boat work actually... long long story


but no, i sold my gt a few years ago, and dd a honda fit (no power, but still quite entertaining to drive, and FAR better mileage), then i picked up this nb2 just a few months back!

seats and mounts should be here monday!

apexanimal

Finally got some real picture hosting done

when i first picked it up


stripped the interior, swapped the dash


saying goodbye to the a/c


taking the soft top off


the new hardtop!

turbofan

iTrader: (1)

Ooooo, shiny.

x_25

A Fit and a Miata is a great combo. The fits are really, really slow though. You can almost feel them accelerating....

I will be following this with interest. I hope to do this one day as well.

sonofthehill

iTrader: (1)

Edit
There, that's better

x_25

The Fit is noticeably slower than a Miata, which is saying something...

apexanimal

the fit can barely get out of its own way... i get killer mileage, but it's got 75whp on a good day...

but it is super entertaining to drive... i've got swift springs with tokico hts' in the front and koni yellows in the rear, rear sway bar, and did a rear disc conversion... once i can sort out my front bearing issues i'll be happy again.

xturner

Subbed. My nephew and Godson(?), age 20, has a glioblastoma. It looks like it's going to take him out, maybe before OLOA next year. Sucks rather comprehensively.
I'll be interested to help the charity when the time comes.

apexanimal

xturner - i'm sorry to hear that. it's a pretty terrible disease, and my dad had the aggressive form.
If you have any input between the American Brain Tumor Association and Accelerate Brain Cancer Cure let me know.

xturner

Since he was diagnosed in late 2015, we've been giving to the American Brain Tumor Association - we give donations instead of exchanging gifts at Christmas and birthdays. It seems his oncology team at Mass General thinks highly of them, so that's why - I don't really know so much about either group.

Is the 2018 route set yet? I haven't paid much attention the last few years. If it swings through the northeast at all next year I'll make the trip to check it out. I can offer a cold beer and a fresh set or two of wrench-turning hands. If it comes to Lime Rock I'll bet we can supply a full-on pit crew.

z31maniac

You don't need an 8pt roll cage to compete in OLOA with a Miata. Just a Hard Dog will do (IIRC).

No A/C, interior or stereo is going to make the daily 500+ mile commutes even more tiresome and brutal.

Good luck! I've always wanted to do OLOA. I hope they come back to Hallett next year so I can go watch.

apexanimal

'18 route isn't set... probably won't be until early next year. Good to know that the oncology team thinks highly of them.

I know I don't need the full cage, but I do want to compete in a time attack series, and would like to have it. It might be a little rough, but it's how I've always wanted to build one, and I'm doing it! I can always back track a bit there if need be.