Something more Imaginative?
01-02-2015, 02:31 PM
#223
Senior Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (3)
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Mass.
Posts: 811
Total Cats: 43
Well, sadly the car is currently stored in my fathers garage ... which is really nothing more than a drafty uninsulated barn, albeit a very nicely built one.
As others have stated, humidity can be a real drag. 38 degree and 78 degree days can render the garage unbearable with the right amount of humidity in the air ... April and October are generally great
. This said, it's currently ski/hockey season which means mind and budget are not currently miata focused.
I do, however, need to purchase some sticky rubber. I'm currently debating whether I should be a cheap f_ck and try the Federal 595rsr or spend more $$$ for a more established brand/tire.
My short list (all 205/50-15):
- Federal 595rsr ($)
- Direzza ZII ($$)
- BFG Rival ($$)
- NT-01 ($$$)
- Maxxis RC1 ($$$)
My primary concern, other than budget, is having a tire which is well matched for my suspension setup and use (which is autox, occasional street driving/sunny commutes to work, local meets, etc.). I've got a RB hollow sway up front with 12kg Tein Monoflex (bought from Johnwag a few years back). I have 10kg springs as well which might go in if the 12kg prove to be unbearable. Regardless, I've got a pretty stiff/competent set up which would seen to warrant some seriously sticky rubber. I considered buying cycled SM7 Hoosiers as they're cheap and I can mount/balance for a case of beer; however, I opted out for fear of flats and harassment from the local PD.
As others have stated, humidity can be a real drag. 38 degree and 78 degree days can render the garage unbearable with the right amount of humidity in the air ... April and October are generally great
. This said, it's currently ski/hockey season which means mind and budget are not currently miata focused.I do, however, need to purchase some sticky rubber. I'm currently debating whether I should be a cheap f_ck and try the Federal 595rsr or spend more $$$ for a more established brand/tire.
My short list (all 205/50-15):
- Federal 595rsr ($)
- Direzza ZII ($$)
- BFG Rival ($$)
- NT-01 ($$$)
- Maxxis RC1 ($$$)
My primary concern, other than budget, is having a tire which is well matched for my suspension setup and use (which is autox, occasional street driving/sunny commutes to work, local meets, etc.). I've got a RB hollow sway up front with 12kg Tein Monoflex (bought from Johnwag a few years back). I have 10kg springs as well which might go in if the 12kg prove to be unbearable. Regardless, I've got a pretty stiff/competent set up which would seen to warrant some seriously sticky rubber. I considered buying cycled SM7 Hoosiers as they're cheap and I can mount/balance for a case of beer; however, I opted out for fear of flats and harassment from the local PD.
Reply
0
0
01-03-2015, 04:14 PM
#226
Senior Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (3)
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Mass.
Posts: 811
Total Cats: 43
To be fair, I've yet to spend time north of The Bay Area ... which I hear is a bit more appealing to us new Englanders.
Reply
0
0
01-03-2015, 04:35 PM
#227
Supporting Vendor
iTrader: (10)
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Bainbridge Island, WA
Posts: 1,461
Total Cats: 388
Smog challenges? I focus my CA ragging on the endless sprawl of asphalt and burger joints, mediocre to terrible public schools in spite of high cost-of-living/taxes, and tech VCs with an inflated sense of self worth.
To be fair, I've yet to spend time north of The Bay Area ... which I hear is a bit more appealing to us new Englanders.
To be fair, I've yet to spend time north of The Bay Area ... which I hear is a bit more appealing to us new Englanders.
And yes, north of SF is fantastic. There are some amazing roads, and delicious wine!
__________________
Reply
0
0
01-05-2015, 11:09 AM
#228
Senior Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (3)
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Mass.
Posts: 811
Total Cats: 43
Well, sadly the car is currently stored in my fathers garage ... which is really nothing more than a drafty uninsulated barn, albeit a very nicely built one.
As others have stated, humidity can be a real drag. 38 degree and 78 degree days can render the garage unbearable with the right amount of humidity in the air ... April and October are generally great. This said, it's currently ski/hockey season which means mind and budget are not currently miata focused.
I do, however, need to purchase some sticky rubber. I'm currently debating whether I should be a cheap f_ck and try the Federal 595rsr or spend more $$$ for a more established brand/tire.
My short list (all 205/50-15):
- Federal 595rsr ($)
- Direzza ZII ($$)
- BFG Rival ($$)
- NT-01 ($$$)
- Maxxis RC1 ($$$)
My primary concern, other than budget, is having a tire which is well matched for my suspension setup and use (which is autox, occasional street driving/sunny commutes to work, local meets, etc.). I've got a RB hollow sway up front with 12kg Tein Monoflex (bought from Johnwag a few years back). I have 10kg springs as well which might go in if the 12kg prove to be unbearable. Regardless, I've got a pretty stiff/competent set up which would seen to warrant some seriously sticky rubber. I considered buying cycled SM7 Hoosiers as they're cheap and I can mount/balance for a case of beer; however, I opted out for fear of flats and harassment from the local PD.
As others have stated, humidity can be a real drag. 38 degree and 78 degree days can render the garage unbearable with the right amount of humidity in the air ... April and October are generally great
. This said, it's currently ski/hockey season which means mind and budget are not currently miata focused.I do, however, need to purchase some sticky rubber. I'm currently debating whether I should be a cheap f_ck and try the Federal 595rsr or spend more $$$ for a more established brand/tire.
My short list (all 205/50-15):
- Federal 595rsr ($)
- Direzza ZII ($$)
- BFG Rival ($$)
- NT-01 ($$$)
- Maxxis RC1 ($$$)
My primary concern, other than budget, is having a tire which is well matched for my suspension setup and use (which is autox, occasional street driving/sunny commutes to work, local meets, etc.). I've got a RB hollow sway up front with 12kg Tein Monoflex (bought from Johnwag a few years back). I have 10kg springs as well which might go in if the 12kg prove to be unbearable. Regardless, I've got a pretty stiff/competent set up which would seen to warrant some seriously sticky rubber. I considered buying cycled SM7 Hoosiers as they're cheap and I can mount/balance for a case of beer; however, I opted out for fear of flats and harassment from the local PD.
Well, after much tire debate I ended up getting a set of 205/50-r15 RA1s from John Berget ... I thought his pricing was pretty fair and for the cost, I don't mind buying and mounting a set of 3/32nd scrubs every spring.
-Zach
Reply
0
0
03-26-2015, 09:52 PM
#230
Senior Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (3)
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Mass.
Posts: 811
Total Cats: 43
A combination of m-tuned parts and custom pieces. These pictures explain it best:
I used the m-tuned housing at the back of the head. I bought a silicone elbow from a common hose vendor (can't remember which one). The elbow had extra long "legs" so I was able cut and splice in a m-tune thermostat housing.
...from the m-tuned thermostat housing forward it becomes all custom. I ordered some aluminum tube and L extrusion from McMaster. I threw the tube on a metal lathe, cut to length, and machined in a step lip for better sealing. I then cut the L extrusion into a bracket using a metal bandsaw. I then had a local welder quickly tig the assembly (took him all of 10 minutes including some informal chatting).
The hose to the radiator is again a generic piece from a silicone supplier, though I did insert a SS spring to prevent the hose from collapsing.
I hate **** flopping around the engine bay, so I created the hard line. This said, plenty of people have done to same using just a single rubber or silicone hose (sans hard line) ... this approach honestly is easier, simpler, and removes a failure point. So ... don't do what I did.
...also, thanks for reminding me a own a miata. A miata which I should be working on.
I used the m-tuned housing at the back of the head. I bought a silicone elbow from a common hose vendor (can't remember which one). The elbow had extra long "legs" so I was able cut and splice in a m-tune thermostat housing.
...from the m-tuned thermostat housing forward it becomes all custom. I ordered some aluminum tube and L extrusion from McMaster. I threw the tube on a metal lathe, cut to length, and machined in a step lip for better sealing. I then cut the L extrusion into a bracket using a metal bandsaw. I then had a local welder quickly tig the assembly (took him all of 10 minutes including some informal chatting).
The hose to the radiator is again a generic piece from a silicone supplier, though I did insert a SS spring to prevent the hose from collapsing.
I hate **** flopping around the engine bay, so I created the hard line. This said, plenty of people have done to same using just a single rubber or silicone hose (sans hard line) ... this approach honestly is easier, simpler, and removes a failure point. So ... don't do what I did.
...also, thanks for reminding me a own a miata. A miata which I should be working on.
Reply
1
1
03-26-2015, 11:02 PM
#232
Senior Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (3)
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Mass.
Posts: 811
Total Cats: 43
The good news is the house has a beautifully spacious and insulated attached garage, which means I would finally have the car under my roof and not 45-60 minutes away. This means the car WILL be running by summer/fall.
Reply
0
0
05-13-2015, 08:27 AM
#238
Senior Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (3)
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Mass.
Posts: 811
Total Cats: 43
Front suspension is in! She's finally a roller ... and will hopefully be rolled into my new-to-me garage by the end of the month.
As stated on a previous page, the suspension components for wire brushed with an electric grinder and cheapo HF consumables. I then sprayed slightly thinned SEM Rustshield through a standard automotive spray gun. The paint finish appear to be pretty durable and has a great OEM look to it.
Poly steering rack mounts were added (the OEM rubber was a mushy mess) as well as new moog lower ball joints and R/LE outer tie rods. Rotors and brackets were "upgraded" to 1.8 units.
As stated on a previous page, the suspension components for wire brushed with an electric grinder and cheapo HF consumables. I then sprayed slightly thinned SEM Rustshield through a standard automotive spray gun. The paint finish appear to be pretty durable and has a great OEM look to it.
Poly steering rack mounts were added (the OEM rubber was a mushy mess) as well as new moog lower ball joints and R/LE outer tie rods. Rotors and brackets were "upgraded" to 1.8 units.
Reply
0
0
02-28-2016, 09:25 PM
#240
Senior Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (3)
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Mass.
Posts: 811
Total Cats: 43
Not updates of substance.
I closed on a house 12/23 and have been consumed by it. The good news is it has an insulated 2 bay garage ... which is huge seeing as I have been commuting 40+ minutes to my fathers garage for the past 5 years. Now I can walk down stairs, turn on the space heater, and get to work.
I closed on a house 12/23 and have been consumed by it. The good news is it has an insulated 2 bay garage ... which is huge seeing as I have been commuting 40+ minutes to my fathers garage for the past 5 years. Now I can walk down stairs, turn on the space heater, and get to work.
Reply
0
0
