'95 Project Miata Build, cheap and fun, just like your mom
 

I can finally say that I am a proud new owner of a 1995 Mazda Miata.
I picked her up in Canada for $750 from a guy who couldn't get it licensed there after he bought it in California.

The Good:
-It was $750!
-The car runs and drives good
-It made it home without breaking
-I wanted a 1994-1995 to start with
-Brand new Tokico Shocks/Struts and springs

The Bad: (where to start)
-Paint looks like dick (direct quote from a member here)
-Interior looks like a bum lived in it along with his pet rats
-Heavy cheap wheels
-No door panels
-Missing CD player plus bezel trim
-Missing instrument cluster trim
-Trunk is all kinds of jacked up and the battery is straight up mickey mouse special

First things first:
-Pull out the seats and clean for a few hours

Maintenance Round 1:
-Engine Temp. gauge does not work
-Driver's door is jammed up and does not open
-Flush radiator and change fluids
-Plugs, wires, filters

Make it acceptable to sit/drive in stage:
Interior:
Purchased already:
-Sparco Seats
-Radio Bezel
-Instrument cluster trim
-Steering wheel
-Shift Boot

Need to purchase:
-Door panels
-Instrument cluster trim
-Rear window repair "kit"


Build Stage 1:
Suspension

Already installed:
-Tokico Shocks/Struts
-Tokico Lowering springs
Need to Purchase:
-RacingBeat front sway bar (Should I get the adjustable end-links too?)
-Enkie RPF1's Mmmmm...

I will keep everyone updated as I go, she isn't much to look at now, but she sure is fun!

Attachment 188429
Looks ok from 30 feet :)

Attachment 188430
Attachment 188431
GONE SOON!

Attachment 188432
WTF!?!?

Attachment 188433
Again....WTF? New steering wheel: check

Attachment 188434
Bum who used to live in it: evicted. Sparco Seats: On their way!



Thanks for looking, I am very excited to tear into this little beast all summer.

What recaros?

They are black Sparco R100's. I have mounts for them that are Recaro, I made a typo... They sit a little high so I am trying to figure out a way to lower them down a little bit. (I am 6' 2")

hey thats a great deal for 750

Thank you, I've already had $750 worth of fun beating up on it around corners. I'm in the middle of moving so upgrades have been slow. I have a bunch of parts sitting around waiting to be put on.

wtf happened to the steering wheel :D

good deal for 750 :)

^Someone mustve been hungry...

Great deal on the car! I wish I was that lucky!

There are quite a few things on this car where all you can say is "WTF?". It's almost like someone cut part of the steering wheel off, I was thinking maybe it was stolen at one point and had a "CLUB" on it? I don't know, it's hacked up for sure though. I have a new Racing wheel on there now.

Just purchased a complete Turbo kit with PnP, injectors, full exhuast, everything needed to turbo this poor little car! I'm super stoked about it. I can finally fit in here!

Finally got my black turd all cleaned up. I broke the tabs off of my cheaply made eBay cover for the instrument cluster so I'm back to square one on that. Next up is new door panels. I'm thinking about making my own for the experience but I'm not sure yet if that's a good idea. I got a cheap shift boot off of eBay and I really like the stitching, it's the little things that matter right? (that's what she said)

Attachment 187869

If you are not up to making your own door cards, I will sell you mine. $20+shipping? If interested I will post up some pics. It defiantly looks better. As far as your temperature gauge not working, check and see if the wire broke off the sending unit. It is on the back of the head on the passenger side, just a single blade sensor. Mine broke of the female connector off the wire, put on new connector. Problem fixed. Good luck.

And can someone else comment, but is that a dash out of a NB?

looks like a fun project.
you think that paint looks like dick?
you should see my nb. water spots galore and it hasn't shined in years.

Common wear location actually, from the idiots that don't drive at 3 and 9. I imagine the PO cut off the damaged part, probably better than picking at it while you drive and making it worse.

If you're interested in stock, I have an airbag and wheel in decent shape if you'd like, although you obviously already have a replacement.

Door panels shouldn't be too bad, although I'd enlist the help of a fellow CR.net NW'er and borrow his/her door panel. Having something to trace would be much easier. We have a decent group of fellas over there.

What kind of condition are they in? I'd like to see some pics, that sounds plenty fair to me. Do you have an inner door latch? My door is stuck and I cannot for the life of me get it to unlatch. I took the window at and have tried manually pressing the latch with no luck, I'm at a loss right now on how to get this thing opened up...

What website is that?

CR.net is clubroadster.net, yeah I will snap some pics of them. They are in decent shape. I think they are anyways. As far as latches, I dont have any extras. I would pull it out and try to shoot some tri-flo on it and mess with it on a bench. I know its a pain in the ass trying to work inside the door and all that. Its only three torx bolts and removing the clips for the rods. The clips are really neat, you just lift the part over the rod and the rod will then slide out. All that and I didnt snap some of the door cards. I will take some tomorrow after work.

The NW section, come say hi:
http://clubroadster.net/vb_forum/forumdisplay.php?f=49

Looks like a great project for $750. But why go after a 94'-95', why not 94'-97'?

OBDI instead of OBDII, less strict emission requirements.

Also:
Easier tuning, slightly lighter.

Wow, talk about busy. I bought a complete turbo kit for this thing and haven't even opened any of the boxes yet. The little Miata is going in the garage this weekend or next in hopes of getting some forced induction.

As for the new steering wheel, it's a piece of shit. It snapped under hard turning and it all flimsy now. I should've paid an extra $100 and got something descent. What a waste of $200.

Just purchased a Racing Beat tubular front sway bar.
http://www.racingbeat.com/Miata-1990...ml?id=deGe3wdh

I think I'm going to go with Tein SS Coilovers (nope, bought bilstiens with QA1's) and Enkie RPF1 17" Wheels. Still debating the tires, no-seasons need not apply.

Car goes up on jack stands this weekend! It's turbo time.

Why such big wheels? Most have better luck with 15's

17's are much too big for a Miata.

If you want your lightweight sports car to perform, you've got to keep the wheel/tire combo light and the moment of inertia low. RPF1's are obviously light for their size, but with 17" tires the weight will add up fast and in the worst possible place. Ever see a flywheel? That's what you're building with 17's.

Not to mention the cost. Think of what you can do with the money you save by getting 15" RPF1's or 6UL's with good rubber instead of 17's.

Better performance, lower cost . . . that's a no-brainer.

I actually want 16" rims but the tire choices are too limited. I want 17" for the looks, 15" is so small. I'm till undecided at this point. The car is purpose built for fun, so I should stick to that. I'd still like it to look as good as possible, single guy in a Miata is only cool to the knowledgeable car enthusiasts, which are fewer and further in between than ever these days...

15s look way better unless you think you are gangsta or something and need it to look like a 300c...

Dann

+1 for 15s. 17s look weird.

Keeping an eye on this build. For the love of god don't go 17".

My next 2 purchases are coil overs (DONE 1-10-12) and a roll bar so tires/wheels will take a back seat for now. I'd like to buy coilovers this week and roll bar before the end of the month.

I am looking for some help in choosing coilovers here:
https://www.miataturbo.net/suspension-brakes-drivetrain-49/age-old-suspension-question-coilovers-62693/

I'm looking at the harddog roll bar, I don't want one of those flimsy eBay specials being responsible for my safety at the track.

750 Is an awesome deal as long as it drives. Good luck with your build.

Just Purchased today:

Coilovers:
MSM Billstiens
QA1 7k / 6k springs
Allstar Sleeves

Whiteline adjustable endlinks

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1326233972

I continued my spending spree, just purchased some interior goodies:

-FM A-pillar Dual Gauge pod
http://flyinmiata.com/index.php?dept...umber=21-16550
-AEM wideband
http://flyinmiata.com/index.php?dept...20ALL%20COLORS
-New radio bezel as mine was all hacked up from a poor attempt of a stereo install
http://www.ebay.com/itm/230694968470...9#ht_979wt_905
-Chrome air vent caps, I thought they looked good on some other builds.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/190625836938...ht_3703wt_1139

What kind of springs were with the Tokico shocks? Do you have any pics of them and a side view of how the car sat with them on? I'm interested in getting them. PM me whenever you have some time.

Dude have you even opened my box yet? I sent you a wideband with the kit silly. You can send it back if you want...

Haha! No I haven't opened any of the boxes yet. I forgot that we added that in, whoops!

The Miata is up on jackstands and I got some work done on her today. I got stuck when I found that both of my front ball joints are bad, so I ordered new ones, hopefully they will be here before next weekend.

Out with the old: Tokico blue's. :fawk:

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1328484681
https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1328484681

In with the new: Billstiens with QA1 sleeves & springs. 7k/6k
To the people who run this setup: Where is a good starting point for the adjustment? As you can see I have it at roughly 3/4's of the way to the top.

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1328484681


New Sway bar:

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1328484681


It's like christmas! My collection of parts that have yet to find their way on the car.

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1328484681


For sale: Tokico shocks and Tokico lowering springs. These have less than 1,000 miles on them. $350 shipped. Here is them on eBay: http://www.ebay.com/itm/TOKICO-BLUE-...#ht_1265wt_944

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1328484681


Here's how the car sat with them:

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1328484681

Apparently there is some game on today...

I just purchased an extra valve cover today, I am going to try my luck at polishing one out (ha!). I really like the looks of the polished covers. Maybe I will do a seperate thread to show the progress.

Man this is sad looking at this poor car. All she has done is collect dust and I haven't touched it in over a year. I still haven't even opened the boxes to over $3,000 in parts. I am contemplating parting her out, or does anyone know a Miata Turbo guru in my Seattle area that would be willing to help motivate me/I pay you to come help put it together?

Dude, just work on it 1 thing at a time. If it was easy, anyone could do it.

I hear you there. I saw a nicely built BMZ Z3 today and started thinking to myself bad thoughts and ...... need coffee.

I was debating in my head looking good and cruising vs. having to tame a raped ape that my car will become when done. So much fun. I will attempt to harness this excitement into finishing something on this car.

This thread is 100% fail.

Time to part. What do you have?

If you like a Z3 over a miata, you might just be too gay for the miata.

Honestly though, a well built miata is way cooler than any z3 in my book. I kind of like the coupes, but they are still so ugly in a way. z4 on the other hand I could see.

+1, lol.

:laugh:

There is a certain threshold - once you pass it there is no more hope for you.

Haha well then who is coming over to help me utilize my Miata to the fullest of non gay ways? Copious amounts of beer will be provided.

It's official, project Miata is dead. I just bought a new Porsche. Too many cars and this project wasn't getting anywhere.
Here's some stuff I got:
MSM Billstiens QA1 7k / 6k springs Allstar Sleeves $500 + stock suspension
recaro seats $500
RB Tubular Front Sway Bar, new $170
Wittyworks full turbo setup $2,000 see here: https://www.miataturbo.net/miata-par...rcooler-58114/
I will have to go see what all else I have.

Will sell complete package including everything I have for $4,250 (including the car itself). Try finding that deal anywhere else.

A detailed list of items and the car for sale can be viewed here:
https://www.miataturbo.net/cars-sale...4-250-a-72956/

I really want to pick this up ...pm me I want it all

New pictures from this weekend.

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1370969828

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1370969828

C
Is anything available still?

1995 Mazda Miata
 

I agree blloyd29! You have the reason to be proud of:) Miata became the rage whatever it is.:) I think your car still looks good and I also love the color:)