The FMII as a system is less than optimal IMO. The link (which I also use) is a fairly good EM, but I don't like much of the charge piping, turbo manifold, etc. Don't take it the wrong way, it is a good system, I just would have designed things a bit differently.
-Michael-

I kinda like that bronze paint, it kinda fucks with ya.

It actually reminded me of magnesium parts used on some Ducatis at first glance, then I saw how terribly it was done.
http://mototekcom.nationprotect.net/...tid=1027&stc=1

The "bastardizing" on that one was designed by Corky Bell.
And good luck finding a decent FM2 car for 5k.

Overall pretty nice. I always laugh at the misuse of the Apollo-era heatshielding film (what's the piece on the intake manifold blocking heat from, the hood?)

maybe it's gold leaf

wasn't the point of the gold foil on satellites to protect against radiation not heat?

Uh no. And FUCK an FMII, it's been proven time & time again that $5k is enough to blow an FMII away.

FMII for 5k? LMFAO. That car is worth the $9k, and probably more. Leatherface24 on the CR.net boards. He's a big poster, and the car is nice. He's selling IMO because he wants to do a full-blown NA build with IRTBs, standalone, etc.

As far as the FMII setup, we all would do something different on every car we see. That setup is very, very nice. At $9k I wouldn't hesistate.

That is not the car I was thinking of, but I DO remember this car now. It was on ebay a few times with real ricer looking photos. I would want to get compression & maybe leak down checks since he's been driving it around at 15 psi.... or more

It has some mods that are nice, some are "to taste" that most wouldn't care for. He does have a lot of money in it, but frankly you don't get it back at resale. You didn't mention how many miles are on the car. If the car is as nice in person as it is in the pics, it has under average miles, and the mechanicals check out, I'd say $7k MAX, and deduct for any needs/flaws.

Also, what's up with the "all emissions equipment removed"? What is removed, just the cat, or something more invasive? Do you live in the metro area (tail pipe testing)?

:gay: HAHA you smoke crack. I see people *ask* $8, 9, sometimes 10 or more grand for their FMIIs. And they SIT AND SIT. 6-12 months later, the owner will take FAR FAR less than what they originally asked.

I confused this particular car that's been on ebay a bunch of times for another red one that's been on ebay a bunch of times. If the car checks out, it should go for more than 5, but if you won't hesitate at $9k, I have some real estate you may be interested in.

look along the pass side fender, all that crap is gone. Looks like almost all the emissions systems are gone from that.

Wow. Didn't mean to start a fight here.

The car has 66,500 miles, when it says emissions equipment removed, it means the cat and charcoal canister were removed, and that the egr valve has a black-off plate. It's getting registered in a county that doesn't have emission requirements, however, I talked to someone at FM, and he said that as long as it has a good tune, it shouldn't have a problem passing the sniffer and load tests. Moot point.
Being that I work at a dealership's service dept., I'm taking some tools with me to check the car out when I go down there. But I've already pretty much decided on the car, and the price that we agreed upon. If it looks, runs, and sounds as good as it has on all of the pictures and videos that I've requested be made, I'm going to jump all over it. CarFax showed a few owners, but no wrecks or anything else on the records.

My only apprehension is that it doesn't have power steering, and the only vehicle that I've driven that didn't have power steering was a truck and it was hard as hell, hopefully that won't be the case with Miatas because they are so light.

No PS in these cars is a non-issue. Several members actually remove the power steering by looping the lines or removing the internal seals.

As far as passing the sniffer with no cat, that's totally bogus, but with all the emissions equipment an FMII should pass smog.

thtas the beauty of a ECU. I've seen RX7s barely pass with no cat. And thats saying alot!!!

It was to protect against radiated heat, yes.

No one suggested 5k couldnt possibly build more power.
Of course it can. DUH. That wasnt the question.

And...for those of us who have NO where NEAR 5k in our FM2 setup we wouldnt subtitute any shitass Greddy (or cobbled DIY garbage) nearly the entire kit of which must be tossed for something better. In general people with Greddys that make any power have more invested then I do in an FM2 with Link, upgrades and all...OR they have a tinker toy band-aid system which I wouldnt compare. Of course if you count the hundreds of hours they spend trying to get things working right as a 'zero' then maybe its 'cheaper'. LOL My time is more valuable then that.

Interesting how you seem to be a fan of Corky Bell but not all of his work. The FM2 is his work...and it works quite well. Could it be improved? Sure. Anything, even his new system, could be 'improved'.
And while your bitchin about FM2 cars not being worth much please find me a two or three nicely done examples for 5k. I am ready to buy.......them all. ;)

I agree many FM turbo owners over price their cars...but most people with modded cars do. So thats nothing new.

I've had 3 miatas, 2 with PS and 1 without. I prefer the way the non-ps car drives. The only time the steering wheel will feel awkward to you is the very first time you turn it. It won't feel heavy like a depowered rack, but you will notice that it takes a little more effort than what you're accustomed to. You will quickly get used to it, and you will also learn that you need the tires rolling to turn the wheel easily... but the wheels should be rolling any time you turn, power steering or no ;)

Read posts 29 & 30 in this thread. I think I addressed all this already.

Also, I in no way attack the performance of an FMII, old kit or new kit. I attack the *value* of the kit. Sorry, I don't think $6-7k for 220 rwhp is all that great. Nor do I find any piece of their kit to be super reliable in a world of junk.

Yeah, I hoped the non-PS would not be an issue, so that's good to know.

As for the emissions side of things, I was thinking of replacing the straight-pipe with a high-flow cat, just because the State Patrol here actually will look under a car that looks modified to see if it has a cat, if not, it's a $1200 fine. Any recommendations for that?

I think the car looks really nice, but i wouldnt pay more than 7k for it.