Another newb from PNW (2003 LS)
 

Greetings everyone! Another newb here from the PNW located in Gig Harbor, Washington. I just bought my first miata a couple of months ago (a 2003 with approx 150k). I also have a 2013 mazdaspeed3 which i have had the engine rebuilt and running a bigger turbo on. I am looking at possibly doing something similar my NB2. I have a hard time leaving things "as is" and usually always looking to improve and do DIY stuff. I'm definitely not a mechanic, and I only have the experience I taught myself from working on my speed3 by reading forums and watching youtube videos. I am looking to get more actively involved in the car scene here and actually meet up with you guys or gals (i saw the washington miata thread by matrussell).
Since I've had the car, i've already done a few things to her. The car came stock with BC coilovers and some cheap JNC wheels. I am looking at selling the coilovers and going with some bilsteins. I replaced the thermostat, and put in some extended reach NGK Laser Platinum plugs and gapped them between .040 - .043”. Replaced fuel filter, and replaced all fluids and did coolant flush. I've installed raceland headers and did a straight pipe with flowmaster cat for exhaust, deleted both of my EGRs and canister, did a DIY intake manifold. I am popping some codes now of P0300, P2009, P2006, P0507, P0443, and P0403, so in the process of deleting those 1-by-1. Then plan to do VVT replacement and timing advance with skunk2 intake install before I get my BOFI ECU installed and learn to tune her. I am also going to replace the "style bar" too at some point. I know I have a lot of research to do and have still much to learn.
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...f5414aa7fc.jpg

That's a nice looking car! Which ECU are you getting?

Welcome from semi-close in Portland. Did you make your own intake, or intake manifold? Two very different things.

P0300 - This is a random misfire, most likely from your spark plugs. I'd replace them with OEM NGK plugs, torque them to spec, and you'll probably find your misfire will go away.

P2009 and P2006 are codes for your VCTS, which you deleted if you did actually make your own intake manifold

P0507, P0443, and P0403 are two EGR codes from deleting that system, and P0507 is a high idle code, are you sure you plugged all of the vacuum leaks created by removing that system? I realize most of these will be solved with an aftermarket standalone ECU, however the misfire and P0507 will not.

Thanks Nigelt! Looking forward to customizing it even more and giving it my own style. In terms of ECU, I am getting the MS labs MS3 basic ECU. Heres the link: MS Labs MS3 Basic Plug and Play ECU For Mazda MX-5 NA NB

Curley, thanks for your response! I’ll try that with the OEM spark plugs. There was a thread on Miata.net that I was reading where they recommended the extended reach (part # PZFR5F-11) for our cars. Supposedly the extended reach plugs burned cleaner than the OEM. I’m assuming that must have been false information.

Also, meant to say I made my own air intake and not intake manifold haha.

I have been noticing my idle has been inconsistent and sometimes my car runs real high or low. I removed the slack in the throttle cable line and have played with tension a bit and the self-adjustment screw. However, it is still acting up. I am thinking this might be due to the intake manifold needing to be cleaned or valves being dirty. But tbh, I am not sure. I am hoping when I replace the intake manifold with the skunk2, that that’ll disappear.

I did have a vacuum leak at one point with I repaired, so going to clear codes today and see if that code disappears.

Got a chance to clear codes today and look at new ones after fixing vacuum leak.
My current codes are:
P0300
P2006 intake manifold stuck close
P0131 (new code o2 sensor low voltage input)
P0443
P0403

Here is my action plan to hopefully clear these.
For P0300 I ordered NGK BKR7E copper Spark Plugs.
For P2006, going to try to figure out how to make sure throttle body isn’t getting stuck open.
For P0131 which is “o2 sensor low input”,
Going to check wires to O2 sensor to make sure they look okay. Then going to check for voltage at wire to o2 sensor. Will replace o2 sensor if needle

Lastly, going to open throttle cable screw. My throttle has been real wonky lately and I think closing the screw all the way has sucked away a lot of my power. Going to open screw as much as possible and try to adjust cable throttle with 12mm wrenches.

For codes P0443 and P0403, looks like I am going to have to wait till I install my aftermarket ECU before I can clear.

Let me know if my thinking process on these are correct please and thank you.