Greetings from Philly
03-06-2012, 08:34 PM
#1
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Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Havertown, PA
Posts: 12
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Greetings from Philly
Hello
I have been reading the forum quite a while now and thought I would introduce myself. Before I get the turbos, let me tell you my miata story.
Two years ago, I was driving in on my commute and realized it was sucking the life out of me. I had a ’93 Honda Accord; a solid car that I had driven for ten years. Get in, put it in D, and get from point A to B. Listen to the radio or make phone calls (hands-free of course), but otherwise the time was lost. I realized that I wanted a vehicle that I would enjoy and would breathe life into that time. I also wanted a car that I could work on with my son.
I researched all sports cars from 1960 onwards. Obviously, I found that the Miata is the best value for performance sports cars of the last 30 years. I found a base ’99 miata for a good price. It was a bit tired, but mechanically sound at 120K miles. It had spent most of it’s time in Florida, so had substantial UV damage as well as a number of interior aesthetic issues. I replaced fogged headlights, repaired minor collision damage, buffed the paint, replaced torn seat upholstery door panels. I also obtained a hard top for the bad weather months. I addressed some deferred maintenance issues: clutch adjustment, shifter rebuild, installed Bilstein shocks, sport springs, shock tower brace, and 15” wheels and rubber. This effort turned back the clock on the car’s appearance, and really improved the base handling.
My son really enjoyed all this work. The best moment was when I had the car up on jackstands one day, working on the alternator with my son, and I went in the house to get tool. When I came out, I heard a the disembodied voice of my son from under the car explaining everything to my neighbor who had come out to walk the dog. Since my son is only 7, his explanations were not exactly accurate, but he was full of confidence and enthusiasm.
Having fixed most of the big issues, I have cast my eyes on the engine. The engine runs great, uses very little oil, and has decent compression. I actually think that Mazda hit the power levels about right for an affordable sports car. However, I do think that what is great can be made even better within a given budget. When I first got the car, I saw an old Car & Driver article about supercharging a ’99, and liked the performance figures. I also read that Leno has a supercharged Miata. Supercharging seems a reputable way to go, and I even talked to Gary at Track Dog. However, turbocharging has an appeal to me from a basic physics perspective.
Turbocharging is a big commitment, and I want to thank this forum for the wealth of information. I believe that I understand the basic budget/mechanical needs at different power levels. I’m also pretty handy with a soldering iron, so my first step will be to get engine management sorted out. If I can actually build something and run the engine with it, then the rest will follow. Also hope that I can connect with folks in my area that could share their turbo Miata experience
I have been reading the forum quite a while now and thought I would introduce myself. Before I get the turbos, let me tell you my miata story.
Two years ago, I was driving in on my commute and realized it was sucking the life out of me. I had a ’93 Honda Accord; a solid car that I had driven for ten years. Get in, put it in D, and get from point A to B. Listen to the radio or make phone calls (hands-free of course), but otherwise the time was lost. I realized that I wanted a vehicle that I would enjoy and would breathe life into that time. I also wanted a car that I could work on with my son.
I researched all sports cars from 1960 onwards. Obviously, I found that the Miata is the best value for performance sports cars of the last 30 years. I found a base ’99 miata for a good price. It was a bit tired, but mechanically sound at 120K miles. It had spent most of it’s time in Florida, so had substantial UV damage as well as a number of interior aesthetic issues. I replaced fogged headlights, repaired minor collision damage, buffed the paint, replaced torn seat upholstery door panels. I also obtained a hard top for the bad weather months. I addressed some deferred maintenance issues: clutch adjustment, shifter rebuild, installed Bilstein shocks, sport springs, shock tower brace, and 15” wheels and rubber. This effort turned back the clock on the car’s appearance, and really improved the base handling.
My son really enjoyed all this work. The best moment was when I had the car up on jackstands one day, working on the alternator with my son, and I went in the house to get tool. When I came out, I heard a the disembodied voice of my son from under the car explaining everything to my neighbor who had come out to walk the dog. Since my son is only 7, his explanations were not exactly accurate, but he was full of confidence and enthusiasm.
Having fixed most of the big issues, I have cast my eyes on the engine. The engine runs great, uses very little oil, and has decent compression. I actually think that Mazda hit the power levels about right for an affordable sports car. However, I do think that what is great can be made even better within a given budget. When I first got the car, I saw an old Car & Driver article about supercharging a ’99, and liked the performance figures. I also read that Leno has a supercharged Miata. Supercharging seems a reputable way to go, and I even talked to Gary at Track Dog. However, turbocharging has an appeal to me from a basic physics perspective.
Turbocharging is a big commitment, and I want to thank this forum for the wealth of information. I believe that I understand the basic budget/mechanical needs at different power levels. I’m also pretty handy with a soldering iron, so my first step will be to get engine management sorted out. If I can actually build something and run the engine with it, then the rest will follow. Also hope that I can connect with folks in my area that could share their turbo Miata experience
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03-07-2012, 12:27 AM
#5
Slowest Progress Ever
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Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: The coal ridden hills of Pennsylvania
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Hello and welcome!
Looks like Havertown is about 1 hour and 30 minutes from me, most likely less. Nice car! If you're going the turbo route and have a car almost identical to mine, then I'm sure I can answer a pile of questions that you might have.
A lot is dependant on your goals, budget, and what you're going to be using the car for. Either way, I'm here to help...glad to have another PA member!
Looks like Havertown is about 1 hour and 30 minutes from me, most likely less. Nice car! If you're going the turbo route and have a car almost identical to mine, then I'm sure I can answer a pile of questions that you might have.
A lot is dependant on your goals, budget, and what you're going to be using the car for. Either way, I'm here to help...glad to have another PA member!
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03-07-2012, 11:40 AM
#6
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Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Havertown, PA
Posts: 12
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Thanks for the greetings, and nice to know that there are folks nearby, e.g. thirdgen and budget racer.
Thirdgen, saw some of your posts, and realized your car is indeed very similar! thanks for your offer to help. I'm sure I will have some questions, especially since, from your sig, you have an MS running standalone.
Your questions about goals, etc., is fair. My goals are to have fun, learn about my car and teach my kids. Implicit in that is not breaking the car, or turning it into an excruciating death march project. Thanks to the forum, my eyes are pretty wide open on the $$s required with different power levels. I want to stay within the limitations of my stock motor for the near term. The car is and will be a street car, but is not my sole transportation (although I love driving it so much that I do so almost every day).
As far being a money pit, nightsgt, I can accept that. I just don't want to waste money by getting the wrong stuff, or wrecking things. Ironically, the trickiest and most critical part, engine management, actually seems to be the cheapest. I'm going to get started on that, and hopefully post up in a few months.
Hello and welcome!
...If you're going the turbo route and have a car almost identical to mine, then I'm sure I can answer a pile of questions that you might have.
A lot is dependant on your goals, budget, and what you're going to be using the car for. Either way, I'm here to help...glad to have another PA member!
...If you're going the turbo route and have a car almost identical to mine, then I'm sure I can answer a pile of questions that you might have.
A lot is dependant on your goals, budget, and what you're going to be using the car for. Either way, I'm here to help...glad to have another PA member!
Your questions about goals, etc., is fair. My goals are to have fun, learn about my car and teach my kids. Implicit in that is not breaking the car, or turning it into an excruciating death march project. Thanks to the forum, my eyes are pretty wide open on the $$s required with different power levels. I want to stay within the limitations of my stock motor for the near term. The car is and will be a street car, but is not my sole transportation (although I love driving it so much that I do so almost every day).
As far being a money pit, nightsgt, I can accept that. I just don't want to waste money by getting the wrong stuff, or wrecking things. Ironically, the trickiest and most critical part, engine management, actually seems to be the cheapest. I'm going to get started on that, and hopefully post up in a few months.
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03-07-2012, 12:41 PM
#8
Slowest Progress Ever
iTrader: (26)
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: The coal ridden hills of Pennsylvania
Posts: 6,022
Total Cats: 304
This is where I could be of help to you. I wasted a lot of money buying the wrong parts, and now I have the right parts and am happy. I'd love to transfer my experience/ knowledge to you to help you save your cash.
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