Hi, new guy here. My Miata is slow. I love lamp. 1st post complete.

Am I doing it right?


I am:

• here to do more reading than posting
• approaching the point where I need to get serious about the future direction of my project
• not a broke college kid
• not a slamburglar
• not interested in all season tires and stock ride height
• not looking to reinvent the proverbial wheel

Previous modified cars include several DSMs, an Evo8 and a C5 that were all compromised "only cars." My current car is a '94 that was purchased with the intention of becoming a fairweather-slash-track car. Ideally, I'm looking for something like where Hustler has his car now - able to reliably drive a few hours to a track event towing a tire trailer, swap on some R-comps, lap all day then drive home.

I'll put up a few pictures in the next post.

 

Most recent exterior shot (after rust repair and a peeling front bumper cover):


I have since added APR carbon fiber mirrors, but it's otherwise the same.

Most recent interior shot:


I have since added a short center console. Up next will be a rollbar with harness (and eventually two seats capable of supporting 6-points). I am also removing the headunit for an MP3 player-based system (mini-amp + door speakers + iPhone).

 

A/S/L? Or at least location?

 

Legit noob post.

Pics= check
Location= check
Previous rides= check
Signature= check
Good grammer and punctuation= check
Proper use of bullets= double ******' checkity check!

 

Welcome to here. Nice car! I took some pics of your car last Saturday at GIR.

My car was there, looking crappy with primer on one side. But it'll be ready for the next track day.

 

Your car. I like it.
Edit: Minus points for no roll bar yet. Get on that. NAO.
Welcum.

 

Welcome to the madness! Very very nice NA. Good luck with the project!

 

DIY rust repair/paint or an autobody job? Looks great.

Welcome.

 

Woops failbucket me.

Very nice looking black miata.

Any plans for forced induction or going to stay NA?

 

Holy ******* cool good intro post.

 

'bout time

 

I assume you saw the rest of the Photobucket. For those that didn't, here's an example of the rocker damage:


And the front fascia:


I had a body shop do the repair work.

If it stays naturally aspirated long-term, it's because I decided to sell it. I went so far as to buy a used factory exhaust to replace my damaged/shitty looking rear section rather than put on anything that will make it louder - not because I am averse to loud cars, but because I am averse to loud, slow, naturally aspirated four-cylinder cars.

I am currently at the "serious planning" (as opposed to vague daydreaming) stage with the car and deciding on whether or not it makes sense to move forward with the platform or replace it with something else. See this thread here.

 

Cool car, way to not suck. How much did it cost you to fix the rust? Also, I have the exact same cd player, does yours quit working when it gets cold?

 

welcome

Love the way the car is clean and not overdone or tacky looking.
very purdy

 

Thanks for the compliments, folks.

I got a bit of a deal on the body work and used these patch panels to simplify the process. The rust was fixed at the same time as the front bumper cover went on and I asked for a "ten foot paintjob" to keep costs down, with the intent of eventually having an entire respray done.

I wouldn't know; I live in Florida. I don't daily drive the car and, by the time it got cold (the last week), I had removed the head unit.

 

For reference, since I don't have a build thread per se, the car currently has:

• stock power other than a JR cat that came with the car (including paper air filter)
• Enkei RPF1 15x7" with 205/50-15 Kumho XS
• TEIN Basics with NB upper mounts (I wanted something matched, complete and without adjustability)
• RB tubular front ARB [edit: with mounting blocks and brace]
• no rear ARB
• OE-replacement rotors, Carbotech AX6 pads, braided lines RBF600 fluid
• ACT organic clutch, FM 13lb flywheel
• very minor weight reduction (no airbags, no soft top, but does have all bumpers, all the airbag sensors, all sound deadening and carpet, etc)
• open diff
• basic maintenance done after I first picked it up (timing belt, water pump, plugs, wires, etc)

 

I think this is the best noob thread ever, your next picture should be the vband absurd flow setup that you had just of purchased, MS and some massive injectors/pump to run E85

 

I agree totally with both those statements.

 

Welcome to the boards. Get that roll bar in first and then go to town on the turbo build... or the lamp... whichever you prefer. Just don't show us the lamp.

 

nice car I really like how you cleaned up your miata. I wish mine wasnt so beat up. Welcome to this crazy board. Watch the rule ****'s tho they will get ya!