Based

I just bought a 1997 NA Miata soft top 5spd. Got it from a guy on CList for only 2 grand! The front crank seal was leaking bad but I fixed it. The headlights, rear signal lights, and interior light still don't work. The back window is oxidized to the point I can't see out of it and it has a small tear in the window with duct tape over it. The carpet was a little wet and smells. The exhaust rattles a little bit.

BUT I LOVE IT!!!!

This is my first convertible, my first two seater, and my first manual car!

I will put up pics tomorrow.

My goal for this car is by next summer (fun season) I want it to be the closest thing I can get to a street legal go kart. I want as close to 0 body roll as I can get and hopefully be able to get it to be pretty fast in the straights, within my budget. Probably around 180 - 220whp. Budget will be around 5 - 6K$ in mods. I'll do all the labor, I want to learn as much as I can about cars.

So yeah, I will continue reading and searching and all that to learn what parts I need etc. Btw if there are any Miata meets in Louisiana I'd be happy to go!

DNMakinson

iTrader: (3)

Welcome, Chad.

Rhoxa

Lots of fun isn't it? My miata is my first real "learn about cars" car too. I had done a bunch of maintenance on previous cars, but nothing like this. Love the go kart goal. Welcome!

Braineack

iTrader: (62)

Thanks for joining, Based!

Based

Lol I've had the car for two weeks now and I've already learned how to change a timing belt and oil seals; Flush/burp coolant; how to change spark plugs; how tensioners work (for the drive belts); how to properly jack up a car; and how to drive stick lol

Stealth97

iTrader: (5)

220 hp and suspension for $6k, along with getting maintenance up to par might be stretching it, unless you are going to do everything DIY and or buy used parts.

Based

Yeah I was pricing stuff last night and I realized that it'd take maybe 1K more $$$...

My current plan is doing the FM turbo kit with the GT2560 but instead of using their ECU I'll get MS because it's 1200$ cheaper than their Hydra lol. Then I'll have to get exhaust which is I guess around 1K$ and then I'm gonna do the FM Suspension stage 2.5 (or stage 2 I don't remember) for 1K$. So that's 3500+800+1000+1000 = 6300. Plus everything else I either break or just forget I want/need. And yeah everything that doesn't involve super expensive tools I'll be doing myself.

carid

Hello Based and welcome to the forum! Congrats on your purchase, I'm sure you won't regret it and will have a lot of fun. Good luck with all your mods planned and keep us posted with pictures.

Erat

iTrader: (5)

FM kit won't come with the following items, and you'll need them.
Wideband
Clutch
Exhaust
Injectors
intercooler(voodoo no electronics kit)
MS(you've budgeted for)

But welcome, we always like seeing progress. Start a build thread and add some pictures.

shuiend

iTrader: (24)

Welcome. Spend some time searching, reading the stickies, and looking at build threads. The are other vendors besides FM and you can save a ton of money if you cross shop. Also put your location in your user profile so we know where you are at.

Based

the fm kit with no ecu has an intercooler and you can add 700cc injectors for $350. With injectors it comes up to 3500 shipped. I would just need exhaust and clutch which from FM is 1600 and MS is 800 and a wideband sensor is like $200 just from a quick google search.

And yeah i forgot about clutch lol good eye.

mariabrock

Wow congrats on that. Welcome. It's really fun to have your very first convertible!