'95MSM

iTrader: (2)

Been an owner for nearly 15 years now, with a steady stream of modifications. Still own the same '95 I started out with, but have had all the normal intake and exhaust add-ons for the NA 1.8, a '99 thrust bearing claim engine in it (bearing was totally within assembly specs) with VICS, and then the big project: harvesting about 95% of the mechanicals from an '05 MSM and installing them onto the '95 along with the dash, switchgear, instrument cluster, etc.

The car has acquired a few credits over the years. It made about 135 whp with the '99 motor and un-corked dual Supertrapps. When the guys behind Forza were looking for cars to provide soundtracks for the game they selected my car for a dyno session recorded in Dolby 5.1. If you have enough endurance to wade through the credits, you will eventually see my name in the same list as Paul Allen. Most likely the only time that will happen.

Keith thought the car was interesting enough to make it a Miata of the Month, which I'm sort of expecting will draw flames on this site. He also put the car in his book as an example of how an NA can be updated with NB parts. There was another reference later that he mistakenly credited to someone else. He has promised to fix that if there is ever a re-print...

I've fielded quite a few questions from guys doing portions of the MSM project - even one or two from TurboDog'sDad - and would be happy to continue to do so.

The car currently makes about 250 whp (242 on the dyno before an exhaust upgrade) and is our 2nd car / street toy / toad behind our diesel pusher motorhome. For my speed fixes, I race a Royale RP-37 Sports2000. I'm still racing with SCCA even though the car should be in Vintage. I do all of the maintenance and setups on the race car and have picked up some good fabrication skills over the years.

Miater

PICS PICS PICS

thenuge26

iTrader: (2)

You'll draw less flames for your m.net style bars and mudflaps than you would for your cr.net racelands and xxrs (and for some reason recently JDMTYTE SR20 swaps).

Braineack

iTrader: (62)

Welcome to the site '95MSM, thanks for joining up!

'95MSM

iTrader: (2)

I'm okay on the style bar situation - running the basic HardDog. No bracing, as the car doesn't see any track or autocross duty and we use the back shelf when we take off for a Miata road trip vacation, so maybe I'm just semi-okay?

Guilty on the mudflaps! My only defense is that I've painstakingly trimmed the mounting edge so that they blend to the fender better and don't stick out as far, and I've cut off the inside lower portion.

Koni-GC NB setup on the car and I'll be doing tall shock tops this winter to get some additional compression stroke at the rear.

Pics Here
The write-up is pablum. I stayed away from technical stuff as I figured the typical audience could care less. The shot of the MSM engine prior to installation shows my re-clocked IHI and simplified hot-side IC pipes once you know what to look for. The MSM project net cost was pretty much zero after selling-off surplus parts from both cars.

Chiburbian

iTrader: (1)

Pretty cool story. Welcome. What are your future goals?

hornetball

iTrader: (4)

No need to apologize for mudflaps. I run them -- they serve a purpose on my half-mile long gravel driveway. Interested in cutting off the inside lower portion of the fronts though. They are way to low -- alway hitting. Pics?

mr_hyde

iTrader: (4)

I met Mark several years ago after exchanging PMs as fellow Seattle guys. We were both shocked to find out we live about 300 yards from each other as the crow flies. The '95MSM was the inspiration for my track car when another forum member had a minivan turn left in front of MSM chassis #606, folding the car in half.

I've tried to convince Mark to get a real rollbar and come play but he explained the S2 will turn 5 to 8 second faster laps than a 250whp miata. Other than that, the car is a flawless work of art.

'95MSM

iTrader: (2)

Hyde, do I paypal you per our normal arrangement for that post?

Hyde's track car should be written up - it represents an incredible ratio of performance vs. investment.

Chiburbian, future goals are retirement and dragging the car around as much of the country as possible behind our motorhome, hopefully meeting some fun Miata people along the way.

I suppose after the race car is sold I might fit a rollbar that would allow me to do track days, but that is a slippery, slippery slope and there won't be any room in the motorhome for a dedicated set of wheels and tires. That said, it would be fun to see if wheel width trumps unsprung weight - my 15x7 TE37s are only 9 lbs. The 949 wheels everybody loves seem pretty porky to me.

mr_hyde

iTrader: (4)

I'm pretty embarrassed at how little my net cost has been for the whole package. I'm cheap, frugal and occasionally broke so a lot of it is out of necessity.

My vote for your post racecar track toy is to put the miata and spares inside the enclosed trailer and drag that around the country. Diesel can't be that expensive can it?