major noob here from san antonio
 

what up people. I just bought my first 03 LS miata last week and lovin it. I know nothing about miatas but I'm at least mechanicly inclined. I've just been doing regular tuneups on the car myself to save some mula. I just recently got my rear muffler cut out and straight piped. Sounds really nice. Anyway, I'm lookin forward to further modding my miata and hitting up these meets. If wana chat about miata stuff just text me at 210-317-0414.

Are you hitting on me?


welcome.

Where you live at? If you need anyhelp i love spinning wrenches for 20 bucks and a 12 pack of pbr's

I live near 410 and IH35 on the northeast side of san antonio.

Howdy and welcome.

thanks.

Yep I'm by sea world. welcome

By any chance do you know where i could get my timing belt changed for a good price?

My garage, what do you consider a good price?

i really dont know but i got quoted 250 to change it.

That's a pretty good price if it includes them doing the water pump, seals and gaskets necessary.

I assume you're bringing the parts to them, because parts and labor usually make it a $400-600 job.

There is a good write-up in the miata.net garage if you want to try yourself, really easy, took me 6hrs the first time moving slow, 4hrs the second time, 2hrs the third time...

Should You Change Your Own Timing Belt?

No thats just for labor. I still have to buy the part. But my water pump looks good for now. my car only has 79k on it. no leaks.

It's just a few more bolts to change it since it's right behind the belt, and like a $40 part (to save a lot of labor later).

Timing belt #2 was done because the water pump was leaking. Belt looked fine, and wasn't OEM. This was a 100K mile motor pulled for a V8 swap, and I bet PO did what you're planning, changed belt and not pump, so I had to pay for both.

EDIT: Check out the link...shows pump location and all.

well how much would you charge me if I bought the parts?

It's like a 4hr drive, so you'll have to determine if your time/gas is worth it...but I'd do it for $100 if you're really in need. That would include everything we even touch getting changed/replaced and what not (spark plugs, air filter, oil seals, gaskets, oil and coolant, hoses). Plus you'd learn how to do it yourself next time.

Oh yeah, bring steaks for when we're done....I'll cook.

it might be a possibility I could drive to you. I'll be going to houston in about 6 weeks to visit some family. It just might work.

Ok, I'm about 40min north of Houston proper, and can point you to some nice curvies on the way back home...

Just give me some warning a few days in advance so I can let the wife know I'll be in the garage all afternoon.

-Damon

ok cool.

welcome. I'm in the Medical Center.

that's cool. I work in that area. I'm actually workin right now. Lol.

Not trying to step on toes. but if you wanted to stay local, i could take it on base and do it for about the same, or if you have a garage....

Not stepping on any toes, if anything you're helping to save my marriage.

OP:

One of us will help you out. The Texas Miata Crew is pretty tight knit and full of stand up guys that will literally give you the shirt off their back.

Good luck with it either way.

thanks. Ya I'll probly get it done with chicksdigmiatas.

When ever your ready.

Where abouts near Sea World are you? I am on Westover Hills.

Welcome Madpenguin!

Welcome. Yep so far all of the Texas Miata crew I have met are all good people. Except for Hustler :giggle:
Texas is taking over this board y'all.

Almost all engine parts look "good" until they fail. It's a BAD idea not to change the water pump when you do the timing belt. You probably won't do a belt again until well after 150k, and I bet you it won't "look" any different bolted to the front of the engine than it does now. Sometimes they leak and sometimes they grenade internally with no warning and you fry your engine or warp a head before you notice. DO THE WATER PUMP EVERY TIME YOU CHANGE THE TIMING BELT or can guarantee you'll pay to do it twice.

Other than cutting out the muffler and turning your otherwise nice Miata into a ricer cop-magnet, what are your other mod plan?

If i were to do it for you, i would tell you to change the water pump. I am not sure about parts interchangeability, but if the one on my 95 (with a 99 SB in it) would work, i would just take yours and swap it for a fresh one, free of charge :)

The falls at westover hills is the apartments i live in On the corner of dugas and military, an exit down from Rudy's on 151 (If heading away from 1604)

I plan on putting in a turbo but i need some advise on that kind of stuff. Also what is the advantage of having coil packs instead of plug wires? I saw a thread somewhere on how to change em.

Howdy - I live in Windcrest just off IH35 and Walzem.

dang your close im at 410 and perrin bittel

ah its ok man. i bought my waterpump and belt last night and now im just waiting for the cam seals and valve gaskets to come in tomorrow.

For your turbo needs, just search and hang out. Try not to ask any questions until you've been here a few weeks... just reading and searching will answer almost any question you have way before posting a thread and asking a question will get you the answer. Read the sticky's and look through the USEFUL SAVED POSTS forum and read. In the end, budget/powergoal/skill will determine your setup.

In a week or two, when you've decided on the route you want to take, the budget you have, and how much work you personally can do, start another thread with a title like "Build questions" where you outline your plan and ask for advice... be specific with the parts you want to buy and why, how you've weighed the pro's and con's vs. other parts and let us tell you where we see room for improvement.

The advantage of coil-on-plug or COP over a wire is that the coil is directly mated to the spark plug... which promotes better energy transfer than running it down a long wire. Theoretically, you get a more powerful spark, which promotes better combustion and allows you to run a larger plug gap without blowout. Do a title search for the word COP or COPS and read up.