Miata owner in Afghanistan.
 

Ok...I know what your thinking....how big is the Miata scene in Afghanistan. Well I'm actually from SoCal but currently deployed and not new to the Miata but definetly new to this forum.

I've got some cash saved and was gonna pick up a fm kit when I got home in January but I'm considering putting together something instead. I figured I'd at least start with a MS and begin to play with it in NA form and get used to it. Slowly figure out what all Ill need...get in contact with Abe at artech, seen a lot of his work and heard plenty good about him.

Power goals...well I don't want to build the engine quite yet and the thought of having an extra 150 hp more then stock should be plenty...ok I lie and I'm sure I'll want more but at least not right away. I'd like to put down maybe 200 to the ground with room to build a bit if I'd like. It will be a DD and it might see a track day once or twice a year. It's nice to have power and not need it then to not have it but want it. Kind of like the 50 something year old guy in the Vette than that's always going way under the speedlimit.

Feel free to chime in and let me know if I'm unreasonable or to pointe in the right direction.

I know I know pics right. Can't right now and wont be able until I get back.

Edit: I forgot to talk about the car but its a 91' with a 94'or 95' 1.8. Used FM kit to finish the job. Engine is stock except the ex/in cam swap, magna core wires, NGK iridiums. Under drive crank pulley...coming off when turbo goes on and a 5zigen superlap exhaust. Wheels are 15x9 6ULs with 225/50/15 falkens. Suspension theres Megan ez street coils, racing beat hollow front and rear sway bars, 949 end links, racing beat rear subframe front and rear subframe brace, racing beat sway bar brace. Exterior has TSIs, OE rear lip, garage vary front lip, feed side skirts, touge run spoiler, zoom fuel lid, apr carbon mirrors and that should do it.

Laundry list of things I bought while gone:

Wildwood BBK up front
Nardi Classico 330 sweade wheel.
Boss hub
RS hvac knobs
M-tuned coolant reroute and fuel rail.
Jr fpr (not sure if ill need it after all)
Elise diffuser (again not sure if ill use this after all)
Jass low pro lights
Carbon Miata headlight covers

Looks like ill be busy when I return and looking to boost.

Welcome aboard, Saul.

So, tell us, how big is the Miata scene in Afghanistan? :D

Miatas are non-existent here lol. If Toyota trucks are your thing then your in for a treat. I also have an 85 fj60 Landcruiser and relish everytime I see one stateside like mine. Here there everywhere. 60 series, 80, 100 and even the smaller prado Landcruiser. Forerunners are plenty as well. You'll see some early 90s corollas all the way till current models but 95% of the vics out here are yota's. I wish I could bring home and old hj60...to bad.

Thank you for your service.

No problem. I'm serving my country and get to see a lot of things others will never have the chance to.

You know if there wasn't IEDs, mines and UXOs everywhere...and Taliban Afghanistan would be a great place to go "wheeling"... tons of trails and spectacular views. I'll post a thread about the deployment and share the pics that I'm allowed to when I get back

Welcome, wrx787!

Its nice to see I'm not the only one using their desert deployment money for they're Miata! :) What unit are you with? Sounds like we'll be finishing up deployment not too far from each other.

With the 2668tc in rc west. Should be home before the holidays

How bout yourself?

NMCB 133 in RC South I'm hoping to be back before Easter.

I'm just going to make a general observation here, and I hope you guys don't think it contrite or offensive.

It continues to strike me as odd that I can sit here in my comfy lab in southern California and carry on a conversation about old cars with a couple of soldiers who are in the middle of a warzone on the other side of the planet.

Well thats the power of the internet I guess. We have a MWR (Morale, Welfare, and Recreation) Center on Camp where there are computers to use. Some people use their time off to chat with family, I use mine to look up the Miata forums. hahaha

EDIT: Oh and I'm a U.S. Navy Sailor not Soldier but now we're just talking technicalities. Anyways, not trying to thread jack here though so I better stop. wrx787, I wish you a safe return. I know how deployments get when you start turning into a short timer, just keep your head in it to the end.

Ah, yes. I missed the NMCB part. Ok, one soldier, one seabee.

That's got to be an interesting line of work right now.

No offense taken... We have a USO here on post but am lucky enough to have WIFI in our tents. Not every fob I've been to has all the same creature comforts and believe me...I've been to some COB's (combat operating base) that are no bigger the a square mile and have very little commo back home. It could be worst, but this hobbie of mine helps keep me sane and focused when I need to be.

Thanks Frankb, you stay up yourself and I don't know if this is your first, second or tenth deployment but don't get caught up in everyone's bs while out there and take care of yourself. Pm later and I'll let you know what I mean.

I remember being there (deployed, cash, Miata back home).

I implore you - don't bite off more than you can chew. I still have parts waiting to go on (which I bought with the extra cash), and I've been back for over a year and am about to go back.

Thanks for the advise...it's hard not to jump on group buys or others used stuff when deals come about. I've had to refrain from making some purchases here in there but I've still been able to save a chunk of change, pay some bills and "most importantly" take care of my wife.

Im currently in Afghanistan too

Really what part and what's your mos?

So much for me coming home before the holidays...just chose to extend for three more months.

I love my wife and all but gosh I can't wait to get back and drive my cars lol.

68w Active Army.

Fob Arian

Also, I'm kinda half way from Truth or Consequences. ( My wife is from there )

Whats your MOS OP? I just graduated 0844 school and I'll be going to Camp Pen. soon. My brother is a 0481 (red patcher) over there.

I'm personally just gonna get a kit from FM or BEGi. Don't forget to replace that 1.6 rear diff, they are notoriously weak and can brake under stock power.