New guy with 1990 in Phoenix
 

Just picked up a 1990 off of Craigslist for $900. Looking to get into some trackdays for as inexpensive as possible. The car has at least been repainted twice. The motor also has "miata" written on the valve cover in white paint pen. So pretty sure a junkyard or one of those imported JDM motors. No idea what the actual mileage is on the car as the title was coded class "C" for not true mileage. Odometer reads 186k though. On start up the oil pressure is 80psi. Once it warms up it's about 40psi and around 55-60psi while driving. Seems to run well and shift well. I changed the oil immediately and ensured both the diff and trans were full. I'm still researching what oil I'm going to use in them so I only topped them off.

The plan for the car is a entry level track beater. I already scored a set of hollow spoke wheels for $75 that I put some Falken RT-615's on. I also picked up a set of KYB AGX shocks for $125. Right now I'm deciding between Tein S-tech springs and Flying Miata Springs. In keeping with the do it cheap theme I don't know if I want to spend the extra $100 on the FM springs. I already spoke with FCM about their shock mounts and bump stops to use. He also recommended I run the RB hollow front sway bar and experiment with no rear bar vs stock rear bar. Right now it also has unknown seats in it that sit real high and aren't even bolted down. So that has to change also. I will also need a hard dog roll bar.

I plan on starting out with a used Link ecu and 550cc injectors for $450 to get rid of the AFM and learn to tune on. I will then start acquiring turbo parts. Once I can drive the car to it's full potential with the power it has I will put the turbo on it. Meh. Who am I kidding, I will most likely turbo it before that point.

Here are some pics also.

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Don't waste your time with the link, just go megasquirt. You'll thank yourself later.

+1

Good looking car for $900.

+3 on going Megasquirt.

Wonderful projects, love your taste. 80's Toyota truck, is that a speed triple? And then what looks like a w123 body benz?

Very nice. ^_^

+4 on MS

Drooling over the Triumph. Used to ride a Daytona 955i...great bikes.

Good score on the Miata...and welcome to the forum.

On springs...I took AGXs and Tein S-Techs out of my car not too long ago. With FCM mounts and bumpstops that would probably be a nice setup...but with the NA mounts they were too low for too soft of a spring rate. I tried running stiffer rates to keep that right height, but the AGXs didn't handle anything stronger than the S-Techs very well. I know the older FM setups used AGXs...but I'm sure they changed to Illuminas for a reason...the shocks had to be VERY busy with those spring rates.

I passed on the link. I will get MS when the budget allows. Bought some FM springs from the for sale section. FCM is doing a group buy on the mounts, bumps, and spacers I need, so I'm picking those up at the end of the month. Hopefully he gets enough people for the group buy. If not I just pay list price. Found some actual Miata seats to replace whatever the hell was in it. I feel much safer now with seats actually bolted down. I need to do a body measurement and order an Ultrashield for the track.