New guy just getting back into Miatas
 

Hello, I am 30 year old from Arkansas, who is active duty Air Force C-130 engine mechanic, who gets to come home from Iraq in 2 weeks. :) I have been Married for 2 years, no kids, 1 dog, and 3 cats.

The car that got me into cars was 96 Miata, that I totaled in a ice storm in around 2000, (who knew summer tires didn't like ice) with FMII kit on order. This was back when FM was supplied by BEGI and Corky took 3+ months to ship a kit... Well in my case after many excuses 6 months. The kit came in right after I totaled out the car. I did quick local search and picked up 97 to put my pile of parts in.

I loved this car and for whatever reason decided to tear it down and go bigger and badder, though I got orders to Iceland at the time and lost interest in the car and never put it back together.

I messed around with RX-7s, RX-8, and Evos since then. Just last year I traded my RX-8 in on a Evo X. Which was a huge mistake, I find the Evo X a very boring car in hind sight and really miss the much slower RX-8.

But the car I miss more than anything is my 97, So I bought a 94 Miata that is semi local to me sight unseen while I am over here in Iraq. Its 94 Red PEP, nearly stock except for few mild suspension mods and HDHC roll bar. My goal with this car is a full build up, that will be near 100% fabricated by me, shooting for the low mid 300s, and just to have fun with the car. I will keep extensive build log with this car as it goes along.

This does seem to be much better community that what we had 7-8 years ago and I am looking forward to trying contribute here. Just need to sell my Evo X before I can go stupid with mods on the car.

Welcome, sounds like a good build plan, and your experience should help. What are you considering for engine management?

You really bought one of the two best years as a turbo build platform.

I think we all come back around to Miatas. I got mine back 2 years ago after a 6yr hiatus. Everything else between was boring.


You should get along here just fine. :laugh:

Thank you for your service.

+1 :bowdown:

With the information supplied by yourself I think you need to re-think your ability to fabricate everything yourself. :bowrofl::bowrofl:

J/k J/K, I'm Army, you know how that goes. Good luck sounds like you've got a good build planned and stay safe for your last two weeks, thanks for serving (even if it is the chAir Force.)

Well I plan on running a AEM as of right now with some Injector Dynamics 750s. In fact the AEM will probably be the first mod to the car I do, besides fixing any broke or needed things on it.

The previous owner (whom I know) some how cracked the oil pan while changing the throw out bearing. I wasn't planning on pulling the pan and drilling for the oil return till later, but it looks like fate made its mind up for me. I got a new/used oil pan on the way and -10 fitting and cap to go ahead and do it right while the pan is off. I would go ahead and do the clutch also, but I am afraid I will get caught up in the "while its out might as well do this" which is very easy for me to do. I did it on my 91 FC where I lost interest after spending 15k without it running. So I am trying to avoid this by doing things in steps.

I am also using this as excuse to buy tools, which I am total tool whore, to be honest with you it would probably be cheaper in the long run just to call Corky up and have him build it for me. But I don't get tools and fabrication experience that way.

Welcome! It sounds like you have done your research.

I personally would do the clutch as well as all leaky engine seals etc while the engine/tranny is out, as well as clean the engine bay.

I want to cross train to your job i think. Open general FTL. :facepalm:

hey beave how the hell are you:fawk:

Thats how it all starts :P Next I will say, might as well build the engine while its out, oh that transission is out might as well tear into it also...

Not too worried about it, its not like its too big of a deal pull the drive line in this car.