New guy just getting back into Miatas
#1
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.
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.
#2
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.
Thank you for your service.
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.
Thank you for your service.
#4
Elite Member
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Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: VA, Germany, Afghanistan
Posts: 2,945
Total Cats: 3
Hello, I am 30 year old from Arkansas, who is active duty Air Force C-130 engine mechanic,.....blah blah blah.......
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.
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.
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.)
#5
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.
Thank you for your service.
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.
Thank you for your service.
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 *****, 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.
#6
Elite Member
iTrader: (13)
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Taos, New mexico
Posts: 6,603
Total Cats: 564
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 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.
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