New guy from Tx
 

What's up?

I'm new to the forums here. I just so happened to get lucky last month and score a 1999 Mazda Miata 10th Anniversary edition 5-speed with the Nardi Torino interior pieces, Miata floor matts and leather seats (interior black/tan) etc., black with tan soft top, and with only 45,000 miles in near-mint condition (single owner) for only $7,000. Not bad for an 18 year old working at Mcdonalds eh?

It's my daily driven car and only car until I pay it off, but after that I plan on buying another car with lower payments for daily use, the Miata will be a fun project and I plan on turbocharging it and doing a little here and there, only aiming for 200-250 hp at the wheels or whatever the stock platform will handle (til that gets boring) so I'll be gathering knowledge here if that's cool :). I know the basics, was prepping my old engine-swapped Civic for my first turbo build before I wrecked it, but looking for more miata-specific boost info and this seems like the place to get it.

Plans after paying it off and getting another ride:

Bolt-on turbo kit (or pieced together if I can't find one) tuned for 200-250 whp
Decent turbo-back exhaust
Drop an inch on Tein coilovers
Good tires
Brembo slotted brakes
Steel roll bar
Paint - House of Kolor Kandy tangerine w/SG-100 clear
black soft top
Mild pinstriping, I'll probably brush on some small flames (tribal or hotrod) and an abstract design on the hood and mirrors, thinking white flame just outline, then outline with orange to almost match the tangerine Kandy, with maybe black abstracts on hood and mirrors?
15-16" rims black w/polished lip

Planning on painting before anything, since I'll be attending college next year at TSTC for my collision repair certificate and possibly Associate's degree. I'm hoping to land a job at a custom paint shop later on, or maybe just do my own custom painting/striping on the side? We'll see how it unfolds :).

You're off to a great start man. Welcome to the site: this place is EVERYTHING miata+boost related. It answered 100% of my questions when I was just starting off like you. Just remember to search and not post stupid threads/posts and you're golden.

Some pictures of your ride would complete this introduction perfectly:)

Just a few notes: slotted rotors = worthless pretty much. tein coilovers = great but expensive. there are cheaper solutions for a daily driver. Color choice is ugly to me but its your car lol. REALLY not feeling pinstriping/flames but again its your car. 16x8 rims are PERFECT imho.

Brakes: I'll see if 200-250 whp will be enough to warrant an upgrade.

Tein coilovers: Heard and read too much good about them, but if I can find an inexpensive yet quality alternative, I'll be all over it. This car won't be a daily driver when I get another car, by the way. Just a fun car/cruise car/spirited driving car/once-in-a-while-roadrace car...weekends only and I'd like to do as high quality of a job as I can.

Color choice and striping: I have a taste for the West Coast style even though I'm from the south. I think you'll like it too when I post pics in the future.

Anyway, thanks for the input and I'll post pics of my car tomorrow after I wash it :).

About the brakes: its not that an upgrade is not needed, its just that drilled/slotted stock size are no better than stock blanks. Good steel braided lines+good pads will be a MUCH better upgrade than slotted rotors. The next step up from that would be the corrado bbk (search about it) which is cheap and effective, as well as a proportioning valve.

Welcome aboard.

In that Texas is a fairly large state, would you like to narrow it down a bit?

As to the build plan, looks feasible. +1 on the S/S lines for brakes (and clutch) as well as improved pads; slotted rotors are a personal preference thing.

- L

Abilene, the Big Country area, hub of central Texas.

Woke up too late to take car pics today, maybe my next day off.

Factory lines are no good? I always hear about upgrading to S/S lines but I've never known of anyone who's had trouble with stock lines in any car...then again the only car I've really abused was my 1993 Civic and it wasn't fast but I was heavy on those brakes. It's an inexpensive upgrade and I guess people wouldn't do it without good reason so I'll keep it in mind, thanks.

Howdy!

Welcome.

You've got alot to learn based upon your comments and questions.

It's too bad that you bought a bone stock 99 for 7k as I have a fully built 97 turbo miata for sale for less.

Stock lines are functional, however S/S lines are more consistant, especially when you are out "playing hard"...

- L

I do have a lot to learn. That's why I'm here.

And I'd never buy anyone else's toy. I want to do it myself.