Noob from Massachusetts
 

What's up guys, my name is Derek and from southern Mass. I work on all types of vehicles by trade and specialize in Fords and Ford diesel trucks. I left the dealership life about 2 years ago as a certified master tech and never looked back. I recently picked up my second Miata which was ridiculously cheap and also not running. I've got it running pretty well and slowly am un-hacking all the previous work. Now for the details its a white on black 1995 Miata i want to say b package but don't quote me on that. (Power windows and open diff) It has an early BEGI manifold and 2.25 downpipe, SR20 T25, BEGI FMU, hack I/C piping with a Subaru WRX top mount in the front that has block off plates on the openings, hack together rotted with hideous welds exhaust system, lots of wiring issues due to an e-manage blue that is no longer there, Innovate LC-1 with a VCI digital gauge, couple other off brand gauges, and that's the major engine mods. Chassis mods are FM springs with AGX's and FM frame rail braces. As purchased it has issues, dents, and a lot of of character. Next post will be what I've purchased and done so far.

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1450628634

Hopefully my first ever post/thread was pretty good and now to follow up here is my second. Since purchasing this car as a long term project I decided to keep a log of what I've done to it and when. First off it was hit in the back lightly and it came with a new bumper cover and filler panel so to save space at my shop job one was to install the new to me parts. Still needs a little tweaking of fitment and paint since they're black and the rest is white. As far as the rest of the exterior goes it needs a top, right front fender, and a little bit of rust repair on the rockers. Underneath the car is very solid. Job 2 was getting it running so started off with repairing wiring from the emanage blue hack install. Now as far as wiring goes I've spent about 8 hours repairing wiring behind the seat at ECU, behind radio due to gauges, trunk due to a home brew methanol injection system that has been removed, and under the dash from a non functional radar system that was integrated into the cluster. I'm sure there is more to do but I'll cross the bridge when I get to it. After all that it still didn't start. Check engine light didn't come on so suspected wiring to ECU or just a fried ECU from all the terrible wiring. After all my wiring tests came out ok I bought a used ECU off craigslist from a member on here. Installed and car finally came to life but stalls. ECU codes for PRV solenoid and MAF. After inspection found spread MAF pin in ECU connector. Since this is getting drawn out I will just do highlights in the next post.

Bought a new battery, hold down, and tray; found old battery was MIA and actually shorted on the car. Cleaned surface rust and primed battery area. Changed oil, spark plugs, fuel filter, and fuel. Installed alt/water pump as was MIA. Adjusted idle speed and ignition timing to fix bog issue. Timing was for whatever reason set to 2-4 degrees After TDC and is now at factory 10 degrees before. I know its high without having adjustable timing controls but it is only temporary to keep it running while being worked on. Power washed engine bay and underside because it was disgusting and could not pinpoint leaks. Removed the exhaust and Installed an ISR Performance circuit spec. Welded downpipe into one piece and now just need to fab up a connecting section between DP and cat-back.
Things on the shelf to install are MS DIYPNP with sequential injection module and IAT kit, bosch 42 lb injectors, new plug wires, v/c gasket, some fab parts and little bits. I think this will be it for my long winded intro post and will start going into the forums. Hope to learn more and help everyone that I can in the community and just enjoy the car.

Thanks, Derek

Thanks for joining, Drklmbrt!

Hi.

Nice to see someone putting in the time and effort into something I would consider to far gone.

Welcome to the site.

Thanks guys as far as I'm concerned nothing is ever too far gone, just takes time, effort, and money. As long as it's worth it to yourself it'll be worth the effort. I regret selling several of my past projects too soon and now that I can drive something daily I can take the time on this car.

Sounds exactly like my experience. I miss my old GC imprezas that I swapped back when swapped GC's where the tits. I miss the old e30 with an s50b30us motor. Luckily with the Miata, I'm not undoing someone else's mess, but it feels just as involved because everything had to be replaced anyway.

More pictures please

That's funny I had a m50 swapped e30 previously, here's a few from when I bought this car. I need to take some more recent progress pics

http://a67.tinypic.com/2yl92kh.jpg
http://a68.tinypic.com/23kvpes.jpg
http://a66.tinypic.com/2i0sxz4.jpg
http://a68.tinypic.com/313ncie.jpg
http://a66.tinypic.com/2wrf59t.jpg

Uh oh, where in mass are you? I bet we know people (I was in Rhode Island for the past 10 years until last year)

Sorry learning how to use the garage talk app here are the pics

http://a66.tinypic.com/2wrf59t.jpg

http://a67.tinypic.com/2yl92kh.jpg

http://a68.tinypic.com/23kvpes.jpg

http://a68.tinypic.com/313ncie.jpg

I'm in Rehoboth, Ma now but lived in Pawtucket, RI up until about a year ago

Do you know Greg, Rich, Jake, Byron, Justin?

I lived in Pawtucket as well.

Maybe you've seen this around:

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1450808540

http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=171705

The car looks familiar, are they the ones with the e36's from e.p.?

Greg used to have a e46 330i
Rich has an e30
Byron has had everything but now works in California on Rusty Slammington
Jake and Justins family owns German Motors in Providence, they have everything.

I've heard of Jake, Justin, and Byron but I can't say I've met them.

Welcome! Your car looks a lot like the one my friend bought recently, except his has ebay parts, piggy backs, and a bed liner paint job. The previous ownere managed to make a runner though, but we have years of add ons to delete. Aftermarket cruise, viper alarm, poorly installed head unit and wires we have no clue what they are for or where they go...

I wish you the best of luck with yours!

Yes definitely the same boat as far as wiring goes. It had an emanage blue which I suspect by the way it was wired in burned out the ecu. It does run now after a lot of wiring repairs and a used ecu. The worst modification had to be the radar detector in mine. Half of the stuff was missing and the head unit was dismantled and integrated into the bottom of the tachometer. Needless to say I need gauge faces but can't justify almost 150 for the ones I want yet.

Welcome to the forum.

Once you start driving it you will learn why everyone hates the AGX's for the Miata. You'll need to be a mouth breather to enjoy them. If you drive with your mouth closed your teeth will rattle.

The radiator is better than stock, so that's a plus!

Oh believe me I'm fully aware of the agx's but my budget is on getting the power train up to snuff first. My last miata I had both the tokico blues with their matched springs and also the koni yellows with their matched springs. I absolutely loved the koni shocks but the springs were a little soft. Granted I was 17 then and 27 now so my perception of soft and firm rides have changed a lot.