My latest project...
 

... was relatively simple:

http://img26.picoodle.com/img/img26/...em_233cace.jpg


The stock ECU cover has been re-installed, the floor mat is back down, and the sill-cover and trim strip have been screwed into place. There is a sense of finished-ness about this.

I've been scratching my head for weeks, trying to come up with another project to do, something to modify or build or install or remove, and I just can't think of anything. The suspension is rockin', the turbo is making nice stable boost, the MS has been problem-free for a while, the WI system is solid, the engine is running cool and leak-free... There's just nothing left to improve, at least within the bounds of reason.

So, I'm officially calling it quits. As of today, barring any unforeseen tragedy, the car is done. Never thought I'd hear myself say that.

Man I bet that feels weird. Here I am trying to install my suspension with the car in a million pieces. So now I guess you will just have to focus on beer more often now.

Congratulations?

Could I convince you to rethink your decision for the good of the community?

I for one would like to see you doing a coolant reroute so that I can follow you! ;)

Congrats!!!


Now that that is over with, do you want to VOLUNTEER as chief engineer on the number 51 SystemStrategies.com Hoosier Mazda Motorsports Miata team? Depending on how the first order looks, we might have spiffy team shirts soon:giggle:

Noo! Joe did you ever look into carputers? Seems like it would be right up your alley. Actually, it's likely not much of a challenge for you.

Damn joe! Congrats man!!! But i'm sure we'll see another one of ur tinkering threads soon enough! Enjoy the awesomeness that u have created!!!

Are youe taking it back east?

If so, maybe it'll be the first documented MS turbo miata to go transcontinental?

A coast to coast journey would be a kickass test of reliability...

I wonder if I'm (one of) the first hydra to drive coast to coast...

--

Hey Joe, I've been meaning to ask... what would it take to get you to make a video of the beer-making process? I'd accept installments since you have wait periods involved.

(btw, had a victory pils and jenn had a red nectar at the lost dog cafe tonight-- all the bartender guys have beards there. it's so beer guy!)

Congrats on getting it approximately "done." I suppose that's a good thing with law school on the horizon LOL. I have only just begun to get my car to where I want it and have a looooong way to go.

y8s, if you or any of the other NoVA guys want to learn how to brew, I can show you sometime. Although if Joe makes a video like the t-stat test, I'd definitely watch LOL. Maybe a Miata tech day and brew-in? I do all-grain so it takes several hours on brew day, from initially firing up the burner to the point of pitching yeast. We're in the process of buying a house right now, but once we're in there I'm gonna start brewing again. Should be late summer or early fall. My brew setup is portable enough that I could brew at somebody else's house, but it's not practical at the apartment we're in now for a multitude of reasons (hose access, storage space, etc). I suppose I need to find the local homebrew supply shops. If you're looking for a good basic primer, check out "Brewing Quality Beers: The Home Brewer's Essential Guidebook" by Byron Burch. And if you like Victory's Prima Pils, check out their Hop Devil. :beer:

Done hmm yeah i gues there is such a thing well i am sorry for your loss of enjoyment in inovation joe and wish you luck finding something equaly rewarding and chalenging to mess with. :D :magna:

Joe, you want to built an MS? :-p

Thanks, all.

Don't worry, I'm not dropping off the forum and I'm not selling the car. In fact, I just bought a hardtop to deal with the fact that I'll be living in a rainy place very shortly. I just thought I'd share my moment of completion, since we don't typically see that sort of thing around here.

Realistically, it was a conscious decision. I'll be going back to school full-time in the fall, and the Miata just can't be a project car anymore. It seems to be running reliably, and I'm really hoping that for the next couple of years it will get along with only the occasional oil change, and of course a slight re-tune once I purge the tank of all this crappy CA gas. 93 Octane should be a refreshing change.

Chris, if I was going to be in a position where I had anything resembling free time, I'd take you up on the offer. Truthfully, my long-term goal in doing all this is to be able to one day find myself in a position (both geographically and financially) where I can buy a house with a big garage and just build race cars. Right now, I'm earning good money but can't afford such a pad in So-Cal. If I were to leave, well, I'd be pretty screwed job-wise as I apparently have no marketable skills outside of broadcasting. Attempts to land a job within the automotive aftermarket have proved fruitless.


Kenzo, the carputer was done two years ago. It's not integrated into the dash, but instead uses a 10" tablet floating on a pedestal in front of the dash.


I will most definately be focusing a bit harder on beer making in the future. I just bought a tap-a-draft system, and basically I just need a new fermenter (probably I'll go with a glass carboy this time) and some miscellaneous bits to get back up and running. Still got the old kettle. If we have anybody in the area, we can do a Chapel Hill Brew Day at some point.


Chucker, let me put it this way. I'm 6'1" and about 195 lbs. Five hours (San Diego to Phoenix, specifically) is just about my absolute endurance limit in the Miata. Thus, it will be riding on a flatbed trailer behind the moving truck.

Where are you moving?

Congrats.

Though if you started doing track days or road racing, I think you'd find a project is never done.

Hmmm a Brew Day, i know I can get at least a crew of 5-6 for this epic event.

Congrats Joe, Now we need a picture thread with some videos. Where are you moving to?
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Chapel Hill, NC. Haven't found a place yet, I'm debating on whether to get something in the student ghetto area within walking distance of campus, or move a bit further away and get a house with a garage. First-year law students aren't allowed on-campus parking passes, so truthfully, I'm actually leaning towards the former just at the moment.

Brew day- count on it, bitches. It's actually not a terribly exciting process, more of an excuse to hang around and drink the previous batch. But we'll be doing it for sure. Maybe make a tech-day out of it. Shit, if I have a bunch of Miatas with rainbow stickers on the back suddenly show up one day, that will definitely confuse the shit out of my roommates. :giggle:

He may not be as confused as you think. If we've seen you post those Thai Trannie pictures, I'm sure he's come across you secret stash. It's ok, be proud of who you are!

Sue them so you can test your lawyering skills :giggle: