Next project idea's

Alot of times it is not what you know but who you know, right? I look forward to sharing the build with my Fchat friends.

 

More progress today as I found a set of stock shocks from a 2000 NB with only 60K on them for $50. I have an issue with my suspension at the moment in that I can hit the smallest of holes in the road and it feels like I have no rear suspension at all. I have a set of Eibachs with approximately 30K on them in my closet but I will make sure I have a new set of bump stops ready for the swap.

512BLU has kindly offered me a space and tools for changing my tranny and diff fluids (sitting in my trunk for about 3 months ) so hopefully I can squeeze the shock/spring swap into the day along with a bushing replacement.

 

Much appreciated yet I have put this project on the 'back burner' as it is not a necessity nor is my heart or my funding behind it at this point.

 

CRAP I'm almost getting to the point were I do not enjoy driving the Miata any more as my suspension is so shot. I have the new H&R springs collecting dust in my closet but cannot afford new shocks as they are $400+ and those are for non-adjustable versions and naturally I would want to replace as many bushings as possible especially the bump-stops.

I only drive the car short distances now and road trips are out of the question at the moment and that sucks. Sorry I had to vent alittle after delivering several job applications this morning and with the top up and A/C on because of the humidity the lack of suspension becomes 100 times more pronounced aswell as the lack of power.

 

I located a full set of stock '99 shocks with new stock boots and new stock bump-stops that the seller says only have 18K miles on them for $40+ shipping. Is there a way to test shocks?

Another thing that got me to thinking is the link:
http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1575817

It has already been proven that the stock iron block and stock head can support 600+rwhp
so I was thinking, "Hmm whats another 400hp so why not shoot for 1000rwhp!"

 

Went to the store yesterday and when pulling back into the driveway I noticed a 'spot' where I park so I stopped short and proceeded to inspect, I have an oil leak, albeit just drip's, but still an issue. I attempted to find it and it seem's the oil pan gasket needs replacing and possibly a few other smaller parts. Last few weeks I have smelled the tell tale odor but could not find anything.

It is not major as I checked the dip stick and it is a miniscule below the full mark but damn I have no connections to a lift for a full inspection or tools. I can do the work myself as it is a cake walk compared to working on my past MR2's. The oil pressure guage has not moved nor has the temp guage.

I posted my issues on the Houston Miata Club site yet I thought hey no harm in posting here.

Tater

 

Thanks Rick but I cannot even afford to pay attention at the present time and I am actually unsure if a V12 would even fit without alot of expense and work.

 

It would still be just a Fiero, no thanks.

 

So I recieved an email from my friend Abe who is a Miata fabricator/specialist a few days ago wondering where I have been hiding. He has ALOT in store for my specific project and goals. He has a Miata in-house that he uses for mock-up designs so clearances are not an issue for a "shade tree bloody knuckle bandit" and sent me a pic of his suggested parts concerning the exhaust mainifold and downpipe (pre-cat) setup. He knows my goals as far as hp etc etc and his workmanship is up there with the best and atleast 1/2 the cost of JP parts.

Here is a pic of the exhaust manifold and dp I will be using minus the internal wg on the turbine housing. I might try to go with a V-band instead of bolts for the turbine housing/dp mating.
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That would be sweet no doubt yet I am more of a purist when it comes to engines and chassis accept for those crazy idea's that cloud my judgement lol. I talked with a gentleman earlier about compressor and turbine trims that would meet both my intial goals of hp and response but that is something that can be worked out later.

The immortal words "The long and winding road" ring true with car nuts such as us.

 

SCORE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The '99 Miata had two different chassis/handling packages and mine was the basic but I found a set of Bilsteins (the upgraded package) today locally for $50. Said to be in good working condition, 1K better than mine I am sure, and although the mileage is rather high Bilsteins can be rebuilt and of are the highest quality.

Any progress is still progress, right?

 

The seller took off $10 so I am only paying $40 w/spring perches and I should have them this weekend. Another new friend I have made on the Houston Miata Club forum is a tech at a local dealership and has offered to not only change my trans/diff fluids for me for FREE but he also offered to swap out my new shocks/springs for me, also FREE of charge. So I should be cruising too the C&C event with a newer and much better suspension.

My friend 512BLU kindly offered to let me use his shop and tools but I would prefer not to impose on him simply because he is very busy but I'll think of something 512BLU so your not completely off the hook lol!!

Tater

PS,
If I may I would also like to give a shout out to my friends at www.affordablemuffler.com. They had removed my stock muffler and built/put together the new setup for my 'fart can'. Anyway I had recently acquired a rattling and I could feel the play in the system. I call them and the shop manager (ex-cop aswell) told me to just come by so I did and he had my car on the lift within 10min's.

He found that the flange nuts had loosened, a crack in the weld had formed and the original/stock flange gasket had deteriorated and fallen out. He replaced the flange gasket, reinforced the weld this time and re-torqued the bolts/nuts all at NO COST and while on the lift we saw that the front undertray was hanging down so he fixed that aswell !! He would not even accept $10 for lunch, he only requested that I refer him to my friends and such.

Hard to find people or business's like that today so I am going to surprise him and his crew with a couple of homemade pizza's this coming week as a show of appreciation.

 

After talking with my friend we have decided that this ems will best suit my needs and wants prior to and after I go turbo: http://www.enginelogics.com/G4-Plug-In.html.

 

Picked up my Bilsteins today and would have never thought or guessed that the spring perches would be CNC'd billet aluminum pieces. Quality work and they are 'Rooster' strong ie great working order.

Now all I need is another $10K to get the car where I want it to be.

 

Thats awesome and he and I are of like minds!! My goal is 400-500rwhp (at first), boost dependant, for a daily driver with no reliability issues. People think that just because one can achieve such high hp numbers on 4 cylinders they are always putting down those numbers 24/7 or the engine cannot handle the hp #'s but that is not the case.

Do you have any video's of your friends Miata?

 

Thanks for the video and pics, they are great!

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That is rather offensive and uncalled for imho but I will let it slide.

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Did I give you the impression that I do not know what I am doing or that I do not know what said engine is capable of?

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I have enough past experience and knowledge to know how I can/will attack and achieve my goals.

4.

The car will be a reliable DD not a stripped Miata Cup racer.

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We have different views and perceptions but since it is my project and I know what is needed and can be achieved I will just post results from here on out.

 

Yes we do and thats ok and what makes building cars not only fun but each time it is a learning experience. Oh and before I forget I lost my smiley page so I did not add one and before I could edit the alotted time had passed, ie I was not offended by your obviously humorous "Stop being so American" remark, that was actually very funny.

I forsee my progress taking a huge leap forward time wise now that I will most likely be starting a job with a certain Mazda dealership soon. Frankly it is just fun to have another project to work on.

Tater

ps, I am curious though about why you think our approach differs? Hopefully I never stop learning and I could learn something from you so please feel free to offer any advice or opinion you have, I would be gratefull.