The slowest Miata build of all time

[fitftw]

H to the ello, everybody. This is probably going to be very boring and uninteresting to most of you with sick builds, but I'm a broke 28 year old college student who's made some terrible life choices (haven't we all?)

I've had the car for exactly 2 years this month and this is all I've accomplished

1996 Miata 2,020lbs with a full tank, 82k miles now, was 70k 2 years ago.

Engine
Racing Beat intake
Racing Beat 4-1 header
Roadstersport test pipe
Corksport Drift catback
Koyo 37mm radiator
Mishimoto 2pc coolant hoses

Suspension
Tein Flex 7k/6k springs

Interior
90-93 dash swap
Hard Dog Hardcore Hardtop X-brace rollbar
Momo Competition 350mm
Cobalt (Moss) short-shifter
Voodoo shift knob

Exterior
R-Speed R-lip
Track Dog Racing splitter
OEM hardtop
cut-out rear bumper

Wheels
195/60/14 Dunlop Star Specs
Enkei RPF-1 +28

chronological photo-timeline commencing in 3...2...1...

Day 1 bone stock
http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/21880_1187722538884_1402947049_30484893_3205759_n. jpg
http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/24934_1243994465647_1402947049_30608139_6050423_n. jpg
Tein Flex at Tein-recommended height + RPF1
http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/25474_1253927753973_1402947049_30628861_6033222_n. jpg
http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/29436_1275770900038_1402947049_30676642_5732863_n. jpg
Chaser hardtop #1
http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/23325_1313744209347_1402947049_30766409_5868288_n. jpg
At Chaser demanding a replacement due to cracked #1
http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/36357_1316852247046_1402947049_30775873_1694624_n. jpg
Finishing up rollbar install with buddy last January, green winter daisies
http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/180153_1580760764594_1402947049_31316415_4208920_n .jpg
sold stupid Chaser top, bought a red beat-up OEM top for $250 and painted it black, sold RB exhaust for Corksport, cut-out bumper
http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/69038_1421016651091_1402947049_31010885_2764172_n. jpg
http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/230778_1714300943015_1402947049_31497375_3192761_n .jpg

Taken yesterday/most recent
http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/374817_2458362184081_1402947049_32028841_184208629 5_n.jpg
http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/386537_2434282662108_1402947049_32021282_529494241 _n.jpg
http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/180192_1583072262380_1402947049_31320657_2755899_n .jpg
http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/387588_2393263676659_1402947049_32006766_171525995 0_n.jpg
http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/224185_1692223271087_1402947049_31469042_465554_n. jpg

Future plans: who knows...I have FM frame rails sitting around, and lexan triangle window NACA ducts to install still. I really want Ultrashield Rallysport seats...Need to paint the interior...I'd like to get FM swaybars too. Boost is just completely out of my budget right now. We'll see if my financial situation gets any better.

[I<3flippyheadlights]

Dude thats awesome inside of two years. I feel ya on the broke college kid thing, it sucks. But I like your car a lot. Its simple and has lots of work in it.

[WASABI]

You've done quite a bit. What are your long term goals for this car? Looks like you are leaning towards track/autocross.

[stormin'norman]

Fit can you provide more pictures of your rear bumper cutout. Thanks! Btw your interior is begging for a seat and 5/6pt harness.

[Winlowe]

Welcome to the MR forum

[hippari]

Hey fit, good to see ya here, par.

[atank]

I think you are doing great A+ on the build.........!!!!!!!!! Welcome!!!!!!

[Schain]

Welcome to MR. That's good that you're taking your time with your build. It gives you more time to think everything out.

[revlimiter]

Welcome to the site Fit!


Fit can you provide more pictures of your rear bumper cutout.

+1. That looks quite well done.

[George]

welcome! you managed to do more in two years than I managed to do in ~4

[cjsafski]

Nothing wrong with taking your time. I have been working on mine for 8 years now. Wait for good deals on used parts and you can build a beast on the cheap.

[Maikeru]

Hi slideruler! I mean, fitftw.

[fitftw]

I forgot about SlideRuler lol I liked that name...

Can anyone tell me what I should be looking at if my steering wheel only has 2 turns lock to lock, and if I center the steering wheel so that each direction has 1 full turn, my front wheels are pointing to the right at like 30 degrees? When my wheels are straight I only have about 300 degrees rotation to the left, and about 450-540 degrees to the right. I checked the tie rod ends, swaybar mounts and endlinks, nothing is broken. Could dropping the steering column for a dash swap have messed something up in the rack?

took the hardtop off for the first time this year. I got a California Pop Top to cover the interior at night or during rain.
http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/422088_2776349293560_1402947049_32135619_122048297 1_n.jpg

[Blueiii]

2020 lbs? What all did you remove to get there? The interior shot gave something of an indication, but kind of curious.

[kung fu jesus]

nice!

don't worry about the time. it has taken me over 10 years to get my shitcan right and i'm STILL not done.

[fitftw]

Thanks guys. I'm just so lucky that it's been so reliable for the past 2 years.

To get to 2,020lbs, I removed everything unnecessary from the car including a/c, p/s, charcoal canister, EGR, coolant overflow, door guts, radio, soft top, passenger seat (Ultrashield planned), airbags, most of the dashboard, everything inside the trunk...Installed 14" RPF-1's and Star Specs, bolted-on hardtop, 37mm Koyo radiator, modified valve cover, Tein Flex, Corksport catback, test pipe.

With a Deka ETX9 6lb battery and a lightweight flywheel I'll be at around 1980lbs wet, since I swapped in the 1.6L dash and passenger NACA vent window after being weighed which puts me around 2,010lbs currently. Take off the hardtop and it'd be like 1935lbs. My goal is 1,900lbs wet. My car feels awesome when it's low on fuel (around 1,960lbs.)

The '96 stock weight is 2,295lbs. My car does feel 270lbs worth of 'quicker.' You know the sluggish acceleration, turning, and braking when you have a 270lb passenger.

http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/426342_2776453216158_1402947049_32135633_178789398 7_n.jpg
http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/431706_2776492417138_1402947049_32135644_691240952 _n.jpg

[fitftw]

It's a bitch trying to raise my car high enough to fit a drill underneath for the inside of the frame rails. Took me like 3 hours just to do the driver side. Too beat to do the passenger side until tomorrow. Here's a shot during:
http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/429437_2790057516257_1402947049_32143434_53025305_ n.jpg

I'm doing this work at my parents' house cuz the smoothness and privacy of their driveway beats this apartment parking lot any day. I came back home after installing just the driver side. Initial impression: no idea. Might be placebo effect or the modification high, but it did feel more solid. Can't wait to do the right side tomorrow, as well as these which were waiting on my doorstep:
http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/429095_2790267121497_1402947049_32143463_155294372 5_n.jpg
R-package tie rod ends. Bumpsteer be gone! Props to FM and Miataroadster.

[vampireboy]

250 for a hard top........ lucky

[diabeetus]

250 for a hard top........ lucky

yeah, what the hell, man!! haha
great build so far!!

[kung fu jesus]

It's a bitch trying to raise my car high enough to fit a drill underneath for the inside of the frame rails. Took me like 3 hours just to do the driver side. Too beat to do the passenger side until tomorrow... Initial impression: no idea. Might be placebo effect or the modification high, but it did feel more solid.


I installed my FM rails last year. I felt a little improvement. However, when I added Harddog doorbars a few weeks ago, I really noticed it. By far, the better of the two mods. Now, I just feel like the frame rails are awesome for protecting the underside if I drag over speedbumps. :|

[I<3flippyheadlights]

Thanks guys. I'm just so lucky that it's been so reliable for the past 2 years.

To get to 2,020lbs, I removed everything unnecessary from the car including a/c, p/s, charcoal canister, EGR, coolant overflow, door guts, radio, soft top, passenger seat (Ultrashield planned), airbags, most of the dashboard, everything inside the trunk...Installed 14" RPF-1's and Star Specs, bolted-on hardtop, 37mm Koyo radiator, modified valve cover, Tein Flex, Corksport catback, test pipe.

With a Deka ETX9 6lb battery and a lightweight flywheel I'll be at around 1980lbs wet, since I swapped in the 1.6L dash and passenger NACA vent window after being weighed which puts me around 2,010lbs currently. Take off the hardtop and it'd be like 1935lbs. My goal is 1,900lbs wet. My car feels awesome when it's low on fuel (around 1,960lbs.)

The '96 stock weight is 2,295lbs. My car does feel 270lbs worth of 'quicker.' You know the sluggish acceleration, turning, and braking when you have a 270lb passenger.


Dude a 1900 pound miata would be so awesome. Kudos to you and your awesomeness sir

[fitftw]

Thanks all.


I installed my FM rails last year. I felt a little improvement. However, when I added Harddog doorbars a few weeks ago, I really noticed it. By far, the better of the two mods. Now, I just feel like the frame rails are awesome for protecting the underside if I drag over speedbumps. :|

Yeah if these frame rails are good for anything, it'd be extra jack points :slayer: You can never have too many jack points. I may have to swap the 2 most forward bolts because they stick up quite a bit and annoy my feet when I'm trying to do some fancy footwork. I was thinking about Hard Dog doorbars, but I might be selling my rollbar and going with a Miatacage someday so I'll wait on door bars. If I take out the rollbar, harness bar, and hardtop, I'd be at my goal of 1,900lbs....now how to reach my goal with a full rollcage and fastback (dreaming...)

[urban]

i missed the part where you actually weighed the car.

[fitftw]

I went to the recycling plant a few months ago and asked them if I could weigh the car real quick. Drove it on the scale, hopped out, dude told me 2,020lbs and I had just gotten gas before going there.

Since then I've:

installed frame rails (like 15lbs total)
replaced passenger triangle window with lexan NACA duct window
replaced 1.8 dash with gutted 1.6 dash

So I'm probably still right around 2,020lbs if I put back on my side windows and hardtop. Right now I have the top and windows off, so it should be around 1,960lbs full of fuel. It sucks having such a light and nimble car when everyone else on the road drives a lethargic land yacht and screws up my momentum.

[urban]

interesting . i thought 96/97 was the heaviest of the NA's.
nice

[I<3flippyheadlights]

Land yacht, lawl

[Phatmiata]

is this a build thread or an intro thread?

[fitftw]

I dunno, both really I guess. I recognize a lot of people from CR though.

[adamvanxxx]

I wish I could be that light but not that stripped. Bummer.

Looks good none the less.

[fitftw]

Why can't you? It's very easy to take stuff that's already in your car and just throw it out lol

[adamvanxxx]

I mean I am not afraid to throw shit out but I want carpet.

[Phatmiata]

I dunno, both really I guess.

Okay I will move this to the build section then, as the title just sounds like a build thread.

[fitftw]

Meh, you don't need carpet, Adam lol btw my name is Adam too :slayer:

The interior only gets hot to the touch when it's over say 90 degrees. I'm not touching any metal with my bare skin anyway except the transmission tunnel with my elbow sometimes. Been thinking about making a custom elbow pad or something and affixing it with velcro.

[RyanxStorey]

Most of the summer here in Indianapolis can be in the 90s and it's freaking humid. I feel like no carpet will make my car or Adams an oven, more than it already is.

[adamvanxxx]

I want to gut mu dash for sure though. I may tickle the no carpet thing.

[fitftw]

Probably so, but to me being about 300lbs lighter than stock is worth driving an oven lol I guess I'm sadistic.

What I really need is to work on some self-weight reduction. Only about 10lbs. I want to be in the 170s again.

[RyanxStorey]

Pulling carpet won't make you 300 lbs lighter. I've pulled a shit load out of my car. Still have carpet. Can't say I'm that worried about weight when I have a turbo.

[fitftw]

What setup do you have? I've got around $1,500 saved up right now. Just imagine a 1,900lb 250whp Miata lol I'd have to stay around 180hp for a while until I upgrade the clutch.

Maybe I'll buy the FM happy meal http://flyinmiata.com/index.php?deptid=4531&parentid=0&stocknumber=08-36005%20%2010.30

and a used Torsen and put off the turbo idea until winter lol nothing ever goes as planned when it comes to me and car modding...

[RyanxStorey]

I have an sr20 t25 with a 3 inch downpipe to vband and a s.s. tubular manifold. rx7 injectors and ms2. It's on 7 lbs right now but tonight I'm upping the boost to 10 and 14 this weekend.

[fitftw]

Nice. I want the S6 Vband mani with Tial 38mm, separated gases downpipe, FM intercooler with tubes, 2560 turbo, and Hydra but will probably end up with MSPNP due to cost and time.

[RyanxStorey]

When I upgrade my turbo it will be a 2560.

[fitftw]

Frame rails are in, and I'm not noticing any difference except when getting in the car, it doesn't sag or creak/squeak or anything anymore. Very stiff. Bumps still hurt though.
http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/424856_2799309147542_1402947049_32146330_153774678 9_n.jpg

Ordering an Innovate MTX-L WBO2 gauge/sensor tonight, and hopefully an MSPNP soon, set the timing at 14 degrees, then tune the car, and gain 10-20whp with my current mods. That would at least tide me over for a while.

[revlimiter]

Have you considered skateboard tape in place of those pedal overlays? They'd save weight and you might actually like it more.

There's still some interior plastic around the windshield frame. :)

Hmmmmm.... CF mirrors perhaps? You don't have to pay a lot. Racer websites usually have them for pretty cheap.

[stormin'norman]

There's some weight to be lost by switching out the stock seat/hardware for a shelled FRP seat hardmounted as well.

[adamvanxxx]

Heat shielding under the car.

[RyanxStorey]

Did you take the evaporator out from under the dash?

[RyanxStorey]

Did you take the evaporator out from under the dash? Also yea getting an aftermarket seat will lose a decent chunk, and do you really need an exhaust you can lost weight there if you had a straight pipe. A carbon fiber trunk will really help out my carbon fiber AK trunk is super light. Do you like having your windows down often? You can partially gut those and lock your windows into place so they don't move.

[fitftw]

I removed the evap. The only part of the HVAC system that remains is the heater core for now, until I do a coolant reroute. And then I'll work on getting rid of the dashboard completely somehow.

I am deciding if I want Ultrashield Rally Sport seats, or more comfy Sparco Evo 2's, with Goodwin seat bases and Sparco side mounts. Predator green Recaro SPG's would be my dream. I saw one on ebay once but it sold for over $1,000.
http://i43.tinypic.com/35nbprl.jpg

As for side mirrors, Adam I remember you had 1028's but went back to stock because they sucked. I haven't come across any that really enticed me.

I got my tax money and I could blow all of it on the Begi S6 kit right now, but unfortunately I have self-control. Or do I...haha I should at least order the S6 manifold, or S6 downpipe, or FM intercooler with tubes, or Hydra ECU, or FM happy meal. I love their intercooler routing style vs. Begi's.

[adamvanxxx]

If you are tuning the car yourself I would just get MS.

Even if you don't think it is possible. It is really damn simple. Hop on MT.net and absorb. It gets easier once you have tuner studio up in front of you.

[fitftw]

Yeah I'm going to get a MSPNP2 somewhere down the line :)

I ordered Nagisa seat rails about a week ago, and today I ordered this:
http://www.fortyone.co.nz/part_images/vios-III-black-matt.jpg

I'm 6'0 190lbs 33" waist. It's going to be a bit tight to daily, but that only gives me more motivation to stick to my diet/workout!

PS. Bought the seat from Assaultech for under $900 shipped. Cheapest I could find it. Rails were $220 shipped from Vivid Racing. Expensive, but it's a worthwhile investment to me. Should get me 3-4" lower than stock I'm guessing. I'll do a full measurement before/after.

[revlimiter]

THAT is a huge upgrade over the stock seat. Well done!

[adamvanxxx]

Yes and post how you fit with everything we are the same build.

[fitftw]

Still waiting on the Vios and Nagisa rails...but this came in the meantime :D

http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/547302_3194477786511_1402947049_32278569_824567265 _n.jpg

[fitftw]

Guess what finally came today!

http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc6/165873_3435005959565_1402947049_32319228_192839859 8_n.jpg

:)

http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc7/428531_3435016559830_151837529_n.jpg
http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/163571_3435018359875_993829705_n.jpg
http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/379348_3435019959915_348525746_n.jpg
http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash2/33942_3435025160045_1402947049_32319235_2015338976 _n.jpg

Just waiting on the Nagisa rails and then I can finally install this puppy! Well, after my gym membership runs out in June so I can join the gym next door to my apartment and never get this seat all sweaty :P Also want to install the backing plate for the submarine belts, and paint my interior black first. Big thanks to Assaultech for a great price and quick shipment.

[xDJ DUBx]

subbin

[fitftw]

Thanks! I just realized, on the FIA sticker, the word Homologation has two n's........is that normal?

[fitftw]

Double whammy today. Look who else joined the party:

http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/581271_3435980943939_1402947049_32319528_213968479 6_n.jpg

Made for 01-05. I'm gonna put it mostly together and set it aside until I get a VVT head. I also emailed Rev9 asking what I need if I want to just put it on my 94-97 head. Might be a while til I build a VVT lol

[fitftw]

Still waiting on the seat rails...it's getting ridiculous now. Over 5 weeks since I ordered them. I talked to Vivid Racing and they said give it another week lol umm ok?

In the meantime...this came today.
http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/295002_3501514702242_1173959288_n.jpg
Going to remove the front thermostat (which you can see cracked during shipping anyway lol) because I have an M-Tuned coolant reroute which also came the other day. Trackspeed sells a freeze plug + blockoff plate for $20. Will purchase that when I buy their AEM EMS-4.

So far this build has cost me:

Jenvey ITB's - $1,339 bought new from someone who never installed it.
VVT head including valve cover - $310
M-Tuned coolant reroute - $165 bought new from someone who never installed it

A little over $1,800 so far. It would be great to find a set of used Maruha cams and solid lifters, but I'm probably going to have to buy them new. Then I think I'll send it all to FM since they know what they're doing when it comes to milling, porting, and building Miata heads. I can't trust anyone else, especially random head-builders who most likely never worked with Miatas before.

[I<3flippyheadlights]

Holy shot. This car is going to be amazing.

[George]

pfff, you call this slow? :D nice build!

[fitftw]

Thanks guys :)

Did a little bit of work lately. Removed the cam gears, upper timing cover, and the thermostat neck. The VVT solenoid basically came apart in my hands and a bunch of little plastic slip-clips fell out lol luckily I didn't lose anything. Selling the neck, comes with cracked thermostat housing and intact thermostat. It cracked from shipping. Neck is still good.
http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc7/602346_3533960753373_1090023766_n.jpg

Now I can buy the coolant block-off plate from Trackspeed http://trackspeedengineering.com/product_info.php?products_id=157

Next I'll remove the cam caps, then the cams, then the valvetrain, then have the head cleaned and ported as money permits...might be a while now lol

First-world problems: taking apart a cylinder head in a cardboard box in your apartment because you don't have a garage :mrgreen: