Miaka

[D L M]

So I've had my car for almost a year now and I've never made a build thread. I wish I would have started this earlier but I have a few pics from when I first got her till the present day. So this is how my Miata journey begins...

I bought Miaka at the end of March 2011. I was in search of a fun to drive project car and was open to many types of cars. I was originally looking for an oldskool Toyota Corona or TE corolla. The reason I was looking for this type of car is because they were the types of cars my family had when I was a child. After realizing that finding an old 2 door corona would be almost impossible and finding a 1980's corolla in good condition would not be cheap, I decided to search for other options. There begins my craigslist search for a Miata.
I found Miaka on a Saturday afternoon on craigslist. She had 111k miles and I picked her up for 2700.

http://i1213.photobucket.com/albums/cc462/d3lam3rc3d/204951_1658601269007_1356392173_31450499_1345518_o .jpg

I made arrangements with the owner to drive out to socal to pick her up the next day. I got to Cali on Sunday and found the car had a back plastic window that was completely destroyed (I did not bother to ask the owner about this before leaving Vegas). Her interior/exterior and engine bay were in great shape so I thought wth I already drove out here, let's take her home. Miaka made it from North Hollywood, CA all the way to N. Las Vegas and as soon as I exited the freeway the clutch goes out (throwout bearing failed).
At this point in time, I thought I was sold a junk car but I did not want to give up on my project so quickly. I soon replaced the clutch with an Exedy OEM clutch kit. After replacing the clutch, I drove the car around for a few weeks and noticed I had a slight oil leak. Soon after that, I changed the valve cover gasket and spark plugs but had no success resolving the leaks. Finally, I pinpointed the leak to a cam seal which was replaced along with a dried out accessory drive belt.
It was late May 2011 and this is when the modification bug hit me...

http://i1213.photobucket.com/albums/cc462/d3lam3rc3d/277515_1852882805924_1356392173_31652418_3280935_o .jpg

First thing I did was get a new steering wheel. The guy who sold me the car had a deep dish NRG on the car but had it bolted directly on to the short hub. He told me he couldn't get the horn to fit lol. I went and got a gen II quick release and woodgrain wheel. I thought it looked much better.
A few weeks later, one of my coworkers was selling his Alpine CDE 9xxx CD player with an HD tuner for $100 and I thought it was a pretty good deal. I installed the deck but didn't install the HD tuner. Maybe one day I'll put it in but for now it is collecting dust in the garage. I also found some 5.5in Infinity speakers I installed in the doors. It was a major jump from the stock speakers! The headrest speakers are blown but i'll get them replaced later on.

I started looking for wheels and found a used set of xxr513's they were on 185/55 tires so went ahead and purchased them.
http://i1213.photobucket.com/albums/cc462/d3lam3rc3d/219974_1730214539294_1356392173_31541342_74200_o.j pg
Monster truck
http://i1213.photobucket.com/albums/cc462/d3lam3rc3d/220520_1732274510792_1356392173_31543594_4162776_o .jpg
The same night I installed the wheels, I got a little sticker crazy (don't ask me why it was just a phase).
http://i1213.photobucket.com/albums/cc462/d3lam3rc3d/220525_1734683931026_1356392173_31546995_4429987_o-1.jpg


The start of June 2011, I started to look in to purchasing coils. After doing some research on budget coils, I figured I'd give the racelands a shot. Me and my old roommate put them on the car. Everything went smoothly until I took the car for a ride afterwards. My coils rear coils were making contact with the half shafts! So I took them off and dremels a little off of the coil collar. Haven't had a problem since!
http://i1213.photobucket.com/albums/cc462/d3lam3rc3d/246798_1767947922605_1356392173_31588362_1528179_n .jpg

Around the middle of June, I started looking for a hardtop for the car. Summer in Vegas can be brutal especially with a car that has no back window. Thankfully I called project-g at the perfect time and they has a red hardtop for sale that they didn't even post to there sight yet. I made arrangements to pick it up that weekend. Another roadtrip! While I was out in Cali, I picked up a Touge Run lip too.
http://i1213.photobucket.com/albums/cc462/d3lam3rc3d/258591_1841964052962_1356392173_31640744_8378475_o .jpg

How she looked after i got her back and put the wheels on:
http://i1213.photobucket.com/albums/cc462/d3lam3rc3d/272812_1844194068711_1356392173_31643326_4362410_o .jpg

I decided to upgrade to HID's but I got the worst housings (black projector) They looked great but were poop when it came to light output. I smashed the HID harness after a month of driving. Apparently there isn't much room in the headlight for extra stuff.
http://i1213.photobucket.com/albums/cc462/d3lam3rc3d/265224_1852879805849_1356392173_31652408_6814521_o .jpg



So after a month or so driving the car around, I got bored of the wheels. I wanted something a little different and really liked Work Equips but didn't have the funds to buy them. I thought the drag dr-20's were nice, but I wanted 15x8's. I found the stance emotions and I was hooked. I sold my XXR's and got new wheels in August. They were 15x8 +25 offset with 195/50 nitto tires
http://i1213.photobucket.com/albums/cc462/d3lam3rc3d/278344_1885183133412_1356392173_31693877_2547428_o .jpg
http://i1213.photobucket.com/albums/cc462/d3lam3rc3d/296935_1976995828672_1356392173_31803471_5629291_n .jpg

Around the same time I found a Nardi steering wheel that I thought would be a great upgrade to my interior.
http://i1213.photobucket.com/albums/cc462/d3lam3rc3d/289196_1940434434660_1356392173_31760544_6955963_o .jpg

I wanted to change my turn signals and get some LED's. I found a company called V-LED's and purchase their switchback 1157 bulbs. Found a set of smoked housings and reflectors that went perfect with the car.
http://i1213.photobucket.com/albums/cc462/d3lam3rc3d/336314_2017447959950_1356392173_31838598_146380837 _o.jpg

I also had a local shop install a magnaflow catback exhaust. I can tell a little bit of difference in power and throttle response and it's a tad bit louder than stock. I'm pretty happy with it but the only drawback is he welded the exhaust straight to the cat
http://i1213.photobucket.com/albums/cc462/d3lam3rc3d/192819_1921048830032_1356392173_31734756_5459106_o .jpg

I wasn't very happy with the fitment and wanted to be a little more flush. In September, I had motorsport tech make me some 20mm adapters. Had to cut the stock studs to run them tho :-( I was alot more please with the stance after installing them.
http://i1213.photobucket.com/albums/cc462/d3lam3rc3d/DSC_0196.jpg

Then I installed the R package rear lip to complement the front lip:
http://i1213.photobucket.com/albums/cc462/d3lam3rc3d/326130_2030551167522_1356392173_31847106_187056554 8_o.jpg

I went to visit my brother in Cali at the end of Sept. and I thought it'd be a perfect time to take Miaka. I wanted to pick up a G-wing anyways. I ended picking up more than the wing that weekend. I found a set of rear mudflaps and a new center console piece. I really wanted the Project-G sideskirts and planned on picking them up by the end of the year. My girlfriend (who is my voice of reasoning) said "well you might as well get the sideskirts now so you can save on shipping costs!" This is how Miaka looked when I drove her back to Vegas.
http://i1213.photobucket.com/albums/cc462/d3lam3rc3d/327695_2041748087438_1356392173_31859985_166476669 4_o.jpg
Got the side panels painted and the is what she looked like. I ditched the crummy black projectors and got a new set of HID's.
http://i1213.photobucket.com/albums/cc462/d3lam3rc3d/IMG_2518.jpg

Interior bits: LE door speaker cover, Miata door sills and revlimiter vent rings and window switches, garage star shift knob.
http://i1213.photobucket.com/albums/cc462/d3lam3rc3d/339207_2105904251302_1356392173_31907038_108224190 _o.jpg

I found myself looking for another set of wheels... Again... I wanted something classy and something I wouldn't want to get rid of so quickly. BBS wheels were it. I started looking for wheels on vwvortex and found some RM006's with tires for a decent price. I knew I would be refinishing these wheels if I bought them. After a month of waiting (I honestly thought I wasn't going to get them and someone stole my money) they finally came! this is the test fit of the gold bolts:
http://i1213.photobucket.com/albums/cc462/d3lam3rc3d/391467_2170560347664_1356392173_31953258_541982639 _n.jpg

[D L M]

Plan for the wheels: gold bolts, powdercoat barrels silver, half height centers with red caps. The plan came to fruition in December!
http://i1213.photobucket.com/albums/cc462/d3lam3rc3d/IMG_0963.jpg
15x8 front, 8.5 rear. 195/45 Falkens all around

This is the most current pic of Miaka. Dapperlighting classic kit and runabout type II fuel door installed. Got a nice clay bar/polish and paint sealant done too.
http://i1213.photobucket.com/albums/cc462/d3lam3rc3d/IMG_0993.jpg

More to come!

[shenanigan]

looks amazing! love the BBS's. :cool:

[I<3flippyheadlights]

I really love BBS rims, they are amazing. Great job on the car! :D

[exdotcomer]

outstanding

[Cny]

Absolutely love this car!

[NA all day]

while this car already looks amazing through pictures, it is even more so in person. keep it up, Anthony!

[Adam]

Did you get that RL header installed?
Looks great, keep it up. :)

[D L M]

Thank you guys for all positive comments! I unfortunately had to part ways with the raceland header but it is being put to good use in another Vegas roadster

[D L M]

So the guy at the car wash was backing my car out today and snagged my beatrush undertray panel and bent the corner all to hell. I drug it on the ground for about 50 feet before I parked the car and took it off

[D L M]

So now that my beatrush panel is off, it gives me a reason to put this thing on. It's been sitting in my garage for a month now I've just been lazy. I'd say it weighs around 15 pounds. Armor for my undercarriage!

[Calebbel]

This car is so pretty :D

[D L M]

This car is so pretty :D

Thank you! She is my baby!

On a different note, skidplate is installed. Props goes out to Kyle Renauro and Studio for making a legit product!

[yosh95m]

bbs's were a for sure beautiful upgrade and look amazing in person

[Vegas Mx]

Beautiful M, wheels and red = sexy

Hope to see your car in person.

[D L M]

Well it's been a while since I've done anything with Miaka. Still driving her to the meets and the Vegas guys just got done with a nice cruise to hoover dam and boulder city. Here's a quick video I made of our cruise.

http://youtu.be/tyQ5Y4sWqgc

I've pick up a nice "gently used" radiator and a set of hood lifts from a local Miata used parts seller. This should be going on the car soon. Koyo 53mm radiator
http://i1213.photobucket.com/albums/cc462/d3lam3rc3d/324281_2575167022578_1356392173_32123884_613139676 _o.jpg

I also found a 1.8 gtx valve cover I'm getting powdercoated red to color match the car. The raised portions will be silver but the letters will be gold. More pics to come after getting it back from powdercoating. Still trying to figure out how to fab a bracket for the coil pack but it shouldn't be too difficult.
http://i1213.photobucket.com/albums/cc462/d3lam3rc3d/338156_2575154222258_1356392173_32123882_296514871 _o.jpg

[diabeetus]

juzus! this car is awesome! one day mine might look half as good as this one. i have been eye ballin those stance emo. wheels as well, but then i see those bbs wheels on your car which is similar to mine and it throws me way off. back to square one :cry2:

[fitftw]

Never change your wheels again. Perfect.

[D L M]

juzus! this car is awesome! one day mine might look half as good as this one. i have been eye ballin those stance emo. wheels as well, but then i see those bbs wheels on your car which is similar to mine and it throws me way off. back to square one :cry2:

Thanks man! I saw pics of your NA and it's pretty clean! I really liked the stance wheels and I planned on keeping them for a while but the more I lurked vwvortex the more I grew to love the look of BBS. Your S2K is seksy as well!


Never change your wheels again. Perfect.

Thanks! I don't think I can just because of how committed I became to getting them built the way I wanted them to look! I've been thinking about maybe getting 5mm spacers all around just to fill the wheel gap but it's still just a thought. there are a few other things I'd like to do first. I'm in search of a roll bar!

[hippari]

for a second I thought I was reading the "Pics of the Best NA thread".

You have a lovely build.

[SISKO]

love your miata <3

[D L M]

for a second I thought I was reading the "Pics of the Best NA thread".

You have a lovely build.


love your miata <3

Thank you guys for all the love! The car has definitely come a long way since last march. It seems like right when I feel like I'm done with it, I find something else to install or change. Mod bug has definitely got me!

[D L M]

So I filed my income tax early this year and the state of Ohio is definitely on point with getting me my money in a hurry and by last Sunday the majority of it has been spent! Here's what I've purchased so far and should be here by the end of the week:

Racing beat intake

http://i1213.photobucket.com/albums/cc462/d3lam3rc3d/421519_2587975142773_1356392173_32129156_127290443 _n.jpg

My plan is to get the intake powdercoated wrinkle black and polish the racing beat logo and ridges. I think there will be fitment issues with this intake because of my strut tower brace so the brace will probably be coming off.

Jackson Racing ceramic coated header

http://i1213.photobucket.com/albums/cc462/d3lam3rc3d/329635_2582538286855_1356392173_32127367_124444507 7_o.jpg

I found this on craigslist and thought this would be a great upgrade to stock. The seller of this header is also willing to sell me the jr catback setup as well so that will possibly be another install coming in the near future.

Gomiata also started selling the euro rear finish panel that I've been waiting to purchase from slick auto. I picked this up as well and I'm very excited to get it on the car!

http://www.gomiata.com/slick-auto-mazda-mx-5-miata-rear-finish-panel-euro-uk-1990-1997.html

Here's a couple pics after installing the Koyo radiator and cleaning up the wheels.

http://i1213.photobucket.com/albums/cc462/d3lam3rc3d/331847_2581459819894_1356392173_32127156_416290001 _o.jpg

http://i1213.photobucket.com/albums/cc462/d3lam3rc3d/421479_2587367727588_1356392173_32128868_662936733 _n.jpg

[WASABI]

Beautiful car....and in less than a year? WOW! Love the BBS, and the stance. I'd be interested if you find a front brace that works with the RB intake. I had to take off my brace, and thought a 3 point might work, but never tried any. Keep up the good work.

-Jim

[D L M]

I was contacted by Ben from Dapper Lighting asking me for high def pics of Miaka. I snapped a few pic for him and a few weeks later I found my car on gomiata advertising the Dapper Lighting headlight kit!
http://i1213.photobucket.com/albums/cc462/d3lam3rc3d/396601_288279217894945_139450382777830_839493_2254 95581_n1.jpg

I decided to take the radiator cooling panel and polish it up a little bit:
http://i1213.photobucket.com/albums/cc462/d3lam3rc3d/430404_2628776642785_1356392173_32139393_196572455 7_n.jpg

These came in the mail at the start of the month. Using the "V" badge for the nose and the eunos badge on the rear. Gave the roadster badge to a fellow roadster owner:
http://i1213.photobucket.com/albums/cc462/d3lam3rc3d/429867_2654880975377_1356392173_32148088_138607225 6_n.jpg

I was invited to the Project-G grand opening and took a few pics and made a short video! Was very honored to be parked next to the cars that I have been drooling over for the last year now! Met some awesome people which I hope to see again. Here's a link to the video:
http://youtu.be/evXsRjNm0nI

A few pictures I took. I have a lot more but haven't had a chance to go though them:
http://i1213.photobucket.com/albums/cc462/d3lam3rc3d/IMG_1733.jpg

http://i1213.photobucket.com/albums/cc462/d3lam3rc3d/IMG_1695.jpg

http://i1213.photobucket.com/albums/cc462/d3lam3rc3d/IMG_1632.jpg

http://i1213.photobucket.com/albums/cc462/d3lam3rc3d/IMG_1631.jpg

http://i1213.photobucket.com/albums/cc462/d3lam3rc3d/IMG_1588.jpg

Won a Garage Star cooling panel at the Project-G event!
http://i1213.photobucket.com/albums/cc462/d3lam3rc3d/425299_2686272280140_1356392173_32158287_194682406 3_n.jpg

When me and the gf got back from California, I was surprise by UPS with the delivery of the euro rear finish panel!
http://i1213.photobucket.com/albums/cc462/d3lam3rc3d/423471_2686266680000_1356392173_32158286_192413777 8_n.jpg

Better pictures of the new panel will be taken as soon as the weather in Vegas starts clearing up. It's been raining the last day or two!

[D L M]

A much better shot of the new rear end.

http://i1213.photobucket.com/albums/cc462/d3lam3rc3d/IMG_1785.jpg

Installed the Racing Beat intake and Garage Star cooling panel this weekend as well.

http://i1213.photobucket.com/albums/cc462/d3lam3rc3d/IMG_1754.jpg

[Funkdenomotron]

This is a really cool car. You have done well. It is probably my second favorite Miata of all time, behind that silver 13b. But I would like to offer my services as a musician to the great state of California, and the rest of the union for that matter. The tunes deposited on the video are more cringe worthy than a medical description of parasitic umptheny underpants niffle biter. Oh and also, move that air filter to the cold side yo.

[D L M]

^^^ Thank you for the complements kind Sir. The next video I make I will pm you for tracks to use. There's a lot more I plan to do with this car. Header and exhaust should be installed next week after I get my bumper repaired (some idiot rear ended me last Wednesday).

[D L M]

There have been a few changes to Miaka this month. After getting the car back from the rear end collision I had at the start of the month, it was time to start installing some parts. JR header and exhaust have been install. There's definitely a difference in performance and I am happy with it for DD purposes. The Ralco short shifter that was installed in the car was starting to annoy me and it was time to search for a replacement. I didn't mind the notchy feeling of the shifter but the plastic bushing on the shifter broke so I could actually rotate the shifter and it just didn't feel right. After some searching for a SS kit, decided miataroadster SS kit was the way to go. Bill definitely sells some top quality products

http://i1213.photobucket.com/albums/cc462/d3lam3rc3d/photo-1.jpg

And install was a breeze...

http://i1213.photobucket.com/albums/cc462/d3lam3rc3d/photo-1-1.jpg

[D L M]

My girlfriend surprised me with my B-day gift and got me a Hard Dog Hardcore roll bar. My girlfriend is super badass...

The install went okay. There were a few of us there so it got done in a few hours.

http://i1213.photobucket.com/albums/cc462/d3lam3rc3d/426256_10150671581572376_826967375_9302147_1502336 399_n.jpg

[D L M]

I have been talking to Rod from Tetsuya Garage about sourcing some parts for me. My funds have been completely depleted because of this. First thing was the OEM fogs. Rod had a set complete with harness/relay and switch. Couldn't help but to pick these up.

http://i1213.photobucket.com/albums/cc462/d3lam3rc3d/photo.png

These install a little differently on USDM cars since the drivers side is on the left. The relay and ground was mounted on the left side close to the relocated cruise control assembly.

http://i1213.photobucket.com/albums/cc462/d3lam3rc3d/photo-3-1.jpg

Miaka did not have the harness for the foglights just the unused bullet connector that powers the switch in the interior. Redid the bullet connector and installed switch in the interior.

http://i1213.photobucket.com/albums/cc462/d3lam3rc3d/photo-2-1.jpg

Power was tapped from the fuse box. 30 amp fuse in to the ABS (my car has no ABS)

http://i1213.photobucket.com/albums/cc462/d3lam3rc3d/photo-4-1.jpg

And now we have light!

http://i1213.photobucket.com/albums/cc462/d3lam3rc3d/photo-7.jpg

[D L M]

Tetsuya Garage also sourced this HVAC panel and needle caps for me. The finish was a little dull but nothing a little polish couldn't fix.

http://i1213.photobucket.com/albums/cc462/d3lam3rc3d/photo-6.jpg

AWD>OEM

http://i1213.photobucket.com/albums/cc462/d3lam3rc3d/photo-5.jpg

Little tape...

http://i1213.photobucket.com/albums/cc462/d3lam3rc3d/photo-4.jpg

Had to dremel some of the back of the lowest HVAC knob of cuz it kept snagging the front plate

http://i1213.photobucket.com/albums/cc462/d3lam3rc3d/photo-3.jpg

Aaaaannnndddd Done!

http://i1213.photobucket.com/albums/cc462/d3lam3rc3d/photo-2.jpg

As soon as I can find some gauge rings and the gauge faces come in the mail, this is whats next on the to-do list:

http://i1213.photobucket.com/albums/cc462/d3lam3rc3d/photo-5-1.jpg

Bikini time in Las Vegas!

http://i1213.photobucket.com/albums/cc462/d3lam3rc3d/photo-8.jpg

[D L M]

AWD gauge transformation is finally complete! Sourced some AWD gauge rings from a fellow MR member. Props goes out to vote4pedro for selling me his gauge rings. Definitely makes a huge difference in the finished product. Props also goes out to revlimiter for making beautiful gauge faces.

This:

http://i1213.photobucket.com/albums/cc462/d3lam3rc3d/photo-2-2.jpg

+

This:

http://i1213.photobucket.com/albums/cc462/d3lam3rc3d/photo-1-2.jpg

=

http://i1213.photobucket.com/albums/cc462/d3lam3rc3d/photo-3-2.jpg

Cracked the clear front piece of the gauge cluster though so it looks like I will be calling up Project-G to source a new one.

[I<3flippyheadlights]

Wow that looks awesome! How do you like the bikini top?

[D L M]

^^^ I so far so good. It's been extremely windy a few days out here in Vegas and it has held up very well. I'd highly suggest it if you wanna have a "convertible" feature but don't like driving with the top up.

[ZooAtlanta]

very dope car
you rekindled my love for all things bbs

[grrrant]

Awesome build thread man. I got those same crappy black headlights too LOL. I'm ordering HELLA e-codes soon though.

[D L M]

Awesome build thread man. I got those same crappy black headlights too LOL. I'm ordering HELLA e-codes soon though.

The black housings provide poor light output and were basically unusable for me at night. Im thinking about getting the black housing dapper lighting classic kit. Really like the projector look on the round headlights. I have a couple friends in Vegas who run e-codes and they love them

[D L M]

Some new updates:

Finally got the valve cover back from powdercoating. Happy with the way it turned out.
3280

My key bent and crack almost in half. Wanted the pole position key but found the silouhette key and purchased that instead. Home depot messed up cutting it but it was nothing I couldn't fix with a metal file.
3281

Found a clean set of checkerboard mats. Kinda tough to keep clean tho.
3282


New plates!
3283

A couple of pics for Project-G
3284
3285

Road trip to Phoenix for HIN!
3286
Had a little fun with the electric tape :-)

I'm looking for new seats but I may just go with seat covers by nakamae. I like the stock seats but want a more retro look. I'm also looking to upgrade my racelands to something better. Leaning towards BC or stance but I'm still debating on which one. More to come!

[D L M]

So I made a trip out to NorCal at the start of this month for my godson's birthday/baptism. San Francisco is an amazing city and I can't wait to go back in the future.
3478

I was lurking Craigslist while I was out there and found an ad for a roadster/rx7 swap meet. I couldn't help but o and check it out. I spotted these nielex headlight covers and had to have them!
3479

I also picked up a set of used tein flexes. One of the tophats was missing a stud but I found a member on mr who had dans creation tophats looking to trade for regular tein hats. I will be installing these by the end of the month just in time for wekfest in long beach.

Most recent pic from import face off las Vegas
3480

First place best Mazda at IFO!
3481

[D L M]

Some other updates:

3788
Flex coils installed with danscreation top hats in the rear. They didn't go low enough in the front so a collar was taken out and the shock body was adjusted. This is how Miaka sits now:
3789

Went out to wekfest in LA with Project-G:
3790

1st place best Mazda at wekfest! (I was very surprised. So many nicer mazdas were there)
3791
3792

1.6 dash swap coming soon! Along with this:
3793

[PharoX]

Congrats! Can't wait to see the interior done.

[D L M]

1.6 dash swap was done yesterday:

Half way mark!
3857

Prepping the new interior piece:
3858

Done! But I forgot to hook up my sub so the center is coming out again!

3859

3860

3861