Ruckkehr's 二回目 Second Lap: Clean Build

You can find my previous chronicles here: http://mazdaroadster.net/showthread....kkehr-(Return)

However, with the shelving of my first car, I decided to begin a new thread for a new car.
So here it is!

(stealing photos from the previous owner)

http://i.imgur.com/Uv25EBzl.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/rKADBbul.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/6TncGlhl.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/xOyHgdsl.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/wqh05Dll.jpg

And most importantly:

http://i.imgur.com/d3G3C3il.jpg


This is a 1989 production (1990 release) NA6CE with only 54k miles on it.
This thing is so clean I am still not over it, and probably wont be.

It is also my first hardtop!

http://i.imgur.com/fZFv7K9.jpg

I can give a huge thanks to the local TampaBayMiata's group for bringing me together with this car, and the build that is to follow.
I think it is safe to say Randy is as excited as I am.

Also, based on my last 20 hours of driving experience. IF you are thinking of deleting power steering and going with a manual rack.
DO IT

I plan on updating these lists in this original post, on top of frequent updates to the thread.

Now for the ToDo list (already!):

* Delete sunvisors, already hitting my head on them (FIRST AND FOREMOST)
* Give the thing a damn good washing. Then for the first time, I am going to wax my own car. :3:
* Move ryoku rob tow hooks over
* Move Nardi from Ruckkehr over and get real hub (no more ebay hub)
* Delete BEEEEEEEEEEEEEP on seatbelt/door
* F̶i̶x̶ ̶b̶r̶o̶k̶e̶n̶ ̶s̶i̶g̶n̶a̶l̶ ̶r̶e̶l̶a̶y̶ (done, swapped from ruckkehr going to fix solders on old one)
* New wheels / Tires (Ruckkehr's 13's would look kind of silly on this girl, and it is threadbare)
* Rollbar transfer from Ruckkehr (This is happening a few days before my wedding when ArtcenterMiata/Jeremy is in town)
* Swap Tein's over from Ruckkehr, raise their height a little bit so new car isn't as low as Ruckkehr was. I like being low, but I like being functional.
* Related to the coilovers, roll the wheel wells for future wheel/tire/height choices
* GarageStar hardtop brackets (snugtop latches suck, as I learned at 70mph on the highway)
* Swap radiator and cooling panel from Ruckkehr
* either find someone to gimme some r12 here in the tampa bay area or someone who wont F̶̷̲̅ᴜ̶̷̲̅ᴄ̶̷̲̅ᴋ̶̷̲̅ up a 134a conversion. I haven't had AC in a car in florida for 5 years, I WANT AC NOW.
* Swap gauge cluster LED's over from ruckkehr
* Revlimiter gauge faces (warbird or barcode?)
* center console delete (without damaging anything, don't worry) with nakamae or garagestar style console cover
* New aux/tuner only stereo
* sharka-style headlight/hazard switches
* new brakes/rotors/braided lines (might have to wait a bit, but I miss the feeling of my greenstuff's)
* get some paintless dent removal done (not bad, just a few spots)
* either restore the original finish plate or paint/build bracket for ruckkehr's euro-format finish plate.
* a̶p̶p̶l̶y̶ ̶a̶ ̶n̶i̶c̶e̶ ̶t̶a̶s̶t̶e̶f̶u̶l̶ ̶m̶a̶z̶d̶a̶r̶o̶a̶d̶s̶t̶e̶r̶ ̶s̶t̶i̶c̶k̶e̶r̶ ̶s̶o̶m̶e̶w̶h̶e̶r̶e̶ rear of hardtop window
* ̶F̶r̶o̶n̶t̶ ̶g̶v̶ ̶l̶i̶p̶ ̶i̶f̶ ̶I̶ ̶c̶a̶n̶ ̶a̶f̶f̶o̶r̶d̶ ̶i̶t̶ R-pac lip, one day a real gv-lip
* revlimiter side stripe
* g-vent holes for triangle windows
* Plastic to leather (already have one Jeremy made me) e-brake cover conversion
* G̶e̶t̶t̶i̶n̶g̶ ̶r̶i̶d̶ ̶o̶f̶ ̶t̶h̶a̶t̶ ̶s̶t̶o̶c̶k̶ ̶s̶h̶i̶f̶t̶e̶r̶ ̶k̶n̶o̶b̶,̶ ̶i̶t̶ ̶i̶s̶ ̶s̶i̶m̶p̶l̶y̶ ̶t̶o̶o̶ ̶l̶i̶g̶h̶t̶ ̶f̶o̶r̶ ̶m̶e̶.̶ ̶I̶ ̶a̶m̶ ̶n̶o̶t̶ ̶s̶u̶r̶e̶ ̶I̶ ̶a̶m̶ ̶b̶r̶i̶n̶g̶i̶n̶g̶ ̶o̶v̶e̶r̶ ̶m̶y̶ ̶s̶k̶u̶n̶k̶2̶ ̶y̶e̶t̶ ̶h̶o̶w̶e̶v̶e̶r̶.̶ moved my skunk2 over for now
* Push-start conversion, move lighter/charger to glovebox
* more I am sure (will update this list actively)

Edited: June 30th 2014



ToDo list more in the realm of fantasy (or expensive) and not entirely likely to happen for a long time:

* Cat delete and muffler
* Coil on plug conversion (before boost)
* MegaSquirt (before boost -- I prefer to prep the motor for something than install it and figure out what is needed after)
* supercharge or turbo (haven't decided)
* NACA duct and driver side intake
* Find new seats, I feel like I sit too high in the car now and I have always wanted nice black ones or custom/lotus ones
* Torsen diff if I can ever afford it
*


Finally, I have yet to give her a name.
I will take suggestions, but can't promise I will use them (but would like some ideas so, come on yo)


One of my major goals for this car is to maintain its clean feeling. I WILL be modifying it, and I apologize if it upsets anyone that I am willing to modify such a clean low-mileage NA. I do promise to try and be smart about it, and I intend on being careful with how I go about it.

Let the games begin!

Man that looks great!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Nice! That looks heaps better than repairing the black one.

Glad that you were able to get back into one! Good luck and I see a great list of mods and I look forward to seeing the progress.

Big Congratulations for getting her! I had a heavy heart when you posted about your accident, and that might be able to repair your car, because I know the passion you have for theses little cars. Have fun bonding with your new, beautiful (LOW MILEAGE) car.

This is a great canvas to work from, all original, low miles, no cancer (rust), its like a brand new car. My buddy Jeff aka Ninja Jeff can convert your a/c in minutes, he has the a/c vacuum and the the 134a but I think he knows where to get the old stuff too. You met him at one of the last Miata meetings, the older Japanese/American guy. He is one of the best automotive and aircraft mechanics out here.

The door buzzer just unplugs, open your door and while its buzzing reach under the steering column and feel for with your hands, it actually vibrates so it's easy to find. Once you locate it just look under there and unplug it.

I think I have an air intake kit for the 1.6L cars too, I need to check in my garage, also if you remove anything (air intake, exhaust, cat, interior parts) to replace with performance parts let me know as I am always interested in low mileage stock parts for my hoarding collection, LOL

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Phatmiata

This is a great canvas to work from, all original, low miles, no cancer (rust), its like a brand new car. My buddy Jeff aka Ninja Jeff can convert your a/c in minutes, he has the a/c vacuum and the the 134a but I think he knows where to get the old stuff too. You met him at one of the last Miata meetings, the older Japanese/American guy. He is one of the best automotive and aircraft mechanics out here.

The door buzzer just unplugs, open your door and while its buzzing reach under the steering column and feel for with your hands, it actually vibrates so it's easy to find. Once you locate it just look under there and unplug it.

---

Tell him to come to the meet tonight or give me his contact, I need ac STAT (summer driving is starting to make me nautious these days)

Also thats how I found my signal relay! (thing vibrates quite a lot)

Congrats on the new car! It looks great!How about Zweite Fahrt (second ride)? I love the verb fahren. Habe eine gute Fahrt! lol

Were you/are you able to keep your old car? It sounds like a yes. I wish I had a parts store available to me. If it were me, I'd strip everything you think you might need in the future and set those parts aside. I'm thinking electronic items like the ECU, SRS module, clock spring, gauge cluster, or any other item that you might need in the future. Take the rest, part it out, scrap the body and have some spending cash you can use towards the car - or to the future misses. I'd keep subframes too and the control arms... I'm greedy like that. :ninja:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by riefdaddy

Congrats on the new car! It looks great!How about Zweite Fahrt (second ride)? I love the verb fahren. Habe eine gute Fahrt! lol

Were you/are you able to keep your old car? It sounds like a yes. I wish I had a parts store available to me. If it were me, I'd strip everything you think you might need in the future and set those parts aside. I'm thinking electronic items like the ECU, SRS module, clock spring, gauge cluster, or any other item that you might need in the future. Take the rest, part it out, scrap the body and have some spending cash you can use towards the car - or to the future misses. I'd keep subframes too and the control arms... I'm greedy like that. :ninja:

---

Right now Ruckkehr is just sitting in the driveway partially torn apart.
I am thinking of keeping a few select things but I was planning on parting quite a bit to help pay some of the personal loan I used to acquire this new beast.

I would much rather have a parts mule available, but at the same time I am not rolling in money like I wish I was.

I will probably hold on to some annoying-to-get things (although ruckkehr was already missing most of those hah!). I am not entirely ready to part her, too much attachment hah!

Speaking of Zweite Fahrt, one of my ideas was Tameshite Ni (try 2) or Ni O toru (Take 2)

Is the insurance gonna give you any money for the wrecked Miata? I dont think you will get very much outta selling it. :cry2: I would keep it for parts, or sell some stuff off it to get your money back

Also for the NEW one, get GOOD insurance, Full coverage and GET Uninsured Motorist coverage ASAP!!! There are a lot of hit and runs, and folks driving with no license, and no insurance. My wife handles cases all the time and she says most folks never get UM Coverage until after their car is totaled and they have to come out of pocket, and get next to nothing for their cars.

Talk to Bill (MiataBikerGuy) at the local meet about his 1991 Red NA with 45K miles, he just bought it, and 2 months later someone else hit his miata at totaled it. :fp: But he was smart and had full coverage and got a LOT more from the insurance than what he paid for it due to the ultra low miles. :whistle:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Phatmiata

Is the insurance gonna give you any money for the wrecked Miata? Also for the NEW one, get GOOD insurance, Full coverage and GET Uninsured Motorist coverage ASAP!!! There are a lot of hit and runs, and folks driving with no license, and no insurance. My wife handles cases all the time and she says most folks never get UM Coverage until after their car is totaled and they have to come out of pocket, and get next to nothing for their cars.

Talk to Bill (MiataBikerGuy) at the local meet about his 1991 Red NA with 45K miles, he just bought it, and 2 months later someone else hit his miata at totaled it. :fp: But he was smart and had full coverage and got a LOT more from the insurance than what he paid for it due to the ultra low miles. :whistle:

---

As it turns out, I had UM but not collision. Sooooo I am getting nothing except what I can for the parting. They aren't even "totaling" it, they just don't care.
However I found out the lady fired shots at my insurance for bodily injury so my next few months might become a bit miserable.

This one is getting nearly full coverage once the wedding is over this month when Kristina joins me on my insurance.


Also, randy, uhhhh can I go through your warehouse sometime? :3
I need ideas

who is your insurance carrier?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by RuckkehrMiata

Also, randy, uhhhh can I go through your warehouse sometime? :3
I need ideas

---

:whistle::ninja:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Phatmiata

who is your insurance carrier?

:whistle::ninja:

---

It is State Farm, I had been on them since I started driving at 17. But typical to insurance, they don't seem to care that this is my first wreck ever (I even had a ridiculously low payment)

Some small updates:


I have officially named the car!!!

It is now 二回目 Nikaime (ニカイメ) or Second Try.
I kind of agonized over this, and ended up going through about 20 different iterations of the phrase with a friend of mine who is going to be spending some time in Japan teaching english and spent several years studying for it. We even toyed around with using counter suffix's to try and bring in the idea of a machine or car but I ended up not liking it.

I finally settled on 二回目 because of the implication of a "second lap/round/try". And this is going to be going on a sunvisor banner that is being made by a friend of mine :D
It may seem a little stupid to give it a japanese name, but it was a german one last time and I am the one who has to say it all the time so whatever I guess haha.

I deleted the sun visors, and replaced them with the blanking plates from Ruckkehr. I also installed my RetroModern knurled dash light potentiometer (I still love that thing despite how small and unnoticeable it is), killed the door buzzer, and replaced the signal relay block.
Just some minor things to finish out the work week. I also found that the previous owner left me with a really decent head unit that I would totally keep if it had an aux jack.


Next week I am taking Thursday and Friday and spending them working on the car with my best friend Jeremy ( artcentermiata ) where we will be installing the Rollbar (and doing it well, including adding finishing to the edges of the carpet) and the mishimoto radiator. I wanted to do the Teins, but I may be sending them into tein for a refresher before installing them (and getting extended tophats).

I may be doing project-g vent windows as well, but may also be pushing those off until after the wedding next weekend.

OH! And I have a Pole Position key blank coming from Japan that I won. With broker fees and shipping it will come in at about half the price as buying from a state-side person who has a few.

This new car has really brought the spirit of community and miatas' back into me, and I can't wait to be wrenching!

Can't wait to see these updates!!!!!!!

http://i.imgur.com/Uv25EBzl.jpg

Glad to see you back in a roadster!

Something big this way comes....

http://i.imgur.com/zAfkH8P.jpg


Updates coming at the end of the week :twisted:

http://medias.gifboom.com/medias/t_a...999266783c.jpg

I'm back from my honeymoon/wedding!


Something else came in the mail also!
This was a gift from Jeremy (ArtcenterMiata)

http://i.imgur.com/DxOMS4O.jpg

dang!!! that is an awesome gift!!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by RuckkehrMiata

I'm back from my honeymoon/wedding!

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Congratulations on your nuptials. How was it? Where did you honeymoon? Details man!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by WASABI

Congratulations on your nuptials. How was it? Where did you honeymoon? Details man!

---

The wedding was awesome, the honeymoon was a much needed vacation to rural pennsylvania where we did absolutely nothing for 1 whole week except eat and shoot shotguns.

Just ate and shot shotguns? I hope shooting shotguns is code for something else. ;)

http://www.outdoorlife.com/files/ima...urkeybride.jpg

Quote:

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Originally Posted by riefdaddy

Just ate and shot shotguns? I hope shooting shotguns is code for something else. ;)

---

That's a euphemism I've not heard :lol:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by riefdaddy

Just ate and shot shotguns? I hope shooting shotguns is code for something else. ;)

---

Sadly, no. I mean I took my brothers Mossberg 12 gauge and destroyed a dozen cardboard boxes and skeet with heavy target load. Also took my dads 1930's Savage 3D for some iron-sight target practice.

We ate mazda-loads of Chinese food, drove all over the back roads that used to be my stomping grounds, and just overall were mega lazy.

Sure, there was mazdaloads of sex, but we honestly just wanted to sit around and enjoy not having work, email alerts from work, text alerts from work, or doing work at 11pm (maybe just me)


Also a sneak peek (all I have had time to do, this weekend I should get more done if the weather permits. Been nasty lately)

http://i.imgur.com/qS1K9T8.jpg

I love having such a clean slate to work with on 二回目 because I can actually feel good about beautifying it instead of always being worried about if my transmission is dying or my differential is going to blow up again or if the hole in my oil pan is the cause of my 1QT/month oil loss.

http://i.imgur.com/2RTibA5.jpg

VERY Purrrrrrrdeeeee!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Phatmiata

http://medias.gifboom.com/medias/t_a...999266783c.jpg

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Finally, I have an answer for you.


It is this!

http://i.imgur.com/J05Znkb.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/nUMLGh5.jpg

I missed a few bolts for now, but all the ones needed to hold it on are in place. Example of one I didn't get to:

http://i.imgur.com/HfFUGP8.jpg

I ran out of steam and light, and my manual steering rack was too much for me to handle after holding my hands over my head for ~2 hours.

http://i.imgur.com/lTJ1ayz.jpg

These drove me nuts because there was tarmac that had apparently been flung up in here and hardened.

Finally, I installed my gift from ArtcenterMiata :D

http://i.imgur.com/iZXCu7M.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/faiVk0M.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/G8SZNMa.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/wqLDmaH.jpg

My fingers are raw, I am dirty and bug bitten. Bleh, worth it.

Updated master list on page 1. :)

Lip: Done
Project G funsies: done (for now!!!!)

I Couldn't get their plate cover to go on, I have to get longer plate bolts (weird).

Coming soon:

Wheels/header cover paint/gauge work

Looks like you are getting everything sorted!!!!!!!!!!

Minor update:

So something else just came in the mail.
Ever since I saw Adam's (revlimiter) post about Clover keys, I knew I had to have one. The form factor and shape just appeal to me in a way no OEM keyblank could.
So I waited and watched, and one day I found one on yahoo JP for about $10

Now it is sitting at home, my wife got it in the mail today

http://i.imgur.com/fOcKPyX.jpg

I have already sourced a ALOA-approved pro to cut it (they actually insure their cuts, so if they mess it up new clover key at market price I guess). I can't wait to be using this thing.

二回目 is going through puberty, and making bad clothing decisions!

http://i.imgur.com/aYAOuLF.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/ANPo4RP.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/KN1F3Hc.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/Rfplg4q.jpg

I was faced with the very real fact that the tires that came with her were old, abused, and worn. I could feel them not doing well when I drove, especially being the rainy season here in FL.

I can't afford new wheels and tires right now, and all I had were the wheels I had just re-tired before I recked ruckkehr.
So I decided to swap them for now.

Ruckkehr looks a tad silly:

Attachment 12161



I have already been told they look kinda bad, but I mean they ARE only $200 steelies (thats for the whole set) so it isn't like I am trying too hard.
They only need to last until October's 6UL run...

looks beefy !!!! :slayer:

So beginning of last week my care package from the west coast came in.
In it was some new racing lug nuts, works bell hub and project-g airbag delete, and a rare mazdaspeed brake handle.

I decided to do the bell hub today:

http://i.imgur.com/A1eboJ1.jpg

I set up and prepared. I didn't get many shots of the installation as I was working pretty swiftly and forgot to grab my phone for shots.

http://i.imgur.com/9nUbHaP.jpg

It was surprisingly easy, with only a few minor hiccups. I had to splice the horn wire because the adapter that came with the hub did not match. I took the plug from the old steering wheel instead. (that orange thing)

I have missed this thing so much since it was in Ruckkehr.

http://i.imgur.com/1iZDW7T.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/yqYLmgH.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/Qr4VmO7.jpg

This new guy is starting to really feel like my car!

Next will be the mazdaspeed brake handle and joyfast ebrake button. But I have to wait on Rod's groupbuy for that ;)

Wow that is a classy Nardi Steering wheel !! Looks great. Is that a Club-NA horn button? Nice touch !!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Phatmiata

Wow that is a classy Nardi Steering wheel !! Looks great. Is that a Club-NA horn button? Nice touch !!

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The horn button IS a club-na :)
It was a gift from awhile back. It fit perfectly in the works bell hub (you need a blade to get it back out it is so snug) without the adapter some need!

The Nardi is a drop spoke from an older late 60s alfa romeo, 365mm I believe. It is one of my favorite parts, I was able to buy it from a close friend for super cheap. I can hardly touch a normal steering wheel after driving with it!

Are you coming out to the meet next week?? I wanna see it installed in person.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Phatmiata

Are you coming out to the meet next week?? I wanna see it installed in person.

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Maybe. Ahhhhhh, some very intense stuff might be starting for me very soon which will take me far away from FL. So I should try to make it out to the next few weeks meets, they might be my last for a long time.

So a long time ago, I bought a mishimoto radiator kit from Project-g. It sat around taking up space for over a year, and then I put it in my ole ruckkehr shortly before she passed.

I finally got around to putting it in 二回目.

It was a huge pain, I wasn't used too all of these stock bolts and plastic covers and stuff. It took 2 days to swap a damn radiator.
And the, I Couldn't get the mishimoto to fit in! After getting somewhat of a blessing from a few friends who had done similar, I just decided to bend the shit out of the lower supports to get the huge mishimoto to fit down in. I don't have any pictures of this process because I was too dirty to touch my phone and my wife was trying to keep me from throwing the delicate aluminum flower across the street.

However, mostly finished pics!


http://i.imgur.com/iweRdTe.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/G2pYpkR.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/vqBQIeX.jpg

I ran her for awhile, checked for leaks, took a drive and made sure there were no hotspots while under load (ie WOT)
I am not 100% on the wiring but I was finishing it up under flashlight, and the connections are solid for now. I plan on double checking the crimps and wrapping them in non-adhesive electrical wire (doesn't leave goo, only sticks to itself) before considering it a "wrap job".

Also this is nearing the end of updates for awhile, as I accepted a job in San Francisco, CA and will be leaving the tampa bay (home of MR itself!!!) to pursue a career goal of mine.
This means there will be a lot more money for the car, but it has to be parked in a garage for a few months to get there.

what wires are you crimping to install a radiator? :shrug: Why did it not fit, is it a larger than normal size?

Also, good luck on your new job / adventure in Miata paradise!! we will miss you here locally on the "east-side"


http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8473/8...9f3c49ce_z.jpg

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Phatmiata

what wires are you crimping to install a radiator? :shrug: Why did it not fit, is it a larger than normal size?

Also, good luck on your new job / adventure in Miata paradise!! we will miss you here locally on the "east-side"


http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8473/8...9f3c49ce_z.jpg

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The mishimotos come with Bullet-style connectors, so I bulleted up the wiring harness to match. I wanted the radiator to be properly quick disconnect for any future removals.
It IS the radiator for this model, but yes the fitting was almost impossible. I had to give up on it for a day to cool off and then ended up just bending the little C hooks that the rubber gromets sit on way the hell out to make it go down in (it wouldn't just slide back out either, I would have to figure something out if I wanted to remove it).

Sad :(
http://lkq195.com/fullscreen.php?pic...29-c4p-024.jpg

Haha harbor freight all day

I have been quiet for a long time. This is because a few months shy of a year ago I moved 3000 miles away from Phatmiata's lap to the cradle of tech civilization. My new home is the San Francisco Bay Area, where I am making enough money to finally do what I really want to (evidenced by what I have already done before typing this book out). Unfortunately, my car could not come with me right away. I left mazdaroadster ( I didn't want to, but not having my car and being on a miata forum kinda really sucked. I really care about you guys, but not having Nikaime was painful haha ) and stuck to some Facebook groups in the area. I really have had a blast taking public transit everywhere (:roll:), but it was finally time to drop the dough to get her shipped out.

Tonight, she was unloaded from the truck with my tool bags and teins in the trunk (being installed someday, I can't work on her in my complex's parking lot). I raced to the gas station, dumped in a full tank of premium and put another 3 or 4 miles on her right away. Even my wife was practically pissing herself.

http://i.imgur.com/9q9AYgO.jpg

I was finally inside of her again...

http://i.imgur.com/uKehq2T.jpg

I am sure some of you can understand the calm and content joy I felt right then. Then came denial, everything about her felt wrong. The clutch was off, the shifting too buttery, the steering wrong. But after a few miles during my reunion circuit I fell back into old habits. The downshifts were coming naturally, I completely forgot she was non-power steering, I didn't even mind that she was entirely coated with dust from the open-carrier trip.

http://i.imgur.com/ark7hzm.jpg

Now, she does have some problems that need addressed. I moved right after installing my front lip, so one bolt is missing and one corner drags on the drivers side tire. Her oil is ancient and probably really bad, oil pressure hovering below 25 at idle. She misses slightly at low rpms under load/acceleration. All things that a little TLC and time this weekend will resolve.

Now, for what you really want to see. I had been stockpiling parts in my closet since I moved (never stopped buying!). I knew I couldn't let her sit her first night in CA without SOMETHING new on her... sooooo.....

http://i.imgur.com/syeUnVZ.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/8ZtzasZ.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/GIs3QWN.jpg

I picked these autoblaze mirrors up from a clubroadster dude named Bo Gaut, who is seriously my favorite parts supplier.

I also have a Zoom fuel lid going on this weekend!



Nikaime lives again, and this thread will begin frequent updates once more. My love goes out to all you guys, Phat for the forums and welcoming me so warmly to the tampa crowd while I was there. This is the next chapter tho.

Wow guys, it's been 5 years. 3 years here on MR alone.

I have been quiet for a long time. This is because a few months shy of a year ago I moved 3000 miles away from Phatmiata's lap to the cradle of tech civilization. My new home is the San Francisco Bay Area, where I am making enough money to finally do what I really want to (evidenced by what I have already done before typing this book out). Unfortunately, my car could not come with me right away. I left mazdaroadster ( I didn't want to, but not having my car and being on a miata forum kinda really sucked. I really care about you guys, but not having Nikaime was painful haha ) and stuck to some Facebook groups in the area. I really have had a blast taking public transit everywhere (:roll:), but it was finally time to drop the dough to get her shipped out.

Tonight, she was unloaded from the truck with my tool bags and teins in the trunk (being installed someday, I can't work on her in my complex's parking lot). I raced to the gas station, dumped in a full tank of premium and put another 3 or 4 miles on her right away. Even my wife was practically pissing herself.

http://i.imgur.com/9q9AYgO.jpg

I was finally inside of her again...

http://i.imgur.com/uKehq2T.jpg

I am sure some of you can understand the calm and content joy I felt right then. Then came denial, everything about her felt wrong. The clutch was off, the shifting too buttery, the steering wrong. But after a few miles during my reunion circuit I fell back into old habits. The downshifts were coming naturally, I completely forgot she was non-power steering, I didn't even mind that she was entirely coated with dust from the open-carrier trip.

http://i.imgur.com/ark7hzm.jpg

Now, she does have some problems that need addressed. I moved right after installing my front lip, so one bolt is missing and one corner drags on the drivers side tire. Her oil is ancient and probably really bad, oil pressure hovering below 25 at idle. She misses slightly at low rpms under load/acceleration. All things that a little TLC and time this weekend will resolve.

Now, for what you really want to see. I had been stockpiling parts in my closet since I moved (never stopped buying!). I knew I couldn't let her sit her first night in CA without SOMETHING new on her... sooooo.....

http://i.imgur.com/syeUnVZ.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/8ZtzasZ.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/GIs3QWN.jpg

I picked these autoblaze mirrors up from a clubroadster dude named Bo Gaut, who is seriously my favorite parts supplier.

I also have a Zoom fuel lid going on this weekend!



Nikaime lives again, and this thread will begin frequent updates once more. My love goes out to all you guys, Phat for the forums and welcoming me so warmly to the tampa crowd while I was there. This is the next chapter tho.

Wow guys, it's been 5 years. 3 years here on MR alone.

welcome back!!!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Phatmiata

welcome back!!!

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Feels amazing to be!

http://i.imgur.com/Pae8yGU.jpg

I promised you some more so here it is.

http://i.imgur.com/ris0CFk.jpg

A few months ago I bought a ZOOM Fuel lid from Bo Guat. I had to get her on!

http://i.imgur.com/VYCXuTJ.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/e35w5A9.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/TUwoIDE.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/UpocaMk.jpg

I will be sure to get some actual installation pictures next time, this one happened to go so quick I forgot entirely until she was done.
It was a super easy install as long as you keep level headed and make sure you are gentle getting things to wiggle into place.

Now that I know how it all goes together I have to pull it back off in the future to finish cleaning out the cubby and put the weather stripping on.

Edit:

I also managed to put on the ebrake-button that Tetsuya sent me a year ago and got lost in the mail since then!

(potato picture)
http://i.imgur.com/xnivxZd.jpg

Key on paint *cringe*

I was wondering recently, how do you use those trunk racks? :|

Quote:

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Originally Posted by fwdtamiya

I was wondering recently, how do you use those trunk racks? :|

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I actually haven't tried to yet. I am planning on maybe having a friend design an actually usable one and fabricate it to use the same hard points. I don't really mind a trunk rack, and it would be pretty sweet on longer drives to have something strapped there if I could.

I have also always wondered how you were *supposed* to use them.



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@Demon:

Key *VERY CAREFULLY* on paint ;)

I finally got my pole position key cut!

http://i.imgur.com/a9K7N6q.jpg

Around this time next month I am probably going to have one of my coolest updates since the beginning of it all.

Sexy key.

In for next update !!!

OK now I understand why you want the window cranks! They will look great with the theme you have going on!!! :)

I always wanted to work on my valve cover, but my car is also my only DD so I couldn't spend a week or so with the cover off.

I managed to pick up a valve cover for $20 at a meet recently. Elbow grease, ACTIVATE!

When I just started cleaning, I was using 409 spray because it was the best thing I have right now.

http://i.imgur.com/DxDMCdB.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/KgCaut3.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/rRSeUZY.jpg

After I got some of the initial grime eaten off, I broke out a small wire brush I had for just this purpose.

http://i.imgur.com/SOroxCX.jpg

At first I thought I wouldn't have any effect at all, but I was pleasantly surprised

I pulled the baffle plates while I was at it

http://i.imgur.com/rEqElLF.jpg

This week I am going to grab some Simple Green to soak the baffle plates and screws in, and maybe the cover itself (an old DIY writeup here I believe used simple green from the start to clean theirs up). I am also going to grab some sand paper. I have not decided if I will just scour it for prep or if I will go for a polished look yet.

http://i.imgur.com/ZbXnvO1.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/uoxHhPg.jpg

Most likely I intend on getting it powder coated black, then I will red-letter the words myself. I also intend on taking a file to the old casting marks to clean her up.

I also need to grab a razor blade to remove the old gasket trimmings (the baffle gaskets are stuck on pretty well).

Felt good to put some elbow grease into this project as I scrubbed/scraped and brushed this thing for a few hours tonight.

Decided to install my LED's for my gauge cluster today.

It was evidently a bad day...

http://i.imgur.com/iun9aaG.jpg

It starts out easy enough.

http://i.imgur.com/eUMlwf9.jpg

When you get these off, don't pat yourself on the back yet. You just opened access to the pandoras box (this is the second car I've done this too, and it never gets easier)

http://i.imgur.com/sBwbYb9.jpg

Upon removing my cluster hood, these ripped right the heck off. Like jerks.

http://i.imgur.com/e410LCy.jpg

not depicted is the left hand screw hole that ripped through also when I unscrewed it, meaning only one screw holds the whole thing on now.

http://i.imgur.com/J5lVmq0.jpg

You want to put your new LEDs in the caps that are green, they will also have the green bulb condoms on them if they are stock (the old ones)

http://i.imgur.com/CVAN3cA.jpg

I forgot this fact so I am fairly certain I blew two of my LEDs and now my fuel/temp don't light up.
Going to wait for dark to play around with them a bit and see if they are just seated poorly.

Thank you gauge cluster for making my saturday kind of suck.

ON the "bright" side, this is now on my purchase eventually list:

http://www.carbonmiata.com/index.php...product_id=180

Fixed the polarity on my gauge LEDs.
Still my favorite mod despite sacrificing my gauge hood to it (it crumbled when I removed it again to fix the LEDs)

http://i.imgur.com/4TG9JRy.jpg
Full dim

http://i.imgur.com/rEPe0FY.jpg
Full bright

Pictures don't really do the crisp color justice

I love the subtleness of the green lighting.

Sneak peek to the next update:

http://i.imgur.com/sXCm9zE.jpg

I was gonna do a full writeup on my revlimiter.net gauges, but I am too exhausted. So this before/after will be fine for now:

BEFORE
http://i.imgur.com/DPSyfRN.jpg


AFTER
http://i.imgur.com/OibnDZO.jpg

While I was in there I discovered some new things to keep me up at night such as the damage to the plastic cover that didn't wash off (looks like old mold from when it was in storage by the previous owner), my airbag light needs quietly disabled (probably using a sharpie, the garagestar blockout isn't working properly), and I seriously need to get some nice gauge needle caps and save for some KGworks

So I put these on last night

http://i.imgur.com/kNg8l2s.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/XtP4Qq6.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/1ubTRZX.jpg

Took her for a short drive last night and warmed up the C91's. It was truly transcendental having more grip than power to break it.

This is the first time I have owned nice wheels and tires that weren't $300 drop shipped from some creepy company. Once I get my teins from the previous car installed, this build will REALLY start coming together!

So a few things have changed!


1. I got my car professionally washed, was going to get a wax but they refunded me and said I would only be disappointed because of the damage to the paint. I am in talks with a garage owner who is going to do a few test panels of his work to see if I want him to restore it. He thinks he can get it back to 80% all around with some elbow grease and I trust him having seen his work.

2. INTERIOR WORK!! (prepare for photo dump)

http://i.imgur.com/cTKmVg2.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/le7M2FZ.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/mdMgGwb.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/DQM7ZUu.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/LMl1OMB.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/IFmhWUI.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/JwveH0b.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/imyxuDo.jpg

Gauges, wheels/tires and window cranks look great! :drinkto:

So I had an old friend of mine visit for the weekend, artcentermiata from the LA / KINOD area. He hadn't been around since my car was here, and we had made a lot of plans. We didn't get to hardly any of them, but we hit a few must-dos.

http://i.imgur.com/ZvgBCE5.jpg

First we deleted the soft top, which is going to a new owner on tuesday. I almost kept it, since it is in amazing shape, but I am so attached to my hardtop that I never use it. If I ever want to, I can always get a bikini top (assuming project-g sticks around long enough)

http://i.imgur.com/ywgpB6X.jpg

Then it came time for the big one of the weekend. I had my teins from the old car in my closet for awhile now, just waiting. I knew I couldn't do it on my own, and the friendly local garage wanted a bit more than I wanted to pay to have it done. Soooo, we dug in. We went to Pit Row here in the SF Bay Area and rented a lift. About $120 and a few scraped shins later...

http://i.imgur.com/3F2tNLZ.jpg

We have come to this. When I first bought my original miata (Ruckkehr), I never imagined I would end up here...

Those coilovers sure did do a lot for your car. Looking great!

Also, is that a Half-Life sticker on your hardtop?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Ihatecars

Those coilovers sure did do a lot for your car. Looking great!

Also, is that a Half-Life sticker on your hardtop?

---

Yep, it is a Vinyl I had my friend make a few years ago. I also have it tattooed on my back, long story about modding and mapping for half life leading to me pursuing my career etc sentimental stuff.

Car is really looking good! Once the paint has been shined up, and those silly tire letters gone- it will be a serious piece of kit!

Glad we could knock out that big job while i was there- coilovers are a pain in the ass by yourself

Looks great bro!!

Coming together, one mod at a time. Looks better and better! :bow:

I think it is time for an update!

A few small things are going on, such as getting smog and plates for CA (wait until you see what the plate is :3)

After doing some business with Bo Gaut in the past, I have pretty much started going to him exclusively when I want something. Recently I got word from a mutual friend that he was getting some super special in, and after some deliberation I decided I absolutely must have it.

Introducing my Carmake Corn's bucket racing seat!

http://i.imgur.com/QtkpkK8.jpg

You didn't think I was going to give you the installed pic just yet did you?

First, before the seat was installed I wanted to get the GarageStar banner Kenjo sent to me first. I had contacted him about color choices for the banner, as I was interested in buying one. I've spent years developing a good relationship with vendors like GS, and the banner showed up in the mail a week later. With the help of my wife (who has magic Vinyl fingers somehow), it got installed with minimal issue using Windex and left to dry overnight.

http://i.imgur.com/DLj9qf9.jpg

I had some misadventures with the seats as I learned bracket placement and how it relates to where the seat sits in the car. My first attempt left a huge mess

http://i.imgur.com/7vfOoX2.jpg

But after about 20 minutes of fiddling and test fitting, I finally got her in and placed!

http://i.imgur.com/GmLbyPy.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/AUtcLtG.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/zZ1TXXV.jpg

I am a huge fan of Carmake Corn's and this is the first piece of serious Corn's equipment on my car. As the collection expands, I also plan on getting one of their Badges for the car.

Additionally, I just got in my new Randall Carbon Fiber intake that will be going on soon-ish, just gotta get the hole cut and cleaned.

In case you are interested (since I haven't talked about my build plan in awhile), this is a brief list of things currently on my mind for the build in the coming months:

1. Maintenance time! Motor Belts, Plugs/wires, wipers, wiper arms (paint), rotors/brakes, brake lines (woven), spare tires put on (current ones have a tire showing band), 949 racing metal tire valve installed
2. Randall Intake install
3. Front plate bracket (garage star style) for CA regulation
4. Motor mounts
5. Turret rebuild with MSM bushing

If budget allows:

1. Cut and buff to fix paint before it is damaged too much
2. GS Delrin door bushings
3. GS brake brace and/or Shock Tower braces
4. Car cover (lol)
5. Auxiliary valve cover cut and painted then installed

Long term planning:

1. Carmake Corns exhaust
2. Headers
3. Flares (undecided on style)
4. Other various aero additions
5. Small-form head unit that only accepts AUX and USB
6. Replace speakers (I still commute in her, and some non-farty tunes would be nice)
7. Hood louvres
8. Coolant reroute
9. Oil filter re route
10. Cam gears


Very long term:

1. Carb-legal boost
2. Engine management
3. Full suspension bushings (poly)
4. Diff bushings (poly)
5. Power Plant / Drive train upgrades
6. Lightweight flywheel & higher stage clutch

These are just the things that don't tend to change with every new part/vendor I see :)

I've fallen tremendously behind on this build.

I started a new job in August/September at Sony PlayStation - while this raised my income significantly it also raised my responsibilities. I now daily drive her to work instead of taking public transit - which heavily limits the "Down time" she can have for work.

My finish plate recently shattered, my brakes are getting old, my idle is getting rough due to ancient plugs/wires. I've fallen behind on maintenance.


However, I've had an intense amount of driving in her recently which has helped shaped the direction I want to go. I am not done with aesthetics (not by a long shot), but I know it's time to start focusing on the mechanicals, engine, drive train, and suspension more.




She waits patiently for me....

http://i.imgur.com/JGm0mGA.png

Its on the right track for sure. The cohesiveness in quality parts you've been using are all there; now that you have discovered your direction- it will be cool to see where it goes in terms of freshening up the looks

So,

I spent some money today.

And I will be spending some more in the coming weeks.

And with that money spent, will come some very fun build thread updates.

It is time to take the next step...

Uh oh....the suspense!

$$$ out and part coming in! Sounds like my world.

:popcorn:

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by AgentOrange

Uh oh....the suspense!

---

Oh, the suspense is real. Not even kidding

None of it has even shipped yet :frantic:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by RuckkehrMiata

Oh, the suspense is real. Not even kidding

None of it has even shipped yet :frantic:

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Now are these goodies shipping from Japan by boat and you're gonna make us wait a real long time or what? [emoji8]

They actually are not, but one of them IS coming from greece...

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Proyea

Now are these goodies shipping from Japan by boat and you're gonna make us wait a real long time or what? [emoji8]

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Ha, gotcha. I know then at least one of the parts that are coming.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Quote:

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Originally Posted by RustRat

Ha, gotcha. I know then at least one of the parts that are coming.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

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Shoulda known!!

Which one do you think I got?

Hints: I Didn't go full baller, but at least mostly baller

Quote:

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Originally Posted by RustRat

Ha, gotcha. I know then at least one of the parts that are coming.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

---

Hmm. Don't wanna give away the surprise, in case some people haven't figured it out yet. I guess you got the basic one of the higher tier?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Quote:

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Originally Posted by RustRat

Hmm. Don't wanna give away the surprise, in case some people haven't figured it out yet. I guess you got the basic one of the higher tier?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

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:whistle:



Some of the other things coming I should have as early as this week so there will be updates pertaining to that.

No photos ........ Bah

There will be, nothing to take pictures of just yet and I don't want to use stock photos for things that haven't arrived yet :)

I can tell you one thing: I also picked up a GoPro Hero Session and some mounting hardware - so there is that footage to look forward to!

I will be documenting as much as I can and maybe putting it on youtube

Alright! So, one of the things I ordered showed up. I had to drive about 30 miles with them crammed in my passenger seat to pick them up at the shop who placed the order for me - but unfortunately they didn't do mount & balances.

http://i.imgur.com/BiiRDC8.jpg

The next morning I set off for a tire shop right down the street for me. The owner was super excited when he saw the tires: My new Toyo R888s (185/60/r13).

http://i.imgur.com/1mgghBe.jpg

All said and done, I love them already. I had run r-compound before, but they had already seen track life and were heat cycled so much that they started cracking. In this photo you can see some of the further paint damage I incurred recently when I was stuck in traffic behind a truck that was just spraying oil behind it. As if my car didn't look ratty enough already...

http://i.imgur.com/kigScXW.jpg

They do look pretty sick tho.

Last, but not least, my best friend artcentermiata was in town this weekend hanging out. He brought me some stickers from K1N0D and his work, and I dug out the ones I had been saving for awhile. I am waiting on a few of my other parts to arrive before I start determining what stickers are going on and where those are going.

http://i.imgur.com/ooxETPI.jpg


Now, I am going to be honest with you. This is the single most boring thing I have going on in the next few weeks. R888s are really freaking awesome, but they pale in comparison to what I have coming. I can't wait to share it with you guys, especially with the new GoPro that will be recording the *cough cough* dyno pulls for tuning *cough cough* that I can share as part of this build thread :3

Stickers???

http://i.imgur.com/P52YGSG.jpg

You have me watching for the update! :popcorn:

So, I can't hold it in anymore - especially not now that I have tracking numbers. So to relieve a bit of the excitement building up inside of me right now: I will provide you with this picture of one of the packages that will be arriving this week with no context or further information about it...

http://i.imgur.com/3rO2QTB.jpg

Consider me impressed!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Fun!

The bar has been raised ......... :popcorn:

I am impatient for everything to arrive, then I will be impatient while I wait for everything to fall in place for installation T_T

Something else arrived today...

http://i.imgur.com/bANG5um.jpg

I actually stressed quite a bit over what rollbar to get. It's not like I didn't have choices.

I have Harddog, Moti, Zerek, Local custom, used on forums/fb groups, and even had a friend/vendor tell me to wait a bit and get in on a coming special. Unfortunately, I was a bit pressed for time in the "I have to buy this now or the money will be funneled into something else" kind of way (this may sound like poor money management, but it was more like "I will lose my nerve to spend the money").

Unfortunately, Moti isn't making door bars any more due to lack of demand (hurr durr I can find one on eBay for 1/2 the price!) so I will have to source door bars from someone else sometime.

Luckily, that shouldn't be too much of a concern since most are bolt-in and attach to the rollbar mount points. All the heavy lifting and drilling will have been done when I decide to get door bars. I haven't figured out where I am sourcing them from just yet, most likely the tried and true hard dogs or getting a custom set done on that coming special a friend told me about.

---

The thing was wonderfully packaged, and took about 10 minutes of careful work with a utility knife to get her out and extract the hardware without cutting the bolt bag or dinging powder coating.

I guess now I can look into selling the old no-diagonal one that was on Ruckkehr (the silver one, if you remember).

Also, my dog was terrified of the box and even the bar wrapped in padding until it was entirely unwrapped. Then she calmed down a bit.

---

Unboxing and scared dog pictures:

http://i.imgur.com/YD2wJR5.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/jhRXmJG.jpg

Big day, because I know there's at least one other package out for delivery today...

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by RuckkehrMiata

Something else arrived today...

---

Nice going CC - can't wait for the rest to arrive and to see you actually get some of these things installed! :slayer:

And now for the big project direction reveal!

I know I have never really shown much of a direction, but it's been there all along. I really think boost is cool, I do. I love the sound of a blowoff, the pull, etc. However it's never really what I wanted for my roadster, horsepower is cool - but I am always more impressed with the horsepower people gain without boost than with (And you don't know how many people I know who complain they can't truly open their car up because it is simply too powerful - I want to drive my car at its 100%).

This is why I hee'd, I haw'd and I obsessed over this decision for almost a week before sending MLambert19 my payment. I decided I was going in on it, finally.

http://i.imgur.com/G91P1LD.jpg

Over the years, I've invested heavily in the aesthetics of my car (albeit not the paint hah). From carbon miata window cranks, to my Nardi, to my carmake corns drivers seat, to any number of nice high quality parts that I have scavenged from the likes of Bo Gaut, Artcentermiata, Phatmiata, and many others. I was always obsessed with getting the nicer version of parts. The only eBay part on my car is the crappy front lip that I was unwilling to drop $100+ on just to smash it into every parking divider.

http://i.imgur.com/IfmlMNx.jpg

I knew it was time to start investing in the engine, in performance, not just handling and aesthetics. This will be the single most car-changing modification I have ever done. It will also likely be the most time-consuming to get it tuned right, and even once it is installed I intend on upgrading the horns & lines (I really want braided fuel/vacuum lines, and maybe carbon horns).

http://i.imgur.com/hmbxjxK.jpg

This is my first step forward into really, and truly, modifying my roadster. This is the direction I am going in. All-motor is expensive, I know. But my car has never been about money to me, it's the reason I don't already have any turbo or sc I could get cheaply, and it is why my cars paint is slowly fading and rotting off of it. I don't want to do these things unless I can do them well, and with good quality.

These Jenveys might not see my car for months, as I plan the implementation of all of the requisite parts. I may not be able to get everything done at once, ending up following a cadence of "just the ECU installed and tuned" followed by "just the cams installed and tuned" and finally the ITBs. More expensive in the long run, but most know these things require multiple tunes anyways to factor for different weather conditions and find issues in the original tune.

---

This build direction has been formulating in my mind for years. And post-IRTB I know the work will still not be done, I will be wanting a port & shave, I will be wanting solid lifters, I will be trying to find old JDM cam gears. I will likely cut my valve cover, maybe get a capri. Maybe one day I will be able to afford a complete engine tear-down and rebuild with forged components. I don't know, but I know this is just the beginning.

And even when it is finished, I will likely still be stuck in the Prologue.

Congratulations on all the fantastic parts choices! Definitely doing it right the first time! :bow:


As far as power i TOTALLY hear what you are saying and am still torn on what direction, FI (supercharger/pd or rotrex, turbo) or NA with some GLORIOUS irtbs. I think they all have pros and cons but as you said most let the hp/$ ratio be the deciding factor, which is why i have been leaning towards FI. Even though straight line performance of a irtbs miata won't be on par with most FI setups, the throttle response certainly can help fill the gap especially with a ultra lightweight flywheel.

I am jealous of those that are satisfied with oem power on the miata but it has been the one thing that has me looking, on occasion, on getting something v8 powered BUT i know most anything I can afford won't compare in the overall fun factor/experience of the miata (never mind the bond I have), so improve the weak point! Excited to see your progress and jealous of the conviction on induction path! :drinkto:



Edit: One of my favorite aspects of irtbs is how much it cleans up the engine bay! Also the great thing about irtbs is FI is still an option....just saying. :fp:

A 7lb flywheel is actually on my list of things to eventually do. It almost happened, but MLambert19 just happened to have not sold these yet.

Vaguepost...

http://i.imgur.com/7eBugEc.jpg

Just a minor update pending a bigger one.

Currently happening this week:

1. MS3 Basic installed
2. HKS 264 Cams installed
3. Lifters replaced
4. Water pump replaced
5. Gates racing timing belt
6. Innovate MTX-L Wideband

Really wanted a happy update on the car after tonight, she was running so beautifully and the HKS 264's had given her a new personality - an aggressive one that begged for a night ride.

Unfortunately this is not that update. And I apologize if I seem especially whiney or upset, but this was the culmination of 7 days in the shop - with nothing to show for it. I am somewhat crushed.

However I will bring you up with the fun stuff before I crush you and bury you.

Everything was a success at first. The HKS 264 cams were in, brand new laser welded lifters, the tuning was wrapping up. We had lower numbers than expected but after playing around with a CAI style intake bypassing the now-dead MAF we saw some interesting gains that would have led the next portion of the build (leading up to the ITBs eventually). We realized that the cams created an air imbalance, and the stock breather was not going to be enough in the long term. It wouldn't hurt her, but knowing the engine was feeding on the cold night air and saying "please, can I have some more" was satisfying. She ran beautifully, and even sung a new song out of the engine from the cams and lifters lilting their sweet tune. The only thing missing for perfect throttle response was a variable TPS, which was proving difficult to implement on my `90 1.6 intake manifold. We could survive without it until we figured out a solution, everything was going well. I had already began planning my airbox/maf delete for the extra 10-15hp we were observing on A/B dyno ramp runs (much cheaper than the ITBs, which have to wait 6+ months for their lime light). I was excited to take her for a spirited drive home to really feel the work done.

While this may all still become a reality, I now have a new pain to deal with before she is even reasonably drivable again.

My ECU (MS3 Basic) died after tuning, entirely, as I left the shop to go home. Started with the tac slamming to 0 during acceleration and progressed through stalling up to the car not starting at all. This continued to progress to the ECU shutting off and not responding entirely. The shop owner stayed up with me until 4am in their parking lot troubleshooting but it simply was an issue outside anything he had ever seen before - as we systematically ruled out everything from low voltage, to the CAS, to bad grounds.

We finally opted to reinstall the stock ECU so I could limp home. It was hard, as I have to avoid WOT entirely until I get the ECU replaced or fixed, as the cams will lean me out too much to the point of causing damage. And of course I am a carhypochondriac, so every little difference meant (in my head) that the engine was about to blow up.

It is now 5:12am, I just got in the door, I have a move across the state in a few days to finish planning and packing for, and I am sipping a small bit of (Blood Oath Pact 2 - on the rocks) bourbon to ease this whole headache. The whole debacle will likely have to wait for a bit.

http://i.imgur.com/EkH8Xxx.gif

:(

Sorry to hear man. Hope it all works out in the end.

Man really sorry to hear. :cry: I'm sure Reverant will fix the issue but still doesn't undue the frustration and inconvenience. So what are the cam specs that they can't run on a stock ecu? :shrug: It will be worth it in the end, the long game sir. :)

Sorry the full HKS Cam experience was short-lived, but super happy to hear they ran great (if only for a brief while).

The Jenvey setup has a variable TPS, so that will be sorted when you install those...

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Greasemonkey2000

Man really sorry to hear. :cry: I'm sure Reverant will fix the issue but still doesn't undue the frustration and inconvenience. So what are the cam specs that they can't run on a stock ecu? :shrug: It will be worth it in the end, the long game sir. :)

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The mechanic at least told me that without the ECU properly handling it the engine would lean out and cylinder temps would skyrocket possibly leading to damage very quickly if say under WOT.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by MLambert19

Sorry the full HKS Cam experience was short-lived, but super happy to hear they ran great (if only for a brief while).

The Jenvey setup has a variable TPS, so that will be sorted when you install those...

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I know, I saw that on them and am looking forward to it. For some reason there was variable tps available for every manifold except mine that the shop could find. They were thinking of fabricating a bracket for one but it just didn't seem worth it.


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I've been talking to revenant but nothing so far. Between the time zone difference and nature of the tests (Since I limped home on the stock ECU I have to tear my carpet up to plug the ms3 in and run tests for him) it might take awhile - and I have to drive a U-Haul to LA on thursday heh.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by RuckkehrMiata

The mechanic at least told me that without the ECU properly handling it the engine would lean out and cylinder temps would skyrocket possibly leading to damage very quickly if say under WOT.

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Humm...I was just going by what 949 Racing has for the Tomei cams:
"* The NA8 BP05 cams will work with OEM lifters, valve springs and ECU provided either OEM intake or exhaust is used.

* If high flow intake and exhaust are both used with any of the cams on this page, the OEM ECU will not provide enough fuel potentially leading a a dangerously lean condition (boom!). Additional power gains will be found with a fully programmable ECU regardless of what other parts are fitted to the engine."
http://949racing.com/Tomei-miata-cam.aspx

Obviously these are B6 HKS cams so maybe they are more aggressive and the B6 ecu isn't as capable as the BP... :shrug:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Greasemonkey2000

Humm...I was just going by what 949 Racing has for the Tomei cams:
"* The NA8 BP05 cams will work with OEM lifters, valve springs and ECU provided either OEM intake or exhaust is used.

* If high flow intake and exhaust are both used with any of the cams on this page, the OEM ECU will not provide enough fuel potentially leading a a dangerously lean condition (boom!). Additional power gains will be found with a fully programmable ECU regardless of what other parts are fitted to the engine."
http://949racing.com/Tomei-miata-cam.aspx

Obviously these are B6 HKS cams so maybe they are more aggressive and the B6 ecu isn't as capable as the BP... :shrug:

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From the internet:

264 Intake
Max Valve Lift - 10.3mm
Valve opens at 2 deg BTDC
Valve closes at 28 deg ABDC
Valve Centerline 105 deg

264 Exhaust
Max Valve Lift - 9.8mm
Valve opens at 42 deg BBDC
Valve closes at -12 deg ATDC
Valve Centerline 121


On a lighter note, it was really cool seeing how these cams changed the cars personality. It heavily smoothed out the HP curve until it was very linear. Pretty much shaped like */*

I didn't feel the "dead zones" until redline, it was really and truely awesome feeling.

How did it sound? :shrug: Not going to lie I bought cams partly for the sweet sounding idle, etc. :slayer:

:bow: Your luck is like mine. Stick with it!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Greasemonkey2000

How did it sound? :shrug: Not going to lie I bought cams partly for the sweet sounding idle, etc. :slayer:

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She sounded like a mix between a t-rex and a helicopter combined with a quaif inline shifter whine from the new lifters at idle. I don't have a sound clip unfortunately, there wasn't really much time to get the gopro in the short time it lived. What is funny is that with the stock ECU back in, she still has the grumble - but lost all of the edge the tune gave it.

I unfortunately don't have the patience just yet to get to troubleshooting with Dimitris yet. He wants me to plug the MS back in and start doing some things but I'm still a bit miffed and dealing with packing our apartment. Might put it off until I am in LA

Just a quick update.

I GOT HER MOVED! She is now residing with me in West Hollywood, LA. I brought her on a uhaul trailer, with 2x4s and 2x6s to hold her low chassis up. It took several people at the destination uhaul place to get her off due to a lack of inclines.

I cracked her open tonight to take some photos and notes for my on-going conversation with TurboMiata's Reverent in troubleshooting the MS he built me.

Still no joy.

She cranked, backfired violently, then started cutting out like she did before (the MS resets/reboots).

http://i.imgur.com/bpT7jda.jpg

This here b&#7@$d is the crux of the entire build, and she won't work for me, and nobody seems to know why.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Greasemonkey2000

How did it sound? :shrug: Not going to lie I bought cams partly for the sweet sounding idle, etc. :slayer:

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Oh and following up on this. Even with the stock ECU she has a nice lumpy idle without any RPM dips, you can 100% tell she has cams, even with my aggressive exhaust. With the lifters replaced, you can even hear them sing a little tune as the RPMs change.

Needz more sound clipz...

Any progress on getting Megasquirt sorted? Really looking forward to ITB install and dyno results (hopefully, eventually)!

Hope all's well, -Matt

Quote:

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Originally Posted by MLambert19

Any progress on getting Megasquirt sorted? Really looking forward to ITB install and dyno results (hopefully, eventually)!

Hope all's well, -Matt

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Thanks for checking in.

Unfortunately no, USPS currently owns my megasquirt and mslabs has ghosted me - not that he was any help really to begin with. He was exceptional at taking $1000, his ms was built supremely well, but he ignored almost all communications after a certain point.

The shop I went just made such a mess of this I haven't touched my car since I moved to LA, and it hasn't run since. And the whole escapade into fu:angry:ng my car up put me out a few grand, so I haven't had the capital to undo it.

I have been in contact recently with a local tuner/shop discussing the damage done by the previous shop and sorting out a path forward and saving up for the repair work.

The ITBs are still on my book shelf where I can see them daily and remember the long term goal.

Good News:
http://i.imgur.com/KYZJOq3.jpg

Bad News:
Nothing happening until next week.

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That said, seriously brace yourself for the biggest & most important updates to come out of this build thread *to date*.


Hint: gurgling and MLambert19

In for gurgling! ...Uhhh. That doesn't sound right, does it?

Updates to this thread make me happy!

So she runs.

Tonight was just preparation for tomorrow, starting with jumping the car to get it running since the battery had sat quite awhile.

Next came draining that half a tank still in her that sat for 8 months.

The old gas was still clear, and obviously still octane'd since she ran long enough to charge the battery up to "functional" before I drained (mostly to run the fuel pump).

Drained the old fuel then threw in two gallons of 91 and ran around the corner to make sure she wasn't acting up.

Making the 60mi journey tomorrow to Advanced Engine Dynamix (trying to convince him to come on here, you won't believe some of the stuff he is cooking up in his garage - including a 4g63 turbo swap into an nb platform that will make you pee yourself. no subframe modifications, just custom motor mounts).

Anyways, yes, the big thing is happening (starting to, at least) tomorrow.

I always forget you own a miata

Quote:

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Originally Posted by fwdtamiya

I always forget you own a miata

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It doesn't help that you have never seen me in person with one because of this whole fiasco

Which KINOD are you targeting for the grand debut?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by oldgrayleather

Which KINOD are you targeting for the grand debut?

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She won't be ready for this coming Friday almost guaranteed, but then again this mechanic is probably the most skilled hands to touch the car to date so I can't say for sure haha.

Possibly the following Friday if everything works out!

It probably wont look very impressive under the hood just yet, getting everything working is just the first step - it will be made prettier later.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by RuckkehrMiata

It probably wont look very impressive under the hood just yet, getting everything working is just the first step - it will be made prettier later.

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Looks, schmooks.. The only thing at KINOD that matters is that you can get there. Great to see you both last weekend!

http://i.imgur.com/EQqts56.jpg

Toby said he will be sending me updates and pictures as the build progresses, including a first-start video once the ITBs are on (there - I said it directly. The ITBs are going on!!! :frantic:)

Please stay tuned with me over the next week or two while this dream project two-years in the making finally f***ing comes together

Edit: Another pic of some aesthetic things coming after the ITBs

http://i.imgur.com/RTl4xGu.jpg

Just a teaser :winky:

Attachment 17034

Sorry for the instagram link but I can't seem to extract the video

https://www.instagram.com/p/BUlJYUFFaOJ/

FIRST START EVERYBODY

Yay!!!

:shock::frantic::popcorn:

Next steps:

Now that she starts my guy has to fabricate a throttle mount (Jenvey makes them, but shipped from the UK = ??? time), source a fuel pressure regulator, some new vacuum hose, fuel line etc to make the nice final connections for this phase (all of this is going to get dressed up in the future, we are just targeting "ugly functional" right now - including cam gears once I find the right ones).

He is also rapidly working on finishing his dyno set up since he recently moved shops and the new dyno location has exhaust pointing at a wall so an extraction system is being put into place.

Target dyno time right now is this coming weekend, which I should have my gopro for :whistle:

I'm too tired for a writeup, have this...

http://i.imgur.com/0OZVeuH.jpg

And this

Instagram video link

you need to make that pic of the IRTB installed as your avatar, because sexy racecar paaaats .....