The EUNOS MANTICORE SPECIAL EDITION build
MIATAQUEST – The journey to enhance the roadster experience.
Purists look away… rated PG13…Purists gagging at least 13 times.
This build thread will not include any discussion of 14” Daisy wheels.
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THE ROADSTER:
1992 Miata LS with hardtop.
This was a one owner car that I purchased sight unseen out of Austin, Texas in May 2015
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117,667 miles.
Very nice rust free body and chassis.
It does have slightly faded crystal white paint, paint chips, and some hail dents in the hood.
However it should clean up real nice to be the perfect 10 footer.
That will encourage me to make it a driver’s machine versus a show piece.
Future stone chips will add to its character!
Hopefully the car will not develop the infamous crystal white paint curse.
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The interior is very nice!
I like a black interior with a white car.
The wood grain trim added by the previous owner isn’t that bad.
I may just keep the wood grain trim and wipe any retro thinking out of my brain for a while.
I have no idea if the soft top is any good or not.
I will find out later after I get the Moss hardtop hoist.
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The 1.6 engine has an older, low psi BEGI turbo system using the stock ECU.
Hey, check out that cold air intake location…
That probably sums up the performance and state of tune.
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So the MiataQuest begins…
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The EUNOS MANTICORE SPECIAL EDITION BUILD
STYLE BAR
So you caught that.
Yeah, yeah, yeah, I will need to change that!
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The EUNOS MANTICORE SPECIAL EDITION build
THE ROADSTER FORMALLY KNOWN AS MIATA
Next I walked the proposed vehicle design across from the left side of my brain over to the marketing department on the right side of my brain. That was one long walk down an empty corridor!
There were lots of little voices in my head. I thought to myself, darn I have a big marketing department.
My marketing team was given the assignment to create a theme based around the proposed Miata build.
So we tossed around ideas while proclaiming clichés like: “Out of the box thinking”, “Paradigm shifts”, “Change agents”, “Pushing the envelope”, and “Moving the needle”.
Being automotive related the only thing we could agree on was shifting and moving the needle!
For our first pass we proposed to merge Hello Kitty together with Woody Woodpecker sporting a cigar.
It was noted that all manly cars have the Woody Woodpecker logo sporting a cigar!
Imagine Hello Kitty sporting a cigar!
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Kewl! But could you float that as a credible special edition car?
Ok, we scrapped that idea. (But you can take it!)
We were then viewing Chad’s “W” Warbird build theme that used an upside down Mazda “M”.
Well darn we can just plagiarize Chad, but not upside down.
Wow use the factory “M edition” logo if only we can figure out a manly name that starts with an “M
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Since the ELP Tarkus album is an inspiration to the build, why not grab the “Manticore” record label!
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Manticore definition:
noun: manticore; plural noun: manticores
1. a mythical beast typically depicted as having the body of a lion, the face of a man, and the sting of a scorpion.
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So the marketing department said they had a candidate with market recognition that would be the perfect for the part.
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I had to promptly reject the Lion as he was called the ‘Cowardly Lion’ and wore a pink bow.
So I fired back as any Greek mythical god would and said in an announcer’s voice: “Behold Manticore!”
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Oooh, Aaah, all of marketing team agreed that Manticore was indeed manly enough.
Now all we need to do is create a logo that can be subtle enough to compliment a factory special edition car.
More plagiarizing, I mean more brainstorming might be required.
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THE EUNOS MANTICORE SPECIAL EDITION is now born.
The EUNOS MANTICORE SPECIAL EDITION build
BECAUSE RACECAR
Did you know that “racecar” spelled backwards is still “racecar”!
So we need to make sure any modifications that we implement will be an improvement and not a step backwards.
We decided to ring up our retired Global Product Development manager “Maximum Bob” and tell him all about the Manticore Special Edition project. We did admit to him that at this time the Manticore was only a poser. So far we only added a bunch of bolt on crap. Marketing added “Isn’t that what a special edition is all about?”
Maximum Bob said that any credible special edition had better be able to stand its ground at a track day event. Maximum Bob stated; “Damn it, you named it Manticore, not Kaitlyn!”
OK, OK, so we must add a roll-bar and a tow-hook into the special edition package even if it drives up costs. Bob said; “If Rene will be test driving you will need a roll-bar and tow-hooks for sure. Ask me how I know!”
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TOW HOOKS
The design team sure liked the look of the Ryoku Rob type 2 for the rear tow ring! However the engineering team all frowned and nixed the selection. They calculated that one sideways pull from a track run-off would break it. The engineering team then suggested the Garage Star GS-THrear-V2 tow ring. They said the Garage Star tow ring was much heavier than the Ryoku tow ring. However, if we pulled the two factory tow rings and only installed one Garage Star tow ring it would be a net weight reduction. So a total win-win. BECAUSE RACECAR!
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The manufacturing team approved the selection of the Garage Star tow ring. They used some technical term to describe the installation, “Easy Peasy”.
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For the front tow hook the engineering team decided that the aluminum, lightweight tow-ring (model 3.0 by Garage Star) would be perfect and would reject the heavier metal version. So pulling two heavy metal Miata baby-teeth tow rings and installing a single lightweight aluminum tow hook on the passenger side was another win-win. BECAUSE RACECAR!
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The craftsmen sanded the bare aluminum, cleaned, primed, painted, and clear coated. We used VHT engine enamel and chose Ford Red SP152 to match the rear tow-ring.
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That pin-stripping sure looks bad, more on that later…
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Internet bonus points if you know who that gentleman is with a cigar and one foot on an over-turned Opel. He is one of my heroes.
The EUNOS MANTICORE SPECIAL EDITION build
TO BLING OR NOT TO BLING? That is the question.
The design team will shave the black mustache off the Manticore by using the white TSI’s.
Now the dark smoked side markers and black tail lights do not look right.
Even the black mud flaps are now in question.
What to do?
Sourcing scoured through our parts bin and tapped our suppliers to find some clear side markers.
Of course we promised the supplier that we will buy hundreds of thousands if approved.
We got a good price, placed a purchase order, and they are delivered to our dock in no time.
The craftsmen installed the clear side markers for the designers to evaluate.
The craftsmen must have been working with the manufacturing team last week as they were starting to use that same technical term “Easy Peasy” during the install.
Imagine the clear side markers with the white TSI’s on the front. The design team was all nodding.
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Our automotive spies have been stealing photographs of a competitor’s car for quite a while and turned them over to the design team. They liked what they have been seeing.
Imagine a white Carbonmiata quad tail light panel with the white back-up lights and then having matching white side markers.
The design team was still nodding.
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We have a marketing consultant on retainer to get ideas from outside our narrow realm in the Motor City. At least that is what our management has embraced.
Ha, I would guess the reason they embraced that thinking is because our competitor across town just transferred their core Cadillac team to NYC.. Yeah, NYC where no one drives cars and the costs are higher. Go figure!
Since the marketing consultant is already wasting our money, we might as well get his input.
So we shipped him a Manticore prototype to drive and review. We assembled the prototype car with a CarbonMiata light panel camouflaged in green for him to drive around for a few days.
So we ring him up a week later… “What do you think about Manticore having clear side markers? “
He said “I pity the fool that hired the platform team, Clearsies ain’t got no Bling !!” Then he immediately hangs up!
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With that marketing wisdom in hand we will see what Bling side marker options are out there.
The sourcing & purchasing team was put to work.
They found some Bling side marker candidates although a bit pricey since they were imported.
They are now on our dock.
MAZDAROADSTER.NET CAR CLINIC
So the Manticore platform team decided that we should have a car clinic and you are invited.
We need your help to decide:
** Clear side markers or Bling side markers. (Special Edition visual enhancement)
** Mud flaps or no mud flaps. (Special Edition aero improvements and visual enhancement) Do mud flaps increase or decrease drag? Do mud flaps increase or decrease turbulence? Weight gain or loss seems to be a moot point.
Picture with Bling and with mud flaps
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Picture with Bling but without mud flaps
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EUNOS MANTICORE SPECIAL EDITION build
DECISION TIME
The Manticore platform team scheduled a meeting to decide if the side markers should be stock, clearsies, or bling.
The team invited our retired Global Product Development Manager “Maximum Bob” to lead the meeting.
Our consultant will also attend since his contract is up for renewal and he wants us to think he actually does something.
Bob noted that the preliminary poll results were in…
* Consultant – Retro Bling, I pity the fool that don't vote for bling.
* MazdaRoadster Car Clinic – Clearsies, because they tickle your insides.
* CEO (wife) - Stock, why change a perfectly good car.
Having no conclusive data to make a decision Bob asked some of the platform team members for their opinions…
* Donald – Clearsies, let’s make Manticore great again!
* Marco - Retro Bling, you know what they say about smaller lens! Pass me some water.
* Bernie – Stock, all special edition accessories should be free!
* Hillary – I don’t know, maybe we could mix them all together to make everyone happy!
With that Bob throws this out on the table.
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Ohhh, Ahhh the platform team exclaimed while passing around the clear third brake light!
The team asks, "Where did you get that?"
Bob replied, "From our supplier Moss Miata. So it looks like it's a done deal, clearsies all around!”
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Needless to say our consultant did not share in our enthusiasm.
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The EUNOS MANTICORE SPECIAL EDITION build
KEEPING YOUR COOL
The Powertrain group just sent out an urgent meeting request to have an online session with the Manticore platform team.
The invitation was titled “Houston we have a problem” and the meeting was scheduled in 30 minutes.
Generally we like these online meetings as they typically involve coffee & donuts, but this meeting could be a whole different flavor.
30 minutes later...
The online meeting is scheduled for now and not a single person is in the conference room!
Where is everyone?
What could be more important?
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Darn it, have I.T. turn off the wireless! That will get them in here.
Now that everyone is here let’s log into that online meeting.
Click! Darn, the software wants to do an upgrade before we can join in!
OK, I guess we can dial into the phone conference while the software upgrade finishes.
Dialing… Where is that bleeping conference code number?
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POWERTRAIN TEAM: Beep…Who just joined?
PLATFORM TEAM: Hello, hello, hello? Oops the mute button is on! Platform team here.
POWERTRAIN TEAM: Your background noise is loud! What is that?
PLATFORM TEAM: Aahh nothing, that’s just our overhead projector. (Pssst, turn down that Miata track video)
POWERTRAIN TEAM: How’s the weather over there?
PLATFORM TEAM: We are just two miles apart!
POWERTRAIN TEAM: Right! We always ask that question when we are on a conference call. Hey, do you have that online meeting fired up yet? We want to share our screen with you.
PLATFORM TEAM: Joining now if we can get through all the collaboration tutorial screens.
We finally connect with the Powertrain group and this is what we see on the projector screen.
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The Powertrain group went on to inform us that the under-hood temperatures are running way too high! They say if not addressed properly we will have all kinds of catastrophic field failures and warranty claims. Ultimately this problem could impact our first place dependability ratings at J.D. Power.
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The platform Quality manager interjects; “JD Power will lower the rating of our vehicle more for bluetooth connectivity issues than a drivetrain failure! Maybe we should focus on improving our in-car infotainment system rather than messing with the cooling? Look how Ford dropped because of Sync and My-Ford Touch. Note that J.D. Powers ranks Zee Germans higher even with their cooling system failures.”
Well, we can’t just work on J.D. Power priorities. The team must make sure that every Manticore system performs to the highest standard within the confines of our budget. So let’s initiate a new cooling system project and assign someone to lead this effort.
We need someone that has in-depth knowledge of automotive systems and dynamics while having a keen sense of automotive design.
I think I know just the right guy for the job if he will accept.
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The EUNOS MANTICORE SPECIAL EDITION build thread
VENTING IS GOOD FOR THE SOUL
Mr J has agreed to accept our challenge to solve our under-hood cooling issue. He accepted the assignment with the understanding that he has full access to our engineering resources. He also wants the freedom to propose an overall design scheme to make Manticore a unique factory limited edition model.
The first thing he wants to do is perform an aerodynamic evaluation of Manticore to determine where the high and low pressure regions of the car are to create adequate under-hood air flow. At the same time consider what aero and visual enhancements could be added.
So Mr. J put in a request for some wind tunnel time.
Darn, the wind tunnel was booked for 2 weeks for a project from another platform team. The team said the project was high priority and they could not fit us into their timeline.
They said it was an important project for upper management.
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Mr J decided to tap one of our top suppliers named “Flyin Miata” to get a head start on solving our under-hood cooling issue. He knew Flyin Miata had previously performed some related testing and they were willing to share the data with Mr J while offering solutions. Since they did not have an NDA with us they would share the data with Mr J in person.
So he booked a flight out to Denver.
Off to Detroit Metro airport to enjoy the glamorous life of travel. I am sure the entire Manticore team was envious.
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Mr J finally arrives in Colorado and is ready for the long drive. At least he can pick any car in the aisle with all those travel points he has!
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Soon Mr J was on his way!
Upon arrival at Flyin Miata he was greeted by a friendly and knowledgeable staff.
After touring the facility, Flyin Miata presented the results of their testing:
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Mr J decides to distract them with some free Manticore mugs while sneaking in a picture of the hood pressures on his cell phone.
Flyin Miata informed Mr. J that they already had an engineered solution that was in stock.
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Flyin Miata asked Mr. J what he thought of their proposed solution.
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Aaaaahh, very functional! Very functional indeed! Mr. J did agree that the solution would work, however the vents were a bit cosmetically challenged.
Back to Detroit Metro via the friendly skies.
After returning to the Detroit office, Mr. J thought he could tap his old friend Mr. Ed that had recently retired from leading the GM global design operations. He may be able to offer his design insights while checking what obsolete inventory or tooling may still be available.
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Mr. Ed was very excited to hear about another project of Mr. J’s as they both had a keen eye for clean automotive design. Ed was willing to provide the necessary support to help Mr. J’s pull together his project.
As they waxed nostalgia of the golden age of automobiles, Ed remembers a not so memorable Pontiac Turbo Sunbird project.
“I’ve got it” says Ed. “The J-body FWD platform team had designed a very stylish and functional hood vent system for an awful four-cylinder Sunbird turbo program. The hood vents were actually better than the what the RWD F-body platform team could come up with for the Trans Am. The F-body platform team did not want the same vents as the lowly Sunbird. Needless to say, the Sunbird Turbo was not a sales success. The hood vent production quantity greatly exceeded the vehicle demand and yielded all kinds of excess obsolete inventory. Instead of scrapping the hood vents, they were hidden in a warehouse with the hopes of adding them to a future model. That never happened. They are still sitting in that warehouse many years later. You could buy those hood vents for pennies on the dollar!”
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Mr J said “Great, now I have another key component that will influence the design direction of the Manticore.
I can envision installing the hood vents in a contrasting color located in a low pressure region. Then add some body striping in the same color as the vents. The body striping could be configured to accentuate the existing body lines of the car.
Hmmmm, let’s do a quick mock-up to see what it could look like.”
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Yes!
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