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Thread: Planning for the future: a miata journal

  1. #1
    2,000 rpm - light wheelspin, no bog here! Jarrett's Avatar
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    Planning for the future: a miata journal

    As I am continually updating my New Member Intro thread I figured it would be a good time to start an actual thread devoted to my car. I have decided to call the thread "Planning for the future," because it made me giggle when I considered that I am a 401k administrator and that it wouldn't be a build so much as an attempt at improving a great machine. Yes it has been neglected, but how many out there start there second lives in this way. I may never have the skills and ingenuity of all here, however i am super excited to attempt to improve myself with my machine.
    My car is a 1992 base model red miata. I think pretty darn generic for what it is. There have been what seems to be a few paint jobs, and it does currently have a nice black fender on the front drivers side. There weren't too many arguments from me when i went to look at it. I didn't find any major rust, it rode straight, and was only being sold for $1000. Snagged the 92 and drove it home.

    Pictures of the beginning.


















    Last week my In-laws made me an amazing offer. After knowing how much I love to work on cars and that no matter how hard i try a concrete pad and a shed just is not a garage. They have offered to let me completely clean out my father in-laws old wood workshop in his basement. Last year he built and moved to a massive workshop and just left his 2-car basement stall abandoned and wanting.

    I attempted to begin getting it ready to be a Miata nursery this weekend.
    Getting the garage this weekend was fun, tiring and Incredibly rewarding.
    This first picture shows how the shelves had been installed in front of the door.


    This is after all major machines such as planers and shapers were out. also all surplus wood.


    Blurry, I know and apologize it was hard to take on my phone while working. My friend that was so kind to help me really shows here what it was like to get through all that dust and get things removed.


    Finally its Open!


    outside looking in.


    This is after we swept the first time.


    Showing the scale and depth.


    I know this was a ton of information and pictures. I appreciate any and all that have made it this far with me...
    -jarrett

  2. The Following 8 Users Say Thank You to Jarrett For This Useful Post:

    Agent☣Orange (05-12-2015),atank (05-11-2015),Bruce (05-16-2015),fwdtamiya (05-11-2015),Phatmiata (05-11-2015),TNRooster3 (05-12-2015),tsingson (05-11-2015),Vegard (05-12-2015)

  3. #2
    Super Moderator tsingson's Avatar
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    That is a huge amount of space! Congrats and I can't wait to see more progress!

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    Jarrett (05-11-2015)

  5. #3
    Super Moderator atank's Avatar
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    You are going to have a very good time with the little Roadster, much more fun than cleaning the garage!!! GOOD JOB ON THE CLEAN UP BY THE WAY!

  6. #4
    2,000 rpm - light wheelspin, no bog here! Jarrett's Avatar
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    Thanks! I also found out that the huge air compressor is staying with me for a few months. I have a few tools to move in, but all in all just a bit more cleaning to go.

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    Bruce (05-16-2015),tsingson (05-11-2015)

  8. #5
    6,000 rpm - mere mortals would shift Demon I Am's Avatar
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    Looks like a rough project, but sometimes those are more fun!

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    Jarrett (05-11-2015)

  10. #6
    2,000 rpm - light wheelspin, no bog here! Jarrett's Avatar
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    Well, I ordered a cheap steering wheel.
    http://www.ebay.com/itm/171548351914...%3AMEBIDX%3AIT$_57.jpg
    I want to point out that I still completely hate my current wheel and will not enjoy the replacement. I just cannot stand the odd hand parts or fake carbon look of my current wheel.
    This cheap one will hold me over until i can actually afford a quality replacement.

  11. #7
    4,000 rpm - entering the fun zone wannafbody's Avatar
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    Nice to see someone save an old NA

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    Bruce (05-16-2015)

  13. #8
    4,000 rpm - entering the fun zone TNRooster3's Avatar
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    Nice deal on the garage, and it is always a good thing to see someone rescue an original Miata. Also keep up the good job with the photos, we like to see pix here. Will keep this thread on my watch list.

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    Bruce (05-16-2015)

  15. #9
    2,000 rpm - light wheelspin, no bog here! Jarrett's Avatar
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    Heres the mail, it never fails, it makes me want to my wag tail!!

    MAIL!!!
    Got my basic rotors and pads in so i can actually feel comfortable driving this thing.

    Finally got my stereo and door speakers wired and working.
    Also, found out that my drains are as clogged as most. Woo fun!

    My plans now are to get everything stable. My budget right now is incredibly tight and I'll be doing my best to keep progressing.

    Side note: I just convinced the boss to allow me to completely print my F.S.M. I love having a dirty manual by my side, like an old friend, whispering Mazda secrets to my soul.
    Last edited by Jarrett; 08-06-2018 at 09:21 AM.

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  17. #10
    2,000 rpm - light wheelspin, no bog here! Jarrett's Avatar
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    Started on the stereo and got it done yesterday. I grabbed two cheap Sony speakers for now and threw them in the door. I don't have the money or interest at the moment to pursue alot of sound.
    I started with a clean slate!


    They left me some nice tiny wires to start with. Pulled, created, my own and re-pinned.


    speakers in.


    On and working.


    Hope you enjoy.

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    Bruce (05-16-2015),Paul B (05-12-2015),TNRooster3 (05-16-2015)

  19. #11
    2,000 rpm - light wheelspin, no bog here! Jarrett's Avatar
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    Ok, I havent had much of a chance to get anything done yet. but i did get some more progress on the garage i will be using.





    Hopefully today i can start getting some of my tools in.

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    Bruce (05-16-2015)

  21. #12
    Idling - Listen to it purr... Wesramos's Avatar
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    the fun is about to begin

  22. #13
    2,000 rpm - light wheelspin, no bog here!
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    Great thread and fantastic to see an early NA be given a new lease on life.

  23. #14
    4,000 rpm - entering the fun zone TNRooster3's Avatar
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    At least you're getting started on it and you have to start somewhere. Keep us posted and don't forget the pix

  24. #15
    2,000 rpm - light wheelspin, no bog here! Jarrett's Avatar
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    Thank you everyone for all the support and kind words. I got the chance to get started a bit this past weekend. Mainly just taking everything apart as of now. I really NEED to see everything i possibly can so i can form the best plan possible. I was actually pleasantly surprised by what i saw.
    I was a bit worried about the rust on the Parcel shelf, but upon looking closer it seemed it had actually come from a broken window and less likely a total top failure.
    It was also really fun to try and figure out the way i want the car in the garage. (I have never had an option before!)

    I still haven't gotten the Garage totally cleared out and clean, but i really wanted to have a test run and get to digging.

    All i wanted was a Picture!


    I ended up going with the diagonal layout you see because it left me with four large triangular work areas on the main faces of the car.

    The tighest points. Not too bad at all.





    I really took time to just absorb this site.
    This was under my trunk carpet


    This was my absolute worst rust i have found. (under the car included) This is also where you can see how the back acess panel has only partially rusted. This is what led me to believe that the window had leaked onto the main area and it did not drain down the back.
    I think i Should replace this thing.


    The track for the soft top was looking really decent. the top was relatively new and will go back when cleaned.



    and finally, a friend had stopped by to check out the garage and see what i was going to start with. He also wanted to put on one of his wheels to see what they would look like. I obliged of course, but I have to say that i am not a fan. I like the idea of a simple five spoke but fake bolts in a wheel? why not just make a nice clean rim. Not sure and no disrespect to any that appreciate the "style bolts," not my preferred look.


    In the last picture you can see my motorcylce a bit. That is what is going to be performing daily duties until the Miata is rolling again.

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