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Thread: HarryB's Strato blue NB2

  1. #166
    2,000 rpm - light wheelspin, no bog here! rhadamanthes's Avatar
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    Those wheels......
    BlueStar build thread .............. ..........

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  3. #167
    Individual-1 ☚ ☻ ☛ Agent☣Orange's Avatar
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    I know, right?


    No todo que es oro brilla.

  4. #168
    5,000 rpm - there be torque here! Greasemonkey2000's Avatar
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    Wow congrats on the paint job! Looks fantastic, Harry! :toast:
    '01 NB2 aka MisF1re: http://mazdaroadster.net/showthread....218#post207218
    '97 M aka Warbird, gone but not forgotten: http://mazdaroadster.net/showthread....B&goto=newpost
    Instagram: @greasemonkey2000

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  6. #169
    6,000 rpm - mere mortals would shift HarryB's Avatar
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    So, a couple months ago, the guy that parks right by me managed to hit my car while maneuvering his into his spot. I still wonder how he managed to do so; typically there's a half meter space between the two cars, but he did. Thankfully he only hit the rear bumper side along with the mudflap, so today I dropped the car off to the paintshop to get those painted again. Will allow a month or so to degas, and then I plan on doing a full polish and ceramic coating, so that the "paintjob" part is done.

    Also Stavros (the guy with the black AE86) had some 250lb/in, 8" long coilover springs that he swapped out, that will be perfect to use on my Maruha coilovers, reducing the rates to 350/250. Still left to do some measurements and order new bumpstops before installing, but we're getting there.

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  8. #170
    6,000 rpm - mere mortals would shift HarryB's Avatar
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    Not a lot going on... Bumper is repainted, and ceramic coating kit arrived, hopefully followed by application next week when I am having a few days off work.

    A spilled bottle of wine meant I had the chance for a proper deep clean in the trunk trim and carpet. It also meant I found some cancer on the battery tray, which thankfully was not terminal for the sheetmetal, as read here:

    http://mazdaroadster.net/showthread....2-battery-tray

    Quick before/after:





    Ordered a few bits to complete the Maruha coilover installation; new bumpstops, stamped steel 20mm extended top mounts and new top and bottom bushings all around. Threw a few extra bits in the box as well; more when it arrives.

    Other than that, I drove a LOT, up to the point I need new tires. Somewhere in the process, car has also went past the 180k kms mark, so it is time for a refresh/service. Ordered a few items (some of them are already here to be honest, but I plan to have them installed at the same time)



    Transmission tunnel insulation is going to be installed at the same time (already have 2 12x24''sheets of Thermo Tec Adhesive Backed Heat Barrier that I plan on sticking to the underside of the tunnel when the transmissions' out). Door hinges are just spares, as they were less than 5 euros each (OEM Mazda ones that is!!!), same with the "brake fitting kit" which is the metal pad springs really. Intake and exhaust gaskets are to be used when swapping in my Maxim headers (currently under an intense polishing/restoration programme) and my refreshed intake manifold.

    Is there anything I have overlooked/missed, other than fluids?

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  10. #171
    5,000 rpm - there be torque here! Greasemonkey2000's Avatar
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    That is some list, Harry!
    '01 NB2 aka MisF1re: http://mazdaroadster.net/showthread....218#post207218
    '97 M aka Warbird, gone but not forgotten: http://mazdaroadster.net/showthread....B&goto=newpost
    Instagram: @greasemonkey2000

  11. #172
    6,000 rpm - mere mortals would shift HarryB's Avatar
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    My wallet thinks the same

    Glad I only have to maintain a Miata, most of these parts were reasonably cheap. Just afraid I might have overlooked something silly, and I will only figure it out once I have everything taken apart.

  12. #173
    6,000 rpm - mere mortals would shift HarryB's Avatar
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    I have had a few back and forths with vent rings since day 1. From OEM silver, to revlimiter glossy black (thanks Mike!), to a partial set of AWD. Truth is that the only set I wanted was an RS Products but I could not justify the cost. RSpeed ones looked reasonably close, but were out of stock for quite some time. After a few months of search, I managed to find a set of new old stock, so I got them!



    Side by side shot with AWD. The only thing I do not like about AWD really is how much the protrude. The one on the picture sits on a custom low-profile plastic ring replacing the OEM ne, which makes them protrude 2mm less than the OEM ones. Still, too much for my taste.





    Before installing them, I also tackled a couple of other projects I had in the works. Installed my AWD needle caps (after more than a year of them waiting aside).



    Since I had the cluster out of the car, did a test fit of something I work on. KGW replica to fit AWD rings without butchering the real thing. It will be powdercoated wrinkle black and the bulbs transferred over the original one. That way, I can go back if I ever wanted to. Money shot:



    Since I had the column surround out, I decided to polish the stalk stems. Easy job, took less than 10' in total. 1 down:



    And done!



    Complete (crappy) overview of what was done today.



    For an hours' work, well worth it!

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  14. #174
    Nukuler banned! chiefmg's Avatar
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    Glad you finally found some rings you like. I like the deeper bevel the RSpeed ones have. Instrument panel is looking snazzy!
    '00 SE, intercooled BRP MP62, Reverant MS2, Ohlins DFV, Konig Flatout (now X 2)
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    This ain't no build thread!

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  16. #175
    6,000 rpm - mere mortals would shift HarryB's Avatar
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    Thanks Mike! I really liked all the other options as well; I just prefer the RSpeed ones (for now). Revlimiter black glossy are PERFECT for an otherwise stock interior, especially in a black one. They are subtle but at the same time not OEM, ideal for an OEM+ look. The AWD ones...well they are AWD and that tells it all. Amazing pieces, like anything from Dewa-san. Unfortunately, I only got 2.

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  18. #176
    Ninja Messiah kung fu jesus's Avatar
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    I like the R Speed units. They add depth and shadow plus the accentuate the vents’ contoured face a little better.

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  20. #177
    6,000 rpm - mere mortals would shift HarryB's Avatar
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    Small update since I have some spare time finally! Changed the engine mounts with some Mazda Motorsport ones; great move, as the driver's side one was completely torn. Got myself a set of new Advan AD08R in 205/50/15, as the old Federal RSR's have started to degrade. Also got in for an alignment, new settings are as following.

    Fronts:
    Caster: 4.0°
    Camber: -1.25°
    Toe-in: 0

    Rears:
    Camber: -1.5°
    Toe-in: 1.6mm total (0.8mm per side)

    I broke in the tires as per the recommended guidelines (500km without pushing them, followed up by gradually pushing and letting them "rest" for 24hrs for 3 heat cycles) and then I got the chance to drive a bit on my favorite local "touge". The new tires combined with the fresh alignment transformed the car. Steering response in turn-in has massively improved, and the car feels really nimble, the rear is willing to let go if you wish, but not in a scary way. The balance is perfect for my taste, and the slightly oversteering nature helps you yaw the car when in tight corners. I may increase a bit the front caster next time, but not by much.

    NOTE: This is with a stock suspension and height

    Also, word of warning; my mechanic has not torqued up the alignment bolts. He did by hand and feel, but he did not use a torque wrench the first time round. Then the car was making a clunk noise when reversing direction. Visited again the next day, torqued everything up, noise gone. Next up on the suspension is to replace all bushings with IL Motorsport ones, replace ball joint boots as they are all torn and replace outer steering tie rods with OEM 93LE ones, before installing Maruha coilovers. To go with them I have also purchased a new set of bumpstops, new OEM upper and lower top hat bushings and new plastic sheets, plus two extended Maruha top hats which I may or may not use (need to make some measurements for suspension travel). I am also contemplating replacing the steering rack bushings with Energy Suspension PU ones, any feedback on these?

    Next update was the tail lights; they were replaced with symmetrical JDM units, as EU tails are different (one houses the reverse light and it's clear, while the other houses the rear fog light and it is red). Quick DA polishing, and on they went with fresh stud gaskets, and a LED reverse lamp courtesy of SBL.





    Also purchased another set of JDM mats; this time a set ob black/tan ones from an NB RS in immaculate condition. Went with black as it is easier to keep them looking clean during winter, tan is a nightmare.



    Finally, decided to move away from the satin silver in the radio surround; while I love it in complete black interiors, I find it cheap looking next to tan. Half-arsed attempt (need to change the top part and HVAC too), complete with OEM Roadster aluminum trim ring.



    Hope will have some more time in the coming days to tick some more items off the (looooong) list!

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  22. #178
    6,000 rpm - mere mortals would shift HarryB's Avatar
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    Small update, all center console plastics are now the same colour. I 3D printed a new bezel for the radio, primed and painted to match. Pretty happy with it all, although the radio needs a new proper mount (is a bit crooked in there)



    Last edited by HarryB; 12-30-2018 at 12:17 PM.

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  24. #179
    Supporting Member Madaboutmx5s's Avatar
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    Nice work and as a fan of Watanabes I like them and they work well on your car. Admire the fact that whilst you are not in the UK or US where parts access is maybe easier you have still acquired lots of nice parts for your roadster.

    A friend of mine is from Greece and also into his cars and tells me there is some JDM imports that go to Greece. He lives in Cyprus now which I now get a lot (or did do in the past) so wonder if that's the route in?

    MadaboutMX5s

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  26. #180
    6,000 rpm - mere mortals would shift HarryB's Avatar
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    Thanks; huge compliment from someone with such a cool collection of cars. Truth is that legit JDM parts in Greece are non-existent. These cars are heavily abused by stancebois and wannabe drifters, that's even hard to find a clean stock example these days; for NAs' that's virtually impossible. Cyprus has the benefit of RHD, so they get a fair share of (used) cars imported from Japan, however the market is tiny. Most of mine (approx. 80%) have come straight from Japan, while the other 20% from UK (mostly JDM imports getting broken for parts).

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