HarryB's Strato blue NB2

[HarryB]

After a long time idling (work getting on the way as usual) I was really anticipating the x-mas vacation, to actually work a bit on the car. Had plans over doing some interior cleaning, some rattleproofing, properly adjusting my hardtop, aligning bumpers, installing a bunch of stuff and sort out the noise insulation, or at least come up with a solid plan as alread intorduced in the DIY section. Unfortunately, time was rather limited again; neverheless managed to squeeze in a few things.

First one on the list was hunting down an annoying noise/rattle seemingly coming from the A-pillar. This was no surprise, as the PO has installed an aftermarket radio antenna and the wiring was routed in the windshield frame trim. So, out they go, only to realize that there was more to it than just loose wires... All tabs broken, attempted to be fixed by hot glue, unsuccessfully.



Obviously, broken tabs resulted in rubbing...and noise.



Secured the added wires to the existing harness every 4" or so by using electrical tape (white, as I ran out of black. I know, unseen, but bugs me, so I will most probably re-do this )



I used some self-adhesive velcro material to line the inside of the trim where wires were passing, to make sure that there are no rattles. Used some of this stuff also where rubbing marks were found, before reassembling the lot.





All broken tabs were cleaned, sanded lightly and then bonded using proper adhesive. End result:



No installed picture, but it is immersively more quiet now. So much, that I actually found another source of rattles. Seems that the chrome sill plate covers have some tabs bonded on their back side, which then clip onto the plastic parts. Almost all of them are broken, so the whole thing rattles quite a lot. Lack of proper adhesive made me postpone this for now, but will get back to it.

Next up on the list was installing the KG Works stainless panel I bought. Looking awesome with Adam's gauges:



And installed!



Not massively fond of how it looks on my interior; I do not like beige together with stainless. Maybe it just needs more stainless/polished details to match. Nevertheless I am looking for a black one to swap, albeit the brushed finishing on the stainless one is so classy it's almost unreal.

Last "achievement", I finally got around to install my lip. This is an RS Factory Stage knockoff, so fitment was not quite right out of the box. It actually took quite bit of effort, cursing, borrowing a second set of hands (my dad), using my sisters' hairdryer (as I forgot my heatgun back home) and a cut finger, but it is ON!





Really like the looks of it (if you excuse the very dirty car). I have also ordered a nose badge, as the car looks really weird to me without one. Last but not least, insurance company approved my claim over that freak accident with the flying object landing all over my car, so it is going in for a full respray once the weather gets warmer (probably around May). It is time to paint the wheel centers as well, hopefully within January.

[HarryB]

Forgot to mention that (at least in theory) the KG Works panel is a "plug 'n play" item, with no wiring or other modifications required. I installed it like that at first, but the OEM "faces" of the indicator panels could be seen as "holograms" on the KGW bulb covers. I did not like the fact that the light was not uniform inside the bulbs due to this, so I opened up the cluster again and removed the OEM indicator panels, made heaps of a difference, much happier with it now!

[chiefmg]

Hey Harry, I sent you a PM about your package. I know you had some problems before with getting messages, just wanted to try here so we can communicate and then you will have something else to post in here.

[HarryB]

Hello Mike! Thanks, replied back! ;) As you said, hopefully I will have more things to post about soon!

[HarryB]

Bought some more pieces for the puzzle. First of all there was and ACT ProLite flywheel and ACT HD clutch and pressure plate setup for sale, that I could not resist of (given the price). Used, but seemingly in good shape. Debating of I should keep the (used) ACT throwout bearing or opt for a new OEM one.



Second of all, I wanted to give anodizing a wooden MOMO Indy a go (since I could not find a black one for sale), so I scored a cheap and seemingly tired one at YAJ, only to find out it is a 1980 model, in great shape.





Got a couple more packages coming in by the end of the week, hopefully there will be some free time to start installing these soon!

[kitster]

All you need now is a BLACK KG WORKS GAUG PANEL HarryB


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[HarryB]

Today marks our second anniversary, and boy it has been fun. This car is way more than a car to me, it is my therapy. Regardless if it is about a slow night drive, a top-down cruise, a spirited blast in a mounted road or just washing it at 2AM, this machine has ways of making me happy, and taking my worries away. I have thought of it over and over and I will be investing some more silly money on it, starting from a complete respray, so I know it will be my forever car now.

For our anniversary, I have decided a while back to get a new nose badge. The gems Adam made were really tempting and as such I went on and ordered a Type 60 one, to match the Mazda logo on my gauges. Did not like the white bits so I asked him to remove them. I originally wanted to go with a black one with a chrome lettering; in my view it would be the easiest way to match it with everything. Then I thought I would ask if a custom Strato blue would be possible; and Adam made it happen. And then I saw a picture of some XR4 wheel center cap stickers with gold lettering on his IG...and my jaw dropped. I knew I loved gold, and given that my wheel centers are going to be painted in champagne, I started having second thoughts over whether I should give it a try. After lots of backs and forths, I decided to play "safe" and go with the chrome one, that would match anything. So I placed my order and waited...and then this happened.



Adam had actually sent me two of those without me knowing; the second one in the gold colour I so badly wanted but were too scared to "risk" it. I haven't been so happy and excited for a very long time.



I mean...just look at it! The gold shade is just perfect, so damn classy and looks so good against the blue background!! And the quality of these little gems is simply unreal. I had very high expectations to begin with, since I have bought Adam's stuff before, but these well exceeded them! He even managed to match the car paint pretty close (rested against the hood for the pic).



In the first pic you might have as well spotted a set of Sharka rings; these came from chiefmg, which was so kind to receive my badges from Adam and then forward them with the rings to me, so to save on shipping. Thanks a lot Mike, not only for this but also for the excellent packaging, the great condition of the rings and for taking the extra step and making sure I have everything in hand. People like you, Adam, Randy, Petros and many others in here make me happy and proud to be part of the community.

[chiefmg]

Harry, I'm glad the package finally made it to you. Those badges look great (Adam made me swear not to tell you he sent both).

For anyone shipping stuff overseas, the USPS tracking number doesn't work once it's out of the States (or at least in this case it didn't) so I had no idea where it was. I had visions of some postal worker somewhere ending up with Mazda badges on his Honda!

[RustRat]

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[HarryB]

There was more indeed! Even before the 1st package made it to me, my friend Peter (RustRat) told me he intended to place an order from Adam, so I added a rear badge as well. Adam remembered the chrome/gold controversy, and he added an extra gold in that set as well as a gift. Needless to say I was speechless once more when I found out, thank you so much!

Then I had this conversation with Peter, telling him how amazing, almost unreal the blue/gold badge looked, and mentioned that the next step would be a stacked MOMO horn button, with the same colour combo, so that I can finally installed my Super Indy. Fast forward a couple of weeks, and this happens



That's what happens when you have awesome friends around. Two years back I didn't knew any of them; two years and lots of discussions and passion about the same things can get you a long way though. Thanks a lot guys, cannot put to words how much I appreciate these!!!

[HarryB]

A couple of months ago I was fooling around at eBay UK when a set of JDM Eunos Roadster checkered mats popped up. These were all black, so they could fit the vision I had for my interior, and albeit filthy they looked in good condition. Auction was finishing, so I bidded, not expecting to win...until I won. Could not believe my luck as these came to a total of 25 euros shipped. Here's how they looked when arrived:



They look dirty from here, but what cannot be seen is how much dirt can really be hidden in a thick, close loop carpet. Man these were filthy... I tried to remove as much of the dirt by hitting them against a wall for 20mins, producing huge dust clouds. Then I tried compressed air, kicking more and more out. Then I vacuumed them twice, and after that pressure washed them for approx 15'. But they were still dirty... So I put them in the bathtub, warm water and clothes detergent, plus a stiff brush for carpets. After the 2nd pass this was what they left behind



Took me 4 more passes and approximately 1.5 hour to get them properly clean, but the end result was worth it!





Now I am afraid of putting them in the car fearing that they will get dirty again

[chiefmg]

That's awesome about your badges Harry.

Those mats were some kind of dirty. Way to persevere and get them clean. They look great.

[theothersawyer]

Those mats look brand new! Good work!

[HarryB]

Having scored a few sweet parts lately, I have been thinking of the stuff I have accumulated and is waiting to be installed, as well as all the effort that I have put on this little car, and then decided to write down a "spec" list, Steve-style, just to have an idea of the current status. Then figured out, why not share it with everyone on my favorite forum?

2004 Miata NB2 1.6 EUDM high edition, tan interior, wooden Nardi package, heated seats

EXTERIOR
RS Factory Stage front lip (copy)
OEM mud flaps
Custom Revlimiter Type 60 badges
Side relocation front plate mount
OEM HT
New mohair hood

INTERIOR
Lotus Elise seats
KG Works stainless cluster bezel
AWD gauge rings
AWD needle covers
Revlimiter custom "Spyder" gauges
LED interior/gauges/switch bulbs
Trans tunnel side lights
JDM Eunos black floor mats
JDM Roadster gear lever surround
Custom leather door handle covers
Custom leather handbrake cover
Custom leather gaiter cover
Padded glovebox/central console
JDM folding visors
Revlimiter Sharka vent rings
MOMO Super Indy
Custom Revlimiter Type 60 horn button

ENGINE & TRANSMISSION
Toyota COPS
IL Motorsport aluminum radiator
Kraftwerks Rotrex C30/74 intercooled kit
MS2 Enhanced ECU
RX8 420cc injectors
Thermal intake gasket
Rewrapped wiring loom
Mazdaspeeed engine mounts
OEM Torsen T2
ACT ProLite flywheel
ACT HD clutch

SUSPENSION & HANDLING
OEM Sport package underbraces
TR Lane double hoop roll bar
Frame rails
RB rear subframe brace
Maruha coilovers

WHEELS, TIRES, BRAKES
15x7 et24 Watanabe RS8
Watanabe center caps
Watanabe lug nuts
Watanabe valve stems & caps
Federal 595RSR
OEM Sport package brakes (270/276mm)
Pagid rotors
HEL braided brake lines
ATE Typ100 fluid

OTHERS
Front Tie Down Hooks Removed
Reconditioned Wiper Arms
Reconditioned top latches
Cappuccino washer bottle
Philips 4300K Crystal Vision headlamp bulbs
Custom derlin door bushings
Cleaned/sanitized HVAC system

MAINTENANCE
Continental accessory belts
Continental timing belt
OEM Mazda idler bearings replacement
OEM Mazda cam seal replacement
OEM Mazda crankshaft seal replacement
OEM Mazda fuel filter replacement
OEM Mazda PCV valve replacement
OEM Mazda VC gasket replacement
OEM Mazda shifter insulation replacement
OEM Mazda shifter boots & cap replacement
OEM Mazda top latch end caps replacement
OEM Mazda thermostat replacement
OEM Mazda brake lights grommets replacement
Valeo 100 coolant
Redline LSD oil
Redline gearbox oil


Aforementioned list includes a lot of parts I already have (or paid for) but not installed yet, and I have to confess that it gave me a great motivation to start working and installing them on the car. Pretty sure I have forgot some stuff I have already done as well.

Still a shitload to do; created a duplicate list including parts I am looking for. I think I am enjoying this more than I should.

[NCGreasemonkey]

Nice!

You reminded me I need to update my list.

Peace Nut!