Paul B's 90 NA "Build"

[HarryB]

3d print a kazoo inside the duct.

Had to actually google it to see what a kazoo is but then I laughed so hard!

Paper template is a great idea. Cereal boxes are perfect for this, as their material is as stiff as needed.

[Paul B]

Had to actually google it to see what a kazoo is but then I laughed so hard!

Paper template is a great idea. Cereal boxes are perfect for this, as their material is as stiff as needed.

Gotta find a big enough cereal box.

Glad you got a laugh outta the kazoo.


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[Paul B]

Today was a good Miata day.

Many thanks to Rene (Miata quest) for the great prices and crazy fast shipping on the valve cover and Carbon Miata bumper duct.

Valve cover went on without a hiccup. Realized I need a new gasket so Ill order one and when it arrives Ill paint the recessed letter. Maybe Ill get some dress up bolts too.

Before. Weird purple.


After.


While the VC was off I dremeled some material on the plug wire cover where it was hitting the Oil cap. No more issues there. Was able to save the revlimiter oil cap insert and reposition it.


Then I decided to tackle the CarbonMiata bumper duct. Of course, no directions or templates of where to cut or how or anything came with the duct.

Spent some time last night and filled major imperfections with some filler and sanded it all smooth. Then used some white krylon I had on hand to coat it with some white. Not a perfect match but it will do the job. It is close enough to 27 year old paint on my beat up front bumper.

Cut the hole. Used a utility knife. It made quick work of the bumper. My paper templates were pretty much useless. I wanted the duct as low as it could fit so after cutting a hole I found the bumper support and cut along that then used that as a reference for the rest of the opening.





Nerve-wracking. Eventually the whole car will be re-painted but cut a hole too big? Cant fix that lol dont have a spare bumper.

After much cutting and many test fits the duct was in place.


Now to secure it. Contacted a friend who is much better with details than me. He had a rivet gun. Perfect. Quick drive to his place, some ocd measuring, some holes drilled, quick trip to Lowes for longer rivets and it was installed.





Holy shit I am stoked. It looks so good (in my opinion). Was skeptical about this CM duct as I feel the Brightning one looks better. Or so I thought. Also didnt think a bumper duct would look good on a white car. I was wrong. I love the look. So happy.

I think the aggressiveness of the front bumper the car needs the GV style front lip back on as well as fender flares.




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[—tsingson—]

Looks good man!

[BRGNA8]

It's evolving with every page. Great work Paul!

[MiataQuest]

Wow, you work fast!

[Paul B]

Wow, you work fast!

Hahaha didnt take much! Valve cover is super simple.

Bumper duct wasnt too bad either.

Just nerve wracking and hard to figure out where to place it.

Had to run to Lowes to buy longer rivets delays the process a half hour.


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[Paul B]

GV replica lip went on today. So pleased with how this all came out.

Really wish my bumper was in better condition.




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[RustRat]

Looks good! I like it that way. Maybe add canards, since you go for flares too?


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[Paul B]

Looks good! I like it that way. Maybe add canards, since you go for flares too?


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Thanks man!! Idk if i can do canards. Maybe if this was going to be a track car.....maybe one day lol


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[Paul B]

Today was a great day. Went to the gun range for work. Shot lead down range. Worked with the tazer. Wife wanted to hangout with my son and sister-in-law. I had free time to play with the Miata and ride my bike. It was a good day.


Bike in Miata. Passenger seat is out waiting for the other set of harness grommets.


I dont think Ive enjoyed either of my miatas as much as I do this car as it currently sits. (Turbo in my last car was great but had tons of unresolvable irritating hiccups).

The bumper duct had me skeptical and looking for a replacement bumper before the install was even finished. Wasnt sure if Id like it. Now that it is in, I LOVE it. It makes the cute, soft, jelly bean front fascia into something aggressive and race-inspired. But it doesnt look out of place in my opinion. Very OEM+ which is what Im going for. So glad I cut it up and l didnt mess it up. Now if only previous owner didnt have the OeM license plate holder installed that left dimples in the bumper. Oh well.

So I took the long way between skateparks. Drove along the Niagara river that separates Grand Island NY and Canada. Stopped at a rest area to snap some crappy phone photos.











Need to figure out how and where to do a proper photo shoot.


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[Paul B]

After a hot, sweaty drive this weekend I have decided to purchase vent window(s) for the miata.

Question for you all....

Which quarter vent window is preferred?

Looking to place an order this weekend.

So Project G??


or

MiataRoadster?


Only difference seems that the MiataRoadster version puts the vent higher to direct air more to the face. Maybe better for legit racecars where drivers need air to the helmet. Not quite sure I need air directly to my face, just air into the cockpit.

I am leaning towards the Project G version just based on aesthetic....i like the look of the vent in the lower corner.

Thinking of only doing the driver side.

Does anyone have experience with either? Appears to be same material and vent.

Thanks!


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[Paul B]

I decided on the Project G vent window after some advice on instagram from Eric. Only one side was ordered. If it works well I may grab the other side.

The window arrived today and it got installed. Took a couple hours. And an 8 hour break while I was at work. Removal of oem window and actually getting the G vent in place wasnt hard at all.

Getting the gaskets all fitted properly and the window guide upright in proper positioning took some effort to get it all aligned.

Fingers crossed that nothing leaks. Guess its more reason to drive this car only on perfectly nice days.

I am very pleased with how it looks. The vent in the lower corner is aesthetically pleasing. The vent can be rotated so there should be no problem getting air to my sweaty face, abdomen or swamp ass area.



(Ignore the shirtless reflection. It was humid in my garage tonight.)



Thanks Eric for the recommendation and advice!!


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[Paul B]

The last few days I've contemplated going to a different window in my hardtop. Mine has a defroster that I dont use nor do i plan on using. Rather than trying to source a color matched hard top with a non-defrost window, a lexan window may be the ticket.

ie: Project G G shield

I like the way the G Shield mounts and the available vents for it look amazing . So I may order one of those up after I work some overtime.

In the meantime I was curious how the top would look without the dark tint. Tint has been on since 2013 when I got the car to match the top lol.

3 minutes of online research and off came the tint. Came off easy in 3 large pieces. Much residue is left. Will tackle that tomorrow.

Before:


After:


Im digging the see-through look. Guess it helps when your interior is kinda cool looking.


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[CollinMB]

You may want to consider finding a trade w/ cash on top. Hardtops w/ defrosters are worth a pretty penny.