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Thread: Miata round 2: Miata NB2

  1. #1
    Idling - Listen to it purr... NbSteve's Avatar
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    Miata round 2: Miata NB2

    Hi guys, I'm Steve or Stephen. A few of you may have seen my post asking for help on buying my next mx-5. But this is my first post owning one and will also be my build thread as the time, and money, goes by.

    So after after owning an na8 while I was away at college I swore to someday own another Miata. Well my daily driver(96 Ford Explorer off road build) of 4 months here at home has cost me too much money in such a short period so now that my transmission is busted I figure it's time to cut my losses. And so began my search for an NB as my parents didn't think it'd be smart to get something from the 90's like my Explorer.

    Well I'm happy to say I finally found it!
    Went and looked at it Saturday almost 2 hours from home in Long Beach CA and she was perfect. Had only been there a short time and spent most of its time away from the coast, and the body proved the PO to be truthful as there was no rust. No leaks, no signs of a bad head gasket, trans, NOTHING. I got it for a reasonable price from a guy with a dealers license who took care of all taxes, fees, registration, smog, and dmv paperwork for the price of 8,700. This came out to 7,800 for the car after doing some backwards math. Now you might say that's a lot for an nb2, but what if this nb2 was a mazdaspeed edition? And what if it also had just under 85k on the clock?

    So my mom helped me out, being an 18y/o college dropout working at In n Out part time making about $900-1200 a month, and signed for a loan that I'll be paying for in her name. The paperwork was just finished this afternoon and I'll be picking up the car tomorrow and spending the day at the beach with the top down!



    So given my income and such, updates on the car may not come quickly at first, but I do have plans for it.
    What'll probably happen first is a HD Single diagonal roll bar because I love the uniqueness of that diagonal.
    Might throw a short shifter in or at least a weighted knob because shifting is the best part of driving right? Afterwards, probably some 15" wheels with coil overs following soon after. I like the RH17" wheels but they're too big for my taste.
    So if you'd like a set PM me! Lol
    Maybe some small parts to compliment the turbo such as a manual boost controller from FM and a new BOV(correct me if I'm wrong but wouldn't a new/bigger BOV make a louder sound when the throttle shuts? Not too familiar with forced induction lol). Then eventually a new soft top because I prefer black.

    But all in all, it's a beautiful car even the way it sits and I can't wait for the day full of driving tomorrow.


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    HarryB (06-07-2016),NCGreasemonkey (06-08-2016),tsingson (06-07-2016)

  3. #2
    6,000 rpm - mere mortals would shift HarryB's Avatar
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    Car looks amazing Steve, Titanum Gray is such an awesome colour on NB2s. Roll bar IMO is a must. I also think thet the Miata shifter is just perfect as is, but this is up to your taste; however if you decide for a short shifter please stay away from eBay jobbies, you will ruin the best part of the car.

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    NbSteve (06-07-2016)

  5. #3
    Idling - Listen to it purr... NbSteve's Avatar
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    Miata round 2: Miata NB2

    Yeah I have mixed feelings about the short shifter. I don't have the money to do it now anyways so I won't. But the aftermarket shifter on the car is too skinny and light. On my na8 I went and got a $20 Autozone billet rain drop style shifter and it felt great. Trying to find something similar maybe in a red billet though. Just want that style and the extra weight behind the throws.

    Edit: the shifter it has now is not shown in picture. I snagged these from his craigslist post but he changed it since

  6. #4
    Supporting Member Dandy's Avatar
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    Nice MSM at 18. You are living it. I like what you have planned for it. Good choice.

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  8. #5
    Super Moderator tsingson's Avatar
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    Neat seeing a MSM with a tan top. I love me some Titanium MSMs. Looking forward to what you have in store for it.

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    NbSteve (06-07-2016)

  10. #6
    Idling - Listen to it purr... NbSteve's Avatar
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    Thank you guys. I cannot wait either. I'm just glad to be able to get behind the wheel of one again. Such a fun platform


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  12. #7
    Idling - Listen to it purr... NbSteve's Avatar
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    Picked her up this morning. Such a damn beauty. I'm more in love with this car than anything I've ever owned or driven. And it's bone stock except what the PO says is a borla exhaust. Not a flamethrower but definitely adds a nice tone.
    The turbo is even better than I imagined when at full throttle.
    My dad even took it for a ride on an S-curve in town that "suggests" ~25mph at 55 with the biggest grin on his face after lecturing me all week not to be wreckless lmao.
    My neighbor Ron has an 02 and says he's apart of an Inland Empire Miata group of mostly older men who do canyon runs and such and says I'm welcome to come with him one day so maybe I'll see some of you guys at one point or another!



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  14. #8
    6,000 rpm - mere mortals would shift NCGreasemonkey's Avatar
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    Nice! Might be hard to get the Dad out once he had the wheel. But have safe fun and keep us posted with your build.
    ... Rick

    Quote Originally Posted by Hammerhead View Post
    ...and don't be like an NCGreasemonkey.
    For the thread on Noir click below
    http://mazdaroadster.net/showthread....e-light-Slowly

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  16. #9
    Idling - Listen to it purr... NbSteve's Avatar
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    Lol he already plans on tagging along at the very least if I ever do any runs. He's too afraid of wrecking it though to actually drive her hard, understandably so because this one is a gem and he knows id be very upset

    Being safe about being dumb is my motto. Can't wait to have actual updates for you guys! Thanks for all the interest!


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    NCGreasemonkey (06-08-2016)

  18. #10
    3,000 rpm - starting to feel the power BoBo's Avatar
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    Nice MSM! That's what I want !
    08 Kawasaki Ninja 250R Tuned/Track Prepared
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  19. #11
    5,000 rpm - there be torque here! Greasemonkey2000's Avatar
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    Welcome and congrats on the msm, Steve! Wish i had that nice of a car at 18 yrs old. I wouldn't mind a msm for my wife. ;) Look forward to the updates!
    '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

  20. #12
    Idling - Listen to it purr... NbSteve's Avatar
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    Thanks guys! Can't wait to have updates for ya either. Finishing up my debt relief from a mistaken semester at college as well as loans from parents for my old DD being broken more than I could pay for it, but after that it'll be roll bar(safety first), wheels, and coils, with a few minor touches here and there thanks again for the interest.


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  21. #13
    Idling - Listen to it purr... NbSteve's Avatar
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    So it's been almost two months, but it feels like forever. Here's a quick update on what's happened since I bought her.
    Red bride shift boot from ShiftHappensOC on instagram, it's a decent "universal" product. Had to modify it to fit, and also couldn't use the plastic ring to secure it so it kinda just floats there lol.
    Also grabbed an NRG 1lb shift knob, immediately felt great.
    Had to replace the alternator because a bearing went out causing a loud rattle.
    Just ordered a Robbins XTreme top in black which got here next day.
    Still waiting on my HDSDM2 roll bar to come off back order, then next week I should be looking to order wheels, tires, and coilovers.
    Another month and she'll finally have an all new look!


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  23. #14
    Idling - Listen to it purr... NbSteve's Avatar
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    Looks like I lost everyone's interest because of the gap in posts who cares.
    Well I got my top on today, despite being told numerous times it couldn't be done. It was pretty straight forward. Not all that hard just time consuming.
    Only issue I had is the drivers side of the front bow is kind of raised, but it was like that before. It creates more noise and allowed water through with the old top. I'd assume it will still do that since the noise still exists. Any tips for that?


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  24. #15
    Idling - Listen to it purr... NbSteve's Avatar
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    So this is the black vinyl Robbins XTreme top. $275 instead of the OEM vinyl/plastic $mid300's.
    Came out really nice just waiting for it to stretch.

    BUT WHAT IM REALLY STOKED ABOUT:

    My roll bar also happened to show up today! So since I had the car torn apart I figured all I had to do was remove the shelf panel and seats so I knocked both projects out.
    So stoked with the HDM2SD


    Padding and cover are a must because with the seat all the way back, the headrest is behind the hoop a bit. So if you're tall, definitely get the padding. I went wth the leather cover. Turned out sweet. The padding only sticks to the front side and so it's a noticeable add on. But with the cover, you get a nice one piece look on that main tube and can't even tell it's padded.

    Question: did any of you DIY roll bar people's NOT bolt it the plates to the shelf/wall? I had a ton of hardware but I bolted up the seatbelt shoulder mount then the foothold of the retractor. After that I was left with 14 1" bolts that didn't seem like they'd be long enough to drill through and bolt the plates to the chassis. So I skipped that part.
    So I'm asking who knows if that extra fastening is "optional" or if I got the wrong hardware and should I go back and do it that way?

    Thanks to those who're still interested in the build!

    Ordering wheels and coils tonight!!!


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