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Thread: MikeA's NA8 Retrovation

  1. #1
    2,000 rpm - light wheelspin, no bog here! MikeA's Avatar
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    MikeA's NA8 Retrovation

    I picked up my stock '94 Silverstone NA8 with 145xxx km on the clock around two years ago. Since then, any number of distractions have kept me from heading down my retrovation© path, but there's light at the end of the tunnel and it's time for a build thread.

    I'll be heading down the retro path and for purpose of reference, first off I'll stick up some pics of the car as it was when I bought it, and is right now.

    Inspiration has come from many sources, and to mention anyone in particular would be unfair, but thanks to all those that have gone down this path and documented it.











    Last edited by MikeA; 06-05-2020 at 08:07 PM.

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  3. #2
    6,000 rpm - mere mortals would shift NCGreasemonkey's Avatar
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    New build thread!!!
    ... 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

  4. #3
    2,000 rpm - light wheelspin, no bog here! Joelioooo's Avatar
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    Looking forward to this

  5. #4
    Supporting Member Malibu Q's Avatar
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    Looks like it's an NZDM Mx-5. Nice.

  6. #5
    2,000 rpm - light wheelspin, no bog here! MikeA's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Malibu Q View Post
    Looks like it's an NZDM Mx-5. Nice.
    Well spotted. Built in Japan and sold new in NZ at the end of Nov '94. That disgusting wheel is a good indication.

  7. #6
    2,000 rpm - light wheelspin, no bog here! MikeA's Avatar
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    So I was having a poke around the other evening in preparation for some mods to the rear end and came upon this failed attempt by a previous owner.


    Last edited by MikeA; 06-05-2020 at 08:27 PM.

  8. #7
    Super Moderator tsingson's Avatar
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    I love me some silver miatas.

  9. #8
    6,000 rpm - mere mortals would shift Demon I Am's Avatar
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    OH YIKES!

  10. #9
    2,000 rpm - light wheelspin, no bog here! MikeA's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Demon I Am View Post
    OH YIKES!
    Indeed, but better to have spotted it now and not when the battery fell through the floor.

  11. #10
    2,000 rpm - light wheelspin, no bog here! MikeA's Avatar
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    I caught the rust in time and solvent cleaning of the black rubber paint followed by neutralizing and wire brush cleaning of the trunk floor went well. The car is now at a mate who'll (hopefully) do the paint work for me during the coming week.

    I suffer seriously from wheel ADHD and can never make up my mind about what I actually want, but when I came across a set of Enkei Limited Compe's on a Japanese site a while back, I pulled the trigger. Thanks to Rod from Tetsuya Garage for sorting out shipping etc for me.

    I first saw these on a Toyota FXGT way back when and they stuck in my mind. For me that they are uncommon is also a bonus. These'll need a bit of work and are off to a local guru who has done similar work for me previously.


    Last edited by MikeA; 06-05-2020 at 08:27 PM.

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  13. #11
    4,000 rpm - entering the fun zone RustRat's Avatar
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    Great looking wheels, nice choice!

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    MikeA (05-06-2016)

  15. #12
    2,000 rpm - light wheelspin, no bog here! MikeA's Avatar
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    So the replacement battery tray and brackets arrived a few days ago and the I can finally get to getting that mess sorted.

    Some other bits that I picked up a while back are getting tidied and prepped for spraying. I'm undecided about what colour to spray the lips and Zest TSI's. Gloss black, satin black or Silverstone to match the car itself.

    Both lips were bought as R-Package and while the front has markings as expected, interesting to note, the rear lip displays what I believe is the R-Package part number, but not "Made in Canada" as I've seen previously.











    Last edited by MikeA; 06-05-2020 at 10:41 PM.

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  17. #13
    2,000 rpm - light wheelspin, no bog here! MikeA's Avatar
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    Nasties around the battery sorted. I found the drain on the electric aerial had broken at some stage resulting in water getting in and sitting in the recesses around and under the battery tray. In some ways this might not have been a bad thing as it drew my attention to a half-assed repair by a previous owner.

    I managed to get a new battery tray, battery clamp bracket and vent connector tube. I'm looking to replace the battery for a vented model too.

    The plan was always to remove the aerial so I didn't bother trying to reconnect the drain but blocked the drain with a bolt for now.


    Last edited by MikeA; 06-05-2020 at 08:43 PM.

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  19. #14
    3,000 rpm - starting to feel the power BRGNA8's Avatar
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    Looking good Mike!

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    MikeA (05-23-2016)

  21. #15
    2,000 rpm - light wheelspin, no bog here! MikeA's Avatar
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    Been a while but I finally got the rims restored and fitted with tires to the car. What a mission to find anything decent in 185 60 r14 off the shelf so I do feel a bit compromised to be honest, but the Kuhmo's will have to do for now. I used the old wheel nuts so that's on the shopping list too. I've intentionally not restored the centre caps as a reminder of their past life.

    I fitted a set of MX5 Bilsteins and lowering springs that I picked up 2nd hand locally, and the ride and handling is vastly improved compared to what it was before, but I'm not really happy with the arch gap and wheel offset so I'll let things settle and make a call on a solution.

    As luck would have it, the cambelt broke on the way home from tire fitment, so it was new belts all round, waterpump, tensioner, seals, gaskets etc. Very happy with the Gates kit. Did filters and oil at the same time so bring on summer.

    Some quick pics snapped in the drive.





    Last edited by MikeA; 06-09-2020 at 12:51 AM. Reason: Linking updated

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