I did a thing.

[—tsingson—]

That's awesome. I know you had the midpipe for Blue Lion done at Henry's but was just wondering if it might be cheaper to get a bolt on piece instead.

[— kung fu jesus —]

I thought about that too. I couldn't remember what I paid at Henry's and I'm sure there are some great options here around Atlanta, but I am pressed for time. I figured the Moss piece was a pretty good deal, even at just shy of 3 bills, shipped, for stainless. Compared to other other off-the-shelf midpipe combos for NBs, it was a great price.

[—tsingson—]

If I remember correctly, it like $300 for the whole thing.

[— kung fu jesus —]

If I remember correctly, it like $300 for the whole thing.

It’s a time/reward play. I paid to have it done on the AE. It wasn’t stainless nor as large as the one I’m putting on this car, but it was about an hour and half at the shop, chewing the fat with the mechanic while he did it versus me doing it at home. I have a decent garage now, and the time under the car allows me to get a closer look at it.

[— kung fu jesus —]

On like Donkey Kong, mothertruckers!

Those seats are for the NA. The MSM seats in it now are going in this NB.

[JamieH]

The NB2 center console should have been in all NBs.

[HarryB]

Agreed! And I think I have a couple for sale too, although I imagine shipping would be a turnoff

[— kung fu jesus —]

I picked up an NB2 header and EGR tube after I dropped those pieces in my office. It was great timing Alex was driving through here, so I got speak with him a bit. VERY nice guy.

Once I returned home, I got jamming on installing it.

There was *something* about the last time I did this, on the 10ae, that I was trying avoid. I couldn’t remember. It was something that caused an issue. It was that the studs on the NB2 are a different pitch than the nuts on the NB1. I’m talking about the ones the join the manifold to the downpipe. It all came back when the first nut started cross-threading.

Fortunately, I was able to get it off.

I found some nuts that worked in my tool chest. They were BMW guibo/driveshaft nuts from the e30.

Extra-extra ugga duggas from the impact wrench got the bungled stud re-treaded. On the 10ae, the stud snapped and the job seemingly took forever. The stock NB2 heat shield and EGR went on without a hitch.



The midpipe install went smoothly after that, except apparently I ordered the upstream O2 from Amazon. I put it in then ran to the store to get a universal 4-wire for the rear. I used the wire instructions from Flying Miata and the plug, grommet, and retaining bracket from the old unit.





I went for a quick drive because it has been a busy day. The car is not as loud as I thought. It sounds the same, but maybe a bit throatier, slightly more growl under WOT. I’ll drive it more in the morning.

I also installed a stock NB2 crossover my friend gave me. It has a Helmholtz resonator that is supposed to add a little torque.

[—tsingson—]

If you want to come full circle, I have Blue Lion's AEM intake...

[— kung fu jesus —]

If you want to come full circle, I have Blue Lion's AEM intake...

You need some tan carpet?

[— kung fu jesus —]

I’ll trade you my RB intake and NB2 tract for your AEM

[—tsingson—]

Text me some pics? Is that the one that turns back towards the front?

[— kung fu jesus —]

Yeah. I’ll shoot some in the AM.

[— kung fu jesus —]

And lo, the emissions gods smiled upon me and bestowed all systems ready.

I did the vacuum reroute, drove the car and the pesky EGR monitor finally gave me the OK. I am ready to smog the car!



Some gratuitous outdoors shots because I haven’t shot any since I bought this.

[— Agent☣Orange —]

Your new 4X4 looks great man.