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Thread: Groundhog Day 93LE

  1. #1
    Idling - Listen to it purr... TheJackel2013's Avatar
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    Groundhog Day 93LE

    Hello All,

    Thought I would document my build. For me it's a Groundhog Day build because in 1996, I bought a lease return 93LE from my local Mazda dealership. I had no idea it was a rare car, I just liked the color combo and it was the first time i had drove a Miata. A 5 minute test drive turned into 10 years of ownership and 240,000 kms (150,000 miles). When I sold it, it had been through 2 turbo kits and countless mods. Here's a pic from 2005 at Miatas at the Gap

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    After the Miata, I had a string of fun weekend cars, E39 M5, S2000, MK6 GTI, and ultimately this

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    After a couple of years with my childhood dream, I was pretty bored. It was simply way too capable and unflappable to enjoy on the street. Worse was the long gearing, 2nd gear was good for more than 80 mph. so most times I could get 1 shift in before I had to shut it down. Ended up selling it for more than I paid for it so I began to look for another toy, but this time something fun. So it dawned on me that the most fund I ever had with a car was a Miata.

    I went to the dealership, test drove a NC and ND, both were OK, but wasn't as good as what I remembered my old 93LE. What to do... Finding a good low mile rust free NA is hard here in Canada, but by chance I stumbled onto a Kijiji ad one night for a 93LE with 41,000 kms (24k miles). Drove 3 hours to see it the next day, I couldn't believe it, the mileage checked out. Original paint, no rust, no accidents. Best of all, it was kept indoors under a cover. So all the rubber trim was soft, supple and black as new. I quickly made a deal for a great price and drove her home the next week.

    So here's Groundhog, my 2nd 93LE. This time it's a keeper. I took it to Radwood Philly, sorry for the bad pics, the weather was overcast.

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  3. #2
    Idling - Listen to it purr... TheJackel2013's Avatar
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    This thing is clean, Original exhaust

    IMG_3215.jpg


    The Mods started innocently enough. Coco Mats, some interior trim. All easily reversible. I didn't want to do too much to ruin my museum piece. After all, If I wanted to mod, shouldn't I have started with a less pristine example? This thing still had the original 25 yr old sealed beam headlights !!! No creases in the leather seats. No one's really sat in the passenger seat, the foam is like new. The MSSS stereo still works 100%, everything lights up and functions.

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    Some new bump stops to make the Bilsteins ride better. Ever see original rust free springs with the powder coating intact?

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    25 year old slider pins look almost new

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    Last edited by TheJackel2013; 01-13-2019 at 09:43 PM.

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  5. #3
    Idling - Listen to it purr... TheJackel2013's Avatar
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    So 15 years ago with my first 93LE , I had a Greddy Turbo kit, and then a FMII. It was so much fun. Driving the car now, I didn't really miss the speed, as I have other cars in the fleet for that but I did have a couple of times where I forgot how slow a stock NA Miata is and tried to merge onto a highway in front of much larger cars. Definitely a few butt puckering moments waiting for it to get up to speed. So I thought, nothing crazy this time maybe just a used JRSC or something. Something to help the car get up to speed better.

    Then this happened. Very lightly used, low mileage FMII with GT2560R

    fullsizeoutput_2996.jpg

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  7. #4
    Admin / Pit Boss / Miataholic Phatmiata's Avatar
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    Ah yeah loving this build already!!

    Welcome from a fellow 93LE miata owner.

    Subscribed !!

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  9. #5
    Individual-1 ☚ ☻ ☛ Agent☣Orange's Avatar
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    Nothing like Commie red but what do I know?


    No todo que es oro brilla.

  10. #6
    Idling - Listen to it purr... TheJackel2013's Avatar
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    Car came with a spare MSSS faceplate, brand new. My current one is in great shape so this is destined to stay in my closet. Unless i get an offer for an obscene amount.....or a trade for some Aerodramatics door latches...LOL

    fullsizeoutput_29a0.jpg

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  12. #7
    Idling - Listen to it purr... TheJackel2013's Avatar
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    Getting ready for the install. Pulled the tranny off for an ACT Streetlite flywheel and Supermiata clutch and noticed some minor weeping on the oil pan. It was all the excuse I needed to pull the motor and drop the pan so I don't have to drill and tap the pan for the turbo oil drain while the pan is still on the car. I could never see how people are comfortable doing it that way. mmmm clean.

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  14. #8
    Admin / Pit Boss / Miataholic Phatmiata's Avatar
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    Wow that’s dedication right there. Any reason you chose the act flywheel and supermiata clutch over the FM happymeal??
    I still have to get a clutch and flywheel yet and looking at my options. I’m assuming you did the 1.8 clutch & flywheel??

  15. #9
    2,000 rpm - light wheelspin, no bog here!
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    Looks like a blast! Congratulations!
    93' LE - FM II and more
    253k miles
    Smile

  16. #10
    Idling - Listen to it purr... TheJackel2013's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Phatmiata View Post
    Wow that’s dedication right there. Any reason you chose the act flywheel and supermiata clutch over the FM happymeal??
    I still have to get a clutch and flywheel yet and looking at my options. I’m assuming you did the 1.8 clutch & flywheel??
    Yup, upgraded to the 1.8 size. I chose the Streetlite because I had a happy meal on my old FMII. I found the 10 pound flywheels a little rattle-ly for my liking, so the Streetlite at 13.9 lbs seems like good compromise. It's all personal preference. I'm the wrong side of 40 and going to a sub 10 pound flywheel is too hardcore for me these days. If I'm lucky, I'll get to one track event a year, so most of the time, it's all about the street comfort/fun balance. I also hated the on-off feeling of ACT clutches.

    The current FM clutch has some bad reviews, and all the negativity references the same complaint of clutch shudder. So it seems like a common theme.

    Plus I really liked the explanation by Emilio on why the Supermiata clutch is superior. And I couldn't find any bad reviews.

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  18. #11
    Idling - Listen to it purr... TheJackel2013's Avatar
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    Engine internals are clean, no wear on the valve train at all. Pan is drilled and tapped and back on. I hope the RTV holds. I had to pull it off and double goop after finding that I forgot the re-install the baffle nut

    I took the opportunity to wrinkle paint the valve cover

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  20. #12
    Admin / Pit Boss / Miataholic Phatmiata's Avatar
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    Which Supermiata Clutch are you planning to install? And where / whom did you purchase the clutch and flywheel set up from?

    I have the FM2 turbo kit here (still in the box) but have yet to purchase the Clutch and flywheel etc yet, so im very interested so see what others are using.

    PS I'm also on the wrong side of 40

  21. #13
    2,000 rpm - light wheelspin, no bog here!
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    I'll throw my 2 cents in (for what it's worth). I like Centerforce clutches. Now I haven't installed mine in my Miata yet, but I had one in my 1969, 390 Big Bad Orange AMX and the peddle pressure was like butter. Now I'm on the wrong side of 60 and really need it. Not only was the Centerforce clutch easy on my left leg, it locked up like crazy! I could do unreal burn outs! Do with the info what you want. ENJOY! Forgot to say I had one in my 1990 Eagle Talon TSi AWD. That car performed great!!! One night a raced a Porsche 911 and out ran him after 135mph. Not bad for a car that was at least half the price! The clutch made a huge difference to that car. I know you ended up buying something else and that's fine. I just wanted to add this for other readers. For me Centerforce is the clutch and pressure plate and I didn't ever have a "Dual Friction" or other type clutches they now offer. If you want the BEST of Both Worlds lock-up and light pedal pressure, Centerforce is the one.
    Last edited by CLZinn2; 01-26-2019 at 09:22 PM.

  22. #14
    5,000 rpm - there be torque here! Greasemonkey2000's Avatar
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    Great looking cars! Absolutely love the LE and looks like you on your way to another fantastic Roadster! Looking forward to your progress!
    '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

  23. #15
    3,000 rpm - starting to feel the power MX5Wisher's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Phatmiata View Post
    I have the FM2 turbo kit here (still in the box)
    What and you'll buy a spare cause ya know, they might become hard to find

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