Jazz

[Paul B]

Nice grab on the BRG


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[speedypenguin]

I've been dedicating some time to the BRG recently. In addition to adding the Wood Nardi steering wheel awhile back, I've also added tan S-Special door cards, tan Nakamae door pulls, KG Works rear view mirror, and brown V-Special floor mats. Also swapped out the old soft top with faded plastic window for a new-to-me black canvas soft top with glass window, and installed a pair of Runabout S800 mirrors.

Didn't take pictures of this, but I recently bought back the Bellof headlights I used with Jazz awhile back. But...didn't like how they looked and fit with the BRG, so the Bellofs only stayed on the BRG for a couple of days before removal. The Bellofs will be heading to another home this weekend.

[speedypenguin]

Jazz has gotten some work done as well. Had the old motor mounts taken out, and replaced with a pair of new Mazda Competition motor mounts. Turned out be good timing, as the old motor mounts were tearing, and possibly would've completely sheared soon. Also removed the old Hard Dog roll bar. The HD bar came installed in Jazz when I bought the car way back when, and with the hardtop off, decided to take the opportunity to upgrade a newer bar. The new bar should be coming in a couple of weeks.

Speaking of hardtop, sold the OEM hardtop as well. Because of...well, stay tuned.

[oldgrayleather]

B! All these updates! Not surprised you're outpacing my "non-build" BRG ;) though agree with you that Bellofs/ RSA's somehow don't work. I'm enjoying driving around with the barn doors just for the chane of scenery. Love the Kanspo!!!

[HarryB]

You may wanna give Raybrigs a shot. IMO they look amazing and their light output is so much better than stock ones.

[speedypenguin]

Time another update. The BRG went back to the home I acquired it from. Long story short, I have accepted a new job, and will have less time to dedicate to my cars. I decided it was best for the BRG to go, and luckily my friend wanted to buy it back. Hopefully the BRG will stay for longer with him this time...but I've enjoyed modding a BRG. I have always wanted to try adding my own touch to a retro NA with a tan interior. I had my fun, and maybe one day I'll be able to relive the "britishness" of a BRG.

It was nice driving top down with the BRG.


My last drive with the BRG. Driving with leather gloves and a wooden steering wheel is just classy.


Last day with the BRG


Going back to her previous owner. Funny because my friend has now officially owned this BRG three times...I hope that he keeps it for a long time.

[speedypenguin]

On a happier note, I went to Miatas at MRLS earlier this month. What an awesome event. It was great to meet Revlimiter, oldgrayleather, bromungandr, Druz, Rev9...,and reconnecting with old friends and meeting many new Roadster enthusiasts. The collection and variety of cars this year was outstanding. Jazz had a great time as well! He got to meet Sharka, Bucky, Benny, BlueJay, and many other iconic Roadsters.

Note to self: Next year, stop GEEKING out so much, and take more damn pictures! I didn't take a single pic of Bucky...one of my favorite NBs...

Benny! The new setup looks rad. Fantastic work, Pete.


I got to meet Sharka!




Epic to see Sharka in the metal. All the attention to detail...stupendous.


I got to sit in Sharka.


Benny and Jazz. Glad that the both of them got to meet each other.




Only pic I took of BlueJay...sorry Jeo! It was great meeting you, but I forgot to make more pics of BlueJay...awesome roadster with the new ITBs.


Cool diecast model that Pete had signed by Tom Matano. I gotta look into getting one for myself...the wats look so cool on the smurf model!

[speedypenguin]

Not sure if I mentioned in a previous post, but Jazz got a power upgrade. Added a Jackson Racing M45 Supercharger that I got from mx54life (...got the kit a year and a half ago...but finally installed in time for MRLS 2017). It was my first time tackling a supercharger install, and it was a learning process. But now that I've done it, it's straight forward and a nice upgrade over the stock output. It's great to have the extra oomph of the supercharger, and the supercharger whine is addictive.

First time out of the garage with the supercharger.


Tidied up the engine bay before MRLS. Also swapped in a new valve cover that I painted Wrinkle Blue (to match the wrinkle texture of the blower)


I also upgraded Jazz' rollbar to a Blackbird Fabworx GT3 Rollbar. Moti's work is art. Ordered it in a Royal Blue, and in my opinion gives the nice blue pop to the black-and-blue interior theme. The chassis is also more rigid, since the new BBFW rollbar tube OD of 1.75" vs the old HD sport rollbar OD of 1.5". Very happy with this upgrade, something that I had wanted to do for a long time.

[speedypenguin]

Fast forward to the track day. Some friends and I signed up for Sunday Hot Laps. We all drove down bright and early and set up camp within the lot.



The track day was a fun success. All the cars made it through the entire track day. Jazz performed well with the new supercharger setup. No problems, power remained stable, and no overheating. The extra power of the supercharger setup was definitely noticeable, and it was a blast zipping around Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca.

Jazz and Snake520






Happy Jazz.




On the drive home, Jazz ticked over 180K miles. (One of the RS Refine Rings fell out during the track day...)

[speedypenguin]

Some nice captures from one of my friends. He came down to check-out our track day and was our "support vehicle". He helped carry some our larger items in his cool STi.

[speedypenguin]

Here is some footage of one of my laps. It was my first track day since MRLS in 2016. Wicked fun, really reinvigorated my enthusiasm to take Jazz out to a track. I'm going to try to go to more track events next year.

[benpopham]

Some very good updates!

I am very jealous of MRLS, such an incredible meeting and would have loved to have gone. I should be more aware of what is going on over there and try and get out to a meeting.

The supercharger addition is cool, and love the sound

[★ revlimiter ★]

It was SO awesome to meet you and Jazz!!! I'll have some Jazz pix up on my blog... someday. Hopefully next week or earlier.

Such a gorgeous car in person. I really need to get Sharka a set of Wats.

[druz]

The new blue touches look great. Even more beautiful in person.

[oldgrayleather]

Cool diecast model that Pete had signed by Tom Matano. I gotta look into getting one for myself...the wats look so cool on the smurf model!

MRLS is my favorite event of the year. So amazing to finally meet you and Jazz in person. I've just used jetlag and a ridiculous two day trip to London as an excuse to finally start putting together my event recap for a post. I also didn't take nearly enough picture. Too much time with my jaw on my lap and just soaking it all up.

On the Tom Mariam signature, in fact I was doing laps while he was doing his signings and it was Corifto and his huge heart that went and waited in line to get that signed for me!!

Damn I love this crazy little Miata tribe of ours!!