Newb questions/not finding it?

[RichardCranium]

Hey guys,
I'm not necessarily a NEW member but I'm still wet behind the ears here. I've been looking around and using what resources I could but it's taken a VERY long time to get some answers I ended up getting through a text conversation. I'll get to the point in a second, I promise. I tend to not ask questions on forums because someone has ALWAYS seen this question and then turn it into a newb burning session. Yes, I'm still new to the mx-5 so my questions may be general but no, I am not clueless when it comes to car so please don't explode. That being said, here's what I have;
I recently went to a couple Miata junk yards and bought some bits used from all over FL. This includes:
-NEW 80 durameter Ronin motor mounts
-NEW Energy Sus. diff mounts
-used derlin mm's (that I put in the car thinking those of you that said it was too much were just being touchy but they ARE TOO MUCH! Dash cracked the second time I did a dig....)
-used racelands with springs
-NEW vmaxx adjustable struts w/o springs
-Used, what look like ebay, adjustable cam gears
-misc. interior parts all used
-MST bronze rims with tires new and never used (tires with stickers on them and off the rim)

So yeah, I got all of that for around $500 and am now in the process of scouring the net for ages looking for the best threads and links to print out and use in a "build book". I plan on keeping a record of which techniques I use so when changing things out I don't run into any stupid mistakes.



** MY POINT **
Is there any chance you guys could post the best links you've recommended to previous 'newbs' when they ask stuff in this section? Maybe you guys can fill it with all the best links so we have something to start with instead of being attacked (which this forum seems to be much less angry than others) with "did you even search?" questions. You can just refer them to this thread and call it a day? I did a small search and didn't find anything so feel free to link me to someone that's done this before but I must have missed it. Sorry to ask, I just need help with these installs and figured it was a good opportunity. Have a good one!

[3MiataFamily]

There are subsections in this and other forums..

post a SPECIFIC question in each..if you cannot already find the answer in that section...

there really is no general 'go here' kinda place to get answers without have a specific question in mind...

Research is your friend...search function is your BEST friend...

[WASABI]

Hi Richard, we try to keep this site on level ground and take out the douche baggery found in other sites. Sounds like you got some nice upgrades. But, what will work best is asking a single question for each item that you need help with. Like, "Can I mount my Raceland springs on VMaxx shocks?" "Can I run NB top hats on my NA?", and so on. Good luck!

[RichardCranium]

There are subsections in this and other forums..

post a SPECIFIC question in each..if you cannot already find the answer in that section...

there really is no general 'go here' kinda place to get answers without have a specific question in mind...

Research is your friend...search function is your BEST friend...

I guess I could have been more detailed but are you telling me that looking through all the pages is the best way? It can't be generalized into "Here's a good motor mount thread" and "Here's the best suspension thread" kind of stuff? I might be getting confused with wordings on forums but I've always looked for the basic questions first and they end up being in 6 different threads all telling bits and pieces of the same thread (if that makes sense). I just feel like I spend more time looking for build threads/ install threads than I do working on/driving the car. Again, I may be searching wrong or wording my questions wrong but it never fails in taking me all around the forum just for someone to say "go here, he did the best job".
If you still think just searching is my best option, then I have no other choice but it would be nice to know either the tricks to getting info faster or get help with being pointed in the correct direction (sorry for the run-on).

[RichardCranium]

I guess I could have been more detailed but are you telling me that looking through all the pages is the best way? It can't be generalized into "Here's a good motor mount thread" and "Here's the best suspension thread" kind of stuff? I might be getting confused with wordings on forums but I've always looked for the basic questions first and they end up being in 6 different threads all telling bits and pieces of the same thread (if that makes sense). I just feel like I spend more time looking for build threads/ install threads than I do working on/driving the car. Again, I may be searching wrong or wording my questions wrong but it never fails in taking me all around the forum just for someone to say "go here, he did the best job".
If you still think just searching is my best option, then I have no other choice but it would be nice to know either the tricks to getting info faster or get help with being pointed in the correct direction (sorry for the run-on).

Having said that my questions are:
-Best technique for installing mm's without removing engine?
-easiest way to install coilovers (I'm currently using the 'long bolt' technique)
-is there a way to install diff mounts without removing entire diff?
- and based on these upgrades and me wanting to do some light track work but mostly DD, should I be worried about these parts messing with other stock parts/what did you replace when you did these?

I've searched all of these and end up finding a thread that has people fighting over which 3 ways work best but no one definitive answer.

[Demon I Am]

looking at build threads is research. Sounds like you have your hands in too many pots at one time. Concentrate on one query at a time. No one has an end-all-be-all list of the perfect everything for a Miata. If there was such a thing, I'm sure very few people could afford to follow it. Figure out the one thing you want to do (Which motor mount is best for a daily driver?). Find a how-to, or maybe 2 of them. Read them as well as the comments. Were there pictures of every step? can you visualize every step? Are there any pro-tips/shortcuts in the comment threads? Usually when someone makes a great how-to, you can tell it pretty instantly. There's not always "a best way" to do a job, it comes down to what is best for that person. See Revlimiter.net for a model example of they way how-tos should be constructed.


There is no perfect Miata. Everything comes down to research and personal preferences.

Think honestly of how you plan to use the car. The most common saying is "Daily driver with occasional track days (autocross). Just in that statement, there are endless possibilities of what is right and best. Sure, Delrin mounts hold the motor in place, improve shift feel, etc, BUT if your "occasional track day" is one or 2 per year, but that's 2 days out of an ENTIRE YEAR. Do you really want to ride around in a car that rattles and squeaks so loudly that it is unbearable at every stop lights? Are their compromises? Sure there are, but are the the best? No, because they are compromises! Money, Comfort, Performance, Aesthetics, Quality; You'll rarely make any purchase or mod without making a compromise in one of these areas. Having a goal of what you want out of your car will save you a lot of money in the long run.

[RichardCranium]

looking at build threads is research. Sounds like you have your hands in too many pots at one time. Concentrate on one query at a time. No one has an end-all-be-all list of the perfect everything for a Miata. If there was such a thing, I'm sure very few people could afford to follow it. Figure out the one thing you want to do (Which motor mount is best for a daily driver?). Find a how-to, or maybe 2 of them. Read them as well as the comments. Were there pictures of every step? can you visualize every step? Are there any pro-tips/shortcuts in the comment threads? Usually when someone makes a great how-to, you can tell it pretty instantly. There's not always "a best way" to do a job, it comes down to what is best for that person. See Revlimiter.net for a model example of they way how-tos should be constructed.


There is no perfect Miata. Everything comes down to research and personal preferences.

Think honestly of how you plan to use the car. The most common saying is "Daily driver with occasional track days (autocross). Just in that statement, there are endless possibilities of what is right and best. Sure, Delrin mounts hold the motor in place, improve shift feel, etc, BUT if your "occasional track day" is one or 2 per year, but that's 2 days out of an ENTIRE YEAR. Do you really want to ride around in a car that rattles and squeaks so loudly that it is unbearable at every stop lights? Are their compromises? Sure there are, but are the the best? No, because they are compromises! Money, Comfort, Performance, Aesthetics, Quality; You'll rarely make any purchase or mod without making a compromise in one of these areas. Having a goal of what you want out of your car will save you a lot of money in the long run.

Then research it is but I still have issues finding things. As of now, I can do everything I've asked, it's just a matter of opinions on who's done it multiple times.
As for my "dd with occasional track use", I plan on switching out the derlin mounts for the softer ones but also plan on running the quarter mile with it on most test and tune nights just for fun. I know I won't be putting down respectable times but maybe I can be faster than the slammed Miata's running out here?


Also,
how do you search here? When looking for motor mount installs it took way too many tries to find what I was looking for. Same with raceland installs. These tend to be easy questions but when I ask "how to install motor mounts" I get "which mounts should I use?" and "tell me about mounts". Am I doing something wrong?

[Demon I Am]

-Best technique for installing mm's without removing engine?
I went to google and typed "Install Miata Motor Mount"
http://forum.miata.net/vb/printthread.php?t=204971
http://www.themazdaforum.com/showthr...tor-Mount-Swap

-easiest way to install coilovers (I'm currently using the 'long bolt' technique)
I went to Google and typed "Install miata coilover"
http://www.miata.net/garage/shock_install.html
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w8_Ds_eV_4E

-is there a way to install diff mounts without removing entire diff?
I hope you are seeing a pattern here
http://garagestar.com/media/instruct...f_bushings.pdf
http://www.miataturbo.net/suspension...install-42392/
http://www.mazda-speed.com/forum2/in...c,17487.0.html
- and based on these upgrades and me wanting to do some light track work but mostly DD, should I be worried about these parts messing with other stock parts/what did you replace when you did these?

Search button is top right of page.
try things like
"motor mount install" (Use quotes if you are looking for a phrase), "Motor mount" "How-to", and things like that.

[— Phatmiata —]

We welcome new and old questions, there is no flaming of newbs or questions here, that behavior will earn folks a vacation!!

We don't bite here, just ask questions and the folks that wish to help will gladly chime in.

You can ask any Miata related question here ----> http://mazdaroadster.net/forumdispla...MAZDA-ROADSTER

[RichardCranium]

-Best technique for installing mm's without removing engine?
I went to google and typed "Install Miata Motor Mount"
http://forum.miata.net/vb/printthread.php?t=204971
http://www.themazdaforum.com/showthr...tor-Mount-Swap

-easiest way to install coilovers (I'm currently using the 'long bolt' technique)
I went to Google and typed "Install miata coilover"
http://www.miata.net/garage/shock_install.html
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w8_Ds_eV_4E

-is there a way to install diff mounts without removing entire diff?
I hope you are seeing a pattern here
http://garagestar.com/media/instruct...f_bushings.pdf
http://www.miataturbo.net/suspension...install-42392/
http://www.mazda-speed.com/forum2/in...c,17487.0.html
- and based on these upgrades and me wanting to do some light track work but mostly DD, should I be worried about these parts messing with other stock parts/what did you replace when you did these?

Search button is top right of page.
try things like
"motor mount install" (Use quotes if you are looking for a phrase), "Motor mount" "How-to", and things like that.

Thanks for the advice and links but what I was really looking for was the last sentence. I've been searching in a completely different manor but this has already given me an answer, thank you.

[RichardCranium]

-Best technique for installing mm's without removing engine?
I went to google and typed "Install Miata Motor Mount"
http://forum.miata.net/vb/printthread.php?t=204971
http://www.themazdaforum.com/showthr...tor-Mount-Swap

-easiest way to install coilovers (I'm currently using the 'long bolt' technique)
I went to Google and typed "Install miata coilover"
http://www.miata.net/garage/shock_install.html
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w8_Ds_eV_4E

-is there a way to install diff mounts without removing entire diff?
I hope you are seeing a pattern here
http://garagestar.com/media/instruct...f_bushings.pdf
http://www.miataturbo.net/suspension...install-42392/
http://www.mazda-speed.com/forum2/in...c,17487.0.html
- and based on these upgrades and me wanting to do some light track work but mostly DD, should I be worried about these parts messing with other stock parts/what did you replace when you did these?

Search button is top right of page.
try things like
"motor mount install" (Use quotes if you are looking for a phrase), "Motor mount" "How-to", and things like that.

Also, as helpful as those links will be, I tend to shy away from crossing info on forums. So far it's lead to confusion with the slammers chiming in on the suspension while I ask about strip suspension and elitist trying to discourage me when I try budget and diy nonsense.

[— kung fu jesus —]

There is no such thing as a stupid or old question on this forum. I will help people search for answers if I don't know myself.

Each of your questions are special cases that need your best description of use and preferences so those who know can articulate the knowledge you seek effectively.

For instance, a motor mount DIY or suspension DIY has different methods, but each depends on the resources you have available, the time you need, and your experience level.

Searching the internet, string queries all depend on the right combination of words. I have had difficult experiences diagnosing and fixing a couple of issues with my latest daily driver because I am unfamiliar with the car, but am pretty experienced at repairing cars in general. If it weren't for forums similar to this and the people on them local to me who were willing to meet me, offer their time and expertise, I would have given up a long time ago.

We have all been were you are and are more than willing to help. As others have said, I will also reiterate...we do_not condone flaming or ostracizing here. We work pretty hard to enforce that and it is what makes this site unique in the community.

[Winlowe]

Welcome to the MR forum

[— kung fu jesus —]

To answer the original questions briefly,

Suspension:

Two common ways to do it. One is the long bolt method. The other is removing the lower ball joint from the lower control arm (This is on the front suspension). To do that, it is a short 17mm bolt that captures the balljoint on the lower control arm. You can see the bolt where the bottom of the shock attaches to the control arm. It allows you to swing the knuckle/upright away while it is still attched to the upper control arm. You may need an extra pair of hands/someone to step on the lower control arm in order to remove the shock assembly.

Engine mounts:

Removing the nut seen from the bottom of the front subrame first, you can use a cherry picker to carefully support the engine and lift it a little out of the engine bay. You can also use a floor jack with a block of wood on the oil pan to *carefully* lift the engine up to change the mounts. NAs are different, depending on the engine you have. I use a few extensions and a 3/8" ratchet to access the bolts, through the wheels wells, that secure the mounts to the block. It can be fiddle-y so a little patience and a friend to help makes it easier.

Diff mounts:

You *can* change them with the diff still in the car, but this is one of those circumstances where unless you have the right tools, it is easier to take it out or you wind up fighting the car and the position of the diff. It's similar to thinking,"oh, I'll leave that part in and just work around it." and doing that (working around it) winds up taking more time and effort than if you had just removed it.