Doward's 94

[Doward]

I havent updated my build thread on the "other" site, so im going to copy whats over there and update it here :p
This car has kinda gone through phases with me. So here is a quick breakdown to catch up to where its at today:

In the beginning....
I had a Tornado Red 95 Jetta GLX that i drove in highschool, got involved in some occasional auto/rallyX. Eventually wanted a more capable car.
Bought miata, put H&R springs on stock shocks with jetta wheels on it(rota slips.)
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/dans%20hijack%20album/Side.jpg
Bought myself some sweet, brand new at the time SM501s and a fresh buff/wax:
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/dans%20hijack%20album/DSCF0087.jpg
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/dans%20hijack%20album/OVR34.jpg

Bought a catback, randall intake, nardi, etc.
It was really starting to come together, a nice clean dual purpose car... untill:
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/dans%20hijack%20album/DSCF0177.jpg

This started me on path of trackcar, so i bought a wagon for dailying:
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/dans%20hijack%20album/Petrol%20Metrix%20For%20Sale/014.jpg
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/dans%20hijack%20album/DSC07664.jpg



Blew those stock shocks out quick, bought some konis, and introduced CR to isc tophats. OMGZZ
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/dans%20hijack%20album/DSCF0191.jpg
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/dans%20hijack%20album/DSCF0187.jpg
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/dans%20hijack%20album/DSCF0197.jpg

And i buy a Sparco EVO, rollbar, FM framerails, Roadstersport race exhaust, and other fun stuff alongs the lines:
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/dans%20hijack%20album/DSCF0375.jpg
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/dans%20hijack%20album/PICT0022.jpg

All the while staying true to CR form :p
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/dans%20hijack%20album/DSC03751.jpg


It kinda gets blurry, i stop caring what it looks like and drive the shit out of it for a year or two. I stopped following the "scene" and, honestly, kinda stop having fun with it. The car comes out like this(dont hate me):
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/dans%20hijack%20album/PICT0021.jpg


BUT, Then i get to drive this bad boy around the track a few laps and it wakes me back up:
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/dans%20hijack%20album/P1210007.jpg
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/DSC03498.jpg
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/DSC03494.jpg

...

[Doward]

So i get back on the horse, get some new wheels, Stance GR+, 99 head swap, Sport brakes, prop valve, sways/links and do some track days/drift events:

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/dans%20hijack%20album/PICT0100.jpg

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/dans%20hijack%20album/PICT0006-1.jpg

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/dans%20hijack%20album/PICT0002.jpg

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/dans%20hijack%20album/PICT0015.jpg

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/dans%20hijack%20album/DSC04266.jpg

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/dans%20hijack%20album/DSCF0093-1.jpg

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/dans%20hijack%20album/Untitled.jpg

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/dans%20hijack%20album/DSC_0577.jpg

I start following the 949 "formula", 15x9, 225, 750/500, msm rear sway, yada yada...
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/PICT0016-1.jpg
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/03df9025.jpg


And i end up spinning #4 rod. So I have this built:

9:1 CP pistons
Eagle rods
Cometic gaskets
ARP everywhere
New OEM water/oil pumps
New OEM timing belt
AEM EMS w/GM 3bar map, AIT sensor in monsterflow intake pipe, MAF delete

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/dans%20hijack%20album/36233_10150208195220577_44243949057.jpg

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/dans%20hijack%20album/36233_10150208195215577_44243949057.jpg

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/dans%20hijack%20album/36233_10150208195235577_44243949057.jpg


Dyno of build: Mods include bottom end listed above with a bone stock 99 head, stock cam timing, miataroadster intake mani gasket, custom throttlebody gasket, monsterflow intake, maf delete, aem dryflow filter, obx header ceramiced and wrapped, used high-flow cat, roadstersport race exhaust:
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/dans%20hijack%20album/PICT0081.jpg

At this point i have gathered some turbo parts, and am dead set on boosting this thing. So i have the shop throw a honda mani on:

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/5b1fcee4.jpg
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/923070cc.jpg
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/dans%20hijack%20album/218099_10150167429626308_78755191307_6670825_81961 80_n.jpg
You may notice my headlight popped up a bit here^?
Not on purpose. My oil fill cap unscrewed and wedged itself under the headlight bracket. I thought i lost it on track. I started noticing severe smoke going into turn 7 at Mid Ohio, which is a 120-70 right hander. Oil was sloshing forward and left, out of the fill hole and onto the header. I never lost pressure, and it only took about a half quart when i pitted. Grabbed a spare and finished the weekend.

So the car is Fun. Fast. Loud. What more car you ask for? Oh, yea, more rod knock... yay...
And the car sits for 9 months, i literally put the car cover on it dont touch it. For 9 months.

[Doward]

Rod knock video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RBH9uOGqh9E&feature=context&context=C34e0c4fADOEgsToPDskI2I-CNHj7xL-m5UPowE3lW

__________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ ______


For 2011 I took my coils, sways and wheels off and my friend and i built this:

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/dans%20hijack%20album/photo1-1.jpg

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/dans%20hijack%20album/photo2.jpg

which turned into this little monster. I actually ended up winning our local csp class in this. Ive now won 5/6 in the last 6 years with one second place in 2010 codriving other cars. LOL!:

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/dans%20hijack%20album/DSC00861.jpg
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/a49fdef7.jpg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nMqZufgzzx8&context=C34e0c4fADOEgsToPDskI2I-CNHj7xL-m5UPowE3lW

My car is still in the garage on jacks stands tonight. It hasnt moved under its own power since septemberish of 2010 :(
Looking kinda like this:
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/b29d0014.jpg

BUT, that doesnt mean i'm not making progress! :P
ive pulled my "professionally built" motor out:
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/a8705367.jpg

I picked up a full 00 drivetrain off the craigslist and am just gonna drop the stock motor in, selling the 4.3 torsen and trans to flip a profit on the deal!
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/eab93c3b.jpg

I also finally buttoned up my reroute:
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/9916c9a0.jpg

And tonight i started the beginnings of my 1.6 dash swap, wrapping some door toppers in suede.
My plan is to keep my black and tan theme going, problem is, the tan split on a 1.8 dash is below the crashpad, 1.6 crashpads are tan. They dont line up and look goofy. So im going to do what a few have already and cover the dashpad/door tops in suede.

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/3c06d333.jpg
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/4f1fac8b.jpg
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/d3246a7e.jpg
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/a7aead18.jpg

Its kind of funny, looking back.
I started with a 94 M, loaded, leather, abs, cruise, ac, power steering, power antenna, mirrors, windows, whale tail wing, cd changer.
Now all that remains of that is power mirrors/windows.

[JSanker]

I remember your car! Cool build man, I look forward to seeing what else you have in store :)

[Caoboy]

Glad to see this car isn't dead.

[Doward]

So. Am. I!

Picking up my dash and polishing my spare hood Wednesday.
Should have some dash disassembly pics and stuff then :p. Might even snap a pic of it for the "what does your miata look like right now" thread

Anyone ever wrap a gauge hood? I have some spare material and am gonna give it a go.

I'm thinking of putting together something of a "build post" on our black autoX car too. It's life began as a 92 black and tan locost donor. But it's all 1.8 now with a torsen.

[WASABI]

...Anyone ever wrap a gauge hood? I have some spare material and am gonna give it a go.

Nice build so far. looks like you are really enjoying her again. Here are pdf instructions on how to wrap a gauge hood ( www.fagerquist.com/miata/MiataHoodInstall.pdf ). Hope it helps.

-Jim

[stormin'norman]

Makes me happy that you are still working on this car. Neat stuff going on in here.

[Doward]

I have to update this again. :p
I'm posting from my phone so no photos at the moment.

I made a black suede shift boot to match the doors and eventually the dash. Reinstalled the finished door panel tops and also repainted and rewrapped my header.

Had to make another trip to the parts store to buy another freeze plug. I am deleting the front water neck for my reroute. The info I gathered from the web was incorrect on which size plug I needed. Once I've got it installed I will post which size plug I ended up using.

[Doward]

Freeze plug in the front, all accessories swapped over. Cam timing reset. Reroute done, hoses ready. I'm using the GM truck hose from the begi spacer and kia water neck out back. Protege valve cover painted and baked(red wrinkle, mazdaspeed style. Header repainted an rewrapped.

It's getting close!

Just need to gather a few loose ends like plugs and a thermostat and source some longer studs for the Intake manifold. The shop that did the fab work on the Honda manifold for me used some really cheap hardware. They pulled all the factory studs out and bolted on the mani. Two of the bolts had broken and one backed out, missing upon removal of engine. Fantastic work, Slomotion Motorsports...

But anyways, it should be runnin again soon!!! :)

[JSanker]

May I ask what kind of green paint did you use on your sportmaxx 501 wheels?

[Doward]

I probably used some grabber green engine enamel. Or some other obnoxious green I had laying around. I only painted two of them. Had green for money on the drivers side and gold for the honeys on the passenger side... :(

Ended up trading them for a set of Falken Hanabis. I love Hanabis.

[XCLR8TN]

Its kind of funny, looking back.
I started with a 94 M, loaded, leather, abs, cruise, ac, power steering, power antenna, mirrors, windows, whale tail wing, cd changer.
Now all that remains of that is power mirrors/windows.That day you swapped at random was awesome. I still remember to this day! And oddly enough, that guy had hanabis!

http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i52/01rtgurl/Photoshoots/Tyler-Christian-Anthony%204-28-07/DSC_1822.jpg

[Doward]

YES! That was a crazy meet. Tylers car fresh on his works, first time i met all the Cincy people, maybe the last time i saw some of them too :( The trunk swapage in the parking lot of a tire store where we borrowed tools...


My Hanabis and Hoosiers some morning at Mid Ohio, loved this setup:
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/ce53ff1d.jpg
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/5c216fbf.jpg

[Doward]

Little things here and there getting finished up. Feels good. New motor is ready to go as of tonight! I simply need to load the chassis up and tow it across town and drop it in.

Valve cover turned out pretty good. It's a protege cover, rattle canned wrinkle red. I polished the lettering and stripes by hand.
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/6cc10e74.jpg

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/f1e5009c.jpg

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/ea4732bf.jpg

I may be trading the bbombs for a set of gold axis og-sans. I would like to get away from the et0 stuff. I want to set the suspension at one height and have it look good on either set of wheels. Which I can't do going from x9 6uls to 7.5" bbombs. I usually have to spin the coils down a few threads on the Konigs so it looks right. Plus I've always wanted some reverse mesh and a straight trade, some reps for what I've already got, is about as close as I'm gonna get I think.

[yosh95m]

you in that black nb with the different front wheels... is that brooks church's nb when he had it???

[Doward]

Yes it is. We've been trying to locate it. He traded it for a pretty well built S13 a couple years ago. Then that guy sold it.

[XCLR8TN]

If you want any help dropping that motor in, lemme know.. I'd be down for a road trip some weekend! Besides, haven't seen that car since the POS blue Neon kept up with it in Kent that one time LOL

[Doward]

haha, yea
My poor miata was no match for FrankenNeon!

I hope to get it going one of the next few weekends. NASA starts up in April, so i need it going by then. I will be instructing more this year too, so come down and do a DE in the 2 at Mid Ohio!

[Doward]

So today I took all the rest of my bolt-on parts down to the garage. Intake, header, fresh valve cover and spark plugs, etc. I swapped the intake manifold studs for some longer ones, using the double nut method. This is a very painstaking and annoying task to perform. I need the extra length for the Skunk2 manifold and MiataRoadster thermal gasket. I also buttoned up the BEGI spacer on the back of the head with gaskets and a new thermostat. I am going to wait until the motor is in to trim the upper rad hose.
I either need to bend up and bracket to secure the coil packs or do a remote mount and get some long ass plug wires. These Magnecors are looking kind of tires anyways.

Dbl nut:
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/39faf8a2.jpg

Mock up of everything so far. I need to clean that cast elbow at the throttle body. It's a Vibrant piece and soaks up dirt grease and grime like a sponge.
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/1b55104b.jpg

[XCLR8TN]

Powdercoat that elbow! :)

[Doward]

We also removed my stance coilovers and racing beat hollow front swaybar from our black racecar. I came home and put everything back on my own car. Then I got to put wheels on it and drop it back on the ground for the first time in 10 months! It has been a looong time coming...

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/1ea9dfb6.jpg


I should be loading it up on the trailer tomorrow morning and hauling it down to the garage to reunite it with a new motor. Motor install is planned for next weekend. So Jess, or any other Ohioans/Midwesterners that want to come hang out are more than welcome. Just pm me.

[Doward]

Loaded, transported and unloaded it this afternoon. This was the first time I've seen it with my rear lip mounted.

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/503c508b.jpg
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/faa4ef81.jpg
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/e30fedca.jpg

[ChrisJuliano]

Wooot love this car! Nice build! I would like to meet all you ohio dudes sometime! I haved tracked my car at nelson ledges and should be there a decent amount this year. I also attend some mid ohio events, they have outragous spectator ticket prices for some events though ($40+ wtf?) so I rarely go there, and tracking my car there would be awesome but would destroy the wallet:p

[Doward]

Dash project phase one, commence.

Starting with this beat up 1.6 dash. The top of it is way more worse for wear than I remembered it being. So it will get the suede treatment with the crash pad, to match the door cards. Glad I bought so much material now...

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/db21f597.jpg
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/c61a74a2.jpg


Here are the goods:
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/f888f839.jpg

There are so many screws holding all this together. It's ridiculous.

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/b73a8987.jpg

This goo is all that holds the crashpad to the dash skin? This doesn't seem OE to me... Anyone have any insight on this?

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/aa6fa351.jpg



Little side project I've got going, making a template to cut a plexi window for my hardtop. This is the red top seen earlier in the thread. I had it sitting on the garage floor while at a autoX like a dummy. Then, also like a dummy, my girlfriend ran into it pulling into the garage. Shattered the window and cracked the passenger side b pillar. I had it color matched like I'd always planned on doing. I actually ran it at Mid Ohio without the window. I've now owned it without a window longer than I had it with the factory glass. :(
I've been meaning to do this for so long now...

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/343e9f44.jpg

[Doward]

Got started on wrapping the dash tonight. Got both pieces of the crash pad wrapped. I took way more pictures but with it being black fabric and me working in a dimly lit basement... You can't see shit in the pics. But here goes.

The drivers side eyeball pod
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/345be11f.jpg

The other, longer half. In this pic is the cutout for the tombstone.
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/12032954.jpg

Zoom out:
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/707caf19.jpg

The ends were tricky. I wasn't sure how this was going to work. I ended up folding in the extra fabric in and wrapping it around and inside, kinda like wrapping the sides of a christmas present.
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/98c3854f.jpg

None of the other pictures mean anything. I can't even tell what I'm looking at and I just got done doing the work. So here is the end result. A suede wrapped crash pad to match the door tops.
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/29cd3aa1.jpg

[XCLR8TN]

That "goo" was behind mine as well. I just took my dash apart a few weeks ago! Looking good :)

[xjdesertfox]

what kind of catback did you originally have on your car? saw the vids in the gopro thread and Im really liking how it sounds. Was the april 10 HPDE video made prior or post engine build?

[Doward]

That is a loaded question! The vids in the GoPro thread are of my other miata:
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/6fe2edb1.jpg
This black car is a hodge podge of crap one of my autoX buddies had lying around last season, my coils, swaybar and 6uls/R1Rs, a $400 rolling chassis and two halves of two separate junkyard motors. It has what I believe to be an old Bosal header with the flange chopped off the back. It leads into a 18" cherry bomb and then turns down at the diff. It sounds horrible in person and is rediculously loud. I think the GoPro's shitty sound quality masks the sheer bad-ness of it. :p

My car has a OBX header, universal high flow cat and Goodwin Racing's Roadstersport 3 Race exhaust with the vband rear half. Here is a short shitty video of that setup during break-in:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aYzoOpGNZvg&feature=player_embedded

That HPDE video is with the built motor. The footage is taken from a freinds 99 wanna be spec miata/street car on ra1s. I was on R1R street tires but had a 20-25hp advantage.

[Doward]

Took 3 hours to get it back in and running! It's just not running correctly. Idle is high and it won't come back down to an idle if I give it any throttle. Timing is out somewhere, we just couldn't fix it before we called it a day. I'm not sure what the problem is.

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/f677f291.jpg

[Caoboy]

High idle might be the ISCV

[Doward]

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/4b230432.jpg

This may help. 217 pages...yay
I need to know more about this system anyways. Eventually I'd like to set up the 2step/launch control and integrate my wideband.

Anybody on here know AEM well?

[Doward]

Update!

Dash is nearing completion:

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/ff014e70.jpg

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/eecf4278.jpg

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/79801d3e.jpg

I just need to scrounge up a radio surround. so... WTB radio surround!

Car is running great now. Ended up finding a massive vacuum leak. One of my 99 injectors was missing the grommet/spacer at the head and obviously wasn't sealing. Quick tip: Spray starting fluid at any and all joints in the intake tract to help trace leaks...

Drove it to work last week:

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/dans%20hijack%20album/431009_841387525997_50612677_35678619_1833866618_n .jpg

This motor is burning a fairly good amount of oil. Hopefully I can catch most of it with a good breather setup. I knew this head was in great shape, having been recently refreshed, but never got a firm number on bottom end mileage.

[Doward]

Last weekend we had a impromptu Miataturbo.net meet so I cleaned the car up. I even broke out a clay bar. I had never clayed(?) a car before so I used this as a learning experience as much as anything else:

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/dans%20hijack%20album/429465_842461249247_50612677_35682844_442454886_n. jpg

The trunk and drivers side fender are from a '97 so they aren't exactly the same color as the rest of the car('94). The clay really helped bring the colors closer together I think.

Couple pics from the meet:

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/dans%20hijack%20album/MIataTurbo%20Cbus%20Meet/GOPR0253.jpg

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/dans%20hijack%20album/MIataTurbo%20Cbus%20Meet/GOPR0267.jpg

If it comes back from Mid Ohio with NASA next month in one piece, i'll be doing the dash swap, wideband install, ac removal, finish wire tuck and retune... The 1.9l might even be ready to go back in?

[XCLR8TN]

That dash is sexy! I need to step up my game :)

[psulja]

Really like what you're doing with this build! Looks great! Love the dash. One of these days when I make another trip down to Ohio it'd be cool to see it in person.

[Doward]

Long day today..
One quick fact, this black 95 miata actually sank with the titanic, we have recovered it and will be restoring it over the next 8-10 photos..

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/dans%20hijack%20album/IMG_1092.jpg



We dropped both subframes and ppf out of the black racecar as a unit:


http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/dans%20hijack%20album/IMG_1107.jpg

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/dans%20hijack%20album/IMG_1102.jpg

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/dans%20hijack%20album/IMG_1105.jpg

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/dans%20hijack%20album/IMG_1109.jpg


And put in new/other subframes, a new/different motor/trans/torsen along with the brand new Flyin Miata Vmaxx Xtreme Track Pack with swaybars (FMVMXTPWS?)

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/dans%20hijack%20album/IMG_1133.jpg

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/dans%20hijack%20album/IMG_1125.jpg

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/dans%20hijack%20album/IMG_1118.jpg

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/dans%20hijack%20album/IMG_1122.jpg

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/dans%20hijack%20album/IMG_1136.jpg

[Doward]

Made some more progress on the black car tonight. Got stainless brake and clutch lines installed, swapped to the lighter 1.6 brakes and some thinly turned rotors. In our rush last weekend to get as much done as we could we forgot to install a throw out bearing when the 99 tranny went in. So it had to come back out, which means our 1 piece header back exhaust had to come back out. PITA.
Starter, alternator, pulleys and belts were installed. Just waiting on 949 end links to come off backorder, rear lower outer control arm bolts from flyin miata salvage and a couple lower ball joints from mazdaspeed.
Gettin close to done!!

[morr]

Dang, that dash looks gooooood!

[Bryan]

Really curious what those VMaxx are like on ride quality. What size are the sways? I know FM like changing sways at both ends (with which I disagree).

[morr]

^Oh good point. I didn't even read that they were the track pack. I'd like to hear more feedback as well.

[Doward]

I would love some feedback as well! These are from the first container FM got. Believe me, as soon as we get this bad boy off an alignment rack i will let y'all know how they are!

[yosh95m]

yea i remember that car.. i came from ohio.. he had the red s13 i believe and still has it??

[Doward]

Happy Easter!
Back on the ground, around the block and back under its own power!
Vmaxx feel great. I like the suppleness of the 504/336 springrates coming from my 700/450 that we ran on it last season. I really think the softer spring will help on the crappy surfaces we have here in Ohio. Not sure about the big FM rear sway yet. We'll wait and see how it feels with fresh 225/45/15 rs3 on some 15x9 before we change it though. First autoX is still a month away.

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/dans%20hijack%20album/526421_3112379414551_1416387422_32322161_208121725 _n.jpg

[XCLR8TN]

Hey Dan what size is the rear sway bar?

[Doward]

.625" solid.

[Doward]

Well, im glad to report that the (black)car is aligned and feeling great. Vmaxx Track Pack feel solid on the street especially considering that the sways are not hooked up yet. I had the car aligned at the shop i used to manage, Tire Discounters in Grove City. In-ground, drive on alignment rack FTW! Specs are pretty normal. As much front camber as we could get and as little rear camber. Ended up around -2.8 F -2.5 rear, caster around 3.85-4.0, o* rear toe, -0.125 front toe. Received a fresh set of TRM 15x9 and RS3s last week. A pkg arrived today from 949 with pads and endlinks, and more stickers!

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/251874_891710732887_1490607025_n.jpg

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/462527_891721022267_362306136_o.jpg

[Doward]

I had been trying to source a good condition 1.6 gauge cluster hood and center console stack cover for a while now. Picked them up a day or two ago. Time to get down to business and swap the dash in.

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/208979_903626358877_871891697_n.jpg

I plan on pulling some inspiration from Kendalls old na, but in a more classic/two toned way:
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/dans%20hijack%20album/Kendallinterior2.jpg

[Doward]

Dealer installed Alpine 6 disc cd changer from 1994? I pulled the actual changer out of the trunk years ago but finally got in here to pull all this crap out.
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/0b40a29b.jpg

There are a couple great write ups on dash removal out there so I'm not going to load this down with dash pics. I did discover that the glove boxs/doors are NOT compatible. So I need to dig through some boxes and find my 1.6 glovebox. :(

Pulling it all out goes pretty easy up to this point:
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/47d1375c.jpg

You just start unbolting everything you can see. But then the heater control cables and wiring and airbag harnesses come in.
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/e3aca80c.jpg

I left it for the night once I got the 1.8 dash out. Still need to go through the harness an pull all the airbag, stereo, power mirror junk out. I'm going to keep heat and blower. I plan on blocking all the eyeball vents and pulling those ducts.

[Doward]

Had a Buckeye Miata Club autoX event Sunday. Took the black car out.

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/8294abe2.jpg

Threw on the fresh set of 225 RS3s when we got there. I forgot to take a side pic like a dummy.
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/09e6cb70.jpg

Car was set up great. But, during the third run I heard one of the right front lca cam bolts slip. Car was pretty tail happy turning left, which is kind of evident in the slalom.
Here is a vid of my fastest run, which ended up being the fastest miata of the day. Got edged out by an exo X on star specs by a couple tenths. The car launches really well with the rs3s compared to the r1rs. We run on pretty bumpy lots and the Vmaxx were great! The FM sways are actually pretty well matched, I like the front end to wash out before the rear comes around and with the track pack springs matched with the fm sways it does just that. I can be pretty twitchy during turn-in and was surprised at how stable the rear end was.


http://youtu.be/WDJ_6lO02bo

[Demon I Am]

wow, this is a great build thread. Did you use suede cloth, or actual leather suede on the dash/crash pads? Very cool cars!

[Doward]

WARNING: A bunch of crappy pics from a dark basement are to follow.


So this is what i tackled this evening:
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/6530cd7d.jpg

The last step in getting this thing ready to go back in the car. I needed to open up these vents somehow. As much as I love the look of Sharka's Target trash can trim, that wasnt really the look i wanted.
It was fairly simple. I just cut an "X" in each opening from corner to corner to allow me to wrap each piece down into, then onto, the underside of the dash.

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/091eb826.jpg

I then taped off the general area to not get spray glue all over the thing:

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/2beea91d.jpg

Wearing latex gloves, I then folded all the little bits over and laid them down. I had to change gloves 3 or 4 times during this part. I was getting glue on my fingertips from pressing the material into the recessed line the vent is cut into. This fingertip glue could have gummed up the suede pretty bad, pretty quick. So I took precautions.

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/4786dc1d.jpg

Close up:
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/f6ea9e78.jpg



Then i was on to figuring out a way to block certain vents from getting airflow. I will be running an AEM UEGO and Serial gauge in place of the two drivers side vents. With the gauges placed in the same location with the stock dash, the backside of the gauge would get blasted with full heat. Which, if nothing else, certainly wont extend the life of the expensive electronics. So I needed to put a stop to that. Plus I get to remove the super heavy plastic tube for moar weight saving!
I thought of using shipping tube endcaps, or silicone/pvc caps to block off the port right at the blower exit duct. But I found something free and barely-there light. A paint can cap. There are notches that these blower tubes clip onto on the blower distribution block duct thing, and I planned on using the paint can clips to lock onto these notches:

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/a06c1c94.jpg

Unfortunately, the paint caps are 'just' too small to fit OVER the ends of the duct, even with the relief cuts added. So I tried the other approach:

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/cc35b783.jpg
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/52a5610e.jpg

From the inside, the paint cap nearly sits flush with the inside of this blower vent distribution block thing. I think this will work out very well. It should also force all the hot air to the passenger side for the woman. :P I ended up wrapping the paint cap in a couple layers of electrical tape to snug up the fit. It wont be going anywhere.

Tomorrow is install day for the dash, gauges, sideskirts, and smoked turns!

[Phatmiata]

quick question, what Honda motor did you get that Intake manifold from? Notice any benefits?

And great job on the dash flocking!! looks stellar!

[Doward]

The manifold is a Skunk2 b18 piece. The shop deemed it would be easier for them to fill, plug weld, redrill and port to the miata head than to chop the flanges and weld the Skunk runners to a miata flange. They hooked me up pretty well on labor so i let them run with it.

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/6f80a930-1.jpg
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/dcd3a012.jpg

Looking back I wish I had waited to do it. My turbo plans/funds fell through so now ive sacrificed midrange to have some ricer bling bling!!

This plot was with aem ems, full off the shelf exhaust and similar length intakes. Same tune just different mani and intake. I need to scan in the plot after touching up the tune and revving out to 8k. It made 140 from 73ish to 8k. but feels(and probaly is) slower on the street and autox because of the loss of up to 10ftlbs in the middle. :( But I like running it down the back-straight at MidOhio! And it sounds good as f-*k!
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/dans%20hijack%20album/HondaIMdyno.jpg

[Doward]

wow, this is a great build thread. Did you use suede cloth, or actual leather suede on the dash/crash pads? Very cool cars!

Thanks!

It is just some cheap costume(synthetic) stuff from the fabric store.

[Doward]

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/a1ee748b.jpg

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/dd070615.jpg

Almost there...

[Doward]

I have to throw one more up of the dash, it looks amazing. I'm super happy how it turned out!

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/GOPR0321.jpg

[psulja]

that suede dash is awesome! Nice work!

[Doward]

So I've been buttoning up little things on the car this week, trying to get it ready for NASA this weekend at MidOhio. Bleeding brakes, rewiring my AEM Serial gauge, little shit. I have a buddy flying in from Nellis AFB in Las Vegas that i'm instructing, who hasn't ridden in this thing since he enlisted. So it ought to be a pretty freaking good time! He is also renting an h4 prepped civic to do his FIRST hpde1 event in.

I've noticed the hubs developing a little play during my last few post autox checkups. So i picked up a couple cheap hubs to tear down, clean, repack with synthetic grease and throw em on the car before Friday.
One problem, one these things isn't like the other:

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/4a5cc770.jpg
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/e6ffc97c.jpg

Oh well. They are the same, just different studs, hub body molding and rear seals... I pretty much consider them a wearable item and for $47 i'm not gonna complain too bad :p

[JTninja]

Nice build, jealous you have Mid-Ohio not too far away.

Oh, and also a fan of Passat wagons. Got an '03 W8 myself ;)

[Doward]

B5 <3!!
Mid O is just a quick ~50 minutes from my house here on the northeast corner of Columbus. Very nice. I try to make it to Grattan, Putnam, or VIR once a year though. Mid O is just too easy, i get to drive home on sat night and sleep in my own bed :)


I got a new wheeel/tire setup for the wag last weekend. I got tired of the 18" ride quality.

17x8 +35 Audi A8 fat fives/ Conti DWS:

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/78c3e210.jpg

[JTninja]

Wagon Power!

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-QEf55DCWq7c/T-vfaTUW3PI/AAAAAAAAJsw/EfgqBTSjqds/s800/IMGP9763.JPG


(waiting on a full Votex kit)

[Bryan]

I pretty much consider them a wearable item and for $47 i'm not gonna complain too bad :pYou go through hubs a lot?

[friday]

The track puts a lot of pressure and heat on a wheel bearing. Once you start to see the grease getting pushed out you know it's only a matter of time.

[Doward]

Ready to rock and roll this weekend! Cant wait. I should have some in-car footage come next week.



Hubs on these cars are super easy. Car up, wheel off, caliper bracket off spindle with caliper attached holding rotor(key to quickness), dust cap off, hub nut off, hub off, clean spindle, re-grease spindle, reverse process.
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/85b4bec8.jpg


@ Bryan
I dont necessarily go through them alot. But the car only sees hard use any more. Most of the time spent on 225s NT01/RS3, so high lateral load. The hubs i'm pulling off were OEM, around 120k. Started noticing play last season after about 23 track hours and countless autoXs. I plan to be needing to replace/repack/rebuild them, depending on how they hold up, every season from here on out.

[Doward]

Trackday was a blast this weekend! Kept it shiny side up, rubber side down. I had my 3rd student, an Air Force guy from Vegas, in a rented car. I think I enjoyed instructing this time more than driving! I have some video I need to edit after playing in hpde4 with a bunch of vettes and stuff. I was able to run right at the Spec Miata times most of the weekend in a carpeted street car on 225 NT01s! It's time to think full cage and safety gear...

We had a major storm come through Central Ohio on Friday night which knocked out my power. It came back on last night, so I'm just getting to start on uploading/editing. But here are some pics from the morning(s) of.

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/6b03a435.jpg
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/21847261.jpg
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/104f10d6.jpg

This is what the conditions looked like Saturday morning:
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/45d98b79.jpg


The black crx parked behind me ended up winning TTE, which is my target class someday soon, with a 1:43.9x. My best time was 1:44.5x. I'm fairly confident I can run with him on fresh tires. He also won PTE and ran H2 to qualify for nat's.
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/2b1c05e3.jpg

[Doward]

Quick lap around Mid Ohio in my buddy Adam's car. I get by him after turn 1 in this video. None of my incar footage turned out(bad camera angle) and im still working on the outside view footage.
The camera car is basically a gutted stock 97 with seats/harnesses and rollbar on 205 RA1s.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gBX-a-GuuZs&feature=player_embedded

[Doward]

Well today I tried to drive the car to a local meet at Defined Autoworks. Had a pretty scary brake lockup. Turns out the rear caliper piston seals had melted at the trackday. They were not an item on my post race nut&bolt checklist and had not given me any issues on the 1.5hr drive home 2 weeks ago. The right rear caliper seized about halfway to the meet. It got hot enough to melt the wheel weights off the inside of my wheel!
Once it cooled down the Defined guys lent me a jack. I pulled the caliper and rotor as 1 piece and used their largest hammer to remove them from each other :). Then I just threw the pads back into the caliper, zip tied the caliper all the way out on the slides and drove home with no rotor.


http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/d728b6c4.jpg



This is the kind of sweet stuff these guys do:

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/13618ddd.jpg

This 3 rotor made 475whp and is now in the s14. The FD will be getting the 4 rotor^ hopefully around 700whp.

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/0149991f.jpg

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/5c87402f.jpg

[Doward]

So a while ago, my GF ran into my ratty old hardtop:

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/dans%20hijack%20album/DSC04168.jpg
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/6edda390.jpg


She wedged it between a garage cabinet and her car :( That incident shattered the glass and cracked the passenger b pillar. But, it gave me all the reasoning I ever needed to finally paint it to match:

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/d9646c70.jpg

I've put it to use at a bunch of trackdays since then with no window. But as the car keeps progressing farther and farther to the right of the streetcar.......racecar scale, I've gotten tired of having to dismount and store the hardtop whenever it rains. Which was kind of defeating the purpose anyways... It's also another opportunity the add lightness at the same time as coolness IMO. Just like the dash swap. My plan was simple if not very original; pull the softtop and bolt on the hardtop with a set of spec miata aluminum brackets. At the same time install a polycarbonate/lexan window instead of factory glass to save some a little extra weight.

[Doward]

I put this project off as long as could. Mostly because I lacked the balls/confidence that I could do a presentable job at all.
I scrounged up a scrap piece of 1/4" polycarbonate from a local sign shop. It came out of a remnant pile which meant $0.00! So I figured what the hell, can't mess up free...
It's pretty simple really, make template, cut plastic, rivet it in, right?

So I whipped up a template, then a second better one. I found, with trial and error, that I was more comfortable making a half-template and using it upside down/mirrored, for the opposing side of the window. This helped ensure symmetry.

Laid out on the plastic, tape laid to trace cut line onto:
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/d8ea4fe2.jpg

After a test cut I realized that the jigsaw I was going to use lays down some serious scratches/gouges with both feat as it cuts. This stuff is really soft. So I laid another strip of tape to guard my material:
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/efeb8155.jpg

I got it cut out and laid it into the hole before I quit for the night:
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/9c9d5df5.jpg

[Doward]

Received a nicely wrapped package from Slowmotion Motorsports yesterday.

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/9fb521c1.jpg

This is the current embodiment of all my internal goodies from the built motor that lost a thrust bearing earlier in the thread. That block, crank, oil and water pumps were trashed. New ACL Race bearings, new Cometic HG for the overbore, and a good used block and crank were put together with my rods, pistons and 99 head. I need to source an oil pump, either Boundary or OEM, and it is ready to go. This will get a dyno reclass and hopefully get me in tte or ttd with points left for aero. Aiming for ~150whp/tq With a broad 4500-8000 powerband. It made 142whp before break-in, last time.
Maybe someday I'll have the spare scratch for a Trackspeed Engineering turbo kit to put the internals to use...

[Doward]

Took the car out to the local Buckeye Miata Club autocross 2 weekends ago and got to drive a couple fun runs after the racing was over. We got 1st and 3rd in csp, with me setting overall ftd for the day in our black car!

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/F99E3326-63F6-4518-9F5E-CC26C5F41145-3033-0000033B57796A95.jpg




I Also finished up the lexan window Thursday night in a rush to get the car ready for Friday's SCCA PDX:

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/DSC_0854.jpg


Took a couple shots after the day started to wind down. It was a great trackday. SCCA PDX does 3 run groups, instructors have 2 students, usually requiring some lead/follow check off type stuff during the first and/or second advanced sessions. Then the rest of the day you Drive, rest, then Instruct, rinse and repeat. There is nobody else on track except PDX drivers, so you get a ton of seat time. I had an Intermediate student in an S2000 CR and an advanced guy in a 700hp CTS-v. Good times!

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/DSC_0864.jpg

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/DSC_0855.jpg

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/DSC_0852.jpg


Just waiting out 2 more local autocross events and one more nasa weekend before I swap to the built motor again for a fall/winter/spring break-in. Also need to pick up the new Supermiata damper and maybe clutch if budget allows.

[Doward]

This video surfaced of the autocross 2 weeks ago. Dorifto fun runs ftw!:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WqfG5t8gcUM&feature=youtube_gdata_player

[atank]

Lovin that dash!!!!!!!!

[Doward]

Thanks!

Took a quick snap of the racecar last night while we were installing megasquirt in my buddy's m45'd red '90.

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/A5FBC16E-3A4E-414D-A2C4-119C7984FBE8-7483-0000066D84F79C88.jpg

[atank]

The racecar looks good.......................

[Doward]

Drives good too. ;)

Couple autoX vids of it in here. We are "those guys" trailering to autoX events. Lol. I used make fun of guys like me...

[uni]

love it, i need to color match my hardtop bad

[Doward]

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/9786EE90-E4AF-499B-B22C-23D163281C8C-9134-0000081247D1DB3E.jpg

Representing with some nickel nines in the 949 tent this weekend!

[Doward]

Since the car was finally together and "presentable" in my opinion for the last trackday, I broke down and bought some professional trackside photos. First time ive ever done that! They show all the imperfections... :p


http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/20120831-0022-wm.jpg

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/20120831-0023-wm.jpg

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/20120831-0024-wm.jpg

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/20120831-0344-wm.jpg

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/20120831-0396-wm.jpg

[Bryan]

Looks nice and poised through those corners!

[Doward]

Not bad for a porky s.o.b. It still has both tops, power windows and few other things, plus a passenger/student most sessions. 700/400 squats the rear pretty good still.
I can flirt with spec times with a passenger, it's pretty crazy.

[Bryan]

I'd love to run something that stiff, but I seem to recall I found it a little too bouncy, even with good shocks (for a street car).

[Doward]

Yea, I find it just barely tolerable on the street. Any trip longer than ~20 mins and I have to put the butt pad back in the seat.

[Doward]

Here are a couple pics of the black car on the Flyin Miata Vmaxx Xtreme Track Pack. (http://www.flyinmiata.com/index.php?deptid=4537&parentid=0&stocknumber=13-16250) They are advertised as 504/336 with helpers of 112lb. Flyin Miata sway bars and Supermiata links. TR cheapo 9's & 225 RS3s. Basically an SCCA STR build we run in a local CSP equivalent that our Buckeye Miata Club calls BSP. :fp:
http://i405.photobucket.com/albums/pp131/BMC-Autocross/BMC%2006-17-2012/DSC04214.jpg

http://i405.photobucket.com/albums/pp131/BMC-Autocross/BMC%2006-17-2012/DSC04362.jpg

[Blueiii]

Hmmm... from one auto'xer to another, I may need to look you up next time I get down to C-Bus.

[Bryan]

Dang...that's way more lean than I'd expect for a 500/300 setup with those sways. I'm going to guess it's partially due to the grip from the tires, no?

[Doward]

It's weird. I know more than enough suspension stuff to get myself in trouble but I'm no expert. It looks like the inside is coming up way more than the outside is compressing. It's a pretty light car, no ac/cruise/abs/power anything/softtop/emissions, shorty exhaust, 93 dash swap, no airbags. It sits with about a fingers gap from tire to fender in the front, two fingers rear. Under compression it just barely tucks tire. But looks like its about to lift the inside tires. Almost like the helpers are strong enough on this light of a car to raise the unloaded side all the way to the end of shock travel.

Blu, anytime dude! Hit me up.

[treeafodo]

I'm really liking the lexan rear window to be honest. Your car looks at home on the track.

[tsingson]

Great action shots!

[Doward]

Sometime between the NASA Nat's and last weekend my clutch decided to give up. It started slipping a bit but I never though it was this bad...
One day it just stopped working. I had a co-worker in the car and was driving very peacefully, honestly. I exited a freeway and the pedal was very, very stiff as I pulled it out of gear. As I went to pull away, it acted "fairly" normal until I released the clutch and gave it a bit of throttle in third, when nothing happened. It felt bizarre. I shut her down and re-fired while in gear. It started right up but wouldn't move... I've had slave cylinders go bad before, I've had leaks and air in the lines, I've had discs get soaked in oil... I've never had this happen...


http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/3487DEA1-13C6-4EAE-92B3-06035E38DC83-440-0000003C49B93A6F.jpg

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/B9D3629D-0AA0-47DE-94B9-8E8B9BD06F6D-440-0000003C43C880DB.jpg

So the car sits with no engine/tranny, again :( , while I wait on my Boundary Engineering pump to arrive as the last piece. Then I can throw the built motor back in with some new clutch setup.

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/885B183B-587E-4A9A-AA7B-B882E303739F-440-0000003C5926AA6B.jpg

[Bryan]

Holy Cow! Did you burn the pucks off?

[Doward]

Kinda sorta. :teehee:

As far as I can tell the rivets just gave up. There is pad material in the forks of the pressure plate and there were multiple 1-2" sections of material laying the bell housing when I pulled the trans. This was a solid disc. This setup was temporary until I could get the built motor back together, I just hoped it would last a little longer than it did. :P

[Doward]

Turned a wrecked 2002 parts car into patio furniture today...

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/E77E3302-8C93-4251-A3B9-13E503240E97-3955-0000037D244B75CA.jpg

[Bryan]

How nice are the seats?

[Doward]

Drivers seat is pretty well worn, 126k miles.

I'll get around to posting the partout/sale thread at some point.

[Doward]

The blue 2002 has donated its subframes, control arms and spindles to my 94 M!
Boundary Engineering oil pump and new clutch ordered. Built motor standing by, waiting for its new front subframe to get cleaned up. 2013 is gonna be fun!
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/3A069713-D2BC-4064-8284-BE8814287173-18088-000014702D26A8D5.jpg

[Doward]

I sold the Craigslist 99/00 motor to a guy with a 99 with a seized motor that he bought at auction. That pays for a new clutch and oil pump so I can throw the built motor back together with the nb2 subframes, spindles, arms and bracing.
Had a little fun tearing down his motor. I got his core in hopes of salvaging it. Maybe with a set of bearings/rings. That was the "hope" anyways...

Got it on the stand, flipped it over and heard some clinkity clank. Pulled te pan to this party:
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/5A9FD063-3218-42E2-A8EE-4CADFE6AD02D-3435-0000035503590B24.jpg

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/0E14E4CF-C09B-4347-85A7-3C84B826DC21-3435-00000352E9BA6191.jpg

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/1667C6C9-2C1F-4866-BF95-E27DF939C573-3435-00000353082314CB.jpg

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/DABEE3C0-5A40-4484-838A-26D320F7BEA7-3435-000003530E62EEC0.jpg

We also got the build plan finalized for the fleet this winter:
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/14CE12E2-14BC-4935-BEAD-5CD41EAABB0D-3435-000003561201897B.jpg


Other than that, not much has been happening. My car just sits on dollies and gets moved around as needed lol

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/B544C9F4-86DC-4FC1-A4B2-2A20704B8297-19967-00001769776F3853.jpg

[Doward]

GarageStar pulleys showed up with a couple other goodies today. They look fantastic. Very well finished. I'm gonna feel bad putting them on a racecar. Picked up their delrin JGTC style shift knob as well so I can stop burning myself on my old school Greddy aluminum knob. Couple other trinkets on the way then build mode begins.

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/C7A35534-66BC-43F2-AF34-C4CBCD5E1263-6815-0000091B8DF2F9E3.jpg

[Doward]

Gates Racing water pump/alternator belt to match the timing belt, because ricer.
MiataRoadster.com Delrin NB steering rack mounts because racecar.

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/DF297509-D7AA-4BD8-B90F-A5EF56DEC86B-10647-00000E72658DE44D.jpg

Still waiting on Boundary Engineering's pkg.

[Doward]

Progress!

NB spindles and front uppers separated from the other junk, rear uprights ready for the press. Once the rears get pressed out, I'll press in extended studs and repack all four hubs, paint and reassemble on the car! I also unpacked the motor and will start moving over the coolant reroute and accessories. BE says the pump should be here next week. Still weighing options on balancer, oem(free) vs 949($$+more wait)

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/8C7B9C95-1056-458E-B381-A9CD845504A0-12648-00001181064421A2.jpg

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/F9A04FE2-7B59-4B85-BB00-D034504713E8-12648-000011821F7CD77C.jpg

[Heyitsryan]

I wanted to get some of those garagestar pulleys as well, lmk how you like them once they've been installed. It appears that you have very fun car sir!

[Doward]

Getting there. Just a few more pieces...

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/73CBB76A-C68D-4430-AE1B-00A33D042509-2304-000002F3E9C69BFE.jpg

[Doward]

Parts pile is growing

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/BB78D539-016A-49F3-AB7F-B436BF4AC4AB-1761-000002A8BB8ECF1B.jpg

[Doward]

Got most of it all back together tonight. Front end is done, NB subframe, NB steering rack, MiataRoadster Delrin rack mounts, low(er) mileage NB upper control arms with good ballpoints, NB spindles. repacked the NB hubs, pressed in some ARP studs and threw the sport brakes back on.

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/BB78D539-016A-49F3-AB7F-B436BF4AC4AB-1761-000002A8BB8ECF1B.jpg

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/786838DE-8E71-4EEF-8D46-08E8A2C3CBC2-280-00000096CFB67DD1.jpg

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/9A22FACE-43BA-46C0-ACD4-957F075D0548-280-00000096FD5334CB.jpg

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/8B51A408-9EB9-4E52-8E8B-C22DEAD0892B-1814-0000026A65BF7797.jpg

[Doward]

One thing I highly recommend doing that is easy preventative maintenance and an upgrade is repacking the front hub bearings. I just used some full synthetic parts store stuff on this pair, Green grease or something or other. I will be repacking 4 more as well, with amsoil. 2 for our autoX car and both the spares on the shelf. If they end up being noticeably better/smoother with the amsoil than these, I will swap em out.


http://waltermotorsports.com/v/Racing/hub/
This is the guide I used (http://waltermotorsports.com/v/Racing/hub/). It is very clear, great pictures. Read/walk yourself through one hub and the second will only take about 10 minutes.



Pretty cool results. This IS with pads installed, brakes bled, wheel tourqed etc. no tricks. I'm not sure you could give this a seconds/lap rating or whatever but it's a major reduction of friction. One can assume some mpg benefit as well.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yrc-wQCg8T8&feature=youtu.be

[Doward]

Last and final piece of the puzzle arrived today..

Overnight from Japan?
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/36EB760B-402F-465B-9AF9-F687783EF6DE-4766-0000060510F1913C.jpg

[Doward]

A few hours tonight got it ready to drop back in!

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/11FD589B-86C6-46FB-B072-91C36DA1125A-8123-00000A75485049A3.jpg

[Doward]

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/07881623-2945-42D2-ABA7-FD2257254A89-12760-00001126DB368ED9.jpg

Was glad to catch these before they slipped out of Ohio! Very excited. Even though they don't fit my car, and will probably end up on one of our autoX projects, I could not pass them up!

[Bryan]

Hot ***t.

[Doward]

Time is becoming an issue. Motor is going in this weekend, goal is have it running Sunday and then to drive it home some time next week. We are building an Exocet for a local guy and having a loft built in the barn, opposite the lift. Then we need to get our autoX car(s) sorted. All before mid April-ish? 0.o

NB spindles gave me another 5mm offset bump, rear looks fantastic! We'll see how the front fits once an engine/tranny go in.

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/59560528-69E9-4041-B094-05CFC56C5172-24737-000021DB00E21237_zpse441e8b2.jpg


I also stumbled across a totaled 94R parts car. This thing has the entire Racing Beat catalog on it. Header, cat, Power Pulse, springs, Konis, sways, links, blocks and brace kit, Simpson Design cowl hood..

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/40B224AA-E387-441F-9495-DAFADCB32F02-24737-000021DB19BFC5AA_zpsdc642927.jpg

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/9A5B0469-ABD8-4F85-8ACA-2D7AEC791092-24737-000021DB54B8905B_zps27cec439.jpg

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/F71CDD5A-8E1A-4A93-AC1D-876E3190F629-25787-000021DF0F2D1FD4_zpse78919bb.jpg


So I threw the hood on real quick to see what it looked like.

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/F1CBFD40-BD80-4E33-9892-7C7CA87BD218-24737-000021DAEC8E95DA_zps38e24965.jpg

Looks like it is save able.

[XCLR8TN]

Jealoussssss of that hood.

[WASABI]

Love the Simpson hood as well. Pretty rare. A buddy of mine had one on a Miata he bought but sold it because the rain would drip through the vents and was rusting out his Koni adjusters... He sold it to Old Gray Frog in Georgia, so it still lives! It's a damn shame to loose the 94R, I've never see one split open as bad as that before.

Thanks for all the great information.

-Jim

[Doward]

The hood is actually pretty beat. The underside structure that holds the latch hook is completely gone. Looks like it was the first point of failure during the wreck. The right rear corner has a 3-4" chunk that broke off, which amazingly was in the car when we cleaned it out! Then there is a minor fold across the hood about 3" behind the headlight lids.
It will probably never look right. It will end up with some DIY glass repair and get a Montego rattle can spray job. At least it was "free"

It is always painful parting out a special edition. We've had a 93 black n tan, 91 brg, and this 94r!



Today I got the motor in! I'm waiting on the flywheel to come back from resurfacing, then once it gets installed I can tighten the crank pulley, throw in the radiator and fire it up!

[Doward]

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/1DB27965-1BEF-4720-87FB-99970793ABDD-1634-000002669B1DB5CF_zpsf22e2a32.jpg

Almost there.
I've come to realize that when you decide to do an entire "frame-off" rebuild of multiple miatas, you eventually get pretty good at it, but its still a metric shit ton of work. The list is dwindling on my personal car. Finally. Motor went in last weekend, flywheel is done so the trans can go in this weekend. I hope to drive it home Sunday. Big goal for a bigger project. Feels good.

[Doward]

So I spent the majority of my day Saturday trying to track down this bad boy..
Turns out the "MERICUH!! machine shop I used for the flywheel resurface tapped the clutch cover threads to something OTHER than correct. The m8x1.00 thread pitch is not commonly found in the metric tap & die kits you buy. The tap was a special order at the 3 closest Sears locations, mid week before I might see one. Luckily there are mom & pap hardware stores in this great town like Roush Hardware in Westerville who carry awesome stuff like this!

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/9A024BD0-D828-4923-AB1D-40D6576A1D46-3975-000004F801126A05_zps1d601d9e.jpg

SO, Sunday morning I got a good forearm workout in...

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/563B4A24-5A80-48C2-AB16-A73033522090-3975-000004F81D7D7D7A_zps41b94f2f.jpg

At this point, there was no hope in firing the thing up that day, so I slowed down a bit and cleaned all the remaining hardware on the wire wheel:

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/48297061-2CA8-4374-8832-EE84D07E61B4-3975-000004F822A03885_zps5bc6e62d.jpg


NEAT DETAIL!
While I was under there I swapped in this body plug from that wrecked R car, this is the drain from the a/c unit under the dash. My car is now pretty much a 94 M Edition/R pkg/NB...

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/7828A415-6FCE-4E87-A1BA-83004906690B-3975-000004F7BEEDE88B_zps3ea94674.jpg


After the trans, ppf, '02 driveshaft went in I snapped this cool shot looking through the bumper mouth. By the way, you're welcome for the stellar photo quality!

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/5CD755A5-5661-4DA2-B672-E5B080B89684-3975-000004F82FB8295C_zps14ff9b40.jpg


Ultimately, I left it needing a radiator, fluids, WBO2, and start-up!!

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/7E634015-A516-4885-B263-BE534855FEE9-3975-000004D9BBA84E08_zpsf4239ecf.jpg


Catch can is temporary, please disregard. Ideally i'll swap back in a squaretop or the 99 VICS manifold, run a dual inlet catch can and vent to a slash cut in the exhaust.

[Doward]

Bing,
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/IMG_2721_zps8afdbbd7.jpg

Bang,
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/IMG_2723_zps38095f0d.jpg

Boom!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jQERmPSDXhQ&feature=youtu.be

As big of a headache as this thing has been all winter, it purred like a kitten, first crank. Huge relief. The clutch bypass is such an awesome thing to have, something I highly recommend! Still some work to be done; bolt down the booster under the dash, bleed and adjust new clutch, bleed new brake lines, fix lexan window seal(or lack of), wash the damn thing, alignment and corner balance, then off to dyno for TT classification.

Then we can start on the D Prod wannabe car. It will get our protege piston'd, exintake'd, junkyard 1.9 out of the black racecar from last year, the 13x8.5 Panasports, 225 or 255/40 slicks, and either our vmaxx xtremes or koni/ebay sleeves/stance 8/6k springs. Or maybe some other junk we pick up between now and then? Who knows, but it already has a windshield chop, gutted doors and bushings. Its gonna be a mess, but pretty dang fun!

[Doward]

Light at the end of the tunnel! Put 30 or so miles on it today for shakedown/ break-in. Typical drips and drops from fresh brake unions, wore the rust off the rotors, tightened a rad hose, etc. It's a weird feeling driving around in something that I've completely rebuilt or replaced all the mechanical components of in the last few months.

There is a hearty layer of dirt and dust on the thing but it still looked pretty cool in daylight for the first time since November-ish?

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/50820C7D-3A66-4AF1-BB37-16E8BCDC709C-9263-00000C2E04E62A6C_zpsd9174f8d.jpg

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/E9E7D682-0373-4A38-99EA-202DFF0371CB-9263-00000C2DFCF5A43A_zpsadd553ed.jpg

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/DD637BCB-B01A-4EF4-8656-A367EAE716AF-9263-00000C2E28247C75_zpse1c59485.jpg

[Grip Driver]

Nice to see it running and driving again :)

[Bryan]

I need to have another look at your intake setup!

[Doward]

Nice to see it running and driving again :)

Thanks! It will be nice to have it in one piece for a whole season, hopefully...


I need to have another look at your intake setup!

It is a Blox Skunk 2 B18 honda copy, ceramic coated, chopped, filled and redrilled to miata flange pattern, then ported/gasket matched. It was only good for ~9hp up top, moved the torque peak up and lost a bunch(10ftlbs) under the curve. I planned on boost of some sort and the miataturbo guys see huge gains with the bigger plenum. It uses a stock B18 GSR throttle body and the honda tps and iacv wired into AEM EMS, no maf. The cold air intake has that piece-o-crap cast aluminum Vibrant piece coupled to a welded one piece aluminum deal to tuck the filter in a shrouded area in front of the passenger tire.

I'd trade it for a squaretop in a heartbeat ;) hint, hint...

[Doward]

Pic stream commence...

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/76BC5D27-AE74-479C-9F7B-600E28BC1908-3727-000004293E8FA6FB_zpsf744d0e2.jpg

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/6B4A43E7-6AA2-4407-A135-A5719D737775-3727-0000042938D2F5B1_zpsb02707b4.jpg

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/A3A9BA55-866B-43AE-8153-BB13D3D3A81A-3727-00000429479BB9E6_zps2a46f706.jpg

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/CC059992-8E9F-404D-A0F6-985BBD663A3B-3727-0000042943543E62_zps674999f9.jpg

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/44B2089F-2ED5-4210-B917-99570D3064DF-3727-0000042951343A55_zps5e6d4536.jpg

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/ECCF3358-E9D4-4747-9844-C5EED286846E-3727-000004294CFDA2FF_zps6fdab2b9.jpg

[Doward]

The start of something cool for the racecar:
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/6254AF75-24A4-4FF2-ADE9-0A347EDADF41-169-000001102D4B2D2A_zps9b9032de.jpg

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/F9BDF1B4-34A6-4FA7-B96F-6FB233571FA2-169-0000011032C4DF2E_zps2658f4dc.jpg

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/7912C4D0-821C-4187-A5CD-A91005D30626-169-0000011036DB8FB9_zps19aa711b.jpg

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/A9207008-0C62-4F48-975C-FEC55F9D7D58-169-000001103E910F15_zps0bc519c6.jpg

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/C0B24028-F0BA-4FDA-A23F-1A818E59144F-169-0000011045BCADB1_zpsf356bb8c.jpg

The back of the face is not flush, so I couldn't reverse mount them even if I wanted to...

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/6ADF6931-5BB1-4B1D-A379-E008FB32F1EF-169-000001105406FCCC_zpsb40c155a.jpg

[Bryan]

http://newsimg.ngfiles.com/4000/4953_sexytime.JPG

[Doward]

First full tank for the fresh motor.
Still needs aligned and corner weighted, pay no mind to the reverse rake. ;p

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/DBCB10E4-43AF-47A1-9042-5CEAC027633B-4703-000006AE2856800C_zps97dd81e9.jpg

Hardtop is off, I'm brainstorming options to seal the lexan. Also contemplating pulling the softtop. New windshield going in soon, first event in April.

[Doward]

Lips will definitely stay polished.

In fact, I killed an hour cleaning two of them up this morning.

This is what I'm starting with:
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/C0310374-87F5-4EFA-ABFC-DA070A2C6B66-471-000000D35E31EDC6_zpse7e35f34.jpg

30 minutes with some mothers mag&aluminum and a rag:

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/331BAD4E-C515-4A90-AB62-65A1A7EBD740-471-000000D365BDCDFA_zps4d49a51c.jpg
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/DFC7C515-609F-4756-AF70-A8D4F8E72E89-471-000000D36ADBB6FA_zpsc6b8ef7f.jpg

Im not sure if they'll get much more attention than this. Several nicks, chips, and scratches in all four lips.

[Doward]

36* today. I ain't care. I need to rack up at least 500 miles before the track day April 18/19. ~120/500

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/6A2B505A-88A6-4FD1-B41C-BF3F26749A5A-1205-0000019E39AFCC3A_zps48a09c19.jpg

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/F6B972C8-F3C3-4B2B-A942-2BB96CA15004-1205-0000019E3E1CF90A_zpsbb56a248.jpg

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/44A464C7-F36E-4FC2-958E-1A2398245DE0-1205-0000019E4314AB3D_zps732881bf.jpg

[Lesac]

I love your car!
As many cool builds on here as there is, I think your car is most like mine and that just makes me want to keep going on mine. It seems ironic a bit to me since at one point or another they have been so similar looking. from the color to the lip/sideskirts to the red hard top. Also the nickel 6ULs and the Opel B-Bombs are two of my favorite wheel choices and two that I considered for mine! Keep up the good work, Hoping to get mine out on the track this year, and looking forward to seeing more on your car.

[Doward]

I love your car!
As many cool builds on here as there is, I think your car is most like mine and that just makes me want to keep going on mine. It seems ironic a bit to me since at one point or another they have been so similar looking. from the color to the lip/sideskirts to the red hard top. Also the nickel 6ULs and the Opel B-Bombs are two of my favorite wheel choices and two that I considered for mine! Keep up the good work, Hoping to get mine out on the track this year, and looking forward to seeing more on your car.

Thanks man! I think Montego is the 2nd most plentiful color behind classic red. Lots of them out there lol


We picked up a set of not-new-but-never-used Hankook c71 softies for the Panas. 225/45/13. Should be plenty for my codriver to learn rcomps.

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/C5E92050-BDA2-43C5-A884-3BBC9D8142A2-1343-0000018DA899EE1B_zpse2ea9d86.jpg

[Bryan]

What're the repo wheels, and whatever happened to your old Bronze ones? They look pretty sweet!

[Doward]

The current wheels, the SSR copies, are Konig Bbombs. 15x7.5 et0, the NB knuckles make them effectively et-5.

I've had a couple bronze ones
Falken Hanabis, <10lbs 15x7 et35.
Rota Slipstream 16" et35 back in the day.
I also rattle canned some sport max 501s goldish, which I traded for the falkens. Sold the falkens to buy the nickel 949 9"s.

[Bryan]

I was thinking of the 501's.

The BBombs look good. Surprisingly good.

[Doward]

Thanks Bryan. I'm pretty happy with em. I've kept them longer than any other set of wheels.

[Doward]

Got the faces back from blasting. They look cool as heck in the raw blasted texture. So I'm just gonna throw em together. It they get nasty, greasy, brake dusty in one season, then I'll re blast and paint em next winter.

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/3992E189-70C8-4D37-9F1E-9502F3FF89CC-2029-0000026C2AD9BAF3_zps6f408d40.jpg

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/944E2CAB-9E20-4AD9-B3D8-B24C6A2BA0EC-2029-0000026C1FD68256_zps52b86b5a.jpg

Lip before
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/C0310374-87F5-4EFA-ABFC-DA070A2C6B66-471-000000D35E31EDC6_zpse7e35f34.jpg

Lip after hand polishing
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/331BAD4E-C515-4A90-AB62-65A1A7EBD740-471-000000D365BDCDFA_zps4d49a51c.jpg
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/56135E2D-FCB9-4AE4-BDC2-59FC632857CA-2029-0000026C146CA11F_zps22d6862e.jpg

Just marry em up
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/1258993F-8201-4EBD-BF7E-6B046A2DE2DD-2029-0000026C55C663A1_zps849eae23.jpg

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/15838590-D45A-4781-AA8B-2F5202980680-2029-0000026C32E5FA21_zpsf0e48104.jpg

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/89C025ED-63E3-4D2F-AD93-84B502F7E192-2029-0000026C3DA8F32A_zps28215b53.jpg

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/513CC0CF-9DE5-42BF-B037-F120B198AF25-2029-0000026C42777255_zps90f616d5.jpg

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/3F23D6EC-62F5-4AD8-816C-36AE79F97479-2029-0000026C4760B635_zpsaf1b824a.jpg

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/440F82CA-9024-47F5-AABC-85B0FEAB4FED-2029-0000026C5119A704_zpsc3e012b4.jpg

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/3ECD402D-FAD3-4633-9BB4-A6F1593A9706-2029-0000026C5AA47ADC_zps49f343d7.jpg

[roy obanion]

Let me know when you are ready to move on from the b-bombs..

[Doward]

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/B84E777E-9FB2-4555-B08B-7D179D90BE25-2775-000003604AADA112_zps25b038bc.jpg

[Doward]

I have a difficult choice ahead.

225/45/13 Hankook C71 on 13x8.5 Panasport C8.
Or
225/45/15 Nitto NT01 on 15x9 949 6ul.


http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/099A694E-4551-4E24-84E6-2B72C21C9E6D-2775-000003846BD4429C_zps5239c682.jpg
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/04B93632-6C3E-4D89-AE7F-AB60DF988C1D-2775-000003847137485C_zps01975f39.jpg
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/9790935E-81CB-4B9D-9B1B-5C3B5625C45B-2775-00000384827CFA32_zps13c1e121.jpg

[Martin]

[Jedi mind trick] Send the Panasports to Martin [/Jedi mind trick]

[Doward]

Holy necro thread batman!

This build needs some upadates. I'll bring it up to speed over the next couple days, but heres a hint what happened in 2013:

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/C908AD66-DB26-416D-9C96-67BCC913045A-992-00000163D6DA5A6D_zpsc73d48f4.jpg (http://s20.photobucket.com/user/DRFTMX5/media/C908AD66-DB26-416D-9C96-67BCC913045A-992-00000163D6DA5A6D_zpsc73d48f4.jpg.html)

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/EB7A1222-4CD0-4F4E-90AE-A4C0723D783A-6109-000004FC05176605_zpsf0b5f77f.jpg (http://s20.photobucket.com/user/DRFTMX5/media/EB7A1222-4CD0-4F4E-90AE-A4C0723D783A-6109-000004FC05176605_zpsf0b5f77f.jpg.html)

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/8628497929_4985a83c1b_o_zps9a91f92e.jpg (http://s20.photobucket.com/user/DRFTMX5/media/8628497929_4985a83c1b_o_zps9a91f92e.jpg.html)

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/0062AF5C-D0B9-45EC-861C-2CFB0E7F23E2-13996-000013B2071CFEF4_zps602c2ac5.jpg (http://s20.photobucket.com/user/DRFTMX5/media/0062AF5C-D0B9-45EC-861C-2CFB0E7F23E2-13996-000013B2071CFEF4_zps602c2ac5.jpg.html)

[Doward]

In March we had a local guy approach us about buying a drivetrain out of one of the parted cars. We ended up doing all the major mechanical construction of an Exocet for him.
Most of the important bits came from this 02 Crystal Blue:

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/1F9F7E74-ECDF-4DB0-8512-2BE31DCCD3FA-16796-00001625C60D4C3B.jpg (http://s20.photobucket.com/user/DRFTMX5/media/1F9F7E74-ECDF-4DB0-8512-2BE31DCCD3FA-16796-00001625C60D4C3B.jpg.html)

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/883007D1-2667-4119-BA38-72C9F6EE5E82-2086-000002F8DBD65B66_zps7de29245.jpg (http://s20.photobucket.com/user/DRFTMX5/media/883007D1-2667-4119-BA38-72C9F6EE5E82-2086-000002F8DBD65B66_zps7de29245.jpg.html)

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/8EB89F86-98D9-45C9-8A73-C66B781E2A7A-2086-000002F8E0EFAFEF_zps165faf8a.jpg (http://s20.photobucket.com/user/DRFTMX5/media/8EB89F86-98D9-45C9-8A73-C66B781E2A7A-2086-000002F8E0EFAFEF_zps165faf8a.jpg.html)

Mocked up our autocross wheelset:
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/C9321740-6176-4112-BA70-4B727F6F2D3C-3125-0000044EB4744AE4_zpseb3565f9.jpg (http://s20.photobucket.com/user/DRFTMX5/media/C9321740-6176-4112-BA70-4B727F6F2D3C-3125-0000044EB4744AE4_zpseb3565f9.jpg.html)

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/44BC2EA8-4B1A-4D59-9DE3-5DB4E15BA855-3430-00000477D8E9C58A_zps9fd9a08f.jpg (http://s20.photobucket.com/user/DRFTMX5/media/44BC2EA8-4B1A-4D59-9DE3-5DB4E15BA855-3430-00000477D8E9C58A_zps9fd9a08f.jpg.html)

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/EEA15F30-EBEA-4C17-9C18-709FC18E1E9D-5583-0000077EC2D95DD8_zpsffaf9103.jpg (http://s20.photobucket.com/user/DRFTMX5/media/EEA15F30-EBEA-4C17-9C18-709FC18E1E9D-5583-0000077EC2D95DD8_zpsffaf9103.jpg.html)

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/C908AD66-DB26-416D-9C96-67BCC913045A-992-00000163D6DA5A6D_zpsc73d48f4.jpg (http://s20.photobucket.com/user/DRFTMX5/media/C908AD66-DB26-416D-9C96-67BCC913045A-992-00000163D6DA5A6D_zpsc73d48f4.jpg.html)


This thing was pretty frankenstein'd
02 motor, stock
02 ecu
02 fuel tank and pump
5spd trans
99 lower control arms
02 rear subframe
94 upper control arms
94 spindles
NB 4.30 open diff
94 2 piece halfshafts
94 brakes
Rokkor coilovers
Flyin Miata swaybars
NB end links
99 exhaust mani and egr pipe.
02 factory cat and midpipe
eBay axle back
Miata.net style 16x7s

The owner made some questionable parts choices :p
It left on a trailer exactly as you see it in the last pic. It ran and drove perfectly with the stock ecu, just way lighter and with more wind than an 02 miata would. I know he had fenders and the rear cover painted a cool, darkish blue, he never made it out to an autocross and I actually haven't seen it since. It was a blast to drive, hopefully he'll bring it out in 2014.

[atank]

I bet building that Exo was fun fun.....................

[Bryan]

I'm curious what the questionable parts choices were, aside from maybe the open diff and the 16x7's?

Sadly, I just don't like the Exocet...something about the frame (much less the fact that I just don't like open-frame cars) just doesn't do it for me.

[Doward]

I'm curious what the questionable parts choices were, aside from maybe the open diff and the 16x7's?

Sadly, I just don't like the Exocet...something about the frame (much less the fact that I just don't like open-frame cars) just doesn't do it for me.

Those are the two big ones. The wheels had 25mm adapters too. Then the Rokkors, giant FM rear sway. He wasnt a "miata guy" and was unaware of what a megasquirt could have done for him. We had the entire OE emissions system tucked behind the passenger shock tower, which isnt necessarily a bad thing I suppose. I did really like the drive-ability with the stock ECU. A megasquirt just would allowed a much cleaner/simpler install. The OE cat and midpipe made contact with the flat floor, which is more of an exocet fault.

[Bryan]

Yeah...I wouldn't have put on the FM rear sway, at least. If it were my Exo, I'd have kept the OEM emissions/ECU as well, but that's really just a personal choice. IMHO, the big rear sway just messes up the handling balance, but I have no idea what it does on the Exocet, which, I presume, has a different weight balance than the Miata.

[Doward]

Ironic timing. Micheal, the owner of that exocet, just posted some current photos on facebook!

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/1524300_471202292984754_1436779672_o_zps960a188d.j pg (http://s20.photobucket.com/user/DRFTMX5/media/1524300_471202292984754_1436779672_o_zps960a188d.j pg.html)

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/1487773_471202356318081_1021819499_o_zps9975928e.j pg (http://s20.photobucket.com/user/DRFTMX5/media/1487773_471202356318081_1021819499_o_zps9975928e.j pg.html)

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/1496534_471202239651426_1653929687_o_zps33f96c55.j pg (http://s20.photobucket.com/user/DRFTMX5/media/1496534_471202239651426_1653929687_o_zps33f96c55.j pg.html)

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/1073274_471202279651422_359704435_o_zps54a54a83.jp g (http://s20.photobucket.com/user/DRFTMX5/media/1073274_471202279651422_359704435_o_zps54a54a83.jp g.html)

[Bryan]

Glad he put some body panels on it. Seat/harness setup is a little suspect, tho.

[Doward]

** Spring -> summer 2013 copied and pasted in **

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/6E63220A-D2D5-4AF8-820B-F5498CA690F9-5459-0000076325F72B55_zpsdece6eba.jpg

Got the last 2 closeouts from the Rack to match up on my Bbombs. Really want a 3rd set of wheels. 8" et20-35 to run some street/rainy trackday tires. And to put junk tires on for drifting if I decide to do more than 2-3 drift days this years. Blue Konig flat outs would be sweet on the Montego ;) maybe some stripped/polished grid-v.

These fit fantastic with NA spindles. They fit fantastic with cheap tires(195/50 kumho ast) and NB spindles. Don't fit with a real tire(195/50 bridgestone re-11) and NB spindles.

Section width and tire sizing is a joke. "195" my ass haha.

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/FCC4FE85-BCC6-420A-9008-A5BDD566C277-6130-000007F491014832_zpsaeee0633.jpg

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/33901EBC-AFED-4A30-841E-666F2DA6007C-6130-000007F488ACDAD0_zps973ea623.jpg

After a little hammer and baseball bat work, they now fit. I managed to NOT pull the rears for a long, long time. Could have added more camber but Form < Function. :rice:
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/4A477AAB-6B0B-4827-9F53-7F77041F4A46-549-00000110756639EE_zps02e9b867.jpg (http://s20.photobucket.com/user/DRFTMX5/media/4A477AAB-6B0B-4827-9F53-7F77041F4A46-549-00000110756639EE_zps02e9b867.jpg.html)

Also had a new windshield installed. Previous one had a crack, got a couple tech warnings, decided not to push my luck anymore.
Couldn't locate one a non-tinted one, settled for the fade-in tint as opposed to the hard cut line. Thinking about throwing on the 949Racing banner..:hello kitty:
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/3933D802-8E34-44B2-901E-6964C9B296AD-549-000001109BB1D622_zps8cb46a77.jpg (http://s20.photobucket.com/user/DRFTMX5/media/3933D802-8E34-44B2-901E-6964C9B296AD-549-000001109BB1D622_zps8cb46a77.jpg.html)


[URL=http://s20.photobucket.com/user/DRFTMX5/media/81A394D6-AEE2-4CAA-AA0C-C92BC85A9CFC-3501-000004739F04E9C3_zps22a4a7d6.jpg.html]

[Doward]

** More 2013 recap **

I have been having oil leak issues when the motor gets hot on track. It doesnt have any problem at autocrosses or drift days. Seems to be only during extended use, high rpm, high oil pressure, higher heat. The engine has a Boundary Engineering pump, +1 shim. I'm pulling the motor to re-RTV the oil pump, cas, and valve cover and to replace cam seals.

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/7ED3CB60-BD10-4370-9847-8D5BA814D21F-3446-00000429D29728C2_zpsfa95dd55.jpg (http://s20.photobucket.com/user/DRFTMX5/media/7ED3CB60-BD10-4370-9847-8D5BA814D21F-3446-00000429D29728C2_zpsfa95dd55.jpg.html)

While it is out, I have an Exintake cam waiting and an Ishihara Johnson crank scraper coming from Bill at MiataRoadster. Will be playing around with porting a spare bp4w head as well. If it turns out good, I'll shave it and maybe put it on this motor. If not, it'll go on 21Flavors :p.
Should all go back together with my Escort cover and a new catch can solution.


http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/EDCD3365-8C45-426E-AEF7-D9241CCC2E48-3249-00000404123FCAF6_zpsdbbd09d5.jpg (http://s20.photobucket.com/user/DRFTMX5/media/EDCD3365-8C45-426E-AEF7-D9241CCC2E48-3249-00000404123FCAF6_zpsdbbd09d5.jpg.html)

Yay.
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/847E55F6-B1EB-4797-A941-F97F3CF6A1F4-11076-0000102B0F911ED5_zps1cbe4eda.jpg (http://s20.photobucket.com/user/DRFTMX5/media/847E55F6-B1EB-4797-A941-F97F3CF6A1F4-11076-0000102B0F911ED5_zps1cbe4eda.jpg.html)
Time to install crank scrape and reseal pan and pump. New cam seals, new CAS seal, new vc gasket, and cross fingers.

Finally found a set of blue Flatouts! Should have those here in time for next trackday. Plan to mount up some scrub 205 SM6s ive been sitting on. We'll see how they do.

Before:
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/1A5D6E04-C397-4929-9B49-DE3528E609A4-13811-0000138AECAB9291_zps197b7980.jpg (http://s20.photobucket.com/user/DRFTMX5/media/1A5D6E04-C397-4929-9B49-DE3528E609A4-13811-0000138AECAB9291_zps197b7980.jpg.html)

After:
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/A2C881B2-676D-4053-9EF7-51C949A06BF6-13811-0000138B2D1B8BB5_zps7c45fb3d.jpg (http://s20.photobucket.com/user/DRFTMX5/media/A2C881B2-676D-4053-9EF7-51C949A06BF6-13811-0000138B2D1B8BB5_zps7c45fb3d.jpg.html)


Another simple thing I did recently was paint a black border around the lexan for the hardtop. I pulled the window out, which sucked btw, and painted the backside like you do with rc car bodies. This makes whatever color you choose look glossy. So, naturally, I chose a can of $.99 flat black. :p

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/48FA3D2C-1A55-41AA-9877-B091778CCB46-1285-000001FB21703A7D_zps00e24185.jpg (http://s20.photobucket.com/user/DRFTMX5/media/48FA3D2C-1A55-41AA-9877-B091778CCB46-1285-000001FB21703A7D_zps00e24185.jpg.html)

When I reinstalled it, I laid down a 1/2" bead of clear silicone before I riveted it back in. Using a hand riveter on 3/16" rivets is a feat for stronger man than I! I broke the head on the fancy "Aero" tool from Home Depot or Lowes and finished it with a Harbor Freight cheapo. If I have to do anymore riveting on future projects, I will be buying an air powered tool..

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/8BFC0AC1-2006-4A45-AC50-124D499A5D1C-13811-0000138B4A1E2109_zps6daa5103.jpg (http://s20.photobucket.com/user/DRFTMX5/media/8BFC0AC1-2006-4A45-AC50-124D499A5D1C-13811-0000138B4A1E2109_zps6daa5103.jpg.html)

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/53C48AD1-780D-497B-9922-EE3668AF5F37-13811-0000138B503F97C2_zpsdbb07180.jpg (http://s20.photobucket.com/user/DRFTMX5/media/53C48AD1-780D-497B-9922-EE3668AF5F37-13811-0000138B503F97C2_zpsdbb07180.jpg.html)

I plan to tape off and lay down another bead of black to fill the void around the window and try to mimic the factory gasket/seal. hopefully the tape will help control size and consistency of the bead around the whole window.


http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/FF1B071C-7C10-419E-B08E-1DBCD96954A7-1818-00000213648B1DFC_zpsd124f724.jpg (http://s20.photobucket.com/user/DRFTMX5/media/FF1B071C-7C10-419E-B08E-1DBCD96954A7-1818-00000213648B1DFC_zpsd124f724.jpg.html)

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/4B867D80-DF40-4F90-B57E-198A16DD29CE-1818-00000213710D9A24_zpsd22fdc39.jpg (http://s20.photobucket.com/user/DRFTMX5/media/4B867D80-DF40-4F90-B57E-198A16DD29CE-1818-00000213710D9A24_zpsd22fdc39.jpg.html)

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/C529C40E-8ECC-41D9-91C5-7AAC0D434A0B-1818-0000021377C961C8_zps0a4be66f.jpg (http://s20.photobucket.com/user/DRFTMX5/media/C529C40E-8ECC-41D9-91C5-7AAC0D434A0B-1818-0000021377C961C8_zps0a4be66f.jpg.html)

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/2AA0CAF4-9A43-4D74-BC4A-16D79BAC31B8-1818-000002136AB8031A_zps0c281d1b.jpg (http://s20.photobucket.com/user/DRFTMX5/media/2AA0CAF4-9A43-4D74-BC4A-16D79BAC31B8-1818-000002136AB8031A_zps0c281d1b.jpg.html)

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/5838BB92-852D-48AF-A9AD-E8A879E8170E-1913-000002235FAFC87F_zps2bf4cd5d.jpg (http://s20.photobucket.com/user/DRFTMX5/media/5838BB92-852D-48AF-A9AD-E8A879E8170E-1913-000002235FAFC87F_zps2bf4cd5d.jpg.html)

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/E4F6A5C3-E887-43A7-95C4-1DE1F4B4BAF1-1913-0000022368488034_zpsd9803569.jpg (http://s20.photobucket.com/user/DRFTMX5/media/E4F6A5C3-E887-43A7-95C4-1DE1F4B4BAF1-1913-0000022368488034_zpsd9803569.jpg.html)


Got my motor back in last night. Took it around the block and realized I didn't put a cam seal on my exintake.. I felt like an idiot. Haha.
So I need to pull that all back apart and reset cam timing, again. Yay.
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/5631C48A-E456-4F49-A339-905378D589F4-7274-0000097CF9091E2D_zps49a8c54b.jpg
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/EC02DF41-18AB-41E3-BBC9-029874459DA3-7274-0000097D0918663A_zpsa8d35008.jpg
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/DCE02CF5-A5DC-4F2D-ADBE-1F1B8B27618C-7274-0000097D019480AE_zpsd4d015c6.jpg

Finally got my enthuza high flow cat installed as well.

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/73CD9876-40D8-4D13-A5F1-73A3F2AD5075-5264-000007DB8B944C53_zps59e22a58.jpg
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/1EA339B1-3B0A-41E5-B5B7-59A24233C657-5264-000007DB9117E714_zpsc990ddf5.jpg

[Doward]

** Still back in time... **

Smack in the middle of the busy season. No updates recently as I broke my tailbone while mountainbiking ~3 weeks ago.
Aug 9th and 10th I participated in the PDX and TT sessions with Cincinatti Region SCCA at their IT-SPECtacular race weekend.

Ran the new mag blue Flatouts on Friday with old 205/50/15 Hankook C50s. The tires were terrible so I switched to the 9" 6uls/225/45/15 NT01 for the Time Trial on Saturday.

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/D7E54D46-3D4A-462C-AAE0-6C6DB0E73061-2306-00000321D6267F4E_zps401b86fc.jpg (http://s20.photobucket.com/user/DRFTMX5/media/D7E54D46-3D4A-462C-AAE0-6C6DB0E73061-2306-00000321D6267F4E_zps401b86fc.jpg.html)

Flatouts over sport brakes. Plenty of room.
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/3DBF69DB-8BA5-4DCA-A363-CA006E583421-2306-00000321E74C249F_zps4ed7c62c.jpg (http://s20.photobucket.com/user/DRFTMX5/media/3DBF69DB-8BA5-4DCA-A363-CA006E583421-2306-00000321E74C249F_zps4ed7c62c.jpg.html)

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/D536E722-75F9-433A-A645-091D8F3A6DEE-2306-00000321F1D617A7_zpsbc49d1ab.jpg (http://s20.photobucket.com/user/DRFTMX5/media/D536E722-75F9-433A-A645-091D8F3A6DEE-2306-00000321F1D617A7_zpsbc49d1ab.jpg.html)

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/20130810-2417-wm_zpsb911f519.jpg (http://s20.photobucket.com/user/DRFTMX5/media/20130810-2417-wm_zpsb911f519.jpg.html)

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/20130810-0536-wm_zps771196e1.jpg (http://s20.photobucket.com/user/DRFTMX5/media/20130810-0536-wm_zps771196e1.jpg.html)

So my baseline is a 1:46.1 that I ran in that SCCA Club Trial.
The goal all along has been NASA TT(D), recently TTE with a dyno reclass. This weekend is the last points event, so Im going to run the car in D, where it falls based on mod points because im a ricer :p It will be slow and totally non competitive. I'll just used it for practice and compare my times to all the other E miatas.

I checked a couple little things off my list this week in preparation though:

Pulled my 225 RA1s off my 8s and mounted some 205 Hoosier SM6(R6).
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/D4461819-4CD2-42B7-A425-32CBF5939B69-8821-0000106CC14CF0AD_zps995f5bd7.jpg (http://s20.photobucket.com/user/DRFTMX5/media/D4461819-4CD2-42B7-A425-32CBF5939B69-8821-0000106CC14CF0AD_zps995f5bd7.jpg.html)

Finally pulled the softop out and bolted in the hardtop with some aluminum spec brackets.
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/4D05779D-6C9A-4BAA-AB37-A300D8E7E6CC-8821-0000106CD3EA7581_zps1f55ef61.jpg (http://s20.photobucket.com/user/DRFTMX5/media/4D05779D-6C9A-4BAA-AB37-A300D8E7E6CC-8821-0000106CD3EA7581_zps1f55ef61.jpg.html)

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/C744C5AA-5C6F-4386-B111-8CCCFF573F3A-8821-0000106CCDA78CE0_zpsf1723fab.jpg (http://s20.photobucket.com/user/DRFTMX5/media/C744C5AA-5C6F-4386-B111-8CCCFF573F3A-8821-0000106CCDA78CE0_zpsf1723fab.jpg.html)

New front rotors, my cross drilled ones started to crack, as expected. Blanks for the win, Centric Premium come pre painted black on the hat and outer diameter.
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/8209C79C-82C3-4983-B0CB-B31654E66785-8821-0000106CBA152C28_zpsdd6932f5.jpg (http://s20.photobucket.com/user/DRFTMX5/media/8209C79C-82C3-4983-B0CB-B31654E66785-8821-0000106CBA152C28_zpsdd6932f5.jpg.html)

It all fits inside. 4 205 hoosiers mounted on 8" 6uls, 4 jackstands, aluminum floor jack, cordless impact in case, tool kit in a folding bag, folding bag chair, helmet bag, big tupperware bin in trunk with spare fluids, chhange of clothes, camera/radio bag...

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/23866708-C78B-4F9A-8FB8-57D5F6F676FF-8821-0000106CDEB0FB76_zps62adf63d.jpg (http://s20.photobucket.com/user/DRFTMX5/media/23866708-C78B-4F9A-8FB8-57D5F6F676FF-8821-0000106CDEB0FB76_zps62adf63d.jpg.html)

Hoosiers alone should be worth 1 second. ~40lbs off the top of the car is hopefully good for a bit more. Goal is 1:44.9 or BUST! :p
Track record in E is a 41 something, but hey, gotta start somewhere....

This cool shot popped up from the last event with the flatouts:
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/20130809-0165-wm_zpsc724f8f2.jpg (http://s20.photobucket.com/user/DRFTMX5/media/20130809-0165-wm_zpsc724f8f2.jpg.html)


NASA TT weekend went pretty well. The hoosiers I ran on were terrible. They were toast. That is the price one must pay when always using other peoples take offs. I think I will have to buy at least one set of brand new R6s next year. I ended up running similar times in the low 1:46.xx range, with a major change(decrease) in tire. I attribute most of it to being able to follow other TTE Miatas, observe lines and braking zones, etc

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/616D6BD5-A3E0-4BE3-9105-EDFC2BE64A7D-10768-000013188F50A9FC_zpsc44ddecf.jpg (http://s20.photobucket.com/user/DRFTMX5/media/616D6BD5-A3E0-4BE3-9105-EDFC2BE64A7D-10768-000013188F50A9FC_zpsc44ddecf.jpg.html)

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/455ED173-725B-46CA-8BA6-6AAE55095C72-10768-000013189C99BC0B_zps5281e663.jpg (http://s20.photobucket.com/user/DRFTMX5/media/455ED173-725B-46CA-8BA6-6AAE55095C72-10768-000013189C99BC0B_zps5281e663.jpg.html)

Had my first serious/fast/butthole clinching off track experience this weekend as well. It was Sunday morning, it was ~15* colder that morning and the engine was loving it. I was 3mph faster on the straight(118) and wasnt moving my braking marks up to compensate. Went off the outside of turn 1, right at the exit. Back tire slid off the outside of the curbing, took the rest of the car with it, nearly spun, got the car straightened out before crossing/jumping a rarely used shortcut part of the track. That's when the lip got ripped off. That will be my last real GV lip. :(
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/759AA24C-E2C8-47A5-858C-903B0FDD2821-10768-00001318AB8E5E7E_zpsc73be2b4.jpg (http://s20.photobucket.com/user/DRFTMX5/media/759AA24C-E2C8-47A5-858C-903B0FDD2821-10768-00001318AB8E5E7E_zpsc73be2b4.jpg.html)

I keep finding more pics from these last 3 trackdays. They were stacked up on each other, sat/sun, then a Friday single day, then labor day Monday single day. Cant keep all the pics straight. :p

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/20130809-1832-wm_zpsbbd1f3a4.jpg (http://s20.photobucket.com/user/DRFTMX5/media/20130809-1832-wm_zpsbbd1f3a4.jpg.html)

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/7522BF55-B2D7-49E3-A9F1-8FBA5DD4F3F3-2306-00000321AEE7A819_zpsd2687d3d.jpg (http://s20.photobucket.com/user/DRFTMX5/media/7522BF55-B2D7-49E3-A9F1-8FBA5DD4F3F3-2306-00000321AEE7A819_zpsd2687d3d.jpg.html)

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/DA325AB1-AB0E-4107-B4D3-E7A6DD43E663-2306-0000032251D85384_zpsc11a1b8b.jpg (http://s20.photobucket.com/user/DRFTMX5/media/DA325AB1-AB0E-4107-B4D3-E7A6DD43E663-2306-0000032251D85384_zpsc11a1b8b.jpg.html)

Current plan is to build a removable airdam, probably with rivnuts in the stock bumper. I also have a lead on some very gently(barely) used Xidas locally. Hopefully I can snag those. I have this head to practice porting, then port and shave a good one and retune over the winter. Depending on power levels, dyno reclass to TTE or stay in D.

Some pics from the last couple drift events:

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/174ED669-63A9-4003-9CC2-192330B8B8F6-6109-000004FC5DE90BBA_zps1960974c.jpg (http://s20.photobucket.com/user/DRFTMX5/media/174ED669-63A9-4003-9CC2-192330B8B8F6-6109-000004FC5DE90BBA_zps1960974c.jpg.html)

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/76BEB80F-9615-4764-A937-348E4A7CB8B1-6109-000004FC851E6F53_zps7a925882.jpg (http://s20.photobucket.com/user/DRFTMX5/media/76BEB80F-9615-4764-A937-348E4A7CB8B1-6109-000004FC851E6F53_zps7a925882.jpg.html)

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/10630F14-FDB9-4401-9A72-F83D103B60CD-6109-000004FCD438E845_zpsdb210743.jpg (http://s20.photobucket.com/user/DRFTMX5/media/10630F14-FDB9-4401-9A72-F83D103B60CD-6109-000004FCD438E845_zpsdb210743.jpg.html)

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/3FED6408-9B01-4F3D-B34E-8D5F3A9CD046-6109-000004FCDAC1D2CF_zps0bbc8269.jpg (http://s20.photobucket.com/user/DRFTMX5/media/3FED6408-9B01-4F3D-B34E-8D5F3A9CD046-6109-000004FCDAC1D2CF_zps0bbc8269.jpg.html)

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/1044034_10100235820880367_451616000_n_zpsc953d756. jpg (http://s20.photobucket.com/user/DRFTMX5/media/1044034_10100235820880367_451616000_n_zpsc953d756. jpg.html)

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/947374_10201634115880124_1450506382_n_zpsdaad1abc. jpg (http://s20.photobucket.com/user/DRFTMX5/media/947374_10201634115880124_1450506382_n_zpsdaad1abc. jpg.html)

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/922729_4246542621250_140469767_n_zps0c6cb860.jpg (http://s20.photobucket.com/user/DRFTMX5/media/922729_4246542621250_140469767_n_zps0c6cb860.jpg.h tml)

[Doward]

** 2014 recap **

Not much wrench progress lately. I have my car on jackstands to pull the control arms so I can install the zerk fittings, but its been exceptionally cold this winter so I havent had the motivation.

Big day today though!

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/dans%20hijack%20album/528BC17E-1E2C-40E4-A94F-00189C8D91D8_zps97oyls7a.jpg (http://s20.photobucket.com/user/DRFTMX5/media/dans%20hijack%20album/528BC17E-1E2C-40E4-A94F-00189C8D91D8_zps97oyls7a.jpg.html)

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/dans%20hijack%20album/5c4b7819-c413-40fe-a910-0f53b0d84422_zps59c54e2f.jpg (http://s20.photobucket.com/user/DRFTMX5/media/dans%20hijack%20album/5c4b7819-c413-40fe-a910-0f53b0d84422_zps59c54e2f.jpg.html)

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/dans%20hijack%20album/C9E59192-EACC-4BE6-A9FD-1B4154BCE504_zpsn527t6no.jpg (http://s20.photobucket.com/user/DRFTMX5/media/dans%20hijack%20album/C9E59192-EACC-4BE6-A9FD-1B4154BCE504_zpsn527t6no.jpg.html)

Xida CS with billet mounts, 800/500.
-Been planning this upgrade for a while, made the commitment when I sold my Stance earlier this winter(another reason my car has been sitting on jackstands for months..)
Supermiata links to replace my Gearhead Garage links.
-After using these on the autocross car, they are way easier to work with being male/female/male. I have to disconnect my current male/female adjustable links in order to adjust them.
Toda adjustable cam gears
-To dial in my Exintake and move my peak power down. For the 2014 rules, I need to get down 128whp maximum for NASA TTE.

Ran down to the garage and mocked up my VICS mani as well. I may go back to the VICS manifold as well in the quest for more torque, instead of my Skunk2 honda manifold.

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/dans%20hijack%20album/42A0C216-4177-4B47-9D59-3C44A2584DE4_zps3sqlqzmu.jpg (http://s20.photobucket.com/user/DRFTMX5/media/dans%20hijack%20album/42A0C216-4177-4B47-9D59-3C44A2584DE4_zps3sqlqzmu.jpg.html)

Ive also started the Xida install on my car. Once it was all bolted up there was a series of; install wheels, lower car, roll car back and forth, measure ride height, lift car, remove wheels, adjust, repeat.

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/IMG_5313_zps8e212c1c.jpg (http://s20.photobucket.com/user/DRFTMX5/media/IMG_5313_zps8e212c1c.jpg.html)

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/IMG_5332_zpsb364ccc8.jpg (http://s20.photobucket.com/user/DRFTMX5/media/IMG_5332_zpsb364ccc8.jpg.html)

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/IMG_5330_zpse6d137de.jpg (http://s20.photobucket.com/user/DRFTMX5/media/IMG_5330_zpse6d137de.jpg.html)

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/IMG_5334_zps518b9812.jpg (http://s20.photobucket.com/user/DRFTMX5/media/IMG_5334_zps518b9812.jpg.html)

Autointerests was hosting a trackday last Monday and we were able to get 15 drivers in! Thats a HUGE turnout for Ohio! A few others showed up to hang out and we got the opportunity to take some pics at lunch during parade laps of most of us. I think their were 24 miatas in the paddock including 2 Spec/PT guys.

18 cars in this pic:
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/10176016_10203230122690032_8444709681519972749_n_z ps5120c7cd.jpg (http://s20.photobucket.com/user/DRFTMX5/media/10176016_10203230122690032_8444709681519972749_n_z ps5120c7cd.jpg.html)

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/10258294_10101653312101168_546764500372952574_o_zp sa1fd7939.jpg (http://s20.photobucket.com/user/DRFTMX5/media/10258294_10101653312101168_546764500372952574_o_zp sa1fd7939.jpg.html)

This was my first full/real track test on the Xidas. Handled beautifully. I was able to get really aggressive on the curbs without upsetting the car which totally changes how you can drive this track. It rained off and on during the day so I ran the 195/50/15 Bridgestone RE-11 on the 15x8 konig flatouts. Grip should have been down but I was able to run in the mid 1:40s, right on pace with my best from last summer on 225 NT01s and Stance coilovers.

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/10304349_724380560918061_4595137694008603050_n_zps a1b75955.jpg (http://s20.photobucket.com/user/DRFTMX5/media/10304349_724380560918061_4595137694008603050_n_zps a1b75955.jpg.html)

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/10176167_724382787584505_865344453659485498_n_zpsc 04cad00.jpg (http://s20.photobucket.com/user/DRFTMX5/media/10176167_724382787584505_865344453659485498_n_zpsc 04cad00.jpg.html)




Yesterday was the first event of the 2014 Buckeye Miata Club autocross season. Again, it rained off and on throughout the day. At lunch it let up and was sunny for about 90 minutes. Long enough to swap on some Hoosier A6s I picked up secondhand from a fellow NASA TT'er and set FTD on my second lap.

205/50/15 Hoosier A6 on silver 15x9 6ul:
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/IMG_5841_zps57c4978e.jpg (http://s20.photobucket.com/user/DRFTMX5/media/IMG_5841_zps57c4978e.jpg.html)

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/IMG_5844_zpse19dcc39.jpg (http://s20.photobucket.com/user/DRFTMX5/media/IMG_5844_zpse19dcc39.jpg.html)

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/IMG_5847_zps7694c2ce.jpg (http://s20.photobucket.com/user/DRFTMX5/media/IMG_5847_zps7694c2ce.jpg.html)

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/IMG_5848_zpsd3bb14e3.jpg (http://s20.photobucket.com/user/DRFTMX5/media/IMG_5848_zpsd3bb14e3.jpg.html)




Oh boy! CoT wing, FM's mounts and some APR mirrors came in!

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/IMG_5923_zps77903830.jpg (http://s20.photobucket.com/user/DRFTMX5/media/IMG_5923_zps77903830.jpg.html)

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/IMG_5922_zps2ce97390.jpg (http://s20.photobucket.com/user/DRFTMX5/media/IMG_5922_zps2ce97390.jpg.html)

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/IMG_5919_zps54c64bbc.jpg (http://s20.photobucket.com/user/DRFTMX5/media/IMG_5919_zps54c64bbc.jpg.html)


I have had this spare hood and Carbontrix extractor vent laying around for everrrrr. I finally have a "need" for it to reduce some lift and maybe help balance that wing out. I also reinstalled my undertray with a much more heavy duty mounting method. It now has 1/4" aluminum "feet" bolted to the subframe on the tabs under the steering rack. The front of these feet are then nut and bolted through the tray to some 1/8" angle aluminum that is again bolted to the A/C condenser brackets.


http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/dans%20hijack%20album/IMG_6199_zpse25b81d7.jpg (http://s20.photobucket.com/user/DRFTMX5/media/dans%20hijack%20album/IMG_6199_zpse25b81d7.jpg.html)

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/dans%20hijack%20album/IMG_6192_zps9cc36b89.jpg (http://s20.photobucket.com/user/DRFTMX5/media/dans%20hijack%20album/IMG_6192_zps9cc36b89.jpg.html)


http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/dans%20hijack%20album/10302170_10100528514664677_4742781996520638901_n_z ps5d3df958.jpg (http://s20.photobucket.com/user/DRFTMX5/media/dans%20hijack%20album/10302170_10100528514664677_4742781996520638901_n_z ps5d3df958.jpg.html)

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/dans%20hijack%20album/IMG_6191_zps3d718b7f.jpg (http://s20.photobucket.com/user/DRFTMX5/media/dans%20hijack%20album/IMG_6191_zps3d718b7f.jpg.html)
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/dans%20hijack%20album/10338745_10100528514819367_5359280542071440218_n_z ps040c33df.jpg (http://s20.photobucket.com/user/DRFTMX5/media/dans%20hijack%20album/10338745_10100528514819367_5359280542071440218_n_z ps040c33df.jpg.html)


http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/IMG_6268_zpsbaf9aa86.jpg (http://s20.photobucket.com/user/DRFTMX5/media/IMG_6268_zpsbaf9aa86.jpg.html)

[Doward]

** More recent history **

So this journey is going to fun. I have completely underestimated how effective the simple, rather small, splitter-undertray combo and this radiator vent are going to be. After tons of consultation and research I settled on running the wing at +1°. Everything I've read and heard pointed me towards that setting being the lowest drag while still creating downforce. I didnt expect much front downforce from my front end setup, and therefore did everything I could to minimize rear downforce in an effort to keep the car balanced, but the car was very tail happy yesterday.

I knew I had to work through lunch and was not sure I could sneak away at all, but I was able to swap cars and drive up to Mid Ohio around ~2pm. I swapped on the NT01s the night before and did not bring my usual assortment of trackday tools and equipment so I have no video, no pyro data, an was unable to adjust the wing to play around at all. Upon arrival, the skys opened up, flash flooded and red flagged all activity for half an hour or so. Once things went green, I took a handful of students for "rain line" laps. At the end of the day we got ~40 minutes of dry track, so I spent most of that dry time re-learning earlier turn in points in several places. Purely from seat-of-the-pants, pacing other guys ive driven with multiple times and looking down at the speedo on corner exits, there are major differences. Ive picked up ~4 or 5 mph in turn 1 and 12 (the two fastest corners) and was hitting the limiter in places ive never had happen before.

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/dans%20hijack%20album/10410576_1508466016033457_4146568478839923786_n_zp s133ddce9.jpg (http://s20.photobucket.com/user/DRFTMX5/media/dans%20hijack%20album/10410576_1508466016033457_4146568478839923786_n_zp s133ddce9.jpg.html)

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/dans%20hijack%20album/10527301_1508466049366787_3163544399782862151_n_zp sdf7846f6.jpg (http://s20.photobucket.com/user/DRFTMX5/media/dans%20hijack%20album/10527301_1508466049366787_3163544399782862151_n_zp sdf7846f6.jpg.html)

The traditional gas station photos on the way back :p
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/dans%20hijack%20album/24F4CDB5-CB56-4A54-9C1B-AD8F6C212635_zpsliuweszm.jpg (http://s20.photobucket.com/user/DRFTMX5/media/dans%20hijack%20album/24F4CDB5-CB56-4A54-9C1B-AD8F6C212635_zpsliuweszm.jpg.html)

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/dans%20hijack%20album/80E31E2C-8F26-40AE-8A32-44E3D9FBDA5C_zpsq5dp68rd.jpg (http://s20.photobucket.com/user/DRFTMX5/media/dans%20hijack%20album/80E31E2C-8F26-40AE-8A32-44E3D9FBDA5C_zpsq5dp68rd.jpg.html)

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/dans%20hijack%20album/51EEED4F-8F30-49BF-AA79-73942F1B0B60_zps1rbki1za.jpg (http://s20.photobucket.com/user/DRFTMX5/media/dans%20hijack%20album/51EEED4F-8F30-49BF-AA79-73942F1B0B60_zps1rbki1za.jpg.html)



http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/dans%20hijack%20album/1610775_754609331228517_3256775685860078433_n_zpsc 0ff886d.jpg (http://s20.photobucket.com/user/DRFTMX5/media/dans%20hijack%20album/1610775_754609331228517_3256775685860078433_n_zpsc 0ff886d.jpg.html)

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/dans%20hijack%20album/10475518_754609417895175_3778103375853715716_n_zps b498db2f.jpg (http://s20.photobucket.com/user/DRFTMX5/media/dans%20hijack%20album/10475518_754609417895175_3778103375853715716_n_zps b498db2f.jpg.html)

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/dans%20hijack%20album/10338708_754609347895182_716939207638929013_n_zps7 25cb1b5.jpg (http://s20.photobucket.com/user/DRFTMX5/media/dans%20hijack%20album/10338708_754609347895182_716939207638929013_n_zps7 25cb1b5.jpg.html)

[atank]

So much progress, looks great!!!!!!

[Sean5294]

I just got a set of APR mirrors. Did you have to make your own mounting bracket?

[Doward]

So much progress, looks great!!!!!!
Thanks atank! It's been a really fun car.
I need to get my Miatas at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca post up as well.





I just got a set of APR mirrors. Did you have to make your own mounting bracket?

Mine are from either Slick Auto or 949, came with the bases.

[lokirx706]

I had no idea how many different set ups you have had on this car! Read every single page too, she has some a long way, and you have too! It wasnt too long ago I had a CR style Miata lol

And I was at that Defined Autoworks meet! I contacted them and helped set it up for Ohio Rotaries, I thought I snapped a pic of all the Miatas that were there, but I dont remember seeing yours.... I didnt even have a Miata myself back then lol

[Doward]

Miatas at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca recap posts in 5, 4, 3...
__________________________________________________ ______
Sunday, August 31st.

Left central Ohio on Sunday around ~2pm. 5 cars, Chris(Lokirx706 (http://mazdaroadster.net/showthread.php?5989-The-accidental-Panda&p=150498#post150498)) met us halfway out of Ohio.

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/dans%20hijack%20album/10659396_10102161638336450_3385158238319012348_n_z ps9d6e8732.jpg (http://s20.photobucket.com/user/DRFTMX5/media/dans%20hijack%20album/10659396_10102161638336450_3385158238319012348_n_z ps9d6e8732.jpg.html)

http://www.miataturbo.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=123430&dateline=1410754272 (http://s20.photobucket.com/user/DRFTMX5/media/MRLS%20trip/IMG_6460_zpseae25c9c.jpg.html)

Went through St Louis, saw the arch. We actually exited the freeway to go park by the arch for a photo, but there was a baseball game and downtown was packed. We got called a "gay parade" and drove over some super shitty roads.
We never did end up stopping, we just got back on the freeway and kept driving.

http://www.miataturbo.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=123432&dateline=1410754272 (http://s20.photobucket.com/user/DRFTMX5/media/MRLS%20trip/IMG_6472_zps479bde1f.jpg.html)


Drove until dark.
http://www.miataturbo.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=123431&dateline=1410754272 (http://s20.photobucket.com/user/DRFTMX5/media/MRLS%20trip/IMG_6461_zps57915043.jpg.html)


Parked at the hotel on the west side of Springfield, Missouri:
http://www.miataturbo.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=123433&dateline=1410754272 (http://s20.photobucket.com/user/DRFTMX5/media/MRLS%20trip/IMG_6463_zps19a01b73.jpg.html)

We left Columbus as expected, car was great(as great as no air conditioning or cruise control can be on 2-300 mile freeway stretches) all the way to St Louis. Once in STL we pulled off the freeway to go drive under the arch and as soon as my car idled down off the freeway the accessory belt started squealing. I didn't think anything of it. I had just done a full timing belt/water pump replacement a week earlier and must have gotten tons of oil and grime all over that belt and pulleys. After we left town we stopped to refuel. This was the first time in 4 or 5 hours that I had turned the engine off, as I left it idling at the previous truck stop bathroom break. Chris popped his hood to check his oil. That's when I popped mine to check as well. I immediately noticed my alternator was sitting a little crooked and the belt alignment was obviously off.
It was not until we stopped for the night that I told the group I might have some adjustments to make in the morning. I still didn't know what was actually wrong. We all actually had a good laugh about it in the Waffle House parking lot before we checked in. Super loud annoying belt squeal while we cruised around on surface streets was the only hint I got. It was dead silent on the freeway and honestly was running great.



__________________________________________________ _______________
Monday, September 1st, Labor Day.
That morning is when I attempted to clean my accessory belt thinking I must have slathered it in grease and grime 2 weeks before hand when I replaced the water pump and such.

As soon as I put the ratchet on the bolt head and applied a smidge of torque, I saw the worst case scenario. The whole alternator and bracket ALL moved left half an inch, taking a chunk of the water pump with it. Needless to say it did not go back in the same spot
I knew I was done right then and there. I drove on the last broken water pump longer than I'd like to admit because I could never find the issue. But this break is way worse and allowed the alternator to drop vertically. I may or may not be able to "make it" to Laguna, but no way would I risk running the track day. And then the 2300 miles home.

http://www.miataturbo.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=123434&dateline=1410754272 (http://s20.photobucket.com/user/DRFTMX5/media/MRLS%20trip/IMG_6481_zps4e128575.jpg.html)

http://www.miataturbo.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=123435&dateline=1410754272 (http://s20.photobucket.com/user/DRFTMX5/media/MRLS%20trip/IMG_6483_zpsf43a1ef9.jpg.html)

Once the others woke up and got back from breakfast we went our separate ways. They kept heading out 44 west, and I eastward.
I drove behind semis and hypermiled a 308 mile tank out of my 1.9, standalone ecu pig. I couldn't apply more than 3/4 throttle or the belt would squeal like crazy. It was slipping badly enough that it would not charge both of the accessories I had plugged in at the same time. I don't have a radio in the car so I was using a Bluetooth JBL speaker and had a two port USB adapter in the cig lighter. I did most of the 12 hour drive from Springfield Missouri to New Albany Ohio in silence.
Tomorrow I hop on a plane to Vegas. I'll stay with a couple good friends for a day before driving a rental car out to Laguna for Friday and Saturdays festivities. I'll drive back to Vegas on Sunday and meet my wife who already had this Vegas trip booked for while I was in Cali and we'll go see the Grand Canyon on Monday since I missed that stop on the OMO Caravan.

~750 miles home, 12 hours, solo, in holiday traffic through St Louis, Indianapolis and Columbus. Home:
http://www.miataturbo.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=123436&dateline=1410755460 (http://s20.photobucket.com/user/DRFTMX5/media/MRLS%20trip/IMG_6489_zps6da37d10.jpg.html)


__________________________________________________ _______________
Tuesday, September 2nd.

I slept most of the day. When I finally did wake up, I played Forza 5 and drove MRLS. :p

__________________________________________________ _______________
Wednesday, September 3rd.

http://www.miataturbo.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=123437&dateline=1410755460 (http://s20.photobucket.com/user/DRFTMX5/media/MRLS%20trip/IMG_6491_zpsfcdc32e1.jpg.html)
http://www.miataturbo.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=123438&dateline=1410755460 (http://s20.photobucket.com/user/DRFTMX5/media/MRLS%20trip/IMG_6496_zps6b5b06cb.jpg.html)
http://www.miataturbo.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=123439&dateline=1410755460 (http://s20.photobucket.com/user/DRFTMX5/media/MRLS%20trip/IMG_6500_zps32d13aec.jpg.html)



__________________________________________________ ___
Thursday, September 4th.


Good food in Vegas. Japanese curry:
http://www.miataturbo.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=123440&dateline=1410755460 (http://s20.photobucket.com/user/DRFTMX5/media/MRLS%20trip/IMG_6509_zpsadc6fca3.jpg.html)
PreRunners everywhere:
http://www.miataturbo.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=123441&dateline=1410755460 (http://s20.photobucket.com/user/DRFTMX5/media/MRLS%20trip/IMG_6508_zps6094732c.jpg.html)
Landscape shot:
http://www.miataturbo.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=123442&dateline=1410755460 (http://s20.photobucket.com/user/DRFTMX5/media/MRLS%20trip/IMG_6503_zps42520c42.jpg.html)

Driving from Vegas to Monterey:
http://www.miataturbo.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=123443&dateline=1410755460 (http://s20.photobucket.com/user/DRFTMX5/media/MRLS%20trip/IMG_6518_zps3d68eaa8.jpg.html)
http://www.miataturbo.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=123444&dateline=1410755460 (http://s20.photobucket.com/user/DRFTMX5/media/MRLS%20trip/IMG_6523_zps1f444a99.jpg.html)

BTW, I kind of want a hybrid to replace my Passat wagon(that I dont ever drive), so I reserved a Prius online with Hertz as a sort of extended test drive. Turns out I only reserved a "hybrid sedan-seating for 5" so I ended up with a Ford C-Max instead.
http://www.miataturbo.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=123445&dateline=1410755460 (http://s20.photobucket.com/user/DRFTMX5/media/MRLS%20trip/IMG_6531_zpsf1d37c2b.jpg.html)

More landscape shots. I love it out there so there will lots of these to come:
http://www.miataturbo.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=123446&dateline=1410755460 (http://s20.photobucket.com/user/DRFTMX5/media/MRLS%20trip/IMG_6536_zpsddaab7f6.jpg.html)

Almost to Boron/Buttonwillow I think?:
http://www.miataturbo.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=123447&dateline=1410755460 (http://s20.photobucket.com/user/DRFTMX5/media/MRLS%20trip/IMG_6543_zps6d7f0427.jpg.html)

http://www.miataturbo.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=123448&dateline=1410755460 (http://s20.photobucket.com/user/DRFTMX5/media/MRLS%20trip/IMG_6549_zps212b84eb.jpg.html)

Coming down some sort of Sierra Nevada shit towards Bakersfield, California. During this descent, I put the car in neutral and coasted for like 8 miles on the tripmeter. C-Max got 37.8mpg on this Vegas-Monterey trip.
http://www.miataturbo.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=123449&dateline=1410755460 (http://s20.photobucket.com/user/DRFTMX5/media/MRLS%20trip/IMG_6550_zpsc9578c37.jpg.html)

[Doward]

Still Thursday, September 4th.

Bakersfield meant civilization, a fuel stop, and rush hour traffic. So I hopped off and grabbed dinner:
http://www.miataturbo.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=123450&dateline=1410755984 (http://s20.photobucket.com/user/DRFTMX5/media/MRLS%20trip/IMG_6552_zpsa38eb033.jpg.html)

Leaving Bakersfield, I thought there was a drought or something?
http://www.miataturbo.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=123451&dateline=1410755984 (http://s20.photobucket.com/user/DRFTMX5/media/MRLS%20trip/IMG_6556_zps1052f1fa.jpg.html)

Back up into some rollers, not sure if still Sierra Nevada or Pacific Coastal at this point.
http://www.miataturbo.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=123452&dateline=1410755984 (http://s20.photobucket.com/user/DRFTMX5/media/MRLS%20trip/IMG_6559_zpsd19a3ec8.jpg.html)

Racing the sun to the west coast:
http://www.miataturbo.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=123453&dateline=1410755984 (http://s20.photobucket.com/user/DRFTMX5/media/MRLS%20trip/IMG_6560_zps4a2cb6ed.jpg.html)

OMG BEAUTIFUL:
http://www.miataturbo.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=123454&dateline=1410755984 (http://s20.photobucket.com/user/DRFTMX5/media/MRLS%20trip/IMG_6563_zpsfad55dc3.jpg.html)

OMG MOAR BEAUTIFUL:
http://www.miataturbo.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=123455&dateline=1410755984 (http://s20.photobucket.com/user/DRFTMX5/media/MRLS%20trip/IMG_6564_zps25fdc5a2.jpg.html)

I was making good time, so i skipped the 101 and went for the coast, Cambria.
http://www.miataturbo.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=123456&dateline=1410755984 (http://s20.photobucket.com/user/DRFTMX5/media/MRLS%20trip/IMG_6565_zps682f265d.jpg.html)

Caught my first glimpse of the Pacific, EVER, after climbing some hill in a random rich neighborhood that had a "coastal access" sign off the highway 46 or 44 or whatever road i was on. Bonus Prius sighting.
http://www.miataturbo.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=123457&dateline=1410755984 (http://s20.photobucket.com/user/DRFTMX5/media/MRLS%20trip/IMG_6566_zps1e2c71ee.jpg.html)

Wow....
http://www.miataturbo.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=123458&dateline=1410755984 (http://s20.photobucket.com/user/DRFTMX5/media/MRLS%20trip/IMG_6567_zpsa12ea84b.jpg.html)

This shit was FREEZING and i'm an Ohio kid who does "polar bear plunges" in the winter.
http://www.miataturbo.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=123459&dateline=1410755984 (http://s20.photobucket.com/user/DRFTMX5/media/MRLS%20trip/IMG_6569_zps9e214835.jpg.html)

From there on out I didnt take any pictures until the next day, but I drove HWY 1 up from Cambria to Monterey at sunset. 112 miles of Amazing pretty much all to myself that time of night.
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/MRLS%20trip/IMG_6570_zps10798021.png (http://s20.photobucket.com/user/DRFTMX5/media/MRLS%20trip/IMG_6570_zps10798021.png.html)

[Doward]

Friday September 5th:

Woke up on eastern time, so I went for a jog on the beach, Monterey Bay beach.
http://www.miataturbo.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=123460&dateline=1410757010 (http://s20.photobucket.com/user/DRFTMX5/media/MRLS%20trip/IMG_6574_zps09166500.jpg.html)

Met JeffBucc at the breakfast spot:
http://www.miataturbo.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=123461&dateline=1410757010 (http://s20.photobucket.com/user/DRFTMX5/media/MRLS%20trip/IMG_6582_zpsf987428d.jpg.html)
http://www.miataturbo.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=123462&dateline=1410757010 (http://s20.photobucket.com/user/DRFTMX5/media/MRLS%20trip/IMG_6583_zps53bc5aaa.jpg.html)

Had breakfast with E02k, JeffBucc, 18psi, Turbofan, and a few others. Then we kinda got split up. I went to meet my Ohio friends and KINOD at the home depot parking lot to await our designated Wolf Hill group entrance time.
Thats where I spotted a wild Type R.
http://www.miataturbo.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=123463&dateline=1410757010 (http://s20.photobucket.com/user/DRFTMX5/media/MRLS%20trip/IMG_6586_zps52d3dfb6.jpg.html)

Max's montego blue widebody/fastback that I love:
http://www.miataturbo.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=123464&dateline=1410757010 (http://s20.photobucket.com/user/DRFTMX5/media/MRLS%20trip/IMG_6589_zpsd9b11240.jpg.html)

Driving from home depot up to Laguna Seca:
http://www.miataturbo.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=123465&dateline=1410757010 (http://s20.photobucket.com/user/DRFTMX5/media/MRLS%20trip/IMG_6590_zps04b7d985.jpg.html)

Top of the hill access road at LS:
http://www.miataturbo.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=123466&dateline=1410757010 (http://s20.photobucket.com/user/DRFTMX5/media/MRLS%20trip/IMG_6593_zpsbd08a31d.jpg.html)

http://www.miataturbo.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=123467&dateline=1410757010 (http://s20.photobucket.com/user/DRFTMX5/media/MRLS%20trip/IMG_6596_zps29f7ca36.jpg.html)

http://www.miataturbo.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=123468&dateline=1410757010 (http://s20.photobucket.com/user/DRFTMX5/media/MRLS%20trip/IMG_6598_zps8ea7608e.jpg.html)

Turn 9 from Wolf Hill. 9 is amazing. Better than Corkscrew to me.
http://www.miataturbo.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=123469&dateline=1410757010 (http://s20.photobucket.com/user/DRFTMX5/media/MRLS%20trip/IMG_6599_zps234d1500.jpg.html)

Cars at the hill:
http://www.miataturbo.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=123470&dateline=1410757010 (http://s20.photobucket.com/user/DRFTMX5/media/MRLS%20trip/IMG_6600_zps49666887.jpg.html)
http://www.miataturbo.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=123471&dateline=1410757010 (http://s20.photobucket.com/user/DRFTMX5/media/MRLS%20trip/IMG_6601_zpsba1128d2.jpg.html)
http://www.miataturbo.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=123472&dateline=1410757010 (http://s20.photobucket.com/user/DRFTMX5/media/MRLS%20trip/IMG_6602_zpse94b47a8.jpg.html)
http://www.miataturbo.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=123473&dateline=1410757010 (http://s20.photobucket.com/user/DRFTMX5/media/MRLS%20trip/IMG_6603_zpsaea3c606.jpg.html)

This happened:
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/MRLS%20trip/IMG_6635_zps223ac861.jpg (http://s20.photobucket.com/user/DRFTMX5/media/MRLS%20trip/IMG_6635_zps223ac861.jpg.html)


Back to the hotel after free bbq dinner and ND drive by. I was able to walk up and get a suite the day of, at the "sold out" host hotel, on the 11th floor, with an ocean view.
http://www.miataturbo.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=123474&dateline=1410757010 (http://s20.photobucket.com/user/DRFTMX5/media/MRLS%20trip/IMG_6604_zpsf4cd10a7.jpg.html)
http://www.miataturbo.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=123475&dateline=1410757010 (http://s20.photobucket.com/user/DRFTMX5/media/MRLS%20trip/IMG_6632_zps91463ca0.jpg.html)

KINOD hotel party that night. Really bad idea the night before a trackday.... But Embassy Suites does a free happy hour so....

[Doward]

Saturday, September 6th. M@MRLS Trackday!

So there I was, at Laguna Seca with a pre paid "A" group spot, and without my car. :(

Luckily this community is so amazing! On Friday I spent all afternoon catching up with people on Wolf Hill. Moti was so kind as to promise me the first passenger ride along in Creampuff. That was a pretty amazing way to experience that track for the first 'real' time!

First A session of the day, foggy. We couldnt see the top of the hill from turn 6. That was interesting.
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/dans%20hijack%20album/10506869_10152700363161602_6267735168166005344_o_z ps2726dbec.jpg (http://s20.photobucket.com/user/DRFTMX5/media/dans%20hijack%20album/10506869_10152700363161602_6267735168166005344_o_z ps2726dbec.jpg.html)

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/dans%20hijack%20album/10659448_651541734943903_8041398781462668803_n_zps 7cdaa282.jpg (http://s20.photobucket.com/user/DRFTMX5/media/dans%20hijack%20album/10659448_651541734943903_8041398781462668803_n_zps 7cdaa282.jpg.html)

Second A session I rode in Ryan(ThePass)'s red turbo na6. Again, a surreal experience:
http://i175.photobucket.com/albums/w157/ThePass_photos/The%20Miata/Miatas%20at%20MRLS%202014/10570538_10152700397016602_4375905453184763220_n_z psdf32be8d.jpg (http://s175.photobucket.com/user/ThePass_photos/media/The%20Miata/Miatas%20at%20MRLS%202014/10570538_10152700397016602_4375905453184763220_n_z psdf32be8d.jpg.html)

Second C group session I rode with an Ohio guy(Joe) in his teal/orange na6 with a 3/4 cage, nt01s and a very healthy 1.6.
Third C group session, Joe wanted/allowed me to drive his car while he rode.

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/DSC00979_zpsb3d7cb6d.jpg (http://s20.photobucket.com/user/DRFTMX5/media/DSC00979_zpsb3d7cb6d.jpg.html)


Fourth C group session, Joe went off turn 3(right in front of me as I was walking out of the merchandise building) after I showed him it was possible to go through flat out. :p
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/10603496_10203215487694121_5203944656916898003_n_z ps15d40cb1.jpg (http://s20.photobucket.com/user/DRFTMX5/media/10603496_10203215487694121_5203944656916898003_n_z ps15d40cb1.jpg.html)

Fourth A session I drove another Ohio guy's MSM with Blackbird Fabworx' trial trunk with their lexan spoiler and managed a 1:53.3:
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/dans%20hijack%20album/10668656_10100614844404187_4272863564667688161_o_z ps099465bd.jpg (http://s20.photobucket.com/user/DRFTMX5/media/dans%20hijack%20album/10668656_10100614844404187_4272863564667688161_o_z ps099465bd.jpg.html)


12866

[Doward]

Sunday, September 7th.

This was the start of cross country return trip. We split up quite a bit, Darren and I left super early, the others followed later in the day. I was simply returning to Las Vegas to return my rental car and catch a flight on Tuesday. The others had another 2,000 mile trip ahead of them.

Driving across the desert:
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/MRLS%20trip/IMG_6637_zps45859c78.jpg (http://s20.photobucket.com/user/DRFTMX5/media/MRLS%20trip/IMG_6637_zps45859c78.jpg.html)

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/MRLS%20trip/IMG_6642_zps0348c2cf.jpg (http://s20.photobucket.com/user/DRFTMX5/media/MRLS%20trip/IMG_6642_zps0348c2cf.jpg.html)


I am fairly certain that this is the left overs of hurricane 'Norbert' as the next morning the freeway leaving LV was shut down because of flooding/wash out.:
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/MRLS%20trip/IMG_6646_zpsc4f8039b.jpg (http://s20.photobucket.com/user/DRFTMX5/media/MRLS%20trip/IMG_6646_zpsc4f8039b.jpg.html)

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/MRLS%20trip/IMG_6648_zps35b5a84e.jpg (http://s20.photobucket.com/user/DRFTMX5/media/MRLS%20trip/IMG_6648_zps35b5a84e.jpg.html)

Monday, September 8th:
Friends were at work, so my wife and I took the rental car down to Hoover Dam.

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/MRLS%20trip/IMG_6661_zps699f3479.jpg (http://s20.photobucket.com/user/DRFTMX5/media/MRLS%20trip/IMG_6661_zps699f3479.jpg.html)

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/MRLS%20trip/IMG_6656_zps49048292.jpg (http://s20.photobucket.com/user/DRFTMX5/media/MRLS%20trip/IMG_6656_zps49048292.jpg.html)

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/MRLS%20trip/IMG_6660_zps91544dff.jpg (http://s20.photobucket.com/user/DRFTMX5/media/MRLS%20trip/IMG_6660_zps91544dff.jpg.html)


http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/MRLS%20trip/IMG_6663_zpscb92536a.jpg (http://s20.photobucket.com/user/DRFTMX5/media/MRLS%20trip/IMG_6663_zpscb92536a.jpg.html)


Tuesday, September 9th:
Before flying home we spent some time by the pool at our friends work. This was the only few hours of "vacation" I actually got in the 11 day span. LOL
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/MRLS%20trip/IMG_6667_zps3ac8fd09.jpg (http://s20.photobucket.com/user/DRFTMX5/media/MRLS%20trip/IMG_6667_zps3ac8fd09.jpg.html)

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My M@MRLS trip didn't exactly go as planned, but I feel I made the best of it. The absolute best part of it all was to finally put some faces with names/usernames I've known for years. Riding in 2, and driving 3 other Miatas in one day was a very unique experience as well. 2 turbos, 2 1.6s, 2 vvt, from stock to wild...

Definitely a place and event I will return to.

[Doward]

I picked up this barely used NB FMII kit locally. This will probably end up in my green car. NASA's ever evolving rules/points make it frustrating to de-mod my car for the couple events/year I drive with them, so i'll probably just continue to do whatever I feel like to the car and run with the more casual DE groups I instruct with. Maybe a Midwest Time Attack like Gridlife will sneak onto my schedule.
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/DRFTMX5/dans%20hijack%20album/2D95C43D-A1F9-4BFA-BAEE-7E824932ABE3_zpsssmgir0v.jpg (http://s20.photobucket.com/user/DRFTMX5/media/dans%20hijack%20album/2D95C43D-A1F9-4BFA-BAEE-7E824932ABE3_zpsssmgir0v.jpg.html)