Modernbeat's '92 Special Edition black-on-black subtle is the name of the game build

[modernbeat]

Editing this entire thread to remove the Photobucket images and either upload them to the forum or link them to Smugmug.

17447
So, this is not my first Miata. And not the second, or third, or fourth… It’s my seventh. But, it’s the first one that was slated to be a fun street car. All the others are either competition cars that had to follow a rulebook, beaters that were either parted out or tracked, or kept stock and driven then sold. So, all those fun parts I’ve bought since 2004 and haven’t used are going to find a home on this car.

The theme I’m trying to keep is OEM-Plus. I don’t plan on any radical modifications. No huge body modifications, no turbo, no stripped race like interiors. This is not a JDM build. I’m not a fanboi and will not stick EUNOS badging on just for the sake of being JDM. I want to keep its identity as a Miata while mixing and matching the best of the OEM parts and a few subtle, well built aftermarket parts. Also, I’m not a fashion horse. Name brands for the most part don’t impress me, and I don’t care about them on the car. While there ARE name-brand aftermarket parts on the car, the parts will mostly be chosen because of their quality, utility, aesthetics and sometimes because they were first to market – not strictly because of the label. Another thing I’d like to do is keep the visible parts period appropriate – from ’89 to ’99.

I really started this build on a fair condition ’91 that I bought a few years ago. This car came from a charity car auction that I attend. It was a Crystal White ’91 with an early hardtop and a Hard Dog Sport rollbar. I won the bidding and took it home for just over $600 including title, registration and taxes.

17448

The white paint was in poor shape and the vinyl stripes had petrified and cracked. The interior was sunbaked, though the aftermarket grey softtop was almost brand new. I started collecting parts for it, including a good white fender, new white mirrors, all the rubber hoses, the hardtop edge and window rubber trim, gauge cowl, radio surround, Murakami M2-1028 trunk lid etc… Then the economy took a dump and when NASA had to make cutbacks, I lost my job at Boeing. I offered the white car and the parts I bought specifically for it up for sale and it left within a month to live a life as a never-street-driven track rat at Motorsports Ranch Houston.

After relocating to Dallas and getting my financial life together, I wanted to finish what I started. This time instead of using whatever car I happened across, like the white car, I was going to find the “right” car – which for me was a ’92 Black and Tan or a NA6 in British Racing Green. I watched the local (Dallas, Austin, Houston) Craigslist posts and even set up an RSS feed for different searches. Eventually a fairly nice ’92 SE showed up for $3000 including a lot of extras and the original hardtop. The hardtop was important, as I’m not really a convertible guy and would rather a coupe. During inspection I noted that the car had sat for a LONG time. And it had sat under an oak tree and had a lot of paint etching and hard water deposits that the seller tried to cover up with a lot of detailing glaze. The front bumper had never seen a license plate and was dent free (good) but the softtop looked like a piece of beef jerky (bad for him). The seller and I haggled over it and I bought it for a very good price.

Here’s the only photo I have of it from that day.

17449

[modernbeat]

The very first thing I did was get license plates. My pal and I are both pun fanatics, but most of the really good plates I wanted were already taken, or not available. Texas only allows six characters on their plates. I ended up getting “NNNN” which is a pun for “foreign”. I also ordered a custom bent right hand side Garage Star license plate bracket as I wanted an offset plate mount, but didn’t want the plate to be on the same side as the front bumper MAZDA sticker.

17450

Plate jealousy struck my friend, and he also ordered a custom plate. He’s an antique dealer and buys the majority of his stock at estate sales. He selected this plate which reads “You Die – I Buy”. Morbid for some, but everyone we know in the antiques business finds it hilarious.

17451

[modernbeat]

After that I immediately started looking for black interior parts, as the tan interior was the first thing to go. The dash, kick panels and seatbelt tower panels came in first from Harleybutter on MiataTurbo. Then the main carpet came from a track car build out of Houston. A nice pair of NA6 cloth seats came from a Craigslist ad out of Waco and a couple pair of decent floor mats came in (one for using, the other for showing) from wanted ads. I eventually got the rear carpets from PartsGroup. I bought a pair of one-year-only ’96 black electric-window door panels from Second Chance Roadster.

https://photos.smugmug.com/Projects/MiataBlackCubed/i-KK5tzHD/0/a304f350/XL/photo-79-XL.jpg

Oops, got two right side kick panels! Harleybutter took care of it like a pro.

https://photos.smugmug.com/Projects/MiataBlackCubed/i-85PFw4P/0/2ce1f30a/L/2010-09-20135405-L.jpg

Then I bought another rent house in Houston and was gone for a few months while I remodeled it. I got back to Dallas in January and started on the interior swap.

https://photos.smugmug.com/Projects/MiataBlackCubed/i-vL9BLnt/0/b5cdba40/L/SNC11522-L.jpg

https://photos.smugmug.com/Projects/MiataBlackCubed/i-3hwXbFw/0/c1a51c89/L/SNC11553-L.jpg

I got a good deal on a few rolls of Raammat, ensolite padding and spray glue over the holidays. Here’s the tub with about a half roll of deadener in it. The ensolite went in over the deadner, then the original pads went in last.

https://photos.smugmug.com/Projects/MiataBlackCubed/i-G8VHZ7Q/0/7395c58b/L/2011-01-23155802-L.jpg

While the main carpet was in fair condition, it was filthy. I took it down to the car wash and powerwashed it and let it dry for a week before it went in the car. I swear some previous owner must have spilled at least two dozen coffees in the passenger footwell. The powerwasher water ran brown for 30 minutes.

https://photos.smugmug.com/Projects/MiataBlackCubed/i-h86NQ5G/0/8914185a/L/SNC11576-L.jpg

I accidentally ordered the bulkhead carpet from a ’95 and it was moulded to go around the ECU that was behind the seats. I picked up another carpet out of a ’90 my girlfriend bought to make a track rat out of. But, that carpet was filthy, full of cat hair, and was fuzzy. The filth and cat hair came out with a powerwash. I took a heatgun on low setting to the carpet to “erase” all the fuzz sticking up out of the carpet. When I was done it looked nearly new.

[AntiochOG]

Any idea how much the sound deadening material you added weighs? Did you just do the floor or did you add it other places too like the doors? How much of a difference does it make in the interior noise when driving on the freeway?

[modernbeat]

I added just under a roll of RAAM mat. From memory I'd guess it weighed around 25 lbs. I mostly did the floors and tunnel (2 layers) with a single layer on the back bulkhead and 85% coverage on the rear package tray. The doors got about a square foot inside on the outer shell and a little less on the inner panel. Except the doors, all those areas also got a layer of thin ensolite padding, then the stock sound deadening pads and then the cleaned up carpet.

Sound deadener will not quiet your car, at least not at the level some expect. It simply eliminates/reduces the nasty noises your car panels/chassis/etc will make when your speakers or suspension cause them to vibrate.

It cut down on the tinny feeling and reduced some of the noise and heat, but didn't eliminate the tire noise or the droning exhaust. It did work better than I thought it would. I'd do it again.

For the proper uses of sound deadening, and what to expect of them, read the Sound Deadener Showdown.

http://www.sounddeadenershowdown.com/cgi-bin/index.cgi

[modernbeat]

While I had the dash out, I was going to remove all the airbag components.

https://photos.smugmug.com/Projects/MiataBlackCubed/i-bWf5BND/0/391b5d68/XL/SNC11577-XL.jpg

I cut into the harness to use the switched power from the airbag to power an auxiliary fuse box. Here’s the yellow power wire under the HVAC stack and the black radar detector cable under the blower.

https://photos.smugmug.com/Projects/MiataBlackCubed/i-mdwg8CW/0/d68715b3/L/SNC11578-L.jpg

The fuse box is going to power a radar detector, an iPod charger and power locks. I ran wire up the windshield to the V1 mount.

https://photos.smugmug.com/Projects/MiataBlackCubed/i-sPjw3pN/0/7068e8fc/L/SNC11579-L.jpg

Here’s some of the wire I removed from the car. Some airbag stuff and some vintage Autopage alarm stuff. Anyone want the alarm? I’ve got two remotes, stickers and some literature for it.

https://photos.smugmug.com/Projects/MiataBlackCubed/i-CWqG7w8/0/59342570/L/SNC11554-L.jpg

Turned out the new black dash had two broken tabs that connected it to the corners of the metal brace. I fixed them with epoxy. It doesn’t look like much under the dash, but it’s invisible from inside the car and it will keep the dash from squeaking.

https://photos.smugmug.com/Projects/MiataBlackCubed/i-CKBqKRG/0/24b5eee7/L/SNC11585-L.jpg

https://photos.smugmug.com/Projects/MiataBlackCubed/i-pRRqjgF/0/2ef52fb2/L/SNC11581-L.jpg

[modernbeat]

About this time I started working on the gauges. Some of the parts I had bought way back when I had the white car. I wanted an all black dash and to clean up the gauges as much as possible without looking like they were aftermarket. Think Porsche 911 for inspiration. For reference, here’s what the original ’92 gauges looked like.

https://photos.smugmug.com/Projects/MiataBlackCubed/i-HNQVJGQ/0/238b6ce6/L/SNC11545-L.jpg

Here’s the ’90 Canadian gauges that I took the tach face from. The ’96 cover in the background was the only one I had and the clear cover was heavily scratched. I wet sanded it and buffed it until it was nearly perfect.

https://photos.smugmug.com/Projects/MiataBlackCubed/i-ccDBKr3/0/902f73fe/L/SNC11542-L.jpg

The scratched ’96 cover.

https://photos.smugmug.com/Projects/MiataBlackCubed/i-ZNMnrXL/0/d65271e3/L/SNC11535-L.jpg

Here’s the UK market speedometer face that AndyK on MX5Nutz sent me.

https://photos.smugmug.com/Projects/MiataBlackCubed/i-GvcKt65/0/8eaedba9/L/SNC11534-L.jpg

And after assembling the parts from four different gauges, this is what I ended up with. The gauge hood is the original painted one, but it’s got paint issues and two broken tabs, so it will be replaced with a new one.

https://photos.smugmug.com/Projects/MiataBlackCubed/i-J5dkRqs/0/4b9fd712/L/SNC11592-L.jpg

[modernbeat]

And just for reinforcement, what I started with:

https://photos.smugmug.com/Projects/MiataBlackCubed/i-HNQVJGQ/0/238b6ce6/L/SNC11545-L.jpg

What I ended with:

https://photos.smugmug.com/Projects/MiataBlackCubed/i-J5dkRqs/0/4b9fd712/L/SNC11592-L.jpg

[zoom]

Hm, I should probably buff the gauge cover on my car. Nice work I love black and tan.

[modernbeat]

Here’s another thing I wanted to try. When you remove the airbag system, the clock spring remains and it’s got three wires that run through it. One is for the horn and the other two set off the airbag. I crimped spade connectors on all three. One is still for the horn, the other two will lead to a button on the steering wheel to mute the radar detector.

https://photos.smugmug.com/Projects/MiataBlackCubed/i-C3NhzTM/0/47decaa2/L/SNC11602-L.jpg

I made the horn female and the two for the radar male to keep them organized.

https://photos.smugmug.com/Projects/MiataBlackCubed/i-KsxrfmK/0/e96dec1f/L/SNC11605-L.jpg

It was cheaper to buy this mute button kit off ebay than to source the components, have them mailed and assemble it myself.

https://photos.smugmug.com/Projects/MiataBlackCubed/i-m3Zkv39/0/b3d6e247/L/SNC11606-L.jpg

I cut it into two and crimped connectors on the section that will go into the steering wheel. The other section will go under the dash, spliced into the original airbag wiring and plugged into the Valentine power network.

https://photos.smugmug.com/Projects/MiataBlackCubed/i-PRJrFKj/0/3f5f7f06/L/SNC11613-L.jpg

Here’s the little microswitch that will be adhered to the back of the steering wheel.

https://photos.smugmug.com/Projects/MiataBlackCubed/i-Lp5FcN5/0/bf35cdff/L/SNC11607-L.jpg

So, during all this steering wheel fitting, I felt the wheel was too far away. I purchased a few Nardi spacers from Ej86 on Club4AG. I couldn’t use the bolts, but the spacers were worth it.

https://photos.smugmug.com/Projects/MiataBlackCubed/i-dVC9DHK/0/06bbbe89/M/nardispacer3-M.jpg

I had to cut a groove in one of the spacers for the mute wire to pass through. I could have done this with a file, or a grinder, but used the opportunity to teach a friend of mine how to use a mill.

https://photos.smugmug.com/Projects/MiataBlackCubed/i-rsQ98fG/0/24b36de5/L/SNC11615-L.jpg

[WASABI]

Jason,

I really like the all new blacked out gauge cluster. The new hood looks great. Nice work.

-Jim

[modernbeat]

Thanks Jim.

And back to our regularly scheduled program...

I bought this ’97 hazard switch back when I had the white car. Here it is in the NA6 radio surround. This surround has a hole in it from the alarm’s LED. I have another good surround on it’s way.

https://photos.smugmug.com/Projects/MiataBlackCubed/i-72VKTf2/0/4845a9d0/L/SNC11588-L.jpg

And installed.

https://photos.smugmug.com/Projects/MiataBlackCubed/i-Q6bWzP9/0/1ea9dd9b/L/SNC11596-L.jpg

Here's the mute button on the back of a steering wheel spoke.

https://photos.smugmug.com/Projects/MiataBlackCubed/i-8dK8M8D/0/57a4591c/L/SNC11642-L.jpg

[modernbeat]

I spotted this pair of mirrors in a photo of a car on MX5Nutz. Garath, the owner, had bought it to fix up and sell. He was willing to sell me the mirrors, but needed a pair of silver RHD manual mirrors in addition to some cash. I sourced a set of silver mirrors on Ebay.UK and had them shipped to Garath. He then shipped them to me.

https://photos.smugmug.com/Projects/MiataBlackCubed/i-ZMMrt6n/0/91f67349/L/SNC11601-1-L.jpg

Here’s the photos where I spotted the mirrors. I didn’t know if they were GHO or M2 mirrors. But the Garath verified they were Vitaloni tops.

https://photos.smugmug.com/Projects/MiataBlackCubed/i-MhPChWn/0/c15b242b/M/05122010084-M.jpg

https://photos.smugmug.com/Projects/MiataBlackCubed/i-TQrq75k/0/6a11f5bd/M/05122010087-M.jpg

And the silver RHD Ebay.UK mirrors that I partial traded for them.

https://photos.smugmug.com/Projects/MiataBlackCubed/i-kK8mcSV/0/1fb8a579/S/cgiebaycouk2011-1-1115-9-S.png

I sanded and painted the bases and cleaned and conditioned the plastic bits. I’ve got some original style security fasteners coming for them, but until then they are on the car with some Phillips heads.

https://photos.smugmug.com/Projects/MiataBlackCubed/i-qRfmnbw/0/4237e951/L/SNC11646-L.jpg

https://photos.smugmug.com/Projects/MiataBlackCubed/i-RvFDVhf/0/5f39ad10/L/SNC11647-L.jpg

[modernbeat]

During the interior buying spree I never got a black knee panel for the dash. But, I had two non-airbag panels. One from a Canadian part out I bought years ago that had a couple extra holes in it and one from a UK part out that supplied a number of parts. I took the Canadian one with holes and trimmed it to fit around the US market combo switch cover.

https://photos.smugmug.com/Projects/MiataBlackCubed/i-nDjQvpm/0/e65c7d0c/L/kneepanel-L.jpg

I did the standard foamectomy on the bottom and the back of the black seats I bought. The fabric was in good shape, but faded. I used black fabric spray dye to bring them back, but the dye mostly faded again. I replaced the completely blown up original speakers with a pair of Blaupunkt 3.5 inch full range speakers. These seats were already wired for headrest speakers, so I mapped out the wires and corrected it so the headrest speakers would work correctly.

https://photos.smugmug.com/Projects/MiataBlackCubed/i-tGSXD2Q/0/61aeaccf/L/SNC11655-L.jpg

I bought new covers for the seat rail bolts. As far as I know, these were only used in the Special and Limited editions. They’re just one more piece of trim, but I am trying to minimize the exposed fasteners. Wow, that seat rail was dirty when I took the photo. It’s clean now.

https://photos.smugmug.com/Projects/MiataBlackCubed/i-4q3L2NM/0/055c6eac/L/SNC11654-L.jpg

I mentioned the knee panel from the UK partout. An unlucky guy over there had a really nice 1996 Japanese import S-Special. It really was a great looking car until he had an accident and totaled it. During the part out I bought a few items from him.

In addition to the knee panel, I bought a good condition radio surround – which is exactly the same as a US surround, and not worth shipping by itself, but I was buying a decent sized box of stuff, so he sent it along.

https://photos.smugmug.com/Projects/MiataBlackCubed/i-dDzxZBx/0/92a40b56/S/cgiebaycom2010-12-2022-55-S.png

[modernbeat]

This EUNOS rear window protector. Looks blue in the photo, but it’s really black. I've become a huge fan of it despite some doubts early on. It is handy to quickly stash stuff out of view when leaving the car and it gives the rear bulkhead a really finished look.

https://photos.smugmug.com/Projects/MiataBlackCubed/i-TVb9MNk/0/41734414/S/cgiebaycom2010-12-2022-56-S.png

The sunglasses holder to replace the ashtray.

https://photos.smugmug.com/Projects/MiataBlackCubed/i-zvg8v2L/0/866a4492/S/cgiebaycom2010-12-2022-56e-S.png

And MOST importantly, his seat belts. These are the non-airbag belts I needed. And they were in black, and in great, unfaded condition. He also included all the hardware, as the guide and plastic cover is different between NA6 and NA8 belts. Remember that these came from a RHD car, so the left hand belt has NO wear and because it was a low mileage car, the right side looks very good.

https://photos.smugmug.com/Projects/MiataBlackCubed/i-9CKZ4T7/0/edfd3062/S/cgiebaycom2010-12-2022-57-S.png

Here they are installed.

https://photos.smugmug.com/Projects/MiataBlackCubed/i-XFHFF5h/0/3db5390d/L/SNC11656-L.jpg

[Titus]

Great thread Jason... I am going to have to try your heat gun on the carpet trick.

[modernbeat]

I started working on the exterior. I bought an R-lip from Slutz4 during his big partout on CR.net. It was in good shape, but was still in the original Mazda black primer. This primer isn’t really black, but more of a dark grey. So, I sanded it down with 400, then 800, then 1200 grit. Wiped it down with mineral spirits and shot it with Duplicolor Bumper Coating.

Here you can see how the stock front lip looks grey, not black.

17455

The Duplicolor I used.

https://photos.smugmug.com/Projects/MiataBlackCubed/i-JB42zrB/0/cb022aa6/S/duplicolor_bumper_coating-S.jpg

And the painted lip. The bumper black looks great on the lip.

https://photos.smugmug.com/Projects/MiataBlackCubed/i-76DrNQ8/0/f8cec6bd/L/SNC11645-L.jpg

Next were the wiper arms. Most Miata arms tend to look faded, chipped and rusty where the airfoil attaches to the arm. I don’t have any before photos, but the arms got the same treatment as the lip. Sanded down with 400/800/1200 paper, then mineral spirits, then shot with Duplicolor Trim Paint. It’s got a semi-gloss finish that looks a little better than the flat black some people use. This car was missing the wiper nut covers. I had one new one in my stash of parts and another one was stolen off the track beater. The final touch was a pair of PIAA Silicone wiper blades. I like these blades for their longevity and UV resistance, which is always an issue with rubber blades in Texas.

The paint.

https://photos.smugmug.com/Projects/MiataBlackCubed/i-PGvwQ2n/0/d1926810/S/Duplicolor_Trim_paint-S.jpg

The finished arms.

https://photos.smugmug.com/Projects/MiataBlackCubed/i-mzmqjQV/0/ec096fe6/L/2011-03-29221037-L.jpg

[Doward]

I used the same procedure and paint on a pretty well worn rear r lip. Turned out great. Good stuff! Good to see Steve's parts live on as well!

[etikoner]

Love this car. The attention to detail is astounding.

[modernbeat]

The door pulls were another project. I originally wanted to use the entire Porsche RS America door pull and ordered the parts. When they came in I realized that the pull was too short and wouldn’t cover both holes in my ’95 door panels. I tried to make the bends more shallow to stretch out the mounting points, but the bezels required some height and no matter what I did with the original parts, I couldn’t get them to fit. So, I went to the local car building supply, Home Depot, and search through the aisles for something the right width and strong enough to make a temporary handle until I can sort out a pair of original looking door pulls. The Gilmour Flat Soaker Hose was the right width and it was a sturdy flat vinyl hose inside a stitched black nylon cloth sheath – AND – it was $7 for 25 feet. I made up the special mounts that the bezel required, cut up the hose and screwed it to the original mounting locations. It looked better than I thought it would and I’ve got all the room my left knee needs.

Here’s the hose.

https://photos.smugmug.com/Projects/MiataBlackCubed/i-2VH6LXg/0/d1669e06/S/gilmour_flat_soaker_hose-S.jpg

Here’s what the RS America door pulls look like. This is on a Porsche 914 door.

https://photos.smugmug.com/Projects/MiataBlackCubed/i-dW83s6Q/0/a5a6ffb8/M/Porsche_RS_America_Door_Pull-M.jpg

And the finished product on my Miata door. Since this photo was taken, I've taken some of the slack out of the handle and it's a little bit closer to the door.

https://photos.smugmug.com/Projects/MiataBlackCubed/i-7RgB4Q6/0/4cd91ac1/L/SNC11633-L.jpg

[modernbeat]

Did a wash-buff-wax on it today. Road tripping this weekend, so it had to look good and the pollen has been a hassle around here.

https://photos.smugmug.com/Projects/MiataBlackCubed/i-MqVr4j3/0/7e94a6dd/L/SNC11667-L.jpg

https://photos.smugmug.com/Projects/MiataBlackCubed/i-CLnqf3c/0/7d4336b0/L/SNC11668-L.jpg

Tidied up the engine a little. It's been a long time since I've had a bone-stock engine bay. Got closer to finishing the RS-Active install. One headlight raises a little higher than the other and the plastic fittings that the shroud screws go into are missing. Both are fixable.

https://photos.smugmug.com/Projects/MiataBlackCubed/i-F576GnQ/0/8a52f51f/L/SNC11670-L.jpg

Changed out the overflow tank. The new one came with a clear top, so I kept the original yellow top.

Old stained brown tank

https://photos.smugmug.com/Projects/MiataBlackCubed/i-MM97gtX/0/08731ebd/L/2011-03-29200703-L.jpg

New clear tank

https://photos.smugmug.com/Projects/MiataBlackCubed/i-9BxkRB6/0/d2594841/L/overflow-L.jpg

[modernbeat]

My first generation Runabout fuel lid arrived from the UK. Thanks to Vindi49 on Clubroadster/MX5Nutz/MX5Modsters for sourcing and shipping it.

https://photos.smugmug.com/Projects/MiataBlackCubed/i-QnBdZLg/0/820243fc/L/SNC11665-L.jpg

I actually like the look of the Zoom lid better than the Runabout, but I've got two issues with it. It's raw cast aluminum and will have to be polished regularly and the well around the lid is exposed and can collect leaves and other crap. The Runabout is stainless steel and closes the fuel cap area just like a stock lid. I don’t like the 2nd generation Runabout at all. The fake exposed bolt heads look terrible to me.

https://photos.smugmug.com/Projects/MiataBlackCubed/i-WCVd4Jj/0/2d026ea5/L/SNC11673-L.jpg

https://photos.smugmug.com/Projects/MiataBlackCubed/i-g2nZBr4/0/1efd265b/L/SNC11674-L.jpg

https://photos.smugmug.com/Projects/MiataBlackCubed/i-CC3sdsP/0/dc7ca652/L/SNC11676-L.jpg

Took some new shots.

https://photos.smugmug.com/Projects/MiataBlackCubed/i-VwzRk3v/0/a28a82dd/L/SNC11684-L.jpg

https://photos.smugmug.com/Projects/MiataBlackCubed/i-s7fS7jz/0/c4a621cf/L/SNC11679-L.jpg

https://photos.smugmug.com/Projects/MiataBlackCubed/i-LWMPDCk/0/d5ed2b66/L/SNC11683-L.jpg

https://photos.smugmug.com/Projects/MiataBlackCubed/i-T2WVPvL/0/ba2d4f7d/L/SNC11682-L.jpg

[modernbeat]

A new part came in the mail. I bought this Atlantic Design spare tire bag from Scrappy Jack on Clubroadster who sold it to me for the replacement cost of a new non-AD bag.

https://photos.smugmug.com/Projects/MiataBlackCubed/i-qTmRBwP/0/8bb5166d/L/SNC11687-L.jpg

Here it is installed.

https://photos.smugmug.com/Projects/MiataBlackCubed/i-QFSSpff/0/7ae2c34c/L/SNC11694-L.jpg

While we’re in the trunk, here’s the other stuff I’ve got back there. I’ve had a couple of these Atlantic Design trunk protector bags. They keep loose stuff from denting the left rear fender from inside the trunk. I bought this one just a few years ago.

https://photos.smugmug.com/Projects/MiataBlackCubed/i-qzRPwmF/0/96ae5d49/L/SNC11688-L.jpg

And here it is protecting the fender.

https://photos.smugmug.com/Projects/MiataBlackCubed/i-LdX66Sg/0/bcb869b9/L/SNC11695-L.jpg

[modernbeat]

The photo sucks, but I replaced the crappy elcheapo lead-acid battery the previous owner stuck in the trunk just to sell the car. It’s an Odyssey PC925L. It’s size is nearly the same as the original Panasonic battery if you put the Odyssey on it’s side (Length 6 5/8 in, Width 4 7/8 in, Height 7 in). The "L" suffix is the reversed terminals version. I also bought a pair of automotive adapter terminals so I could use the stock wiring without modification. I used new stock battery hold-down parts and tray that I had in my stash.

https://photos.smugmug.com/Projects/MiataBlackCubed/i-brjgxSk/0/f582b419/L/SNC11693-L.jpg

Here’s the tools. The only tools that came with the car was the lug wrench, the jack and the jack handle. I had a good lug wrench bag in my stash and bought the BBS wrench from an RX-7 racing shop near me. The OEM toolkit came from the UK some time back.

https://photos.smugmug.com/Projects/MiataBlackCubed/i-NgwSrVB/0/51617419/L/SNC11690-L.jpg

The white clip on the lug wrench was to hold the key for the Mazda locking lugs. I’ve got the paperwork for those locks, but the parts are long gone – never to return.

https://photos.smugmug.com/Projects/MiataBlackCubed/i-sRgGt64/0/4112d271/L/SNC11691-L.jpg

[modernbeat]

Bought a pair of Tuckin’99 front braces through a group buy Eddie Nakato from Adrenaline Racing (Eddie-N) did on M.net back in 2005. I installed them today. It wasn’t hard, but fairly time consuming. First step was to pull the wheel, fender liner and fender. I had been waiting to do this to finish removing the last of the airbag parts.

https://photos.smugmug.com/Projects/MiataBlackCubed/i-hFpw9LQ/0/40a14c78/L/SNC11696-L.jpg

Then, remove the door hinge bolts and the wheelwell edge bolts and use the provided hardware to bolt the brace to the tub. On the left side I had to remove the relay box to position the backing plate and working around the window washer fluid bottle was a PITA, but it all went together really well.

https://photos.smugmug.com/Projects/MiataBlackCubed/i-p7hBww7/0/b8094d18/L/SNC11699-L.jpg

One thing I modified while I had the fender off was the very front bolt hole. The difficult one behind the bumper cover. I slotted the hole so I could take it off by loosening that bolt rather than having to remove it entirely.

https://photos.smugmug.com/Projects/MiataBlackCubed/i-qMLdmVq/0/23faf616/L/SNC11700-L.jpg

I also took the opportunity to detail the fender liners.

https://photos.smugmug.com/Projects/MiataBlackCubed/i-Xx7cX3F/0/805b2c3b/L/SNC11701-L.jpg

I’m building a set of custom aluminum bodied Bilstein shocks for this car, but until that’s ready I’m making do with this set of Koni 2812 aluminum monotube double adjustable shocks off my competition car (LOL).

https://photos.smugmug.com/Projects/MiataBlackCubed/i-LCJVVkr/0/cdb6e719/XL/SNC11697-XL.jpg

[Rogue]

That cat bed is cool! ;)

[modernbeat]

That cat bed is cool! ;)

Thanks for the new name! LOL. Of all the AD bags I've got that was one I didn't think I'd be able to find. But, Scrappy Jack had been following my build and thought my car deserved it.

[stormin'norman]

Bought a pair of Tuckin’99 front braces through a group buy Eddie Nakato from Adrenaline Racing (Eddie-N) did on M.net back in 2005.

Good to see his name still tossed around the Miata forums. I currently work for him. Good friend, honest business owner, and talented driver.

[modernbeat]

Since we’re on a roll with the Atlantic Design stuff, I bought two bags from Tronik on Clubroadster. One is the between the seats pouch just like the one Stoly on Clubroadster has, but without a label. The other is the big mystery bag. It’s an organizer that snaps behind the passenger seat with three zippered pockets. The top is solid and the bottom two are mesh. I’ve never heard of it or seen any other pictures of it. It was pretty filthy when it arrived and was obviously in a Miata that suffered from mold. But a little soaking and scrubbing cleaned it right up. The between the seat bag went into my stash. I’m putting the mystery organizer into the car.

https://photos.smugmug.com/Projects/MiataBlackCubed/i-3JqBLtb/0/949c0982/L/SNC11637-L.jpg

[modernbeat]

I finally got around to swapping in the Racing Beat anti roll bar I got from Slutz4 on Clubroadster. Racing Beat call it their NA8 racing bar. It’s still a 1.125” hollow bar, but the wall thickness is 3/16” rather than the standard hollow bar’s 1/8” wall thickness. It’s also got two attachment holes drilled in each end, one that matches the standard NA6 hole and the other that matches the standard NA8 hole – but you can also use it to make suspension adjustments.

http://www.racingbeat.com/Miata-1990-2005/Sway-Bars/54107.html

Here’s the big bar compared to the skinny stocker.

https://photos.smugmug.com/Projects/MiataBlackCubed/i-2FXfDLq/0/1b7089b8/L/2011-04-12175100-L.jpg

Snaking out the original bar and getting the Racing Beat bar positioned for the install was a PITA. I’ve never had to do this on a car with AC, PS and ABS. All that stuff hangs down behind the radiator and makes it hard to get the anti roll bar in or out. I had ordered some lube from 949 Racing. Emilio carries Energy Suspension Hyperlube. He used to carry it in little one ounce packets and a huge eight ounce tub, but now he also has a more reasonable four ounce tub. I ordered the eight ounce tub back around Christmas.

http://949racing.com/energysuspensionhyperlube-1.aspx

I had to grind down the polyurethane bushings. This was the most oversized set I’ve ever seen. A cutting disk on a 4” grinder made quick work of them. A quick wipe down and new grease and they were ready to be installed. With the bushings clearanced the only drag on the bar was from the stickiness of the grease.

https://photos.smugmug.com/Projects/MiataBlackCubed/i-qWLMzkt/0/960e4b1d/L/2011-04-12181317-L.jpg

No photos of the individual components, but I pieced together a set of custom endlinks. I used stainless male and female heim joints (New Hampshire Ball Bearing), four cone washers (ebay), a lock nut, five oversized washers, two lock nuts and two 50mm bolts (Bolt Depot) per link. Everything is stainless except the cone washers which came from ebay seller “qsc8”.

http://myworld.ebay.com/ebaymotors/qsc8/?_trksid=p4340.l2559

https://photos.smugmug.com/Projects/MiataBlackCubed/i-Sbrg9gq/0/1387f065/Th/cone_washer-Th.png

Here’s the final end link. You do have to remove one side to adjust it, but I’ve found that it isn’t much of an issue.

https://photos.smugmug.com/Projects/MiataBlackCubed/i-h9Xcs8T/0/48faa985/L/2011-04-12191108-L.jpg

[modernbeat]

Before I buttoned everything up, I took a look at the splash pan. Like most it was bent and deformed at the trailing edge. But it wasn’t torn or broken. I thought about swapping it out for a new one I had, but the damage wasn’t bad enough. I propped up the bent parts and put a weight on the center and hit it with a heat gun. It looks like it bent back pretty close to the right contour. It turned out really well. 90% of the deformation was gone and it went back in with no issues.

https://photos.smugmug.com/Projects/MiataBlackCubed/i-952M33C/0/14d9c507/L/2011-04-12192059-L.jpg

You can see the differences between the original NA6 splash pan and the current pan that fits all models.

https://photos.smugmug.com/Projects/MiataBlackCubed/i-Ppx8hzj/0/0d860f6d/L/2011-04-12165937-L.jpg

[modernbeat]

My valve stems finally showed up, so I mounted the new wheels and tires. The wheels are the new Enkei J-Speeds from Good-Win Racing in the most un-baller size, 15x7et38. I considered the other two sizes. I didn’t get the 15x8et25 because I didn’t want to roll the fender and wanted to run a mild performance alignment (not too much camber). I didn’t get the 15x7et25 because Enkei went cheap and just added pad material to get that size. The lug holes look like they are two inches deep and extended lug nuts would barely peep out of the holes. That sucks. I don’t want to use extended lugs (don’t like the look on a street car) and I’d like to see the lug nut. I thought that the 38mm offset is a little more than I wanted, even for this mild fitment, but I’ll run spacers if I decide the wheel needs to be pushed out more.

https://photos.smugmug.com/Projects/MiataBlackCubed/i-gQPSZCz/0/d8fd1bb7/M/15x7_jspeeds-M.jpg


For tires I wanted something meaty with a round corner between the tread and the sidewall and a decently soft sidewall. A lot of the new extreme-performance street tires have very sharp tread corners and stiff sidewalls. I also like the looks of the 195/60-14 that a lot of guys are running on their 14x7 Enkei RP-F1 wheels. But I’d like to stay with 15” wheels as I intend to install a set of Sport brakes that are waiting their turn in my garage. Well, this is about as close as I can come to the round and meaty 14” look and still have room for big brakes. It’s a Dunlop Dierezza Sport Z1 Star Spec. It’s got the extreme performance compound, a soft sidewall, and a nice round balloon curve between the tread and the sidewall when mounted on a 15x7. Here’s a few shots. I’ll post more in the fitment thread. The current alignment has too much rear camber and not quite enough up front. I'll be taking care of that next

https://photos.smugmug.com/Projects/MiataBlackCubed/i-sxnxXd3/0/4f00a633/L/SNC11702a-L.jpg

https://photos.smugmug.com/Projects/MiataBlackCubed/i-Q6Dw7Rq/0/837802bc/L/SNC11706-L.jpg

https://photos.smugmug.com/Projects/MiataBlackCubed/i-XQ78vwL/0/d6d52ede/L/SNC11709a-L.jpg

https://photos.smugmug.com/Projects/MiataBlackCubed/i-RnJfHBV/0/1ffda81b/L/SNC11710-L.jpg

https://photos.smugmug.com/Projects/MiataBlackCubed/i-rQds6Jd/0/f7b8adaa/L/SNC11711-L.jpg

[modernbeat]

Another detail from the build. I don’t like how the license plate fits flush against the finish panel. The sharp edges dig into the panel and the plate can vibrate and make noise. When I mounted my plate I used spacers under the top two bolts. The bottom two bolts are screwed into rubber bumpers that keep the bottom of the plate off the finish panel.

https://photos.smugmug.com/Projects/MiataBlackCubed/i-gVgGpWN/0/594fd770/L/SNC11374-L.jpg

[modernbeat]

A large number of things I’ve done to this car are either involved with the interior swap or just plain restoration. The next two are restoration. Orwrx was parting out a ’96 M-edition. I bought this near-perfect window switch from that car. Although mine works, it was due for a cleaning and the labels had worn off the front. You have to make sure that you get the right switch. Automatics and standards got different switches. The mechanism is the same, but the pigtail is different lengths.

Old and faded on the right. Like new crisp lettering on the left.

https://photos.smugmug.com/Projects/MiataBlackCubed/i-5GfT3Vj/0/50335818/L/2011-04-14192548-L.jpg

And Installed.

https://photos.smugmug.com/Projects/MiataBlackCubed/i-MDbjmjN/0/85761fcd/L/SNC11733-L.jpg

My right side front turn signal looked bad. The interior mirror was flaking off. I kept an eye out for a good one. “A domomo” offered a great set of turn signals, shipped from northern California! Amazing – a California seller that willingly ships. I swapped out my bad one and stuck the other one into my stash.

17456

[modernbeat]

I bought a set of OEM foglights from “Martin…” on MX5Nuts back in early 2009. Yes, his name has ellipsis after it. They came off a JDM R-Limited, which means they had yellow lenses unlike the clear lenses available everywhere else. And I actually bought an entire setup from Martin including the wiring harness, relay, switch, light housings and small mounting parts. My ’92 came with a set of these lights already installed, but they were really worn. The brackets have some surface rust and the lenses looked like they were sandblasted. I had touched them up with a buffer, but the lenses really needed to be wet sanded or replaced. I chose to mix-and-match from the two sets I had to build the best set I could. Here’s the results. I used the original housings, painted the original brackets, used the yellow lenses from the JDM set and one outer lens from each set. Both outer lenses got wetsanded and buffed and the housings were cleaned up a bit.

Yes, it’s a mess.

https://photos.smugmug.com/Projects/MiataBlackCubed/i-3xF7NGC/0/6d8ddd21/L/SNC11734-L.jpg

The two finished pairs.

https://photos.smugmug.com/Projects/MiataBlackCubed/i-tjQw8Xf/0/e19980c5/L/SNC11739-L.jpg

What both pair used to look like.

https://photos.smugmug.com/Projects/MiataBlackCubed/i-qqC6KZs/0/79187a5d/L/SNC11745-L.jpg

What the restored pair looks like now.

https://photos.smugmug.com/Projects/MiataBlackCubed/i-cxNbM5v/0/1677066b/L/SNC11744-L.jpg

[modernbeat]

I also tracked down all the fidley bits to finish the RS Active Headlight restoration and installation. The shrouds are finally in. I still need to remove some yellow overspray from them, but now that I’ve got all the right parts it will be easy to pull them in and out.

https://photos.smugmug.com/Projects/MiataBlackCubed/i-h54hBDd/0/9da460c4/L/SNC11727-L.jpg

[modernbeat]

One of the themes for this car was OEM+. To get there, I’ve been trying to remove as many exposed fasteners as possible. While I like the Nardi steering wheel and the black housing of the Sport horn button, the six screws holding the trim and horn button on kept galling me. I’d really like something like the M2 horn button, but they are pretty hard to come by. FWIW, they fit just like any regular Momo horn button.

My current button.

https://photos.smugmug.com/Projects/MiataBlackCubed/i-JHPPKdB/0/b7f4bd09/L/SNC11636-L.jpg

Here’s an M2 stuck in a Prototipo.

https://photos.smugmug.com/Projects/MiataBlackCubed/i-6WhTxJ6/0/99f4f5fe/M/M2_Prototipo-M.jpg

Another alternative would be these custom buttons made for the Datsun 240Z. I could easily swap out the center portion for a custom button.

https://photos.smugmug.com/Projects/MiataBlackCubed/i-K9H93vs/0/d279d860/S/datsun3-S.jpg

https://photos.smugmug.com/Projects/MiataBlackCubed/i-kHHL2pJ/0/088ee2bd/S/datsun2-S.jpg

https://photos.smugmug.com/Projects/MiataBlackCubed/i-8zGGxW6/0/390330fa/S/datsun1-S.jpg

I know a few cars came stock with big horn trims on Momo compatible wheels over the years. So I started looking for what other OEM buttons could I use. I came across four different buttons. One was sorta ugly, two were as rare as unicorn eggs, and the fourth was easy to find and looked like it would work.

Here’s the 1975 VW Scirocco horn button I’ll be cutting up for a custom Mazda horn push.

https://photos.smugmug.com/Projects/MiataBlackCubed/i-RmFWcvn/0/a88a6707/L/IMG_4762-L.jpg

To erase the VW heritage of this part and make it look like something that would have come from Mazda, I wanted to adapt this RX7 steering wheel emblem to the VW bezel.

https://photos.smugmug.com/Projects/MiataBlackCubed/i-sWStZZJ/0/a92837b4/L/SNC11714-L.jpg

The RX7 emblem is almost a perfect fit.

https://photos.smugmug.com/Projects/MiataBlackCubed/i-fNdgVRR/0/badef156/XL/SNC11715-XL.jpg

And this is what I hope to end up with.

https://photos.smugmug.com/Projects/MiataBlackCubed/i-VLB2S8b/0/3d823d8d/XL/SNC11716-XL.jpg

[modernbeat]

The Scirocco button is Momo sized and fits perfectly in a Momo wheel and adapter. But since I have a Nardi, I’ll have to use an adapter.

https://photos.smugmug.com/Projects/MiataBlackCubed/i-wPJJphK/0/a7efe742/XL/SNC11753-XL.jpg

The bolt pattern is the Momo 6x70mm, so I slotted it to use with the Nardi 6x74mm.

https://photos.smugmug.com/Projects/MiataBlackCubed/i-JQ9jGQR/0/08fae3a4/XL/SNC11757-XL.jpg

So, after first disassembling the 35 year old horn button, I used some wet-dry sandpaper on a glass surface to start grinding down the face of the VW button and the back of the Mazda emblem.

https://photos.smugmug.com/Projects/MiataBlackCubed/i-KCBFXT9/0/43cafd5e/L/SNC11717-L.jpg

Sanded down.

https://photos.smugmug.com/Projects/MiataBlackCubed/i-WsNqGbD/0/5eafebea/L/SNC11722-L.jpg

I used window adhesive to glue the two parts together. The windshield glue was also used to smooth over the seam and the button was done.

https://photos.smugmug.com/Projects/MiataBlackCubed/i-gzKRsJV/0/933bcd4d/XL/SNC11747-XL.jpg

https://photos.smugmug.com/Projects/MiataBlackCubed/i-PrnSkVt/0/fc1da2f9/XL/SNC11749-XL.jpg

I installed it along with the Momo horn adapter and another half-inch Nardi spacer and some longer 50mm steering wheel bolts.

[modernbeat]

Here's a photo of the new horn button installed. Here it is. It matches the profile of the Gara steering wheel very well. It hangs over the edges on a couple other wheels I’ve got (Momo Prototipo and Momo Racer).

https://photos.smugmug.com/Projects/MiataBlackCubed/i-BkJbsq2/0/ff080169/XL/SNC11762-XL.jpg

And a more fuzzy version in natural light. Sorry about the quality – a hailstorm is brewing and it’s already dark outside.

https://photos.smugmug.com/Projects/MiataBlackCubed/i-LnMfqmr/0/23825823/XL/SNC11765-XL.jpg

[modernbeat]

I bought a pair of the Mazda Tribute Fluidic windshield washer nozzles last year. I added some 90 degree bends, and new longer tubing pieces to make it all work correctly.

https://photos.smugmug.com/Projects/MiataBlackCubed/i-DgD3qN3/0/adbee195/L/SNC11728-L.jpg

https://photos.smugmug.com/Projects/MiataBlackCubed/i-2TsBGrL/0/83b7e5cb/L/SNC11730-L.jpg

I’ve been looking for a textured standard sized Voodoo knob for a while. When one popped up on the NW Connecticut Craigslist I emailed the seller, Alex, and he agreed to ship it. I’ve always liked the looks of this shift knob. I had trouble finding one, since Voodoo stopped making standard sized knobs and all new production is the Magnum size. As a bonus the knob came with a Brainstorm knob collar made specifically for the Voodoo knobs. It’s a nice piece, but I’ll save it for another project.

Here’s the knob and collar.

https://photos.smugmug.com/Projects/MiataBlackCubed/i-NJfD8M2/0/70d41844/XL/SNC11761a-XL.jpg

Installed.

https://photos.smugmug.com/Projects/MiataBlackCubed/i-n7Mm94r/0/025c7504/L/SNC11766-L.jpg

[modernbeat]

I’ve been having issues with alternator whine from my iTouch. It turned out to be a power supply issue, which is common with iPods run off of noisy power. I tried a couple cheap fixes that didn’t really work and finally gave in and just threw money at the problem. I installed a David Navone power isolator in line with the existing power and ground and that solved the alternator whine coming through the iTouch. Normally I wouldn’t buy and expensive fix when an aftermarket deck could have easily solved the problem, but I’m dead-set on installing an Alpine 7909 that I bought just for this project and it will use the same iPod auxiliary input that the current OEM headunit is using.

http://www.davidnavone.com/cart.asp?14&pid=178

17457

[modernbeat]

No earth shattering modifications this time. Instead I got ready for the All-Florida meet. Cleaned up the exterior, some light buffing, and gave the car it's first coat of wax since I've owned it. Finished installing the restored foglights, then found out one of the H3 bulbs was bad and changed it out. Did some maintenance: plugs, wires, oil change and air filter. Painted the front tow hooks, as they were as sandblasted as the foglight lenses.

I’d be on the road the next day.

https://photos.smugmug.com/Projects/MiataBlackCubed/i-2ccQk6K/0/297713b6/M/2011-04-20173550-M.jpg

And the foglights installed and working.

https://photos.smugmug.com/Projects/MiataBlackCubed/i-rjzzLDQ/0/2ea156ff/L/SNC11775-L.jpg

Haven’t done much on the car since the Florida meet. I did some prep for a two-day SCCA Divisional autocross event. A few years ago I bought a slightly customized 2.5” Enthuza Turbo Exhaust from Dan Pedroza of the Austin, Texas Spokes Sports Car Club. It’s an NA exhaust, but it came with a Magnaflow NA8 cat and the cat currently on the car was an aftermarket unit that’s welded to the midpipe. I shopped around and ended up buying a NA6 Magnaflow bolt-on cat and Fel-Pro exhaust gaskets. Just for the record, the NA6 Fel-Pro gasket numbers are 60620 and 60831. I dug around the junk box for some good rubber hangers from a low mileage part out. A few new stainless bolts and nuts and it was installed. Sorry, no photos. This is the fourth Miata I’ve put an Enthuza exhaust on and every one has been great. The only issue I’ve ever had with them is that Jason at Enthuza doesn’t use one of the midpipe hangers. I’ve usually had the hanger added on the ones I buy, and Dan had one added on this exhaust.

17458

http://shop.enthuzacar.com/product.sc?productId=6&categoryId=4

The other addition is the driver’s seat. I bought a single Lotus Exige seat from Red92’. I bought a NA Driver’s side bracket from RyokoRob. He’s made some additional pieces to accommodate the seatbelt receiver. I bought a pair of ’96 seatbelt receivers and brackets from Soviet on Miataturbo. The install was a little tight, as the Exige seat is a little wider through the shoulders than the Elise seat, and the bracket tolerances were so tight that any variance required a little bending or prying to get everything lined up. The end result was a seat that gave me about one inch more headroom than my foamectomy seat. I was even able to wear a helmet under the hardtop, and I’m 6’3”.

Installed.
https://photos.smugmug.com/Projects/MiataBlackCubed/i-SL3fnx2/0/e10715c9/XL/2011-05-17125726-XL.jpg

The tight shoulder. It blocks the hardtop latch. I ran the seatbelt through the harness hole.
https://photos.smugmug.com/Projects/MiataBlackCubed/i-BgNJhDd/0/36b1bbc3/XL/2011-05-17125755-XL.jpg

You can see the different heights between the ’96 receiver bolted to the Lotus seat and the original ’92 receiver.
https://photos.smugmug.com/Projects/MiataBlackCubed/i-vMjfvn2/0/d637c5bd/XL/2011-05-17125809-XL.jpg

And the car at the recent Texas Region Divisional event.
https://photos.smugmug.com/Projects/MiataBlackCubed/i-Pmf45rJ/0/d98a1307/XL/olof-XL.jpg

[modernbeat]

One of the gems on my car, the RS Active headlights with their original piss-poor housings.
https://photos.smugmug.com/Projects/MiataBlackCubed/i-ZKDBQR2/0/bf0bf63b/L/A4E61559-743A-45D6-91E1-C409C5F0048F-7257-00000EB7B8648C97-L.jpg

I’ve voiced my displeasure about the performance of the RS Active headlights. I knew going in that they performed poorly and were valued for their cosmetic features. But, I wanted them anyway. They are the only really good looking low profile kit available due to the shroud around the lens and housing. But the performance issue always bothered me, so I had an idea of how to improve them. I was aware that the PIAA 960 housing was constructed very similarly to the cheap housing in the RS Active kit, both of them are combination fog and driving lights. They use the fog light as a low beam and the driving light as a high beam. This was verified by comparing the dimensions that PIAA publish. In fact, when placed side to side it’s pretty obvious that the housing that RS Active used was a knockoff of the PIAA 960.

The internals of the PIAA with better wiring, silicone boots and heavy gauge stampings.
https://photos.smugmug.com/Projects/MiataBlackCubed/i-gkwzRLv/0/442282ff/L/7F5DC600-CCAA-43F0-9F85-5932133828E8-7257-00000EB7A13D5933-L.jpg

The internals of the RS Active with cheap wiring, fiberglass boots and light gauge stampings.
https://photos.smugmug.com/Projects/MiataBlackCubed/i-39xNg6d/0/4bc7ec11/L/C7FA2FE0-DBF7-4D40-938A-EFFADC6CEC5D-7257-00000EB7A7E787F3-L.jpg

So, I tracked down a set of the PIAA 960 lights. They have been discontinued for years, but an ebay seller was closing out a truck accessory shop and had a few pair for sale, so I bought a few sets and set about modifying a set to work with the Miata wiring. Originally the RS Active headlights come with a wiring harness that adds another layer of relays in the system. The set of RS Active headlights I bought did not include the extra wiring, so they were spliced into male headlight plugs and plugged directly into the Miata headlight plugs. I spliced the same male headlight plugs into the PIAA wiring and slightly adjusted the RS Active bracket to receive the slightly deeper PIAA housing. The fiberglass shroud is slightly too tight to have the PIAA lens protrude through it as far as the original housings. But by moving the housing as far back in the bracket as possible, the shroud clears it without modification and when centered, it slightly sticks through the shroud like it was built for it. Luckily, there is a lot of adjustment in the parts, so it was easy to center the housing in the shroud.

The excellent quality PIAA housings.
https://photos.smugmug.com/Projects/MiataBlackCubed/i-xgn67CW/0/cda0a9ba/L/CE950644-E25F-4C92-8777-88D0B97849A6-7257-00000EB79A733903-L.jpg

The moment of truth, with the same wattage PIAA H3 bulbs that I had in the RS Active housings, the quality of the PIAA shown through. So much more light and in a better pattern. With the RS Active housings if I had the low beams aimed correctly, the high beams pointed in a cross-eyed pattern. With the PIAA housings, I was able to focus the high beams forward the slightly right and the low beams ended up perfectly usable without blinding oncoming traffic.

https://photos.smugmug.com/Projects/MiataBlackCubed/i-4BNK3cq/0/19391a1b/L/414C38DA-D6CD-4EFA-9D97-7CA1B55EBACE-7257-00000EB77C2AF23E-L.jpg

[Dandy]

I like this build. Great attention to detail. That is a very sharp looking and functional car you have there Modernbeat.

[Phatmiata]

Agreed, the attention to the smallest of details is what is so great about this build, keep it up Jason!

BTW we missed you at Miatapalooza this year! :cry:

[vote4pedro]

WoW, that is a really great & detailed upgrade for your RSA's!

[modernbeat]

So, I'm on my way to this year's Pikes Peak Hillclimb. For the first time ever I don't have to drive a truck towing a racecar, so the girl and I are going in my Miata. And taking three days to go a roundabout way.

Took a fun road, though parts of it would make a nice rally stage. Anyone know where this is? Hint: in New Mexico and not directly between Dallas and Colorado Springs.

Past all the asphalt fun, there's this...
8053

At the end, there's this...
8054

[Agent☣Orange]

Great to see your pictures. Wasn't sure if you were even alive.

[Rogue]

Lucky Dog, bring us back some dirt! ;)

[WASABI]

8054

ROCKIN' BEARD! car's sweet too!

[atank]

Very Nice work Jason!

[modernbeat]

The road is New Mexico 4, between Los Almos and Cuba. Makes the Tail of the Dragon look like an expressway.

[ozzie84]

I still love your car...One of the cleanest and with both form and function miata I've seen yet

[modernbeat]

Just got back from Pikes Peak. Hit a chunk of cinder block on the highway hear home, so I'm having to install a good pan out of my stash this weekend. Almost finished, just have to put a new splash pan on, then that job is done.

As I noted before, this was the first time in a long time I've been able to go to Colorado in a sport car. I'm usually in a truck pulling a racecar on a trailer, or in an AWD Subaru wagon full of ski gear. I've already posted a couple pics from a romp up New Mexico 4, the road from Los Almos to Cuba. Here's one taken near Ouray, Colorado.

8252

Spent the night in Durango at the Historic Strater Hotel.

8253

First practice day on the mountain, near the Ski Lodge area.

8254

Made a few trips to the summit, but this time I managed to sneak my car behind the barriers for a shot...

8255

The Unlimited Class EVO I was there to support.

8256

[freedomgli]

Top quality restoration/ build mate! Your car is exceptionally clean and well styled. It is timeless, keeping the inherent greatness of the original car but everything is better than before. Cheers for choosing quality and subtlety over loud or trendy.

I noticed you took the vitaloni mirrors off for your trip to CO. Did you do that to protect them from flying rocks?

[modernbeat]

No, the white nylon part that retains the actual mirror surface finally succumbed to the UV and one of the lenses popped out and broke. Fortunately the worn and broken parts are standard Vitaloni parts and not the hard-to-find M2 parts. I bought a couple standard Seabring mirrors and parted them out to restore the M2 mirrors, but have not reinstalled them yet.

[modernbeat]

SpeedHunter photographer Larry Chen did a piece on the Porsche 997 he drove to shoot Pikes Peak. We crossed paths many times that week. I was right below Devil's Playground at the top of the middle section when we were testing and Larry parked right behind me. My Miata snuck into the shot and made it to the site.

17459

[Agent☣Orange]

That shot is so badass! A lot more than would be on sone disgruntled clown's personal website.

[modernbeat]

After 200k+ miles, and at least one previous, abusive owner, the engine oil consumption was getting out of hand. It was so bad that it wouldn't pass emissions any more and the blue cloud behind the car was embarrassing. So late last year I arranged to buy a custom engine. It was installed right before Christmas, but I didn't have much of a chance to drive it. Anyway, Dallas is usually still nasty in January.

As the weather started getting better, I was looking forward to driving the Miata again, so the rebuilt Koni 2812s and a fresh set of tires (BFG Rivals this time) went on the car a couple weeks ago. And wouldn't you know it, we get hit with the worst snow and ice we've seen in five years.

17460

[Agent☣Orange]

Haha, just be glad it wasn't hail.

[Flyin 92]

I've admired your build since it began. I love the OEM+ idea. You and revlimiter are my biggest influences when it comes to making every modification look factory.

[modernbeat]

I've admired your build since it began. I love the OEM+ idea. You and revlimiter are my biggest influences when it comes to making every modification look factory.

The guys I work with have the same sentiment. One of the things our shop does is a bunch of engine swaps, and we try to keep them looking as OEM as possible using the same materials and techniques the factories ues. I've also got a friend and customer with a pretty quick Firebird drag car that demands very high performance and incredible, though subdued, aesthetics at the same time. His car has been an inspiration.

Anyway, I'll be driving it much more this year. I've restored the M2 mirrors properly (needed new glass and mirror guts) so they will be going back on. I'll have a custom roll bar made that makes use of the missing soft top space and I think I'll actually get the stereo installed.

[Phatmiata]

What design for the rollbar Jason?

[modernbeat]

The hoop will be mounted outboard the seatbelt towers. The downbars will go through the tray much further back than most bars. Both of these a possible because I don't have a softtop in the car. And they are needed because I'm tall and have the seat -ALL- the way back, and then some. I've built roll cages before, but for better quality, I'll have one of the guys in our shop build this one. He's pretty good at bending tubing.

Some recent cages and cage updates from our shop.

C4 Corvette for NASA Time Trials
http://vorshlag.smugmug.com/Projects/1992-Corvette-TTC-Build/i-k3RMKcM/0/M/B61G6152-M.jpg

S197 Mustang For NASA ST wheel to wheel racing
http://vorshlag.smugmug.com/Projects/Jamie-Becks-S197-Mustang/i-hRpj45x/1/M/20141001_085906-M.jpg

GD Subaru for SCTA Land Speed Racing
http://vorshlag.smugmug.com/photos/i-kLG25vd/1/M/i-kLG25vd-M.jpg

GD Subaru for Pikes Peak Hillclimb
http://vorshlag.smugmug.com/Vorshlag-Test-Pilots/Brianne-Corn-2005-STi/i-BMQqq4M/1/M/_DSC1960-M.jpg

[modernbeat]

One of my coworkers has been trying to get a car back together to go autocross and do track days, but something always comes up and now his car is further away from running than ever. So I loaned him my Miata for an autocross school and a few events. He did a few runs with his pop, and both of them really enjoyed the car. I suspect that his project may lay fallow for another year as he's looking at buying a Miata after this experience.

17461

[Agent☣Orange]

Good move Jason. Get him hooked!

[modernbeat]

About to do an entire suspension refresh. The Koni 28s will be coming off for a set of MCS TT2 dampers. I'll make a set of my spherical top mounts modified for the drop spindles and run the Hyperco springs I already have. I'm switching to NB front subframe and steering rack and will depower the rack and add one of the NOS PS-delete brackets I've squirreled away. The bushings in the rear arms are dead, so I'll replace the diff bushings and swap the arms from a set from my old low mileage '99 I scrapped. I've got a full set (well, actually two sets) of Sport brakes to install, and if they fit in my current wheels I'll install the drop spindles that just arrived. If the spindles don't fit without major work, I'll use a good set of NB spindles I have. To make the drop spindles work with the stock ABS I'll laser cut new rear tone rings to match the 48 tooth tone ring the Toyota front hubs use.

The MCS dampers
http://vorshlag.smugmug.com/Product-Pictures/MCS-TT1-Shocks/i-qxLzCDg/0/XL/MCSMiata_DSF1743%20copy-XL.jpg

The Vorshlag spherical mounts
17462

And the drop spindles that just arrived
17463
17464

The PS-delete bracket
https://photos.smugmug.com/Projects/MiataBlackCubed/i-Wscx6cV/0/e08dc142/XL/PS-Delete-XL.jpg

[modernbeat]

And in that photo right next to the bracket is the Unicorn I've been looking for. It's a fuse cover for a NA6 with ABS. Came off a '93 LE that was getting scrapped. I've been looking for one of those in great shape since I bought the car.

[Vegard]

Woooa on the suspension revamp! Hope everything works out with the spindles!

[freedomgli]

Nice work as always. I didn't realize you're at Vorshlag. That's pretty cool.

It's hard for me to gauge MCS vs. AST vs. Moton vs. Afco vs. Penske vs. Koni vs. HVT vs. Xida vs. JRZ. vs. Sachs / ZF Race Engineer vs. Bilstein Motorsports. It seems like when you get up to this level of shock, what becomes most important is your suspension guru who can help you get the most out of whatever particular setup you're using and their (or your) relationship with the company for quick rebuilds, service parts, etc. With none of us being multi-million dollar TUSCC race teams, I suspect we'll always be at the bottom of the totem pole in terms of rebuild priority just like all other customers who are amateur racers. But it'll be interesting to see your experience with the MCS setup. I know Adrenaline Racing was working on developing an MCS setup for a while but I haven't heard much from them lately.

Please forgive my ignorance, but at what ride height do you find it more advantageous to run drop spindles vs. offset 93LE/R-package tie rod ends? I know it's a big jump up in price to run the drop spindles so I'm curious to understand when people feel the investment is worthwhile.

[modernbeat]

I retired from Boeing about six years ago. When the Space Station contract ended, it was either go to Atlanta, or nothing. I chose nothing and took the opportunity to move to Dallas, where most of my friends were. After sitting around the house for a year I found that Terry wanted to expand his business and agreed to work with him. It's been fun and we're working on some exciting projects.


...at what ride height do you find it more advantageous to run drop spindles vs. offset 93LE/R-package tie rod ends? I know it's a big jump up in price to run the drop spindles so I'm curious to understand when people feel the investment is worthwhile.

I don't know yet. Modeling says 12-12.5 to 11.75-12.25, but I've done enough modeling to know that it's just a starting point until testing is done. And it will be different on a car with rubber bushings, poly bushings, Delrin busings, spherical bushings, slicks, Dot-Rs, or street tires. With tires that have more adhesive grip we can run a lower roll center. FWIW, my street car does NOT have good performance geometry. It's too low. But then it's also carrying around AC, stereo, and other street amenities. Drop spindles may get it closer to better geometry at the same ride height.

And on the "what shocks are best", there are a few adjustment schemes that are very good, some that are good, and some that are adequate. Many adjusters aren't the same from shock to shock, or from click to click, or they aren't linear, or they take hours to set up to make sure every shock is the same (in which case it won't be done unless you are paying through the nose for the revalve). Aside from the engineering, materials and component choice come in next. Eibach is making some fairly attractive struts, but their shaft hardening and surface plating is the worst and they start failing very quickly. Next is ability to tailor the damper to the application. Miata guys have know this for ages. Is the body and shaft the right length? Does it bottom out? Will it damage the adjuster or piston if it does? Does it have enough stroke to accommodate a softer spring? We look at all these things when having the dampers made.

I hope the spindles will fit in my current wheels. If they don't (the rear lower arm may hit the inner barrel of the wheel) then I'll prep a '99 for SCCA Street Mod autocross and NASA TTB Time Trials and let the guys at the shop use it. We'll do some fun things to it like full spherical suspension.

[HarryB]

Why the hell have I missed this build up until now? Love the attention to detail and your mentality of OEM-quality and OEM-looking parts all around, that is something I also try to follow in my build as well! Keep it up!

[Stealth97]

Awesome ride. So classy.

[etikoner]

Can you throw away your old dampers my way?

:D

[modernbeat]

The Koni 28s will be for sale soon.

[Agent☣Orange]

Jason,

Hate to ask but I've been meaning to for years: Were you ever part of an 80s rock band called ZZ Top?

[modernbeat]

Nope, but Billy knows me by name.

[Agent☣Orange]

Well that's still kinda vague. How about this: do you know the lyrics and riffs for "She's got legs?"

[modernbeat]

OK, how about this. I'm friends with Billy Gibbons, but I'm not in the band. I know most of their lyrics, but don't know the songs by heart enough to play them. I do play fiddle and used to play concert violin. I've played with some bluegrass and Celtic bands and have been a session player for singers recording CDs.

[Agent☣Orange]

Hmm, well okay but that's still kinda vague.

[Rogue]

I do play fiddle and used to play concert violin. I've played with some bluegrass and Celtic bands and have been a session player for singers recording CDs.
Now thats something I didn't know. :violinsmash:

[friday]

Nope, but Billy knows me by name.

That's awesome. I love Tres Hombres and Tejas!

[freedomgli]

That's awesome. I love Tres Hombres and Tejas!

Me, too. I've got 'em on vinyl. Early ZZ Top rocks.

[modernbeat]

Some news, I sold the Miata. A guy that works where I store it for the winters changed his mind about Miatas when he saw mine and I let him drive it a few years ago. He's not just a random guy, but a trusted employee of my best friend's business, and a gearhead. Since that time he asks me every year to sell him -this- car. And this year I relented and named a price. A few weeks later, he paid up and took it home from storage. The sale excluded the steering wheel, but included the unfinished 95-M seats I had.

The new owner has wanted a Prototipo ever since he saw the one we put in our SAAB rally car. So that's what he replaced the Nardi Gara with.

The SAAB rally car dashboard.
17465

The new Momo in the Miata. He did opt for the good, solid style adapter and spacers.
17466

He stripped down the tan '95 M-edition seats, and the good set of donors I had for the black plastics over Christmas. The black leather seat covers went on easier than I thought they would. He did a minor foamectomy while he was there. The seats look great!

The two donor seats to grab the black plastics off of.
17467

The '95-M seats. Despite looking good, the leather was worn and dry. Any more use and the tan covers would split.
17468

The lower foam got a little trim.
17469

The seat covers going on.
17470

And the final results, installed.
https://photos.smugmug.com/Projects/MiataBlackCubed/i-fFf7BgK/0/e93eb0b8/XL/black%20headrests1-XL.jpg

https://photos.smugmug.com/Projects/MiataBlackCubed/i-CpCgS7d/0/b5ce1a5f/XL/black%20headrests2-XL.jpg

I lost the headrest plastics somewhere in my move. They are around here somewhere, but I can't find them. When I do, I'll give him one set and sell the other set. Right now he just painted the tan ones.

[Agent☣Orange]

You're still alive? Are you Miataless?

[modernbeat]

Yep. No more Miatas.

Well, not true. I still have a stripped tub with the windshield cut off. But I won't ever do anything with it.

Looking for a either a very nice Mercedes W114 coupe or a BMW 840i for the next project. I'm feeling reckless! And will end up doing pretty much the same thing with either car that I did with this Miata.

[freedomgli]

Awe man! Sorry to hear you're Miata-less. Your car was a big inspiration. But I understand the need to make room for new projects. I've long wanted an E31 but I've never been brave enough to buy one. Best of luck to you and don't be a stranger. Definitely post back every now and then with updates.

[etikoner]

Yours was one of the more inspirational threads. Such depth, cleanliness and cool racing history... Glad you sold your car to someone you "vetted" rather than some random dude off the internet who would trash it.

Also, do chime in once you have that new project!

[modernbeat]

...Looking for a either a very nice Mercedes W114 coupe or a BMW 840i for the next project. I'm feeling reckless! And will end up doing pretty much the same thing with either car that I did with this Miata.

Ended up buying a vintage 2-door Range Rover Classic, originally delivered to Spain, and supplied with a diesel and 5-speed. It's certainly different than the four-door, V8 automatics we got here in North America. Should be leaving Spain soon with a projected delivery in late November.

I can't think of many cars more troublesome than a Range Rover, so this fulfills my reckless prediction!

What I bought.
https://photos.smugmug.com/Car-Truck-Inspiration/Range-Rover/Spain1992/i-fHVbwJt/0/2dac4131/M/FullSizeRender_8-M.jpg

What I'm thinking...
https://photos.smugmug.com/Car-Truck-Inspiration/Range-Rover/Inspiration/i-FxV3DSB/0/f744b55c/S/reliable-S.png

[kung fu jesus]

That’s some full-on crazy right there! I have a buddy who works in sales at Coventry West here in Atlanta. They specialize in Jag and Rover parts, new and used.

[modernbeat]

Yep. No more Miatas...Well, not true. I still have a stripped tub with the windshield cut off. But I won't ever do anything with it...

And now I am actually Miata-less. A local needed a tub so he could more easily move a drivetrain he salvaged from a Miata. So I sent him pics of the cut up, upside down tub I had and told him that he could have it for free as long as I didn't have to help extricate it from the warehouse it was stored at. A week later, he had a tub and I had storage space freed up.

This is fairly close to stance and styling I'll be shooting for with this truck. Not a fan of the belted hood, as that's really from an earlier era. And I'll be using early eighties bumpers, that are halfway between the slim style of the seventies bumpers he used and the chunky nineties bumpers on it currently. Oh, and I'll most likely be doing a LS swap using an L99 and 6L80e. :twisted:
https://photos.smugmug.com/Car-Truck-Inspiration/Range-Rover/Inspiration/i-hvJ7xkm/0/b54c465b/XL/595fe358047d1_Rover-Day-4-XL.jpg

[freedomgli]

What I bought.
https://photos.smugmug.com/Car-Truck-Inspiration/Range-Rover/Spain1992/i-fHVbwJt/0/2dac4131/M/FullSizeRender_8-M.jpg

That is so damn classy. I love everything about it, the color, the large greenhouse, the lack of extraneous adornment, the simplicity. As time marches on, the Range Rover Classic remains a timeless classic. A neighbor down the road has a couple of them and they always catch my eye when I drive by. I must admit I wonder if they all run or if some are awaiting service.

Other than getting the truck running reliably, I'd be tempted to leave well enough alone and spend all that extra money outfitting myself with some nice kit from Holland & Holland (https://www.hollandandholland.com/), tickets to the Virginia Fall Races (http://www.vafallraces.com/), a bottle of Glenmorangie 18yr and some Peterson's Sweet Killarney for my Dunhill pipe.

[Phatmiata]

So who got that snazzy black NA

[modernbeat]

So who got that snazzy black NA

A local enthusiast with maturing taste. :mrgreen: He's apparently on some Miata forums and FB groups I'm not on, and seems to be helping out some other Miata owners, as he knows what's in my stash piles and when someone needs something, he always pings me. He hasn't done anything to the car I'd object to. He finished the seats I had, and installed a rollbar. He put suspension on it that was better suited for street use than the Koni 2812s I had on it. He added a leather gaiter to the handbrake that matched the one I had on the shifter, and got around to getting one of the M2 keys cut for it. Since it turned 25 years old, he got classic plates for it.

You can follow his Instagram. He occasionally posts pics of the black car at meets. https://www.instagram.com/larrybarnardjr/

https://photos.smugmug.com/Projects/MiataBlackCubed/i-Hgn775C/0/2538751e/L/Larry5-L.jpg

Our local Miata meet Wednesday nights at Keller's drive-in
https://photos.smugmug.com/Projects/MiataBlackCubed/i-8rR75nZ/0/c7a7ab02/M/Larry4-M.jpg

https://photos.smugmug.com/Projects/MiataBlackCubed/i-CJ3Ktnc/0/7a37c263/M/Larry8-M.jpg

https://photos.smugmug.com/Projects/MiataBlackCubed/i-vSQVXRj/0/7b784ea8/L/Larry12-L.jpg

[Phatmiata]

scanning key image outline for cloning ............................ :twisted:

[Hammerhead]

That is so damn classy. I love everything about it, the color, the large greenhouse, the lack of extraneous adornment, the simplicity. As time marches on, the Range Rover Classic remains a timeless classic. A neighbor down the road has a couple of them and they always catch my eye when I drive by. I must admit I wonder if they all run or if some are awaiting service.

Other than getting the truck running reliably, I'd be tempted to leave well enough alone and spend all that extra money outfitting myself with some nice kit from Holland & Holland (https://www.hollandandholland.com/), tickets to the Virginia Fall Races (http://www.vafallraces.com/), a bottle of Glenmorangie 18yr and some Peterson's Sweet Killarney for my Dunhill pipe.

That's a nice 2-door County model. You don't see many of those stateside.

Mine's not as clean as those RR classics, but I love it nonetheless! Here she is loaded up for a 3-day camping trip this past weekend. She can haul so much that I still have the back seats free.

https://i.imgur.com/s66wPuc.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/thm43CA.jpg

[Demon I Am]

That looks super-fun!

[Sharpie]

There's still a meet at Keller's. I haven't been in a few years. Guess that what I get for not following Facebook.

Nice Rover BTW!

[modernbeat]

Yep, the Keller's meet waned a bit, but it's slowly been getting bigger and bigger. The new owner of the drive-in kicked out the trouble-making bikers when he inherited the place from his dad, and started doing some small things to make the place better without loosing it's character. I enjoy the meets there. Seems there's one almost every evening for different clubs. Everything from the BRZ group, the S2000 club, Texas Land Cruisers, the local Jeep gang, and of course the Saturday evening hot rod get-together.

[Agent☣Orange]

I love it, man.


That's a nice 2-door County model. You don't see many of those stateside.

Mine's not as clean as those RR classics, but I love it nonetheless! Here she is loaded up for a 3-day camping trip this past weekend. She can haul so much that I still have the back seats free.

https://i.imgur.com/s66wPuc.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/thm43CA.jpg

[modernbeat]

I sold this car in 2017, and I'm buying it back this year.

I predict more modding for it in the future.

[freedomgli]

Whoa! Blast from the past! Welcome back into the fold.

[ScratchNSniff]

Oh snap!!!

[Greasemonkey2000]

Great to hear, Jason and welcome back! :slayer:

[Sharpie]

Sweet! Look forward to updates. I have this sudden urge to go to Keller's.

[modernbeat]

Picked it up today.
But, it may be Christmas before it makes a public appearance.
I've got a 2002 BMW restoration to finish, just started on a new Mustang racecar build, and have a Rover to LS swap before I start messing with the Miata.

Bringing the 2002 home. First time it's seen daylight in 20 years.
https://photos.smugmug.com/Projects/BMW-2002/Project/i-NXFxmQC/0/faf14171/XL/IMG_5361-XL.jpg

Last drive for the Rover. The diesel overheated and turned it's head to cheese on this trip. The plan was always to LS swap it, but now it won't drive. So it's got to get done.
https://photos.smugmug.com/Projects/RangeRoverClassic/Project/i-cr7wqkj/0/5d6a415d/XL/IMG_4324-XL.jpg

[Agent☣Orange]

Hard to believe that BMW is a 2002. Looks more 70s era but I love it!!

[modernbeat]

Though I won't be doing much to the car for a few months, while I finish up some other projects, I will be changing out the steering wheel.

Back in 2018 I spotted this Momo Benetton F1 steering wheel in black and snapped it up. They are more common in primary colors and definitely make a statement in green, blue, red and yellow.

I've been holding onto it for the right car, and I think it would look great in the Miata with it's rounded style and all black interior.

https://photos.smugmug.com/Projects/MiataBlackCubed/i-tJQX6j2/0/8ac1beaa/L/s-l1600-L.jpg

[Martin]

Hard to believe that BMW is a 2002. Looks more 70s era but I love it!!

:lol: