pmhaddad
01-01-2012, 01:21 PM
I bought my 10AE in July after moving to Tampa from Michigan. I have very specific goals with this build, which I outline briefly below:
Goals
1) For the time being has be DD-able. Essentially this just means that I can't have it down for more than a day or two at a time, so major internal work is off the table right now.
2) I put a larger emphasis on being able to track it and drive it home than Autox. As much fun as zooming around in a parking lot is, HPDE and time attack is more my thing. Plus the NB isn't really that competitive in STR, but it is a fun way to spend a Saturday afternoon.
3) I adhere to my "don't make a slow car fast, just buy a fast car" motto. Meaning no V8 swap, turbo, etc - I'm staying NA.
4) The main goal is for me to learn how to drive a lot better and move into Spec Miata in a couple years. Or quicker, we'll see.
A little background on the car - I bought it with 63k on the clock, it now has a touch over 69k. I have no background on the car other than it was owned by a CPA in Sarasota and he let it sit outside. A lot. It was very rarely driven, and it showed as it was pretty rough around the edges when I purchased it. I didn't mind that as much as I got it for a pretty solid deal ($6000 out the door).
A couple pics of it a day or two after I picked it up:
http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/282770_635453523947_6607392_33721550_7527181_n.jpg
http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/284490_635453648697_6607392_33721555_526703_n.jpg
The Issues:
It was blowing a P0420 when I bought it. Within a week I had the Good-Win Racing Roadstersport3 Midpipe and a new coilpack (thanks Ed!) installed. I verified that the plugs and wires were new. Gave it an oil change and ran a can of Seafoam through it. After a few more days driving it I realized that it was REALLY, REALLY rough starting when hot. After some digging, I decided the culprit was the Camshaft Position Sensor and ordered a OEM replacement from RockAuto. Problem solved. I also replaced the thermostat and got the radiator completely flushed. At this point it was running well enough to start on the mods.
The Mods:
Below is a list of the current mods (1/1/2012):
15x8 6ULs wrapped in 225 45 15s with the alloy lugs and valves.
Raceland Header (thanks again Ed!)
Roadstersport3 Midpipe
Hard Dog Hardcore Hardtop Double Diagonal with harness tabs.
Mazda Comp motor mounts.
Motorcraft trans and diff fluid.
Below are a few pics with those mods installed:
http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/312774_663862172787_6607392_33981569_1768254892_n. jpg
http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/302651_664128444177_6607392_33983014_747281997_n.j pg
http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/394752_683336565947_6607392_34040959_17157423_n.jp g
http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/381901_683336685707_6607392_34040964_131996879_n.j pg
http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/391795_683336865347_6607392_34040967_2031742588_n. jpg
Some thoughts on the mods:
1) Wheels/tires: best thing ever. Only regret is not being able to do 15x9 due to stock springs. Will be getting a set of 15x9s for the track at some point.
2) Raceland header: for the price, its amazing! Tough to install, the trick is to undo the EGR valve from the intake side and a lot of patience! Also since I have an earlier one, the BFH mod on the header was required, as well as shaving some of the trans bell housing. I've heard that headers made 2010 or later don't have this problem. On the butt dyno feels like 3-5hp increase, definitely a much better pull at 4-6k and I can bump the rev limiter in 4th now.
3) Motorcraft: I won't bother using anything else. Feels like a full shifter rebuild.
Future:
Got HP+ pads and new rotors going on in a few days (waiting on rotors). This will be a bi-yearly maintenance item at a minimum.
Still finalizing what exactly I want to do for suspension. At this point I'll be on 550/300 or 500/300 with my current Bilstiens and GC (or ebay knockoff) sleeves. 36mm bumpstops from FCM and Racing Beat 1.125 tubular + hardware will complete the setup. Will be getting a set of re-valved Bilstiens probably in the late summer or fall and maybe bump up the spring rate at that point. Long term I'll be running Xidas (when I get that raise).
Hardtop. 'Nuff said.
Roadstersport3 Muffler. Gotta finish that exhaust, yo.
17" Kirkey's with a 5 or 6pt harness. Safety first.
KOYO 37mm double core radiator and hardware. For those hot summer track days at Sebring.
That's it for now. First track day is at Homestead in late Feburary with Chin. Not 100% sure if I'll have the new suspension on by then or not.
Thanks for stopping by, and if you read it this far, thanks for reading!
Cheers,
Phil
Goals
1) For the time being has be DD-able. Essentially this just means that I can't have it down for more than a day or two at a time, so major internal work is off the table right now.
2) I put a larger emphasis on being able to track it and drive it home than Autox. As much fun as zooming around in a parking lot is, HPDE and time attack is more my thing. Plus the NB isn't really that competitive in STR, but it is a fun way to spend a Saturday afternoon.
3) I adhere to my "don't make a slow car fast, just buy a fast car" motto. Meaning no V8 swap, turbo, etc - I'm staying NA.
4) The main goal is for me to learn how to drive a lot better and move into Spec Miata in a couple years. Or quicker, we'll see.
A little background on the car - I bought it with 63k on the clock, it now has a touch over 69k. I have no background on the car other than it was owned by a CPA in Sarasota and he let it sit outside. A lot. It was very rarely driven, and it showed as it was pretty rough around the edges when I purchased it. I didn't mind that as much as I got it for a pretty solid deal ($6000 out the door).
A couple pics of it a day or two after I picked it up:
http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/282770_635453523947_6607392_33721550_7527181_n.jpg
http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/284490_635453648697_6607392_33721555_526703_n.jpg
The Issues:
It was blowing a P0420 when I bought it. Within a week I had the Good-Win Racing Roadstersport3 Midpipe and a new coilpack (thanks Ed!) installed. I verified that the plugs and wires were new. Gave it an oil change and ran a can of Seafoam through it. After a few more days driving it I realized that it was REALLY, REALLY rough starting when hot. After some digging, I decided the culprit was the Camshaft Position Sensor and ordered a OEM replacement from RockAuto. Problem solved. I also replaced the thermostat and got the radiator completely flushed. At this point it was running well enough to start on the mods.
The Mods:
Below is a list of the current mods (1/1/2012):
15x8 6ULs wrapped in 225 45 15s with the alloy lugs and valves.
Raceland Header (thanks again Ed!)
Roadstersport3 Midpipe
Hard Dog Hardcore Hardtop Double Diagonal with harness tabs.
Mazda Comp motor mounts.
Motorcraft trans and diff fluid.
Below are a few pics with those mods installed:
http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/312774_663862172787_6607392_33981569_1768254892_n. jpg
http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/302651_664128444177_6607392_33983014_747281997_n.j pg
http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/394752_683336565947_6607392_34040959_17157423_n.jp g
http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/381901_683336685707_6607392_34040964_131996879_n.j pg
http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/391795_683336865347_6607392_34040967_2031742588_n. jpg
Some thoughts on the mods:
1) Wheels/tires: best thing ever. Only regret is not being able to do 15x9 due to stock springs. Will be getting a set of 15x9s for the track at some point.
2) Raceland header: for the price, its amazing! Tough to install, the trick is to undo the EGR valve from the intake side and a lot of patience! Also since I have an earlier one, the BFH mod on the header was required, as well as shaving some of the trans bell housing. I've heard that headers made 2010 or later don't have this problem. On the butt dyno feels like 3-5hp increase, definitely a much better pull at 4-6k and I can bump the rev limiter in 4th now.
3) Motorcraft: I won't bother using anything else. Feels like a full shifter rebuild.
Future:
Got HP+ pads and new rotors going on in a few days (waiting on rotors). This will be a bi-yearly maintenance item at a minimum.
Still finalizing what exactly I want to do for suspension. At this point I'll be on 550/300 or 500/300 with my current Bilstiens and GC (or ebay knockoff) sleeves. 36mm bumpstops from FCM and Racing Beat 1.125 tubular + hardware will complete the setup. Will be getting a set of re-valved Bilstiens probably in the late summer or fall and maybe bump up the spring rate at that point. Long term I'll be running Xidas (when I get that raise).
Hardtop. 'Nuff said.
Roadstersport3 Muffler. Gotta finish that exhaust, yo.
17" Kirkey's with a 5 or 6pt harness. Safety first.
KOYO 37mm double core radiator and hardware. For those hot summer track days at Sebring.
That's it for now. First track day is at Homestead in late Feburary with Chin. Not 100% sure if I'll have the new suspension on by then or not.
Thanks for stopping by, and if you read it this far, thanks for reading!
Cheers,
Phil