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Dandy
06-06-2013, 09:24 PM
​This is Jenny, the model for this thread, as I laid my eyes on her for the first time in April 2011:
http://s21.postimg.org/73j69wj3r/IMG_0087.jpg
It was early in the morning, I was a little groggy, and Jenny had just traveled 1,443 miles from Grand Haven, MI to Boca Raton, FL to be with me. She was sitting on the top deck of an open commercial car carrier, and while I had seen plenty of pictures of her via the interwebs, you are always a little nervous when you finally meet face to face . . . I was pleased.

Jenny from the rear (yes, she is a 93 LE):
http://s12.postimg.org/8vn9j1qvh/IMG_0091.jpg

Jenny had 39,169 miles on her when she first arrived. The gentleman I purchased Jenny from was a retired schoolteacher. In addition to Jenny, he owned a Porsche Speedster (http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Lovely_original_Porsche_Speedster_-_Flickr_-_Supermac1961.jpg) and was the former owner of a 1949 Buick Roadmaster (http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:1949_buick_roadmaster.jpg) that you could tell he dearly missed. We had spoken at length; he was a real car buff and liked to attend events like the Annual Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance (http://www.ameliaconcours.org/eventinformation/):
http://s8.postimg.org/vliysetol/DSC_5557_585x390.jpg

It is hard to imagine but I am Jenny’s sixth owner after only 39k miles in 18 years. I had it on good authority (some of the previous owners) that Jenny had nearly always been garaged, was given a strict diet of synthetic fluids, and never saw a winter. It seems that all of Jenny’s previous lovers er, owners were kind of fanatical, usually had other collector vehicles, and just didn’t feel they had the time to maintain Jenny’s shiny exterior in the manner that she deserved . . . and they sure weren't putting many miles on her, which was good for me.

Dandy
06-06-2013, 10:39 PM
Now I generally am not one to name inanimate objects, cars or otherwise. My previous Mazda roadster was named CW, at best, (for Crystal White) but that was only for back up in case someone demanded that I have a name for my car.

But Jenny was meant to be special. I had had a 1.6 Mazda roadster before and I knew the strengths and weaknesses of the car and I also had a vision of what my ideal roadster would be. No, this time my car should have a name. I gave it some time . . . it didn’t come to me right away.

One of the first names that came to mind was Senior. See, I am actually a Jr. and my Dad was a big fan of red interiors, heck, just red in general. So that seemed kind of special. I know he would have loved the red interior. But cars are generally thought of as female and so Senior and the idea behind it didn’t seem quite right. It was a little too sentimental and it didn’t fit the gender. The fact that I thought of it and that the red interior reminds me of my dad seems enough.

So female, female, female names . . . hmmm, Betty?, Black Betty (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V0OFF3q4Pxk)? . . . cool song (I actually knew the drummer for Ram Jam, who sadly, is no longer with us – another bummer), nahh, that’s not it. What did I want the car to be? Gran Turismo always came to mind. A grand tourer (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grand_tourer) - able to make long-distance, high-speed journeys in both comfort and style.

When I was explaining what I wanted out of my suspension system, Shaikh at Fatcat Motorsports says, “So, you are looking for something along the lines of a grand touring vehicle.” The GT moniker was starting to become a theme. GT . . . GT . . . G . . . G. . . J . . . J . . . J . . . GT Jenny, GT Jenny . . . Jenny GT. It was starting to sound right. Jenny would kind of represent that GT theme that I had in mind. But was this the name? I went to the interwebs to help me solidify my answer.

Music was flooding my subconscious​. . . Jenny, Jenny . . . who can I turn too? Hmmm . . . 8675309 . . . 86753-oh-niyen. (Yeah, I’m old) Google search for 8675309:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=axLRUszuu9I

OK, the lead singer is wearing a red shirt and black pants . . . and cool red shoes . . . red and black. That’s it, Jenny it is.

Dandy
06-07-2013, 02:10 AM
So where is this build headed? Well, Jenny was bought as a needs nothing, well-maintained, low mileage vehicle . . . a true “build” is not needed. It is, however, now a 20-year-old vehicle, so maintenance and improved performance enhancements are needed and wanted. It is a Limited Edition (http://www.thefreelibrary.com/MAZDA+INTRODUCES+MIATA+LIMITED+EDITION%3B+ONLY+1,5 00+MODELS+WITH...-a013125635) model, one of only 1,500 sold in the US and is one of the most recognizable Miata models ever made, so staying true to the themes that make a 93LE special are important to me to maintain.

I’ll get into some of the maintenance and performance enhancements a little later, but for now let me share with you a few of the cars that have inspired me and I think as the “build” progresses you’ll start to see some these influences in Jenny as she becomes personalized.

The M2-1001 (http://mazdaroadster.net/showthread.php?12-M2-CORP-1001-1002-amp-1028-(NA-owners-a-must-read):
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7156/6550735407_534b77d3c5_o.jpg
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7173/6550735497_d9a9e467da_o.jpg
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7008/6550735621_8441eecb4c_o.jpg
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7171/6550735545_944982ba72_o.jpg
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7166/6550735703_58ac25b5bd_o.jpg
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7023/6550735769_412c7ed19c_o.jpg

I first saw these images in Miata Magazine. I don't remember exactly when it was but I am guessing it was sometime between 1999 and 2000. There wasn't much of a write-up but those pictures really spoke to me. So clean, so simple, so pure roadster. At the time I had a white roadster, so I didn't really feel like I could replicate that look, but those M2-1001 pictures always stayed with me.

And here is a more current picture that I really like:
http://s14.postimg.org/i6t3ta7gh/d4c357b46445b13a7062121d8cbbf121.jpg



The Blue Potato (http://www.thebluepotato.net/):
http://s23.postimg.org/xswk62fln/driversrear2.jpg
http://s2.postimg.org/53i6e959l/full_interior1.jpg
http://s1.postimg.org/xkwrcl45b/new_shooze4.jpg

I have followed the Blue Potato's progress since before the Pit Crew Racing nose. The car oozed vintage pretty much from the beginning. The Potato was really among the first to document progress through pictures for all to be inspired. I adopted the Talbot Replica "Bullet" Mirrors to my Crystal White as one of my earliest mods. The Nakamae carpeted center counsel was always a favorite of mine since I saw it on the Blue Potato. Of course the Nakamae piece was inspired by the M2-1001, but the Blue Potato showed that the same look could be acquired through an aftermarket purchase and was pretty much plug and play.

One thing unique to both of these inspiring cars that I will not be adopting to Jenny is a change to the stock NA front nose. I have always liked the look of the nose on the NA with a front lip R-style spoiler and Jenny has that already. I like the noses on the above two cars but not enough to change the well thought out design that came from the Miata engineers.

Dandy
06-07-2013, 03:29 AM
PhatMiata's Roadster (http://minkara.carview.co.jp/en/userid/314222/car/215445/profile.aspx):
http://s8.postimg.org/u33nhj3yd/006.jpg
http://s22.postimg.org/6ef4t2cip/image.jpg
http://s17.postimg.org/906y93hen/007.jpg

Yes, that PhatMiata. The Administrator of MazdaRoadster.Net (http://mazdaroadster.net/content.php). The Big Cheese, the High Muck-A-Muck, the Grand Poobah. Can you spot Randy among this cast of famous Poobahs?
http://s12.postimg.org/4r31sdg0d/fraternal_poohbah.jpghttp://s12.postimg.org/wazpvfzv1/8641291224_ef23fa01fc_c.jpghttp://s18.postimg.org/nevif5v21/tumblr_ly83ni_Vlc_P1ql0yqio1_400.jpg

Phat's red interior was so well done. A lot of JDM inspiration there. I became aware of Randy's famous car probably when I was between Miatas. I kept a couple of photos in my favorite Miata photos file and now I have the red interior to apply Phat's inspiration to. All three of these inspiring cars are different from each other, but certain patterns are emerging that I think you will see in Jenny's new look.

Dandy
06-07-2013, 04:40 AM
Ferrari 400 Superamerica Cabriolet Pininfarina (http://www.klassiekerrally.nl/ferrari-400-superamerica-cabriolet-pininfarina/):
http://s11.postimg.org/qk2lrhkz7/MC10_r101_01.jpg
http://s24.postimg.org/usx65tzz9/MC10_r101_02.jpg
http://s22.postimg.org/r1jicn8bl/MC10_r101_03.jpg
http://s22.postimg.org/6p2bao3j5/MC10_r101_04.jpg
http://s8.postimg.org/xvjhm9ryd/MC10_r101_05.jpg
http://s9.postimg.org/ohyohxnq7/MC10_r101_12.jpg
http://s17.postimg.org/iqzolbqhr/MC10_r101_13.jpg
http://s2.postimg.org/7s9ataj8p/MC10_r101_18.jpg
http://s10.postimg.org/6dixnkwe1/MC10_r101_21.jpg

Now I really don't know that much about Ferrari's other than I lust for them. However, I was browsing some vintage car threads when I came across this beauty. I like vintage and a splash of Italian exotic is just what Jenny needs in keeping with the Grand Turismo theme. In the Mazda press release for the 1993 Limited Edition Miata, they state: "Harkening back to a color combination inspired by sports cars of the '50s and '60s, Mazda is introducing the Miata Limited Edition . . ." This had to at least be one of the inspirational cars they were talking about, if not the inspiration.

Since I have owned Miatas I always thought that wood grained steering wheels looked fine with a tan interior, but they were never my first choice for black interiors and I never considered them with red . . . until I was swept off my feet by the Ferrari Superamerica. I had never realized how vintage a wood steering wheel was before. An additional nod to the vintage past is to rock them a little bit oversized by today's standards.


A Few More Inspiring Shots for Good Measure:
http://s8.postimg.org/cvq28x32d/p1_4.jpg
http://s11.postimg.org/xg5ocxpwz/6051393929_56d880af34_z.jpg
http://s8.postimg.org/ewl77holh/image.jpg

. . . and now on to Jenny (8675309) - the 93LE GT build . . .

theothersawyer
06-07-2013, 01:09 PM
There are some beautiful cars in here!!! I think you would cry of you saw what the blue potatoe looks like now. :(

Dandy
06-07-2013, 01:26 PM
There are some beautiful cars in here!!! I think you would cry of you saw what the blue potatoe looks like now. :(

I did . . .

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JLslqugYoD4

theothersawyer
06-07-2013, 01:31 PM
It's very sad!

Dandy
06-07-2013, 01:42 PM
A Preview of Goodness to Come:
http://s21.postimg.org/9yxvij4fr/IMG_0256.jpg

http://s23.postimg.org/x6m6rh6gr/IMG_0249.jpghttp://s7.postimg.org/7ec0owegb/IMG_0252.jpghttp://s21.postimg.org/y3g7h9v7b/IMG_0250.jpg
http://s3.postimg.org/wr9yekwhf/IMG_0251.jpg

And a little bit more . . .
http://s16.postimg.org/wrnvidk79/IMG_0257.jpg

Most everything I need for suspension/chasis mods, interior and exterior modifications, is already here or on order. I'll try and detail most of the installation as it happens and then it will be on to the engine bay where moar! power is desired.

kung fu jesus
06-07-2013, 02:08 PM
http://assets.diylol.com/hfs/e75/565/024/resized/forrest-gump-meme-generator-i-love-you-jenny-56d583.jpg?1335684104.jpg

theothersawyer
06-07-2013, 03:12 PM
Ohh this is going to be good!! I'm excited!!

atank
06-07-2013, 06:45 PM
Very Interesting, more please!!!!!!

tsingson
06-07-2013, 08:07 PM
Looks like Jenny has found her soulmate. So um, what does the Blue Potato look like now?

theothersawyer
06-07-2013, 11:23 PM
Looks like Jenny has found her soulmate. So um, what does the Blue Potato look like now?

Not trying to go off topic from the OP, but this is the blue potato...
http://i105.photobucket.com/albums/m231/GaAsSlugger22/null_zpsde491407.jpg
The passenger side of the windshield has all sorts of stickers, illest, no fat chicks car will scrape, etc.

Cxmoney
06-07-2013, 11:57 PM
Yikes

Dandy
06-08-2013, 10:56 AM
Don't sweat it, TOS. All good people are welcome to my thread. Even if it goes in another direction. Maybe someone should start a Blue Potato tribute thread where we can all say a few words.

It's really a shame. I read some of the comments over on cr.net and I realize that the younger you are, the less likely you are to get it. I hate to bash the new owner. If you buy a car, it is yours to do with what you like. But why did he have to pick that car? It wasn't cheap. I considered the Potato when I saw it come up for adoption, but I wouldn't be comfortable buying it and not being one thousand percent satisfied with it. While I admire Peter Brusa's build, it did go a little over the top for me as it progressed. However, the time and effort that Peter put into that build is something to be admired . . . I mean, a lot of TIME and EFFORT.

I saw a comment about it is just a car and a collection of parts, parts that are easily available in the aftermarket. What some people don't realize is that part of the reason that some of these JDM parts are available to us in the aftermarket is because of Peter and the Blue Potato. Peter was one of the first to make us Yanks aware that there was a magazine called Road & Ster (http://www.speedhunters.com/2009/01/magazines_gt_gt_road_amp_ster/) (back issues available through mr.net sponser MiataRoadster (http://miataroadster.com/roadster_magazine/roadster_magazine_new_or_clean_used_backissues/g-63308.aspx)). While most of us couldn't read the magazine and translation apps were not common, we could still admire the amazing pictures of the creativeness the Japanese had applied to their roadsters. There was a time these exotic parts weren't readily available here in the US and the Blue Potato was one of the first Miatas to sport some of these parts and help create interest and a market here in the US. He worked with, and then for, RSpeed to help bring those parts to us. Now of course that is not to say that Peter was the only one modifying a Miata with parts from Japan and elsewhere, but he was among the first to share what he was doing with pictures through the internet, even going so far as to host a website(s) detailing his inspirations and documenting his build for all to follow. That just wasn't common back when Peter started it.

Go to any collector car show today and you will see plenty of vehicles, that if they were pushed into service, would have a difficult time remaining streetable today. Yet these cars command tens of thousands and sometimes millions of dollars because of their history . . . what they meant to the automotive world during their prime time of streetability. It's sometimes hard to think of a Miata in those terms because after more than 20 years since the introduction of the first model, the car remains very streetable and available to the general population. You don't need to be an expert mechanic or made of money to own one.

So this leads me to the car that I consider to be most Blue Potato-like today, and that is Adam's (Revlimiter (http://revlimiter.net/)) Sharka. The only reason I didn't list Sharka as one of my inspirational vehicles is because of timing, because the Blue Potato (http://www.thebluepotato.net/) came into my consciousness first. I'm kind of glad this thread took a turn because I wanted to mention Adam's Sharka and this gives me a good segue to do so. There are things that Adam has done with Sharka that I would never have considered doing with any other car, but on Sharka it just looks so right. Whatever he does, it just always looks consistent and right. And now, before I get back to Jenny, and because we all love pictures so much, I bring to you Sharka:
http://revlimiter.net/miata/exterior/ex-tails.jpg

tsingson
06-08-2013, 11:21 AM
Don't sweat it, TOS. All good people are welcome to my thread. Even if it goes in another direction. Maybe someone should start a Blue Potato tribute thread where we can all say a few words.

It's really a shame. I read some of the comments over on cr.net and I realize that the younger you are, the less likely you are to get it. I hate to bash the new owner. If you buy a car, it is yours to do with what you like. But why did he have to pick that car? It wasn't cheap. I considered the Potato when I saw it come up for adoption, but I wouldn't be comfortable buying it and not being one thousand percent satisfied with it. While I admire Peter Brusa's build, it did go a little over the top for me as it progressed. However, the time and effort that Peter put into that build is something to be admired . . . I mean, a lot of TIME and EFFORT.



Exactly my thoughts. There were so many other miatas that could have been purchased. Maybe it was the fact that the car was so famous. He may have wanted to gain notoriety for being the one to bring down the unicorn? I saw this last night and he seems very proud of what he has done.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gGQLmGhVUVI

theothersawyer
06-08-2013, 04:08 PM
I read some of the comments over on cr.net and I realize that the younger you are, the less likely you are to get it.
The new owner is roughly the same age as I am, but I get it. I may not fully understand, since I wasn't in the scene when the car and Peter were making their waves on the internet, but you can tell the amount of love that is in that car by the details. You can also tell the car is something special just by the way people talk about it.

You comment explains the whole story very well. Nicely said!

Exactly my thoughts. There were so many other miatas that could have been purchased. Maybe it was the fact that the car was so famous. He may have wanted to gain notoriety for being the one to bring down the unicorn? I saw this last night and he seems very proud of what he has done.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gGQLmGhVUVI

Since the new owner is still in Georgia, I have talked to him before about the car. He said he bought the car becuase he wanted ITB's and he also said that he didn't fully understand the heritage of the car.

That video you posted pretty much sums up the guys personality perfectly. Flashing money around thinking he is hot shit, and drifting the car. I went to Southern Wortherse last month and he was there, as I pulled up he was talking trash about my miata asking why I brought a riced out Miata to a VW meet, and then said my car wasn't even lowered. I just laughed. I laughed even harder when he was driving by with 3 people sitting on his trunk and he got pulled over right in front of me!

kung fu jesus
06-08-2013, 05:33 PM
Don't sweat it, TOS. All good people are welcome to my thread. Even if it goes in another direction. Maybe someone should start a Blue Potato tribute thread where we can all say a few words.

It's really a shame. I read some of the comments over on cr.net and I realize that the younger you are, the less likely you are to get it. I hate to bash the new owner. If you buy a car, it is yours to do with what you like. But why did he have to pick that car? It wasn't cheap. I considered the Potato when I saw it come up for adoption, but I wouldn't be comfortable buying it and not being one thousand percent satisfied with it. While I admire Peter Brusa's build, it did go a little over the top for me as it progressed. However, the time and effort that Peter put into that build is something to be admired . . . I mean, a lot of TIME and EFFORT.

I saw a comment about it is just a car and a collection of parts, parts that are easily available in the aftermarket. What some people don't realize is that part of the reason that some of these JDM parts are available to us in the aftermarket is because of Peter and the Blue Potato. Peter was one of the first to make us Yanks aware that there was a magazine called Road & Ster (http://www.speedhunters.com/2009/01/magazines_gt_gt_road_amp_ster/) (back issues available through mr.net sponser MiataRoadster (http://miataroadster.com/roadster_magazine/roadster_magazine_new_or_clean_used_backissues/g-63308.aspx)). While most of us couldn't read the magazine and translation apps were not common, we could still admire the amazing pictures of the creativeness the Japanese had applied to their roadsters. There was a time these exotic parts weren't readily available here in the US and the Blue Potato was one of the first Miatas to sport some of these parts and help create interest and a market here in the US. He worked with, and then for, RSpeed to help bring those parts to us. Now of course that is not to say that Peter was the only one modifying a Miata with parts from Japan and elsewhere, but he was among the first to share what he was doing with pictures through the internet, even going so far as to host a website(s) detailing his inspirations and documenting his build for all to follow. That just wasn't common back when Peter started it.

Go to any collector car show today and you will see plenty of vehicles, that if they were pushed into service, would have a difficult time remaining streetable today. Yet these cars command tens of thousands and sometimes millions because of their history . . . what they meant to the automotive world during their prime time of streetability. It's sometimes hard to think of a Miata in those terms because after more than 20 years since the introduction of the first model, the car remains very streetable and available to the general population. You don't need to be an expert mechanic or made of money to own one.

So this leads me to the car that I consider to be most Blue Potato-like today, and that is Adam's (Revlimiter (http://revlimiter.net/)) Sharka. The only reason I didn't list Sharka as one of my inspirational vehicles is because of timing, because the Blue Potato (http://www.thebluepotato.net/) came into my consciousness first. I'm kind of glad this thread took a turn because I wanted to mention Adam's Sharka and this gives me a good segue to do so. There are things that Adam has done with Sharka that I would never have considered doing with any other car, but on Sharka it just looks so right. Whatever he does, it just always looks consistent and right. And now, before I get back to Jenny, and because we all love pictures so much, I bring to you Sharka:
http://revlimiter.net/miata/exterior/ex-tails.jpg


Exactly my thoughts. There were so many other miatas that could have been purchased. Maybe it was the fact that the car was so famous. He may have wanted to gain notoriety for being the one to bring down the unicorn? I saw this last night and he seems very proud of what he has done.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gGQLmGhVUVI


I talked 3 or 4 people out of buying my NA. I am glad I waited until I moved back the NC and sold it to my good friend in ATL. He absolutely loves it and I still get to see and drive it on occasion. I think he takes better care of it than I did.

Rogue
06-08-2013, 06:31 PM
I talked 3 or 4 people out of buying my NA. I am glad I waited until I moved back the NC and sold it to my good friend in ATL. He absolutely loves it and I still get to see and drive it on occasion. I think he takes better care of it than I did.

Respect!

94R
06-11-2013, 12:46 AM
I love Sharka because Adam managed to mesh old school roadster and modern race car well. Both in looks and function. Kudos. I'm intrigued by Jenny. Subbed.

Dandy
06-11-2013, 01:43 AM
In the beginning . . .
http://s13.postimg.org/xuxxnjwxj/IMG_0148.jpg

. . . there were visor blanking plates from InJoy Carlife.

Before . . .
http://s23.postimg.org/a9r93nlrv/IMG_0145.jpghttp://s9.postimg.org/kchsw7qwv/IMG_0146.jpg

After . . .
http://s14.postimg.org/oqmnkhrm9/IMG_0150.jpghttp://s23.postimg.org/rw3pm6j97/IMG_0151.jpg

These are made from water-jet cut, 1/8” 6061 aluminum. They are much better quality than the plastic blanking plates I had in my ’92 whose holes didn’t line up. I could only use one attachment screw and was never pleased with them. The InJoys came with four flush-fit Allen key screws. They feel and look perfect.

I keep my seat back as far as it will go. With that seat position and my 6’ tall frame, the visors are directly in my line of sight, so they serve no purpose for me. I also like the clean look without the visors but this mod is first about function for me.

I sold my visors to a female Miata enthusiast at Miatapalooza 2013 (http://mazdaroadster.net/showthread.php?5492-Miatapalooza-2013-Recap-of-the-Show!!!&highlight=miatapalooza#1) for $5 and she was so excited, as her car had come into her possession with the visors removed. It’s funny how a few inches in height changes your perspective on things. I didn’t think it would be very easy to sell the visors, but they ended up being the very first thing I sold at the event.


. . . then there was a new M1 Abrams shift knob.
http://s12.postimg.org/6wqvfwqx9/IMG_0155.jpg

While it looked nice, I didn’t like the feel of the Nardi leather shift knob that came with the car. I like my knob polished (who doesn’t), round, and heavy. After a little bit of research (and one failed attempt to purchase something from Japan) I ended up choosing the M1 Abrams (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M1_Abrams) (inspired by generations of super cars) from TWM Performance. It’s 2 inches in diameter and just over 1 pound in weight. It significantly reduced the height of the shifter (no engraving so the knob can be set super low) and the added weight makes shifting feel smoother. It’s named after a US military battle tank, so you know it has to be good.

Here’s a close-up look vs. the Nardi:
http://s23.postimg.org/msm38u3uj/IMG_0156.jpg

While I was at it, I replaced the torn upper shift boot, the worn lower shift boot, the insulation pad, syphoned out the old turret fluid, and added fresh Redline MTL fluid from Rosenthal Mazda (Parts VP).

http://s7.postimg.org/l0rdvm4bv/E8_C94_E75_B5_B50_D86_FFF880_A9166_ADFCF_30899_zoo m.jpghttp://s21.postimg.org/k59i18rfr/968_B7_C99_F08_FEC6_B114_CD1_F6_BFC6_E001_64924_zo om.jpghttp://s22.postimg.org/lex7m4lgh/ACBB10_D3_A0690527_DC1_E807_B34_D3_EB1_E_71011_zoo m.jpghttp://s15.postimg.org/efakoti8r/53_A79_F080622_B9956_B972345_DA77343_D_15355_zoom. jpg

I reused the insulation strip http://s7.postimg.org/cde6hlqi3/A6_D98_B0_F03230_EEC6_CBE3_F09_C4904_A70_57414_zoo m.jpgand all the bearings looked to be in good condition.

. . . add some M2 corporation (replica) bling to the interior . . .
http://s23.postimg.org/euixz2sqj/IMG_0157.jpg

I added OE-Style 1002 pedals from Rev9 Autosport (http://rev9autosport.com/) to Jenny’s interior. These are well made, an easy install, and they look great.

Next up . . . Jenny gets new shoes . . .

Dandy
06-11-2013, 06:51 PM
Jenny gets new shoes . . .
http://s24.postimg.org/m4ey2qqw5/IMG_0203.jpg

Jenny arrived at my doorstep shod in nearly new H-rated all season tires and stock BBS 14 x 6 wheels. This was fine footwear when sporting a winter coat (Budge car cover) and sitting in a garage all winter, but it wouldn’t do now that Jenny was residing in the tropics.

The H-rated all season tires were fine for longevity but they lacked a little something when Jenny was ready for a little exercise. I’m not too particular when it comes to street tires for a Miata as long as they are performance oriented and aren’t hated by everyone who has ever owned them. The tire companies are always coming out with new offerings and retiring their old lines so much so that it never seems worth the investment to get hung up on one model or brand. So after a little online shopping, we ended up with Z-rated Fuzion ZRi’s in a 205 x 50 x 15 fitment. Fuzion is produced by Bridgestone / Firestone with their technology. The tire had excellent ratings from both Tirerack (http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Fuzion&ef_id=TKdUCAqoEEQAAClUaf0AADwE:20130611143542:s&s_kwcid=TC%7C21263%7Cfuzion%20zri%7C%7CS%7Cp%7C262 27815373&tireModel=ZRi) and Grassroots Motorsports (http://grassrootsmotorsports.com/articles/cheap-skates/). That along with a closeout price from Tirerack sealed the deal for me.

How to get four 205 x 50 x 15 tires and four boxed wheels into a 1st generation NA6CE Miata (yes, the trunk spoiler is looking faded - to be addressed):
http://s24.postimg.org/s0mnvdacl/IMG_0158.jpg

At an estimated 9.6 lbs. (sources vary on actual weight), the BBS wheel is the lightest of all stock wheels made for the Miata. However, the BBS, while a nice looking wheel, was a bit too formal for what I had in mind for Jenny. We were going to go for more of an eight spoke opened toed sandal kind of look.

I always liked the classic competition eight spoke Minilite (http://www.minilite.co.uk/) style wheels. The M2-1001 (http://mazdaroadster.net/showthread.php?12-M2-CORP-1001-1002-amp-1028-(NA-owners-a-must-read) inspirational roadster I mentioned earlier sported the look with the Panasport brand. The inspirational Blue Potato (http://www.thebluepotato.net/) first sported Panasports then later a similar styled Watanabe wheel. If I could find a forged Watanabe wheel that fit and didn’t require me to take out a 2nd mortgage, I would be interested. But for now I chose Rota RB’s in a 15 x 7 et 35 fitment.

At 14.4 lbs. for a 15-inch wheel, the Rotas are approximately one pound less than a similarly sized Panasport and cost less. I had Rota Circuit 8 (http://www.rotawheels.ca/circuit8.html)’s (11.2 lbs.) on my 92 and had a good experience with them. There are other wheels out there in the eight spoke style, but the Rota RB’s have a nice deep polished lip that I like.

In an effort to offset some of the weight gained with the new wheel and new tires, I chose lightweight CNC aluminum alloy valves (8 grams ea.) and lightweight forged 7075 T-6 aluminum hex lugs (24 grams ea.) from 949 Racing (http://949racing.com/lugsandvalves.aspx). The valve caps have a laser etched “949” logo that is reputed to be worth 3hp and I believe it.
http://s24.postimg.org/fosy9d19h/VALSLV.jpg

With our online shopping complete, Jenny and I packed up and headed to Alex's Pro Tire Service (http://www.tirerack.com/installer/InstallerDetail.jsp?index=5&installermiles=3&zipCode=33427&place=3) for a fitting.
http://s10.postimg.org/uvmnqbpah/IMG_0159.jpg

Alex treated Jenny with care, gently hand torquing each lug to the proper specification.
http://s9.postimg.org/81tkohvr3/IMG_0160.jpghttp://s11.postimg.org/y0pwheaqr/IMG_0161.jpghttp://s18.postimg.org/w7vg3pzu1/IMG_0162.jpghttp://s21.postimg.org/cxmyhc8dj/IMG_0163.jpg

I think you can see below that the 35mm offset and 205 x 50 x 15 fitment fill out the wheel well nicely and should allow the car to be slightly lowered without any need for fender rolling, pulling, or major suspension changes – keeping handling performance the priority over just good looks.

http://s4.postimg.org/t9yw6bmd9/IMG_0204.jpg

http://s13.postimg.org/x2z2xylpz/IMG_0207.jpghttp://s12.postimg.org/n9ft5pxal/IMG_0208.jpg

Performance enhancement? Yes, indeed. With the smaller width of the stock BBS wheels and the H-rated all season tires, Jenny felt a little top-heavy around turns (not something I generally complain about in a female companion) which lead to too much body roll. With Jenny’s new shoes, even without any other suspension enhancements, she feels flatter and inspires confidence when taking on turns. Bumps may be felt a bit more with the heavier wheel and tire combination, but it's nothing significant and I don't regret the change.

Next up . . . Jenny shows off her new shoes . . .

theothersawyer
06-11-2013, 06:55 PM
Wheels look great!!!

speedypenguin
06-11-2013, 07:48 PM
I like those pedals. :) Hope to get something similar for Jazz someday...

You mentioned plans to lower Jenny, how low do you intend to go? It might be a good idea to roll the fenders just in case...when I first lowered Jazz to 11.25" HtoF with 205/50R15 tires on my +36 offset wheels, I needed to roll the front fenders. Rear fenders wasn't necessary, but I rolled those as well (I raised Jazz to 12"F/12.5"R HtoF, but still turned out to be useful when I upgraded to 205/50R15 Star Specs).

Dandy
06-11-2013, 08:30 PM
Jenny is currently at 13" front, 13 7/8" rear. The future target is only 12.5" front , 13" rear.

I have Ground Control sleeves with Eibach springs - 400lbs (7") front, 300lbs (8") rear, on deck to be installed.

I am not anticipating needing a roll, but it is good to hear others experiences. The roads are pretty smooth around here.

Thanks for the compliments!

wannafbody
06-11-2013, 09:57 PM
In regards to the Blue Potato, I think some blames probably lies at Peter's feet for selling the car to a kid who didn't comprehend what he was buying.

Dandy
06-17-2013, 07:49 AM
Jenny goes for a run . . .

So with vision obstructions removed (visors), a new shift knob and refreshed shifter, shiny new pedals, and new wheels and tires, Jenny and I head out for our first long run.

We joined up with a caravan of about 22 enthusiasts including members from the Miata Society of Miami (https://www.facebook.com/Miatasociety (file://localhost/Miatasociety)), the Treasure Coast Miata Club (http://treasurecoastmiataclub.webs.com/), a couple from Quebec, and others for a 400 mile round trip excursion to Lakeland, FL for Miatapalooza 2013 (http://mazdaroadster.net/showthread.php?5492-Miatapalooza-2013-Recap-of-the-Show!!!&highlight=miatapalooza#1).

Jenny was up to the task. We tested her ABS braking system. Her handling was good although not really put to the test on Florida’s straight, flat surfaces. We neared a top speed of . . . well, let’s not publish that . . . let’s just say it put a smile on my face. However, acceleration could use a little, shall we say, “boost”?

I put together a slide show of the road trip from pictures posted to MazdaRoadster.Net (http://mazdaroadster.net/content.php):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y0D_UX-SfTQ

Here is a really cool video put together by the Miata Society of Miami:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cEhr0B3nPBw&list=FLa87UvVssAQ0fOH77sdo0IA

And one more from doug33351:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5lMWb9y4DYg&list=FLa87UvVssAQ0fOH77sdo0IA

Stay tuned . . .

Martin
06-21-2013, 09:43 AM
http://6dollarshirts.com/t-shirts/867-5309-p-11222.html

atank
06-21-2013, 10:15 AM
Bahahahaha ^^^^

Dandy
06-21-2013, 06:14 PM
Nice find, Martin. For 6 bux I might have to add to the personal t-shirt arsenal:
http://6dollar.threadpitinc.netdna-cdn.com/images/D/867-5309-t-shirt.jpg

Besides, my Speed Racer t-shirt is looking a bit worn.

Dandy
09-25-2013, 07:59 PM
Long time between updates but there just hasn't been much in the way of concrete progress. I guess Jenny and I have been on our summer break. The hot and humid Florida weather should begin to turn cool soon and I expect Jenny and I will begin to get more intimately acquainted. I have continued to acquire some real nice parts, so Jenny should be quite the looker and performer in the near future.

I generally don't expect to post pics of parts that are not yet installed but today I made a significant commitment that I feel is post worthy. I pretty much knew what I wanted to do for handling and interior / exterior aesthetics early on but I wasn't exactly sure which way I would go for engine performance. So, because we all like pictures, here's a preview of goodness to come:

http://s24.postimg.org/tw9yjfmol/img_3226.jpg

I put a deposit down on a 2004 Mazdaspeed engine with 17k miles on it. I've been E-mailing with performance guru, racer, author, webmaster, and graphic designer Keith Tanner of Flyin' Miata (http://www.flyinmiata.com/index.php) and SlowCarFast.com (http://www.slowcarfast.com/) about the details. Flyin' Miata is doing a V8 conversion on the car it came from and you can follow the FM build diary here: The Q-ship (http://www.flyinmiata.com/V8/qship/index.php?UID).

After a bit of back and forth we decided that using the small turbo from the MSM was probably not worth the additional fabrication cost needed for installation and an off the shelf FM package made more sense for ease of installation and greater performance in the long run. I can still decide on the exact turbo, electronics, and exhaust options at a later date. So for now it is just the engine, but that is a big piece of the performance puzzle going forward.

Hopefully it won't be so long between postings now. I have a lot of stuff to do.

atank
09-25-2013, 09:36 PM
Its gonna be Fast Fun!!!!!!

Stealth97
09-25-2013, 10:00 PM
I love the 93 le. Its even better with 1.8 power. Awesome thread.

Agent☣Orange
09-25-2013, 10:07 PM
Agree on awesome thread.

Dandy
10-20-2013, 10:13 PM
OK, time for some update'n

I mentioned in an earlier post to this thread that Jenny’s trunk spoiler had faded. Once the oxidized looking spots started showing up, the fade progressed quickly. Jenny’s paint overall is in very good shape, but after 20 years the non-metal parts of a Miata exterior are particularly susceptible to fading.

I toyed around with the idea of permanently removing the spoiler and having the trunk touched up. However, after getting a chance to look at 300-plus Miatas with and without spoilers at Miatapalooza 2013 (http://mazdaroadster.net/showthread.php?5492-Miatapalooza-2013-Recap-of-the-Show!!!&highlight=miatapalooza#1), I decided to keep the spoiler and have it refinished. Every girl can use a little freshening up now and then to keep her feeling sexy and confident about her appearance.

Before:
Here’s a before shot of Jenny at sunrise on the east coast of Florida:
http://forum.miata.net/vb/attachment.php?attachmentid=160764&d=1365442167

The lighting is not the best but the discoloration you see on Jenny’s trunk spoiler is indeed paint fade and not any reflection in the paint like you see on other parts of her exterior.

More before — off of the car:
http://s16.postimg.org/7t9qm6cf9/IMG_0186.jpg

After:
Here’s a close-up of Jenny’s refinished spoiler after having some work done:
http://s23.postimg.org/pj88ww5kb/IMG_0195.jpg

Another angle:
http://s21.postimg.org/70b03vsnr/IMG_0197.jpg

(No those aren’t scratches on Jenny’s trunk, just overhead power lines being reflected in Jenny’s deep, dark paint . . . and a palm tree — yeah it’s Florida)

Showing a little more, ahem, rear:
http://s24.postimg.org/avecj3745/IMG_0196.jpg

The above picture shows the Zoom Retro Fuel Lid that was installed — when it was shiny. This part was a disappointment. The styling is great. It functions properly — opens and closes nearly as easily as the OEM fuel lid. Installation was a breeze. But, that baby tarnished like a mo-fo . . . and it wasn’t cheap. I’ll be removing the Zoom lid and replacing it with a truly one-of-a-kind (well, 2 in the USA from what I understand) retro fuel lid from an M2-1001 (http://mazdaroadster.net/showthread.php?12-M2-CORP-1001-1002-amp-1028-(NA-owners-a-must-read) Clubman.

I’m going to have both the M2-1001 and Zoom lids professionally polished before installing the M2-1001 lid on Jenny. I may use the Zoom lid on a to-be-determined project. If I do, I may have it zinc coated or simply paint it — maybe a flat black on a light colored car.

Oh, and here’s a link to a write-up I posted over on mnet about the spoiler decision making process and the process of removing, refinishing, and reinstalling the spoiler (with pics, of course): http://forum.miata.net/vb/showthread.php?t=496018

Satisaii
10-20-2013, 10:44 PM
Nice job with the black paint. Keeping it swirl free is what kept me from going black.

Dandy
10-21-2013, 12:57 PM
Floor Mats

Stock
Another part of Jenny that needed sprucing up after 20 birthdays was in the interior; the 93LE stock floor mats. I posted a thread of the details (pics included, of course) and process I used in bringing Jenny's stock floor mats back to life here: Restoring Floor Mats 93LE Red (http://mazdaroadster.net/showthread.php?5928-Restoring-Floor-Mats-93LE-Red&p=90716#post90716)

Here are the before and after pictures:
http://s23.postimg.org/wyq8omjaz/IMG_0217.jpghttp://s13.postimg.org/qjuj15tfb/IMG_0285.jpg

. . . and restored and on the floor (Stock):
http://s18.postimg.org/80jylo3gp/IMG_0243.jpg

I was pleased with the results. However, there is one drawback. Because you want to keep your restored floor mats looking clean and pretty, they are rendered impractical to be used for anything other than show and shine events. So on the shelf they go.

Beyond Stock
Now Jenny was a bit uncomfortable with her floor being bare (she's just not that kind of girl), so replacement floor mats that could be used on a regular basis were in order. I really liked the looks of some of the checkered floor mats I had seen in pics on the interwebs. But when I looked into them, I found that the really high quality mats that I liked were made by a japanese company called Karo and there didn't appear to be any distributors in the USA. OK, so I've had parts shipped from Japan before . . . add in the cost of the shipping . . . and the cost of the mats were . . . :shocked:. So not only was shipping going to be expensive, but the cost of the mats were really expensive even in Japan. I mean these were floor mats that were going to have feet put on them, not something I was going to give to my best girl as a symbol of my love . . . er, well . . . they were too darn expensive. I liked the look of the checkered mats but I knew if I went with a cheaper substitute, I would be disappointed.

So what other mats could I find that would be of a similar quality to the Karo mats and maybe even have a pattern that was nearly as attractive as the checkered mats I coveted? Cocomats (http://www.cocomats.com/) - high quality mats made in the USA and reminiscent of mats used in exotic cars of the 60's. All mats are custom made for your car at the time they are ordered, so you need to be happy with the style and color you choose because they are not just pulling them off of a shelf. I ordered about six free swatch samples and rode around with them on Jenny's floor for about two weeks before I placed my order for Classic Coco #11 Red & White Dot mats. I don't remember how long it took for delivery but it wasn't long and I couldn't be happier with my decision.

Cocomats side by side:
http://s2.postimg.org/8mdfetuk9/IMG_0284.jpg

Cocomats on the floor:
http://s8.postimg.org/npjiuop0l/IMG_0286.jpg

These mats are really thick and are designed in such a way that I don't see the normal concern of dirt and wear and tear being an issue with these mats. I have no qualms about using these mats even on a daily basis. In 10 or 15 years when they wear out, I'll order another pair.

Not long after installing the Cocomats, I received one of the most memorable compliments about Jenny to date: "Looks like an old-school James Bond car." I'm convinced that it's the Cocomats that prompted that particular compliment.

Martin
10-21-2013, 01:06 PM
Nice! I've had Coco mats in the past - very nice product.

theothersawyer
10-21-2013, 01:26 PM
Looks good! I love the way this build thread is written!

Phatmiata
10-21-2013, 01:36 PM
Mucho Thanks Given for the heads up on those sexy Coco Mats!! They look great!! Can't wait to see the M2 fuel lid on your car!

Dandy
10-21-2013, 11:41 PM
Starting the "retro" transformation of the interior

I have always admired the look, simplicity, and functionality of door side pockets matched with interior door straps, or handle-like pulls, that I have seen on other Miatas even in stock form such as on later model NA's. I think they look more "retro-inspired" or vintage, if you will, than the stock armrests on Jenny and other early model NA's.

Early on in my plans for Jenny I thought I would chuck Jenny’s armrest/door pull one-piece plastic units for a sexy set of handle-like pulls like those seen in PhatMiata's former roadster (http://minkara.carview.co.jp/en/image.aspx?src=http%3a%2f%2fcdn.mkimg.carview.co.j p%2fcarlife%2fimages%2fUser%2f314222%2fp1.jpg%3fct %3dc1dc6a3ea768) from Nakamae. But then a new company, RetroModern (http://www.retromoderngroup.com/shop/index.php?route=common/home), arrives on the Mazda roadster scene and I swear I could feel Jenny getting excited.

I started ordering billet aluminum parts for Jenny’s interior as soon as each product was launched. There was the Billet Aluminum Cigarette Lighter Plug – clear anodized and made from 6061 grade aluminum (I don't really know what that is but it sounds really cool :8):), the Climate Control Knob Kit – machined from billet T6 aluminum, the Dimmer Switch Knob Overlay – with polished bands, and the Flat Faced Door Pull Caps; and they are all knurled for Jenny’s pleasure.

So instead of handle-like pulls, I’ve gone with door pull caps and straps. I matched the shiny caps with Porsche-style RS America straps that I picked up on EBay. In the future, when my new-to-me headrest-style seats are reupholstered, I hope to have some door pull straps fashioned from the additional leather material that I requested specifically for the purpose. For now though, I’m using the poly webbing material straps in a contrasting black color.

Here are the door pull caps and straps ready to be installed:
http://s21.postimg.org/6s3h3qkqv/IMG_0268.jpg

To completely cover the holes and indentation left behind after the removal of Jenny’s stock armrests, door pockets were needed . . . and that is where these beauties come in:
http://s14.postimg.org/hh8hhkxk1/IMG_0267.jpg
Zoom Engineering door pockets made in a synthetic red leather material to match Jenny’s 93LE interior.

Here they are installed:
http://s9.postimg.org/tu4a3pqq7/IMG_0269.jpg

The above pic gives a sneak peek at the Runabout M2-styled mirrors to be featured in future posts.

Here are some bad shots of the knurled dimmer switch overlay and the knurled cigarette lighter plug:
http://s22.postimg.org/h593yy7v5/IMG_0272.jpg http://s22.postimg.org/lewo3glld/IMG_0212.jpg

Both of the pics immediately above show a hint of RevLimiter (http://revlimiter.net/)’s Sharka Vent Rings. These are gorgeous! There will be more of RevLimiter’s outstanding products featured in future posts. Oh, and the stock cruise control button is evident in the lefthand pic, emphasizing Jenny's GT nature.

None of the pics in this post are of a high enough quality to truly show the details of these pieces. However, this is just the "build" thread and it gives you an idea of the look and feel of the parts as they are being installed. When everything is put together, I hope to take some better quality pics . . . maybe even with a real camera:D.

atank
10-22-2013, 06:12 AM
I love coco and sisal mats, those in red look wonderful!

CMP
10-22-2013, 08:06 AM
Stuff about Cocomats

Thanks for this post. I've been considering black and blue Cocomats for some time for the 10AE blue interior I'm doing, and this has convinced me to go for it.

Dandy
10-22-2013, 11:57 AM
Thanks for this post. I've been considering black and blue Cocomats for some time for the 10AE blue interior I'm doing, and this has convinced me to go for it.

Oh yeah, that will look good. Be sure and get some swatches if you are at all on the fence about colors.

Hammerhead
01-23-2014, 12:39 AM
Great thread! I was inspired by many of the same things you've been. I was looking at the ROTA RBs, but didn't know what offset to go with to get the wheels nearly flush with the body. I do not want to cut up either of my LEs to add fender flares! Your LE looks great!

Here's one of mine (the other is stock for now, although with 15" BBS)
10743

Dandy
01-23-2014, 01:02 AM
Great thread! I was inspired by many of the same things you've been. I was looking at the ROTA RBs, but didn't know what offset to go with to get the wheels nearly flush with the body. I do not want to cut up either of my LEs to add fender flares! Your LE looks great!

Here's one of mine (the other is stock for now, although with 15" BBS)
http://mazdaroadster.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=10743&d=1390455533

Thanks. Oh baby that LE is sweet! I love me some M2 inspiration.

My RB's are +35 offset with a 205 tire. I think +30 is probably doable without any fender or major suspension mods depending on your ride height.

Phatmiata
01-23-2014, 09:05 AM
Long time between updates but there just hasn't been much in the way of concrete progress. I guess Jenny and I have been on our summer break. The hot and humid Florida weather should begin to turn cool soon and I expect Jenny and I will begin to get more intimately acquainted. I have continued to acquire some real nice parts, so Jenny should be quite the looker and performer in the near future.

I generally don't expect to post pics of parts that are not yet installed but today I made a significant commitment that I feel is post worthy. I pretty much knew what I wanted to do for handling and interior / exterior aesthetics early on but I wasn't exactly sure which way I would go for engine performance. So, because we all like pictures, here's a preview of goodness to come:

http://s24.postimg.org/tw9yjfmol/img_3226.jpg

I put a deposit down on a 2004 Mazdaspeed engine with 17k miles on it. I've been E-mailing with performance guru, racer, author, webmaster, and graphic designer Keith Tanner of Flyin' Miata (http://www.flyinmiata.com/index.php) and SlowCarFast.com (http://www.slowcarfast.com/) about the details. Flyin' Miata is doing a V8 conversion on the car it came from and you can follow the FM build diary here: The Q-ship (http://www.flyinmiata.com/V8/qship/index.php?UID).

After a bit of back and forth we decided that using the small turbo from the MSM was probably not worth the additional fabrication cost needed for installation and an off the shelf FM package made more sense for ease of installation and greater performance in the long run. I can still decide on the exact turbo, electronics, and exhaust options at a later date. So for now it is just the engine, but that is a big piece of the performance puzzle going forward.

Hopefully it won't be so long between postings now. I have a lot of stuff to do.


Oh damn !!!! That will so killer with the red valve cover in the 93LE, plus Turbo powah !!! :slayer:

vote4pedro
02-23-2014, 12:20 PM
Nice build, I will have to check up on this one regularly...

iRoadster
02-23-2014, 06:20 PM
This thread is just…

http://tldranimu.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/Commie-Space-Dandy-01v0-B000B135.mkv_snapshot_05.24_2014.01.05_18.36.33.jp g

Dandy
10-09-2014, 12:59 PM
No real progress to show on Jenny just yet but I'm going to put this here as a self-motivator. I thought I would be progressing on the car last fall but the cool weather window in Florida got away from me. The time however, has allowed my mind to more clearly lock in on my vision for Jenny.

To help with the visualization, I enlisted the Photoshop skills of a fellow MazdaRoadster member (who shall remain nameless in this thread so as not to encourage more requests for help than he may want – but he gets :encouragement: from me). Here is the result:
http://s29.postimg.org/yrfvqqctz/4_Epg_NYm.jpg

There are several small nearly unnoticeable details in this Photoshop that will escape most people but I am keenly aware of them and this has allowed me to make some decisions as to the selection of "final" parts for Jenny as they are very vivid in my mind. My original outline vision for Jenny hasn't really changed; just some of the details and how I've gone about finding the right parts.

One of the most noticeable changes you can make to your roadster is the wheels. I’m very happy with the current Rota RB’s but since Jenny is a very special car, it is only fitting that Jenny have a very special set of shoes. I have a couple of extra sets of wheels, that between them, I hope to put together something unique, period correct, and worthy of Jenny’s gleaming beauty. The wheels won’t be exactly as shown in the Photoshop, but they should be pretty similar. This may not work out exactly how I envision and I may change my mind, but I think I have a plan.

Being an active member of MazdaRoadster has helped me become exposed to some parts that I kind of knew I wanted but didn’t really think I could acquire. Since I lucked out in scoring a genuine M2-1001 fuel lid (http://ameblo.jp/yellowcooper/image-10752548886-10950177981.html) a while back, I have been able to pick up a few more genuine M2 (http://mazdaroadster.net/showthread.php?12-M2-CORP-1001-1002-amp-1028-(NA-owners-a-must-read)&p=14&viewfull=1#post14) bits and a couple of good replica pieces.

As I mentioned earlier in the thread, I put a deposit down on a 2004 1.8 liter Mazdaspeed engine (http://www.flyinmiata.com/V8/qship/index.php?UID=2) that will be turbo’d. I’ve pretty much decided on the Garrett GT2554R water-cooled ball bearing turbocharger (http://turbochargerspecs.blogspot.com/2011/03/garrett-gt25r-gt2554r-60-trim-270-hp.html). Jenny won’t be a complete fire breather but this small turbocharger should be pretty responsive and fit with her intended GT (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grand_tourer) nature. The engine is still sitting in the Flyin’ Miata warehouse but I’ll probably have it shipped to the east coast this winter and have a local installer assist me with the swap and turbo installation.

So, that’s all I have at the moment for my hopefully inspiring self-motivational post. I have some polishing, refinishing, assembly, and installation to do this fall and winter. With luck, Jenny will immerge in the spring a sportier, more refined, and unique roadster.

Here is a little entertainment to help lessen the blow for stopping by my thread with kind of a nothing update:
Jenny Takes A Ride (with famous cars from TV shows!)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=re8sRmji5tI

Hyper
10-11-2014, 03:11 AM
Your car is beautiful, it looks like an old school James Bond's car. Congratulations Dandy!!!

Phatmiata
10-11-2014, 07:10 AM
If you are interested my Panasport wheels and tires are for sale….

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3007/2979422318_847901abfe_z.jpg

Phatmiata
10-11-2014, 07:14 AM
You can also get direct fit M2 Center Caps or Eunos logos for the wheels from our forum sponsor "Club-NA"

http://club-na.jp/Image/Wheel.jpg

theothersawyer
10-11-2014, 07:42 AM
That Photoshop is gorgeous! I looked at it for a good 5 minutes dissecting the little details!

Dandy
10-11-2014, 10:31 AM
Your car is beautiful, it looks like an old school James Bond's car. Congratulations Dandy!!!

Ha, ha . . . you actually read my thread. Thank you, Hyper.


That Photoshop is gorgeous! I looked at it for a good 5 minutes dissecting the little details!

Thanks! Only us car guys can get excited about such minutia. I enlarge the picture and poor over the details every now and then.


If you are interested my Panasport wheels and tires are for sale….

You can also get direct fit M2 Center Caps or Eunos logos for the wheels from our forum sponsor "Club-NA"

Those Panasports are what is in the photoshop but I actually have a couple of sets of SSR/ Watanabes that I hope to clean up and use. They should be unique in their size and offset combination if things go according to plan. Neither set is in perfect condition, so some work will be needed. Vote4pedro scored a nice set of used G7's. He'll create something very cool one of these days, as I know you will as well Phat.

Thanks for the heads up on the center caps. I have a feeling Revlimiter will be able to do something as well when the time comes. It's great to have options. I know the key blanks from Club NA are of great quality.

What size and offset are those G7's again?

OnePaintedMan
10-11-2014, 11:03 AM
Lovely car.

Lots of details in your build are similar to styling cues I've pursued so I'll follow your progress with interest :)

Dandy
10-11-2014, 11:19 AM
OnePaintedMan visited my thread . . . MY THREAD! You sir, have an awesome Roadster.

OnePaintedMan
10-11-2014, 11:38 AM
lol. Thank you.

TBH Ronin is looking rather, er, worn at the moment. The British weather and his age is finally taking its toll. I have started my own odyssey to refurb him from top to bottom (kind of a re-visioning). It will take some time but that is all part of the fun!

Currently adding a Supercharger setup and megasquirt :)

I love the fact that you've started with a clear picture of what you want to achieve in your minds eye. Thats exactly what I did. Don't be suprised if new details get substituted or some things fall by the wayside though. It's a bit like sculpture. The character of the base material you work with will make itself known. . .

That said, I think you are going to end up with a fantastic car with the approach you are taking and the components you have selected :)

atank
10-11-2014, 06:12 PM
Can't wait to see your progress Dandy!!!!

Phatmiata
10-11-2014, 06:58 PM
…...
What size and offset are those G7's again?

Staggered, 15x7.5 front, and 15x8 rear IIRC The member I sold them to never even had a chance to install them, he wants to use his BBS wheels instead, he will most likely sell them on here soon. I don't have money for them as I have to fix the A/C at my house right now, sweating my butt off at home is not fun.

Dandy
10-11-2014, 09:45 PM
Sucks to not have A/C in FL no matter what time of year it is but at least we are starting to get into the cooler months now. I'm going to "try" not to get distracted by other wheels right now as I think I have a plan. I should really test fit what I do have before I start lusting after something else. I need to organize my storage unit but I probably could hold another set of wheels if needed.

Phatmiata
01-06-2015, 09:16 AM
what's up with this project!! give me some inspiration!

Dandy
01-06-2015, 01:30 PM
what's up with this project!! give me some inspiration!

More than inspiration, you need a good financial adviser to assist you with all the cash you are freeing up from letting go of some your roadster inventory.:lol:

I'll definitely post here when I have some real progress to share. I'm still in parts hoarding phase. It's so much easier to find time to shop and have parts delivered than it is to find the time and motivation to actually roll up the sleeves and "build."

atank
01-06-2015, 01:33 PM
:popcorn:

http://likecool.com/Gear/Pic/Pop%20corn%20hoodie/Pop-corn-hoodie.jpg

Phatmiata
01-06-2015, 06:12 PM
I was planning to swap in a 1.8L into my car, then add FM2 and just put one of the spare MSM Turbo valve covers on the car I have laying about. But since you are doing the full swap I am interested to see how you are planning to do this, and what all is involved. There is also a spare MSM motor near my house so I could go the same route as you but wanted to see how yours comes out before I shell out $2k for an MSM Motor.

Dandy
01-07-2015, 09:19 AM
There is really no material difference with the MSM motor from other 1.8 engines. The main difference is in the MSM turbo and the exhaust fitment. There is some fabrication involved if you try to use the MSM turbo. I was convinced that cost-wise and performance-wise it was not worth it to try and make the MSM turbo fit. I will be going with FM and the GT2554R small turbo option. The exact device for engine management is yet to be determined.

I'll take a look at my parts list for the swap and probably come back and edit this post with the details.

MLambert19
12-02-2015, 11:43 PM
Did Jenny go to Colorado? Or is there another brilliant individual out there sticking an MSM motor into a '93LE?

https://www.flyinmiata.com/projects/current_projects.php?UID=1422

Phatmiata
12-03-2015, 12:22 AM
Did Jenny go to Colorado? Or is there another brilliant individual out there sticking an MSM motor into a '93LE?

https://www.flyinmiata.com/projects/current_projects.php?UID=1422

No, not Dandy's Miata but the owner IS on our forum. :whistle:

http://mazdaroadster.net/showthread.php?12264-New-to-MR-Hi-all!