Raleigh Area Miata club

[tsingson]

If you find somewhere before I do let me know lol. I have just really never had anything that I worried to much over having the seats and such reupholstered in before, but I plan on keeping my miata for a very long time life permitting.

I am actually looking at buying a used cloth seat with no tears. Just haven't had any time to do so.


We could always do pilot mountain in a day trip, the roads there are pretty nice an it's super close compared to the actual mountains.

Plan it up Jen. Throw out some ideas on when and how.

[toms96mx5]

I am actually looking at buying a used cloth seat with no tears. Just haven't had any time to do so.



Plan it up Jen. Throw out some ideas on when and how.

I vote sometime after the first of the yr, Kids will bankrupt you around Christmas lol. On the seats, if I can find a decent used tan leather seat or seats for my car then I would go for it, I am sure cloth is much cooler in the sun. Tan leather is not to bad, I don't see how people do it with black leather in the summer Carolina sun with the top down.

[tsingson]

I have found numerous tan leather seats for a decent price. It's the black cloth in good condition that I am having trouble finding without paying an arm and a leg.

[toms96mx5]

seems like everytime I come across a set lately it has been a perfect passenger seat and a torn up drivers seat. I need to go wander a few of the junkyards up around me and see what they got sometime soon, I need to find a few interior pieces for my truck too.

[toms96mx5]

Although I have not been looking particularly hard lately because I know I will not have the extra coin til after christmas.

[davidg]

Anyone know any good upholstery shops around the Raleigh area that doesn't charge an insane amount of money to redo a seat? I need to get my drivers seat recovered at the very least, been debating between taking it somewhere to get it done or buying a katzskin seat recovering set and doing it myself. I have a friend that has a mustang and the katzskins have been great on his stang. Unless some one happens to have a decent shape tan leather NA driver seat sitting around they want to get rid of lol.

You may want to check with Tony Harrison on Hwy 98. He has a great garage and upholstery business right there. He may be able to do what you need. He does great work either way.

[toms96mx5]

You may want to check with Tony Harrison on Hwy 98. He has a great garage and upholstery business right there. He may be able to do what you need. He does great work either way.

I will keep that in mind. Is he on 98 in wakeforest?

[Bummer]

We could always do pilot mountain in a day trip, the roads there are pretty nice an it's super close compared to the actual mountains.

If you get to that area, it's worth it to go the extra few miles and run Squirrel Spur and Orchard Gap. (http://goo.gl/maps/N9ps3)

[JLBMX5]

Toms96mx5. If you can between now and Saturday would you post pics of what you need repaired. I am going to a Christmas party Saturday and the guys house I am going to restores cars from the ground up. right now he is working on a convertable camero. The person that is doing his interior is renting a room in his basement. I have seen his work and looks very professional. He told me that he is always looking for extra work. So if you can get some detailed pics I am sure he can give an honest price.especially if its a repair job.

[toms96mx5]

Toms96mx5. If you can between now and Saturday would you post pics of what you need repaired. I am going to a Christmas party Saturday and the guys house I am going to restores cars from the ground up. right now he is working on a convertable camero. The person that is doing his interior is renting a room in his basement. I have seen his work and looks very professional. He told me that he is always looking for extra work. So if you can get some detailed pics I am sure he can give an honest price.especially if its a repair job.
I will see if I can get some thursday before I go to work, I work the whole time the sun is up tomorrow so it would be hard to get a good pic. The bottom of the drivers seat really needs to be completely recovered, I think some one got in a habit of kneeing the seat to pull the top up. I will get pics up by 12 or thursday unless something comes up.

[davidg]

I will keep that in mind. Is he on 98 in wakeforest?

Yes - 3532 Durham Rd (Hwy98) ‎(919) 847-4771

Going west on Hwy 98 from U.S. 1, a couple of miles before Six Forks Rd. intersection if you're coming from Franklinton.

Can't say enough good things about them.

[kung fu jesus]

Made it to and back from FL! Thanks to Tony for watching my spread!

The Lexus is a roadtrip champ, so comfortable but still fun to drive. Not that great on fuel economy but buttery smooth power and quiet. The car powered through that heavy rain last week like it wasn't there. 9 hours in the saddle each way and I never felt cramped or uncomfortable. i think it is way better than the Pilot we used to own.

I don't have any upholstery sources here in the triangle. Besides the ones mentioned in pre ious posts, I would suggest going to a car show where classic cars, customs and hotrods go to. Chat up the owners and ask them where they had their work done, usually they are pretty forthcoming with that info if you show some interest in their car.

[TimTim]

KFJ, The Lexus is an IS300 right?

Also, I mentioned at our last meet how bad my mileage has been (as low as 20 MPG) and this past weekend I figured out why. I pulled my No.1 spark plug to find it gapped at 56; factory spec is 40-43. Then I pull No.2, 3, and 4. ALL of which had glorious amounts of motor oil pooled in and around them along with +10 gap; Fantastic! So new valve cover gasket, iridium plugs, and some dielectric (Sp?) grease and Im rocking 30 mpg at pretty high cruising speeds. And those GF Goodrich G-Forces? A little heavy but totally awesome. I pulled the color from the pic so you can see how beefy the tread is and the side wall seems almost as stiff as a run flat or heavy duty tire. Plus, the 195 size I have when mounted appears visually wider than the 205 Ecsta Ast All-Seasons on our 97 with 15x6.5" Wheels, my blue car is still rocking the OE 2000 5-spokes. Apples and Oranges comparison sure, but having a size reference can be helpful when shopping or if uncertain about clearances when running non-stock sizes or offsets.

10276

[tsingson]

Tim, what was your outcome with your seats?

[kung fu jesus]

Tim, yeah, it is an IS300 sportcross.

That is pretty crazy about the plugs on your car! We had the previous version of the G-force on the 10ae out in Cali. Long lasting tire, great for all-purpose usage. Something tire manufacturers sometimes do is 'cheat' the tire width. Usually I go to the manufacturer's site to see the size specs. Some 195 tires are really closer to 205. They will sometimes do that for popular sizes used in competitions were cars are limited by wheel and tire sizes, like autocross. BFGoodrich is a value brand of Michelin.

[tsingson]

My old NB is up for sale!

http://raleigh.craigslist.org/cto/4239477413.html

I was trying to get in touch with him before getting my current NB. He barely put any miles on it from when I sold it to him. I wish I had the money to grab this and sell my current NB.

[JLBMX5]

Tonight my wife asked me what I wanted for Christmas with a very small amount of money to spend in mind. so I did not show her the FM voodoo 2 turbo kit I want. I have been looking at eclipse lovered ac vents on eBay. I was able to find three in California for 25.00 shipped and one here in NC for 7.50 shipped so I will be installing them in the Miata shortly after Christmas and maybe next year she can buy me that turbo lol.

[kung fu jesus]

Festivus came early! Was expecting coal, wife bought me a HDHCDD with harness tabs! YAY! Now If the weather warms, I can install it and track the car next season!

[JLBMX5]

Festivus came early! Was expecting coal, wife bought me a HDHCDD with harness tabs! YAY! Now If the weather warms, I can install it and track the car next season!
Good luck waiting for that good weather. I have rollbar sitting in my storage building waiting to be installed as well.

[kung fu jesus]

This one will be my 8th or 9th rollbar install. Just need to get the drillbit and check my assortment of dremel bits.

[Demon I Am]

I have to long drill bit, if you need it

[JLBMX5]

What size and length drill bit is needed. I need to purchase it.

[tsingson]

That reminds me. I have to get a few metal cutting discs. I used one when I was installing the fog lights.

[kung fu jesus]

Drillbit is 3/8" IIRC, the longest you can buy, the better. I bought one for Garage Woolery tech days and a nice drill to share. I think the bit I left in the drill case there was 10-12" long. Primarily the length is for reach, drilling the holes in the sheet metal at the rearward legs of the rollbar. It punches through pretty easily.

[Demon I Am]

If anyone needs it to borrow my 12" to get the job done, let me know ;)

[kung fu jesus]

If anyone needs it to borrow my 12" to get the job done, let me know ;)


http://www.hiyoooo.com/

[kung fu jesus]

In a pinch, I have used a rod to punch the drill locations from above then used a regular drill bit from underneath.

[Martin]

If anyone needs it to borrow my 12" to get the job done, let me know ;)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6nSKkwzwdW4

[tsingson]

If anyone needs it to borrow my 12" to get the job done, let me know ;)

Everybody is rolling on 26s nowadays.......

[kung fu jesus]

Anyone need tires for a DD? I may have a set of Michelin 205-55-15s laying around. It's a plus zero for cars on a 195-60-15. Willing to let em go cheap to a good cause.

[kung fu jesus]

I am going for a drive today.

[MazRoadAdmin]

1. Why is this thread in the recycle bin?
2. Why are you still posting to it as if it isn't?

:teehee:

[kung fu jesus]

Accidentally moved it in Tapatalk. :teehee:

[tsingson]

Is there Cars and Coffee this weekend?

[kung fu jesus]

I suspect there is.

Still looking for a hardtop nearby, sub $1k.

[tsingson]

Anyone attending?

[kung fu jesus]

I have a guest coming in tonight, I am probably out.

[Demon I Am]

More shit I can't do. Wheee :D

[tsingson]

Well, I don't think I will be doing it as well. I may hit up Sonic tonight and grab some food. Do they still meet up there on Friday nights?

[Demon I Am]

Sonic is pretty much dead, from the last time I went. Supposedly that group moved out to Triangle Town Center, somewhere. Gonna be frosty tonight

[tsingson]

I was just going to grab some food.

[Demon I Am]

I might be able to meet you out there depending on what time you were thinking.

[tsingson]

I was hoping to see if anyone was there. But maybe I can go somewhere else?

[Pyr0monk3y]

I'll be at cars and coffee. gonna be cold...

[tsingson]

What time does it start?

[TimTim]

Im in town this weekend and considering coffee and cars. If I can meet you guys there, I will be on the early side between 7 and 9. I have an appointment with the lady to check out some vehicles at a place out in Morrisville at 10.

[tsingson]

Is it the dealership on chapel Hill Road/54? That's like right down the road from where I live.

[Pyr0monk3y]

I'll show up around 8-9, the early risers get there at 7

[TimTim]

Is it the dealership on chapel Hill Road/54? That's like right down the road from where I live.

No, private listing from Craigslist and at the moment down in garner/Clayton area

[JLBMX5]

10 to 15 minutes from my house.

[TimTim]

Anyone have feedback on c&c? And JLB, it would have been a great impromptu meet but my gf was keeping me busy looking up nada and nb values and carfaxes (and the equifax equivalents). We probably checked out 6 foresters today, a passport, cx7, tiguan, outback. I have quite a few numbers flying around my head. If anyone has subaru ownership experience please share. And turbo models are out of the equation and probably for the better, I wouldn't doing her any favors picking up an accessport and flashing a 2.5T forester haha

[Pyr0monk3y]

C&C was cold but pretty good. There was a Mercedes SLS black edition, several new corvettes, a midget that was caged and v8 swapped, and 4 FD rx7's, all of them LS swapped.

All the challengers parked like this:

http://i.imgur.com/wZdaUBu.jpg

Some teenagers acted like teenagers with their moms car:

http://i.imgur.com/9NMRbVu.jpg

And someone snapped a photo of me leaving:

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3671/11759079053_43e1c5a768.jpg

[TimTim]

Anyone interested in a tech day in the coming weeks? Window guides are on the way and that racing beat front sway is sitting around just stinking up the place. If nothing else I will chronicle my frustrations of replacing my window regulators.

[tsingson]

I'm out next weekend. I will be in VA for a couple of days.

Oh and no need for your seat anymore. I found a really nice one in the junkyard.

[TimTim]

Congrats on the find! What model year is the seat from?

[tsingson]

99. I am going after the passenger seat today after work. I did the foamectomy on the drivers one yesterday. Feels better. I don't sit so high.

[kung fu jesus]

I was surprised at the condition of the seat for a '99 tan. Most look very worn and cracked by this time. Looks like someone took good care of that car until it wrecked.

[tsingson]

Yeah, me too. If I find some black cloth seats later or you decide to sell me yours, I will put these up for sale as well.

[TimTim]

I'm seriously considering pulling foam from mine, maybe one day this week after work. Did you slice the bottom portion or carve from the top?

[tsingson]

Always from the bottom with me. I didn't want the top to look funny. When do you head back to Winston-Salem?

[kung fu jesus]

Anthony is correct, the bottom is the place to start. Try to cut it in one or large pieces. you can easily glue it back in if you decide it doesn't suit you.

The ones I modified, I did extensive reshaping and a little layering. I did this because I have a bit of experience developing upholstery for seating. It's messy (dusty), but I know how the shapes should be and had different densities of foam handy at the time.

Lopping off the bottom is easiest with an electric carving knife, like you would use for a roast or turkey. You *could* use a box knife but you have to make a lot of cuts, like skinning an animal or filleting a fish and pulling the foam back as you cut doesn't give you a very level result if you rush it.

[tsingson]

If you aren't heading back to Winston Salem until later tonight, you could swing by my place and we can do it real quick. Let me know. I just have to head out to the junkyard right after work to grab that seat and then I will be heading home.

Steven, have you heard of anyone taking material off at the front part of the seat? I was thinking of giving that a try as well at the bottom to bring my legs away from the steering wheel.

[kung fu jesus]

The miata seats are short in the bottom, so getting a little technical...you have to consider your poplieteal length (the length of your legs from the hip to your knees). If the seat is supporting under your thighs and creating pressure points, it gets uncomfortable really quick and starts to affect your circulation to your lower legs. I generally leave the length alone.

[tsingson]

I guess I was referring to removing material from under the front of the seat, similar to what I did with the hump. I would be keeping the same length but taking it down in height.

[kung fu jesus]

What size is your steering wheel?

[tsingson]

Factory size. I have no idea what the size is. I would use the wooden Grant one but I am having trouble getting the horn to work properly. I need a better hub.

[kung fu jesus]

what is your inseam?

[tsingson]

32, but probably closer to 30 if being extremely accurate.

[JLBMX5]

I cut the top part out of my seat. Not uncomfortable at all I'm interest in seeing a seat with lower part cut out. I might have to mine apart again to cut some out of bottom as well to make it even lower.

[Pyr0monk3y]

I cut the bottom and the top of my seat. I cut the hump off of the bottom and a 1" deep 6x6 area out of the top. Everyone who has sat in it says it is more comfortable than stock. The cloth is a little loose but that was the least of my worries.

[tsingson]

Well, I picked up the passenger side seat. I am just glad that I have a decent seat on the drivers side. When I go to replace them with cloth ones, I will put these up for sale. I just need to get a good leather cleaner.