Just another silver NB....

[MaRcOp01o]

Clear/Amber combo is the way to go! It gives you that cool orange reflection against the clear.

[—tsingson—]

So here is another shot of the clears in a slightly darker setting:



My solution to my broken dipstick handle arrived. Of course, I didn't hesitate to install it.

Broken:



Solution:



Fixed:







Also got the R-Speed valve cover bolts installed:





I think it turned out pretty good. Cleaner than it was before.

Oh and if you didn't check it out on the Walk us through your miata thread:

[—tsingson—]

So I have been wanting to upgrade my speakers to components to get some better sound. I finally did so. I ended up picking up some Focal Flax 6.5 component speakers.





Nominally, they need about 65-70 watts of power which my amp can handle easily. So I was able to install the tweeters into the stock location.



I stripped off the old OEM vapor barrier and replaced it with one that I cut out from a lightweight shower curtain. I didn't grab any pics but it turned out great and only ran me $4 from Walmart.

I also ended up having to make an adapter to fit the speaker since the hole is very close to an 8" hole. I made this out a PVC board my neighbor had used.



I added some sound deadener in the doors that I picked up from Best Buy. The brand was Ballistic. I only put them on the inside of the door and I have a lot left so I will be pulling the seats and carpet and running some more in the interior of the car. But after putting the car back together and going out for a test drive, the sound quality of the speakers were amazing. The mid range bass and the crispness of the highs are awesome. The last thing that I may replace is the headunit but not because the current one can't provide good sound quality but more because of lack of other features that I am looking at (example: lack of android auto).

[—tsingson—]

So I finally did it. I found a radio I like and that was a good price. Kenwood DDX-99705S. It was an open box so it was on a deep discount. Nothing was missing. Looks like it may have been a display item. Either way, ~$200 off regular price is to me a great deal. I installed it with no real problems other than the NBs have a slight gap on the sides when installing a double din radio. Pioneer had an install kit for their double dins years ago that was made for the NB although it was never marketed for it. The only reason I knew that it was "made" for the NB was how the kit was setup and the drawing on their instructions showed an NB dash. But anyways, here are the pictures of the finished product. No install pictures because I was drenched in sweat and just wanted to finish the installation.





It has wireless Android Auto, which is what I was looking for in the first place. Touch screen, DVD player, Angle adjustment. Typical double din touch screen features. Stereo is now complete on the car. I had also used up the rest of my sound deadener on the trunk area. On the trunk itself, it is super solid now. When you knock on it, there is a noticeable difference. I also lined the spare tire well with it. I ended up seeing the foam idea that Steven was doing with his NB1 and I figured what the hell. So I stuffed the tunnels with foam squares similar to what Steven did except I kind of went overboard. Took it for a test drive and it was an amazing difference. You can still hear a bit of the exhaust but it has been drastically reduced.

Now I just need to sell the old JVC headunit to clear out my garage...

[— kung fu jesus —]

We are running on parallel builds here. I have been wanting to moe to a 2x DIN but with Carplay and a mount/charger in the center console storage box.

How are the controls? I like a physical volume knob for tactile controls, but I know we exchanged messages about some of the newer units having gesture controls.

Is this unit's screen capacitive?

I didn't know about the gaps on the installation either.

[—tsingson—]

We are running on parallel builds here.

Your car has a way better driver.

How are the controls? I like a physical volume knob for tactile controls, but I know we exchanged messages about some of the newer units having gesture controls.

Is this unit's screen capacitive?

So I don't know too much about the radio as it was an impulse buy but it looks like it is a capactive touch screen. It's measured at 6.95" so just under the 7". It does support Carplay but I am not sure if it does wireless Carplay. Controls are pretty good and the volume control are buttons. I typically like the volume knob but I can deal with the buttons.

I didn't know about the gaps on the installation either.

Most people don't worry about it. I have experience from my previous NB where I knew Pioneer had a solution. I ordered the install kit for the NB from Pioneer. It's the ADT-VA300. Here is a link to the instructions where you can see the NB dash.

https://pdf.crutchfieldonline.com/Im...130ADTV133.PDF

I ordered it directly from Pioneer. They had it in stock and it was cheaper and shipped faster than one I found on Amazon.

https://www.pioneerelectronics.com/P...ents/ADT-VA133

I couldn't find my old version but it's cool. The money I saved on the radio is enough for me to be ok with ordering this.

[—tsingson—]

So I did some more driving after all of the deadener was installed along with the foam idea that Steven had and on the freeway at 70mph (my NB is just under 4k RPMs), I muted the radio and I was able to converse with my daughter at a normal voice level. I downloaded a decibel meter like Steven because now I am curious as to what it reads. I will report when I get the results.

I have been looking for a shift knob for my car but have been very picky. I didn't want to spend ridiculous amounts but also didn't want to get a universal AutoZone one. I found a Tomei Duracon tall shift knob that I liked so I ordered it. It arrived and it felt very nice in hand.





Here it is installed:







Sorry for some of the lighting in the pics. Sun was shining through. But it feels cool to the touch and had a little more weight to it than stock. You can see the height difference next to the stock shift knob in the last picture. All in all, a good purchase for me. I think I will upgrade the shift pattern indicator with one of Adam's cool pieces but I want to make a bulk order so I will be shopping his store for other items.

[MaRcOp01o]

I had a Tomei Duracon on my NA8 with a brass bushing and shifter rebuild I really grew to like it a ton!

[—tsingson—]

Yeah. With the Miataroadster shifter, it definitely feels good. I haven't had a chance to drive it yet so I won't super gush about it yet......

[— kung fu jesus —]

I’ve been trying to find a white delrin or nylon shifter in a similar shape as the stock one, but am also having a tough time finding one.

[—tsingson—]

The Duracon shifter is very similar to a delrin material. Might be something to look into. Not very expensive either.

[—tsingson—]

So I just hit the freeway and tried out the decibel meter. At 70 and 80 mph, I got around 80dbs. Not sure how accurate it is but it really is quiet inside now. Even the wife was impressed.

[— kung fu jesus —]

That is probably accurate. The carpet in my car is considerably thicker than OEM and so is the padding. I can’t remember what midpipe and exhaust you are currently running.

[—tsingson—]

Stock midpipe, MSM rear section, 01 Header, "Crusher" AEM Intake.

[HarryB]

Out of curiosity, do you remember the inner diameter of the MSM exhaust?