Jazz

[speedypenguin]

(sighs) That is one sexy shot of a Black NA on track!

Do have a question though. For track days do you wish the rear window wasn't tinted. Reason for the question is I have juggled the thought of Noir's getting tinted. But thought that might interfere with track runs with vision and quick point-bys.

Still one of my inspiration build threads!

Thanks Rick. I haven't found the dark tint to be an issue at the track. I use a broadway wide angle mirror, so I can look back with a good visibility range. I originally got the dark tint because it gets really hot during the summer, and the dark tint makes a significant difference. But I have been contemplating going with a lighter tint for a little more visibility and to show a roll bar more clearly (I'd like to get a new roll bar in the future)

[NCGreasemonkey]

Go psycho like me.



Love your Jazz!

[Greasemonkey2000]

Those are some great shots from Laguna Seca! I think the r888s are really rad looking as well!

[speedypenguin]

Until recently, Jazz was using a set of Bellof low-profile headlights. The Bellofs are my favorite low-pros for the NA Roadsters, but since I have owned them, each side's pivot arm has broken three times. Each! The last straw was right before heading to MRLS, the driver side Bellow pivot arm broke while I was driving home from work. (Luckily, one of the OEM arms I had "worked", so I was able to drive down to MRLS with functioning headlights). But I wanted to change the headlights...what to change to?

I had been considering going to Jetstream fixed headlights for a long time. I wanted the front end of the Roadster to be sleeker and more aggressive, but the thing holding me back for the longest time was cutting into the RS Aizawa bumper. The combination of me wanting to change the look of the front of the car, and the Bellofs being "problematic", I committed myself to the front end refresh.

Received my Jetstream headlights. Thanks Rod (Tetsuya Garage) for getting them to me.


Took the bumper off, and came up with the template to cut the bumper, and the three pieces of the bumper support.


RS Aizawa bumper is cut! No going back. (I did save the pieces I cut...in the case I'd want to re-fiberglass the bumper together...you never know)


I'm liking what I see...


Headlights installed (in this pic, I had used the supplied screws. I have since replaced the screws with bolts and nuts.)


The new look. I like it...


Headlights on. This picture makes the light seem yellow, but I went with bulbs that have a whiter output, which is a huge upgrade over the Bellofs, and even over the OEM headlights. Comparable with an H4 retrofit.


I haven't had a chance to drive Jazz since the headlight conversion, but I really like the new look. The Jetstream headlights are very nice quality. Fitment overall is pretty good, just that my car isn't perfect. I do have to relocate the coolant overflow tank and replace my Moroso tank with something lower profile (and most likely smaller). I hope to find a new solution soon.

[mx54life]

Compliments the front facia well Brian.

But no more pop-ups? :-(

[benpopham]

I love it!

[oldgrayleather]

Brave move cutting the RSA but totally worth it IMO. What a stunning result!

[— Hammerhead —]

Looks great! I flirted with buying the JetStreams last year, but like you I was reluctant to cut into my J-Wing bumper. Your car makes me want to rethink it.

[★ revlimiter ★]

Those lights have such a Lamborghini Miura look to them. I love them. Well done sir!

I truly wish the light output on the Moss lights wasn't as bright. I would have likely upgraded to these when they came out. I lust after every pic I see.

[etikoner]

I'd love if you went with the plexiglass cover that stretches across the lights. Definitely echoing other's comments re Bellloffs vs Jet Streams, I do like how they look on your Jazz!

[Hyper]

The car looks amazing well done!!!

[NCGreasemonkey]

That is one sexy set of eyes she has!

Let us know about the night driving when you can.

[druz]

The Jetstreams look great on black. I've been trying to figure out a nice coolant reservoir solution also. I'll be interested to see what you come up with.

[speedypenguin]

It's been about a month since Jazz has had the Jetstream headlights. Within that time, I've driven Jazz maybe 100 miles? Probably closer to 120 miles, but anyways! Because of the Jetstream headlight conversion, I had to remove the Moroso coolant overflow tank because the Moroso tank wouldn't allow the headlight to be plugged in. And driving without a tank? It isn't responsible to let the water/coolant drip on the ground...so Jazz has sat in the garage most of the time.

I was looking at different "universal" coolant tanks, but none of the tanks I saw had the dimensions needed to fit within the space. Luckily, Garagestar announced within the last couple weeks the Circuit Sports coolant tank for NA Miatas. I looked at several of the pictures, and it appeared that the CS tank would fit...so I placed an order.

Verdict: Yes! The Circuit Sports tank does fit with Jetstream headlights. The overall construction of the CS tank is good: welds are nice and I like both the knurled cap and the sight-line(?) of the tank level (which the Moroso tank did not have). I do find it odd that the hose barb is at the bottom of the tank, but that's a minor aspect.

[speedypenguin]

I have driven during nighttime within the last month, and the JS headlight output is much better than my old Bellofs were. But compared with OEM headlights, the Jetstreams are better than the sealed beams, but in my opinion, an H4 conversion is better. I went with a pair of Phillips "9003 CrystalVisionUltra Upgrade Headlight Bulbs". (The Phillips bulb create a blue tint within the housing)

The Jetstream's housings are pretty recessed within the headlight body, so some of the light output that normally angles towards the ground doesn't make it to the ground. Also, the housings are for RHD, with the cutoffs angling upwards to the left. But nonetheless, I'm happy with the light output upgrade.