Jazz

[speedypenguin]

Update for Jazz. Since the last update, the NB was converted back to stock, and sold to another enthusiast. I also sold my Subaru wagon, because I ended up picking the following as my new "daily":



Audi B5 S4 Avant. I am a wagon guy, and wanted to pick something up with boost. This will be my first venture into working on a Euro car...already bracing myself for the expenses if I am to modify it...but as it is, it's a comfortable, and brisk cruiser. Plus, my corgi really likes it, since he sits closer to me now than he did in the Subaru.

Anyways! An interior update for Jazz. I acquired an AWD cluster with RS Define Rings. I'm grateful to have one of AWD-san's pieces, as it is a truly a piece of art. I also added a set of Checkered JDM floormats (I had originally bought these for my old red NA), changed to a black 330mm Nardi wheel with Club-NA horn button, and swapped my old Recaro and OEM passenger seat for a pair of Lotus seats (which were briefly in my old 10AE).

[JamieH]

Really starting to lean towards a set of Sterlings with Jazz's 6 o'clock rotation.

That cluster is looking great.

[speedypenguin]

So...on a sidenote, the Audi didn't work out. Too many problems came up with the car...and I want to focus more on Jazz in the coming months, so the Audi was sold (to an S4 owner, so it went to a good home).

But it's okay, because all my focus with be on Jazz now. Several things have happened since the last update. First, I acquired a Megasquire PnP V2 from a friend, so eventually...Jazz will get the MS installed. I remember driving my friend's '94NA with the MS, and was amazed how much "beefier" his car pulled compared with Jazz. Looking forward to diving into learning how to tune a car. Second, the passenger side Bellof headlight bracket...sheared. I remember hearing a loud snap, then the passenger headlight fell down...It's a known problem with the Bellof brackets (the driver side was broken when I received the Bellofs awhile back). Luckily, the bracket didn't shear in the splined hole that sits over the headlight motor gear(?), so I was able to bring it back to the same shop that welded the driver side bracket awhile ago. The driver side bracket has held since it was repaired, so hopefully the passenger side will hold up as well. Third, I installed a set of Zoom Wide Angle Viatloni mirrors for my M2-1028 style mirros. Holy crap, having wide angle glass makes a huge difference, because I can actually see entire cars, rather than just a portion of a car. Finally, I acquired a set of Jetstream TSIs (thanks Bo). I'm very excited to have finally acquired my own pair of Jetstream TSIs.

Megasquire PnP V2


Jetstream TSIs, with Nissan sidemarkers. These are the black gel coat version, and conveniently, it matches Jazz' paint pretty well.


Close-up (not the best pic...)


Jetstream TSIs compared with Jazz' old TSIs. (my DIY paint job had definitely seen better days...they will be going on a friend's black NA)


Old TSI setup


Old TSI on the left, new Jetstream TSI on the right


Both Jetstream TSIs in.


With the Bellofs up.


With the Bellofs on and the TSIs on (I'll take a better pic when I take Jazz outside some time soon)

[MightyM]

Those TSI's look sweet! Nice work.

[bogaut]

looks real good. lemme know when you want that passenger side zoom headlight lid ;)

[mx54life]

What is your street settings on the Tein Street Flex? I've been playing the entire day today and I can't seem to find a good compromise numbers.

[speedypenguin]

Holy cow, didn't realize it's been almost a year since my last update. ...not a comprehensive update. But! Jazz got featured in RadRoadsters recently: http://radroadsters.net/brian-na/

Here are some pics that Garagestar took. Thanks Kenjo for the photos, and Stuart for the write-up!

[BRGNA8]

So cool!

[NCGreasemonkey]

One of my inspiration Miatas! Sorry, but you haven't posted and Ben is the wallpaper now.

[Greasemonkey2000]

Congrats on the Rad Roadsters feature, Brian!

Definitely a beautiful roadster that you have created with plenty of quality parts yet still subtle enough to be 'under the radar' to the average road goer.

[speedypenguin]

Quick update! Miatas at MRLS was this past weekend, and Jazz took part of the Hot Laps sessions on Saturday. It was our first track day event in almost two years, and it was a fun time. There were a surprisingly amount of boosted cars within my group, but it was fun chasing the boosted cars down in the corners. Going to start planning some mechanical upgrades to make Jazz go faster for next year's event.

Jazz did get some new parts in preparation for MRLS this year. I installed a 4.3 Torsen II diff, Toyo R888s (which are awesome tires, and give the Watanabes the square, meaty look I wanted), TDR heat blanket, and new spark plugs and wires.

Here are some pictures of my time at MRLS on Saturday:

Jazz and my friend's NA arrived early in the morning.


Saw the new RF! Great looking car.




Millionth Miata signing.




Signing the Millionth Miata!


My friend got a BOLT in his tire...bad luck.




One of my favorite cars that I saw. Satisaii's car.


Jazz looking very happy after a successful track day. The R888s provided a lot of grip, it was really fun cornering hard and trying our best to maintain momentum through and out of the corners at MRLS.

[etikoner]

R888's get slack for not being the best tire, but damn do they look badass on your car in conjunction with those watts.

[speedypenguin]

I liked how the R888's performed at Laguna Seca. I don't have enough track time to say whether the R888 or NT01 is better, but at least for street driving, the R888 is more livable. The NT01s howled...

But yes Erick, I too like how the R888s look. The NT01 sidewalls were a bit "balloony", the R888s are square, filling out the flares a bit more. I like how Jazz handles now, but I might try lowering the suspension a tad more to reduce the gap between the rear fender flares and the wheels/tires.

[speedypenguin]

Couple photos from the Miatas at MRLS track day!

[NCGreasemonkey]

(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!