My MSM That I Randomly Throw Parts At

[drsourmonkey]

Hello MR.net! Long-time lurker on all of the miata forums, signed up just to buy stuff, but now I feel like I should contribute some content. Seems like forums as a whole are dying, but I'm glad to see this one hasn't been bought out by a face-less company.

Anyway, CONTENT:

I always wanted a miata, and was overjoyed when I was offered a free non-running automatic NA.



The cheap parts, and deception of "the base was free, so I can do anything!" quickly spiraled out of control into this.



ITB's, ridiculousness, and very fun.



Unfortunately (or fortunately?) my actual goals with the car weren't feasible at the time (or rather, I didn't want to dump more time and money into the car) so I sold it after picking this up:



Living in CA means I need to be "aware" of SMOG laws and modifications. Big power (or any power, really) needs to be compliant. Having a factory turbo car would mean I already have the power, I'll just transfer over the suspension stuff, and have a simple, fun, reliable car!



So stock! The car wasn't without its issues though- mainly this annoying chirp on startup which was a broken exhaust manifold stud. Thought I'd address the issues (manifold, radiator, fix cracked pass mirror) and drive it around happily.



As we all know, the "I'll just do a little bit..." thing never lasts.



This happened about two weeks later.



Got an innovate SCG-1. This has a WB, Boost gauge, and EBC all in one. Seemed like a great idea, but the algorithm for boost control is kind of shit. Also the data logging is woefully slow and unreliable.



Upped the boost, got a catted downpipe and fixed the tiny issues.

[drsourmonkey]

Drove it around for a bit after transferring the suspension from the other car.



Polished the headlights.



Clean!



Cruised around in the car for a bit.



Bought a roll bar, because I'm afraid of rolling over.



Cut some things to fit...



an intercooler.



Did a road trip! Also it looks like I got wheels. Don't remember when I got them.



Drove it around a bit more while adding some other junk.





Ripped the motor mounts, and put in the AWR's that I had left over from the NA.



Drove it around some more. Got the bumper fixed, mirror painted, tiny tupperware installed, and painted the hardtop.



Got different wheels.



Random garage pic.



Hit something on the freeway.



Bought an old 320mm thick grip prototipo that's in bad shape.



Parked it for a while to play with other cars and came back to a mouse nest in my car.



Started getting bored with the garbage stock ecu power delivery, did all of the ghetto band-aid hacks, swapped a bunch of things, but ultimately settled on the OMGWHYWOULDYOUDOTHAT Begi reflash. It fits my needs.



Bumped up the revlimit so I decided the ugly oem gauges need to be dealt with.



I figured if I had it indicated at 7000 (soft limit is 7500) I wouldn't be tempted to spin it that high.



Discovered the amazing instant gratification of interior mods.



Waited about 9 months for an enthuza catback. It's the XR. I hate it.



Spool was definitely improved with the 2.5" piping though. The sound is too loud. I then set out on a quest to make the car quieter.



I also got these because it was raining a lot. I put them on too far back so the water still trickles down onto my leg



Got fancy!



Red LED.



Got fender braces.

[drsourmonkey]

Got delrin suspension bushings with bronze bearings.



Wrapped the center trim in black glossy vinyl because the MSM fake CF pattern looks stupid.



Got gas.



Cleaned up and remembered I had this, so I threw it in.



Got GV Tails with the REV9 LED's.



See how it's going that nostalgic-ish direction?



Then this happened. Three reasons:

1. I hated being the guy that used to have an ITB miata.
2. I thought changing the intake side might help with the volume of the exhaust, or at least change the resonance. It just made everything louder.
3. Someone on the internet said ITB+Turbo would be terrible and I wanted to prove them wrong.

So there's a quick, incomplete, and out-of-order recap of the car thus far! I've done a bunch of other stuff that I didn't take pictures of (door bars, frame rails, sound deadening, hybrid boost control (EBC+MBC, it would work if the SCG-1 wasn't a piece of shit), radio install, etc.

I will eventually update with video of the car. And more pictures. Maybe.

[— Agent☣Orange —]

A few repeat photos but thanks for the awesome eye-candy intro!

[Greasemonkey2000]

Really great looking MSM! The IRTB's are really cool but using them with FI is always that much better! Look forward to seeing your progress!

[HarryB]

Coolest first posts ever? Love all the details of the car, from the turbo ITB to the wheels, gauge panel and tail lights.

[—tsingson—]

This looks great. Norcal? Looks like the Yay Area.

[drsourmonkey]

Thanks everyone! The car is definitely coming along, but there's always something to do/change/break.

Yup, in SF!

[Paul B]

Awesome stuff happening with this car!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[— Agent☣Orange —]

Beautiful yata and great job polishing the headlight.