Work-in-progress: my 1999 Miata

[slugg]

I prefer the 2001 AE edition blue out of them all.

I like all the blues. I probably like Winning Blue the best, followed by Montego Blue (really similar), then the 10AE blue, then the twighlight blue (mine). I'm making it sound like I don't like my color, which is totally not true, I just think all the blues are awesome on the car

I do need some work on my transmission though. Gonna try the cheap stuff first. Basically, my 2nd gear is popping out (the actual stick is popping out). Nothing major - it's really rare, but it does happen.

 

[JCH13]

Leguna Seca Blue is my favorite next to Winning Blue.

But I'd prefer Lava Orange (2004-2005 Mazdaspeed Miatas only) over any of the blues:

 

[punjabiplaya]

I love all the miata blues. I wish they would have made the speed3 in one of them.

the orange is cool, except for all the GM cars with it here

 

[yhelothar]

mmmm twilight blue...

 

[slugg]

Here's a couple pics of my second autocross ever. I don't have any pics of the first...

I finished 24th out of 77 overall, 6th in my class (of 12).

I also participated in a gymkhana event; I took first overall.


What I've done so far:
- Rebuilt the shifter (huge difference!)
- All new fluids, even the differential.
- Adjustable swaybar endlinks (don't know if there's a difference... the stock ones were broken, so I can't tell you if it's better than stock. Definitely better than broken...)
- Team Dynamics ProRace 2 Wheels (15x7)
- Dunlop Direzza Z1 StarSpec tires (205/50/15)... amazing tire.
- Freedom Design shock tower brace
- And some love.

What it needs:
It tends to oversteer a bit. I'm not sure how I want to go by fixing it.

I could go with a fatter front swaybar to try to compensate, or maybe I just need a different set of springs. I noticed that my springs are considerably stiffer in the rear than the Flyin Miata springs, which are highly praised. I have H&R Race springs.

I adjusted my shocks and tire pressures the best I could; it only slightly mitigated the problem. Any tips would be highly appreciated; I'm new to this stuff!

 

[jlee]

nicely done!

+1 on the Star Specs. Mine are incredible.

 

[Throckmorton]

I thought it was supposed to oversteer.

 

[slugg]

I thought it was supposed to oversteer.

It's a tad too tail-happy for my liking. I'm not interested in JDM MAD TYTE DRIFTIN SKILLZ, dawg.

 

[JCH13]

A full FM spring/sway kit wouldn't be a bad way to go either. I've had two Miatas and wound up putting FM springs on both of them because they're awesome.

A thick front sway is a good way to go. My current FSB is massive (not sure what brand) and it helps to make the car very neutral.

An alignment will make a HUGE difference also. Getting an alignment was literally night-and-day with my car.

 

[yhelothar]

It's a tad too tail-happy for my liking. I'm not interested in JDM MAD TYTE DRIFTIN SKILLZ, dawg.

I'll trade you my open diff for your torsen

 

[ballmode]

Used to own this, bought the hard top red, sanded it down and repainted it black

 

[iamwiz82]

That's a lot of body roll. How is the suspension?

 

[Throckmorton]

BTW that passenger you're carrying around is slowing you down

 

[JCH13]

BTW that passenger you're carrying around is slowing you down

Not if they keep you on course :awe:

 

[slugg]

I like to take my runs with other experienced drivers sitting shotgun. They can usually give me some good tips and help shave off some time. I usually leave the last couple runs to myself, though.

 

[jlee]

Not if they keep you on course :awe:

hahaha, touché, good sir.

 

[slugg]

*THREAD REVIVAL*

I've done the unthinkable. I've actually raised my car! Yes, that's right. I've taken out the H&R Racing Springs (now for sale, inquire within) and replaced them with stock, OEM, boring, tall springs. Am I crazy?

Well, two things.

1. My daily drive consists of crummy, patched up roads and large speed bumps.
2. My bumpstops were practically gone.

I bought some 58 mm bump stops from Fat Cat Motorsports and put them on with my springs. I got an alignment from a fellow Miata enthusiast and autocrosser. What a difference! Yes, the car sways a lot, but if you can stop it from distracting you, it does actually handle well. And now I don't scrape over speed bumps. So much win!

Next on the list: audio. The stock crap just doesn't cut it.
1. Head unit and iPod integration
2. Amplifier and speakers

The head unit and iPod stuff is already in there - I'll share pictures later. I actually built a legitimate USB port into the cubby hole, instead of having a loose USB wire hanging out somewhere. The amplifier will be a Massive Audio NX2 - small enough to be completely concealed in the trunk tunnel where the rollbar is attached to the chassis. The speakers will be the Massive Audio CK-6 components. No subwoofer; I don't see the point of a subwoofer in this car...

Also, on the way is a Flyin Miata swaybar set. I've gone back to stock end-links since I'm back at normal ride height.

My plan is to take a weekend to do everything all at once. I'll take pics and report when done. It's a total learning experience for me...

 

[JCH13]

*THREAD REVIVAL*

I've done the unthinkable. I've actually raised my car! Yes, that's right. I've taken out the H&R Racing Springs (now for sale, inquire within) and replaced them with stock, OEM, boring, tall springs. Am I crazy?

Well, two things.

1. My daily drive consists of crummy, patched up roads and large speed bumps.
2. My bumpstops were practically gone.

I bought some 58 mm bump stops from Fat Cat Motorsports and put them on with my springs. I got an alignment from a fellow Miata enthusiast and autocrosser. What a difference! Yes, the car sways a lot, but if you can stop it from distracting you, it does actually handle well. And now I don't scrape over speed bumps. So much win!

Next on the list: audio. The stock crap just doesn't cut it.
1. Head unit and iPod integration
2. Amplifier and speakers

The head unit and iPod stuff is already in there - I'll share pictures later. I actually built a legitimate USB port into the cubby hole, instead of having a loose USB wire hanging out somewhere. The amplifier will be a Massive Audio NX2 - small enough to be completely concealed in the trunk tunnel where the rollbar is attached to the chassis. The speakers will be the Massive Audio CK-6 components. No subwoofer; I don't see the point of a subwoofer in this car...

Also, on the way is a Flyin Miata swaybar set. I've gone back to stock end-links since I'm back at normal ride height.

My plan is to take a weekend to do everything all at once. I'll take pics and report when done. It's a total learning experience for me...

I'd highly recommend FM springs. They'll keep the car off bump stops, unlike the stock springs, which will be a more pleasant ride.

 

[GTaudiophile]

OP: Eset NOD32 is detective a virus in the pic in your OP. Weird.

 

[MotF Bane]

OP: Eset NOD32 is detective a virus in the pic in your OP. Weird.

Same here; Trend is screaming about something.

 

[slugg]

Weird. I'll fix it when I'm not on my phone.

 

[MotF Bane]

Still getting the error.

GTAudiophile, are you sure it was the first picture?

 

[slugg]

My images that I'm hosting were converted with ImageMagick on Unix. I don't see why the virus would be from my files....

 

[MotF Bane]

My images that I'm hosting were converted with ImageMagick on Unix. I don't see why the virus would be from my files....

I don't know why either. Every time I load this thread though, Trend goes ballistic. Bunch of URL's from surveys, quizzes, polls, and other such nonsense are detected.

Trend isn't/can't tell me what item specifically is the problem. I just opened every image in the thread, and couldn't find it.

Oh well, it's not important. OP, you did a fantastic job cleaning that paint up.

 

[slugg]

UPDATE

Got the black (non-matched) spoiler off. Took the rest of the stripes off:

Got a hard top:

Then painted the hard top and spoiler:

New stereo was done, too. My amp was a dud, so I'm waiting on a warranty replacement. Anyhow, I completely rewired all the audio stuff with high grade wire. It has Massive Audio CK-6 component speakers:

And I've got a tiny 90w RMS per channel amp hidden underneath the rollbar in the trunk tunnel. Completely stealth. No subwoofer because having a sub in a Miata is just a big pain in the ass for many, many reasons.

I'm looking to upgrade to 15x8 wheels (largest that can fit with stock springs) for autocross and daily drive my black Team Dynamics wheels. These 14" ugly stock wheels are really starting to bother me, especially now that the car is coming together nicely.