State Of The Miata Report - November 05, 2006

This was Oil Change Weekend. Did the ST (Chevron Delo 400 15W40 and Fram 6017A), the 300M (Mobil 1 10W30 and Fram TG16), and I switched the Miazda over to synthetic (Mobil 1 Extended Performance 15W50 and Fram TG6607).

One nit about the Miazda.. that oil filter is a pain to access! I had to customize my filter wrench (shortened the handle by 2") to do it at all, and even after that it weren't easy.

Found a couple of other little jobs while I was at it - the rubber mount connecting the A/C line to the radiator bracket was broken, so I fabricated a custom hanger out of old heater hose and 6mm bolts. Good as factory.. and free, so 'tis actually better. Smile

Also discovered that the front fascia panel was cracked on either side of the lower RH mounting point. Ack! Could've been worse, though.. at least the mounting point itself was still solid! Scratched my head a bit over that one. In the end, I used plastic-model cyanoacrylate at the site of the cracks, then overlaid that with carbon-fiber tape soaked with epoxy. Belt and suspenders, that's my motto! Big Grin

I'm gonna throw this in just for the heck of it. It's my first post on the Miata.net forum. These folks seem tops.. hey, they all liked the Miazda, so there you go! There's some great links here, too...




Sasquatch
1st November 2006, 16:35
New-tral
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Olive Branch, MS
Posts: 17

Newbie member. Please be gentle with me.. :-)

I'm a Cyberspace old-timer, having started with Fidonet back in the mid-80's. So I've read the FAQ, the rules, and registered (Doh!).

But I'm a Miata newbie, having bought our '97 NA in August. I'm hooked, and want to learn more. That's why I'm here...

'ere's the link:

http://www.mcbroom.biz/c035.htm

Click to enlarge.

Talk to me!

-Ricky
Zoom Zoom!


punklove
Third gear
 
Join Date: May 2005
Location: san francisco
Posts: 446

Quote:
Originally Posted by Sasquatch
No contest! This is by far the best-handling car I've ever owned, and a sheer joy to drive.
(quote from link in above post)

right on! nice miata. Welcome~!!
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Happiness is a warm miata.
`94 C Black and Tan (stripes), on 15s.
w/ a busted MSSS.



Scuba_Steve
Supporting Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Minneapolis, MN
Posts: 2,041

Welcome, I looked at your link and you stole that car. Great buy.

Visit the power forum and for a few thousand you can have a miata that will be faster than those 60's muscle cars you owned
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Green Moray-'01 Emerald Mica, FMII Turbo
Screaming Pumpkin- '00 Evolution Orange, BRP MP62 SC
Midnight - 96 Brilliant Black, Stock, Winter Car


GoodCheapFun
Fourth gear
 
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Simi Valley, CA
Posts: 1,510

Hmmmm.....that car is unique.

Of course the paint is wrong - not a factory color.

The wheels are off an earlier car - which would be more common
on a A package car - but this one is a tan interior with leather.....

Baffling combination.

-Eric



GoodCheapFun
Fourth gear
 
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Simi Valley, CA
Posts: 1,510

Does it have different wheels all around!?

-Eric


Winlowe
Third gear
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Orlando FL
Posts: 510

Welcomr to the forum that is a nice looking car
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90 Miata that needs help
http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2435398/1



bo.c
Second gear
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: neosho.mo
Posts: 89

thats a straight body. nice find. the trim on the door would come off if i owned it but whatever you like. anyway congrats on the car.
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God created turbo lag so that mustangs could keep up.



JackRiley
Second gear
 
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Chesterfield, MO
Posts: 164

Good job, Big Foot!



MatthewakaMatt
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Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Golden, CO
Posts: 55

Welcome
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Matt
1990 Miata

Sasquatch
New-tral
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Olive Branch, MS
Posts: 17

Quote
Originally Posted by Scuba_Steve
Welcome, I looked at your link and you stole that car. Great buy.

I wasn't sure at first.. but yeah, after getting acquainted with it after all the work, 'stole it' is not far off the mark, I reckon.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Scuba_Steve
Visit the power forum and for a few thousand you can have a miata that will be faster than those 60's muscle cars you owned

I've been checkin' out *charger kits. Hey, with < 45K on it, I reckon this car's a prime candidate. Super or Turbo, that's the $64K question. Which way do you lean?
__________________
-Ricky



DEVILSREJECT
Second gear
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: nj
Posts: 160

Welcome before you jump in to super and turbo you might wanna do a compresion check just to be sure thats what I would but other than that great car and drive it like you stole it... but obey the law lol
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90 SilverStone.
93 Red (christin)



punklove
Third gear
 
Join Date: May 2005
Location: san francisco
Posts: 446

heck... before the turbo try a header and an intake...
__________________
Happiness is a warm miata.
`94 C Black and Tan (stripes), on 15s.
w/ a busted MSSS.



Sasquatch
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Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Olive Branch, MS
Posts: 17

Quote:
Originally Posted by GoodCheapFun
Hmmmm.....that car is unique.-Eric

Not another exactly like it on the planet, I can pretty much guarantee you that.

Quote:
Originally Posted by GoodCheapFun
Of course the paint is wrong - not a factory color.-Eric

Not a factory color, 'tis true. It was originally Montego Blue.

Quote:
Originally Posted by GoodCheapFun
The wheels are off an earlier car - which would be more common on a A package car-Eric

The wheels are off a '93 model, or so I'm told.

Quote:
Originally Posted by GoodCheapFun
- but this one is a tan interior with leather.....-Eric

The leather's factory, according to the build plate.

Quote:
Originally Posted by GoodCheapFun
Baffling combination.-Eric

Nah, not really, when you consider it's a Frankenstein rebuild.
__________________
-Ricky



Scuba_Steve
Supporting Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Minneapolis, MN
Posts: 2,041

Quote:
Originally Posted by punklove
heck... before the turbo try a header and an intake...

Complete waste of money if you are looking for power.
__________________
Green Moray-'01 Emerald Mica, FMII Turbo
Screaming Pumpkin- '00 Evolution Orange, BRP MP62 SC
Midnight - 96 Brilliant Black, Stock, Winter Car



Scuba_Steve
Supporting Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Minneapolis, MN
Posts: 2,041

Quote:
Originally Posted by Sasquatch
...I've been checkin' out *charger kits. Hey, with < 45K on it, I reckon this car's a prime candidate. Super or Turbo, that's the $64K question. Which way do you lean?

I happen to have one of each. Although they are both fun, I prefer the turbo. Of course in all fairness, I have had the turbo for 4 summers, I have only had the SC for half a summer.
__________________
Green Moray-'01 Emerald Mica, FMII Turbo
Screaming Pumpkin- '00 Evolution Orange, BRP MP62 SC
Midnight - 96 Brilliant Black, Stock, Winter Car


Sasquatch
New-tral
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Olive Branch, MS
Posts: 17

Quote:
Originally Posted by GoodCheapFun
Does it have different wheels all around!?-Eric

It did when I bought it, but now it's got '93 OEM wheels, with Toyo 195/45 R14 tires all around.
__________________
-Ricky



Sasquatch
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Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Olive Branch, MS
Posts: 17

Quote:
Originally Posted by bo.c
thats a straight body. nice find.

Thank you!

Quote:
Originally Posted by bo.c
the trim on the door would come off if i owned it.

Got to admit that I'm not real fond of the door trim myself. But the wife loves it, so I've gotta live with it.
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-Ricky



Sasquatch
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Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Olive Branch, MS
Posts: 17

Quote:
Originally Posted by JackRiley
Good job, Big Foot!

Size 14. I come by my name honestly..
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-Ricky



Sasquatch
New-tral
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Olive Branch, MS
Posts: 17

Quote:
Originally Posted by DEVILSREJECT
..drive it like you stole it... but obey the law..

I detect an oxymoron there...
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-Ricky



Sasquatch
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Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Olive Branch, MS
Posts: 17

Quote:
Originally Posted by punklove
heck... before the turbo try a header and an intake...

It's got a header OEM. though. Chunky and heavy though it is, it's still a header. Is an aftermarket really better?
__________________
-Ricky



RI ZoomZoom
Third gear
 
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Rhode Island
Posts: 568

Checked out your site and blog. <thumbs up> You taken the new 'Miazda' to the Gap instead of your two wheeler? lol
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Cheryl
My Ride - 91, stock, auto
'Cute Car' is a compliment



ZZ
Third gear
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: At the end of the Oregon trail

We had wondered where you had gotten of to. There haven't been any sightings here in the northwest lately.

I always wanted to say "search is your friend".

Oh yah, WELCOME!
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Kenman
Open The Garage Door
1990 CLASSIC RED WITH MAZDASPEED OIL CAP
"Open top to insert money"



Keith Green
Fifth gear
 
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Indiana, by Louisville, KY
Posts: 3,319

Welcome. Two things will change the Miata more than anything else. One is performance tires. The other is forced induction. As to turbo or SC, that debate has raged for several years in the Power forum, and really depends on what you want to do with the car. Enjoy your ride.
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White '92 with GReddy. My house.



Sasquatch
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Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Olive Branch, MS
Posts: 17

Quote:
Originally Posted by Scuba_Steve
Complete waste of money if you are looking for power.

How about Nitrous? Bit unconventional for a sports car, I know. But a friend of mine runs a NOS-injected 525 CI big-block Chevy in a '69 Chevelle, and I just love the way the flames from the tailpipe turn ice-blue when he hits the button... 
__________________
-Ricky



GoodCheapFun
Fourth gear
 
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Simi Valley, CA
Posts: 1,510

Why is anyone claiming this car was a steal?

-Eric



ZZ
Third gear
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: At the end of the Oregon trail

Doesn't Mazda Have a big parts depot in Olive Branch?
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Kenman
Open The Garage Door
1990 CLASSIC RED WITH MAZDASPEED OIL CAP
"Open top to insert money"



Keith Green
Fifth gear
 
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Indiana, by Louisville, KY
Posts: 3,319

Nothing wrong with a little NOS. Forget who runs it, but it's either PopVII or Pops Toy? (Check the power forum).
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White '92 with GReddy. My house.



Sasquatch
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Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Olive Branch, MS
Posts: 17

Quote:
Originally Posted by RI ZoomZoom
Checked out your site and blog. <thumbs up> You taken the new 'Miazda' to the Gap instead of your two wheeler? lol

Heh. Read closely, and you'll note that the fact that I could not hang with my buddy's Miata through The Gap on my 2-wheeler was what convinced me that I had to own a Miata myself.
__________________
-Ricky



Sasquatch
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Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Olive Branch, MS
Posts: 17

Quote:
Originally Posted by Scuba_Steve
I happen to have one of each.

No fair!

How about response time? You don't find 'turbo lag' to be an issue?
__________________
-Ricky



Sasquatch
New-tral
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Olive Branch, MS
Posts: 17

Quote:Originally Posted by ZZ
Doesn't Mazda Have a big parts depot in Olive Branch?

Yup. Covers the whole southeast. I ordered a shift boot online, and they're like "Olive Branch? That's where we got it!"
__________________
-Ricky



Sasquatch
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Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Olive Branch, MS
Posts: 17

Quote:
Originally Posted by GoodCheapFun
Why is anyone claiming this car was a steal?
-Eric

Well, I couldn't afford the payments, so I had to pay cash. It works for me.
__________________
-Ricky



battleslidin
First gear
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: San Francisco
Posts: 64

Ricky,
Welcome to the forum and congrats on picking up the Miata - this forum and the cars are very addicting. If you are going with FI, you got in at the right time! There must be a half dozen new set ups that just came out or are coming soon.
Good luck with the new ride!
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'91 Silver Stone



Hans
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Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Tampa Bay, FL
Posts: 2,658

Sweet deal. Both of us have a '97, we both paid just about the same price, and both our '97 Miatas had roughly the same miles on them when we got them. Too funny!
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Scuba_Steve
Supporting Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Minneapolis, MN
Posts: 2,041

Quote:
Originally Posted by Sasquatch
How about response time? You don't find 'turbo lag' to be an issue?

Turbo lag, is that the feeling when you mash the peddle and are pushed back into the seat

Seriously the Miata vendors have done a good job sizing the turbos and there is little to no lag. That said, I do hit full boost quicker with the SC, but you don't get that pushed in the seat feeling.
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Green Moray-'01 Emerald Mica, FMII Turbo
Screaming Pumpkin- '00 Evolution Orange, BRP MP62 SC
Midnight - 96 Brilliant Black, Stock, Winter Car



Bill_Rockoff
Fifth gear
 
Join Date: Nov 1999
Location: Atlanta 'burbs
Posts: 2,906

Nice car. Nice ex-cars, too. (You'd get a kick out of the car on my home page that I helped restore - numbers-matching 440/6 Road Runner.) If you've replaced the heater core, anything else you ever do to this car will be a snap by comparison.
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'91 Miata (270k miles, ridiculous ground-up resto) / '89 FJ1200 (86k miles, ground-up resto coming soon) // '82 Dodge D350 crew-cab duallie 440



Sasquatch
New-tral
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Olive Branch, MS
Posts: 17

Quote:
Originally Posted by ZZ
1990 CLASSIC RED WITH MAZDASPEED OIL CAP

Really sweet! And a mighty impressive job on the restoration.. Man! And I thought mine was a big project. My hat's off to you!

Quote:
Originally Posted by ZZ
"Open top to insert money"

Heh. I know the feeling...
__________________
-Ricky



Sasquatch
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Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Olive Branch, MS
Posts: 17

Quote:
Originally Posted by Hans
Sweet deal. Both of us have a '97, we both paid just about the same price, and both our '97 Miatas had roughly the same miles on them when we got them. Too funny!

Although Whoa Nelly! You've certainly taken yours far beyond anything I've even dreamed of. What an awesome custom!

I've bookmarked your CarDomain site, and will be following the Ubercharger installation with great interest.
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-Ricky



ntorch
Third gear
 
Join Date: Sep 1999
Location: Fairview (Erie), PA 96 M
Posts: 938

Your Datsun B-210 looks just like the one I used to own. I drove that thing all over the place until the inspection station told me it was junk and recommended I get rid of it because the frame couldn't be welded together anymore to pass inspection.

Enjoy your Miata.



Hans
Fifth gear
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Tampa Bay, FL
Posts: 2,658

Quote:
Originally Posted by Sasquatch
Although Whoa Nelly! You've certainly taken yours far beyond anything I've even dreamed of. What an awesome custom!

I've bookmarked your CarDomain site, and will be following the Ubercharger installation with great interest.

Thanks - although keep in mind, my '97 looked pretty much just like yours when I got it, except worse (red) paint, and steel wheels. Two years later, she's just about where I want her to be, about 90% done. All that's left are better seats (racing? cover the stock ones in leather? Find a set of '95 M-edition and have them done in black leather like this? Still not sure...) And, of course, the Uber.
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