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. 
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! 
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
Talk to me!
-Ricky
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~!!
__________________
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
__________________
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 
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.
__________________
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
First gear
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Golden, CO
Posts: 55
Welcome 
__________________
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
__________________
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
New-tral
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
New-tral
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. __________________
-Ricky
Sasquatch
New-tral
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..
__________________
-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...
__________________
-Ricky
Sasquatch
New-tral
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
__________________
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!
__________________
Kenman
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.
__________________
White '92 with GReddy. My house.
Sasquatch
New-tral
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?
__________________
Kenman
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).
__________________
White '92 with GReddy. My house.
Sasquatch
New-tral
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
New-tral
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
New-tral
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!
Hans
Fifth gear
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!
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.
__________________
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.
__________________
'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
New-tral
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.
__________________
-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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