casey_2005 - back to 2 Miatas

[Duke]

I'd be stripping more out rather than replacing

Me too! I would be seriously delighted to have been given a Texas Miata in that condition. Congratulations on the score!

 

[astrosdude91]

That paint looks typical for a Texas car from the early 90's. You should see my 1991 Ford Ranger, the paint looks pathetic! I've always wanted a Miata, so good for you, have fun with it! Though I wonder what made him decide to just give it to you for free. I hope he didn't accedentally break something!

 

[Glubags]

It's definitely stolen, he's trying to get it off his hands and out of state.



Looks like a great project for sure. I was going to buy a '94 MX5 before I found the S2000... love NAs. Good luck with it!

 

[CodeRedR51]

You could get that down to 850kg (1900lb) without much trouble and then...

Might be a bit hard to get it down that far. Maybe around 2,050-2,150 is more like it. It *is* possible to dip below 2k, but then you start spending money on carbon body panels, etc.

Interesting. I just found I could shed 3.8lbs by replacing the starter with one from a 99-05. I'll do some more reading, signed up to miata.net tonight. Any other good sites to check on?

Using a 99-05 starter will only allow you to use two of the three mounting bolts. You can switch to a starter from a 94-97 Automatic transmission car and save almost as much, and still use all three bolts.

 

[Famine]

Might be a bit hard to get it down that far. Maybe around 2,050-2,150 is more like it. It *is* possible to dip below 2k, but then you start spending money on carbon body panels, etc.

An early 1.6 is 2,100 as stock!

 

[CodeRedR51]

An early 1.6 is 2,100 as stock!

Proof? Mine was built in June of 1989 and it weighed over 2,200.

 

[homeforsummer]

Proof? Mine was built in June of 1989 and it weighed over 2,200.

UKDM Mk1 1.6 is quoted at 970kg. I make that 2138.5 lbs.

 

[chepu]

OMG, what a deal, just add Lightness pal.

and dont focus on the engine, just make it run as smooth as possible, focus on weight and keeping the car agile.

Hope you enjoy it!

 

[CodeRedR51]

and dont focus on the engine, just make it run as smooth as possible, focus on weight and keeping the car agile.

Yeah, normal N/A power adders on a stock 1.6 motor are going to do pretty much nothing. ITB's, maybe a bit more. But that costs $$$$.

 

[niky]

Yeah, normal N/A power adders on a stock 1.6 motor are going to do pretty much nothing. ITB's, maybe a bit more. But that costs $$$$.

Gasp... you actually sell ITBs for Mazdas? Know anything about the TWM or AAi ones?

 

[CodeRedR51]

I have seen a 2.0 liter stroker motor from FM make 10 hp with a set of ITB's. Maybe a bit more with some tuning. However, that is a 2.0 liter. I wouldn't expect to see that much of a gain on the 1.6. And $500-1,000 USD for ~10 hp is not worth it to me. They are there more for the sex appeal.

 

[niky]

Ah... but that's a B-motor stroker... not an FS. There's a kit available for the FS that includes a MAP sensor that emulates the MAF. Supposed to make about 10-15 hp.

Expensive, yes... but ITBs sound oh-so-sexy... The looks don't really matter if you're not living under the hood... but the bedroom voice...

I imagine with the stock 1.6, you could actually do dual-carb motorcycle ITBs (like some old schoolers do...) though they would probably be finicky to work with.

 

[nobuffalo]

Thanks for the comments guys

Shed the radio first. Speakers plus radio should get you more than that.

And I don't understand how people drove in the rain before they invented AC... wiping the windshield every three minutes is just so...

Radio is more than likely gonna stay, call me crazy but I like my music. I guess I could just get a mp3 player with some ear buds, but i've never liked the idea of that while driving a car. As far as AC in the rain, i've never even heard of using it that way before. I just use the defrost, seems to do the job...

I know there are lots of bits missing, but that looks pretty good. I see yours has got a nasty plastic boot rack like mine has, once I have a bit of money together I'm going to scout around for a clean bootlid with no rack.

Looks fairly clean under the bonnet too, fairly similar to mine in fact but for it being LHD rather than RHD and a few things being in different places. A new drivers mirror shouldn't be too hard to get. I can't see whether it has a drivers airbag but I can see a little light on the rev counter for one, so if you've got one, bin it and get a Momo wheel for it like the MX-5s in the rest of the world came with, that'd save a little weight straight away.

I wouldn't faff with the wheels at all. The original Mazda "flowers" don't look too small in the arches, reportedly give the sweetest handling, and they're also really light, quite a bit lighter than you'll find on the aftermarket without spending loads. I think they're actually made by Enkei.

But yeah, looks quite nice. Touching up the paint and whatnot can always wait, you live in Texas, you barely need any paint at all there for the rain you're likely to see...

Some wierd part of me actually likes boot racks... In fact if anyone can clue me in on how to properly use one that would be awesome. There's a bunch more pictures on my photobucket (http://s161.photobucket.com/home/casey_nation01) if you wanna see whether there is an airbag or not, I assume it does. Momo wheel is intended to replace it.

Edit: "This vehicle is equipped with a supplement driver air bag system"

The wheels will stay, and my cousin has a whole other set in even better condition he'll probably just give me. I could put track rubber or whatever on one set and keep something else on the other. I think I read they weigh in at about 12.5lbs(5.7kg) each, not too shabby. Would it be crazy to look into some spacers though, to push them out a bit? May improve the looks a little better (but that's also added weight).

And actually i'm currently living in St. Louis, Missouri, he in Texas.

Though I wonder what made him decide to just give it to you for free. I hope he didn't accedentally break something!

To be honest I think I just made a really good impression on him. We hit it off about as good as two straight guys could. He knows i'll take care of the car so I guess he's just being nice. He's my good freind's brother-in-law, and they weren't surprised by it.

Using a 99-05 starter will only allow you to use two of the three mounting bolts. You can switch to a starter from a 94-97 Automatic transmission car and save almost as much, and still use all three bolts.

I read that but also seen many people commenting they didn't have any problems using only two bolts. Either way it's likely not something I would do unless I came across a donor car or the current starter went bad.

An early 1.6 is 2,100 as stock!

This is what i've read a few places. I'll weigh mine when I get it, obviously that won't be stock weight considering he's already removed alot of things.

OMG, what a deal, just add Lightness pal.

and dont focus on the engine, just make it run as smooth as possible, focus on weight and keeping the car agile.

Hope you enjoy it!

Only things i've thought about doing to the engine are exaust and intake, and i'm guessing if that's done right weight can be saved. Like you said i'll be primarily focusing on adding lightness.

 

[homeforsummer]

Some wierd part of me actually likes boot racks... In fact if anyone can clue me in on how to properly use one that would be awesome.

Can't help you there. Not used mine yet, it's amazing how much you can get into the boot and parcel shelf...

I'm intending on keeping the boot with the rack on anyway just in case I want to go touring. But day to day, I'd rather have a nice, clean lid with no rack.

There's a bunch more pictures on my photobucket (http://s161.photobucket.com/home/casey_nation01) if you wanna see whether there is an airbag or not, I assume it does. Momo wheel is intended to replace it.

Edit: "This vehicle is equipped with a supplement driver air bag system"

Yeah, I'd personally get rid of that. It's a nasty looking steering wheel from a time before companies figured out how to make nice airbag-equipped wheels.

This is the wheel you want (as seen in my own car):

The wheels will stay, and my cousin has a whole other set in even better condition he'll probably just give me. I could put track rubber or whatever on one set and keep something else on the other. I think I read they weigh in at about 12.5lbs(5.7kg) each, not too shabby. Would it be crazy to look into some spacers though, to push them out a bit? May improve the looks a little better (but that's also added weight).

I dunno, you could look for spacers but I've not seen a Miata with the original wheels pushed out so I don't know what it'd look like. I've always quite liked the normal stance of them on the original wheels anyway, it echoes all the old sports cars that the Miata draws it's inspiration from.

And actually i'm currently living in St. Louis, Missouri, he in Texas.

Ah right, well you might want a little bit of rust protection then.

Also, I expect some obligatory shots of the car in front of the Gateway Arch

 

[Famine]

Proof? Mine was built in June of 1989 and it weighed over 2,200.

The only Mk1 I'm aware of getting even close to a ton... is... uhhh...

It'd have to be a mid-phase 2, 1.8, Eunos (JDM), VR-Limited with leather and optioned power-steering, aircon, power windows and the Torsen LSD. A bone stock 1991 MX-5 (EUDM) 1.6 wouldn't even push the scales over 2,100lb. Even our very late Mk1 1.8 Berkeley was only a hair over 2,100lb, booking at 970kg (2,138lb).

Whether US-spec Miatas had additional weight, or certain weight-hungry options as stock, I can't say.

 

[///M-Spec]

Pah! We got everything required for two people to camp for a weekend into our NA (including the two people)

Where'd you go camping... a nudist colony?

Packing smartly, I think I managed to fit a pack of tissues in the trunk once.


M

 

[Famine]

We took a four-man tent as well.

 

[homeforsummer]

I've managed to fit a holdall and several other bags in the back of mine with room to spare (or indeed, room for a spare, as the space-saver lives there), and the parcel shelf happens to be exactly the right size to store a 23" HDTV in it's box, and because my girlfriend is short, one of my guitars went behind the front passenger seat quite happily too.

My suggestion to anyone wanting to pack lots of stuff into a Miata is to play lots of Tetris. The principle is very similar.

 

[///M-Spec]

I once got three dead hookers.... no wait, sorry. That was in the BMW.


In all seriousness, I concur. Miatas make perfectly fine daily drivers. My wife used to do all the shopping in her's/our's.


M

 

[nobuffalo]

Just got off the phone with Jeff (the guy giving me the car). What's probably gonna happen is i'll fly down there, visit for a few days, then drive the car back.

He just got a new battery for it 👍. My only real concern in driving it back up here is the timing belt. So, for any miata owners, if the belt was replaced at the 60k marker would you risk driving it back(currently at 127k)? Honestly I see trying to change it in texas as being a slight risk as well, fearing something could happen in the process and not being able to complete the job. I would go ahead and replace the water pump while I was in there. Is it necessary to pull the crank pulley off? I thought I read somewhere that is wasn't, although i'm sure it would be a great time to change the front main seal.

Again that all depends on whether it was changed at 60k. I haven't asked him yet, I need to get around this fear of questioning him too much due to the fact he's just giving me the car. He's never had the car let him down, and i'm sure he isn't trying to get me stranded by just saying that.

Also, said he recently replaced the slave cylinder and it was a really easy job,HFS. Just messing with ya . I do love some tetris, so i'm sure i'll have no problems piecing things into the car. Gateway Arch photos will come, although don't expect anything spectacular.

 

[Famine]

My only real concern in driving it back up here is the timing belt. So, for any miata owners, if the belt was replaced at the 60k marker would you risk driving it back(currently at 127k)?

Yep.

Bear in mind that it's 60k or 6yr, whichever comes first - but you can probably wing it through 10% more. It's a non-interference motor, so if it does go, the worst that happens is that you're immobile until it's replaced.

 

[nobuffalo]

One or more of the belts squeak. I've had the car since 2003 and 82,000 miles. The car currently has about 118,000 miles on it (+/- 10k), and I haven't replaced any belts, including timing.

Hmm. There should be only one belt if he removed the AC and PS, aside from the timing belt of course. I'll definitely replace the one while i'm there in texas. The timing is obviously well beyond that 6yr...

 

[Famine]

Get the casing off and inspect it. If there's no obvious perishing in the teeth or cracks in the body, go with it.

 

[nobuffalo]

Get the casing off and inspect it. If there's no obvious perishing in the teeth or cracks in the body, go with it.

Excellent, and very obvious advise. I actually had thought of that the other day, then completely forgot about it by the time I got worried again.

 

[Famine]

You're lucky the casing's dead in front of you with little obstruction. Compare to the MX-3 V6 we did a cambelt change on last weekend... Brrrrrrr!

Should be a bunch of 10mm hex bolts. Give the engine a slow manual revolution so that you can see the entire belt passing a single point - nothing obvious, no problem giving it another thousand miles.

 

[nobuffalo]

Will do.

Thanks for the advise, i'm sure i'll be needing more in the near future. 👍

 

[CodeRedR51]

The crank pulley will have to be removed to replace the belt. However, it is not held on by the crank bolt so it's easy to take off and put back on.

 

[Interpol-007]

If you are going to buy a Miata, you should tuned.
You know a nice paint job,wheels,stereo,fender and neon lights.
That if you have the money.

 

[CodeRedR51]

Ex-nay on the neon lights. Those things must die.

 

[Duke]

If you are going to buy a Miata, you should tuned.
You know a nice paint job,wheels,stereo,fender and neon lights.

All of which are exactly against what the Miata was conceived and designed to be...