Liam's NA Miata - Finally back on the road!!!

[CodeRedR51]

What would racing harnesses have to do with visibility?

I think he's talking about the cross bars in the roll bar.

 

[Heldenzeit]

I meant the design of the bar over the Hard Dog is worth going with Blackbird. You can see that the diagonals will come together right in the middle. Once you look in the rear view mirror, this will be very noticeable.

Not an issue with the Blackbird bar even being a 6 point. The single diagonal is even better.

 

[CAMAROBOY69]

Harnesses are a PITA for anything other than track use.

Visibility is affected because you can't move to get a better view at (blind) junctions etc. They also mean you can't reach anything that isn't withing an arm-span of the driver's seat.

I agree 100% with this. I had a 5 point racing harness in the 67 Fastback Mustang and that is not something you want for a daily driver. I have also been in several cars on road tracks with 4 and 5 point racing seatbelts. You are locked into a forward position. Turning left or right is very difficult with a 4 or 5 point harness. Plus as mentioned, you cant move forward to adjust the radio or anything. Yes they look very cool, but driving with them on the street is actually quite dangerous IMO. Especially for a beginner driver like @LeadFootLiam. Just stick with your stock 3 point for daily driving.

For the track yes I highly recommend 4 or 5 point seat belts. For daily driving, I do not. Especially not a new driver.

 

[CodeRedR51]

To be honest I had a Hard Dog bar and never had an issue with rear visibility.

 

[LeadFootLiam]

I agree 100% with this. I had a 5 point racing harness in the 67 Fastback Mustang and that is not something you want for a daily driver. I have also been in several cars on road tracks with 4 and 5 point racing seatbelts. You are locked into a forward position. Turning left or right is very difficult with a 4 or 5 point harness. Plus as mentioned, you cant move forward to adjust the radio or anything. Yes they look very cool, but driving with them on the street is actually quite dangerous IMO. Especially for a beginner driver like @LeadFootLiam. Just stick with your stock 3 point for daily driving.

For the track yes I highly recommend 4 or 5 point seat belts. For daily driving, I do not. Especially not a new driver.

If I ever do get harnesses, I will keep my stock 3 point belts as well.

I don't agree with you calling me a "beginner" driver. I think inexperienced is the better word.

I rev match and heel toe like there is no tomorrow on my commutes, and have no lack of confidence behind the wheel, and have been driving for around 3 years, which is more than enough to be past the beginner stage.

 

[CAMAROBOY69]

If I ever do get harnesses, I will keep my stock 3 point belts as well.

I don't agree with you calling me a "beginner" driver. I think inexperienced is the better word.

I rev match and heel toe like there is no tomorrow on my commutes, and have no lack of confidence behind the wheel, and have been driving for around 3 years, which is more than enough to be past the beginner stage.

On a serious note just a reminder in case you forgot. Even you explained you were a beginner driver when I asked about the green "N" on the back of your car.

What is the green "N" hanging off the back of your car?

Just the way our drivers licensing program works for new drivers. We have L's and N's. L is for learner, these are super noob drivers, and these drivers are quite slow and cautious, so the L that is on the back of the car lets road users know. And same idea for the N, usually Ns drive faster, since the majority of them are young guys like me haha. Once I take my road test this summer to get my full license, I won't have to display the N. So right now u just hang it there.

So with that said, new and inexperienced go about the same.

 

[Aquarelle]

Turns out the only measure of a good driver is if they can hit the accelerator while also hitting the brake.

Tell me Liam, do you understand the optimal point under braking to be rev matching? or are you just doing it at random because race car driver.

 

[LeadFootLiam]

Turns out the only measure of a good driver is if they can hit the accelerator while also hitting the brake.

Tell me Liam, do you understand the optimal point under braking to be rev matching? or are you just doing it at random because race car driver.

Like why you do it? If that's what your asking, you do it so you don't have to wait for the revs to build up when entering a corner, it's better for your clutch as well.

 

[Aquarelle]

...... Are you serious?

No, I'm not asking you to explain to me one of the most basic footwork techniques. I'm asking you whether you actually understand the timing when braking for a corner for the heel and toe maneuver or if you're just doing it whenever.

 

[LeadFootLiam]

...... Are you serious?

No, I'm not asking you to explain to me one of the most basic footwork techniques. I'm asking you whether you actually understand the timing when braking for a corner for the heel and toe maneuver or if you're just doing it whenever.

Ya I do. I do it when stopping for red lights or when in the twisties. Every since I got my car I have been practicing heel toeing and rev matching. It's a habit now, just havent used when I really need to, like on a race track.

 

[Aquarelle]

Um.. wow. Yeah no clearly then you don't understand when to do it.

Anybody can heel and toe, it's not a complex skill. Heel and toe requires precise timing to be done right, if you're just doing it at red light (Completely unnecessary and wasting petrol) or doing it at any point rather than knowing precisely when under braking to do it, you're not doing it properly and thus isn't really a skill you're proficient at. Doing it regularly but incorrectly is meaningless.

Sorry to be so blunt bro but if you get cocky over what is in its current state nothing more than a party trick - you're just begging for trouble.

I urge you to research the proper timing for the heel and toe maneuver and actually learn how to do it properly. If it was as easy as simply hitting the gas while braking nobody would even comment on somebodies ability to do it.

Pro tip - everybody laughs at the teenager revving their engine while downshifting for a red light. I get it that you want to practice in an environment where if you get it wrong it doesn't matter but just be aware that it's treading into RICER waters.

 

[LeadFootLiam]

Um.. wow. Yeah no clearly then you don't understand when to do it.

Anybody can heel and toe, it's not a complex skill. Heel and toe requires precise timing to be done right, if you're just doing it at red light (Completely unnecessary and wasting petrol) or doing it at any point rather than knowing precisely when under braking to do it, you're not doing it properly and thus isn't really a skill you're proficient at. Doing it regularly but incorrectly is meaningless.

Sorry to be so blunt bro but if you get cocky over what is in its current state nothing more than a party trick - you're just begging for trouble.

I urge you to research the proper timing for the heel and toe maneuver and actually learn how to do it properly. If it was as easy as simply hitting the gas while braking nobody would even comment on somebodies ability to do it.

Pro tip - everybody laughs at the teenager revving their engine while downshifting for a red light. I get it that you want to practice in an environment where if you get it wrong it doesn't matter but just be aware that it's treading into RICER waters.

I'll research the proper way, but I honestly don't see why, seems to work fine when I do the technique.

And can you prove I'm doing it wrong? I say I heel toe, and you question my ability to do it, and claim I'm doing it wrong when you have never seen me heel toe.

 

[RobbiefromBC]

Ya I do. I do it when stopping for red lights or when in the twisties. Every since I got my car I have been practicing heel toeing and rev matching. It's a habit now, just havent used when I really need to, like on a race track.

Hey Liam, remember me? Congrats on the car purchase, they're fun cars to throw around! If you wanna hone in on your driving skills without a bunch of people cutting you down, why not sign up for a driving school event at the track in Mission? Hell who knows, we might run into eachother there!

 

[FordMKIVJ5]

Like why you do it? If that's what your asking, you do it so you don't have to wait for the revs to build up when entering a corner, it's better for your clutch as well.

Erm...no you don't.

You do it so that the difference in speed between the engine and wheels doesn't cause the driven wheels to lock when you engage the clutch after changing gear. At road speeds you (hopefully) aren't revving the engine hard enough for this to be a problem.

 

[miata13B]

I don't agree with you calling me a "beginner" driver. I think inexperienced is the better word.

I rev match and heel toe like there is no tomorrow on my commutes, and have no lack of confidence behind the wheel, and have been driving for around 3 years, which is more than enough to be past the beginner stage.

Young padawan, inexperience is a proper term to use. Driving on public roads is far scarier then driving on an actual race track.

Today's modern roads leave many perils for a rather inexperienced driver to tackle. The first lesson is forward vision which will allow you to foresee obstacles that you may need to avoid. Amazing to say, but even at 15mph a good % of people do not know how to control their car at all. It is great that you are practicing your techniques with your car, but a simple slip can mean the difference between a huge mistake.

Your awareness on the road will far outweigh any technique you can use to be "fast". On a race track their is a certain level of comfort knowing the cars you run with have the same common goal along with the same respect for an automobile. On the open road you deal with a rather broad band of driver skill from those just learning what a brake pedal is to those that have survived being rear ended at 45 mph while they were dead stopped.

One of the biggest things I take home from the track has been forward vision which allows me to see my avenues of exit in case of emergency. Always have an escape route if the inevitable occurs; which it will at some point or another. It is how you train for that one point in life or many points depending on how Mr. Murphy decides to cross paths with you.

What I am getting at is that "invincible" feeling we get in our automobiles for being superior drivers is just that, a feeling. Nothing more nothing less. We are the exact opposite of invincible, we are fragile. I am not trying to dissuade you from your decisions and what you want out of your car. I just want to give you some advice on how to keep you and your car safe so you can enjoy every little thing the road ahead has to offer.

 

[LeadFootLiam]

Young padawan, inexperience is a proper term to use. Driving on public roads is far scarier then driving on an actual race track.

Today's modern roads leave many perils for a rather inexperienced driver to tackle. The first lesson is forward vision which will allow you to foresee obstacles that you may need to avoid. Amazing to say, but even at 15mph a good % of people do not know how to control their car at all. It is great that you are practicing your techniques with your car, but a simple slip can mean the difference between a huge mistake.

Your awareness on the road will far outweigh any technique you can use to be "fast". On a race track their is a certain level of comfort knowing the cars you run with have the same common goal along with the same respect for an automobile. On the open road you deal with a rather broad band of driver skill from those just learning what a brake pedal is to those that have survived being rear ended at 45 mph while they were dead stopped.

One of the biggest things I take home from the track has been forward vision which allows me to see my avenues of exit in case of emergency. Always have an escape route if the inevitable occurs; which it will at some point or another. It is how you train for that one point in life or many points depending on how Mr. Murphy decides to cross paths with you.

What I am getting at is that "invincible" feeling we get in our automobiles for being superior drivers is just that, a feeling. Nothing more nothing less. We are the exact opposite of invincible, we are fragile. I am not trying to dissuade you from your decisions and what you want out of your car. I just want to give you some advice on how to keep you and your car safe so you can enjoy every little thing the road ahead has to offer.

Thanks for your wise words. In our driver training book, it said to have an escape route. I try to always have one.

When I did the Auto cross school last year, one of the main points is looking ahead, it works. On the road, it works too. I find people only really pay attention to the car in front if them, I try to look ahead to see what's going on a couple more cars ahead, saves slamming on my brake and hitting someone or getting hit.

Totally understand what your getting at 👍

 

[LeadFootLiam]

So, this happened.

Hardly used! Got it for 300 hunna. But there is one problem, my cat has been welded in, so I will have to get a shop to install the new exhaust, which sucks, because I really wanted to install it myself.

 

[LeadFootLiam]

Have some updates.

I painted my brake callipers red.

Started by cleaning the callipers with wax an grease remover, then I masked everything off.

First coat.

Think I did about 4 coats and this is what it looked like when it was done.

I moved over to the rear callipers and did the same thing. There was some surface rust, so I grinded that off with a drill and wire wheel.

The rear looked like this when I was done.

Looks pretty sweet IMO, nice small details like this help to freshen up the look of the car.

What do you think?

Gonna try and budget this month so I can get some of my rust fixed. Also will get the borla installed and a wheel alignment!

 

[CodeRedR51]

I would have removed the calipers from the hub, but maybe that's just me.

 

[Harry6784]

I would have removed the calipers from the hub, but maybe that's just me.

Yea that's probably a better idea. When I did mine I did it liam's way but it was so much work masking off the hub and wheel well it would have been a lot less hassle to just remove them altogether.

Looks good though liam 👍

 

[LeadFootLiam]

Yea that's probably a better idea. When I did mine I did it liam's way but it was so much work masking off the hub and wheel well it would have been a lot less hassle to just remove them altogether.

Looks good though liam 👍

Yaa masking was a pain, lol.

So I changed my oil yesterday. My last oil change, the oil burned up super quick, and my lifters wouldn't stop ticking! I also sea foamed it before the oil change, and I got no smoke, at all. I pour the majority of the can in the crankcase, and the rest in the gas tank, let it set for like 30 minutes, went out for a rio and got no smoke. Weird. Running smoothly now with the new oil tho.

Also got a quote to the exhaust installed, $310 bucks. I want them to put a flange on it, so I can take the exhaust off if I need to. Hopefully I can get that done next weekend.

 

[CodeRedR51]

Who are you asking for quotes on all this work? Seems like everyone is a rip-off.

$300 to weld on a flange and install the exhaust is too much. You could build a full custom exhaust for that.

 

[Aquarelle]

For 300 bucks you would be better off getting a full system... as R16 said 300 is an absolute rip off, heck to plasma cut my old system, weld on a flange, weld a split in my new systems middle muffler AND install the whole unit including bolts and gaskets the grand total was like 130 dollars NZD and that was for a place in town notorious for being quite expensive.

 

[LeadFootLiam]

@R1600Turbo @UrieHusky I live in different countries than you two lol, maybe that's why it seems so much more expensive.

It's too late now!

Just got back home from dropping it off at the shop, the mechanic said it should be done by around 3pm. I'll see if I can get a video up to youtube today, showing yall how it sounds! So excited!

I got a day off work because we are really slow this week, which is why I could get it installed today.

 

[Aquarelle]

@R1600Turbo @UrieHusky I live in different countries than you two lol, maybe that's why it seems so much more expensive.

According to google "130 New Zealand Dollar equals 117.38 Canadian Dollar"

Not sure what your point is? Labour and materials should by rights be cheaper in Canada and even after conversion it's ludicrously expensive for the exact same job... whatever, it's your money - just sounds to me like people are seeing a kid come in not knowing the going rate for stuff and taking you for all you're worth, that's just what it seems given every single quote you've posted here seems absurd.

 

[carracerptp]

@R1600Turbo @UrieHusky I live in different countries than you two lol, maybe that's why it seems so much more expensive.

It's too late now!

Just got back home from dropping it off at the shop, the mechanic said it should be done by around 3pm. I'll see if I can get a video up to youtube today, showing yall how it sounds! So excited!

I got a day off work because we are really slow this week, which is why I could get it installed today.

No, that is very high (like @UrieHusky said rip off levels ) even for canada, I would try different shop(s) next time.

Can't wait to hear it though

 

[LeadFootLiam]

@UrieHusky Your probably right, they see how young I am and take advantage of that.

So they got it installed in like an hour lol, it was super easy for them. Sound a great! No ricer buzz and it's not super loud, I really like it. I'll try and get you guys a video of how it sounds as soon as I can.

 

[Aquarelle]

Just a tip by the way, get onto replacing your bushings soon, those look stuffed 👍

 

[RobbiefromBC]

A cut-off wheel and a welder would have saved that 130 bucks... That is of course, if you have a welder...

 

[LeadFootLiam]

Just a tip by the way, get onto replacing your bushings soon, those look stuffed 👍

Ya, I might do that when I get my coilovers. Or sooner depending on how things go.

A cut-off wheel and a welder would have saved that 130 bucks... That is of course, if you have a welder...

I have the cutoff wheel, just no welder.


So I'm loving the exhaust, performance in the top end is better, and it feels like the car pulls harder which is awesome.

The guys at the shop did a great job on the weld as well.

We are getting a new iMac sometime this week, so I'll put together a little video of the exhaust.