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

So I got the door cards. They are mint!!

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Only problem is that the drive side has some mold on the crash pad. I work for a water damage restoration company, we deal with mold all the time, so I'll treat it with chemicals and get rid of it. It's not bad at all, it will just wipe off.

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The mold is "dead" it's not growing or smelly, butif water hits it, it will start to grown again and stink and eventually rot out the pad.

They only came with one handle, lol. I ordered the left handed one online. The revlimiter door straps were for people who are reupholstering their door cards, so I won't be getting them.

I will install the right one sometime this week! Once the other handle comes in these should definetly freshen up the interior.
 

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@Heldenzeit I've thought about those, I think the carbon fibre will clash with the retro interior theme I'm looking for. I ordered the stock left handle online, it should be here in a couple weeks.

Anyways I install the the right door card here is a before and after

Before

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After

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Much better!! I'm still surprised how clean and new looking these are.

Here is a shot of how it looks from inside.

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Really happy with it, and the side pocket will come in handy.

I also cleaned up the mold from the inside of the left card. Here is a before and after

Before

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After

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The staining is still there but no mold. I'm going spray more product on tonight and let it soak.

Future plans for the interior are as follows

New floor mats I'll get the red ones.
http://rev9autosport.com/zeromotive-checkered-floor-mats-small-pattern.html

And these seat covers, not in this colour but black with red stitching instead.

http://rev9autosport.com/nakamae-quilted-seat-covers.html

Really happy with how this build is going. If your wondering why I have no plans with the engine, well, it's fine. It pulls strong and has no issues, just the lifter tick which is just a cosmetic annoyance, and it only ticks when the oil needs changing.
 
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Ok bad news guys...

...my engine has rod knock. It happened after I was being an idiot and doing drifts in a parking lot.

Yes I'm sure it's rod knock. It sounds like someone stuff a bunch of metal balls and popcorn maker inside my engine.

So, I'll be taking it off the road, and saving up for another engine. I already have a guy that can hook me up with one and swap it in, just waiting on pricing and more details.

I was thinking of just swapping another 1.6, or should I do a 1.8?

I'm pretty bummed out, but on the bright side I could get a better engine with low kms and maybe go turbo. But that's wishful thinking, still facing the fact that I've broken my engine lol.
 
I don't have the most experience with NAs, especially ones in good or great condition, but I have driven both 1.6 and 1.8 equipped cars. IMO the 1.8 feel so much better, and I didn't notice the lack of eagerness to rev compared to the 1.6 that everyone always claims is there.
 
If you're swapping, I'd say 1.8, because why not?

I've driven 1.6 and 1.8s and really haven't noticed much difference - the 1.8 feels a little stronger, but cars that originally had the 1.8 were a little heavier and had a different final drive, so on paper they aren't much quicker. I think that's where the revviness that people say about the 1.6 comes in, from the gearing. The Japanese RS-Limited was a 1.8 with a 1.6 diff ratio and that's supposed to be a lot more peppy.

So yeah - I'd say go for the 1.8, since the opportunity is presenting itself.
 
homeforsummer
If you're swapping, I'd say 1.8, because why not?

I've driven 1.6 and 1.8s and really haven't noticed much difference - the 1.8 feels a little stronger, but cars that originally had the 1.8 were a little heavier and had a different final drive, so on paper they aren't much quicker. I think that's where the revviness that people say about the 1.6 comes in, from the gearing. The Japanese RS-Limited was a 1.8 with a 1.6 diff ratio and that's supposed to be a lot more peppy.

So yeah - I'd say go for the 1.8, since the opportunity is presenting itself.
Click to expand...

Ok, and yea revved my 1.6 all the time. I will start doing some research on a 1.8 swap.


Cale
I don't have the most experience with NAs, especially ones in good or great condition, but I have driven both 1.6 and 1.8 equipped cars. IMO the 1.8 feel so much better, and I didn't notice the lack of eagerness to rev compared to the 1.6 that everyone always claims is there.
Click to expand...

Yes I revved my 1.6 a lot lol.
 
LeadFootLiam
Ok bad news guys...

...my engine has rod knock. It happened after I was being an idiot and doing drifts in a parking lot.
Click to expand...

LeadFootLiam
Ok, and yea revved my 1.6 all the time. I will start doing some research on a 1.8 swap
Click to expand...

LeadFootLiam
Yes I revved my 1.6 a lot lol.
Click to expand...
Did your car have a rev limiter? Most usually do but if yours did not, then I would say that is something to invest in so you don't blow another motor.

You have been saying for a long time your engine was making noises. So the engine going should not be too much of a surprise.

Also the engine breaking is nothing to be sad about. When a component breaks on your car, you will just improve and make it better. :)
 
CAMAROBOY69
Did your car have a rev limiter? Most usually do but if yours did not, then I would say that is something to invest in so you don't blow another motor.

You have been saying for a long time your engine was making noises. So the engine going should not be too much of a surprise.

Also the engine breaking is nothing to be sad about. When a component breaks on your car, you will just improve and make it better. :)
Click to expand...

Only noises my engine made was the lifter tick when the oil was needing to be changed other than that it was fine. I'd put my clutch in when the car was at 7,000 so maybe that is what broke the engine.

I never new if my engine did have a rev limiter, I was to afraid to test it out. But when I joined around I made sure to keep it under the rev limit.

Heldenzeit
1.8 is much better. I'd upgrade while you have the chance.
https://www.flyinmiata.com/1-6-to-1-8-conversion-kit.html
Click to expand...

Ya id really like to to a 1.8 since the company's are stronger.

Leonidae@MFT
Pff.. Put in a 13B and you can stop worrying about over-revving it.. :P
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Hahaha all my friends are telling me to put a V8 in it, now this!?! Wish I had the money.


So guys I found a mechanic that can swap in an engine under 200,000k, with fluids and everything, as well as a compression check. For $1300 bucks cash. Yes he will supply the engine, I've been told that he won't sell me a bad engine. I still need to give him a call and find out more details, I'll be sure to ask if he'll be able to do a 1.8 swap. It's $1300 just for the 1.6, I have the cash but I want to wait a bit to save more money. My plan is to get a lightweight flywheel, and clutch from flyin miata, as well as better motor mounts.
 
Have you considered doing something a bit more... rebellious? Such as a Honda or Nissan swap?
 
LeadFootLiam
So guys I found a mechanic that can swap in an engine under 200,000k, with fluids and everything, as well as a compression check. For $1300 bucks cash. Yes he will supply the engine, I've been told that he won't sell me a bad engine. I still need to give him a call and find out more details, I'll be sure to ask if he'll be able to do a 1.8 swap. It's $1300 just for the 1.6, I have the cash but I want to wait a bit to save more money. My plan is to get a lightweight flywheel, and clutch from flyin miata, as well as better motor mounts.
Click to expand...
What about just having someone rebuild the engine you have? Why spend the money to have some one install an engine with 200,000 miles? If you rebuilt the engine you have it could last you many years and would likely have a warranty on the parts too.
 
CAMAROBOY69
What about just having someone rebuild the engine you have? Why spend the money to have some one install an engine with 200,000 miles? If you rebuilt the engine you have it could last you many years and would likely have a warranty on the parts too.
Click to expand...
We use kilometres here in Canada, so the engine will be under 120k miles.
 
R1600Turbo
This, really. All your accessories just swap right over, transmission bolts right up. Just purchase that kit, find an engine and you're good to go. Hell if you know someone with an engine hoist (or can rent one) you could save some cash and do it yourself. Very simple swap.
Click to expand...

I'll call the guy and ask if he has a 1.8 and put one in. It will probably cost more but whatever I'll have a stronger engine I case I want to turbo it down the road.
 
R1600Turbo
1.6 and 1.8 really are equally as strong. You can more than double the stock horsepower reliably.
Click to expand...

That's good to know. I just got off the phone with the mechanic, he said its $4500-$5000 for a 1.8 swap, because of all the work that goes into swapping the electronics.

So I guess I'll just settle with a 1.6. He said his engines have new clutches on them which will save me money, I'd like to get a leighyweighy flywheel too.

So now I just have to save up the cash, hopefully get the swap done around September October!
 

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