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

[homeforsummer]

I will just stick with 89 for now, only couple bucks more.

Of course, the other thing that's worth pointing out is that higher octane gas will do your engine absolutely no harm at all, so if you don't mind spending the extra on it then go nuts.

I dunno if it's the same in the US as in the UK, but higher-octane fuel here does tend to have detergents of various kinds in that "clean" your engine - de-coke valves etc. That would be an extra benefit to the fuel.

 

[Slash]

That's one of my issues for fuel. It's got all that crap in it that it doesn't need.

While I get the benefits of the detergents and what not that they put in it, I really think that should be an optional source of fuel for people who don't want all that crap in their engines. It's my firm belief that engine will run better without a lot of that garbage in it.

 

[LeadFootLiam]

I use chevron over here, don't know if that's in the UK or not, I will experiment with different kinds of fuel and see which is best.

So my shifter bushing kit arrived today, I will install it sometime this week.

 

[Aquarelle]

That's one of my issues for fuel. It's got all that crap in it that it doesn't need.

While I get the benefits of the detergents and what not that they put in it, I really think that should be an optional source of fuel for people who don't want all that crap in their engines. It's my firm belief that engine will run better without a lot of that garbage in it.

In NZ we have a gas chain called "Mobil" - they're often a good 10 cents per litre cheaper for premium gas than elsewhere because it's just "normal" premium gas - unlike Shell, Z, BP, Gull etc which have additives or biofuels and such

 

[Harry6784]

I use chevron over here, don't know if that's in the UK or not, I will experiment with different kinds of fuel and see which is best.

So my shifter bushing kit arrived today, I will install it sometime this week.

Used Chevron here too but lately I've been using Shell. Maybe it's me but my car feels a little peppier with Shell gas and I swear I'm getting a little better MPG...

 

[homeforsummer]

It's my firm belief that engine will run better without a lot of that garbage in it.

With respect, your "firm beliefs" are rarely reflected in reality. The reason that "garbage" is in the fuel in the first place is to help the engine run better by cleaning up all the crap that - for example - a decades-old lump of American pig-iron deposits as it burns fuel.

 

[Aquarelle]

With respect, your "firm beliefs" are rarely reflected in reality. The reason that "garbage" is in the fuel in the first place is to help the engine run better by cleaning up all the crap that - for example - a decades-old lump of American pig-iron deposits as it burns fuel.

I agree, giving my Skyline a vigorous course of high quality fuel, constantly filling it with 98 octane any time I came across a station that sold it has brought it new life after being abused with 91 for the past 200 thousand Ks.

The additives in fuels these days work wonders, especially on a 90's Nissan ECU - which is a learning computer that functions better than aftermarket units could ever hope to.

 

[LeadFootLiam]

So I changed my shifter oil, and shifter bushing. The clicking is still there, not a huge difference in shifting. But I'm not going to worry about it for now.

Going to buy some wheel next paycheck as well, and also a new fender, I went to the pick and pull, found nothing, and I went to my local car shop and they couldn't order me anything.

 

[Slash]

Going to buy some wheel next paycheck as well, and also a new fender, I went to the pick and pull, found nothing, and I went to my local car shop and they couldn't order me anything.

Jeg's sells brand new right and left front fenders, primed and all. They just need paint. You'll need to get an estimate at a body shop for what it would cost to have it painted. Will run you about $200. You can find them here.

Beware about the body shop though. A pre-primed fender might turn them into douchebags. They might say it's not primed right and want to re-prime it in order to squeeze some extra money out of you.

 

[CodeRedR51]

It's cheaper to just buy some used ones from a salvage center that sells Miata parts exclusively (there are a few out there) and have them shipped to you.

 

[Slash]

It's cheaper to just buy some used ones from a salvage center that sells Miata parts exclusively (there are a few out there) and have them shipped to you.

This is probably your best bet.

 

[LeadFootLiam]

I tried a salvage centre but all they had was rusty ones. Wise words @Slash I don't think I will get a body shop to do it but if I have to then I will be aware of what you said 👍

I think I'll just order online, that way I can be sure it is is good condition and don't have to worry about future rust.

 

[Slash]

Let us know the outcome.

 

[CodeRedR51]

I tried a salvage centre but all they had was rusty ones. Wise words @Slash I don't think I will get a body shop to do it but if I have to then I will be aware of what you said 👍

I think I'll just order online, that way I can be sure it is is good condition and don't have to worry about future rust.

I'm talking about places like Planet Miata that only sell Miata parts, and I'm 100% certain they would not sell you a rusty fender. Flyin' Miata used to do salvage parts (that was my job when I worked there) but it looks like they no longer do that.

Try these first:

www.planet-miata.com
www.partsgroup.com
www.panicmotorsports.com

 

[Slash]

Check out www.rockauto.com. Lots of cheap new parts there.


Make sure if it gives you the option to buy an "economy" fender, you click th normal one. Economy fenders are cheap and flimsy.

 

[Harry6784]

Check out www.rockauto.com. Lots of cheap new parts there.


Make sure if it gives you the option to buy an "economy" fender, you click th normal one. Economy fenders are cheap and flimsy.

Can't tell you how useful that site is. You could practically rebuild your car using just that site

 

[Slash]

I almost jumped out of my chair when I saw how much stuff they had for my truck. Except for interior stuff almost all of it was there. A lot of reproduction stuff.


Definitely a site worth keeping in your mind. Just watch what you buy.

 

[CAMAROBOY69]

Check out www.rockauto.com. Lots of cheap new parts there.


Make sure if it gives you the option to buy an "economy" fender, you click th normal one. Economy fenders are cheap and flimsy.

Whoa I haven't seen that site mentioned in almost 10 years!! Great site for sure. That's where I bought the Lincoln Mark VIII fan for my 69 Camaro almost 10 years ago. Its something like 4,000cfm and was only about $140.00!! That fan will practically suck small animals through the radiator.

I also always get a kick out of the fact I am running a Ford fan in my car. Proof I have no prejudice against any make or model.

 

[Slash]

Epic site. When you're in the old car biz you find the good stuff

 

[LeadFootLiam]

Check out www.rockauto.com. Lots of cheap new parts there.


Make sure if it gives you the option to buy an "economy" fender, you click th normal one. Economy fenders are cheap and flimsy.

Lol, I actually ordered a window crank from there because I broke mine haha.

 

[Slash]

You learn a thing or two about where to get parts

 

[Aquarelle]

So how goes your journey with your first car? You been learning just how different driving in the real world is to driving in GT?

 

[LeadFootLiam]

So how goes your journey with your first car? You been learning just how different driving in the real world is to driving in GT?

Hahaha. I love it! I had been driving for 2 years before I got my Miata, I was actually learning how similar GT can be with the physics.

Main thing is realizing that it can cost quite a bit to get a car fixed up, and looking and driving the way you want, takes a while too, I have had a had time being patient and not blowing all my money every paycheck.

Still getting used to RWD, especially in the rain. Still not comfortable enough to get into a big slide, also having an open diff stops me from sliding too much haha.

 

[Aquarelle]

Hahaha. I love it! I had been driving for 2 years before I got my Miata, I was actually learning how similar GT can be with the physics.

Main thing is realizing that it can cost quite a bit to get a car fixed up, and looking and driving the way you want, takes a while too, I have had a had time being patient and not blowing all my money every paycheck.

Still getting used to RWD, especially in the rain. Still not comfortable enough to get into a big slide, also having an open diff stops me from sliding too much haha.

Changing to an LSD would be the main thing I'd be focusing on once you're ready for modifications that effect performance. Having an LSD is so much more predictable and safer than an open differential 👍

But I'm glad you're enjoying yourself!

 

[Slash]

I you want more go go juice without modding the engine I suggest putting a set of gears in the differential with posi. It will maximize the torque you already have. MPGs might drop a little at highway speeds due to it running a tad higher in the rpms but the car will feel way more peppy under 55mph.

I recommend doing this as your first real mod. Gear sets are easy as pie to install if you can follow directions.

 

[Aquarelle]

I you want more go go juice without modding the engine I suggest putting a set of gears in the differential with posi.

I disagree - equipping a car like this with a positrac when the driver is a novice who drives spiritedly on public roads sounds like anything but a good idea.

They essentially work like shimming your diff, meaning it is incredibly easy to get the rear loose and when they do lose traction both wheels will spin at the same speed - this can be very dangerous in the wrong hands and especially so in the wet.

 

[Slash]

It wouldn't have to be now. Let him get the car looking good, performing well and him some experience before he starts breaking into things.

If your going to bother spending the money on a rear end you might as well do it right. But not now.

 

[Aquarelle]

It wouldn't have to be now. Let him get the car looking good, performing well and him some experience before he starts breaking into things.

If your going to bother spending the money on a rear end you might as well do it right. But not now.

Implying a posi is a better option than a proper LSD which can be easily had from a higher spec MX5 for very little money.

 

[Slash]

Posi traction is an LSD...they are the same thing. Posi traction is just a name dubbed by GM. Ford calls it "traction-lock" for example.

If you can get get one out of a different Miata, by all means do it but I just hope the gear is shorter. That's where it gets interesting.

 

[Aquarelle]

Posi traction is an LSD...they are the same thing. Posi traction is just a name dubbed by GM. Ford calls it "traction-lock" for example.

If you can get get one out of a different Miata, by all means do it but I just hope the gear is shorter. That's where it gets interesting.

As I understand it Posi and LSD are not interchangable terms, they work in different ways.

But yes you can get LSDs out of specced up MX5s - they're relatively easy to come across too; especially compared to R33 LSDs.