Speed Junkie's Car Thread (About time I did this)

[homeforsummer]

So I went for a relatively mild drive today (first "drive" in more than half a year) and realized how I have lost my "edge." And this is on DZ101s at not very high speeds! Lol my sense of speed has gone up significantly which is certainly not a good thing.

I know the feeling. I need to get back to a track again at some point as I need to re-calibrate my expectations of what a car is capable of. Find myself chickening out a bit in some higher-speed scenarios when I know my car is capable of more.

 

[Keef]

It's definitely one of those skills you have to practice to stay good at.

 

[speed junkie]

It was a nice day today for photos. Sucks that I didn't have a tripod.

Decals ftw.

 

[SpartanG]

Love it. I'm actually in the process of talking to my parents about getting a 1.6 miata. There is literally no better car that can be had for this cheap, while still being reliable and acceptable insurance.

The next problem will be, what to do to it 👍

 

[speed junkie]

If you can fit in one, get one. You'll never look back. The aftermarket for these things is pretty vast just do your research and have a clear goal for the car before you start spending money on parts.

 

[SpartanG]

At 6 feet even, will I fit? A lot of people talk about cutting out some foam to lower your butt, but I'd rather not do that...

And for mods I guess I'll start with solidifying the suspension. I've seen way too many cars that become weak in the chassis and it feels like riding in a spaghetti noodle. Fortunately there's a performance auto shop near my house that specializes in Japanese cars, and it has a huge selection of NA parts. I'll probably be looking there for all my needs.

http://www.jscspeed.com/catalog/Mazda/89_05_Miata.html

the place is literally 5 minutes from my house.

 

[Eunos_Cosmo]

I'm not sure when it happened exactly, and I do think it was a fairly instantaneous event; the Miata is no longer a girls car. In fact I haven't seen a girl driving a Miata in ages. I think the fact that they are no longer 'trendy' and now they are just 'damn good cars' has a lot to do with it. I still prefer the Miata's spiritual older brother (aka the FB RX-7) but I'd like to get a Miata at some point. Yours is very nice.

 

[speed junkie]

At 6 feet even, will I fit?

Not as well as if you were 5' 6"

A lot of people talk about cutting out some foam to lower your butt, but I'd rather not do that...

Do it. My friend has an NA with the cut foam and its MUCH more comfortable than with them and you sit much lower. Keep in mind the back support foam is cut as well. Not to mention because you sit deeper in the seat you get some extra lateral support. I highly recommend a proper race seat though. Sit in one and you will see why.

And for mods I guess I'll start with solidifying the suspension. I've seen way too many cars that become weak in the chassis and it feels like riding in a spaghetti noodle. Fortunately there's a performance auto shop near my house that specializes in Japanese cars, and it has a huge selection of NA parts. I'll probably be looking there for all my needs.

http://www.jscspeed.com/catalog/Mazda/89_05_Miata.html

the place is literally 5 minutes from my house.

The way I went about getting parts for my car was (in this order) steering wheel, wheels, tires, flywheel, sway bars, coilovers, etc. Things that improve the driving experience. If I were to ever do all of this again I would add the LSD to one of the first things instead of the last.

Also, its nice that you have a shop that close to your house just don't limit yourself to their products. You have the greatest resource available to a car enthusiast so use it. Decide what parts you want then find the distributor that sells it the cheapest.

BTW, if you're looking for Miata specialists in the US then visit these guys...

949 Racing

Good Win Racing

Flyin Miata

I'm not sure when it happened exactly, and I do think it was a fairly instantaneous event; the Miata is no longer a girls car. In fact I haven't seen a girl driving a Miata in ages. I think the fact that they are no longer 'trendy' and now they are just 'damn good cars' has a lot to do with it. I still prefer the Miata's spiritual older brother (aka the FB RX-7) but I'd like to get a Miata at some point. Yours is very nice.

I was never too in touch with the Miata community before I realized they were perfect (lol) but I don't really remember seeing many women driving them. Especially young ones. Lots of old men for sure though and still are. The Miata tuning community, on the other hand, certainly has expanded relatively quickly in the past six (almost seven) years though which is how long I've been "in" although they have certainly been at it long before that.

I love SA22Cs but I would be tempted to swap the old 12As for a 13B.

And thanks btw

 

[homeforsummer]

I'm not sure when it happened exactly, and I do think it was a fairly instantaneous event; the Miata is no longer a girls car. In fact I haven't seen a girl driving a Miata in ages. I think the fact that they are no longer 'trendy' and now they are just 'damn good cars' has a lot to do with it.

I put it down to the fact that an early Miata is a pretty crude device by modern standards and most girls I know tend to like their creature comforts. When I had mine every girl I knew loved it, but I guarantee not a single one of them would actually buy one.

Actually that's a lie, as a girl I knew at uni bought an NB Miata after I recommended it, but that would be it Anyway, they're a bit more refined than the NA.

 

[speed junkie]

I put it down to the fact that an early Miata is a pretty crude device by modern standards...

Yes. Especially my particular car. It's all fun and games until they have to ride in it for more than 10 minutes

 

[CodeRedR51]

At 6 feet even, will I fit? A lot of people talk about cutting out some foam to lower your butt, but I'd rather not do that...

Foamectomy! (or however you spell it...)

 

[speed junkie]

As I mentioned before, aftermarket seat fitment in Miatas is something that requires quite a bit of research but the foamsectomy is definitely something I would do initially. Also being thin helps.

 

[CodeRedR51]

I'm 5'6, 130lbs so a '90 Miata was perfect for me.

 

[speed junkie]

Exactly my case more often than not.

 

[homeforsummer]

I'm 5'6, 130lbs so a '90 Miata was perfect for me.

5'8 and 140 here and again - MX5 was absolutely perfect. I've heard NBs were actually marginally less suitable as the seat was mounted higher, though taller folks tend to put NA seats in the NB, or just change them altogether for a proper racing seat.

 

[Keef]

5' 10" and Cesar's old seat was a bit too close for my legs. I think he's fixed that now with the new mounts and wheel spacer.

 

[Rotary Junkie]

I'm 6' dead and fit okay in an NB. Head is very close to the soft top but doesn't quite hit, same for the hardtops. Modded seat would sort that.

 

[CodeRedR51]

 

[speed junkie]

5' 10" and Cesar's old seat was a bit too close for my legs. I think he's fixed that now with the new mounts and wheel spacer.

Remember that I am now using the stock rails which are slightly lower than the Nagisa Auto ones with the SPG so yeah, definitely sits further back and still have the steering wheel where it should be.

I'm 6' dead and fit okay in an NB. Head is very close to the soft top but doesn't quite hit, same for the hardtops. Modded seat would sort that.

That would suck sitting that high in a Miata. I have pushed myself back up against the seat just to see what it's like and it feels like if I'm sitting on a Power Wheels...

NB Foamectomy

I'd actually cut out more than that.

 

[speed junkie]

So today I got a package from Evasive Motorsports containing the Buddy Club oil cap I ordered. With it came a booklet showing me all the fun and exiting ways to empty out my bank account. Oh and a sticker as well. It actually came sooner than I expected it to so Im happy.

Overall it really adds to the engine bay. Next in the engine bay compartment is a proper coolant overflow. I currently have a Mazdaspeed Protege overflow tank zip tied on the left side of the radiator support

 

[CodeRedR51]

You need some super shiny adjustable cam gears too.

 

[Keef]

Maybe I suggest a slight design change?

Your PCV filter. On my Civic I bought the fancy stainless mesh one at Autozone. I then carefully taped off the mesh and the hose section, scuffed and cleaned the chrome bits, and painted them with Sherwin Williams Wrought Iron Flat Black spray paint. It still looked stunning when I sold the engine. I HATE chrome filters because they look cheap.

 

[speed junkie]

You need some super shiny adjustable cam gears too.

Yes, something like this I think...

Maybe I suggest a slight design change?

Your PCV filter. On my Civic I bought the fancy stainless mesh one at Autozone. I then carefully taped off the mesh and the hose section, scuffed and cleaned the chrome bits, and painted them with Sherwin Williams Wrought Iron Flat Black spray paint. It still looked stunning when I sold the engine. I HATE chrome filters because they look cheap.

Lol can't believe I overlooked this. Will definitely be making it happen.

 

[CodeRedR51]

Screw the gears I want that whole engine.

 

[Boz Mon]

Does your top have a headliner in it? I found out that if you take the headliner and put it over the 2nd bow that it rides on, it will give you a ton more headroom. I need the headroom being 6'2'".

 

[speed junkie]

Screw the gears I want that whole engine.

Easy now! Its just the 1.6 you see there. Although, that is very much how I would like my engine to look some day (maybe that's what you meant)

Also, the thing is a Japan level build lol. The guy has great attention to detail (Stoly from Club Roadster) and the funds to get the parts


EDIT:

This...

"...the stock 1.6 AFM actually is very restrictive for the 1.6 engine to begin with...
the 1..6 engine needs 325 CFM (if i'm not mistaken) and that's in stock form! the AFM only allows for 285 CFM (again, if i'm not mistaken...), and adding your basic bolt ons actually increses your CFM requirements...
the 1.8 engine needs like 400 CFM so you're really chocking that engine..."

I didn't know it was THAT much even for the stock 1.6. Just that much more reason to do what I plan on doing.

 

[CodeRedR51]

Easy now! Its just the 1.6 you see there. Although, that is very much how I would like my engine to look some day (maybe that's what you meant)

Thats exactly what I want. My next Miata build would actually be a high compression 1.6. 👍

 

[Rotary Junkie]

That would suck sitting that high in a Miata. I have pushed myself back up against the seat just to see what it's like and it feels like if I'm sitting on a Power Wheels...

Hah. There's more headroom in an NB than a new Camaro with a sunroof at least. So long as the seat can be modified (or replaced) so that I'm not quite that high up it's all good.

 

[speed junkie]

Bride Low Max 👍

 

[speed junkie]

Totally forgot to update this thing. Surely old news to anyone here considering I posted it in the Imports thread...

Me and a couple friends went for a drive on saturday. Sadly a few hours later than when we should have (totally missed out.) One of the guys there said they had been driving since 11 AM.

Sadly these are all the photos I was able to take of the cars since they were on their way back to town and had just made a final stop at the top. They all had GoPros and one guy had a chihuahua-sized video camera and another guy an equaly sized Canon iirc. they told me they were from the DC area and came down here for the weekend (not the first people from DC Ive seen drive here either. *Remembers Caterhams*) I told them they were driving the best road in the area. just when I thought 33 had lost its popularity.