'92 Miata: Budget Project Car

[Shadowden]

Carpet from 94+ doesn't work due to the placement of the ECU. In the 90-93, it's in the passenger side footwell. In the 94+, it's behind the passenger seat. Stockinteriors.com gets some good reviews to my carpet will come from there. And while it's not a Jeep, it may become a dedicated track car...although that's down the road a bit.

Beyond that, it was my understanding that you were going to strip the convertible top so it would not have a top. As much as we would like it to always be sunny and no rain, your bound to get caught at least a couple times out and have it rained in. The little tops really don't protect the whole car from wet, more for sun shade. Even then, you are not going to notice the difference in road noise when you are driving it top down all the time.

If my car ever ends up as a pure fun car, I will likely proceed down a similar path.

[Huzer]

I'll be keeping the softtop intact for a while. I would like to get a bikini top, but will likely wait a while for that given they are a little more money than I'd like to spend and I want to allocate those funds to other perceived needs at the moment. The same could be said for carpet, I guess. My goofy splurge so far has been those darn tail lights. I'll see, nothing is set in stone yet other than parts I've already purchased. Beyond that, anything is fair game.

[Shadowden]

well stripping the vert top is not a cost other than labor.

I definately hear you though. Especially if the top is in decent condition, its toughto part with. Nice thing is, if tyou strip the top, you can shave the latches on the back of the car and the wind screen.

[roninsoldier83]

Dude, damn fine work! The car really is transformed! Looking 100% better my friend.

It's just my opinion, but I think I would stick with carpet as well... With all the work you've put in on the interior & exterior, I get the impression that you would like to at least keep the car looking clean and enjoy it on the street (as well as the track, one day I'm sure). As such, carpet seems to be the simplest and cleanest (cheapest as well?!?) option. Just my $.02

[Huzer]

Well, moving the Miata in and out of the garage has told me one thing...I need to do the rear main. So, since I'll be yanking everything out, I'll be doing the FM Happy Meal clutch package. While the engine's out, I'll do timing belt/etc as I have no records of when it was last done. This will most likely delay the brake upgrade, although maybe not. Engine pull happen early next month. Target date to have all of my wish list (roll bar, carpet, clutch, frame rails, potentially brakes) installed is by April. March will be busy.

[Huzer]

Picked up the frame rails and the rest of the sheet metal for the parcel shelf this afternoon for Skip. He was nice enough to pick them up for me when he drove up to Flyin Miata this weekend. We put my son in his Caterham...I should've taken a pic!

I was able to sit in a foamectomied NB with a Boss Frog bar, not the Maxx. My head hits. I sit lower in my car with the Corbeau on the floor. Unless I get one made that won't fit under the soft top, I don't think I'll get one to fit and pass the broomstick test, or come anywhere near passing. My wife measured, with the seat padding, top o my head is at 19", which puts me smack right on the bar.

[RX-7 Chris]

that sucks. Hope you can find one that works.

[Huzer]

Custom or a different car. The Hard Dog may fit, it sits higher than the Boss Frog by about an inch and a half. That would probably work decent enough to get through inspections if they track is being a hardass. That, or get a hardtop.

[roninsoldier83]

Well, moving the Miata in and out of the garage has told me one thing...I need to do the rear main. So, since I'll be yanking everything out, I'll be doing the FM Happy Meal clutch package. While the engine's out, I'll do timing belt/etc as I have no records of when it was last done. This will most likely delay the brake upgrade, although maybe not. Engine pull happen early next month. Target date to have all of my wish list (roll bar, carpet, clutch, frame rails, potentially brakes) installed is by April. March will be busy.

So, I know you're planning on boosting the car eventually.... with that said, since you're already removing the engine, have you considered just putting a 1.8 back in the engine bay? Heck, while you're at it, you could toss in a set of forged rods & pistons.... I'm just throwing that out there. BP 1.8L motors are cheap, and you could probably just sell your 1.6L in order to cover most of the costs associated with getting the larger motor.

If you're interested, the swap "kit" from FM is pretty cheap:
http://www.flyinmiata.com/index.php?deptid=4535&parentid=0&stocknumber=04-70500%20%201994-97

Just an idea since you'll already be putting in the labor.

Custom or a different car. The Hard Dog may fit, it sits higher than the Boss Frog by about an inch and a half. That would probably work decent enough to get through inspections if they track is being a hardass. That, or get a hardtop.

If it were me (and it likely will be eventually), I would think that the hardtop sounds pretty appealing... and given the color of the car (they made a few red ones over the years!), it shouldn't be too tough to find one that will match without issue. Just my $.02

[Huzer]

I've thought of a 1.8 (even toyed with buying a 71k mileage one when it was available, from the same car I took the body parts from), but decided against it. I like the character of the 1.6 engine, and while it's down on power compared to the 1.8, it's still a fun little engine to get wound up. My power goals are rather modest, so sticking with the 1.6 should do me just fine. Now, if the motor happens to blow up at some point, all bets are off as to what might end up in the engine bay. If I happen upon a used kit for a 1.8, I may do that as well.

As far as this go 'round, I'll just stick with the current engine and toss it back in.

[roninsoldier83]

I've thought of a 1.8 (even toyed with buying a 71k mileage one when it was available, from the same car I took the body parts from), but decided against it. I like the character of the 1.6 engine, and while it's down on power compared to the 1.8, it's still a fun little engine to get wound up. My power goals are rather modest, so sticking with the 1.6 should do me just fine. Now, if the motor happens to blow up at some point, all bets are off as to what might end up in the engine bay. If I happen upon a used kit for a 1.8, I may do that as well.

As far as this go 'round, I'll just stick with the current engine and toss it back in.

I get that. I've driven a few 1.6L & 1.8L Miatas and the 1.6 does seem a bit more rev-happy and at home in the upper RPM's, even if it is just a smudge down on power.

My thoughts on the 1.8 were partially for the extra power, but also partially because it seemed like the 1.8 has a slightly larger aftermarket due to being made for a significantly longer period of time (90-93 vs 94-97 & 99-05). Also the better flowing head and available VVT on the later cars isn't a bad option to have.

I will say this though; while the 1.6 is definitely more rev-happy than the early 1.8's, boosting the 1.8 changes the character of the motor entirely. My MSM feels very at home in it's last ~2000rpms and revs quickly up top.

Just curious, what kind of power were you aiming for?

[Huzer]

Just curious, what kind of power were you aiming for?

To be honest, a little more usable power than stock. I have fun in the car, although I have extremely few miles on the clock in it in current form. My power goals may change by the time I actually move forward with the upgrade next winter.

In order of priority:

• No leaks - I'm pulling the engine to clean, replace gaskets, clutch/flywheel, might as well do the WP/TB. Mainly, it's fun pulling engines.
• Doublecheck suspension. I know I need a couple of ball joint boots, but I should be good everywhere else. I do need an alignment, still. I guess I should install those pretty frame rails.
• Brakes - Cuz I want to. The stock clampers are ok, I just like the Willwoods.
• Interior - Carpet is going back in. I need to order. Other than that, I'll ride in uneven style for a while...Corbeau driver's seat with the stock passenger. For now, no roll bar until I can sit in a few more cars and see if it's remotely possible. I either need to go really tall to be track compliant, or really far back for the "looks" department. The other interior bits are in decent enough shape to keep intact.
• Cosmetic - She'll be a 50 footer. I need the bumper resprayed, front driver fender replaced, and I'll consider it good for now. I'm sure to be refreshed/prettied up more in the future. Budget constraints make this not as important as other items on the list.

That's my list for this year. I'm working on solidifying my budget and further goals for 2015. I may start with a Voodoo II. I'm not positive yet. I don't know if I want to stretch the budget for the FMII, but the end result there is hard to ignore. The BEGi kits seems to get rather mixed reviews for fit/finish and shipping errors. I don't have any desire to piece together my own kit. If a used FM kit pops up this year at a great price, I'll strike while the iron's hot and readjust my other priorities as needed.

[roninsoldier83]

Hey Tim, I had a couple questions... I'm about 6'2" 210 lbs and I find my legs touching the bottom of the steering wheel. Which, it isn't a big deal, unless I'm making a sharp turn, as I notice my hands end up touching my legs if I'm not paying attention.

When you did the foamectomy, did it help in this regard? I know the '03+ NB seats are different than the earlier cars, especially the backs of them (foam cards don't come out on later NB's), so I was wondering if I just did the bottom portion of the foamectomy if it would actually lower my legs a noticeable amount?

Also, as it pertains to seat height, how did your foamectomied OEM seat feel in comparison to your new aftermarket seat? Would it be wiser to just eventually invest in an aftermarket seat?

[Huzer]

It did lower my legs a bit, but not much. I'd say the Momo wheel made the biggest difference for wheel/leg room. The foamectomy does more for headroom overall. I havent driven much with the Corbeau, yet.

[roninsoldier83]

Custom or a different car. The Hard Dog may fit, it sits higher than the Boss Frog by about an inch and a half. That would probably work decent enough to get through inspections if they track is being a hardass. That, or get a hardtop.

I've been reading quite a bit about roll bars here lately and for tall guys that want to still be able to drive the car [safely] on the street, the hardtop really seems to be the answer.

What are you planning on doing with the car that requires the broomstick test? I'm just curious.