'92 Miata: Budget Project Car

Website · Postby **Shadowden** » Thu May 15, 2014 9:14

Perhaps carbon fiber would be a good consideration. I don't think it would dent. Although, the clear coat and epoxy would take a beating being stored outside. But the big flat areas (trunk and hood) would be good candidates. Not sure how many decent quality CF body panels are available for a miata, but I would suspect a lot.

$crillaTor · Postby **$crillaTor** » Thu May 15, 2014 9:14

I've had this happen to me a few times. I've used it as an opportunity to get a full paintjob on my cars for the price of the insurance deductible

Normally the insurance companies want to just do the paintless dent repair, but I complain and get the whole car repainted.

Edit: I just noticed you only have liability on it... DOH!

Postby **Huzer** » Thu May 15, 2014 9:14

I'd imagine my car, like erod's, they'd just total and I'd end up with a salvage title. I'm bummed about it, but ultimately, it's still a fun car. Even if it does resemble a golf ball, now.

Postby **RX-7 Chris** » Thu May 15, 2014 9:14

You could try the dry ice method.

Postby **Huzer** » Wed May 21, 2014 9:14

Climbed under the car for a bit last night. I didn't break out any tools, as I'm hoping to do so this weekend. I definitely need shorter bolts for the seats, the ones I have in there now look ridiculous (and dangerous) with as long as they are, poking through the floor. The passenger side frame rail may need no massaging for the FM rails to fit. Maybe a tap here and there, but it's decent overall. The driver's side needs some heavy work. One thing at a time, I'll get the frame rails on and decide on what to do next.

Website · Postby **Shadowden** » Wed May 21, 2014 9:14

If the rail is flattened, is it possible to drill holes and use a slide hammer to pull it back out some, or is that just a ridiculous idea?

I'd like to hear audio on the air hammer when you put it to work. Perhaps a good couple hours for the rest of the family to leave the house and for you to wear ear protection? Never used one, but I would think it would be LOUD!

erod550 · Postby **erod550** » Wed May 21, 2014 9:14

I really need to get some ear muffs for working with my air tools. My air ratchet in particular is loud as hell and leaves my ears ringing.

Postby **Huzer** » Sun May 25, 2014 9:14

I'll post pics when I can lift my arms again. Got the frame rails on this weekend. Got the passenger side on last night. The only gotcha on the passenger side is that you have to remove the brackets for the hard lines that run along the passenger side rail and remote to the new rail. Really nothing hard at all.

Driver's side I hammered on a little bit, but that metal is soft enough that I eventually just used the floor jack and smushed the new frame rail on. Worked like a charm. Got it bolted on, the seat back in, and the harness mounted. I need to adjust the harness now that it's in.

I didn't reinstall the carpet. Until I get the weatherstripping for the soft top, I'd prefer the carpet to not get wet when it rains. I think the Miata is now ready (enough) for summer DD status. I have some mechanical bits to take care of, but getting the seat/harness/frame rails completed has been a priority for a while. Up next (most likely) is the clutch.

Website · Postby **Shadowden** » Mon May 26, 2014 9:14

Nice. Let me know when its time to install the clutch.

Postby **Huzer** » Tue May 27, 2014 9:14

The Miata has been elevated to summer DD status. Well, at least until I tear it apart again. Since this thread is long in the running, I thought I'd summarize that I've done to it in the 13 months it's been in my possession.

Suspension:
Flyin' Miata full Stage 2.5 suspension. That's FMs f/r sway bars, rear top hats, bump stops, springs, and adjustable Tokico Illuminas. I added the Mazda Competition top hats to the front to replace the old ones.
949Racing adjustable endlinks.
949Racing 6ul 15x8 wheels with Hankook Ventus RS3
Chassis stiffening: Flyin Miata Frame Rail reinforcement

Drivetrain: Nada. Other than maintenance, hoses, etc, I've made no modifications or upgrades. Soon to come, flywheel/clutch. I'm leaning heavily towards remaining N/A, so I may get the Racing Beat header and replace the rest of the exhaust as well.

Brakes: Nada. Maintenance (pads, rotors, 2 rear calipers. NAPA brand. Replaced fluid with Super Blue). I plan on a 4 wheel Willwood kit, eventually. I know I don't need it, but I don't need a Miata either.

Interior:
Boss Frog Clearview Maxx rollbar
Boss Frog Harness Bar
Corbeau FX1 Pro on PCI mount. Rear mounts cut out, seat mounted through floor.
Corbeau 4 pt harnesses.
Momo Mod 08 steering wheel, Daikei hub
Momo Anatomic Knob (don't like, replaced with stock)
New carpet (still out, may not install)

Exterior:
Replaced trunk, hood, driver side door, passenger side door/fender, rear bumper. Added R front spoiler, R trunk spoiler.
Garage Vary tail lights

As a daily driver, it's a bit on edge right now. My rather ample behind is a snug fit in the Corbeau, and the harness makes it slightly annoying, but they are much better than the non-retracting seat belts after the roll bar install. I reinstalled the center console and passenger seat, so really, the only thing not back in is the carpet. I may not reinstall it, either. So far, I haven't found it too noisy or too hot. Might look a little goofy, but so does the rest of the hail damaged car.

All in all, I'm pleased. Working on the car this weekend has kinda restored my desire to keep building it into what I want. The hail damage bummed me out, but it can be repaired.

Postby **Huzer** » Mon Jun 02, 2014 9:14

Well, I drove the Miata into the office today. Normally, that wouldn't be much of a statement, but today is the first time it's been out of my local neighborhood since last fall. So it's the first time I've driven it anywhere of consequence with the new wheels/tires/seat/roll bar/frame rails/and anything else I may have done but forgotten about over the winter.

Driving impressions...I'm sure it's a combination of the all of the above, but the car is much stiffer. For lack of a better word, it doesn't feel as "floppy" over expansion joints and uneven road. I've also noticed that it has helped get rid of a few of random clunks that would occur over bumps. Granted, I've gone through and retorqued a lot of things, and I'm sure that has helped. I also expected it to wander more on the grooved concrete highway, but it didn't.

Comfort wise, it's a-ok. A pain to get in and out of, and the harness doesn't help in that regard, but it's fine once I'm in it. My head is below the windshield, and below the rollbar. The Corbeau is snug, but not bad, and it's actually more comfortable than I thought it would be. The biggest difference I've found lately when driving it is the very analog feel of driving the '92 vs the very digital world of the Focus and the Jeep. Both of those vehicles have multiple screens, settings, menus, buttons. The Miata has a big tach, and big speedo, the three other appropriate smaller gauges (fuel, oil press, water temp) and that's it. No stereo, and I don't think I've ever turned the climate control from it's "off" setting. Nothing to worry about other than driving.

erod550 · Postby **erod550** » Mon Jun 02, 2014 9:14

The plainness and simplicity of the Miata is one of my favorite things about it. It's why I love working on it and why I love driving it.

I love my tech toys in the Mustang too, but I love the "analog" feel of the Miata as you say also.

roninsoldier83 · Postby **roninsoldier83** » Mon Jun 09, 2014 9:14

Congrats on finally being able to enjoy the project as a DD! I'm sure that's a good feeling.

Quick question: how much lower is the Corbeau in comparison to the factory seat with a foamectomy?

With all the suspension mods, I'm assuming you got a good alignment done?

Honestly, after doing a TON of research on power mods, I don't know if I would want to stay NA if I were in your shoes.... and if I did, I think I would swap over to the larger (1.8L), higher compression 99-00 motor, with the better flowing head and go from there. I say 99-00 because you get the better flowing head of the later cars without having to deal with the VVT issues of the 01+ cars.

Although, bang for your buck wise, FI really does seem to be the way to go, as these motors don't respond all that well to normal bolt-ons. I know you're planning on tracking the car, and turbo power creates a lot of heat/added complexity that isn't exactly helpful on the track. However, there have been quite a few guys swearing by the Rotrex supercharger kits being consistent and reliable on the track due to having lower IAT's vs turbochargers & roots/twin screw superchargers. Just food for thought.

Postby **Huzer** » Tue Jun 10, 2014 9:14

Corbeau is definitely lower than the foamectomy, but not as low (I've discovered) a other seats can be, apparently. It's also lower by being bolted to the floor. Without cutting the rear humps out, I wouldn't be low enough.

That said, I'm safely under the rollbar in the Corbeau. I was not in a heavily foamectomied car. By way of comparison, I refitted the stock passenger seat and the center of my head is right at the rollbar.

Power mods, I haven't decided on yet. That's the main reason I haven't done anything other than keep it running strongly. I may go FI, I may go V8. I haven't decided what my investment will be in that area, so I keep upgrading other areas first. Being stupid, I'm sensing the Willwood 4 wheel brake setup may be next.

Suspension mods (yep, I've had an alignment) were well worth it in my book. Given the deal I got on most of the parts, it made sense replacing the worn out stock parts with some upgraded goodies. It feels better than the RX8 did, although it is a bit stiffer, spring wise, than the 8. Frame rails have made a big difference, although I didn't drive it enough post-rollbar install and pre-frame rail install to give a significant impression of what those individual components did. I'm unsure if I'll do anything else for bracing, as I don't want to make the car too firm. If I go V8 and more power, I'll probably do frog arms, or something similar.

roninsoldier83 · Postby **roninsoldier83** » Tue Jun 10, 2014 9:14

Honestly buddy, I think you're doing it the right way; better to put your cash towards things you know you want than to put it towards an engine mod path that might change down the line anyway.

I know you're a tall guy; with that said, can you now fit with a helmet under the roll bar? Or just your bare head? If you had to choose seats again, would you still have gone with the Corbeau's or something different?

I'm a supporter of the Wilwood's going on next.

I think you're setting her up to be pretty balanced once you bring in the power later on! I know you just started driving the car to work, but with all the suspension/chassis/wheels/tires you've put into it, you really should take it for a spin through the canyons if you haven't already! I'm sure it'll be a riot to drive. You should consider putting together a canyon cruise sometime this summer. Hell, if it falls on a Sunday, and I'm not falling asleep from working all night, I would be sure to try and make it out if at all possible.

You've done good work so far buddy. I'd like to start modding the MSM, but I'm still recovering from buying it to begin with! If the little lady heard me talking about spending more money on cars right about now, well, let's just say she might hint at me sleeping in the basement for a while! I'm assuming you have a very understanding wife.

'92 Miata: Budget Project Car

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