'92 Miata: Budget Project Car

roninsoldier83 · Postby **roninsoldier83** » Mon Jul 28, 2014 9:14

Nice brakes! Maybe I missed it, but did you swap all 4 calipers to Wilwood's? Or just the fronts?

Postby **Huzer** » Mon Jul 28, 2014 9:14

Just the fronts. Rears are upgraded to sports. Rear brakes went from a 9" to an 11" rotor.

Website · Postby **Shadowden** » Mon Jul 28, 2014 9:14

Huzer wrote:Thanks. I also got my son involved. I let him tighten the lugs while the car was still in the air. He really got a kick out of using the ratchet.

I let my niece tighten the lugs on the avalanche when I did brakes on it last (few years ago). Kids are sponges. If we are ever blessed with a kid(s), I'd have them "help" me with everything.

You huzers seem to be doing a great job with the little guy!

roninsoldier83 · Postby **roninsoldier83** » Mon Jul 28, 2014 9:14

Huzer wrote:Just the fronts. Rears are upgraded to sports. Rear brakes went from a 9" to an 11" rotor.

Nice! That's a pretty big jump in rotor size! I've heard the sports brakes are generally adequate for track days with good fluid & pads.

You've made some pretty big strides on the car over the years.... I'd imagine you've got to be close to considering power mods, seeing as though you've done almost everything else there is to do performance wise!

Postby **Huzer** » Mon Jul 28, 2014 9:14

Power is most likely a little ways out. I've had other obligations pop up that prohibit the large expenditure for a turbo (most likely) or a V8 (really, not likely) for a while.

Next up will be another Corbeau for the passenger, a windshield, and clutch/flywheel. When those will be done, I'm not sure. I do still have a handful of maintenance items that need to be done. First up, though, will be driving it!

Website · Postby **Shadowden** » Mon Jul 28, 2014 9:14

Where did you get your first Corbeau from? I've shopped seats and just can't bring myself to plunk down the coin for the seat (s), then the extra for shipping of them.

Postby **Huzer** » Mon Jul 28, 2014 9:14

I found mine used on a Miata forum, but the guy happened to be up in Fort Collins. It came with the mount as well.

Postby **Huzer** » Wed Jul 30, 2014 9:14

Well, I've reached the part of the Miata build where I usually ditch projects. It's time for the big stuff. Not that suspension, or roll bars, etc weren't "big", but all of that was relatively easy to install. Now it's "pull engine, do bodywork, mooooooore power, etc" portion of the build that's both time consuming and expensive. I really want to finish this car, and not have it be another unfinished project that I unload on someone else. Power will have to wait a while, that's the most expensive, and while it's something I will do, I don't have the discretionary funds to do so. At least to do so correctly/reliably.

My current bodywork plan is to do the bodywork myself (gotta learn sometime) and then wrap the car with quality vinyl. My other mechanical plans are to pull the engine (not 100% necessary, but I want to), inspect/replace things that need it, upgrade clutch/flywheel, inspect the bushings (they all look good, but check em out again), the other miscellaneous stuff (tie rods, ball joints, etc...once again, looked and felt good before, but doublecheck).

I've now had the Miata for 15 months, which as most of you know, places it nearly at the end of my average ownership time frame. Ha.

Postby **RX-7 Chris** » Wed Jul 30, 2014 9:14

Let me know when you start on the body work. I can help you out with that.

Postby **Huzer** » Mon Aug 18, 2014 9:14

Drove it for the first time in a while. I generally don't take a chance on expired tags, even with the 1 month grace period. Coupled with the really warm weather lately, and not a recipe for fun in the Miata. Still fun to drive, even if it was on just a few errands. My nephew sat in the Corbeau and now really wants one for his Jeep (as well as a harness).

It will be the DD again soon though, my sis is coming into town with her hubby and staying up in the mountains for a week. I offered up the ST so she wouldn't have to rent a car.

Current plans? Other than vinyl, a matching FX1 on the passenger side. That's it for now.

roninsoldier83 · Postby **roninsoldier83** » Mon Aug 18, 2014 9:14

I wouldn't worry about slightly expired tags, due to the grace period. If your tags expired on 7/2014, you can't be pulled over for it until 9/1/2014. Prior to that, there's no PC for an officer to pull you over.... So, no worries. It should be noted that the same grace period rules don't apply to temp tags; temp tags don't get a grace period whatsoever.

Either way, glad you're getting out there and driving that thing! I would say my MSM generally gets driven 1-3 times a week. Every time I drive my MSM, I remember why I have no intention of getting rid of it! Although I'm sure my resolve might waver a bit when she does a lot of sitting in the winter...

Postby **Huzer** » Mon Aug 18, 2014 9:14

With my legal luck, best not to chance anything.

Decided on power goals for the Miata. Since I have a turbo-4 now, I decided, why have two? I'm going to go the boring old V8 upgrade route. It's not happening anytime in the near future, but that's what's going to happen down the road. Something about a V8 firing up in a Miata is just too cool to pass up.

roninsoldier83 · Postby **roninsoldier83** » Mon Aug 18, 2014 9:14

I don't know if the V8 route would ever be considered "boring"! Me personally, I think the V8 route is by far the most interesting and the most ideal. Unfortunately, it also seems to be the most expensive, at least up to a certain power level...

Really though, you can make similar power levels with a turbo-4 (vs a stock-ish V8), but the V8 will have a better looking torque curve (my opinion) and will likely be a lot easier to keep cool/reliable on the track. A big V8 will also sound a LOT better!

Which flavor of V8 are you thinking? I've heard the old Ford 302 route was one of the cheapest, but an aluminum Chevy LSx motor would be my ideal choice, even if it does cost a pretty penny.

Postby **Huzer** » Tue Aug 19, 2014 9:14

roninsoldier83 wrote:I don't know if the V8 route would ever be considered "boring"! Me personally, I think the V8 route is by far the most interesting and the most ideal. Unfortunately, it also seems to be the most expensive, at least up to a certain power level...

Really though, you can make similar power levels with a turbo-4 (vs a stock-ish V8), but the V8 will have a better looking torque curve (my opinion) and will likely be a lot easier to keep cool/reliable on the track. A big V8 will also sound a LOT better!

Which flavor of V8 are you thinking? I've heard the old Ford 302 route was one of the cheapest, but an aluminum Chevy LSx motor would be my ideal choice, even if it does cost a pretty penny.

LSx is my path at this point. It really will be a multi-year upgrade. Most likely, the next year or two, I'll be driving as is and maintaining, and trying to stockpile used parts as I find them. If I find some sort of smoking deal, or someone's abandoned LSx project that they're dumping, then it may happen sooner.

Website · Postby **Shadowden** » Tue Aug 19, 2014 9:14

Nice thing about the LS motors is how smooth they run. People run solid engine mounts for them in the S2000 swaps. The other nice thing about a motor swap as opposed to the turbo is you can enjoy the car right up until its time to do the swap. If you plan it right, the car is only down for a weekend.

'92 Miata: Budget Project Car

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