Ziggo's 1993 Miata

[Manny]

I didn't think you'd pick up an NA, let alone something in that sort of condition. Your wife really does own you. Sounds like you've got quite a build ahead of you.

[aaronc7]

Just came across this... thought it might interest you, if you haven't followed the thread on MT:

Cold Air Intake

[Ziggo]

The process has begun.....

[Ziggo]

Front Suspension Zerk'ed

[Ziggo]

Ouch. But I told myself I wouldn't cheap out on the suspension. Would hurt more if I hadn't gotten the car cheap.

[Neverlift]

Funny that Ohlins are less expensive. Legit update. Beats the hell out of the #SWAGYOLO Miata threads cluttering up this section.

[Ziggo]

Yeah, I was kinda sore about the swaybar cost till I saw the set comes with a proper set of adjustable endlinks. The xidas are backordered till next month, so I have until then to finish the bushings and save for the next big purchase, wheels and tires

[Code Monkey]

Ohlins are like $2,800 for the "track" package. Fucking gay they make you buy two sets of springs.

[Ziggo]

Productive day. Disassembled the rear suspension on both sides in preparation for zerking, except for a stubborn axle nut which was resistant to several rounds of PB Blaster and heat gunning, would just spin with the emergency brake pulled as hard as I could. It doesn't necessarily have to be disassembled for the work I am doing, but I would rather just get it broken loose now, so I am going to take it to a shop to see if they can get it broken loose. Since I have new coilovers on the way, I pulled all the existing ones. dunno what a set of stock dampers, swaybars and megan springs will go for, but I will probably just craigslist them.





Also found a new issue, one of the guide pins on the drivers side rear caliper was sheared. Apparently someone sheared it, then decided it would be ok, its probably like kidneys, you can live with only one........... really glad I am doing all this work, its basically forcing a once over on all critical systems. Brake failure on a race track is no joke.

[aaronc7]

Bump

[Ziggo]

Originally Posted by aaronC5Z Bump

I said no shaming!

All the rear suspension bushings have been removed now, ended up resorting to pounding them out after my gear puller trick stopped working. Damned thing kept popping off.

Next up are differential bushings, but work is really kicking my ass. Might not have much free time till March, which is really when I wanted this thing back on the road......

[Dano]

quit day job...become driver....

[Ziggo]

Zerked the Rear Upper Control Arms, bringing the total number of zerks installed to 12, with 10 remaining to do.

New swaybars came in last week, so out with the old and in with the new....

[Ziggo]

Finished off the Zerks today, and I am going to talk to a powder coating shop to see what the cost will be to have them clean them up and paint the control arms. It wont be any easier than now because all the bushings are removed.

Also made up my mind about the brakes, a single caliper bracket is $19, and I can pick up a full set of 1.8l for $99, and since I will be getting new rotors anyway, I am going to go ahead and pick up the 1.8l brake caliper brackets and make the switch.

[Ziggo]

Long time no update.

The control arms are all off at a powder coating shop to be abrasive blasted and coated gloss black. They quoted me $200 to do it, and I figure there will never be a better time than now.

Picked up a set of 1.8l caliper brackets on ebay for $80, and ordered a full set of centric premium blanks, carbotech pads and stainless brake lines for $450

The last item to buy is wheels and tires. I have some time before I need them, but 225/45r15 tires are out of stock again at tirerack, which is making me reconsider my 15x9 wheel plan. A 15x8 with 205 treadwidth tires is almost the same price, so the only thing better about the 15x8 setup is availability. Except that, currently 15x8 advantis are not in stock at tire rack...........

[Code Monkey]

I am running 15x8 and think I should have gone 15x7. If your plans are to stay at 150 hp or below, 15x7 should be plenty.

[aaronc7]

15x8 would be nice in that you could run either a 225 or 205 tire.

[Pu Manchu]

Originally Posted by Ziggo 225/45r15 tires are out of stock again at tirerack

i've heard this is a seasonal issue every year.

[Crarrs]

Agree with all of the above. Go with 15x8s and enjoy the options. I had the same thoughts as you regarding seasonal backstock issues on 225s. Also, check Goodwin Racing for the Advantis.

[Tomas]

In spite of already having what seems like a never ending orgy of zirks you might want to double zirk if you are at it anyway. From the top and bottom. Fucking grease has a tendency to just spurt out from a single point of exit on the bushings and not get evenly distributed across their inner surface. Not being a physics man like yarself I am unable to explain the theory behind this baffling phenomena.

Looking through this makes me rethink tacking an MR2 MKI project. Wouldn't be as cheap as doing a Miata and there aren't nearly the same amount of aftermarket parts for the MR2s but there is something about the mid/rear engine configuration that is especially ghey. I actually traded in an MR2 for my MS3. But it was ueber ghey automatic.
A few pluses too is that they are hard top, have tons of room compared to Miatas for tall people ( I am 6'3" and have plenty of leg and head room), have super light steering even without a PS system, and are already about 2100 lbs to start with. if you go full homo you can swap what they call a Black Top or Silver top which is a 1.6L toyota engine that will red to like 9K rpm. Still only makes about 140 HP but it's a shit load of fun.

[Ziggo]

No more zerks! It's not just me being lazy, in most of those locations there is not a spot opposite of the location I used. Also all of the bushings, with the exception of the 4 rear, lower, outer bushings, have a gap between the to pieces of poly that should function pretty well as a gland to distribute the pressure. I will think about the rear outer lowers, the zero would stick out downwards, but it shouldn't be an issue since they will be inside the wheel.

As for the wheels, I will wait for the new year to make a purchase. I think I will stick with 15x7 for now, because stock 1.6l power. I worry that I will have too stiff a spring on the xidas for a skinny setup, but we will see. I would get C1Ms now, but they are 3lbs heavier each than the advantis. Goodwin doesn't have advantis in 15x7 in stock, and their tire prices suck. I would rather just wait to have tirerack send me a mounted and balanced set for no extra charge so I will just keep an eye on it.

[Code Monkey]

I just scored a used set of C1M's in 15x7" for $100. Not worried about the rim weight as this be my street setup (195/50 Direzza II).

[Ziggo]

Originally Posted by Code Monkey I just scored a used set of C1M's in 15x7" for $100. Not worried about the rim weight as this be my street setup (195/50 Direzza II).

Where did you find a deal like that? If you see another set pop up let me know.

[Code Monkey]

Originally Posted by Ziggo Where did you find a deal like that? If you see another set pop up let me know.

From a fellow track junkie. Also keep on checking dfwmiata.

[Crarrs]

15x9s if you want them....

FS: Advanti Racing Storm S1 - AZ Solo Forums

[beachshoer]

Damn I'd be tempted to replace my trm c3s with those. Light as fuck.

[Code Monkey]

You can buy Avantis brand new for $141 per rim here.

[Ziggo]

These will do for now.

[Code Monkey]

Originally Posted by Ziggo I completed removing the AC system from the car, I had not removed the condenser before. The Evaporator is still in, I will figure that out later.

Did you remove the passenger side radiator fan? It is not needed with the a/c system removed.

For the evaporator delete, you need a bypass tube, part # NA01-61-150A, and two plastic buttons, part # 99264-0531, picture of my delete.

[Ziggo]

Thanks for figuring that out. I left the fan on for now, figured my AC button could function as a fan switch.

[Ziggo]

Finally got the control arms back and they look great, completely worth the $200. They didn't plug the holes for the zerks, so I will have to chase them all again but I am very satisfied with the result.

[pzr2874]

They warranty work? Look nice

[Ziggo]

Long time no update. Spent quite a bit of time on the car this weekend, which is good since I have not touched it since mid December. Still no xidas, but people that ordered around the same time as I did have started received their kits so hopefully I will see mine soon as well.

With help from @kevdog; I completed the steering rack conversion, new boots and all the lines looped. For future reference, I used 1/4" fuel line for the smaller two loops and 3/8" fuel line for the larger one. Rack is now ready to go back in.


Removed the differential which was an adventure with help from @kevdog; and @Cheapspeed; I really should have read a how to first. The key is to remove the bushing from the bottom of the structural arm that holds the differential. Then things got really interesting taking the bushings out. We all took turns with a 4lb deadblow with @El Beaner; pitching in as well and basically pounded it out of there by bending one piece enough so that you can get it out. Also used a heat gun to help make things more bendy.



With the diff out I spun the stub axles about and thought it felt like a Viscous LSD, which I confirmed after browsing this website by the shape of the stub axle flanges: Differential Spotters Guide If I was serious about doing anything powerwise with the 1.6 I might care, but as is, meh. Better than open diff I suppose.



Also did final bushing/zerk assembly on all of the upper arms and one of the lower. took entirely too long to do it, but in addition to the yunegling I brought back from WV, I also brought back some caramel moonshine which I broke open today.



Lastly, found an Amazon warehouse deal on a Momo Drift 330mm Steering wheel. It has a 3.5" deep dish on it, so hopefully it will bring the wheel out enough for me. I dont want to have to run a spacer. Wheel should be here tuesday.

[Tomas]

Whats this steering rack conversion you speak of? What does it do and why?

[Code Monkey]

^ Depowering the power steering rack. I wonder if and how it would work on a speed6.

[Ziggo]

Just got a shipping notification for the xidas, I am so excited. After two years of browsing miati on Craigslist, and 7 months of this one sitting on jackstands in my garage, I might actually get to drive my very own miata.

[Manny]

congorats

[Ziggo]

Steering wheel came in, and I installed it right away. Seems like it is going to do the trick, I can straighten my leg out with it such that I can heel-toe. Plus, it doesn't glow in the dark like the old one.

Old:


Lights Off:


New:

[aaronc7]

New wheel looks legit. Need a lights-off shot of it.

[fredricktsang]

Are you planning on changing out the rear hubs? There has been reports of catastrophic failure of the hubs with track duty.