Because I have not been raped enough by my MS6 ...

[aggierandy]

Just curious, what made you go with this one and not a little later model.

Sent from my XT926

[Code Monkey]

Originally Posted by aggierandy Just curious, what made you go with this one and not a little later model.

-- lightest of all Miatas
-- long-nosed crank
-- no power doors, mirrors, etc

But I was looking at anything 91-97 and it just happened that this one came at the price I could not refuse.

Here is a video of an instructor doing a 2:02 in his 1.6 Miata at the TWS, I think my best time in the Mazdaspeed is about 2:05 so far.

1.6 Miata at TWS

1.6 Miata at TWS

I talked to the guy and the Miata has: "Megasquirt fill intake and exhaust tune not completed yet. poly diff and suspension bushings. AST coilovers and no chassis stiffening. 1.6 open diff slowing me down with 4.10 ratio. 225 nt01's and 15X9 wheels."

Thus, I am not worried about the car not performing at the track, and so far it has been great driving around town, you rev that sucker to 7500 and go to 60 in 2nd, immediately puts a stupid grin on your face.

[Code Monkey]

Even Miata keys have aids....



Here is my horn hook up.



Drove around town a bit and the wheel does get in the way of seeing the instrument cluster, @El_Diablo; I can only see the speed up to 40mph, then the wheel gets in the way. Again, it is only temporary, some day I will be going for racing seats and bolting them to the floor.

[Mazdazilla6]

Being 6'2" doesn't help, I can't see the top of my speedo or tach either. Guess it doesn't really matter as long as I'm not speeding and I can see 5k+ so I know I'm not sitting on redline.

[Code Monkey]

Picked up a set of used 15x8 UL's.

[Code Monkey]

Installed SuperMiata competition motor mounts today, 70 duro.

There are only two motor mounts on the Miata, but the install took twice the time it would take me to swap all the three motor mounts on the speed6. Managed to do the driver side without taking the header off.

Have not driven the car on the street yet as I finished the install late and was too tired, but at idle the license plate shakes against the bracket and makes a metallic sound. The mounts should be broken in in 500 miles or so.

Noticed that I have two cracks in the front of the engine, those are some plastic covers so probably nothing major.

I was also planning to swap the clutch master cylinder this weekend but Rosenthal Mazda sent me a slave by mistake so I will have to wait until next week when I get the correct part from them.

Edit: I just went for a ride and OMG, the car is completely changed. The whole front feels super soild, the shifting is crisp, the license plate like crazy at idle, the engine makes new at idle, the rear view mirror vibrates a bit at 3500 rpms. Best mod so far.

[Code Monkey]

Performed a foamectomy today. The biggest bitch was a single screw on a side of the seat, I had to use a dremel to accommodate a flat head. I only cut out the foam from the back of the bottom, did not touch the back rest. The mod dropped my position by just a tad over half an inch, I could barely see the 40 mph mark on the speedo before, now I can almost see the 60 mph mark.

I also slapped the 15 x 8 UL's on the car, I think they look beautiful. I drove a bit around town and front tires would rub on aggressive sharp turns, I either need a fender roll or stiffer springs.

[Neverlift]

You will need a fender roll. No need for springs until you can pair them with a proper damper. I assume it's on OEM Showa, or some lack lust replacement.

Why did you go with a x8 wheel? Do you really think a B6 powered, open diff'd Miata needs that much wheel/tire? I would be trying to save as much weight as possible if I were you, while still having an opportunity to find the limits and handling characteristics of the car. I ran x6.5 w/ 195/50 tires on my NA and never thought for a second I needed more tire. Let alone some that were below 300 treadwear. I would have died of boredom.

Anyhow, time for a rollbar, you have a track wheel setup, might as well complete the look & make it track ready. When you learn to drive this fag-ride proper, you should have no problem getting under 2 mins @ TWS in the real racecar.

[Code Monkey]

I said "springs" but I will be getting coilovers of course.

Power mods will come in time so why not jump straight to 15x8 given I got them used for real cheap from a fellow track junkie.

[Neverlift]

Why not run them? Because you would benefit more now from running a tire that will actually allow you find the limits of the car. Shelf them, run something cheap, skinny, and light in the meantime until you cannot go any faster on that setup.

This is the drag racer equivalent of a 400whp car that runs 13s, and thinking more power will net you 12s.

It's just a suggestion, I'd be embarrassed if 1.6 open diff'd Miatas ran faster times than my racecar & would be doing what I could to correct that. Meaningful seat time.

[Code Monkey]

Here is local instructor at the TWS running 2:01.90 in his 1992 Miata -- open diff, AST coils, some mild power mods and tune with the attached dyno graph. The wheels are 15x9 with 225 NT-01's.

TWS -- 1.6 Miata

For comparison, the best Spec Miata time is 1:58.xx.

[Code Monkey]

Went to the dyno today. I am pretty happy with the results.

@EyeKon;

@S-hendrix; the dyno is low enough to accommodate your car.

[Koke382]

Nice

Sent from my LG-LS980 using Tapatalk

[Mazdazilla6]

Nice numbers, is this on stock turbo?

[Code Monkey]

Originally Posted by Mazdazilla6 Nice numbers, is this on stock turbo?

Stock turbo, boosting 0 psi.

[Mazdazilla6]

How do you like those mounts? I'm thinking mine have left the building.

Also does your car have two radios?

[Code Monkey]

Originally Posted by Mazdazilla6 How do you like those mounts? I'm thinking mine have left the building.

Still breaking them in, lots of vibration through different rpms, loving it.

Originally Posted by Mazdazilla6 Also does your car have two radios?

Yeah, some weird setup the seller had, I am going to yank them both and put a blank plate in there at some point.

[Mazdazilla6]

Originally Posted by Code Monkey Still breaking them in, lots of vibration through different rpms, loving it. Yeah, some weird setup the seller had, I am going to yank them both and put a blank plate in there at some point.

Hmm 225 is a good chunk of change. Might just go with Mazda comp inserts.

And I have a blank in mine but I want a cubby hole instead. If I buy one soon I can shoot you the blank fo free.

[Code Monkey]

Originally Posted by Mazdazilla6 Hmm 225 is a good chunk of change. Might just go with Mazda comp inserts. And I have a blank in mine but I want a cubby hole instead. If I buy one soon I can shoot you the blank fo free.

I was thinking about the inserts but they supposedly last only a year under "frequent hard track use" -- see the 949Racing website. So I said fuck that shit and went with the real deal. Or go the DIY route, this tutorial is great.

I may take the blank, at some point I will probably be running gauges in there but this is still far far away.

[CorkSport]

Originally Posted by Code Monkey Here is local instructor at the TWS running 2:01.90 in his 1992 Miata -- open diff, AST coils, some mild power mods and tune with the attached dyno graph. The wheels are 15x9 with 225 NT-01's. TWS -- 1.6 Miata For comparison, the best Spec Miata time is 1:58.xx.

SM drivers = driver mod to the power of 2

The Spec Miata races are always close and crazy.

-Derrick

[Code Monkey]

Long time no see. Parents came and went, the Flying Pig is almost done, and I can finally focus on the Miata.

I got a used BossFrog double hoop roll bar with a harness bar and two 16" Kirkey intermediate seats with a 20-degree layback. The roll bar is missing some hardware and I have to wait until next weekend to finish the install. Will be ordering harnesses on Monday -- still deciding between Crow, RaceEquip, and G-Force (cannot afford Schroth or Safecraft at the moment).

Also got a manual steering rack -- will be deleting the a/c system as well which will eliminate one accessory belt.

Picked used Bilsteins R-pkg and talked to Shaikh at FCM. He recommended 500/400 springs, which will give me ride frequencies of 1.9/2.1 Hz. The springs will arrive with coilover springs and perches, custom bump stops (30 and 36mm), upper mounts, and spring isolators. A coilover setup on a budget. Shaikh recommended leaving the RSB stock and a Spec Miata FSB (already ordered).

Will replace control arm bushings at the same time to save on alignments.

With all this done, I will only have brakes left to get the Miata track ready. I should be able to drive the Miata at least once at the TWS before the track closes.

[Code Monkey]

Realized I better remove the a/c components from inside the cabin before I bolt the seats down, so here we go, before and after.

I left the heater in and Mazda has a nice kit that makes bypassing or replacing the evaporator a breeze.

I also removed the condenser and the a/c lines, and used little plates to plug orifices on the a/c compressor. The compressor will be gone together with the power steering in a few weeks.

[Code Monkey]

The roll bar is in! The thing is solid, and it is a pain in the dick to drill the holes for the rear plates. Still have to install the harness bar and then I will bug my welder about custom seat brackets and the widening of the transmission tunnel on the driver side.

Sitting on the fucking floor pan with my back straight I just touch a broomstick between the top of hoop and windshield. When I lean back a little I get just 2" of clearance. The seats will have to be bolted to the floor in the back and raised a bit in front for a nice layback and roll bar clearance.

Also, said fuck it and went with Schroth Profi II-6 harnesses.

The soft top is out and is not going back in, the thing weights 48.2 lbs (incl. the set plate).

When I get rid of the a/c compressor and the power steering, I should be at probably 70-80 lbs of weight saving total, even with the roll bar in.

[Neverlift]

The rollbar has at least 10lbs on the softop.

In regards to the transmission tunnel, I have always just taken a BFH (big fucking hammer) to it for installs I have done where the owner needed it. Same with the wheel well/parcel shelf behind the seats for more clearance for those above 6'.

Originally Posted by Code Monkey Also popped in a new steering wheel -- the stock Miata (and MS6) steering wheel is 370mm, I have a 350mm suede wheel in the MS6, and for the Miata I ordered a 320mm leather wheel, here is a comparison of the three sizes:

How does the 320mm steering wheel feel? I have never driven a Miata with anything smaller than 330mm. I had a 320mm that the PO installed in my MR2, and I just replaced it with a 330mm. I couldn't make quick enough counter corrections with the 320mm for some reason.

[Code Monkey]

Originally Posted by Neverlift How does the 220mm steering wheel feel? I have never driven a Miata with anything smaller than 230mm. I had a 220mm that the PO installed in my MR2, and I just replaced it with a 230mm. I couldn't make quick enough counter corrections with the 220mm for some reason.

I think you are off my 100 mm. The stock wheel is 370 mm, the one in the picture is 350 mm, I have another one that is 330 mm and it feels great, 330 is definitely the way to go, an even smaller wheel would feel weird.

[Tyhackman15]

Just saw this, jealous of those 6UL's. I have my eye on a set of used 15x9's, I need more tire (ran 205's last season).

If you're still running into leg room issues, look into the momo 280mm wheel. I have one and love it, I'm 6'2" and with a 350 flat bottom my hands still hit my knee on hairpins, with the 280mm no more issues at all. It's like a go kart.

[Code Monkey]

Ok, let's get the party started.

Shit ordered so far and going into the car soon or already there:

BossFrog double hoop rollbar
Kirkey seats
Schroth Profi II-6 harnesses
I/O Port seat back braces
--
949Racing UL 15x8 +36
205/50 Toyo RA1 (track)
-
TRMotorSport C1M 15x7 +30
195/50 Direzza II (street)
--
AWR motor mounts
IL Motorsports bushings
--
manual steering rack
a/c delete
--
Bilstein R-pkg
500/400 7" SSS springs
FCM coilover sleeves & perches
FCM 30/36mm bump stops
FCM upper mounts
FCM spring isolators
SuperMiata endlinks
24mm Spec Miata FSB
--
1.8 front brakes
Sport rear brakes
Wilwood proportioning valve
Centric rotors
Carbotech XP8 pads
SuperMiata ss brake lines

Today I had a friend over and we mocked up the seat setup. For the driver seat I had the transmission tunnel cut and the floor flattened in that area. Still needs to be welded back together but now I am centered with the steering wheel. Will do the same for the passenger seat as right now the seat in not centered at all inside the hoop.

I had to take the cat heat shield out to narrow the transmission tunnel and knew that the cat would be sitting really close to the modified transmission wall. The fix is simply to swap the cat for a test pipe but some moron had the catalytic converter welded into the exhaust -- there are no flanges left, just the cat welded on one side to the "front exhaust pipe" and on the other to the catback. Looks like a new header and catback are in my near future.

We also had to cut a bit of a leg of the roll bar for the eye bolts to go in.

Fabrication will continue during the week.

[Code Monkey]

Small change of plans re: suspension. I talked to Shaikh and he talked me into coilovers. I will be running his FCM Elite 3040 coilovers with 600/450 springs. Should be ready "in a month", hahahhaha.

Also, got the IL Motorsports bushing today from Flyin' Miata, they are 30-40% stiffer than stock bushings. This completes my purchases with regard to suspension bits for the time being.

The welder has not showed up since last time but I had the last two weekends busy, will call him tomorrow and see what's up, it would be great to finish the seats this weekend or so.

[Code Monkey]

Started tearing into the car today. Removed the a/c compressor and the power steering. Total weight reduction with lines, brackets, and bolts is 29.6 lbs, which puts the total at 68.7. Still have to swap the manual steering rack in and shed another pound or two.

Ordered a Raceland header to fix my fucked up exhaust and once it arrives Tuesday I will see what to do about the catback part. Will probably stick to a 2.25" exhaust with a resonated test pipe.

My welder finally texted me that his welder was broken, but he should have one by next weekend and we can finish installing the seats, sigh....

[Code Monkey]

Cleaned up the area around and under the engine and pulled the remainder of the exhaust. Yep, this long turd is one piece thanks to a welded in cat.

[Code Monkey]

Because two dicks in the mouth are better than one....

[hookemdevils22]

I heartily approve of the color choice. Plans for the second miata?

[Code Monkey]

Originally Posted by hookemdevils22 I heartily approve of the color choice. Plans for the second miata?

It is kinda collectible so I will keep it stock. Only 10 miles shy of 64,000 with a recent timing belt and water pump change.



Meanwhile, I got my FCM coilovers for the red Miata, spring rates are 600/450. My initial plan was to buy a "coilover kit" from Shaikh -- upper mount kit, custom bump stops, coilover sleeves, spring perches, and springs (500/400). I paid for the kit on October 15 and have not heard anything for a while. I contacted Shaikh on January 28 and he "forgot" about my order. But he is a smooth talker and talked me into going a coilover route (at a discount) with a promise that if sent him my shocks for a revalve, he would finish my setup in 2 weeks (ha!). He got the shocks on February 4th and I just got the coilovers back, February 25, not bad for Shaikh! Now I have everything I need suspension-wise to tear into the Miata, just waiting for a warmer weather.

Yesterday I bought a 20-ton press from Harbor Freight for control arm bushings, @phate; oh hai!

I also got a testpipe today, which completes my exhaust setup: Raceland header, Enthuza test pipe, and Cobalt catback!

Oh, and I have no idea why Miata owners tend to have so many spare keys. The red Miata came with eight keys, this one with six.

[Easter Bunny]

Warmer weather? Fuck you in your Texas ass.

[Code Monkey]

^ Hopefully that's not an empty promise.

[Easter Bunny]

It's as empty as you will feel after I pull out.

[Neverlift]

Pulling out? About the most Anti-American thing you could do.... after all, we never pulled out of Afghanistan.

[Code Monkey]

Got the manual steering rack in and the Raceland header. Had to extend the o2 sensor, used posi-tabs and wrapped the wire in self vulcanizing tape and then cool tape.

[Code Monkey]

Got the passenger side suspension bushings pressed in and out last week and started putting everything back together on that side.

Installed rear brakes from a 1.8 "Sport" Miata (2001-2005), the rear rotors are 10.9" compared to 1.6's 9.1". This mod required hacking up the heat shield.

In the front, I am about to install brakes from a regular 1.8 Miata, the rotors are 10" compared to 1.6's 9.25".

Fat Cats on all corners, spec Miata FSB, new eccentric bolts, new ss brake lines. Will install the proportioning valve next week.

Also finished the exhaust, I have a Raceland header, Enthuza 2.25" test pipe, and 2.25" Cobalt cat back with a stupid big exit. Obviously cannot drive the car at the moment, let it idle for a bit and revved the shit out of it a few times, the sound is nice, not too loud, and there is a shitload of smoke every time I let off gas.

Also washed the yellow Miata and rinsed off the Flying Pig, shit was getting dirty (pollen season).

[Code Monkey]

Lookie what I picked up today.