Pu Manchu's Miata of Doom

Pu Manchu

I drive this thing daily, maybe 15 minutes a day. It's a 94 M, had about 1092xx when i bought it a couple months ago. A northern car with one accident on its history, but nice paint/body/interior/hardtop and no rust, you win some you lose some, we'll see how hard that previous accident bites me in the ass later. if you know your miata trivia then you'll already know which side got hit.

came with a ridiculous racing beat intake, mysterious big blue adjustable front sway bar, tokico illumina adjustable shocks, and everything else seems stock. very tame aftermarket changes by miata standards.

basically this car had no major problems... that was until it fell into my hands.

cam1391

Originally Posted by Pu Manchu

I drive this thing daily, maybe 15 minutes a day. It's a 94 M, had about 1092xx when i bought it a couple months ago. A northern car with one accident on its history, but nice paint/body/interior/hardtop and no rust, you win some you lose some, we'll see how hard that previous accident bites me in the ass later. if you know your miata trivia then you'll already know which side got hit.

came with a ridiculous racing beat intake, mysterious big blue adjustable front sway bar, tokico illumina adjustable shocks, and everything else seems stock. very tame aftermarket changes by miata standards.

basically this car had no major problems... that was until it fell into my hands.

Oh lord what have you done?

Jasbo

LS2 swap.

SofaKingAwesome

Penis delete.

Faggmeister

Fun little cars. I was going to boost mine this year, but I found a 3076 for the speed and that's taken over all my time

Pu Manchu

Originally Posted by Faggmeister

Fun little cars. I was going to boost mine this year, but I found a 3076 for the speed and that's taken over all my time

i agree it's a very fun car, but it's lacking the power to make it an exciting car.

obligatory MSF speedo vid

MazdaSpeed Forums Presents: YouTube

Neverlift

Originally Posted by Pu Manchu

i agree it's a very fun car, but it's lacking the power to make it an exciting car.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BbJ8HNzq_Mk

It is lacking a driver who understands where to find excitement. I request donut drift video to confirm this. If that's too basic, donut figure 8.

Manny

solid intro post. why is your air bag light flashing is that like a DIY shift light on the NA's?

Pu Manchu

Originally Posted by Manny

solid intro post. why is your air bag light flashing is that like a DIY shift light on the NA's?

shitty ford module, if you really care look up "miata code 51"

aaronc7

bump

derek13p

Originally Posted by aaronc7

bump

He took Sofas suggestion.

Pu Manchu

Originally Posted by aaronc7

bump

here's the big update.... put about 10 miles on the car in the last three weeks while i keep researching and waffling about what i want to do. next update will be when i start buying parts.

Neverlift

Pre Groan, shall be removed if update doesn't suck.

aaronc7

November bump

Casanova

Originally Posted by Pu Manchu

here's the big update.... put about 10 miles on the car in the last three weeks while i keep researching and waffling about what i want to do. next update will be when i start buying parts.

LSx swap. It's the only reasonable thing to do.

Pu Manchu

Originally Posted by Casanova

LSx swap. It's the only reasonable thing to do.

$$$$$$$$$$$$

Swanpuppy

I own two miatas, one is getting boosted this winter other is 100% stock. If you aren't sure what to do with it toss on some sticky tires and get it sideways at 30 mph around every corner. The cars are fun to drive hard and moderate speed and not get in trouble. Drive it when the weather is nice.

Oooor mod the crap out of it.

aaronc7

You buy that v8 miata?

Pu Manchu

Almost.

sporkbomb

I don't understand the hard-ons people get w/ an LS2 swap. Spec Miata that bitch!

brandon3212

I run with these all the time at my local track, the race prepped ones handle and corner really, really well. But in the N/A form the seem to really lack power since after corner exit I can usually run them over.

A boosted Miata would really be the best of both worlds.

Pu Manchu

finally decided to get off my ass and get this thing rolling.

after learning a lot about miatas over the last 6 months or so, i learned the smart thing to do with these cars is to turbo them up to ~200-230whp. i've been really impressed at how some miatas keep going almost forever at those power levels. but knowing myself, that's not enough power for me (cue the purist groans), and i don't want just another gay miata (double groan).

so i put down the cash for a v8 swap kit from martin at monster miata.

phase 1 will be getting everything running with a stock 302, t5 trans, mustang ecu, 7.5" irs diff.
phase 2 will be addressing tires/brakes/suspension.
phase 3 will be pushing for my selfish goal of 300+rwhp. ($$$$$)

current FML-what-have-i-got-myself-into figure? $9,360. I figure finishing phase 1 will cost at least another $5k.

this is day 1, so this thread should be updated regularly from now on. not going to set myself any deadlines, just going to stay on top of it til it's done.

and yes, I am dumb.

Pu Manchu

Been too busy to look for any parts the last week and a half.. I'm so glad I decided to make this an endless project.

Subframe, rear hubs, and 5.0 oil pan are out for modification. An upgraded radiator came in this week, nothing else been going on.

Pu Manchu · 11:33 PM

well.. custom parts don't come cheap or quick.

a box full of shit (pictured) came last week, and the last box for the kit should come in next week. once I have that, I will only need about a hundred more things... complete 5.0 longblock, all accessories, intakes, throttle body, maf, etc... ecu, main harness, injection harness, o2 harness.. t5 with bellhousing, clutch, flywheel, etc... 7.5 diff with custom driveshaft... and a triple digit number of hours of labor.

edit: current FMLWHIGMI: $9,665

aaronc7

and den

Castillo817

Are you getting a new block or used?

aaronc7

bump

aaronc7

Originally Posted by Pu Manchu

well.. custom parts don't come cheap or quick.

a box full of shit (pictured) came last week, and the last box for the kit should come in next week. once I have that, I will only need about a hundred more things... complete 5.0 longblock, all accessories, intakes, throttle body, maf, etc... ecu, main harness, injection harness, o2 harness.. t5 with bellhousing, clutch, flywheel, etc... 7.5 diff with custom driveshaft... and a triple digit number of hours of labor.

edit: current FMLWHIGMI: $9,665

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