A redneck’s Loser Miata build thread

[redneck4Christ]

Yes, this will be Epically slow. Too many other irons in the fire.
Background: I’ve been needing to write this for a while, but I am really slow to get things done, so here it is.
Car: 2000 Miata base purchased new by my wife.
Meh: BRGreen, A/C, power windows, steering, brakes, etc.
 cloth interior, 14” wheels, open dif.
 Manual Transmission! She barely knew how to drive a manual when she bought it, but she did have that requirement. It is a sports car after all.
It served her as a faithful commuter car for years. Then it was a second string car. Then we married and had our first child. Then I blew the head gasket (Jan/Feb 2012). Then we had 2 more kids and it sat for 3 years. Then I took another year plus to fix the head gasket and am still trying to get it back on the road, running right and reliable. The head was freshened up at a machine shop, but no porting or any fancy work. 130k miles on the bottom end and clutch. Most of the new parts that have been put on have been basic oem type replacement parts.

Other cars in the fleet: Everything else has 150k miles or more:
My other car is a 2007 Mazdaspeed3 with intake, test pipe, tune, upgraded wheels, Hawk HPS all around. And 2 child seats.
’05 Honda minivan, ’96 MZ 626, ’56 BelAir, ’92 Silverado diesel, tractors…
And I recently acquired a 2003 parts Miata, complete with vvt motor, a ‘super taguci’ LSD, manual, 16” rims and one possibly good 16” tire. 3 bad tires, wrecked in the front, missing various body and interior parts.

[redneck4Christ]

@Castillo817, @Code Monkey, @Ziggo, @Voltwings
Any other Miata owners I've met on here.

I'm finally writing this.
Nov 2015, I got on the race track (TWS) for the first time with my MS3. And I broke it (clutch). Then we decided (her suggestion!!!) to leave my car as a DD and make the Miata the track car. (I love my wife!)
Go fast bits acquired so far: Hawk HPS brake pads up front.
Hard dog hard core hard top roll bar purchased and partially installed. I removed a bunch of stuff from the interior and got the body trimmed and drilled for installation. I just need to finish putting everything back together.
Known things still to do: finish roll bar installation. Brake fluid flush. Tires. Radiator hose.
Probably ought to do eventually: I probably ought to replace the clutch. It is original at 130k and I think I feel it slipping a little every now and then. Shocks: when I hit a bump, it feels like one side has more damping than the other.
Probably a lot more.

[Easter Bunny]

Do you really have 150k miles on a 56 belair?

[shamie]

[redneck4Christ]

Originally Posted by Easter Bunny Do you really have 150k miles on a 56 belair?

Probably, but I don't know it's full history and the odometer flips at 99,999.

[redneck4Christ]

Originally Posted by shamie

here?

[Voltwings]

You're going to love driving the miata, mine unfortunately is going to get parted out and sold here in the next few months. I'm going back to school and the little cash + less payment will be nice. I have some basic parts like MSM shocks / struts, Racing beat front sway bar and 15 x 7 spec miata rims.

I'm going to miss driving it and will probably get another at some point, they really are great little things. Good luck on your build.


unless @Code Monkey; just wants another miata haha.

[redneck4Christ]

Originally Posted by Voltwings You're going to love driving the miata, mine unfortunately is going to get parted out and sold here in the next few months. I'm going back to school and the little cash + less payment will be nice. I have some basic parts like MSM shocks / struts, Racing beat front sway bar and 15 x 7 spec miata rims. I'm going to miss driving it and will probably get another at some point, they really are great little things. Good luck on your build.

Depending on where I am at on my build-vs-budget when you part out, I might be interested in some of those basic parts you speak of.

[WAMBUSHHHH!]

Originally Posted by Voltwings unless @Code Monkey; just wants another dick in his ass haha.

Fixed that for you.

[Code Monkey]

^ That's a rhetorical question.

[redneck4Christ]

Well I made a bit of headway on the Miata today. Got the top back in and the roll bar mostly bolted in. And got the seats, seat belts and rear wheels back on so I could actually drive it! While it was apart, I put new plug wires on to address a driveability problem and had not tested that out. ...and it now starts and idles decently. Yay for small victories.

I also got to try out the One tire from my parts car that I expected to be good. And it is. Straight, no flat spots or vibration! So now I have one 16" tire that will pass tech and state insp, one 14" tire that will pass state inspection but not tech due to 2008 date code, and one new 14" tire not yet mounted on a rim. A couple of the other 14s might slide thru on state inspection, but definitely not tech.

Now comes my internal debate. Do I blow the little left of this month's budget to get some cheap used 14s and get thru inspection so I can drive it. Or save so I can buy better tires that will pass tech too.
All of the 16" wheels have some curb rash. One has major rash all across the face. I don't know if any of the 16s are bent or not.
My current thinking is to mount the one good 14 and look for a mate to the one good 16 and get thru state inspection. then address the rest of them later.
205/45/16 falken and 185/60/14

[Code Monkey]

Originally Posted by redneck4Christ Now comes my internal debate....

Neither, 15's is the correct answer.

If you were here in town I would lend you my 15's for inspection time. I would not waste any money on 14's or 16's. The preferred sizing for NA and NB Miatas is:

15x7 --> 195's
15x8 --> 205's
15x9 --> 225's
15x10 --> 245's or 255's
15x11 --> 275's

Note that Discount Tire will not mount some (all?) of these combinations of rim and tire width as they are not "approved" by whatever criteria they use.

[redneck4Christ]

Originally Posted by Code Monkey Neither, 15's is the correct answer. If you were here in town I would lend you my 15's for inspection time. I would not waste any money on 14's or 16's. The preferred sizing for NA and NB Miatas is: 15x7 --> 195's 15x8 --> 205's 15x9 --> 225's 15x10 --> 245's or 255's 15x11 --> 275's Note that Discount Tire will not mount some (all?) of these combinations of rim and tire width as they are not "approved" by whatever criteria they use.

While I definitely do not disagree with 15's, my budget says that will push state inspection out til March or April. I'd like to inspect and start driving it this month and do enough to get me safely on the track in April. Even with 185s on 14s, I will be driver limited, not tire limited for my first event or two.
We are talking about selling our '56 BelAir to fund the racing habit. Once that happens, I can buy good 15's, suspension, and other stuff. Until then I have maybe $100/month for Miata parts.

I have a local Mexican tire shop that will mount stuff for me, no problem.

[Code Monkey]

Post a WTB on truck junkies! I got Robert's old 15x7 TRMotorSport C1M's with old tires for $100.

[Easter Bunny]

Ask around to see if you can borrow wheels and tires for inspection. Or craigslist someone's extras.

Does the Mexican tire shop have used tires?

[Castillo817]

If you need a wheel setup for inspection, I can let you borrow mine?

[redneck4Christ]

Originally Posted by Easter Bunny Ask around to see if you can borrow wheels and tires for inspection. Or craigslist someone's extras. Does the Mexican tire shop have used tires?

They do, but not quite the correct size. $30 each, mounted/balanced for 185/65/14 instead of 185/60/14. Not quite right, but would be good enough for inspection.
I looked at my tire pile tonight and there are a couple I could rob off my old 626 that are 185/65/14s. And the tires on the car may slide thru inspection if he doesn't look too closely. It is the shop I take other cars to for inspection. and in a small town. He has already let me go without paying, twice, for too many not readys. *fingers crossed*

If not, I may be hitting up @Castillo817

Originally Posted by Code Monkey Post a WTB on truck junkies! I got Robert's old 15x7 TRMotorSport C1M's with old tires for $100.

Thanks man. I have a PM to respond to that may lead me to some track wheels with tires...

[redneck4Christ]

Originally Posted by Voltwings You're going to love driving the miata, mine unfortunately is going to get parted out and sold here in the next few months. I'm going back to school and the little cash + less payment will be nice. I have some basic parts like MSM shocks / struts, Racing beat front sway bar and 15 x 7 spec miata rims. ...

Hey Travis, You have a PM.

[RACER_X]

I had the forged BBS 15s on my miata, great wheels and light



sent from the batcloset in the batcave on the batphone

[redneck4Christ]

I Finally made a bit of headway on the Miata again. Oil change and Brake fluid flush.



Then I played with the seat belts. The original seat belt retractors did not like being so close to the roll bar and that left me with a loose belt while driving. I robbed the passenger side belt from my '03 parts car which has not seen as much use and the spring feels a little stronger. But mainly it has the 'child lock' feature. You know the feature that when you pull the belt all the way out, then let it back in and you cannot pull it any further out until you go all the way back in? You would use that to hold a child seat in place. The original drivers belt did not have this feature. It is definitely Not a 5 point harness, but it seems better so far.



Hopefully I can finish bolting the roll bar back in place later this week and pick up tires next week. After that I need to get the clutch replaced. I have a clutch kit and a rear main seal and a friend with an ATV jack. Just need the free time to do it. Still no headway on the Not-Ready errors.

My wife's pre-nursing classes finish this weekend until Aug, so I should have a bit more free time?

[redneck4Christ]

@Code Monkey, I will be in your neck of the woods next Wednesday evening. I'm picking up some Miata wheels from @Voltwings. Maybe we can catch up with you as well?

[Code Monkey]

Originally Posted by redneck4Christ @Code Monkey, I will be in your neck of the woods next Wednesday evening. I'm picking up some Miata wheels from @Voltwings. Maybe we can catch up with you as well?

Sure, will get in touch Monday for details.

[redneck4Christ]

Tyrezzz!!! Thanks @Voltwings! 205/50R15 Neogens.
My old ones were D E A D! Too many doughnuts
Next up: Clutch!

[redneck4Christ]

New kicks.

[redneck4Christ]

Found another temptation/distraction. FS: 1993 Mazda 626 Endurance Racer with lots of Spares -
https://www.trackjunkies.org/topic/4...f-spares-3500/

I've always liked that body and I have 2 running parts cars. But I want more power and/or RWD And something I can drive on the street, so I think I've talked myself out of it.
For now.

[redneck4Christ]

So apparently I am not as good of a mechanic as I thought, FML.

The car is weak. It has low compression. It doesn't idle that great. I still have 3 'not ready' codes and have not passed state inspection. But I've been driving it anyway. It revs pretty well and spun the old dry rotted tires pretty well.
I finally did a leakdown test tonight. Cyl 1 and 4 were just a couple of percent and the leak was thru the valve cover-past the rings. No surprise. When I changed the head gasket, I did not touch the bottom end.
But cylinders 2 and 3 had about 15 percent leak rate. A little bit past the rings, but mostly from cyl 2 to cyl 3 and vice-versa. Looks like I did not do such a good job on the head gasket replacement. A local machine shop did rebuild the head and machined the gasket surface. I did the cleaning/ preparation of the block and the install.

The problem is, I have a HPDE track weekend, next weekend. Already spent the money for it. There is No way I can fix this problem in time.
SOoo... what will I hurt if I race it as it is? I may make the leak worse-I am fine with the. But this should not make it any more likely to throw a rod or cause any other catastrophic failure, will it? What else should I worry about?

[redneck4Christ]

A slacker's update.
Finally finished the rollbar installation. Eventually I'll get some of the interior trim, etc back in since this is a dual duty car, not a track only toy.

I got the rear window re-sealed to the top so it will keep most of the rain out. It had separated for about 12" around a bottom corner.

And I got the seat foamectomy finished and reinstalled the seat. I cut out enough foam to get the top of my helmet under the top of the rollbar. That is probably not low enough for NASA or any real racing, but hopefully enough for a HPDE weekend.

Checked all the fluids, etc.
Results of Friday's leakdown test. Cyl 1 thru 4: 4%, 13%, 14%, and 1%, if I did that right. all 4 past rings, plus 2&3 were between cylinders. My compression gauges have issues, so no numbers there.

And Sunday I dropped it off at M.E.R. in Cresson for Tech inspection for TDE next weekend and Apex if I ever get a chance to run with them.

This week I get to re-wire the trailer. And in my spare time, try to get the hay baling equipment tuned up and ready for the following weekend. Projects never seem to end!

[redneck4Christ]

@Castillo817
@Voltwings
@Code Monkey
I'm trying her out at MSR-Cresson tomorrow! Wish me luck!

[Castillo817]

Originally Posted by redneck4Christ @Castillo817 @Voltwings @Code Monkey I'm trying her out at MSR-Cresson tomorrow! Wish me luck!

Let me know how that goes! Hope you're having fun!

[Voltwings]

Yeah man, hope those tires treat you well!

[Code Monkey]

[redneck4Christ]

Originally Posted by Castillo817 Let me know how that goes! Hope you're having fun!

You should come check it out Sunday. There is a NB with a 302 conversion you would drool over.

Originally Posted by Voltwings Yeah man, hope those tires treat you well!

I had them at 30psi when I first went out and my Instructor spun it on the first lap! The 'no helmet lap for the green group. I dropped them to 28 psi for the next session. They sing really good. The whole car is squirrelly but I've been keeping a good pace. In 3 hot sessions I've only been passed 4 times. 3 of those were by some Golf Rs. AWD plus 3x hp and I hang with them for a lap or so after they pass me. Today has been a good day.

No rain, but residual water running across the track on 2 of the straights.

[Castillo817]

Originally Posted by redneck4Christ You should come check it out Sunday. There is a NB with a 302 conversion you would drool over. I had them at 30psi when I first went out and my Instructor spun it on the first lap! The 'no helmet lap for the green group. I dropped them to 28 psi for the next session. They sing really good. The whole car is squirrelly but I've been keeping a good pace. In 3 hot sessions I've only been passed 4 times. 3 of those were by some Golf Rs. AWD plus 3x hp and I hang with them for a lap or so after they pass me. Today has been a good day. No rain, but residual water running across the track on 2 of the straights.

I would love to go, but it has to be a time where I know in advance You should definitely take some pictures of that 302 nb and post them up!

[Voltwings]

Got a front sway bar with your name on it too say the word man haha. Glad you're having fun man, that miata is going to be wicked one day i'm sure.

[redneck4Christ]

Originally Posted by Voltwings Got a front sway bar with your name on it too say the word man haha. Glad you're having fun man, that miata is going to be wicked one day i'm sure.

I remember. You also had some other suspension parts too. At this point my butt is not calibrated well enough to know what my car needs next. More seat time is probably the biggest thing. I'm not sure. I want more power, but think suspension may be more beneficial. ATM the engine and suspension are both stock except for wheels, tires, roll bar, and front pads.

Speaking of seat time, one of my friends has a couple of Celicas they campaign in WRL and Chump. I may be driving COTA with them in August. I'm still trying to decide on that.

[Voltwings]

Originally Posted by redneck4Christ I remember. You also had some other suspension parts too. At this point my butt is not calibrated well enough to know what my car needs next. More seat time is probably the biggest thing. I'm not sure. I want more power, but think suspension may be more beneficial. ATM the engine and suspension are both stock except for wheels, tires, roll bar, and front pads. Speaking of seat time, one of my friends has a couple of Celicas they campaign in WRL and Chump. I may be driving COTA with them in August. I'm still trying to decide on that.

That would be awesome, we went and watched the Pirelli World Challenge at COTA and it was incredible.

We're not sure yet, but Valerie and I are talking about doing The Driver's Edge again in September. One of the dates is MSR Cresson, the other is Houston. She's really been wanting to run cresson but i guess we'll just have to see what happens.

[redneck4Christ]

Originally Posted by Voltwings That would be awesome, we went and watched the Pirelli World Challenge at COTA and it was incredible. We're not sure yet, but Valerie and I are talking about doing The Driver's Edge again in September. One of the dates is MSR Cresson, the other is Houston. She's really been wanting to run cresson but i guess we'll just have to see what happens.

Come on up man. I bet we can find a spare bed for ya.


Hart Photography & Graphics > Drivers Edge - Motorsport Ranch - Cresson - June 4th 5th 2016 > Green Group - Set 2
Picture 10792, Car #57 . Other than seat time, it looks like suspension should be my focus, not power.

[Code Monkey]

Originally Posted by redneck4Christ Other than seat time, it looks like suspension should be my focus, not power.

That's always the case....

[Neverlift]

I recommend letting an instructor or someone you trust set a lap in the car. Power is the last thing you should be looking at until you can get 100% out of what you have, and match/destroy that time. I recommend a used set of Bilsteins, the OTS valving is pretty good (value-wise) between 40-80mph... once you hit triple digits they can't hang, but the Miata has other issues at that speed.

[redneck4Christ]

Too much other stuff going on to get very much done on the car.
My wife is taking it to the track this weekend.
Next weekend, I'm going to COTA to helping in the pits for a buddy's WRL team.
Tentatively bought a few spare wheels, just need to get them picked up in Houston
Signed up for another track day at Cresson in September.

And looking at suspension options. SO many choices and SO many opinions.
There are also a set of nearly new DSDs (V8roadster) for $500 and a few other used/sale options available.
Right now, I'm thinking of going with the XIDAs from 949racing. Those are freakin $2k! But they are supposed to be great and I've got the money from the BelAir sale for this purpose.
But that is still $2k, plus installation/setup/alignment. plus swaybars, etc.