Parts on the way

Today was expensive but most of the major financial damage should be done now.

Ordered the VMAXX system for the NB (second gen) Miata today from Stratmosphere. Ended up calling them twice today (once for info, once for ordering) both times the guys answering the phone were polite and very helpful.

Next up was the NB shock mounts for the front (I'm hoping I'll be okay in the back). Got them from Med Center Mazda for a pretty good deal. Never used them before so we'll see how it goes.

Last expense today was tires. Ryan was supposed to order them today.

Only big things left on the list is the rollbar and a head unit. Probably way a couple of weeks on the radio but the rollbar I'll be ordering this weekend.

Sometimes it IS that easy...

So it turns out the problem with the e-brake was just an adjustment.

A quick look at the Haynes manual (well worth the money) shows the problem is pretty common and easy to fix. Pop the center console off, pull back one small bit of carpet and then take off the e-brake cover to expose an adjuster.

Simply turn it clockwise (like tightening a screw) until the e-brake handle will only pull up 5 to 7 clicks (for a '89-'93) and the e-brake problem went away.

Next up...Time to clean/paint the stock rims before ordering tires.

Forward Motion

Spent some time with the car today and got some, small, things accomplished.

First thing was to get the old tires split off of the stock rims (the tires are in horrible shape but the rims just need to be cleaned/painted). Took some time to find a place that was open on a Saturday but ended up coming home with just the rims. I'd been worried I'd have to find a way to dispose of the tires but the shop said they'd do it for me.

Once I get the rims cleaned/painted I'll wrap them in 195/60 14 rubber. I'd like to order some XXR 16x8's (rear, 16x7 for the front) but I'm having to split the build into phases. So first up is reliability, safety and handling.

Next mission was to replace the upper, and lower, shift boots. I have a short shift kit I was going to install at the same time but it looks like it's for a 93+ car (mines a '91) so I put the stock one back in. Topping off the turret, and replacing the boots, got rid of almost all of the "notchy" feeling when shifting (is still a bit of a grind going into 3rd but it's been like that for years).

Last mission of the day was to get the stock airbox back in. I've got some ideas for getting some colder air into the box but I'll worry about them later. For now I'm more interested in getting it to run reliably (and safely).

Best laid plans..

Turns out the intake won't work so well. Will be putting the stock back on and work on re-routing cold air to it.

Also decided to run the stock rims (cleaned up and painted) for now. Need to replace some wheel studs though.

Next up will be the suspension. Right now I'm looking at the VMAXX coilovers.

Been a while....

Been working a lot but still plotting this build.

I've got the short shift kit, new seals, knob and an intake in route. Hoping to get a little bit of work done this weekend (need to fix the parking brake, car is kinda unsafe right now).

Also might have changed my mind on the engine swap. Turns out the 6spd will bolt up to the 1.6 and the 1.6 is cheaper to turbo charge.

Since I'm only shooting for 200whp, the 1.6 might be a better option.

Either way I'm going to need a new rear end. The gears in my stock rear end are probably the wrong ratio for the 6spd.