Not dead...

Should have updated this a few months ago but, well, didn't. I'll try to get some better pics this weekend. Please ignore the bad images, bad lighting and that the car is dirty.

Paint was completed around the end of August. Wasn't easy but it was worth the time. I think I've gone into it before but, to recap: All dings/scratches worked out Removed everything we could unbolt except the engine, paint goes under all trim work Everything above the main body line was heavily primed and then block sanded (by my own two little hands) All chrome pieces were removed and painted (rattle-can rubberized) Antenna shaved Replaced the drivers and passenger side windows Replaced the seal around the windshield (so we could paint under it)

Total mods for the car round out at: Lowered (VMAXX coilovers) Harddog rollbar Custom paint listed above Tint New head unit, custom cut dash kit to allow the head unit to fit flush New taillights (eBay specials tinted with Nightshades) All lights blacked out Custom painted the stock rims, left off the center caps and used enclosed lugnuts to give it a more old school feel New tires (not really a mod but it ate into the budget) Rolled all four fenders and did a mild pull on rear fenders Removed inner-fender liners up front, was rubbing badly eBay strut bar that's been under the hood for a couple of years

Cars not done yet but it has to be the most fun you can have for less then $2000. :)




I'm not done but I am changing the projects direction. The car is a blast to drive with just the 1.6L in it. But it needs a new engine (and transmission and rear end and, well, you get the idea) so I still plan to do the 1.8L upgrade but, for now, I'm dropping the plans to install a turbo system (unless I find a wrecked MazdaSpeed for cheap).

There are a few other mods I'd like to do and dropping the FI plans will free up a large piece of my budget to do other things.

Alignment done

Got the alignment done last week. Just in time for another band of thunderstorms.

It's safely drivable now and it's a blast to drive (though the roads around here are kinda boring).

It's a bit bouncy right now but I think I can limit that with a set of NB top hats in the front and some aftermarket top hats in there rear. Only thing is, I'd have to tear the suspension out again and realign it.

It isn't bad enough to warrant that so, maybe, sometime next year or when I replace the VMAXX with something more track worthy.

If the the weather (and my motivation) holds I'll be pulling the interior out of the car and adding some eDead to the floorpan. This should remove some of the roadnoise I'm getting.

I'll also add it to the doors. Might help the speakers a little bit.

Last thing, I managed to find a seller on eBay who had both of the windows I needed for $77 shipped. So I spent some money I didn't have to get them. Was the best price (by at least 40%) I've seen.

Once they're here I'll tear the doors apart, find out why the original windows are getting scratched (I think it's former life at the end of a dirt road is to blame), clean/lube everything in the door and then slap in the new windows.

Then I'll finally be able to get the damn thing tinted. Mid-day sun down here is friggin' murder.

Time to align

Okay, okay, no more rhymes, promise.

Anyway, spent some time working on it yesterday and managed to get the back end done.

Took out the helper springs and the spacers. This allowed me to lower the back end down where I wanted it but keeps the spring perches away from the driveshafts.

Next up is an alignment, tint and paint.

Then I'll be mostly done for the year.

Next spring will be rims and go-fast parts.

Much progress!

As you can see it's been a busy week (well, mostly the weekend).

Roll bar, installed.
Suspension, installed.
Wheels, painted.
Tires, mounted/balanced.

Even vacuumed the floorboards.

So what's next? First up is finishing the suspension. I need to adjust the back end up about another .5 to .75 inches. After that it's off to the alignment shop (all four wheels and the steering wheel currently disagree as to which direction the car should be moving).



After that it's on to stereo (ordered a Kenwood KDC-MP642U) that needs to be installed.

Then it's back to ordering/finding parts. I need new windows for the doors (mine are scratched, badly), some more speakers and various other parts. Oh, and paint.

Yup, it's a project. And projects like this never end. It's part of the charm.

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.