James's 99 Miata

[Jake]

Looks good! I always wondered how much a set of snows would have improved my Miata's winter abilities. I somehow made mostly-bald Falken Azenis work in the few snow storms I drove it in, but it was sketchy as hell.

[*insertusernamehere*]

Yeah living with another car guy is fantastic. I'm at home, chilling, procrastinating on the m3. James comes through the door "hey so we gonna turn wrenches on the m3 for a few hours before you have work?" Hahaha.

I'm just impressed you got it done with 1 can. Looks clean, good job!!

Glad to be of positive influence...or something like that

[Senor_Taylor]

Looks great! I'm not sure what I'll do with those tires, but I'll find something! Thanks!

[Jake]

Looks great! I'm not sure what I'll do with those tires

Hooooldbackssss.

[Scott]

Looks good! I always wondered how much a set of snows would have improved my Miata's winter abilities. I somehow made mostly-bald Falken Azenis work in the few snow storms I drove it in, but it was sketchy as hell.

Real snow tires on a Miata are amazing, I've been using them for years on my car during the winter, 6in of snow is no problem

[EclipseTurbno93]

So on the way up to school this happened

Anyone have any words of wisdom as to how to prevent corrosion / get rid of the dent? The spot doesn't seem to be accessible from the back since the bracing is in the way.

[SlimKlim]

Corrosion isn't really something you need to worry about. Worst case scenario it forms a little surface rust over the winter and you have to scrape it off with your pocket knife before dabbing some touch up paint in there.

I wouldn't try to get rid of the ding on your own, if it really bothers you find a PDR guy who can likely find a way to snake a tool behind the bracing or possibly drill a small hole in the bracing to access the back of the panel. Then you can dab a bit of touch up paint in the chip and you'll barely notice it.

Or if you don't want to pay a PDR guy, just throw a bit of touch up paint on it at some point, no real rush.

[Evan]

Im pretty sure the hoods on NBs are aluminum. The NAs were.

(unless its aftermarket crash replacement or something)

[*insertusernamehere*]

So James hasn't updated this yet so I will. We removed his muffler the other day cause I think he wanted a little more base and to see what it might sound like if he chose to bypass his muffler by running a pipe through it. What's funny is that it literally sounds the same but just like 2 levels higher. After 3grand it sounds the way it always did with the muffler on, just INTAKE NOIOIOIOOISEEE. Very droney below 3k though. I don't think he plans to bypass the muffler anymore.

Also removing well intact, rubber, exhaust hangers are a bitch. You're welcome James I updated for you. 8)

[EclipseTurbno93]

So James hasn't updated this yet so I will. We removed his muffler the other day cause I think he wanted a little more base and to see what it might sound like if he chose to bypass his muffler by running a pipe through it. What's funny is that it literally sounds the same but just like 2 levels higher. After 3grand it sounds the way it always did with the muffler on, just INTAKE NOIOIOIOOISEEE. Very droney below 3k though. I don't think he plans to bypass the muffler anymore.

Also removing well intact, rubber, exhaust hangers are a bitch. You're welcome James I updated for you. 8)

Yep, the muffler is off and I do like all the noises, however I've already done the whole loud car that drones all the time so I'll probably put it back on soon :dunno:

In other news, snow tires are worth every penny, the car killed it up to about 6 inches or so when it would get a little dicey. It was a bunch of trucks, some subarus, and my little miata out there all weekend :lol: Many glorious donuts were had.



The only current plan I have is to replace the midpipe (in my shed) and extending an o2 sensor back there to get the check engine light off. I would also like to get the stock tubular headers off of an 01-05 to replace the cast iron behemoth and roasted catalytic converter (California emissions yo!), so if anyone knows where to get a used one cheap lemme know :thumbup:

[EclipseTurbno93]

Picked up the new headers today! So now I've got a full 01+ exhaust waiting to be put on, just need the egr tube and new gaskets. Then I need to extend the wiring for the O2 sensors to get to the new locations. Looking to get this done within the next month or so now that it's warmed up a bit.


For reference, here's the current setup

[EclipseTurbno93]

Haven't posted about this in a while, a few things have changed. Biggest thing is the new headers are installed. It was a two day ordeal, one to get the old one off and another to get the new one on. Overall it went very smoothly though, not much to complain about.

Here's the old one pulled out and how it looked when we pulled it into Aaron's garage at the end of night 1:



And here's the new ones in and putting the finishing touches on at night 2:



Was definitely worth the time and is a significant upgrade. Butt dyno says somewhere between 5-10 hp and torque comes on way earlier in the revs. Need to look into getting a heat shield though for that nice, stock look. Big thanks to Taylor, Aaron, Chip, Chase, and Scott for their help with this one.

Also ran extension wires for the o2 sensors that I got off ebay for $30 as opposed to the $90 racing beat set. Nice quality and were very easy to run. CEL turned off for a while, then cut back on saying it was the rear o2 heater circuit. But it just turned off again yesterday... so we'll see I guess.

My girlfriend Haliegh also recently picked up a new car, so we are a Mazda family now :thumbup:


The only other thing going on is a bit of winter prep. Decided to paint the steelies bronze for the winter. After staring at them for a while I've decided to clear coat them as well, should get around to that soon.


I also have been wanting to put mudflaps on for winter to keep a bit of the salt off. I was going to get Alex's old ones which are the stock pieces, but that fell through and prices online are silly so I decided to fab my own from a mudflap off an 18 wheeler ($15 at Napa). I first cut it into four pieces and made templates out of cardboard. I then set about trying to find a fitment that I liked and punched holes into the cardboard to line it up. I'm using the stock holes where the fender liner is held on and push on U nuts so it's easily reversible. Here's the mockup:


I then lined it up and marked the rubber and drilled holes. Fitment was perfect besides some tire contact at full turn in. I took it back off and did a bit of cutting on the inside edge to clear the tire. I was a little worried it would be floppy with the overhang, but this material is pretty thick and it seems to hold itself up just fine. Template worked beautifully for both sides. Here's the finished product on the fronts:



Still gotta do the rears, but I am pretty well satisfied with how the fronts turned out.

[Jake]

Those mudflaps turned out great for how little you have in 'em. Nicely done!

Any plans to dip or paint the hardtop?

[EclipseTurbno93]

Any plans to dip or paint the hardtop?

Not right now, I'm a bit strapped for cash, especially with Christmas coming up and such. If I do, it will most likely be post graduation sadly

[*insertusernamehere*]

Aaahhhh you guys already bought the 3!! Congrats!! Can't wait to drive it...er I mean.. see it. Nice flaps too.

[Scott]

Any plans to dip or paint the hardtop?

Not right now, I'm a bit strapped for cash, especially with Christmas coming up and such. If I do, it will most likely be post graduation sadly

I'll trade your hardtop for a black plasti-dipped hardtop if you are interested. Both colors will look equally terrible on my Montego blue winter car..........

[EclipseTurbno93]

Both colors will look equally terrible on my Montego blue winter car..........

I'm just not sure that's true haha. But as long as it's in good shape that seems like a very tempting offer... pics?

[JPolen01]

Just dip your own? It's not like a few cans of that shit is expensive.

[WRXtranceformed]

Or spray paint it in Mikey's yard #maeng

[ScottyB]

i dig your meaty flaps