Project: 1995 Miata

[ScottyB]

that's a great idea with the washer nozzle retrofit. :thumbup:

[Jake]

I had this many miles on the stock rubber shift boots that are underneath the cosmetic boot:



So, needing to replace the boots and all the other crap I just did, I ordered all of this:



This is the old larger (upper) boot:



And this is the new one. Notice how much more rubber there is - the old one was just disintegrated. No pix of the small lower boot but it was in lots of little pieces. I also sucked the old fluid from the shifter turret and replaced it with some fresh new gear oil (75W90). Between the rubber boots and new oil, shifts are much smoother and more direct.



Also picked up a "leather" cosmetic shifter boot from eBay. I doubt it's leather (it was $20) but the stock 16-year-old vinyl boot had four big holes in it, so this is a nice replacement:

[Jake]

Just ordered suspension bits from Flyin' Miata... time to



drop it like it's hawt.

[V1GiLaNtE]

WIN!

[Jake]

This happened a few days ago:



I celebrated today by driving to Fairfax Mazda and buying OEM (Gates brand) drive belts, because the PS/AC belt I replaced back in December was chirping already. The OEM belts are known good. So... bought those, got home, discovered the alternator belt was correct but the replacement PS/AC was really for Otters lacking in PS, so drove back to Fairfax to get the correct belt. Sigh, took 3 hours for a 30 minute job. Whatever, it doesn't chirp now at all. Happy about that.

Otherwise, at 100,000 miles, she's still doing great. Looking forward to the new suspension - which is supposed to ship out early this week, will go on August 14/15.

[Jake]

Came home from work today and there were two boxes on the porch from these guys:



I bought this book:



It's really well put together by Keith Tanner, one of the FM owners. Great step-by-step's and large color photos for everything from changing a headlight to removing your engine. All for $25.

Speaking of headlights...



I replaced the awful sealed-beam units with a FM "conversion kit" - I now have H4 housings and regular bulbs. They may or may not be fully street legal according to the DOT, but the light output is well worth it.



And finally... I got four of these in the second, larger box:



I'm waiting on the upper shock mounts - they shipped out today and should be here on Friday - and then we are GO for install on the 14th!

[ryan freeland]

Drop it drop it lowww... can't wait to take those pictures of the Miata under the semi trailer haha.

[ScottyB]

mmmm.....anodizing....



aftermarket goodies at your door is one of the best feelings in the world

[Goodspeed]

Very nice Jake. I want to try those V-Maxx's asap. Are you installing in NoVA or Hburg?

I have the same book and its definitely well worth having. Just a heads up, there are a few errors here and there with things like socket sizes (and one more serious error I found in the brake guide) but its mostly spot on. And the FM people are incredible on the phone with their customer service. I've spoken to Tanner myself and he and the others were a huge help, so call the number in the back of the book if you need to.

[Jake]

Very nice Jake. I want to try those V-Maxx's asap. Are you installing in NoVA or Hburg?

I'm installing in Strasburg - at Carrie & Joe's place. They have the white '97 with the polished hood. You're welcome to come down this Saturday (the 14th) and hang out... we'll be there all day.

[SlimKlim]

I'm expecting wtflow status. Even if it doesn't stay that way, you have to do your obligatory first few weeks with a new setup slammed. FYI, you can function in harrisonburg with about 3-3.5in of lip clearance with only minor issues. Just something to keep in mind 8-)

[LC619FR]

Very nice Jake. I want to try those V-Maxx's asap. Are you installing in NoVA or Hburg?

I'm installing in Strasburg - at Carrie & Joe's place. They have the white '97 with the polished hood. You're welcome to come down this Saturday (the 14th) and hang out... we'll be there all day.

Thats some purty looking parts you got there. On a side note my wife works with Carrie tell her Zach said hi :thumbup:

[Jake]

The V-Maxxes (V-Maxxen?) are installed! Very easy install actually. There were four of us there, so we each took a corner and had it all done quickly. No need for spring compressors because we took the entire setup (mount, tophat and all) out and replaced it with new bits.

We slammed it to start off:



Then we raised it up to a good ride height. It's about 12.5" from the middle of the hub to the fender in the front, and 12.75" in the rear. If someone wants to slam it back for pictures, I will give you the tools and you can do it. Wheels gotta come off and the rears are slow going because the sway bar and axle are right there. So I won't do it, but you can! And you can put it back, too







This is center of hub to fender on the front left wheel. The suspension still needs to settle so it may lower itself a little bit...



This is from the ground to the bottom lip. 7" of clearance, maybe a little less. Holding a ruler and a DSLR together is slightly difficult.

[TorinoCobra070]

Looks great Jake :thumbup: congrats.

[DavidM]

Looks awesome Jake, nice work! Now you have to let me drive it again.

[ScottyB]

cool, how's it handle?

[Jake]

cool, how's it handle?

Great, from what I can tell! The roads in Ashburn are not conducive to suspension testing at ALL... totally flat, straight, so boring. I've taken the few turns we have around here at a pretty quick clip and it's staying totally flat.

[JustinG]

needs moar lower

[Goodspeed]

:thumbup:

[V1GiLaNtE]

Yum... Now I demand a test drive when we get back!