New daily/future project - 91 SE Miata

[balactm]

I believe this is my first post in almost 7 years?

Anyways, this is Phillis.

   
   
   

Specs: 1991 Special Edition Miata  #60 of 4000, 78,600 original miles 

Backstory:

This is not my dream car. I've been driving mostly FWD honda's for a significant portion of my life. I'd finally gotten into a groove at work, where finances were starting to get squared away, and I was ready for a change. I wanted something that was more fun, not FWD, hopefully faster, and generally nicer (i.e. not a quarter million miles worth of hard use).

About 2 weeks before buying this car (couple weeks before thanksgiving), I was approved for a loan for a skyline gtr (!!!). Literally 2 days after getting the approval, the furnace and heat pump stopped working in our house. Ever since buying our house, I knew this day was going to come, and I knew that once it came, I was going to get rid of the furnace all together (only gas appliance at our house), and go all electric. To make this change even more efficient, we also scheduled for the crawl space to be completely spray-foamed, including the duct work. So, A signifcant portion of the money I had set aside for the skyline, went to our house...again.

Now being back in a tight spot, financially, I had to give up the skyline (so close!). I could have gone for a gts-t, but in my mind, if I'm buying a skyline, it must be a gtr. I've been intrigued with miatas, and figured why not take the plunge, and do what everyone has told me, and I bought one. 

For now, check fluids and hoses and stay up on routine maintenance. Roll bar, summer wheels, maybe hard top.

In the future...megasquirt 3 and try to squeeze as much as possible out of the 1.6 before adding go fast parts turbo and suspension.

[JPolen01]

Who are you?

[balactm]

I'm Taylor.
VP some years ago
Scorpio
Long walks on the beach..
Spaghetti dinners......

---

Ha, and apparently havent updated my signature since 2012...

[Senor_Taylor]

People named Taylor with Miatas are dumb.

That said, I like it! About time we had a decent Miata that wasn't a SHITBOX.

Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

[D_Eclipse9916]

[Jake]

Welcome back to the madness!

Car looks great, very clean. Those wood speaker covers on the doors are such an old people accessory. Excited to see what you do with it!

[BLINGMW]

I feel like I was looking at this very car on Craigslist a month ago maybe? Love the color combo, have fun!

[davej]

What's with these Taylor people and their special snowflake miatas?

That is really clean looking though!

I'm gonna have to go back through the archives and read up on you now, in a non-creepy way.

[Senor_Taylor]

It's a disease. I'm eyeballing a different model year M for the future. Maybe a 97.

Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

[balactm]

What's with these Taylor people and their special snowflake miatas?

That is really clean looking though!

I'm gonna have to go back through the archives and read up on you now, in a non-creepy way.

To be honest, I was more interested in the low mileage and old owners for the last 12 years, putting the car as a priority. The fact that it was a special edition, is a bonus for me. I love the speakers in the headrest, the brown leather everything, the ac, etc. that comes with the special edition, but it wasn't as important as the ownership. I've bought a few lemons in the past and I've become more particular about who I purchase cars from.

And Yes DJ, it's beeen a LOONG time. I've been crazy busy the last few years getting into a new house that we bought and spending a LOT of time and money on some remodeling. I've also recently built myself a workshop for motorcycles, that's big enough to bring a small race car into...once it's 100% complete with wiring and siding (those are the only 2 things left) I'll post a beginning to end story filled with pictures.

[Goodspeed]

Man that is just the epitomy of a "proper roadster" - love the BRG paint and accents.  Solid purchase, and welcome back to the board - looking forward to what you do with this!

For all the creepers wondering, here's a creeper pic I took of Taylor at a recent MM show

[Sully]

I remember Taylor by a green Honda something (crx or Civic hatch) with an obnoxiously tall shifter.... But I could be imagining that.

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

[Jake]

I remember Taylor by a green Honda something (crx or Civic hatch) with an obnoxiously tall shifter.... But I could be imagining that.

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

It was a very-90s-teal CRX.

[Ken]

Holy wow, welcome back to the forum Taylor! Hope all is well, car looks sweet!

[ScottyB]

BRG is best G. nice grab. looking forward to this one.

[balactm]

I remember Taylor by a green Honda something (crx or Civic hatch) with an obnoxiously tall shifter.... But I could be imagining that.

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

It was a very-90s-teal CRX.

Haha! Yeah it was! Tahitian green si. And yes, obnoxiously tall. Also had a same year 91 hatch si, also Tahitian green...it's a sickness.

[balactm]

no pictures to update, but I spent the weekend tracking down the main "fuel odor" issues. I'm just going to replace the filler neck, as it's 26 years old, and is probably due for a replacement. The fuel vent check valve was definitely clogged, but I'm not sure I've gotten enough solvent in there to break everything up.
For those who've delved into the fuel odor of the miata, whats been the best trick? What does a "free" fuel vent check valve sound like when the valve is free? Does it rattle around like a pcv valve? OR does it only open at certain pressures?

[Senor_Taylor]

Fuel smell is kind of part of the Miata life. I never worried about it.

Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

[balactm]

"Fuel smell is kind of part of the Miata life. I never worried about it.

Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk"

I went ahead and replaced a few of the aging parts that I thought might help with the fuel smell. Did the rubber fuel filler neck, new fuel filter, and new fuel hoses pretty much anywhere I could find them. I also cleaned out the fuel check valve. Results: slightly less fuel smell...great. At least it doesn't reek for days after I fill it all the way up with gas! I think the rubber fuel neck was most of my issues, but it's still stinky. oh well.

On a separate note, I've replaced the blown headrest speakers with some 3.5" kickers, and replaced the door speakers with some kenwoods (thanks to the 'rents for the very useful christmas gifts!). At least now I can drown out some of the road noise...

I also picked up a replacement nardi shift knob (direct oem replacement), only to find that the shift boot that's currently installed won't allow the nardi to sit where I want it to. On top of that, I peered down into the shifter area and noticed that my shifter needs a rebuild. The rubber top gasket is barely noticeable as a single piece. So I guess I'll be ordering that, plus a different shift boot that will allow my new knob. The question now is this:

Has anyone with a miata done the miataroadster shifter kit from Bill? NAturally I've read pretty much every miata.net turbomiata etc. review on the short shifter kit, but don't know that I'm getting the result I was searching for. Essentially it comes with the shifter reuild kit (all the new gaskets etc. $99/ea) plus it actually has a shorter throw shifter, not just height. So if I'm going to spend $100 anyways on rebuilding it, is it worth the extra $250 for the short shifter? I like the feel of the stock one, but I'm constantly punching my head unit when I shift into third, and wonder if that would go away with the short shifter.

[Senor_Taylor]

Get the regular rebuild kit and it will feel like a short throw anyway with how tight it will be. Maybe get rid of the Nardi knob? Not sure which one you have, but few knobs are shorter than the stock one.

If you still want a short throw after reading that, then just buy the kit. I don't think you need it to avoid punching the radio. (Or maybe I just got used to it and didn't realize I was doing it)