What did you do to your NB today? [Archive]

MX-5 Miata Forum > NA/NB (1990-2005) Miata > NB (1999-2005) General discussion > What did you do to your NB today?

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Kylini

2nd April 2012, 10:31

Had a damn good time while having to tighten the new end links 3 times. I need to look into nylon lock washers...

http://kylini.com/ax/040112d.jpg

CMMCK

2nd April 2012, 10:32

Unless you are looking for a divorce, RUN... Run away from that money pit. Just from the angles of the shots you provided I can see that the front fender and rocker have stage 3 cancer. And BTW, have you tried to source a dash cover for a Volvo P1800? Not going to be cheap or easy.

I've always loved the lines of the P1800, but this isn't the one.

I think the photos make it look worse than it is, but yeah, there's definitely rust and it concerns me. You can get a tacky dash cover, one of those glue-on things, for not many $$$, but a replacement dash is like $550. It's easy to look at a rough car that may not cost a lot to purchase, like the Volvo, and see the potential without considering how much money will be required to realize that potential. I'm leaning toward spending the $3K on my Sprite.

I appreciate the feedback I've gotten here while considering my options.

shoult

2nd April 2012, 12:19

Spent a little pre-drive time cleaning and feeding the leather seats I bought last year. When I originally got them out of a 33K mile car the drivers seat had some stains on the bolster and seat bottom. In the bottom circle you can see where the previous owner had tried to clean it up but failed (bottom circle). This led me to believe that I wouldn't be able to do any better. I picked up some Zymol Cleaner and Leather Conditioner. The leather needed conditioning and you should clean it before you condition it. After a short time using the cleaner the stains are almost completely gone.

[Before]

http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s309/shoult/Vehicles/2000%20Mazda%20Miata/Tan%20is%20the%20new%20black/IMG_1119-1.jpg

[After]

http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s309/shoult/Vehicles/2000%20Mazda%20Miata/Tan%20is%20the%20new%20black/CleanSeats-1.jpg

For about $6 and 20 minutes (for both seats) I'm a happy camper.

Ciotti

2nd April 2012, 12:55

BUT, as for what I did to my NB (Saturday)...

1. Headlights -

2. Washer Fluid & Coolant Overflow Jugs

3. Front Side Markers

4. Fog Lights

5. Front Bumper

6. Rear-view mirror

7. Wiper Blade Arms

I've been wanting to do pretty much every single one of these things, got any pictures to get me off my ass? :)

JoeTheZoe

2nd April 2012, 13:01

I've been wanting to do pretty much every single one of these things, got any pictures to get me off my ass? :)

I'll get some tonight (but the car is dirty, so go easy on me).

FWH

2nd April 2012, 13:10

Had RPF-1s and Yokohama S.Drives fitted.

Real improvement in driving experience! :D

p10anniv

2nd April 2012, 13:38

I ordered the hose kit from Rosenthal Mazda yesterday ( COOLANT HOSE KIT (PKMIAD1006 $104.95 ) I plan to replace ALL the hoses except the upper & lower radiator hoses because I replaced those last year when I got the car.

10AE Since Jan 2011

KurtAKX

2nd April 2012, 14:40

What did I do to my NB today?....

Pretty sure I failed at least one engine mount, based on the wobbling/shuddering of the engine when launching from a stop....

Ordered some new mounts from TDR, review pending arrival and installation.

NewtoCarsGuy

2nd April 2012, 15:47

Considered selling my car to buy an NA and a motorcycle.... saved up some cash... then decided against it and treated myself to buying some fantastic car cleaning supplies... and tackled the feat of cleaning..... this

http://i1128.photobucket.com/albums/m498/MiataProtege/CopyofPicture074.jpg

I amazed myself..... after a good hours turmoil.... I think I might as well party like it's 1999 because this thing looks perfect!

http://i1128.photobucket.com/albums/m498/MiataProtege/003.jpg

I did end up pulling some paint on the bottom right... I'm sure you guys can tell... but I think I did a good job other than that. The valve cover simply would not clean, I tried everything I bought, it stayed that yuck brownish grey.

Kylini

2nd April 2012, 17:30

I amazed myself..... after a good hours turmoil.... I think I might as well party like it's 1999 because this thing looks perfect!

http://i1128.photobucket.com/albums/m498/MiataProtege/003.jpg

What products did you find useful in the engine bay? I would love to know how to properly detail under the hood!

CheapWhine

2nd April 2012, 18:54

For almost 5 years now, I've been runnin' 'round with the incorrect jack.. never fit quite right. Anyway, yesterday I picked up the correct jack free of charge. Thanks again Mike!

january98miata

2nd April 2012, 19:35

Photographed my spare 2000 engine for a new possible owner. The best intentions to build up a nice engine as a spare haven't gone very far! Fun to look at though.

JadeGrenade

2nd April 2012, 20:49

Installed new Yokohama S. Drives in place of the worn-out Maxxis MA V1s that came with my car. Hope they live up to their reputation!

Dakafa11

2nd April 2012, 22:26

Drove to school. Parked next to STI. Got said STIs number to do photoshoot with them. Productive day.

Panchira!

3rd April 2012, 00:48

Attempted to put on new Robbins top on sat. Then it decided to rain. Sunday was to cold and top would not warm up. Will attempt this weekend again.

Justin_

3rd April 2012, 02:29

Got my V-maxx coilovers (mostly) adjusted properly. So I drove down the street to take a picture.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v406/frag_daddy_2007/MX-5/1c268724.jpg

It turned out pretty sharp for a 30 second exposure at 12:40am, hah.

FWH

3rd April 2012, 05:36

-5C and snowing, so took the top down and drove it to my Mazda dealer for servicing.

Gun Bunny

3rd April 2012, 08:52

Hopped in for the first time in two and a half weeks, top down cruise to work. Life is good.

AKADriver

3rd April 2012, 09:17

The valve cover simply would not clean, I tried everything I bought, it stayed that yuck brownish grey.

Since the bare cast aluminum is slightly porous there's no real way to "clean" it short of sanding off the top layer of stained aluminum oxide or etching it somehow. Not as bad as it sounds but I opted to just paint mine.

CMMCK

3rd April 2012, 09:45

I'll let you all know if I buy the Volvo...

To follow up...buying the Volvo would mean selling my Sprite as I have limited garage space.

There's an elderly British gentlman, quite crusty and abrasive, that I deal with at work. I get along well enough with him, but he's...well, he's crusty and abrasive. I had a late meeting last night and he was in attendance. I arrived wearing a cap that has a Union Jack on it. My crusty acquaintance asked, "What's that about?" I told him I had a Bugeye Sprite, a Sprite he'd call a Frogeye. A wistful smile came over his crusty and abrasive features and he said, "Ah, the memories. When my wife and I got married we came to the US. I had a few weeks before I had to start work. We bought a Sprite and drove it through Mexico, across the US, and up to Canada. 13,500 miles in ten weeks. I loved that car. I still have a beautiful chromed luggage rack I had on the back of it and it's yours for the asking. Tell me, are there any British car shows in the area? Let me know the dates. I'd love to go with you." How can I sell the Sprite?

JoeTheZoe

3rd April 2012, 10:06

How can I sell the Sprite?

Sell it to HIM...

BGrigg

3rd April 2012, 10:10

If that Volvo was an ES shooting brake, I'd steal it from under you, and save you the anguish! :D

chemwarrior

3rd April 2012, 11:51

What did I do to my NB today?....

Pretty sure I failed at least one engine mount, based on the wobbling/shuddering of the engine when launching from a stop....

Ordered some new mounts from TDR, review pending arrival and installation.

What year NB do you have?

Soraia

3rd April 2012, 13:11

I remember 'cleaning' my KA24DE cam cover using wire wheel. It came out pretty smooth and nice. Didn't take long for me to paint it all black after that. Still beats trying to sand it with paper.

inheritthefire

3rd April 2012, 15:38

Had RPF-1s and Yokohama S.Drives fitted.

Real improvement in driving experience! :D

They only get better with time... I'm running the same set up. Did you go with 15" or 16" RPF1s?

What I did to my Miata (yesterday):

Fresh wash and wax. She's so shiny now...

Ciotti

3rd April 2012, 16:46

Tonight my buddy and I will be....

Reinstalling my rear sway bar with Racing Beat end links (car came with it off but I don't like the understeer)

Moving the front bar end links to the outer holes (the 1.25 bar is taking so much weight off the inside front during trail braking that I'm flat spotting these brand new RS3's)

Fuel filter

Comp motor mounts

Figuring out how to get the broken headed battery tie down bolt out (I broke an extractor off trying to get it out already)

ninerhb

3rd April 2012, 19:05

Replaced the small and large shift boot. Both were pretty much torn through, and after the transmission oil change I could smell a little gear oil. It was surprisingly easy. While I had the center console off, I also popped open the window controls and sprayed them with some contact cleaner, and T-tapped a wire off the cigarette lighter to power a USB charger in the glovebox.

All in all, a productive night!

Tea

3rd April 2012, 19:13

Today I picked up the last item on my 2012 mod list. Took some family photos before they all go into the car next week.

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/547398_10150657005886169_508761168_9348721_3083724 95_n.jpg

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/541169_10150657006066169_508761168_9348724_5635782 74_n.jpg
All of these are going into that thing on the right.

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/550002_10150657006181169_508761168_9348726_1022663 945_n.jpg
Interior removed to install guideman's teflon guides, Miataroader's 6speed short shifter and Moddition's engraved Anvil II

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/306248_10150657006521169_508761168_9348732_5291119 43_n.jpg

The car has been garaged since last Oct, had a new paint job around Xmas. Summer Falkens and track dog spilters will be back on too.
I'm a happy man

CMMCK

4th April 2012, 08:10

If that Volvo was an ES shooting brake, I'd steal it from under you, and save you the anguish! :D

No you wouldn't, because I'd have snapped that up in a heartbeat.

CMMCK

4th April 2012, 08:13

Sell it to HIM...

Now that's an idea! (He also told me he currently has a Jaguar XK8. I didn't know - he always arrives at the office in a Camry.)

JoeTheZoe

4th April 2012, 08:43

Now that's an idea! (He also told me he currently has a Jaguar XK8. I didn't know - he always arrives at the office in a Camry.)

:thumbs: I do what I can.

shoult

4th April 2012, 10:58

Now that's an idea! (He also told me he currently has a Jaguar XK8. I didn't know - he always arrives at the office in a Camry.)

It's a Jaguar, so of COURSE he has to drive the Camry.

Unless you're just tired of the Bugeye, keep it and wait until a better project car comes along.

Hundet

4th April 2012, 13:03

Fixed the lazy cup holder. I know it's the little things, but this was really bugging me.

FWH

4th April 2012, 13:55

Picked it up from servicing, drove it, cleaned it.
Half way through polishing at the moment..

They only get better with time... I'm running the same set up. Did you go with 15" or 16" RPF1s?

16" as my car had 16" stock wheels.

It's a Jaguar, so of COURSE he has to drive the Camry.

That is truth.

Easy Riker II

4th April 2012, 14:56

I changed the oil. BOOM! Also drove with the top down. Does that count?

Justin_

4th April 2012, 14:59

I lost my lug lock key again :(

This is a bit of an issue, since I am still adjusting my coilovers. I am probably going to end up going to the dealer and just getting some regular lugs put on, I have never seen a point in lock lugs on stock wheels anyway.

Triple88A

4th April 2012, 15:25

How do you loose a lock key?

p10anniv

4th April 2012, 15:31

I lost my lug lock key again :(

I have lock lugs on my wheels and since they are original to the car, I want to protect them so I am glad they are there. I keep the lock key in the glove box always.

10AE since Jan 2011

Justin_

4th April 2012, 15:31

I honestly think there is an intermittent black hole in my glove box. My original one disappeared after I had a small shop mount some tires for me (not using them again). But I just had this one last week when u put my V-maxx's on.

Sent from my DROID BIONIC using Tapatalk

ninerhb

4th April 2012, 16:10

I kept my lug locks, but they're not on the wheels anymore. I got rid of them after trying to take the locks off once with the stock lug wrench in the trunk and discovering I simply couldn't - it would cam out and I couldn't put on any pressure with the way the lug wrench was bent. I was able to get them off with a breaker bar, but on the road that would make the spare only slightly less useless than a can of fix-a-flat.

lsj01

4th April 2012, 17:31

I took the top off and ordered a new rain rail X my fingers all goes well.

lsj01

4th April 2012, 17:33

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/541169_10150657006066169_508761168_9348724_5635782 74_n.jpg
All of these are going into that thing on the right.

The car has been garaged since last Oct, had a new paint job around Xmas. Summer Falkens and track dog spilters will be back on too.
I'm a happy man[/QUOTE]

I envy you very much :thumbs: I'm hoping on getting something similar done by the end of this year.

pbsdaddy

4th April 2012, 19:01

"James Bond didn't drive one, it was the Saint. Given that was Roger Moore you are allowed some befuddlement."

You are absolutely right. Right guy, right car, wrong title.

boomercarguy

4th April 2012, 20:22

I quit using my lug locks after finding out that a thief only has to pound a socket onto it. Same with my Honda's.

Tea

5th April 2012, 00:14

I envy you very much :thumbs: I'm hoping on getting something similar done by the end of this year.

Thanks a lot. These are the mods I should have done a long time ago.
I am really looking forward to the added stiffness.

inheritthefire

5th April 2012, 00:55

Fixed a rather annoying squeak coming from the rear of the car. Ended up being the battery hold down. Also lubed up my hood hinges, as the driver's side was a little sticky. I also finally figured out how the board in the trunk is supposed to sit, so it was a productive evening.

Justin_

5th April 2012, 01:16

FOUND MY LUG KEY!

Sorry for using all caps, but I am a bit excited. lol

Turns out I left it on one of my rear lugs when I finished the V-maxx install, and it fell off at the end of my driveway.

lsj01

5th April 2012, 01:40

cleaned out clogged drains it was easier than I thought.

gregkl

5th April 2012, 07:48

I had the same rattle in my trunk. I bent the hold down rod so it fit tighter. So far so good. How did you fix it?

brianfulcher15

5th April 2012, 09:48

FOUND MY LUG KEY!

Sorry for using all caps, but I am a bit excited. lol

Turns out I left it on one of my rear lugs when I finished the V-maxx install, and it fell off at the end of my driveway.

ive done that with my key before too lol. black wheels make it hard to see the black key on there.

inheritthefire

5th April 2012, 09:59

I had the same rattle in my trunk. I bent the hold down rod so it fit tighter. So far so good. How did you fix it?

The bolt for the hold down rod had backed itself out about an inch. Torqued it back down, problem solved!

ObtuseGoose

5th April 2012, 10:25

I purchased my 2000 LS. Tomorrow its rear brakes,a good cleaning, an oil change and good drive. Does this cart give anyone else manic glee when they see a rotary coming?

Lokrien

5th April 2012, 10:41

Well, I finally got up the courage to tear my valve cover off to do a BP5A cam swap and check my valve lash and powerdercoat the valve cover. Oh, and put on SS valve cover bolts and hope the new OEM gasket stops my oil leaks. And measure for the aluminum plate for fitting the COPS setup. And painting my cheapo ebay intake... and... oh crap, this will never end, will it?

I have had an intermittent 'valve-ish' noise for quite awhile now (30k miles or more) that goes away at 2500 rpm. Usually only start hearing it when my oil has about 2500 miles on it or so. Most have said probably valve lash, but I did a quick check and intake seemed all good at around 7 thou and exhaust at 11 thou. Nothing seemed waaaaaay out or anything to cause the noise there, tho everything looked really brown and nasty. Any ideas?

p10anniv

5th April 2012, 15:07

How does that board fit in the truck ? I have not been able to figure that out ? Can you send pics ?

morr

5th April 2012, 18:41

Re-adjusted my hardtop brackets and installed my new vented window. I love it :)

http://i39.tinypic.com/r6xw6a.jpg

usshelena725

5th April 2012, 19:02

Love the window. Wish there was someone who made fully tilting vent windows like the old cars used to have. I miss those.

Seashed

5th April 2012, 19:10

p10anniv,

See post #6 here, for trunk: http://forum.miata.net/vb/showthread.php?t=455450

Kylini

6th April 2012, 00:47

Gave my Miata a new friend in the garage. I did have to fold in my Miata's mirror to scootch it by, so that counts for something!

http://kylini.com/ul/matco.jpg
http://kylini.com/ul/matco2.jpg

inheritthefire

6th April 2012, 02:15

How does that board fit in the truck ? I have not been able to figure that out ? Can you send pics ?

p10anniv,

See post #6 here, for trunk: http://forum.miata.net/vb/showthread.php?t=455450

^^ There ya go. :p

p10anniv

6th April 2012, 11:35

^^ There ya go. :p

HEY THANKS !

BlackBandit

6th April 2012, 13:10

I went to the body shop to drop another payment for the paint job and body work. This is what the car looks like now after they have cut out the fender area of the car. We are waiting on the new cut out piece to arrive to be welded in. Other then that, the emblems on the front and rear bumper are going to be debadged. Filled in with bondo and painted over. The garage vary lip is going to be paint matched to the car along with the hard top.

I'm replacing all the seals and weather stripping for the hard top all at once so that I don't have to worry about it down the road. Might as well since the entire car is getting painted. The car should be done by this coming up Friday. Even the employee doing the work is excited and says he can't wait to see it when its finished. That it is going to look Great! That's reassuring.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7274/7051119563_1b85cdb234_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/63839450@N02/7051119563/)
20120406_112615 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/63839450@N02/7051119563/) by rocketeerbandit (http://www.flickr.com/people/63839450@N02/), on Flickr

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7133/6905028304_0acf6bf4a4_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/63839450@N02/6905028304/)
20120406_112649 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/63839450@N02/6905028304/) by rocketeerbandit (http://www.flickr.com/people/63839450@N02/), on Flickr

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7117/6905027180_1a521bf256_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/63839450@N02/6905027180/)
20120406_112701 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/63839450@N02/6905027180/) by rocketeerbandit (http://www.flickr.com/people/63839450@N02/), on Flickr

KL4V1CL3

6th April 2012, 14:13

p10anniv,

See post #6 here, for trunk: http://forum.miata.net/vb/showthread.php?t=455450

I just realized I don't even have this board. What is a good place to get one? Or should I just make one?

usshelena725

6th April 2012, 14:46

Installed Sirius sat radio jvc head unit today. Missed my sat radio. Glad I have it again and more happy that my new head unit color can be changed to match the color of the vehicle dash lighting.

bellamia

6th April 2012, 15:08

I just realized I don't even have this board. What is a good place to get one? Or should I just make one?

You could make one, but check with local salvage yards or PartsGroup or Planet Miata (forum sponsors). You might score one for cheap and save the time to fab one up.

http://www.partsgroup.com/images/sales/IMG_2974.JPG

Ciotti

6th April 2012, 15:17

Took the 3 hour drive out to Flyin Miata yesterday for a new Vinyl zipper top to be installed as well as corner balancing and an alignment. Awesome group of guys there, SUPER helpful and unbelievably knowledgeable. Well worth the 3 hour drive each way :)

gregkl

6th April 2012, 17:04

I thought Flyin Miata was in Colorado. How did you make it from NJ to CO in 3 hours? Miata's may be quick, but I don't think they are that fast!:)

It's Mama's MX-5

6th April 2012, 17:45

Thanks to The Michelin Man, now have four new tires, all the same design, on Mama's MX-5. It really does make a difference. As a benchmark, I use a certain freeway off ramp which can be negotiated safely at 70 mph. I can evaluate under steer or oversteer. Much, much better.

Papawdude

6th April 2012, 20:17

Went from this...
140027

To this...
140028

Silvia

6th April 2012, 21:22

Nice! How did you do that? Are there other colours....like charcoal?

KL4V1CL3

6th April 2012, 21:55

Nice! How did you do that? Are there other colours....like charcoal?

Looks like Plastidip. Pretty popular way to temporarily paint wheels.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GWbrjrICO9g

Papawdude

6th April 2012, 22:02

Nice! How did you do that? Are there other colours....like charcoal?

Plasti-dip. Well, the spray anyway. I'm not sure what other colors it comes in but it's basically a plastic spray paint. Pulled the wheels off, cleaned them up and proceeded to apply coats. Cool part is that if/when I want to change back, it just peels off.

While the wheels were off I finally got around to changing the fog lights out. Productive day was productive.

BoBHo

6th April 2012, 22:16

Fixed my rear brake rattle and changed the tranny fluid to Motorcraft Synthetic.
It has been mentioned that the 5spd filler plug comes off easily with 8pt 9/16 socket. Only found 8pt socket at Sears but largest available size was 1/2 inch.
I bought a Craftsman adjustable wrench and this worked fine. I bought only 2 qts of the Motorcraft fluid. After pumping both in I had not seen any signs of the Tranny being full. Pulled out a qt of Mobil 1 tranny fluid from a previous vehicle nearly 6 years ago, and topped the tranny off with that. By the way that previous car (2001 toy Celica) had over 100,000 miles on that tranny fluid and still shifted very well.

nwick

6th April 2012, 22:41

To follow up...buying the Volvo would mean selling my Sprite as I have limited garage space.

Don't make the same mistake I did. Keep the Sprite. Show me the pictures.

Ciotti

6th April 2012, 23:39

I thought Flyin Miata was in Colorado. How did you make it from NJ to CO in 3 hours? Miata's may be quick, but I don't think they are that fast!:)

I'm dumb, I meant to type Planet Miata.

Tea

7th April 2012, 02:16

Remove the carpets on the rear firewall and package shelf, remove door sills because framerail installation requires lifting up the carpet.

Then removed all of the rear quarter trims, all for next week's rollbar install.

Car has never been this naked, nice.

I should leave it stripped for a while after the job, it has a nice grassroot look to it with a bucket seat.

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/558696_10150663350936169_508761168_9368449_1863651 737_n.jpg

03Nardi

7th April 2012, 09:30

Today I will be fixing the small holes around my rear window. Cant drive it for 24 hours :(

borg5

7th April 2012, 10:20

Bought 4 Yokohama S Drives. Very sticky tires. All the grit from the tire store's parking lot are on my tires.LOL

usshelena725

7th April 2012, 10:45

Adjusted my top latches per miata.net garage article. Wind noise solved.

usshelena725

7th April 2012, 12:33

Question. Is it worth it to pay a shop 100.00 to change my diff and tranny fluid. I don't have a pump or jack stands at home. I already bought the fluids.

bigdave

7th April 2012, 12:39

Question. Is it worth it to pay a shop 100.00 to change my diff and tranny fluid. I don't have a pump or jack stands at home. I already bought the fluids.

it would be to me.... but, I 'contract' all that labor out.... I've spent my time under cars with grease and grime under my nails.

J3cubrc

7th April 2012, 13:01

I attended a tech session hosted by a local dealer and West Penn Miata Club. The presenter used his Shensen as a visual aide, never realized how sweet that model is and this one was a jem. Had fun. Dealer showed off an Red NC PRHT that was ice as well, but aren't all the new ones nice?

SlideYourRide

7th April 2012, 14:23

:D
http://i.imgur.com/1oO4u.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/YN3i0.jpg

So Much FUN!!!!!

socal pat

7th April 2012, 14:34

Question. Is it worth it to pay a shop 100.00 to change my diff and tranny fluid. I don't have a pump or jack stands at home. I already bought the fluids.

The knee-jerk reaction is to say NOOOO! However, the shop time is around $75-$85 per hour now and add some in for fluids. That is about right in this case. I'm with you Dave. After doing everything to my car for over a decade I'm starting to trust Rocky for more of my stuff. I really would rather have a sandwich and supervise nowadays.

p10anniv

7th April 2012, 15:07

Today I cleaned the throttle butterfly. It was fairly clean since I did it last spring and I have only put less than 1k miles on the car since then. The K & N air filter looked fine so I did not clean it. I noticed some pine nut shells in the bottom of the air filter box - how wierd. Perhaps they were there last year when I cleaned and oiled the air filter and I did not notice them. I took out the shop vac and sucked them out, but how did they get there in the first place ? I have only had the car for a little over a year. Perhaps someone was eating pinion nuts and throwing the shells in the air filter box. This ticked me off. I plan to replace all the hoses as I ordered the hose kit from Rosenthal and it is due to arrive at my doorstep on Monday.

10AE

agv

7th April 2012, 15:55

replaced torn shift boots.

Zooming

7th April 2012, 16:08

Installed my new RAPZ kit on my roll bar over the FIA spec padding. :thumbs:

gregkl

7th April 2012, 17:08

Question. Is it worth it to pay a shop 100.00 to change my diff and tranny fluid. I don't have a pump or jack stands at home. I already bought the fluids.

You don't need a pump for either the trans or diff.

usshelena725

7th April 2012, 17:33

True, I know I could do it with a funnel, but still need the tubing and something to jack the car up with, I dunno.

Areddi

7th April 2012, 19:23

Deleted my charcoal canister. Amazing how much cleaner the engine bay looks without it!

usshelena725

7th April 2012, 19:29

Deleted my charcoal canister. Amazing how much cleaner the engine bay looks without it!

Pics please?

bellamia

7th April 2012, 19:35

Well, no so much as "To" but more "For"...new floor jack and a routed-out hockey puck.

usshelena: for that price, you could score jack,jack-stands AND a pump and still come out ahead. And they'd still be there for ya when you wanna tackle something else. Just a thought.

YoursTruly

7th April 2012, 20:32

I autocrossed the living CRAP out of it. BEST CAR EVER!

bellamia

8th April 2012, 01:21

BEST CAR EVER!

I couldn't agree more.

Impuls

8th April 2012, 02:15

I cleaned throttle body/intake. So much shiny metal in there now :D

Waiting on coilovers to come monday.

Till then, attached file of what I'm currently at.

16x8's

slow88lx

8th April 2012, 03:10

Remove the carpets on the rear firewall and package shelf, remove door sills because framerail installation requires lifting up the carpet.

Then removed all of the rear quarter trims, all for next week's rollbar install.

Car has never been this naked, nice.

I should leave it stripped for a while after the job, it has a nice grassroot look to it with a bucket seat.

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/558696_10150663350936169_508761168_9368449_1863651 737_n.jpgSame here, gonna finish up tomorrow.

http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s276/slow88lx/2012-04-08_01-24-23_576.jpg

2000vikings

8th April 2012, 07:49

replaced my non functioning 2001 antenna with a salvaged antenna unit from a 1999, works just like new. Very easy job maybe took 5 minutes.

Areddi

8th April 2012, 10:23

Pics please?

Here is a shot of it removed. Just consolidated the lines and ran input output from the solenoid, without the canister inbetween.

http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb104/ultimax55/2012-04-08_10-04-38_751.jpg

Tea

8th April 2012, 11:00

Same here, gonna finish up tomorrow.

http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s276/slow88lx/2012-04-08_01-24-23_576.jpg

Very nice! That'll do a lot to your chassis rigidity. How long did it take for you to install the bar not counting interior removal time ?

Congrats !!

slow88lx

8th April 2012, 11:16

That was just a test fit. Going to do the actual install after Easter lunch.

Tea

8th April 2012, 11:22

Is that also a part of the bar? That black brace extending up from the floor, on top of the center console?

Looks like you don't have to trim the rear package shelf and metal, but fitting a HT would be a pain tho, right ??

Ciotti

8th April 2012, 11:28

Ran a free 20 minute hot lap session on NJMP's Lightning track, WAY fun but I'll stick to autocross since there was a constant fear of wrecking the car that prevented me from really pushing to 10/10ths which I've never gotten at autocrosses.

chemwarrior

8th April 2012, 11:52

I autocrossed yesterday and won both in STR and got the fastest time in ST, but I definitely need some new R-S3s.

chemwarrior

8th April 2012, 11:54

That was just a test fit. Going to do the actual install after Easter lunch.

Is this the Bossfrog Dual Hoop?

slow88lx

8th April 2012, 13:52

Is that also a part of the bar? That black brace extending up from the floor, on top of the center console?

Looks like you don't have to trim the rear package shelf and metal, but fitting a HT would be a pain tho, right ??Yeah that "saddle" fits around the center console and is where the bars mount in the middle. No, it still needs trimming. It was removed in that picture, it gets cut into 3 pieces I think.

Is this the Bossfrog Dual Hoop?Indeed it is. It's still wrapped in the shipping padding.

Soraia

8th April 2012, 14:21

What's the purpose of canister delete?

JoeTheZoe

8th April 2012, 17:37

What's the purpose of canister delete?

Clean up the engine bay, weight saving (maybe 1 lb tops though ahahaha)

gregkl

8th April 2012, 17:44

Clean up the engine bay, weight saving (maybe 1 lb tops though ahahaha)

Don't you need the canister?

Areddi

8th April 2012, 17:49

Don't you need the canister?

It is an emissions thing. It has no bearing on the performance or economy of the car. In emissions states with a visual inspection you have to have it. In MD we only have an ODBII check so it won't matter.

On the VVT motors you'll get a CEL if you don't leave the solenoid plugged in. I basically just ran the hoses the same path, just without the canister.

More crap out of the engine bay is always good!

JoeWPgh

8th April 2012, 17:55

After finally getting my Rotrex pulley back on, and the harness zip-tied to prevent injectors from coming unplugged when banging the twisties, it was time for a detailing. Wash, clay, polish and wax, and a fairly involved interior cleaning. It's amazing how filthy the thing had gotten sitting idle for 10 months! Also after the detailing, I installed a Track Dog curb catcher to try to avoid the ugly scraps on my chin spoiler. It's great to have the Rotrex issues behind me and the '99 Emerald Mica shiny again!

Panchira!

8th April 2012, 21:02

Installed my new streamline top. Having racing seats and a roll bar made install extremely difficult but decided to remove the whole unit and that made it so much easier! Looks so fricken sweet! I don't know why I waited so long to replace the nasty oem vinyl top.

http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l13/SW203SGTE/5a3c5809.jpg
http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l13/SW203SGTE/a12db6bf.jpg

Tea

9th April 2012, 01:49

Bought some daily insurance and drove the car without an interior and only 1 seat. Then took some photos of the car in its seemingly stock form. Next week all the parts will go back in the car.

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/562846_10150651057471048_503806047_9237407_3448707 49_n.jpg

jimbop99

9th April 2012, 10:22

http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l13/SW203SGTE/5a3c5809.jpg
http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l13/SW203SGTE/a12db6bf.jpg

Top looks nice. Good job.

2000vikings

9th April 2012, 10:37

140138

140139When I purchased this 2001, the passenger side door handle was cracked and missing a part. I found the matching door handle form Flyin Miata and replaced it this past weekend. About a half hour job, very easy. Jim

inheritthefire

10th April 2012, 02:00

My weekly car wash and a little thrashing in the few curvy roads around here. Great day to be out.

Ciotti

10th April 2012, 11:13

Shouted out the stain in my brand new week old floor mats, I really wish I had some idea of where the stain came from!

usshelena725

10th April 2012, 17:18

My timing belt kit came from rosenthal today. Installing tomorrow.

RTmiata

10th April 2012, 17:29

Took the hard top off for some top down driving:thumbs:
Looked at turbos and drooled... so tempting

Triple88A

10th April 2012, 22:20

I didnt do anything "for it" but who the hell knew a 32" tv/monitor fits in the trunk? :P

Jerryc53

10th April 2012, 22:39

Took my Miata for an oil change today. Came home, parked car for a while, went out for dinner. As I pulled away from drive way engine stmbled and mis-fired . Check engine light came on. P2004 code. What's this?

Triple88A

10th April 2012, 23:23

http://forum.miata.net/vb/showthread.php?t=372309

Ciotti

11th April 2012, 00:28

Tried to dial in these Tein Flexes a bit better and went completely the wrong direction with them, I'll be riding to and from work on the rear bump stops because of my stupidity :(

jeff m

11th April 2012, 12:45

After removing the red seats on my MSM, I decided the original red door inserts didn't match anything. Instead of looking for new door panels, or buying new inserts, I decided to recover is faux seude.

The material cost only $3, and I have enough to do at least 2 more. I just removed the door panel, cut off the melted "nubs" and removed. I used the 3M spray glue to attach the material, then re-assembled using hot glue.

http://i1053.photobucket.com/albums/s462/jsminnich/004.jpg

slow88lx

11th April 2012, 12:47

jeff m

11th April 2012, 12:53

What did you do with your old seats?

They were Corbeau's installed by the previous owner. Torn up and faded...not the best of shape. Replaced with OE black leather from an '03.

bellamia

11th April 2012, 14:38

Like the door panels......good job!

usshelena725

11th April 2012, 15:32

Sometimes a pic is worth a thousand words.

mrjacubec

11th April 2012, 20:50

Installed a shorty antenae and a UTV Billet Grille. The grille took way to long to install, but the grille itsef looks nice.

Seashed

11th April 2012, 22:20

mrjacubec,

Perhaps a link to the UTV grille, please?

alfasteve

11th April 2012, 22:39

and a pic of the utv grille?

Soraia

12th April 2012, 05:17

Sometimes a pic is worth a thousand words.

Valve cover gasket replacement?
Are the engine parts (none contact) supposed to be dark yellow and dirty like that? I got my used NB with dirty oil (all the used cars I bought were high mileage) and I replaced oil a few times with sea foam between change. The cam lobes looks clean but the rest seems dirty like in that pic. :mad:

usshelena725

12th April 2012, 07:48

Yup, along with timing belt, water pump, cam and crank seals, and other belts. Car has 80k on it, so seemed clean enoght for me.

Sent from my Desire HD using Tapatalk 2

BlackBandit

12th April 2012, 12:29

I had got a headlight that had a perfect back housing with no tabs broken but the lens was extremely hazy. I didn't need the lens and was transferring the msm lens and shroud over to the donor headlight. I dropped it off at the body shop where it will be ready to mount.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7197/6924793532_5bd29c3bd5_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/63839450@N02/6924793532/)
Untitled (http://www.flickr.com/photos/63839450@N02/6924793532/) by rocketeerbandit (http://www.flickr.com/people/63839450@N02/), on Flickr

This is the clip that will be welded in today/tomorrow.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7267/6924972182_59b9648d8b_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/63839450@N02/6924972182/)
Untitled (http://www.flickr.com/photos/63839450@N02/6924972182/) by rocketeerbandit (http://www.flickr.com/people/63839450@N02/), on Flickr

Ciotti

12th April 2012, 14:07

Dialed in a much better shock body length to reduce the 3" of droop I had on my Tein Flexes, what a difference!

wrbennet

12th April 2012, 15:42

We return home from a 2000 mile road trip and while on my way to work a nice little old lady in a minivan wanted my lane too. Thank god she is insured. $3300 worth. Hope they can match the black cherry good?:mad:

niko3257

12th April 2012, 16:16

Sometimes a pic is worth a thousand words.

:eek: looks exactly like what im doing right now.

mrjacubec

12th April 2012, 21:35

I just gave the car a bath and heading out for the weekend, I'll post pictures and the link on Monday.

brianfulcher15

12th April 2012, 22:08

yea, were less noticible than motercycles it seems.

Lokrien

12th April 2012, 23:56

I would say that looks remarkably like my engine bay at the moment. I just installed the MSM cam into my 10ae (or JDM or EUDM cam, whichever you prefer to call it) but haven't put the valve cover back on as I am taking it to be powder coated tomorrow. Also completely removed my exhaust and installed a cheap ebay exhaust I have had for about 3 years (it's a 4-1 style). Got a FM 2.5 midpipe with hiflow cat in, and at the end, an Ansa Silverline Dual. I hope it sounds good, and not too loud. Once I get the valve cover back Saturday, I will finish the install and get to try it all out! I am soooooo excited, I feel like a little girl! (Think Mike Myers on SNL where he does his Deter talk show, pulling his turtleneck out for breasts...)

Letit*now

13th April 2012, 00:01

Saturday - test drive for the '01+ exhaust manifold. It went great until the engine stopped dead. Diagnosis? Loose screw in the timing belt area chopped the belt nastily and that was that.

Steve from Panic was very helpful in hooking me up with a new top timing belt cover piece (along with the lower ones - couple of broken tabs down there) which arrived today. Everything's buttoned back up and it runs nicely!

Bummer is, they're laying down salt already for the impending freeze overnight. Ah, well.

Justin_

13th April 2012, 00:45

I just finished removing the dampening in my factory oil pressure gauge. I cheated a little bit, I just pulled the gauge out of the cluster and soaked it in an inch of seafoam for about 10 minutes.

I rinsed it with isopropyl and put it all back together. Now I am ready to put my VDO sender in this weekend!

HunterX

13th April 2012, 00:59

Finished installing racing beat front and rear sway bars on racing beat end links and brace kit hardware for the front.

Rear sway and end link on Megan Coilovers
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-9dDCr_JXbG4/T4exTE67YUI/AAAAAAAAAqI/4DAPDNuV61o/s640/IMG_3352.JPG

Picked up a M2 Sport DD Roll Bar on Tuesday

Ciotti

13th April 2012, 01:49

I just finished removing the dampening in my factory oil pressure gauge. I cheated a little bit, I just pulled the gauge out of the cluster and soaked it in an inch of seafoam for about 10 minutes.

I rinsed it with isopropyl and put it all back together. Now I am ready to put my VDO sender in this weekend!

I haven't heard of this before, do tell :)

Justin_

13th April 2012, 03:10

I haven't heard of this before, do tell :)

Doing this one:

http://www.miata.net/garage/opg2/Oil_Sender.htm

But I removed the dampening grease so the needle will move quickly like its supposed to.

Also, while I was in there I experimented with the bulb covers. I put it back to stock for now, but I am deciding if I want to make them white.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v406/frag_daddy_2007/2012-04-12_22-47-49_539-1.jpg

Soraia

13th April 2012, 03:24

I just finished removing the dampening in my factory oil pressure gauge. I cheated a little bit, I just pulled the gauge out of the cluster and soaked it in an inch of seafoam for about 10 minutes.

I rinsed it with isopropyl and put it all back together. Now I am ready to put my VDO sender in this weekend!
Let us know how it works, maybe even a Tube video. I've seen the NC oil pressure and fell in love with it. I hope your mod turns out to be as responsive. From what I read, it wasn't supposed to be responsive even after mod. I was having my mind set on pulling out from NC and putting one into my NB.

Justin_

13th April 2012, 03:37

Let us know how it works, maybe even a Tube video. I've seen the NC oil pressure and fell in love with it. I hope your mod turns out to be as responsive. From what I read, it wasn't supposed to be responsive even after mod. I was having my mind set on pulling out from NC and putting one into my NB.

I don't think it will be quite as fast as the "real" gauges, but in a quick test using the stock sender (which gives it a full sweep now, because of where I put the needle for testing) it does move up and down about twice as fast as it used to:

http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v406/frag_daddy_2007/?action=view&current=2012-04-12_23-33-15_754.mp4

If nothing else, I now know that my car hits 7psi by the first turn over with the starter.

Justin_

13th April 2012, 15:09

Woo, double post!

I just got my VDO sender and thread adapter in, then I made a conversion wire (ring terminal on the new sender, blade on the stock harness).

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v406/frag_daddy_2007/2012-04-13_14-01-41_43-1.jpg

Now I just need to get under the car and put it on. lol

snowallergy

13th April 2012, 15:19

Finally took it out of storage. :)

GCarroll

13th April 2012, 16:50

Put in a new radiator and O2 sensor. I had a p420 and the old radiator was leaking about a reserve tank of fluid a month.

miataboo

14th April 2012, 20:56

I bought a red bull, topped off the tank and ran through the wash... Forgetting about the power antenna being up and breaking the mast...

Soraia

15th April 2012, 06:29

@ the oil pressure. That thing is nothing like I was expecting T_T. I guess back to swapping in a 2006+ part?

boomercarguy

15th April 2012, 09:06

I bought a red bull, topped off the tank and ran through the wash... Forgetting about the power antenna being up and breaking the mast...

After topping off the tank with Red Bull, how was the performance? :)

shoult

15th April 2012, 16:30

I spent the early afternoon disassembling what was left of the 2000 engine I toasted last year. It's just been sitting in the back of my engine rebuild shed/garage/Aerostar van since I swapped engines last Feb. I didn't find where the random bits of metal were coming from. All the bearings looked good. The thrust washers look good. The oil pump looks good. The cylinder walls look good. The only thing I could find wrong were the top rings were stuck on three of four pistons. So it looks like I have a great lower compression base for a turbo build if I choose to.

Enthuz

15th April 2012, 16:45

Re-polished my headlamps with the Mother's kit.....again. Look great, but I'm a bit disappointed that the clearity doesn't last very long.

gregkl

15th April 2012, 17:08

Yesterday did a rally with our Miata club. I just did the first day since I was combining the trip with a visit to my Mother. Drove back home today and washed it and vacuumed it to get it ready for next weeks rally if the weather holds out. I did a total of about 600 miles.

ip210

15th April 2012, 17:15

Installed a set of FM frame rails this weekend...after reading many posts about them.

All I can say is............... WOW!!!.....what a difference!

Much more solid feeling over bumps and rough pavement.
...in particular these two "bumpy" bridges that are on my drive to work...

Not sure how to measure the difference.... but definitely noticeable.
I highly recommend them.... again.....WOW!!!!!!!

The install took me about 3.5hrs by myself...(my existing rails were in pretty good shape)

Thanks to all for the FM frame rail information here.

RIRider

15th April 2012, 18:20

Re-polished my headlamps with the Mother's kit.....again. Look great, but I'm a bit disappointed that the clearity doesn't last very long.
I have to do mine, how long does it last?

Enthuz

15th April 2012, 18:22

I have to do mine, how long does it last?

Mine re-turned to cloudy in about 3 months.

brianfulcher15

15th April 2012, 18:53

Mine re-turned to cloudy in about 3 months.

you should clear them after you do it.

krylon clear for plastic works great.

amptramp

15th April 2012, 19:44

Went to the open house at Dave's Garage in Oakville. I had never seen an LS-1 powered Miata until now. Amazing how much smaller the V-8 appeared to be than some of the turbo setups.

And there I was with nothing to show but a stock base-model 2001.

Kylini

15th April 2012, 20:55

Had a great autocross today. Learned a lot about tire pressures and alignments from both the event and a few *very* experienced members. Sadly, the more camber in the rear alignment, while great for driving, is TERRIBLE for autocross. While I could really feel the car click out of turns, it just didn't have enough turn in. The STS and STR thread alignments confirm both this realization and the advice I received.

I'll be changing the car to around -2.2º front, -1.8º rear or some variant thereof.

Ciotti

15th April 2012, 21:22

Took the PAX win in our South Jersey SCCA Autocross!!!

The Tein Flexes work SO MUCH BETTER now that I have them dialed in properly and the car was absolutely fantastic.

Amazing day with an amazing car!

JoeTheZoe

15th April 2012, 21:53

Smoked my rear side markers this week and sanded and flat-blacked my faded wiper blade arms. Today I polished the headlight lenses (blacked the housings a few weeks ago)...used 600grit wet, 1000g wet, 1500g wet, and 2000g wet, then 3M rubbing compound. Washed the wheels, then the car (no wax yet, maybe when I wash it next week). Finished off the lights with Meguiar's Lens Protectant...used never-dull on my exhaust tip. In THAT order. :thumbs:

robertcope

15th April 2012, 22:48

I was out at TWS this weekend, driving fast and furiously...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zBqPjOAWYXw

robert

JeffBloch

16th April 2012, 01:44

This was yesterday but,
Attended Good-Win-Racing and Rocky's Miatomotive's Open House/Tech Day.
I took full advantage of the tech-day by doing my own timing belt/water pump service in Rocky's shop, expect a write-up on that soon. Huge thanks to Rocky and Justin at Miatomotive, the new shop is awesome.

JeffBloch

16th April 2012, 01:49

Re-polished my headlamps with the Mother's kit.....again. Look great, but I'm a bit disappointed that the clearity doesn't last very long.

Are you using any sealant? I use the BlueMagic headlight sealer after I polish, it helps it last much longer, especially if you reapply periodically. I use it whenever I wax.

bludblu

16th April 2012, 06:39

Drove 180 miles round trip to the Ronald Reagan Museum. Great museum.

sonny1

16th April 2012, 08:32

love days like today...

BronzeDuck

16th April 2012, 09:25

200 mile road trip yesterday with the top down. I am now very sunburnt. :-/ Drive belts changed which relieved a majority of my squeaking.

mystahagy

16th April 2012, 12:30

Ordered the FM stage 2 and 36/46 FCM bumpstops. Having tired and sagging shocks/springs right now at 195k, I'm expecting my mind to be thoroughly blown.

This miata is really cutting into my 2-wheeled trackday budget, but it calls to me and I can't resist.

jasmiata

16th April 2012, 12:59

Had some leisurely bonding time this weekend: oil change, new air filter, new plugs & wires, inspected brakes (need to do new pads soon) and a tire rotation. All was smooth until I got to the #3 plug. It would not budge. Scared me to death when I finally broke it loose with a loud ping when I used more force than I would ever want to put on a spark plug. I figured I was about to spin it in the block or break it and have real troubles. The old plug wear seemed pretty normal except #3 which had a little bit of white deposit.
http://forum.miata.net/vb/attachment.php?attachmentid=140633&stc=1&d=1334595459

That cylinder misfired last week...go figure.

Enthuz

16th April 2012, 13:37

Are you using any sealant? I use the BlueMagic headlight sealer after I polish, it helps it last much longer, especially if you reapply periodically. I use it whenever I wax.

Yes, I used the BlueMagic sealer. I reapplied it about 3 times last summer. Nothing to compare durability to as this is my 1st vehicle with cloudy headlights.

boomercarguy

16th April 2012, 16:36

Are you using any sealant? I use the BlueMagic headlight sealer after I polish, it helps it last much longer, especially if you reapply periodically. I use it whenever I wax.

After I redid my headlight lenses with the 3M kit, I found the Blue Magic sealant in a spray bottle at Advance Auto for about $3 on sale. I didn't know anything at all about it, but it works great! It only takes two or three pumps per headlight (I spray it on the cloth so it doesn't run) and I could immediately see the difference. I think it's supposed to be good for three months but I've been applying it monthly because it's so easy to apply and cheap.

quicksilverz

16th April 2012, 20:50

I bought a factory shock tower brace off a wrecked car and installed it today. It's a much better built than the aftermarket brace I put on my 00SE.

Mark Booth

16th April 2012, 22:22

Drove it down to get some BBQ chicken and garlic breadsticks for dinner. Decided to keep it healthy and have a salad too! :)

Mark

JoeTheZoe

16th April 2012, 22:25

Drove it down to get some BBQ chicken and garlic breadsticks for dinner. Decided to keep it healthy and have a salad too! :)

Mark

*Just ADDING a salad to something doesn't make it healthy ;) hahaha :rofl:

brianfulcher15

16th April 2012, 23:47

I use it every once a month as well

Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk 2

Justin_

17th April 2012, 00:03

FINALLY got my Pioneer head unit mounted correctly. It only took a year.

What I eventually did was get the Pioneer install kit, and add some angle brackets for more strength where it hooks up front.

Ciotti

17th April 2012, 00:34

Realized that even though Robbins specifically told me over the phone that their new glass zippered window tops will fold down without unzipping the window... they do not :(

JoeTheZoe

17th April 2012, 08:58

Realized that even though Robbins specifically told me over the phone that their new glass zippered window tops will fold down without unzipping the window... they do not :(

^Not that being able to get extra airflow when cruising with the top up (providing shade) is JUST a coincidence, but isn't it designed with a zipper specifically for when you fold it down? :dunno:

My soft-top is on my bedroom floor right now, I run a hardtop 365...but the glass, non-zipper rear window like mine has a pretty complex frame for the layers to slide around as you raise or lower it.

Ciotti

17th April 2012, 10:02

Nah, the way it was explained to me by Robbins when I called was that it functions exactly like the OEM top in terms of putting it up and down but then it has the added option of the zippered rear window. It's not the end of the world but I know that I won't put the top down as much now that there's a whole process to it.

DCott

17th April 2012, 10:34

Realized that even though Robbins specifically told me over the phone that their new glass zippered window tops will fold down without unzipping the window... they do not :(

Mine works as advertised. You have to "help" the glass into the right position, and the vinyl gets caught up between the bows of the frame. My old top was broken in enough that this didn't happen, which might be what you're experiencing.

The 3rd and 4th (from the front) cross bars have to fold together before going down, sometimes those springs weaken over time. If you can do that, the glass will fall into place and the top will go down.

JoeTheZoe

17th April 2012, 11:35

*Actually, ya, that is true for my factory top on my '01 as well...Sometimes when it hadn't been used for a while it was reluctant to drop down.

Ciotti

17th April 2012, 11:38

I'll give that a shot in a bit when I take my lunch, I was being super gentle with it since it was pricey and it's only a few weeks old, think I'm maybe not being rough enough with it? (that's what she said)

Ciotti

17th April 2012, 13:01

GOOD TO GO! Thanks DCott, you were absolutely dead on :)

Soraia

17th April 2012, 13:32

I have to help my OEM glass into the right position as well. Usually done by letting some slip of fabric fold forward instead of backward. I love how the top folds quicker than powered tops.
I still wish I had a hardtop.

jimbop99

17th April 2012, 13:38

No more "meep-meep". I installed a Fiamm Freeway Blaster and it sounds much better now. Only took 20 minutes, some cussing, and a couple of bloody knukles. Why can't I learn when I'm pulling a wire off something it's going to let go quickly and violently?

DCott

17th April 2012, 14:14

GOOD TO GO! Thanks DCott, you were absolutely dead on :)

Yup. There is a seam/zipper just below that last bar that doesn't allow the two bars to slide together as smoothly as they should. It gets easier with time, but I don't think it will ever go down as easily as the stock top.

I think swapping those two springs for newer ones ('01+ I think?) fixes this issue, but I haven't been bothered by this enough to look into it.

Ciotti

17th April 2012, 15:18

I actually had Flyin Miata swap the springs out to the newer ones and thus far they haven't helped but we'll see if it wears in a bit once I've put it down a bunch more times.

sonny1

17th April 2012, 16:51

Drove it down to get some BBQ chicken and garlic breadsticks for dinner. Decided to keep it healthy and have a salad too! :)

Mark

I usually get a diet soda so I don't feel guilty.

Car looks great after cleaning. top down this morning...again. taking the long way home tonight.

Gort

17th April 2012, 16:52

Took a ride to Mount Washington and back. Great couple of days in the mountains!

Peter

Kylini

18th April 2012, 10:50

Got a realignment. Sadly, the most front camber I could get was -1.5º in the front left, telling me I probably have a bent lower control arm. Front right could have gotten -1.8º before touching the caster (which was at over 5º). I was shooting for around -2.0ºF/-1.6ºR.

-1.5º F Camber -1.6º
3.0º F Caster 3.8º
0.00º F Toe 0.00º

-1.6º R Camber -1.4º
0.13º in R Toe 0.13º

It's already feeling much better for quick transition limits than the -1.2ºF/-1.8ºR. If autocross is a serious concern, please read http://forum.miata.net/vb/showthread.php?t=340198 before using a Lanny alignment (which, btw, is brilliant for curvy roads and highway, but not for slam brakes, hairpin, floor it driving).

Ciotti

18th April 2012, 16:18

My local tire place told me pretty much the exact same thing when they couldn't get me more than -1.5 up front. Took the car to Planet Miata a week later for them to install the new top and they were able to get -2.0 up front no problem and confirmed that nothing is bent, worn out, or broken.

ip210

18th April 2012, 16:44

Installed new shocks at all four corners...kept my oem springs.
I was suprised at how easy it was..... and didnt need spring compressors.
...used the "long bolt" method for the fronts.
...and the same method for the rears...only the "long bolt" in the rears is short
She drives much better now as the original std oem shocks had 130K on them.

brianfulcher15

18th April 2012, 17:40

i installed a new ark racing axle back exhaust.

http://youtu.be/AONDdh-ckM4?hd=1

lhhernandez

18th April 2012, 19:43

Please explain "the long bolt" method. I have new KYB's for all four coners and want to do them myself. I was warned that a shop NEEDS to do that.

Seashed

18th April 2012, 22:10

lhhernandez,

Here is the long bolt method, from our very own "Garage" section: http://www.miata.net/garage/miatafrontsuspension.html
A quick search here will get you lots of posts on that method, some
with more photos as well. Browse over in the "Suspension" section
and you will get all the info you need.

And no, a shop does not NEED to do that. I did mine by myself in
my garage, as have lots of others here. Four hours total, taking my
time and cleaning and screwing around while I was at it.

socal pat

18th April 2012, 22:35

Took off the style bar and on with the tonneau for spring driving.

brianfulcher15

18th April 2012, 22:43

Took off the style bar and on with the tonneau for spring driving.

what is the purpose of this contraption?

socal pat

19th April 2012, 08:22

A few things. It creates a dead air space that carries warm air or cool air and keeps the driver more comfy. It also provides UV protection for the interior while the top is down. Not to mention that nostalgia look for those of us who grew up driving old Brit roadsters.

CMMCK

19th April 2012, 08:31

Don't make the same mistake I did. Keep the Sprite. Show me the pictures.

I called the owner of the Volvo and declined to purchase it. I have a lot of pics of the Sprite on my old laptop on which the display died. I need to retrieve them, but I'll take a few photos and send them to you.

BTW, my crusty British acquaintance showed up at my front door last Saturday to look at the Sprite. After we'd chatted a while he said, "I brought my Jaguar. Would you like to drive it?" It's an XK8 coupe. What a hoot to drive.

lhhernandez

19th April 2012, 08:33

Took off the style bar and on with the tonneau for spring driving.

Only way to fly, thats how I run my 99 most of the year top very rarely goes up.:cool:

boomercarguy

19th April 2012, 08:43

Took off the style bar and on with the tonneau for spring driving.

I like it! I used mine on my MG in the 60's all the time. It's not completely waterproof but is sure keeps the seats cooler in the sun when you park it, not to mention keeping the pollen (really bad around here) and dust off.

amptramp

19th April 2012, 09:09

Took off the style bar and on with the tonneau for spring driving.

Both good moves.

Style bars tend to collapse forward if the car rolls over, making them more dangerous than nothing at all. Also, visible modifications like a style bar or a roll bar render your car uninsurable.

I had a tonneau on my 68 Spitfire and it was so much better than just the choice of top up or down. You could drive around in near freezing conditions and capture every bit of heat coming off the meagre heater in the Spit. It also kept seagull crap off the seats. I had complete protection for the interior and top down driving with the release of three twist-latches and a zipper.

nate0123

19th April 2012, 09:29

Also, visible modifications like a style bar or a roll bar render your car uninsurable.
Where on earth did you come up with this bogus idea?

The insurance policy on both of my cars includes up to $1000 in customization. I didn't even ask for this coverage. I've made insurance claims on previous cars that were in a modified state; suspension, wheels, tires, performance mods. No issues whatsoever.

Ciotti

19th April 2012, 10:13

Installed the little OEM Mazda net thing in the trunk that I got for my birthday Tuesday, it's a bit loose but I'm sure it'll get used for something :)

JoeTheZoe

19th April 2012, 10:41

it's a bit loose but I'm sure it'll get used for something :)

Thats what she said...:rofl:

usshelena725

19th April 2012, 10:46

Tried to change my diff oil bit couldn't break the fill or drain bolts free. Tried anti seize and no luck. Anyone got some ideas or hints?

Sent from my Desire HD using Tapatalk 2

whitrzac

19th April 2012, 11:02

I put the top down yesterday... Drove 300miles to nowhere, and turned back:jump:

JoeTheZoe

19th April 2012, 11:25

Anyone got some ideas or hints?

Spray it with more PB-blaster? let it set....lefty-loosey?

ip210

19th April 2012, 11:50

lhhernandez....
The idea is that you do not remove the top hat from the chassis....
Put the car up on jackstand/s --I did one corner at a time..
....then use a floor jack under the lower swing arm....
... by unbolting the sway link, lower shock bolt, the upper shock nut (center nut --- NOT the side nuts holding the top hat to the car), and the "long bolt" -- in front and the shorter bolt in rear....... the entire suspension can be slowly lowered/drooped removing ALL of the spring pressure....
...be sure to raise/lower the jack as needed to remove sway bar pressure to make it easy to "slip" the link out with no pressure on it.
Then the entire shock/spring assy (minus the top hat)... is then very easily removed.
...It comes out in pieces as the assy is now all apart/loose minus the top hat.
Just be cautious to make sure the top of the spring is correctly located in the top hat as you slowly "raise" the entire assy for the re-install...

This is simple to do... in a home garage/driveway.
I was quite suprised after completing the job at how straightforward it is.
The only real issue would be breaking all of the fasteners loose.
Best of luck to you...

Ciotti

19th April 2012, 15:04

Thats what she said...:rofl:

Hahahahaha, nice :thumbs:

Jesse1999

19th April 2012, 16:07

Where on earth did you come up with this bogus idea?

Did you see his/her location?

Mississauga, ON, Canada

nate0123

19th April 2012, 16:24

Did you see his/her location?

Mississauga, ON, Canada
Point being?

The comment was addressed to someone who lives in California.

shoult

19th April 2012, 17:43

Washed her.
Admired her.
Put her top down.
Drove her.
HARD.

CrazyBlue85

19th April 2012, 17:50

Dreamed of parts, drives, and fun in the sun. Wished my Race07 (and all the bloody addon packs) game had Miatae in it. That game is how I get my driving fix out here in BFE, Africa.

Acidhouse

19th April 2012, 19:21

Picked mine up from the shop after getting a new clutch assembly installed. :)

amptramp

19th April 2012, 20:05

Where on earth did you come up with this bogus idea?

It's not an idea, it's from Dave Biagioni, proprietor of Dave's Garage in Oakville, Ontario, Canada. He said that he checked with his insurer to see if there was any roblem with adding a roll bar to his car and he was told that any modifications would void the insurance. He has since built a magnificent LS-1 miata which is insured through Lant.

The law and the insurance companies may be different where you are.

gregkl

19th April 2012, 20:10

Ran a couple errands with my wife. Nice day here. Took a vacation day to hang out with my Airman son as he moves from MS to ND. He stopped for a night.

usshelena725

19th April 2012, 21:52

Dreamed of parts, drives, and fun in the sun. Wished my Race07 (and all the bloody addon packs) game had Miatae in it. That game is how I get my driving fix out here in BFE, Africa.

Where are you located?

Sent from my Desire HD using Tapatalk 2

Ciotti

19th April 2012, 22:21

Zipped down my back window and went for a cruise, sooooooo glad I sprung for the zip down, LOVE THE BREEZE

inheritthefire

19th April 2012, 23:07

Nothing too special for my NB, but I did go out and test drive a 2006 Miata. It was nicely optioned, and I definitely enjoyed the changes they made for convenience sake (no more rattling top!) but the feel was all wrong. NB for me!

Soraia

20th April 2012, 02:45

My NB top rattled me to near deaf, until I grabbed some small rubber bands and squeezed them into the joints. Now they don't rattle but something in the trunk or rear does. Still looking into that. Maybe the gas tube.

Justin_

20th April 2012, 03:40

My only noticeable rattle at the moment is from the soft top folded down under the hardtop. I need to put some thicker foam on the hold downs for a tighter fit.

amptramp

20th April 2012, 08:38

The rattling in the trunk may be the torsion bars - I have the same problem. I think there is supposed to be a plastic piece separating them, but it is gone on my car.

lochmoigh

20th April 2012, 08:54

Swapped out my spark plugs and ignition wires. Dropped the top and took her out for a test drive after completing the job.

nate0123

20th April 2012, 09:08

The law and the insurance companies may be different where you are.You're funny.

Uninsurable means not able to be insured. If he successfully insured through a different company, the car was not uninsurable.

BGrigg

20th April 2012, 10:34

You're funny.

Uninsurable means not able to be insured. If he successfully insured through a different company, the car was not uninsurable.

What is insurable by one company may not be insurable through a different company, or may void your existing coverage. Also different coverages may, or may not, allow modifications.

nate0123

20th April 2012, 10:43

What is insurable by one company may not be insurable through a different company, or may void your existing coverage. Also different coverages may, or may not, allow modifications.Granted, coverage will vary per company. However, by and large, I am confident that modded cars are no less insurable than non-modded cars. Experiences otherwise should be viewed as the exception, not the rule. I've been on various forums for many years and seen many modded cars wrecked. Never once did I hear a story about the car not being covered by insurance due to a modification. The insurance company may not want to pay to replace all of your damaged mods if they are not covered in your policy. They'd pay for stock/OEM replacement parts.

Now if you wreck at a racetrack, you can expect that the damage would not be covered by most insurance policies. But that's another story.

BGrigg

20th April 2012, 11:31

Oh, then you should move to BC, where we have one choice for insurance. Drive, or do not. We have the government controlled ICBC, which mandates both driver's licensing and insurance. Quite the draconian monopoly.

I had to remove a 14" wooden steering wheel from my long lamented 1967 Barracuda and replace it with a stock wheel, under threat of fine and refusal of insurance. I know people who have had their insurance revoked when the adjuster found that they had modified the suspension, and their accident wasn't their fault, or the fault of the suspension modifications. Canada is a nice place to live, but it isn't a free country anymore. If it ever was...

Enjoy your freedoms, while you still can!

nate0123

20th April 2012, 12:06

Sorry to hear that. News to me! Certainly isn't that way here in the US.

JoeTheZoe

20th April 2012, 13:18

Certainly isn't that way here in the US.

For now...:bang:

trippin

20th April 2012, 13:52

i drove 72 miles to work, like i do every day, FML.

amptramp

20th April 2012, 16:27

You're funny.

Uninsurable means not able to be insured. If he successfully insured through a different company, the car was not uninsurable.

Lant offers classic car insurance which has its own restrictions, including one that says tha car cannot be used as a daily driver. The car is uninsurable as a daily driver here.

CrazyBlue85

20th April 2012, 17:39

Where did you find a stock wheel for the 'Cuda? Did you have it lying around or did you have to pay through the nose and order one? As an aside, but related to old Mopars, try finding parts and components for a 73 Charger. People make millions of products for everything through a '72 B-body, but the production seems to stop cold there. I think the only real differences were light designs and emissions crap, but it's been a long time since I've done that homework!

snowallergy

20th April 2012, 17:45

Wash & wax.

gregkl

20th April 2012, 18:30

The rattling in the trunk may be the torsion bars - I have the same problem. I think there is supposed to be a plastic piece separating them, but it is gone on my car.

I had that and put a piece of clear tubing on at the point of crossover. I totally forgot I did that until I read this post.

Claff

20th April 2012, 18:56

Changed the clutch master cylinder in the '99, then washed it.

HunterX

20th April 2012, 19:16

Spent last night removing, sanding, masking, and spray painting my 99 NB Vents to metallic silver.

Put them in this morning because I am impatient.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-eW5C1EkgXdE/T5GI5Ulw01I/AAAAAAAAAsE/nFnV4qnnzCs/s512/photo%2520%25283%2529.JPG

Going to install a rennenmetal accelerator pedal today after work hopefully.

Rick Worth

20th April 2012, 21:54

Installed my new V-Maxx coil overs and dropped my 99 about 1 1/2 to 2 inches. Drives like my TAG kart now. What a sweet car!

usshelena725

21st April 2012, 06:44

Installed my new V-Maxx coil overs and dropped my 99 about 1 1/2 to 2 inches. Drives like my TAG kart now. What a sweet car!

Would love pics?

Sent from my Desire HD using Tapatalk 2

Rick Worth

21st April 2012, 08:26

Would love pics?

Sent from my Desire HD using Tapatalk 2

Later today I'll post pics. Also my sons 93 that we just installed them on along with a sweet offset stripe.

Rick Worth

21st April 2012, 13:33

Here are couple of shots of mine. Not good pics but all I could get today.

Rick Worth

21st April 2012, 13:35

Here is my sons 93. Dropped them both around 2 inches.

usshelena725

21st April 2012, 14:46

Love the front spoiler on you son's car. Looks great.

Sent from my Desire HD using Tapatalk 2

gregkl

21st April 2012, 16:48

Did the shorten the parking brake mod. Worked well until I tested it and it got stuck in the set position. It appears the spring slipped out. I will take it apart tomorrow and see if I can fix it.

I do like it shorter though. It won't touch my leg anymore while driving.

I also made a vinyl cover for it. It turned out good. Will make one out of leather if the mod works.

Steve'smiata

21st April 2012, 16:50

Wash , Clay bar, waxed, put the top down and went for drive to nowhere

BrianS

21st April 2012, 17:23

Spring cleaning. Wash, polish, wax, glass, and interior. Took a 90min drive and caught rain from the only dark cloud in the sky. No problem, car still looks great. It's currently shaming some german metal in the pkg lot next to my gf's condo. :)

CharlestonMX5

21st April 2012, 17:37

Fixed two slightly worn spots on the inside of the top. Took canvas, 1" square, coated it with Permatex vinyl adhesive,placed it over the worn area, then put magnets on the top and inside to keep pressure on it while it dries. Will paint with fabric paint when it dries completely. I can't seem to tell what is making those spots wear though. Anyway, should add some re-enforcement to keep it from wearing through.

RicksMazda

21st April 2012, 17:56

Took the car to the dealer for an oil change and used car manager offered me $1500 more than I paid for it 3 months age. I love this car!!!!!!!!L

bellamia

21st April 2012, 19:09

I love this car!!!!!!!!L

Aren't they great?

Took mine over to the coast and back; the PERFECT Miata-day: sunny/warm/twisty mtn. road. Yup...love mine too.

What did you do to your NB today? [Archive] - Page 34 (2024)