What did you do to your NB today? [Archive] - Page 91 (2024)

konakona

31st October 2015, 17:28

The airbag switch just uses the ignition key.

lol ok, thanks for the heads up. is there any harm in disconnecting the harness with the car battery plugged in (as in airbag going off and such?)

rkjjeep

31st October 2015, 17:31

Seashed

31st October 2015, 17:39

konakona,

Although there is no downside to disconnecting the battery, and depressing the brake pedal for a bit to "discharge" any current, I've worked on my airbag system a bunch of times when I had a driver's side code (bad connection) with no issues at all with the battery connected.

konakona

31st October 2015, 17:45

Are you sure the drain hose on the console side of the evap coils is draining? I pulled the hose and let the spigot drain into a bucket on the floorboard so I could see how much trash came out when I sprayed mine. I also used the coil cleaner and lots of sprayed water as well as a shop vac.

maybe we have a different idea of a lot, also I wasn't really shooting a strong stream of water, just water mist. the drain thing crossed my mind briefly, but I did see some dripping of water on the garage floor and assumed it was all good. then again, it was just water sans any debris or garbage. some crud and disintegrated foam pieces came out through the blower fan motor side, not much though. so where exactly is this drain hose? I know it is vaguely in the passenger foot well area, some visual aids would help greatly! (did some quick googling for some images at no avail)

EDIT: I am assuming it is the thick rubber tubing with a bend on the left of the pic in this thread (http://forum.miata.net/vb/showthread.php?t=334167)?

btw, I think I successfully removed the most annoying rattle ever that crept back on and off after hitting a bump on the road. previously I have padded near damn everything in the vicinity to get rid of it without success. today, by some odd luck, I crawled under there to get a better look at the AC coils and discovered an unused plastic wire clamp in a very sneaky location. It is held by a metal screw with a lot of slack and would turn about the screw freely with a slightest amount of force; I can see how it would rattle a crap ton at certain rotation angles. never knew it was there after countless amount of probing by hand :rofl: too soon to tell, but never had it throughout a long haul today. keeping my fingers crossed!

konakona,

Although there is no downside to disconnecting the battery, and depressing the brake pedal for a bit to "discharge" any current, I've worked on my airbag system a bunch of times when I had a driver's side code (bad connection) with no issues at all with the battery connected.

thanks, I will work on it when I get some free time again :)

JonK67

31st October 2015, 19:12

That's the hose, here's my coil cleaning adventure
http://forum.miata.net/vb/showthread.php?t=580374

Hose at rear left corner connected at white tab:

konakona

31st October 2015, 19:48

doane2u

31st October 2015, 23:36

drdellorama

1st November 2015, 00:02

Make sure to remove the FILL plugs BEFORE removing the drains. More than one person has drained their fluid only to find the fill plugs so tight that they could not be budged.

yes i did that, the diff fill plug was pretty tough to take off, had to break out the breaker bar. All and all it went pretty smoothly, i took my time and finished in 3 hours..... :eek:

boomercarguy

1st November 2015, 08:02

konakona

2nd November 2015, 02:43

rkjjeep

2nd November 2015, 07:03

john blutarski

2nd November 2015, 08:47

ed3rd

2nd November 2015, 09:57

Kylini

2nd November 2015, 17:22

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/14138687/November%20Rallycross%20Very%20Small.jpg

Had a blast rallycrossing! I let a friend co-drive for their first time ever and they might be hooked. If you ignore cones and spins (yeah, I know xD), I posted very similar times to the PF National Champion who was there! The weather was unbelievably perfect: high 60s. Because it rained the previous morning, the ground was tacky and unbelievably sticky!

agp1956

2nd November 2015, 18:51

Warhammer

2nd November 2015, 19:23

Did the fall portion of my two times annually deep clean of the top. I use the kit from Xenia Onatopp, errr - Ragg Topp.

Step 1: Hold the bottle tightly between your thighs....

Stmike

2nd November 2015, 19:39

amptramp

2nd November 2015, 21:38

jburnham

2nd November 2015, 21:52

Xenia Onatopp...

Famke Jansen can drive my car any time she wants to

Chris GTO TT

2nd November 2015, 22:08

tobra

3rd November 2015, 00:31

I removed the Cobalt short shifter that I installed recently. I needed to check my turret oil and figured I would rebuild the shifter while I had it apart. The Cobalt shifter was on sale so I took a chance and bought it. This shifter has very low mass compared to the factory shifter and as a result it is like having a tuning fork connected to your transmission. High frequency whine while accelerating and buzzing vibration while decelerating. It drove me nuts! Reinstalled the factory shifter with all new parts and it is quiet and shifts great.
Miata Roadster shifter is the one you want, it is expensive because it is worth it, very nice piece, very nice.

Put in a new battery from Batteries Plus. Had to rearrange the vent hoses, but it was a direct fit with factory tie down.

Had been cranking sort of slow for the last week or two, would not kick over when I picked up the grandson from school, so we played catch until the wife got there to give me a jump start. Happy they stay open until 2030

boatshoozes

3rd November 2015, 09:44

J P Stein

3rd November 2015, 23:11

5Miata10

3rd November 2015, 23:23

Synchromatic

4th November 2015, 23:54

I've undertaken a marathon of repairs, starting last Saturday and, hopefully, being completed by sundown next Saturday.

When I bought my 2001 I knew that the VVT actuator was bad and causing a code. Reviewing the service records revealed that even though the timing belt was nearly new, the camshaft seals had not been replaced and the do leak. The plugs and ignition wires are of unknown age and status, so I am replacing those as well, along with cleaning 125,000 mile worth of grunge from the engine.

All of the hoses and the water pump are new, but there seems to be a very slight coolant leak. I've checked all of the hoses and they seem fine, so I'm going to replace the water pump gasket while I have the front of the engine pulled apart. While there are leaks of both coolant and oil, there is very little consumption of either, so the leaks must be minuscule at best. It would appear that all the belts and hoses are nearly new.

I am also replacing the driveshaft, as the stock one clinks loudly anytime there is a transition between power being applied, or not applied. The rear end seems tight and there is no roughness when I turn the back wheels, so I'm pretty certain that there are no problems with the diff' or the half shafts.

Aside from these issues, the vehicle seems tight and in quite good health. The auto (ropey left leg, don't you know) shifts firmly and the engine seems thrilled to rev to 6,500; which is where the Aisan Warner likes to shift under full throttle.

Remaining on the list is are new upholstery (Katzkin leather) and, eventually, a GAHH top.

shoult

5th November 2015, 00:38

I'm getting better at the main fix. From the time I walked out the door until the time I parked my Aerostar back in the parking lot after dumping the oil at Advance Auto I replaced the front springs, did an oil change and fixed my horn it was 3 hours. That includes getting everything out and getting the car up in the air to putting every tool away and disposing of the old oil properly. Once you know what tools are needed and what the procedure is it goes like, snick, snick, snick......

I love how easy the Miata is.

tbm275

5th November 2015, 14:27

Racing_Green

5th November 2015, 14:34

Racing_Green

5th November 2015, 14:36

konakona

5th November 2015, 20:11

Kermit

5th November 2015, 20:45

Finally installed FM's Happy Meal clutch kit. While in there, also did both the master & slave cylinders, and seals. Ford's fairy extracted unicorn tear duct juice replaced the goop that was in the transmission and the diff got some Redline. Shifting has many happies now.

TDR's hood struts, in preparation of their radiator, were also installed.

The black steering wheel bolts were replaced with blue ones. Haven't decided yet if I like them.

Also received some goodies through Garage Star. These, however, will be shelved until the car gets repainted this coming Spring.

konakona

5th November 2015, 21:10

Seashed

6th November 2015, 09:38

^^konakona,

The leads to the door switches ARE grounds. The light above is wired hot, and the door switches, plus a single setting at the light fixture above, complete the circuit.
At least keep that in mind when using your meter to check the wiring as you go.

Jim250xcw

6th November 2015, 20:18

konakona

6th November 2015, 22:02

^^konakona,

The leads to the door switches ARE grounds. The light above is wired hot, and the door switches, plus a single setting at the light fixture above, complete the circuit.
At least keep that in mind when using your meter to check the wiring as you go.

hmmm what about the key buzzer? the buzzer goes off too regardless of door (ot doir switch) state. if anything, it started happening aftet doing a whole bunch of mods in one sitting, including doorbars, frog arms and GS derlin door bushings.
i thought the power leads are charged when the doors are closed, shorted to chassis ground when doors are open. how else would the switches operate? not arguing, just confused. thanks!

Unusualdesigner

7th November 2015, 01:57

The circuit is as follows:
+12 v [always ON] is applied to one side of light bulb. Other side runs through the header switch which selects one of three conditions:
A- OFF [open circuit] -light off
B- ON [closed circuit to ground at switch] -light on
C- DOOR OPERATION [wire "makes" ground at each of the door switches.] -light on with door opening.

To troubleshoot:

Disconnect battery.

Remove each of the jamb switches and measure from the wire to chassis with an ohm meter. It should show OPEN circuit.
If it shows "short" to chassis, start following the wires to find where they are crushed to ground.

konakona

7th November 2015, 04:12

yeah thats pretty much what i did, used continuity check between the power lead and the screw hole (gnd point), except i didnt untie the battery leads.

the lead is buried within the body structure with only the tip of it peeking out of the switch hole. not sure how to access the part that resides inside the hole...

Unusualdesigner

7th November 2015, 11:56

mjcobley

7th November 2015, 17:09

shoult

7th November 2015, 17:25

Spent more quality time with the 02. Set the final ride height on my V-Maxx Classics (now with the right 01+ front springs) and then re-fixed the Stebel horn. The ground wire kept falling off. Hopefully I've fixed it for good, or at least until next spring.

Then I went on a drive. With the suspension finally dialed in the car is pretty awesome. it feels bolted to the road. The car is just planted. The ride is at least as good as the worn out OEM shocks while the handling has been ratcheted up significantly. I want to add some sway bars and then watch out next season! I'm coming to get you!

inflammable

7th November 2015, 19:13

KGMonteith

7th November 2015, 21:35

konakona

8th November 2015, 04:41

But what was the result of your tests???

short to chassis on both sides.

start following the wires to find where they are crushed to ground. that is precisely the part i am having trouble with - the wires are mostly buried inside the hole underneath the switch, not a clue where they lead to?

Seashed

8th November 2015, 09:40

Konakona,

It sounds to me that you are missing the point here. Those wires/leads are SUPPOSED to "short to ground" as they are ground wires. You continue to refer to those wires as "power leads" but they are not. The power is up at the overhead light, and these switches just complete the ground side of the circuit.

Virtually every halfway modern car I have ever worked on is set up this way. Power to light fixture, door switches completing the circuit by grounding them. I will presume that this was/is considered a safer way to run wiring, rather than hot leads through the body structure where a short may be too difficult to find/fix.

Have you looked at the wiring diagram for your car? Here is a good source if you don't already have all those diagrams: http://www.mellens.net/mazda/

Unusualdesigner

8th November 2015, 11:39

Seashed:

I think [maybe] that what he's saying is that the wires show short to ground with them lifted off the body, in which case the light would be ON all the time.

Normally, with the overhead switch set to door control, there would be +12 with jamb switches lifted off the body. [if battery is connected, that is]

Seashed

8th November 2015, 12:01

^^UD,

That may very well be the case. Perhaps I am misunderstanding what he is really seeing with the situation. That's why I linked the wiring diagrams, hopefully he will be able to diagnose it all further, w/o this back and forth which doesn't seem to be helping all that much, despite your excellent observations. I'll just wait to see what he comes up with from here.

Kylini

8th November 2015, 12:41

boomercarguy

8th November 2015, 14:52

daender

8th November 2015, 15:40

Clocked 77,777 miles right as I entered my parents' neighborhood coming back from a rainy Roebling Road Raceway autocross.

https://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/1510219937406189638.png

Upgraded to full '03+ silver interior trim.

https://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/1510219937562921798.png

Installed a Titanium Grey Mazdaspeed mirror assembly.

https://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/1510219937510850630.png

And did tire lettering on my wheels after reading a thread in the cosmetic portion of these forums.

https://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/1510219937933393478.png

Pops tried it out on his Mustang first after I showed him the thread, then I followed suit.

http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--okeFBGkF--/c_scale,fl_progressive,q_80,w_800/1510219938011061574.png
http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--NbECkjkX--/c_scale,fl_progressive,q_80,w_800/1510219938031918918.png

shoult

8th November 2015, 18:45

Jordanmilo

8th November 2015, 18:53

shoult

8th November 2015, 18:57

I washed my 10AE, then went for a drive to dry it. First steps in putting her to bed for the winter.

What is this thing called winter you speak of?

Seashed

8th November 2015, 20:45

Warhammer

8th November 2015, 20:47

Unusualdesigner

8th November 2015, 21:07

Winter.... what's that? Oh, yeah, that's when we ditch the flip-flops for TopSiders.... :rofl:

Seriously now...
Last night at one of out club social dinners another member and I came up with a "last minute run and b-fast" for today.
Put an announcement in the club's calendar and this morning we had 5 cars [total 7 at the restaurant] -including 3 NDs! -not bad for a last minute deal. -One of the members drove 80 plus miles just to get to the starting point! :D

After a short run through the canyons we wound up at the restaurant in historic Santa Paula Airport (http://www.airspacemag.com/flight-today/the-people-and-planes-of-santa-paula-6578919/?no-ist), home of many classic planes. Steve McQueen used to keep his plane and several of his motorcycles and cars there.

Photo

9th November 2015, 02:42

Changed the oil, tranny & diff fluids, made a huge mess.

This was my first time underneath the vehicle and I wasn't sure how far out from the drain the fluids would spew. Missed the engine oil by a mile, tranny fluid by a half-mile. Did better with the diff where at least I hit the side of the pan.

Next I was filling the tranny from a gallon container. Pumping and pumping, waiting for the fluid to overflow from the fill hole. Turns out the hose had the fill hole blocked off. I removed the hose and the fluid came gushing back out. I'm guessing I tried to put in 3 qts instead of 2. Thankfully I had a new jumbo bag of shop towels on hand.

In the end, the job was a successes. I took her for a moonlit blast along the coast to check for leaks and found none.

Hahah... That sounds very familiar. You wouldn't think that viscous oil would spew out like that but it does.

I highly recommend installing oil drain plug that you can turn a lever on when need to drain. It makes 2 things easier - putting oil collection tank in the right spot. Because it has smaller hole - oil doesn't shoot as far and secondly - no more fiddling with a bolt - just turn a lever to drain, then put back before filling with fresh oil.

BH500

9th November 2015, 14:08

Chris GTO TT

9th November 2015, 16:41

Algreen

9th November 2015, 21:53

I washed it for the first time! Just picked it up yesterday and love it so far. So many fluids to change....

http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-XtYPz4cg4Tc/VkEt_UfR7DI/AAAAAAAAIxQ/glpfS26FuHY/s1024-no/IMG_4677.JPG

http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-5m0k3pLTTYo/VkEt9yT29bI/AAAAAAAAIxI/k9k5T2ED5YY/s1024-no/IMG_4676.JPG

huskydog

10th November 2015, 03:35

em1zack

10th November 2015, 03:47

Algreen

10th November 2015, 11:54

Algreen, Chicago is supposed to be 57 and sunny tomorrow. Go for a drive. There will be time for fluids latter. Now is the time to become one with your miata. Great looking car.

Affirmative!

JonK67

10th November 2015, 12:17

shoult

10th November 2015, 12:44

Removed the front and rear red 'tow hooks' added by a PO, not my style but may put them in the FS section.

Put them on the Mustang! ;)

JonK67

10th November 2015, 13:01

Put them on the Mustang! ;)

Haha, there is plenty of real steel front and rear to tow by on the '67 and its not like it will need to be towed ever, its not a Chebby.

jimbop99

10th November 2015, 19:07

Mutt

10th November 2015, 19:18

Loudcrowd

10th November 2015, 19:26

J3cubrc

10th November 2015, 20:33

Some asshat backed into my '01 with a trailer hitch last week , not enough to crush anything just dimple and scrape. Enough to piss me off that my nice car isnt as nice any more...

Sorry to hear it, I know your pain. It's like they're freakin invisible.

maplewood

11th November 2015, 01:09

Terrible picture, but I put in the crossflow rad from 949 racing. Fairly easy job minus the normal snapped bolts due to the car being from the northeast. Should handle the summer 110+ degree weather here in it's new home (Phoenix) much better now.

http://i.imgur.com/r4aey1il.jpg

konakona

11th November 2015, 02:36

Seashed:

I think [maybe] that what he's saying is that the wires show short to ground with them lifted off the body, in which case the light would be ON all the time.

this.
I am mistaken on the wire through the switch hole being a "power lead", now I know for sure it is there complete/break the circuit by toggling the ground part on and off. Either way, what I was saying earlier is discontinuity check on the DMM confirms the screw hole (chassis gnd point) and that wire are in contact with the door switch lifted.

The question I was asking the whole time is how to gain access to the part of that wire that runs inside the hole, as I am suspecting that is where the short is occurring. (need to double check if this happens on both sides, or just one of them) I've done some more searching and found in another similarly unresolved thread that I may have to take off the seatbelt tower trim. We will see how that goes...

Thanks for the wiring diagram, but I found a better one in this thread:
http://forum.miata.net/vb/showthread.php?t=423045

Again, I am not so worried about the dome light per se, been living without it ever since I started having this "always on" problem. Doing this mainly for the remote door lock which goes berserk when I try to lock, probably because it thinks the doors are open.

Unusualdesigner

11th November 2015, 12:03

Again, I am not so worried about the dome light per se, been living without it ever since I started having this "always on" problem. Doing this mainly for the remote door lock which goes berserk when I try to lock, probably because it thinks the doors are open.

When did the problem first show up? Was it after you did some work in the car?
That should point out where to look for the short.

2002tiitomx5

11th November 2015, 17:00

Chris GTO TT

11th November 2015, 18:49

Miatatom

12th November 2015, 01:43

Mutt

12th November 2015, 11:58

Spent the day yesterday installing the Lexan window to my discount priced OEM hardtop.
The story behind the hardtop was that a local racer had been involved in a wreck , and a rock had been kicked up and came down going through the stock glass. The car was parted out and the owner decided to sell the top rather than have it sit and be damaged while he built another car ( non-miata ). I feel like I got a good deal on the top because even if I went back with OEM glass , I would still be ahead of the 850-1200 most used tops sell for these days.
I made a couple goofs on this along the way. after grinding and sanding to fit the stock oem opening at a friends P&B Shop I brought it all home to drill, secure and paint. I started to drill with the inside part of the window out..so my initial markings didn't line up. Flipping it and redrilling caused it to move a little but just to the point of the white weather seal showing a little and I will correct that with a sharpie. Other than that I am very pleased with my work considering I am no P&B guy.

At the shop, fitting the window to the opening.

http://i.imgur.com/PpVy92Kl.jpg

Top was originally white, then painted red.. I taped this area off to paint it black with a rattle can as its going to be black in the end.

http://i.imgur.com/MVZdR1yl.jpg

The trim piece needed some help loosening up .. the wife didnt even bat an eye when I said I needed her $125 hair dryer to work on a car...

http://i.imgur.com/qAcwrG6l.jpg

Finished product

http://i.imgur.com/aptvdvkl.jpg

One thing I didnt take into account was the size of the trim rubber so they poke a little at the bottom rest points.

Now, I am going to rebuild the shifter turret ( boots, brass cup, wave washer etc. ) and change the Transmission oil with the Ford Unicorn Tears. All in preparation for the PDX this weekend at Roebling Rd.

daender

12th November 2015, 12:24

tbm275

12th November 2015, 16:15

The other week I put my hardtop on the car. Then the temps came back up and I was sad.

Today I fixed the blown passenger fog lights for all eyes ahead again!

No lifting needed, was able to squeeze in after just pulling two of the screw in fasteners (third and fourth were not cooperative of course) and the two lower bolts, with the wheel fully turned in of course.

MR2Aaron

13th November 2015, 13:15

Started working on the timing belt job on the MSM a couple of days ago. The belt that came off looked OK, but the valve cover gasket and cam and/or crank seals have been leaking for a while, and covered the front portion of the engine with oily gunk.

Inshallah, the new parts will arrive from Flyin Miata today, so I can finish the job up tonight, and get back to Miata-ing.

http://www.aaronaverett.net/hostedimages/miata/IMG_0250.JPG

winger

13th November 2015, 13:42

shoult

13th November 2015, 13:43

Started working on the timing belt job on the MSM a couple of days ago. The belt that came off looked OK,

Take the old belt, turn it inside out and then bend a section over. That'll show you all the cracks in the belt that aren't shown by just looking at the outside of it.

Mutt

13th November 2015, 14:37

Yesterday, I rebuilt the shifter of my '01 with the kit from 5x that included a Brass bushing. I was surprised that even with less than 60k in milage the condition of the rubber boots ( pics below ). I couldn't get the pins to back out to replace the lower spring washer and plastic bushing but the bushing didn't look bad.
While I had the console apart I fixed the spring issue with the cup holders. Instead of using the wire fix that's been documented here, I used a screw and a large washer. ( picture below ).
I then proceeded to Chang out the Trans fluid to the Motorcraft Unicorn Tears. I was a bit confused by all the pics and YouTube videos I saw because they all showed different bolts and plugs for fill and drain plugs but I got it figured out . The drain plug had a bit of stuff attached to the magnets. ( shown below ) but it all worked out in the end. I was amazed at the difference I'm just a mile of driving in my neighborhood.
Looking forward to using these upgrades this weekend at the Roebling Road PDX.

http://i.imgur.com/S3HaGbX.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/qt7xicx.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/UUTZuCa.jpg

Sorry for large pics doing this from the phone...

MR2Aaron

13th November 2015, 23:47

Good luck with it!
Did you find the MSM had any complexities for this job over a regular engine?

Thanks.

There's more to disassemble on an MSM than there was on my 1991. I haven't ever done this on a regular 1.8, but I'm guessing it's about the same as the 1.6. I wouldn't say the job is more complex, but there's maybe 30 minutes more disassembly involved in getting the charge pipes, oil separator and strut brace out before you can actually disassemble the timing cover.

Worth noting: If you don't have a 3/8" drive electric impact, go get yourself one RIGHT NOW. It's unbelievable how much faster it makes a job like this.

shoult

13th November 2015, 23:51

Worth noting: If you don't have a 3/8" drive electric impact, go get yourself one RIGHT NOW. It's unbelievable how much faster it makes a job like this.

I wouldn't trade my Milwaukee 3/8" 12v battery ratchet for one, but power tools do rock.

MR2Aaron

14th November 2015, 00:11

I wouldn't trade my Milwaukee 3/8" 12v battery ratchet for one, but power tools do rock.

Oh, yeah, I meant a battery powered one. Mine is a Bosch with the 18V lithium batteries. I don't want to go back to working on cars without it.

J P Stein

14th November 2015, 11:07

Not today, but last week.....I'm old & slow.
Ground clearance of my newly bought 2000SE was 3 -1/2 inches at the K member.....set up for a pinball smooth track, apparently.

I intend to do some AX at our local venue and that ain'i gonna cut it.
Using the school of hard knocks, I found 5 inches GC was needed on my 914....that weighed 1700 lbs And was sprung about the same as the Miata....did the butt bounce test method.

The Tein coil overs were kind of a PITA (access wise) but got me to about 4 3/4 inch at the K member...using all the travel available. A trip to the alignment rack is in the cards.

konakona

14th November 2015, 19:34

When did the problem first show up? Was it after you did some work in the car?
That should point out where to look for the short.

I *think* I noticed it after I got my car back from a shop after doing a whole bunch of jobs in one sitting (took them over a week), including coilovers, full set of bushings, doorbars, custom rails for driver side racing bucket, DIYroadster doorbars, RB front sways, frog arms, GS derlin door bushings, NB2 JDM header + front pipe, NB2 rear ladder braces and a few others I left out.

At first I thought it was the door bushings not allowing the doors close fully or interfering with the door jamb switch operation in some other ways. The switch on the driver side appeared broken (shorted at all times) so got that replaced, still had courtesy light set to door open/close + key buzzer warning come on at all times.

If it did happen during one of those mods, the one most likely to be the culprit is the door bars then; four large screws bolt on the body immediately behind the door (not sure of the exact name for that area) on each side, which may have caught the door jamb switch gnd wire. Too bad I wasn't there when the mechanic worked on it, this is all just pure guessing on my end.

I gave up on the remote door lock idea at the end of the day, manual lock gets the job done well enough for now. Not worth the hassle tearing everything apart IMO. Appreciate all your help and concern anyway!

OMP racing bucket was finally put in the car. Since it is going on the passenger side, we skipped the slider to simipify the job without sacrificing the ride height. It sits as far back as possible for maximum leg room. Repaired a tear by sewing and cleaned it with some fabric cleaning spray. This particular model (ECO) has a very plush bottom cushion; with the aid of some supplementary blanket/cushion, I got a seal of approval from the gf :thumbs:

Speaking of gf, she always commented how hot the car gets in fair weather. The first thing I did was to clean evap coils to improve AC efficiency and remove the stench (accidentally discovered by switching to mitsu eclipse vent holes no less). Then search and read the "cabin heat too much thread" here on mt.net, decided to do something about heat radiating from the engine room and the exhaust.

Got me some thermotec adhesive heat reflective barrier and covered the firewall with small patches as best I as I could. Lacking a lift or ramps/jackstands, I will have to get some help from a body shop to install the clamp on heat shield. Still have some leftover adhesive stuff, wonder where exactly these should go, right above the exhaust pipe? Is there enough room to clean and affix this without undoing the exhaust pipe(s)?

Last but not least, I am considering heater core bypass. Some say it made a noticeable difference, yet others disagree. I never had "hot feet" problem so maybe I should skip this one? As I will be preemtively replacing the aging radiator soon, might be a good idea to do it as while at it thing - currently reading up on coolant re-route as well, probably best to do it all together in one sitting if ever.

3MiataFamily

15th November 2015, 13:42

this....

my 00 SE

Krack

15th November 2015, 20:35

jsinnard

15th November 2015, 20:52

Waltzy23

16th November 2015, 00:16

Unusualdesigner

16th November 2015, 00:37

this....

my 00 SE

Maybe you need to flip your car right side up? :dunno::rofl:

Nice catch on the reading, though. :thumbs:

3MiataFamily

16th November 2015, 00:59

Maybe you need to flip your car right side up? :dunno::rofl:

Nice catch on the reading, though. :thumbs:

Heading for 300k next year....

nwick

16th November 2015, 17:19

3MiataFamily

16th November 2015, 17:33

Did about 100 miles today..top down...mid 50s and gorgeous

A little cooler tomorrow...but wed thru Friday is more of the same...topless for me!

JonK67

16th November 2015, 18:08

Loudcrowd

16th November 2015, 18:29

Photo

17th November 2015, 01:23

Miatatom

17th November 2015, 02:43

em1zack

17th November 2015, 05:00

john blutarski

17th November 2015, 06:35

Mutt

17th November 2015, 10:47

Zoom Zoom....

Last Chance TT and PDX at Roebling Road. This being my first track event and second driving event ( 1st being AutoX ) I was totally stoked. Scared me a bit to track this car because its in such great shape... but the experience was fantastic. I am really looking forward to building a 'full time' AutoX/Track car out of one of the NA's in my carport now.

Upon arrival, all clean...
http://i.imgur.com/v58BftTl.jpg

This was a few of the cars in my day one group. Day two added a Ferrari 355 and a heavily modified CRX.
http://i.imgur.com/VPdefcql.jpg

daender

17th November 2015, 10:57

Last Chance TT and PDX at Roebling Road. This being my first track event and second driving event ( 1st being AutoX ) I was totally stoked. Scared me a bit to track this car because its in such great shape... but the experience was fantastic. I am really looking forward to building a 'full time' AutoX/Track car out of one of the NA's in my carport now.

Wait, was one of your instructors some huge bearded guy who brought his beater blue NB2 to that same PDX event? If so, then you were riding with one of my best friends and the one who got me into Miatas! :rofl:

Kylini

17th November 2015, 14:56

http://kylini.com/grm/rallyx-jason-p-wright-1p.jpg
http://kylini.com/grm/rallyx-jason-p-wright-2p.jpg

Yeah. I need to put the mud flaps back on.

Mutt

18th November 2015, 11:41

Wait, was one of your instructors some huge bearded guy who brought his beater blue NB2 to that same PDX event? If so, then you were riding with one of my best friends and the one who got me into Miatas! :rofl:

Haha, Yes! When I first saw him in the meeting I was hoping he wasn't going to be my instructor because I didn't think he'd fit! Great guy, taught me a lot. Make the trip with him if you can to the next event.

Chris GTO TT

19th November 2015, 21:58

Having new CA 'winter' tires installed as I type this...

By CA 'winter' tires I mean some Hankook Ventus V2's which will deal with our, hopefully, wet winter better than the 205/50/15 RE-11A's would.

chiefmg

19th November 2015, 23:00

Zoom Zoom....

Last Chance TT and PDX at Roebling Road. This being my first track event and second driving event ( 1st being AutoX ) I was totally stoked. Scared me a bit to track this car because its in such great shape... but the experience was fantastic. I am really looking forward to building a 'full time' AutoX/Track car out of one of the NA's in my carport now.

Upon arrival, all clean...

This was a few of the cars in my day one group. Day two added a Ferrari 355 and a heavily modified CRX.

I raced a motorcycle at Roebling Road back in the late '90's. Great, fun track.

BH500

20th November 2015, 14:34

Having new CA 'winter' tires installed as I type this...

By CA 'winter' tires I mean some Hankook Ventus V2's which will deal with our, hopefully, wet winter better than the 205/50/15 RE-11A's would.

I used RE-11s all winter(s) long up here in Seattle -- they seem to be a great rain tire to me.

Chris GTO TT

20th November 2015, 14:40

I used RE-11s all winter(s) long up here in Seattle -- they seem to be a great rain tire to me.

Interesting, I had a couple of experiences last March when cold and wet where they quite suddenly and unexpectedly lost grip and the car tried to swap ends on me. :dunno:

BH500

20th November 2015, 20:21

Interesting, I had a couple of experiences last March when cold and wet where they quite suddenly and unexpectedly lost grip and the car tried to swap ends on me. :dunno:

Yeah, I dunno. I had them on an s2000, an STi, and a Mazda2. Haven't tried them on the Miata yet but they seemed real progressive when they let go, and I usually had to try and get them to do so. Great at resisting hydroplaning too. (for me)

doane2u

21st November 2015, 12:10

Interesting, I had a couple of experiences last March when cold and wet where they quite suddenly and unexpectedly lost grip and the car tried to swap ends on me. :dunno:

RE11's are Summer tires. They are very good in the rain and predictable, as long as it isn't cold, meaning down about 40 degrees and lower. When it gets cold Summer tires get way to hard, have horrible traction, wet or dry, and are dangerous.

Algreen

21st November 2015, 18:06

Chris GTO TT

21st November 2015, 18:20

RE11's are Summer tires. They are very good in the rain and predictable, as long as it isn't cold, meaning down about 40 degrees and lower. When it gets cold Summer tires get way to hard, have horrible traction, wet or dry, and are dangerous.

Typically when it rains here its in the 40s-50s so just cool enough to be sketchy with the RE-11A's. Most of the other summer tires I've run in the past have been more year round friendly S04 Pole Positions, RE750's etc. This is the first 'extreme' tire I've used and kinda figured it wouldn't be too much worse than the S04 PP I had.

After getting the Hankook's up to a good pressure, 30psi all around, they are quite nice for daily street tires, we'll see how they deal with rain and cold Tuesday and Wednesday.

Jim250xcw

21st November 2015, 18:44

me77

22nd November 2015, 03:00

Spanner

22nd November 2015, 11:07

Put the car into storage yesterday morning after taking it for a no-ethanol fill up and drive while it was sunny and clear. Took the snowblower out of storage and just got done moving about 6 inches of cold cement masquerading as wet snow in my driveway. Wait now for spring and a possible run to the Tail of the Dragon in late March. Pray for a quick and ,old winter!

So why not have some fun during the winter months? Oh, wait. You're not from Canada.

http://forum.miata.net/vb/attachment.php?attachmentid=231366&stc=1&d=1448204788

JonK67

22nd November 2015, 14:06

bmgreenberg88

23rd November 2015, 07:26

shoult

23rd November 2015, 10:26

Purchased a used FFS kit for my 02 SE. Just waiting for it to be shipped and some warm weather to install it. The older I get the less willing I am to go out and work in the cold, even if it is to install another 80 rwhp. Come on SPRING!!!!

http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s309/shoult/Vehicles/2002%20Mazda%20Miata%20SE/2015-11-22%20-%20Used%20FFS%20kit/IMG_20151122_182449399_zpsfby9pykh.jpg (http://s155.photobucket.com/user/shoult/media/Vehicles/2002%20Mazda%20Miata%20SE/2015-11-22%20-%20Used%20FFS%20kit/IMG_20151122_182449399_zpsfby9pykh.jpg.html)

http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s309/shoult/Vehicles/2002%20Mazda%20Miata%20SE/2015-11-22%20-%20Used%20FFS%20kit/IMG_20151122_182556001_zpsspiegubr.jpg (http://s155.photobucket.com/user/shoult/media/Vehicles/2002%20Mazda%20Miata%20SE/2015-11-22%20-%20Used%20FFS%20kit/IMG_20151122_182556001_zpsspiegubr.jpg.html)

http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s309/shoult/Vehicles/2002%20Mazda%20Miata%20SE/2015-11-22%20-%20Used%20FFS%20kit/IMG_20151122_182440162_zpsno8idck0.jpg (http://s155.photobucket.com/user/shoult/media/Vehicles/2002%20Mazda%20Miata%20SE/2015-11-22%20-%20Used%20FFS%20kit/IMG_20151122_182440162_zpsno8idck0.jpg.html)

J3cubrc

23rd November 2015, 11:34

Purchased a used FFS kit for my 02 SE. Just waiting for it to be shipped and some warm weather to install it...

I am politely asking that you consider a well documented install thread as you go, please...

shoult

23rd November 2015, 12:39

I am politely asking that you consider a well documented install thread as you go, please...

The documentation that is downloadable from the FFS website is pretty complete and good. I will probably do some documenting but I have no idea when I'll start or when it'll be finished.

To others who have asked where I got my kit used and for how much all I'm going to say is that it matters not what I paid. Each seller has their own price and agenda. As far as where to find one, you just have to keep looking everywhere, eBay, Craigslist, m.net classifieds, turbomiata classifieds, etc. and have your money in hand. There are too many people out there wanting used FI equipment for sellers to wait while you get your money together.

Vincenthdfan

23rd November 2015, 13:22

Ha, so you're the one that got it!

I was dealing with the seller on that, but I was hemming and hawing back and forth for a few days...then he told me too late, its sold.

My fault, I had reservations on pulling the trigger...oh well, guess I'll be buying the kit brand new after all. :thumbs:

JonK67

23rd November 2015, 15:51

Purchased a used FFS kit for my 02 SE. Just waiting for it to be shipped and some warm weather to install it. The older I get the less willing I am to go out and work in the cold, even if it is to install another 80 rwhp. Come on SPRING!!!!

http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s309/shoult/Vehicles/2002%20Mazda%20Miata%20SE/2015-11-22%20-%20Used%20FFS%20kit/IMG_20151122_182449399_zpsfby9pykh.jpg (http://s155.photobucket.com/user/shoult/media/Vehicles/2002%20Mazda%20Miata%20SE/2015-11-22%20-%20Used%20FFS%20kit/IMG_20151122_182449399_zpsfby9pykh.jpg.html)

http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s309/shoult/Vehicles/2002%20Mazda%20Miata%20SE/2015-11-22%20-%20Used%20FFS%20kit/IMG_20151122_182556001_zpsspiegubr.jpg (http://s155.photobucket.com/user/shoult/media/Vehicles/2002%20Mazda%20Miata%20SE/2015-11-22%20-%20Used%20FFS%20kit/IMG_20151122_182556001_zpsspiegubr.jpg.html)

http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s309/shoult/Vehicles/2002%20Mazda%20Miata%20SE/2015-11-22%20-%20Used%20FFS%20kit/IMG_20151122_182440162_zpsno8idck0.jpg (http://s155.photobucket.com/user/shoult/media/Vehicles/2002%20Mazda%20Miata%20SE/2015-11-22%20-%20Used%20FFS%20kit/IMG_20151122_182440162_zpsno8idck0.jpg.html)

Ha, that hot mess looks familiar to my box-o-parts. I've got Tom's original parts list also. Maybe we could go through them together, 'I got this, you got this?'.

tmar

23rd November 2015, 20:21

Plasti dip the wheels black!
Cost me a whole $20 and about an hour and a half.. still need to peel the over spray off tire sidewalls though.

http://i.imgur.com/DTwruqS.jpg

PioneerMX5

24th November 2015, 00:46

Having new CA 'winter' tires installed as I type this...

By CA 'winter' tires I mean some Hankook Ventus V2's which will deal with our, hopefully, wet winter better than the 205/50/15 RE-11A's would.

I'd like to hear your impression on the Hankooks. My G-Force Comp 2's are gettin' a little thin... ;)

:cool:

Chris GTO TT

24th November 2015, 01:32

I'd like to hear your impression on the Hankooks. My G-Force Comp 2's are gettin' a little thin... ;)

:cool:

I mostly bought them because they were the cheapest 'known' brand tire I could get. They have pretty good grip, with a slightly soft sidewall, needs 30PSI for good turn in response. No idea what wet traction is like yet.

kallsop

24th November 2015, 04:11

SATX

24th November 2015, 16:52

I did a shifter rebuild on my 2000 SE today with my oldest son. Good times. We then took a brief spin around our area to feel the difference.

Does it take a while to "break in"? It is really stiff, but that is definitely better than how much slop was previously in it.

kallsop

24th November 2015, 17:04

I did a shifter rebuild on my 2000 SE today with my oldest son. Good times. We then took a brief spin around our area to feel the difference.

Does it take a while to "break in"? It is really stiff, but that is definitely better than how much slop was previously in it.

Is it a 5sp and did you change the turret oil? It will be a little stiff at first but will loosen up some.

SATX

24th November 2015, 17:29

kallsop

24th November 2015, 18:41

Kallsop, it is a 6 speed, and the transmission turret is not separate from the rest of the system. Next on my list, probably closer to Christmas, is to change the transmission fluid.

I think what you are feeling is that the slop you had is gone and it will feel tight for a while but it's where it should be. It's one of those you don't realize how off it is until you rebuild it. I asked about the turret as some new owners are not aware of the difference between the 5 and six speed shifters.

Miata6131

24th November 2015, 18:49

Mutt

25th November 2015, 13:51

I think what you are feeling is that the slop you had is gone and it will feel tight for a while but it's where it should be. It's one of those you don't realize how off it is until you rebuild it. I asked about the turret as some new owners are not aware of the difference between the 5 and six speed shifters.

I noticed mine was both 'tighter' and smoother because I also changed the fluid at the same time. I am still excited with my rebuild weeks later.

ArtinNC

25th November 2015, 16:15

ArtinNC

25th November 2015, 16:24

AdR

26th November 2015, 07:20

YouTube video exhaust sound clip:
https://youtu.be/hdSV9DlgTQ8

Decided to make my own straight pipe side exhaust for my track toy. It's a 2.5" mandrel bend exhaust connected to a straight long tube Cobalt NB header. Definitely not for the faint of heart, sensible hearing or afraid of fire balls. Enjoy the clip.

Seashed

26th November 2015, 08:32

KONIG

26th November 2015, 13:39

SATX

26th November 2015, 14:44

Today the second son got behind the wheel for the first time. He did well.

231591

KONIG

26th November 2015, 14:54

oh also installed new shift boot, ebrake boot, shiftknob, and ebrake knob!

more pics of the setup in this album: http://imgur.com/a/Y96Ec

http://i.imgur.com/4etszal.jpg

daender

26th November 2015, 17:53

https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfp1/v/t1.0-9/12311106_870147216414787_428811259460047984_n.jpg? oh=01ac8aeebbb90c1b70e11498c24729bd&oe=56ED40B8

Got the Miata washed up for tonight, there's a ND in the local dealership and I smell a potential photoshoot!

Vincenthdfan

26th November 2015, 18:29

https://vtwinlover.smugmug.com/Miatas/i-HG5rZBM/0/L/20151126_135124-L.jpg

Carried all the new to me 99 NB Red body parts into the shop today.

Yes, I have a little bit of a hoarding problem...but, in my defense I needed a better front bumper since mine looks like crap.

Found all these red parts on craigslist for a great package price and couldn't resist, so I'll go through and pick the best of each and apply them to the car.

daender

26th November 2015, 23:43

Well, here're the results of that photoshoot!

https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5781/23254914311_0f1a5ca558_c.jpg

Scott Will Mazda in Sumter, SC took delivery of a base model automatic ND in white a few months ago.

https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/589/22709112474_702a6cec89_c.jpg

I sat it in with only 71 miles on the odometer, I doubt it's moved out of the showroom since then.

https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/733/23041676010_e210e9206f_c.jpg

Last night, I decided to do some dealership window shopping and I noticed they moved the ND away from the center and toward the service-side of the showroom floor.

https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5798/23041679030_1e12b177ec_c.jpg

One car wash and 24 hours later, I was back with my own Miata, a tripod, and a digital camera.

https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5647/23041685110_765461ba13_b.jpg

Will I ever buy a ND? Not for a long while, but I'll be happy with one when that time comes.

Spanner

27th November 2015, 01:41

^^^ Nice photos!

This reminded me... I live in Phnom Penh, Cambodia 9 months out of the year. A Mazda dealer opened up a few blocks away from my house. Guess what we saw there:
http://forum.miata.net/vb/attachment.php?attachmentid=231612&stc=1&d=1448602603
Who would want one there? The roads are terrible and extremely dusty, and the sun is way too hot to enjoy the top down. Plus, it probably costs upwards of $60k with ~100% import tax :eek:

Back on topic ("What did you do to your NB today?"), I'm back in the States for a couple weeks. Today I drove mine top down with the heater on full blast, acting like it was summer again :D

boomercarguy

27th November 2015, 08:47

daender,

Seeing the ND beside the NB2 makes the NB2 even better looking than I thought it was. OK, I confess to owning the NB2 also. However, the ND's front end looks like a catfish! It looks aggressively hungry but now I'm thinking of a bottom-feeding scavenger.

doane2u

27th November 2015, 11:20

daender,

Seeing the ND beside the NB2 makes the NB2 even better looking than I thought it was. OK, I confess to owning the NB2 also. However, the ND's front end looks like a catfish! It looks aggressively hungry but now I'm thinking of a bottom-feeding scavenger.

No need to knock the ND.. you could also say the NB looks like a too cute guppy. Let's not get into this again.. :bang:

ArtinNC

27th November 2015, 11:27

bobesser

27th November 2015, 11:51

YouTube video exhaust sound clip:
https://youtu.be/hdSV9DlgTQ8

Decided to make my own straight pipe side exhaust for my track toy. It's a 2.5" mandrel bend exhaust connected to a straight long tube Cobalt NB header. Definitely not for the faint of heart, sensible hearing or afraid of fire balls. Enjoy the clip.

Please do a write up of this! Can you also post pic from the underside of the car?

Bob

doane2u

27th November 2015, 12:25

Got the windows tinted and washed the car.

Really looks nice! Love that dark blue :thumbs:

Algreen

27th November 2015, 12:33

YouTube video exhaust sound clip:
https://youtu.be/hdSV9DlgTQ8

Decided to make my own straight pipe side exhaust for my track toy. It's a 2.5" mandrel bend exhaust connected to a straight long tube Cobalt NB header. Definitely not for the faint of heart, sensible hearing or afraid of fire balls. Enjoy the clip.

Looks and sounds amazing. I've always loved side exit exhausts (corvette, for example). I wonder how it would sound on a turbo car (likely quieter).

Algreen

27th November 2015, 12:38

Be lucky that you could get the diff screws open. On my previous 2002, no one before me touched the screws so changing the diff fluid was easy-peasy. On the 2003 I now have, the local dealer at some point changed the fluid before my ownership. Obviously the differential got a lifetime filling since the fillscrew was put on with a million foot-pounds. I hate mechanics who don't look up torque specs.

I hear ya. Thankfully, they were easy to release with a standard ratchet, but I had a breaker bar on hand just in case.

AdR

27th November 2015, 18:31

Please do a write up of this! Can you also post pic from the underside of the car?

Bob

It's fairly easy to do. Just grab a 3" hole saw and cut through the first layer of sheet metal. Use a cutoff wheel you cut the inner (backside) sheet metal and a rotary tool for the inner sheet metal. It's a total of 3 layers. There's tge perfect amount of space and a hanger right on the 90 deg bend required to get it to the left. It's almost as Mazda intended to do this. Only thing that needs some rerouting is one of the drain tubes from the convertible rain gutters. I don't care about those because it's a track car.

I'll get a picture of the underside soon.

Chris GTO TT

27th November 2015, 23:56

em1zack

28th November 2015, 03:31

amptramp

28th November 2015, 18:18

Had a problem with the flasher only working on the right side. The hazard warning lights also only worked on the right side and the only connection between them was the flasher module. There is a block of five relays on the right side of the steering column and the flasher is a white one farthest forward with eight wires coming out of it. It slides into a metal tab for mounting, so I demounted it and disconnected it - there is a centre tab on the side that you push in to disconnect the connector.

Once you have it out, the side of the case has two tabs holding it and you use a jeweller's screwdriver to rock it out on one side then the other. The connector shell slides off and the circuit board slides out of the case. Close inspection showed that one of the relay pins (there are two relays) had a broken circle of solder all around it and the other one had about half of the solder joint cracked on the corresponding pin. I soldered both leads with 63% tin - 37% lead eutectic electrical solder and it was back in operation. The solder must not be plumber's solder which has an acid core flux that will destroy the traces on the circuit board, stick with electrical solder. And do not use lead-free solder. It melts at a higher temperature which will overstress the components, the flux is more toxic (rosin flux disappears at high temperatures so it is not used) and the lead in the solder suppresses any tendency for tin whisker growth. BTW eutectic means the proportion of metals with the lowest melting point.

I reinstalled it and it is working perfectly.

Marshalls new ride

29th November 2015, 00:14

PaddyG

29th November 2015, 07:27

Camilo

29th November 2015, 20:53

jsherm01

29th November 2015, 22:39

I installed a "TapTurn that adds one-touch convenience signaling from http://www.autowindow.com/ Scott sent "a prototype" after he followed up my order asking what Miata generation I had. Just installed and works fine on my 2004 NB. Only thing I had to do was slightly file both side of the fuse jumper to get it to fit into the fuse box. I used the cigar lighter fuse.

Thread http://www.autowindow.com/

jsherm01

30th November 2015, 15:28

Kermit

30th November 2015, 20:01

I received my new gauges from RevLimiter. Currently, my '03 has his Version 10AE, which I love, but I wanted something different. So, a rather simple design which modified the existing Version Zen resulted in:

231785
231787

Warhammer

30th November 2015, 20:05

dee wreck

30th November 2015, 23:11

Chris GTO TT

30th November 2015, 23:15

I received my new gauges from RevLimiter. Currently, my '03 has his Version 10AE, which I love, but I wanted something different. So, a rather simple design which modified the existing Version Zen resulted in:

231785
231787

How do the 10AE gauges look with the chrome rings? Any plans to sell them?

/vulture mode

SATX

1st December 2015, 00:02

Kermit

1st December 2015, 09:30

How do the 10AE gauges look with the chrome rings? Any plans to sell them?

/vulture mode

I had to get a new cell phone last week and unfortunately lost all of my photos. This morning it's dark and raining but I'll get a picture as soon as I can get back out to the car. As for selling them, let me think on that a bit.

Kermit

1st December 2015, 11:02

How do the 10AE gauges look with the chrome rings? Any plans to sell them?

/vulture mode

Not the best photos, but here's one each with the blue LEDs off and on

231813
231814

Vincenthdfan

1st December 2015, 12:41

Changed fuel filter, it thanked me by drenching me in fuel during the process. Then gave it a long overdue wash.

Are those 6UL's on your car?

They sure make it look good..my wife has the same year and color, I may have to get some of those...looks great.

Chris GTO TT

1st December 2015, 17:51

Not the best photos, but here's one each with the blue LEDs off and on

231813
231814

Thanks they look great!

JackCuyler

1st December 2015, 22:28

shoult

1st December 2015, 23:06

Installed a Nexus 7 as a car stereo/navigation unit.

Now get an ELM 327 BT OBD-II interface ( I got a mini for 6.37 shipped on Amazon) and pay $5 for the Torque app and add the wonderful world of OBD-II scanning to your Nexus.

Hows it look in the sun with the top down? What did yo mount it with? What do you use to turn it on and off? How did you hide the power plug?

JackCuyler

1st December 2015, 23:16

Now get an ELM 327 BT OBD-II interface ( I got a mini for 6.37 shipped on Amazon) and pay $5 for the Torque app and add the wonderful world of OBD-II scanning to your Nexus.

Hows it look in the sun with the top down? What did yo mount it with? What do you use to turn it on and off? How did you hide the power plug?

I already installed torque and the obdii Bluetooth dongle. Thanks!

To mount it, I trimmed just a bit of the surround clips, and it slides right in. I got a right angle micro USB cable and trimmed off some of the plastic.

I installed a ROM specifically for in dash usage. It turns the screen on when power is applied, and puts the tablet into a deep sleep, without turning it off, when power is lost. I lose about 1-2% a day when it's sleeping.

The ROM also allows the tablet to charge while a OTG y cable is connected. Attached to that cable is a USB hub with a thumb drive, a radio dongle and a digital audio converter. The dac is connected to the factory amp.

JackCuyler

1st December 2015, 23:19

This isn't my video, but it shows where to trim the surround.

https://youtu.be/HxBY3Ytd_nw

Arrow2486

2nd December 2015, 16:45

Installed a Nexus 7 as a car stereo/navigation unit.

Looks nice! I have been thinking about replacing my HU with something like this. Mind my asking what it cost you for the tablet, rom, & cables? Does the Nexus 7 have a built in FM radio?

JackCuyler

2nd December 2015, 18:06

Looks nice! I have been thinking about replacing my HU with something like this. Mind my asking what it cost you for the tablet, rom, & cables? Does the Nexus 7 have a built in FM radio?

Thanks!

I haven't really totaled everything. Sorry. The ROM was a $20 donation to a UN refugee fund. The tablet doesn't have a built in FM radio, as far as I can tell, but I have an external receiver which works fine. Below is a list of parts, and Amazon links where available.

Nexus 7 (2013 edition)

Aftermarket Radio Harness
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0002BETW2?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00

USB Hub
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00BWF5U0M?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o06_s00

FM Receiver
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00UKNMY9W?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o06_s00

12v to USB
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00XDSA82Q?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00

BNC female to MCX
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00CSCTU40?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00

BNC to Motorala
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001JT3BC0?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00

USB Thumb Drive
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00FE2N1WS?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00

USB extension (allows easy access to the thumb drive, which I located behind the bolt cover by the driver's knee. You know the one I mean.)
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00NH134L6?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00

Digital to Analog Audio Converter
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0038HX3S8?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00

Micro USB Host OTG Cable with Micro USB Power (I trimmed a lot of the plastic off the micro end to get it to fit)
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00CXAC1ZW?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o07_s00

12v Delay Switches (I used two. The first to delay power to the tablet and accessories, so they don't turn on then quickly off when cranking, then back on. The second to delay the amp from turning on until after the DAC, preventing a loud POP)
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00NCLIUE2?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00

Radio App
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=marto.androsdr2&hl=en

One male spade connector to connect to the factory ground.

Speaker cables - male on one end, bare wire on the other. These are wired into the harness, and plug into the DAC.

Everything is wired to the aftermarket harness, so aside from a tiny amount of dremmeling to the radio surround, and the removal of the DIN separator, I didn't modify the car at all. I ended up trying two aftermarket harnesses. Both were missing a wire, either the amp wire or the power antenna wire. Luckily, the version I bought came with an second harness for rear speakers. Since I don't have those, I pulled a wire out of that and slipped into the missing spot on the main harness.

shoult

3rd December 2015, 22:08

So this happened today...

http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s309/shoult/Vehicles/2002%20Mazda%20Miata%20SE/2015-11-22%20-%20Used%20FFS%20kit/The%20other%20parts%202_zpsga3iv03n.jpg (http://s155.photobucket.com/user/shoult/media/Vehicles/2002%20Mazda%20Miata%20SE/2015-11-22%20-%20Used%20FFS%20kit/The%20other%20parts%202_zpsga3iv03n.jpg.html)

This is a FFS coldside SC kit minus the SC, intake manifold and e-cool. I have those too, but they're out in the OTM right now. Since this was a 99-00 kit and I have a 02 I have to get wait until Tom sends me the proper harness. But other than that, I'm about 24 hours of work away from boost.

PioneerMX5

4th December 2015, 00:18

^^ and the total value of this prize package is?.... ;)

:cool:

JonK67

4th December 2015, 00:58

Mal

4th December 2015, 09:19

konakona

5th December 2015, 10:18

Looks nice! I have been thinking about replacing my HU with something like this. Mind my asking what it cost you for the tablet, rom, & cables? Does the Nexus 7 have a built in FM radio?

tablet: usually well under $100 used (u could find cheap ones new too)
rom: totally free (unless you must have the outdated timur's rom)
cable: under $5 but you need a 12v to 5v, price could range $5-$20 depending on the quality you are comfortable with
no bulit-in radio in any of the nexus 7 versions hence he said usb radio dongle in his post. a rtl2832u unit shoild be around $10 or so but you also need a motorola ti mcx adapter to hook it up to the car antenna

there are countless build threads on this here (audio&electronics) and other forums. google is your friend!

daender

5th December 2015, 19:14

Another Miata friend (and member on here) laid down some 3M vinyl to black out my windshield frame. The result is amazing when paired up with the black hardtop, finally got that two-tone look I've been searching for.

https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpl1/v/t1.0-9/12311041_10103139107749910_2611911778962796079_n.j pg?oh=6b6ad002c900657e14225daf7886840f&oe=56E6086D

shoult

5th December 2015, 23:20

I spent bonding time with my NB. Five hours of back roads to a dinner spot and 2.5 hours of freeway back (dark time is no time to make time on back roads). All the while this sits on my table waiting to get installed.....

http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s309/shoult/Vehicles/2002%20Mazda%20Miata%20SE/2015-11-22%20-%20Used%20FFS%20kit/Complete%20Kit%202_zpslfrywmrr.jpg (http://s155.photobucket.com/user/shoult/media/Vehicles/2002%20Mazda%20Miata%20SE/2015-11-22%20-%20Used%20FFS%20kit/Complete%20Kit%202_zpslfrywmrr.jpg.html)

I have to send the ECU harness to TOM at FFS to have it changed over from a 99-00 harness to a 01-05 harness. I had to buy the harness but if I send mine back they'll redo it for free. So back mine goes. I'm sure I cold do it, it I'd rather have FFS do and have it right the first time.

Of course this would've been a good weekend to do it. Weather dry and 50ish with 3 days off. Since I work outside that's important. But that pesky harness has to be ready before I start. I may not get to do this until spring. I mean, how many more nice weekends will there be as we plunge into "winter" here in Nashville?

me77

6th December 2015, 22:42

Photo

7th December 2015, 04:16

em1zack

7th December 2015, 06:31

ArtinNC

7th December 2015, 13:34

daender --- I'v had my windshield frame black for about a year and love it .

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v643/ArtinNC/DSC_1389.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/ArtinNC/media/DSC_1389.jpg.html)

JackCuyler

7th December 2015, 14:56

rom: totally free (unless you must have the outdated timur's rom)

I'm curious which ROM(s) you would suggest. Timmur's 5.1.1 is working fine for me, but I'm open to a Marshmallow ROM. I tried a bunch of Lollipop ROMs before making the donation to get Timur's. As far as I can tell, none of them had the ability to hot-plug USB devices without rebooting. That is, my DAC would not be recognized when power is applied and everything wakes up.

Zdtech

8th December 2015, 01:57

JaimeAstin

8th December 2015, 12:04

Today I took out my 2000 and blew up the diff!! That's what I did today. Bought the car in parts, put in back together and didn't know previous owner had drained the gear oil. It's all good though. LSD time.:jump:

Well dang! That is the thing about buying from someone else... You never know what they did or did not do... You check everything, then you still find some BS, lol. I bought a Mountian bike from a guy and I was out riding and the pedal fell off... He put them on backwards... I had to buy a whole new crank set and walk the bike home a couple miles... Pissed me off...

Good luck :)

JaimeAstin

8th December 2015, 12:08

Long overdue thank you too all who made guides on the forums... Black Friday I changed out my Oil, differential oil, and transmission fluid :) My car is so happy with my job.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_lVaXTv5o-E
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ydNVCeSqU_s

jamesr242

8th December 2015, 12:54

Today I took out my 2000 and blew up the diff!! That's what I did today. Bought the car in parts, put in back together and didn't know previous owner had drained the gear oil. It's all good though. LSD time.:jump:

Perfect excuse to upgrade. Also a good reminder to never drain oil without immediately refilling or leaving an obvious note. Sucks the PO did that but at least it didn't ruin a torsen!

tmar

8th December 2015, 15:11

daender --- I'v had my windshield frame black for about a year and love it .

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v643/ArtinNC/DSC_1389.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/ArtinNC/media/DSC_1389.jpg.html)

Looks great! I'm jealous of the hard top, unfortunately not in my budget at the moment :(

doane2u

9th December 2015, 02:10

I really wanted to keep the looks of the original audio head unit (HU), but I can't even play mp3's on the CD, unlike my wifes 2005 where I found a replacement CD/MP3 Oem update unit for not much money.

Anyway, I went over to Crutchfield, as they are the most helpful car audio place on the web, and I ordered a Kenwood KDC-BT365U (http://www.crutchfield.com/p_113BT365U/Kenwood-KDC-BT365U.html?tp=5684) for about $120 with all install parts. I just hope I can find a way to keep the antenna down when not on FM.

This unit has hands free Bluetooh for Pandora, music, voice, etc. Looks like a very good unit and it will semi blend in with it's black knob and simpler style along with the red illumination to match my OEM ones.

I'll post some pix and comments when I get it installed (hopefully) this week.

Photo

9th December 2015, 03:30

daender --- I'v had my windshield frame black for about a year and love it .[/URL]

It's such a small surface area of the car, but makes such a huge difference!

konakona

9th December 2015, 03:57

I'm curious which ROM(s) you would suggest. Timmur's 5.1.1 is working fine for me, but I'm open to a Marshmallow ROM. I tried a bunch of Lollipop ROMs before making the donation to get Timur's. As far as I can tell, none of them had the ability to hot-plug USB devices without rebooting. That is, my DAC would not be recognized when power is applied and everything wakes up.

There is nothing wrong with Timur's rom per se, but many have moved onto autodroid v1.2, which was also discontinued a while back. Currently I am with oxydo revamped kernel + blisspop (there are other lolipop based roms confirmed to work as well)

Both autodroid and oxydorevamped do what you describe. The latter has trouble detecting power off (have to do a manual firm sleep by hitting an on-screen button), but does turn on with the acc on without an issue.

Royo

9th December 2015, 08:19

There is nothing wrong with Timur's rom per se, but many have moved onto autodroid v1.2, which was also discontinued a while back. Currently I am with oxydo revamped kernel + blisspop (there are other lolipop based roms confirmed to work as well)

Both autodroid and oxydorevamped do what you describe. The latter has trouble detecting power off (have to do a manual firm sleep by hitting an on-screen button), but does turn on with the acc on without an issue.

I guess it's official . I'm old . I have no idea what the above means . Now get of my lawn !!!

JackCuyler

9th December 2015, 10:43

There is nothing wrong with Timur's rom per se, but many have moved onto autodroid v1.2, which was also discontinued a while back. Currently I am with oxydo revamped kernel + blisspop (there are other lolipop based roms confirmed to work as well)

Both autodroid and oxydorevamped do what you describe. The latter has trouble detecting power off (have to do a manual firm sleep by hitting an on-screen button), but does turn on with the acc on without an issue.

I think you're talking about the first-gen Nexus 7 (grouper, not flo). I've never seen an Autodroid release for flo, and oxydo/oxydo-revamped are grouper kernels. All of their power mods are for the Tegra internals of the first gen, not the Qualcomm internals of the second.

Timur's kernel for flo is based on 5.1.1, so much newer than Autodroid (4.4.4) and Blisspop for flo (4.0.3).

Warhammer

9th December 2015, 10:44

I really wanted to keep the looks of the original audio head unit (HU), but I can't even play mp3's on the CD, unlike my wifes 2005 where I found a replacement CD/MP3 Oem update unit for not much money.

Anyway, I went over to Crutchfield, as they are the most helpful car audio place on the web, and I ordered a Kenwood KDC-BT365U (http://www.crutchfield.com/p_113BT365U/Kenwood-KDC-BT365U.html?tp=5684) for about $120 with all install parts. I just hope I can find a way to keep the antenna down when not on FM.

This unit has hands free Bluetooh for Pandora, music, voice, etc. Looks like a very good unit and it will semi blend in with it's black knob and simpler style along with the red illumination to match my OEM ones.

I'll post some pix and comments when I get it installed (hopefully) this week.

When I finally replaced my OEM head unit, I wanted to stay with something that looked fairly stock as well. I stayed with a double-DIN sized unit and chose the Sony WX-GT90BT. It was $170 from Amazon. It has all the features you could want (streaming Bluetooth, phone, Pandora, aux input & USB...) and you can customize the display color to match the rest of the dash lighting in your car. I think it's low-key enough not scream "steal me" to every passing reprobate. I'm planning on cutting a small strip of textured black vinyl to apply to the face and cover the Sony and Sirius logos, camouflaging it more.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v409/rlkeely/Mobile%20Uploads/20150803_205344_zpsnamofejp.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/rlkeely/media/Mobile%20Uploads/20150803_205344_zpsnamofejp.jpg.html)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v409/rlkeely/Mobile%20Uploads/20150803_205453_zpsjjywa7wq.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/rlkeely/media/Mobile%20Uploads/20150803_205453_zpsjjywa7wq.jpg.html)

JackCuyler

9th December 2015, 11:08

I guess it's official . I'm old . I have no idea what the above means . Now get of my lawn !!!

In a nutshell, a ROM is a custom (unofficial) version of android developed by third parties. Timur's ROM and the others mentioned are attempts by various developers to tailor Android for use as an in-dash stereo/navigator/etc.

Sorry all the grass got trampled. :)

JackCuyler

9th December 2015, 11:16

When I finally replaced my OEM head unit

That looks awesome!

Davidkrocks

9th December 2015, 11:29

Chris GTO TT

9th December 2015, 23:47

944play

10th December 2015, 00:57

Mutt

10th December 2015, 14:04

Because the Miata dealership is the "Corporate Sponsor" for the Coastal Empire Miata Club we got a few coupons, so after 6 months of ownership an autocross and two days of track at Roebling I decided to put the Service and an Alignment coupon to use. Being that the car is still 14 years old but not yet 60k miles they wanted to flush the coolant, power steering and a fuel induction service as well as change out my accessory belts. They wouldn't balance my tires because one had an unpatchable nail near the edge and they said the tires were basically shot.
I will say the 'stock' alignment felt much better all the way around.

I guess I need to round up some coolant, power steering fluid and belts...

amptramp

11th December 2015, 21:36

Cruised up to Collingwood and back today to see my niece (263 km / 163 miles round trip). Of course, I had the top down. A Ford F-150 pickup pulled around me as I was stopped in traffic in Collingwood and the girl who was driving (dark hair, blue eyes and very cute) said, "Can I take your picture? December in Collingwood!" I posed for the picture that will probably go viral somewhere.

It was cold on the way up but I didn't realize until I was heading back that I didn't have the windblocker up so I put it up and instant warmth. Collingwood has ski hills on the west side but there is no snow yet. Collingwood is east of Owen Sound, the second snowiest city in Canada, second only to some little village in Quebec but nothing has shown up yet.

JPS

11th December 2015, 22:39

Chris GTO TT

11th December 2015, 23:01

Photo

12th December 2015, 01:25

Installed my new noise maker... I mean AEM intake!

I have one - it sounds good. Not too noisy, but at the same time definitely more sound than stock. Did you feel any difference in how fast engine revs?

Seashed

12th December 2015, 09:58

shoult

12th December 2015, 13:22

I packed it all up and drove off to my next stop. Destination: quiet desert, away from the holiday season madness. Nice to just say "Let's Go!"

The stock/bond/reality markets are just going to have to go crazy in the next 5 years for me to be able to do that. Or I'm going to have to have a REAL short retirement.

Congratulations and bon voyage!

Chris GTO TT

12th December 2015, 14:26

I have one - it sounds good. Not too noisy, but at the same time definitely more sound than stock. Did you feel any difference in how fast engine revs?

I really didn't notice much change in how the car pulls, most dynos I've seen show maybe 3-5hp max increase so not much. I do like how it cleans up the engine bay and the sound is awesome:)

twoslices

12th December 2015, 15:13

jaxbeachcpl

12th December 2015, 18:38

PaddyG

12th December 2015, 22:22

I put the 99 Sport S on stands and drained the radiator and refilled. The coolant was the worst I have ever seen. Apparently the PO just drove it. I found a weeping AT bung and drain plug. I tightened the bung a quarter turn and ditto on the drain plug. So far so good.

Then me and the wife hit the road and drove to breakfast and then we hit the mountain back roads and stayed out most of the day. I'd say we covered a hundred miles. Then we had a late lunch and headed home. Awesome day!

Chris GTO TT

12th December 2015, 23:13

jaxbeachcpl

13th December 2015, 11:11

shoult

13th December 2015, 14:44

daender

13th December 2015, 16:03

Replaced the worn out delrin/rubber with some DIY rubber door seals on the little metal plates that push up against the Frankenstein bolts to help keep the hardtop secured. Also put some Loctite thread-locker on the four bolts that keep the front striker-plates in place after I noticed some of them were backing out by themselves. Hopefully that shuts up my thumping hardtop once and for all.

Also replaced my black parking brake cover with a rare tan-colored one from a wrecked '01 SE. Totally worth the money, I'll never know why Mazda never allowed other tan interior Miatas of both NA and NB style to have it, it fits in so much better with all the tan going on.

MatcheezlesNB

13th December 2015, 18:45

Greased the clutch slave cylinder rod, buh bye horrible squealing chirping! I love these forums

Brrraaaaaapppp

Warhammer

13th December 2015, 20:13

Replaced the worn out delrin/rubber with some DIY rubber door seals on the little metal plates that push up against the Frankenstein bolts to help keep the hardtop secured. Also put some Loctite thread-locker on the four bolts that keep the front striker-plates in place after I noticed some of them were backing out by themselves. Hopefully that shuts up my thumping hardtop once and for all.

Also replaced my black parking brake cover with a rare tan-colored one from a wrecked '01 SE. Totally worth the money, I'll never know why Mazda never allowed other tan interior Miatas of both NA and NB style to have it, it fits in so much better with all the tan going on.

I never realized the tan covers were rare. I covered my tan cover with a black leather cover, lol!

Slartidbartfast

13th December 2015, 20:48

Because the Miata dealership is the "Corporate Sponsor" for the Coastal Empire Miata Club we got a few coupons, so after 6 months of ownership an autocross and two days of track at Roebling I decided to put the Service and an Alignment coupon to use. Being that the car is still 14 years old but not yet 60k miles they wanted to flush the coolant, power steering and a fuel induction service as well as change out my accessory belts. They wouldn't balance my tires because one had an unpatchable nail near the edge and they said the tires were basically shot.
I will say the 'stock' alignment felt much better all the way around.

I guess I need to round up some coolant, power steering fluid and belts...
Seems to me like they are not trying to save you anything with your coupon. Quite the opposite really. 14YO accessory belts are an accident waiting to happen unless done recently; coolant change is ok I guess unless you or someone else has done it already; fuel injection service is not a scheduled item but might be a good idea; power steering fluid, however, has NO scheduled maintenance interval. It is supposed to be a "lifetime" fluid.

Dealers of any brand more often than not do worse work than independent shops at a higher cost. My experience going back 35 years is almost overwhelmingly negative and so I do my own work whenever I am able.

Algreen

13th December 2015, 21:23

Changed oil with Rotella T5 10w/30 and replaced the oil filter with an oversized Bosch unit. First time changing the oil on a Miata and I have to ask what a-hole thought it was a good to place the oil filter there? :mad:

Also changed out the door blocks for the GarageStar delrin units; can't wait to try them out on the highway.

daender

13th December 2015, 22:40

I never realized the tan covers were rare. I covered my tan cover with a black leather cover, lol!

Well some '03+ interiors seem to come in "parchment", which is apparently a renamed tan, with a color-matched cover but I couldn't find enough concrete photo evidence to support my theory. :rofl:

Unusualdesigner

14th December 2015, 02:44

Changed oil with Rotella T5 10w/30 and replaced the oil filter with an oversized Bosch unit. First time changing the oil on a Miata and I have to ask what a-hole thought it was a good to place the oil filter there? :mad:

Once you learn the secret, changing an oil filter is a 2 minute operation done from the top of the engine.

Grab filter with left hand, spin it off, pass it to right hand that's snaked in front of charcoal canister and lift.

Reverse to install.

I have arms like Popeye and still manage to do it under 2 minutes. :D

me77

14th December 2015, 07:19

Once you learn the secret, changing an oil filter is a 2 minute operation done from the top of the engine.

Grab filter with left hand, spin it off, pass it to right hand that's snaked in front of charcoal canister and lift. ...Works like that on a manual transmission car, but not on an automatic because there are transmission cooler lines in the way.

kallsop

14th December 2015, 07:54

Warhammer

14th December 2015, 09:12

Finally got my Moddiction mirrors installed. The first pair I got, installed the driver side in the holder, not on top of the original, was going to do the passenger side, but a spastic cat created a physics experiment by testing the laws of gravity and Newton's laws by shattering it on the floor. So after a second set, got them installed and still working on the sweet spot for them, but they are such an improvement, really appreciate the anti-glare coating, makes a world of difference.

I've had mine stalled for a while now, and I still marvel at the difference in glare when driving at night. These are definitely one of the best mods I've done to my car. Using the convex mirrors when changing lanes takes a little getting used to, but I really like them.

Unusualdesigner

14th December 2015, 11:42

Works like that on a manual transmission car, but not on an automatic because there are transmission cooler lines in the way.

Ahh... look at my sig-line. I have a '04 Auto as well as a '92 Manual. I have done filter changes on '90-'97 Autos as well.

The lines that might be on the way are for the AC and those are present on both the NA and NB cars.

Takes me longer to find and place something to catch the oil under the filter than to R&R the filter. -just takes some time to figure out where to snake the hands in ;)

shoult

14th December 2015, 14:33

In preparation of installing my FFS Supercharger I purchased a Mishimoto all aluminum radiator off Amazon and the full OEM hose kit from Rosenthal. If I was staying NA I would have waited to change the radiator since it is still a nice glossy black and I haven't had any cooling problems. But with the impending change to forced induction I just want to be doubly sure. And since the car has 142K on it and I have no record of the hoses being change I intend to change them while the intake manifold is off.

I REALLY hope all the parts come in before the Christmas holidays and those 4 days are warm, dry and sunny (at least in my part of the world).

twoslices

15th December 2015, 11:04

JonK67

15th December 2015, 12:29

Got the pair of replacement taillights with LED bulbs from member CTt3MX5 - thanks! This pair will replace my busted left light due to a rearended the day I drove the car home from buying.

Need to order Lamin-X tint to install. I take it I can polish the taillights in the same way I did the headlights to get a smooth install?

Mutt

15th December 2015, 14:45

Seems to me like they are not trying to save you anything with your coupon. Quite the opposite really. 14YO accessory belts are an accident waiting to happen unless done recently; coolant change is ok I guess unless you or someone else has done it already; fuel injection service is not a scheduled item but might be a good idea; power steering fluid, however, has NO scheduled maintenance interval. It is supposed to be a "lifetime" fluid.

Dealers of any brand more often than not do worse work than independent shops at a higher cost. My experience going back 35 years is almost overwhelmingly negative and so I do my own work whenever I am able.

I agree. I thought I might be 'ok' having them change the oil and the alignment. I expect whenever taking a vehicle to a chain or dealer that they attempt to sell me something. I have a regular pair of mechanics I trust to do work on my vehicles but since owning this Miata and several others since, I have gotten back into doing a lot of my own wrenching. I will say though that I would rather delegate the changing of oil. I really wasn't expecting tires though and they did come in with a good price, but there is a local shop that answers my questions and helps me out with parts that I need to spend money with more often so they will get the tire job.

MX-Vi

17th December 2015, 16:37

Permanently installed my new-to-me hardtop. In the right color this time and with defrost too, even though I had to change out the defrost plug as the top is a 1992 and the car is a 2000.

Had a helluva time getting out the screws for the left latch. had to cut a flathead slot in all 3 of them, but finally got them out. The right side worked just fine. No heat, no cutting. Just a phillips screwdriver and a pair of channel-locks. Installing the RennenMetal brackets was simple, no issues at all.

Then I had to adjust my window height. I knew the stops were gone.
Had a rather pleasant experience with weatherproofing tar inside the doors. It isn't so bad if you just touch it before it touches you. (Get the stringy pieces back onto the main blob of tar). I removed the window stops and took the remaining little bits of hardened rubber off of them. Reinstalled them in the door and got my window height adjusted perfectly.

Changing out the defrost pigtail was interesting as I couldnt find a real pinout anywhere. Eventually I decided I didn't need one. The pigtail from my old softtop had 2 wires tied together as did the hardtop. I just matched them up accordingly, soldered and heatshrinked, then loomed them back up.

End result: My car is finally all one color for the first time in almost 3 years. Super excited about it. :jump:

CMMCK

17th December 2015, 21:29

shoult

18th December 2015, 17:32

The Mishimoto radiator, hose kit from Rosenthal and reworked FFS ECU harness came in today. So now it's hell waiting for the wether to get warm enough to go out and install all the Christmas goodies.

http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s309/shoult/Vehicles/2002%20Mazda%20Miata%20SE/2015-11-22%20-%20Used%20FFS%20kit/2015-12-18%20-%20FFS%20SC%20amp%20Mishimoto%20Radiator_zpsoxkl52 1s.jpg (http://s155.photobucket.com/user/shoult/media/Vehicles/2002%20Mazda%20Miata%20SE/2015-11-22%20-%20Used%20FFS%20kit/2015-12-18%20-%20FFS%20SC%20amp%20Mishimoto%20Radiator_zpsoxkl52 1s.jpg.html)

Seashed

18th December 2015, 18:19

Mathias

18th December 2015, 20:11

shoult

18th December 2015, 21:22

^ Where's the intercooler and Megasquirt?

Don't need either with the FFS system. The intake charge is cooled with an eCool injector that sprays fuel into the intake charge. Cools the charge while it also adds fuel.

The FFS also comes with pretty flexible piggyback system that is factory tailored to the FFS mp62 with seperate controls for main fuel, eCool and spark.

The system should be good for 200 rwhp on 92 octane and the stock pullies. When running E85 250 rwhp should be attainable and Tom (FFS owner) had a NA that dynoed at 312 on E85 and big pullies (on stock rods and pistons I believe).

It's also one of the only systems that has a CARB exemption certificate so it's legal for Commiefornia and NY.

kmvguy83

18th December 2015, 23:00

Don't need either with the FFS system. The intake charge is cooled with an eCool injector that sprays fuel into the intake charge. Cools the charge while it also adds fuel.

The FFS also comes with pretty flexible piggyback system that is factory tailored to the FFS mp62 with seperate controls for main fuel, eCool and spark.

The system should be good for 200 rwhp on 92 octane and the stock pullies. When running E85 250 rwhp should be attainable and Tom (FFS owner) had a NA that dynoed at 312 on E85 and big pullies (on stock rods and pistons I believe).

It's also one of the only systems that has a CARB exemption certificate so it's legal for Commiefornia and NY.

That's a lot of power at the wheel.
You probably will need to upgrade tires to 225s for a decent traction.

I cant even get mine to stick on 2nd gear above 4500 rpm and you are about to make even more power.

mythstery

19th December 2015, 23:04

https://scontent-dfw1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xlt1/v/t1.0-9/10653883_10153789812929289_2097835599918264523_n.j pg?oh=37868ffdec97cb2f4e7f82b01bd00228&oe=570F87B4"]https://scontent-dfw1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xlt1/v/t1.0-9/10653883_10153789812929289_2097835599918264523_n.j pg?oh=37868ffdec97cb2f4e7f82b01bd00228&oe=570F87B4

https://scontent-dfw1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfp1/v/t1.0-9/1934574_10153789909514289_5589624878660392445_n.jp g?oh=6e385f9ae4d22e02f06465e8c46fdee4&oe=56E06D73"]https://scontent-dfw1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfp1/v/t1.0-9/1934574_10153789909514289_5589624878660392445_n.jp g?oh=6e385f9ae4d22e02f06465e8c46fdee4&oe=56E06D73

I finally got mine one step closer to getting the motor out for the rebuild. Just did the nb2 conversion and i wish there was a 2015 updated thread on the DIY wire conversion lol

EmeraldNB99

20th December 2015, 10:43

Seashed

20th December 2015, 10:57

Unusualdesigner

20th December 2015, 11:06

Hate the idea of having to put a Miata away for the winter, understand but don't like it.
However, even here in "Sunny Arizona" I had to scrape/wipe the frost off the other morning when it was only 27° out!

We get an occasional frost day here as well.:D

jh1129

20th December 2015, 11:40

Wingman703

20th December 2015, 15:25

http://i.imgur.com/kOSoYau.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/PtJEBP7.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/l1ZFYID.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/BhdNgzo.jpg

Cleaned and waxed. 70degrees out with Christmas 4 days away.

http://i.imgur.com/ExEitGG.jpg
Life is good, good indeed.

Chris GTO TT

20th December 2015, 22:39

I'm getting rather frustrated with the belts on this thing. We were heading to run a few errands this morning and heard a bit of a high pitched squeal, higher than normal belt squeal. Being cautious after the last belt fiasco we headed home and grabbed the spec.B for the errands.

After getting home I pulled the Miata into the garage and heard the squeal again. It sounds like a bearing in the accessory system letting go but when I pulled everything apart all the bearings felt normal. None of them had odd drag or excessive play. The only thing I can figure is the Gates water pump I got when I did the timing belt has a defective bearing.

tmar

20th December 2015, 22:55

Hate the idea of having to put a Miata away for the winter, understand but don't like it.
However, even here in "Sunny Arizona" I had to scrape/wipe the frost off the other morning when it was only 27° out!

Tucson?

Me too if so!

I didnt do anything TO my NB today, but I did something FOR it!
Cleaned out the whole left side of my garage so she can sit in there instead of outside ;)

Algreen

21st December 2015, 00:18

KipA

21st December 2015, 01:33

I finished installing harness grommets and harnesses in my stock surfboard seats.

http://forum.miata.net/vb/showthread.php?t=596412

http://kipanderson.net/Miata/IMAG0287.jpg
http://kipanderson.net/Miata/IMAG0288.jpg

ed3rd

21st December 2015, 14:05