by "AestheticsInMotion" (aestheticsinmotion)
Published 12/31/2016 at 19:25
by "AestheticsInMotion" (aestheticsinmotion)
Published 12/31/2016 at 19:25
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STARS: 2
Every new part I’ve bought sorted by date, with prices and my current thoughts. Because I know I’m not the only one who loves lists.
949 Racing 6UL Nickel 15x8 x4 - Absolutely love these wheels. Super lightweight, affordable and fairly good looking. Unfortunately I curbed a wheel pretty bad playing in the snow a few weeks ago but other than that these have held up great. $636.00
949 Racing aluminum tire valve grey anodized x8 - The wheels above have two valves each so you can monitor tire pressure while filling up. Handy. $34.00
949 Racing lightweight lug nuts silver x16 $60.00
Dunlop Direzza Star Spec ZII 205/50-15 x4 - If you’re looking for a summer tire that can get you through an entire year in the PNW look no further. These are bar none the best summer tires I’ve ever used, outperforming many all seasons in heavy rain and staying surprisingly grippy in the cold. They’re useless in snow, but if you don’t see the white stuff I can’t recommend a better year-round tire for absolute performance. I’m on year two using as a daily driver and they’re just starting to wear. And I drive hard. $460.08
3mm wheel spacers 4x100 x4 - Brake clearance, otherwise these would go. $99.80
Mount and balance $80.00
Flyin’ Miata little big brake kit (red calipers + parking brake) - These are fantastic, and cut about three pounds per corner vs stock. That said, I will NEVER buy from Flyin’ Miata again. I could write a ten page essay on the absolutely terrible way they handled an issue with a long time customer but I’ll keep it brief here. Went to install the new brake kit with an uncle, who’s an experienced mechanic with decades at a renowned classic car restoration shop and 5 years working at a brake shop. What should have taken a weekend at the absolute longest turned into a 3 month affair, because of broken parts, incorrect parts, a few straight up missing parts, shipping delays getting new parts (which Flyin’ Miata refused to pay for) and service reps who refused to believe there was an issue other than possible ineptitude at my end. Finally got so sick of dealing with it I called a flatbed and had my car towed to a brake shop. The mechanics there found even more issues with the kit, and I ended up having ANOTHER mechanic from a different shop come by for a nonbiased opinion, to make sure I wasn’t getting fleeced. He also found faults in the kit, and what parts were supplied. The shop got everything together as best as they could, but they had to source quite a few little things and the parking brake still to this day doesn’t work correctly. So three months without my only car, having to pay for the bus or taking ubers, plus tons of extra hours in shop fees trying to get this kit working properly and what does Flyin’ Miata do? Absolutely nothing. They should have refunded me for the entire kit at that point, or at least offered to pay for the installation, but no, they didn’t do a damn thing. I’m a small business owner, I’m aware things happen and issues arise. No big deal. What’s important is how you take care of these problems and Flyin’ Miata would do well to learn that lesson. $1395.00
Premium cross-drilled and slotted rotors - Onto lighter things... These were purchased for looks. Nothing wrong with that haha $188.86
NPT to metric flare adaptor $38.85
Brake kit installation $668.27
Windshield, parts and labor $262.80
Rear soft top replacement window (DIY) ~$40.00
R-package front bumper lip $61.99
R-package rear bumper lip $34.25
Tyc 1140 1-row radiator (Amazon) $83.26
NRG Innovation 350mm sport wheel 3" deep neochrome - I like that they offer fairly cheap wheels at a better quality level than eBay junk, but I probably wouldn’t buy an NRG wheel again. Too many other nice wheels out there that are worth saving up for. $133.03
NRG quick release gen 2.0 - I don’t remove the wheel much, but the mechanism has gotten much harder to engage in the year I’ve had it hooked up. 92.99
NRG Miata 89-05 short hub $88.95
Fallen NA gauge set - From Revlimiter of course. The dude is truly a Miata Saint. $129.00
Fujitsubo exhaust RM-01A - Squeeeeeeeeeeeee!!! Can’t wait to install this bad boy! $570.00
Supermiata urethane exhaust hangers $47.00
Xida Coilovers 700 in/lb front 400 in/lb rear (duel spring setup + OEM NB mounts) - ^^^see fujitsubo entry above^^^ $2019.00
Sonic Motors VS3 racing seat red x1 - very comfortable, tons of bolstering and FIFTEEN POUNDS. the stock seats (leather, headrest speakers) are around sixty pounds. Full review coming soon. Let’s just say there are certainly times when replicas are the right choice. $230.00
Advanti Racing Storm S1 15x8 black x1 - Purchased one to see the color in person. Aaaaand I’m in love. These will be the new summer wheels and the 6ULs will get some winter tires. Unfortunately I may need to roll the fenders slightly because of the offset. Ps: if you’re looking for a set, Goodwin racing doesn’t charge any shipping. You won’t beat the price for a wheel this light. $135.00
Cost of car $2800.00
total parts+labor+shipping (where applicable) $7730.2
Grand total $10,530.20
My original goal was to build up everything else before touching the engine, and it seems like I’ve managed to do just that. With any luck 2017 will bring some power mods, so I can finally outrun Camrys and Civics! Happy New Years Oppo
"1111111111111111111111" (aaaaaaaaasssssssaaaasaas)
12/31/2016 at 20:13, STARS: 0
Did you do the bushings, endlink and swaybars too? Any stiffening products?
"AestheticsInMotion" (aestheticsinmotion)
12/31/2016 at 20:21, STARS: 0
No, although refreshing every suspension component is definitely needed. I need to get a roll bar so I can do the seats with a 4 point harness, after that I’ll start tackling some of the smaller things on the list so I can save for the turbo.
Honestly rigidity hasn’t been an issue, although I’m sure it could always be better. The grip of the wide summer tires coupled with stock suspension does result in some pretty hilarious body roll though
"1111111111111111111111" (aaaaaaaaasssssssaaaasaas)
12/31/2016 at 20:26, STARS: 0
What are you planning for the turbo and fuel management, also I’d like to know what was wrong with the brake kit. I haven’t heard many bad things about FM.
"AestheticsInMotion" (aestheticsinmotion)
12/31/2016 at 20:40, STARS: 0
One of the biggest issues was the parking brake. The lbbk was one of the few kits that retained a working parking brake, which is why I chose it since I live in a hilly area. None of the pieces, from the actual parking brake cable itself to the adaptors fit properly. The first parking brake cable was 7 inches too short, the second they sent 4 inches too short and the 3rd was again 4 inches too short. Couldn’t get a custom cable made by anyone because of liability issues if something went wrong. I’m not a super experienced mechanic by any means, but what I got from the people I was working with was that at best, the kit had been put together with a lot of universal parts when it stated clearly that everything was NA Miata specific and plug-and-play so to speak.
Other than that... Lots of missing adaptors and hardware (which was difficult to source), two stainless brake lines that leaked badly and had to be replaced, and about half of the bleeding valves on the calipers were broken straight out of the box. All I can recall, but I’m sure there was a fair bit more. Figured I just got unlucky, honestly it was the customer service that really upset me the most.
"AestheticsInMotion" (aestheticsinmotion)
12/31/2016 at 20:43, STARS: 1
Currently shooting for 200-225 hp at the wheels. Not 100% sure on fuel management yet but this will most likely be the base of the build.
http://www.trackspeedengineering.com/trackspeed-efr-turbocharger-system.html
"1111111111111111111111" (aaaaaaaaasssssssaaaasaas)
12/31/2016 at 21:00, STARS: 0
I think the bbks have a parking brake specified as a kind of working thing, so it can be used with spec Miata. But the rest sucks. My mechanic, who races spec Miata recommend normal brake lines, and said the stainless ones are more prone to breaking and just bling.
"wiffleballtony" (wiffleballtony)
12/31/2016 at 22:50, STARS: 0
I salute you for manning your wallet to valiantly in pursuit of your automotive vision.
My next major upgrade will be a big brake kit (not a Miata) but it will probably be pricey. I hope it goes better than your experience.