by "AestheticsInMotion" (aestheticsinmotion)
Published 11/27/2017 at 20:13
by "AestheticsInMotion" (aestheticsinmotion)
Published 11/27/2017 at 20:13
Tags: Miatafications
; Miata
; Na
; Mazda
STARS: 8
What do you get? Let me show you. I did some projects today, and looked back on where my happy little roadster started. I don’t think I’ll ever be able to not have a Miata, guys.
The header image is the first picture I have of my car. With the help of a friend, I swapped a radiator behind NAPA auto parts, which was my very first automotive job. And... It was easy! No problems, which is more than I can say about the last few projects.
*sigh*
See that locking wrench in the bottom corner? I miss it. For the last two years it’s been holding a Cable to my battery terminal... I’ll get that fixed one of these days.
The first big projects I tackled were new brakes all around, wheels, and tires. Made a pretty big difference look wise, and obviously a massive difference in how the car felt. Only problem was the lack of low looked very goofy with the larger wheels. Check out the picture below and tell me that looks normal. It would be over a year before I finally tackled that issue, and installed coilovers.
What’s next oppo? Obviously power mods, and tires soon. But am I missing anything? I feel like everything is fairly well put together at this point, and no particular section is lacking in upgrades (besides power). Hardtop would be nice, as would a second set of wheels, but neither one would really improve the performance of the car in a meaningful way so.... Who knows.
"daender" (daender)
11/27/2017 at 20:16, STARS: 3
Have your fenders already been rolled? Looks like a good tuck and roll should allow you that travel even before an alignment.
"Decay buys too many beaters" (decay)
11/27/2017 at 20:18, STARS: 2
With a budget like 15k I’d be looking at a K swap. That’s my current unicorn miata configuration.
"AestheticsInMotion" (aestheticsinmotion)
11/27/2017 at 20:19, STARS: 1
They have not, and I’m sure you’re right. I’m going to do tires/alignment/fender roll at once once I get some cash saved up! And to be fair, I’m a hair lower than 949 Racing recommends for dedicated track cars, so I may raise it just a bit. Guess I’ll wait and see after the above steps!
"AestheticsInMotion" (aestheticsinmotion)
11/27/2017 at 20:21, STARS: 1
If I had all that money at once for the car, things would have gone very differently. Although I wouldn’t have even known what to do with it at first...
K swap would be amazing. That or a 6 cylinder from the camaro/ats-v. Seems to be gaining popularity... Not really sure which I’d pick.
"Decay buys too many beaters" (decay)
11/27/2017 at 20:25, STARS: 0
Oh wow, hadn’t heard about the GM v6s. That would be an interesting alternative to an LS for “big power”
"Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)" (rduncan5678)
11/27/2017 at 20:28, STARS: 1
Wait, are you saying youve spent $15k on your car so far??
"AestheticsInMotion" (aestheticsinmotion)
11/27/2017 at 20:32, STARS: 1
The build thread below is probably one of, if not the best Miata build threads out there. I highly recommend it, but fair warning, it’s very long. From local track days to winning national championships and dominating in time attack, Ryan’s journey is pretty inspiring haha. The first few months don’t have images anymore, but they start to appear pretty soon. It’s especially great because Ryan’s a good photographer and storyteller too.
Or start here if you just want to see the GM v6 stuff!
https://forum.miata.net/vb/showthread.php?t=610911
"AestheticsInMotion" (aestheticsinmotion)
11/27/2017 at 20:34, STARS: 2
As of 8/6/2017 I’m about 15k all in, including the car. I’ve probably spent an additional thousand or so since then...
And it’s still slow hahaha
"E90M3" (e90m3)
11/27/2017 at 20:42, STARS: 5
You know they make this program called Excel where you can track all of your automotive related expenses. Also graphs.
"AestheticsInMotion" (aestheticsinmotion)
11/27/2017 at 20:47, STARS: 1
Fair. I like having paper records though. Plus all my computing is done through phone and occasionally tablet. No computer since... Well. Before college I guess! One of these days I’ll change that
Graphing does sound nice though. I’m a sucker for analyzing data
"E90M3" (e90m3)
11/27/2017 at 20:50, STARS: 1
I’ve decided to track every cost with the 328i. I was going to do it for the M3, but for some reason I didn’t. I can safely tell you that I get 26.35 +/- 1.51 MPG in it and it’s cost me $0.37/mile to drive.
"Spaceball-Two" (spaceball-two)
11/27/2017 at 21:00, STARS: 0
Do this.
"AestheticsInMotion" (aestheticsinmotion)
11/27/2017 at 21:20, STARS: 0
3x the power and still better fuel economy. Oh the joys of a modern engine...
I have you beat in terms of repairs and parts costs though!
"AestheticsInMotion" (aestheticsinmotion)
11/27/2017 at 21:21, STARS: 1
I’m surprised that fits. Okay, I’ll do it. I’ll need funding though. You’re in charge of the kickstarter
"E90M3" (e90m3)
11/27/2017 at 21:23, STARS: 0
Sadly the N52 in my 328i only makes 230 hp, still light up the back tires. Well one tire.
I’m sure you do on that one, which is probably a good thing considering I’ve put almost 20k on the car since March.
"Spaceball-Two" (spaceball-two)
11/27/2017 at 21:38, STARS: 0
I saw it at Matthews Winery a couple months ago. He pulled in and I knew from the sound something fun was in there
"lone_liberal" (token-liberal)
11/27/2017 at 21:39, STARS: 1
What’s next? Maybe fixing that battery cable?
"merged-5876237249235911857-hrw8uc" (merged-5876237249235911857-hrw8uc)
11/27/2017 at 22:06, STARS: 1
An LS will fit too.
"Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo" (thetomselleck)
11/27/2017 at 22:54, STARS: 0
I really wonder what’s eating your fuel economy. I assume 1) the fact you live in Eastside, 2) various mods, and 3) spirited driving.
"Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo" (thetomselleck)
11/27/2017 at 22:56, STARS: 1
I don’t remember if I told you last month, but my mom refuses to sell her hardtop separately, even after I explained how much she could get for it compared to the rest of the car. [shrugs] I tried.
"AestheticsInMotion" (aestheticsinmotion)
11/27/2017 at 22:59, STARS: 0
I’m 99% sure none of my mods would decrease fuel efficiency.... Between the wheels and brakes, I’ve dropped unsprung mass, and the suspension has made the car more aerodynamic. Lower weight overall too. Free-flowing exhaust... I’m guessing the engine is just old, and inefficient? It leaks pretty bad at this point
"AestheticsInMotion" (aestheticsinmotion)
11/27/2017 at 23:00, STARS: 0
Probably for the best. I have more important things to spend my dwindling monies on, but knowing me, I’d buy it anyways haha
"Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)" (rduncan5678)
11/28/2017 at 00:58, STARS: 0
That sounds like a lot of money. I haven’t tracked my expenses with the car, I really hope I haven’t spent that much lol. But including the car and maintenance and mods over the last 3 years, I have to be under $10k still. Unless you count like gas and autocross events too, then surely I’m way higher than that.
"AestheticsInMotion" (aestheticsinmotion)
11/28/2017 at 01:30, STARS: 3
Slow down! No need to do anything crazy...
"wkiernan" (wkiernan)
11/28/2017 at 08:36, STARS: 0
At first I thought “You spent
$15,000
restoring your Miata?!” Now I see that it’s mostly upgrades.
"Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)" (rduncan5678)
11/28/2017 at 10:49, STARS: 0
I wish I could get 300+ miles out of a gas tank in the STi. I have trouble getting more than 200 miles but its also only 10 gallons and the car is supposed to have a 16 gallon tank. So I think my gauge may be wonky or just lasts for 6 gallons with under a quarter tank showing.
"E90M3" (e90m3)
11/28/2017 at 10:54, STARS: 0
Sounds like the gauge is wonky. It’s one of those things where I would just fill up in case the gauge is correct. Although, my explorer would stay at a quarter tank forever. I always reset my trip odometer, so I would make a decision on when to fill up based on those two factors. The low fuel light was always right though, so I pretty much had a fail safe.
"Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)" (rduncan5678)
11/28/2017 at 11:28, STARS: 1
Well yeah since I just bought the car, I have been erring on the side of caution. But twice now I have filled up at 200 miles on the trip meter and under a quarter tank showing. It has only fit 10 gallons though and I filled it and topped it off both times.
Gas is also like 20 cents cheaper at work vs home so I tend to try and avoid running out at home. But if I still have another 6 gallons to go, then surely I can make it 100 miles or so no problem, and my roundtrip commute is about 80 miles.
I am used to my Miata lasting 300 on average. I can get it to run out in 200 but I am sure under the same conditions the STi would make it like 100 lol. But I can also make the Miata go 350+ if I’m on the highway. Havent figured out what “EPA highway” is in the STi is yet because I end up driving with a lead foot every time I get on the highway just because its too much fun lol.