And the MX5 saga continues...

"RotaryLover" (rotarylover) 03/27/2014 at 20:03 • Filed to: POWAAAA

2

39

Today I changed the oil with some Redline 5w20 at the dealership since I didn't find some Motul 0w30 8100 X-Lite at the racing auto parts shop I go to all the time. I learned that I had a link to replace on the front right suspension but overall, the car is in great shape. I then changed the idler pulley since it was spinning kind of crooked.

With this done, the ECU got resetted again. (Keep that in mind)
I then removed the KIA branding that was on the car since I picked it up in Kia dealership and added a chrome frame for the plate that I had laying around.

Then I took it for a test drive....boy oh boy, THE INSANE ACCELERATION IS BACK!!!! It's like I wanted it to be!

So this is what I replaced/or fixed so far on it:
-Wipers 40$
-High beams / day lights 23$
-Air filter 35$
-Motor oil 120$
-Cleaned the MAF
-Cleaned the throttle body
-Changed the spark plugs 80$
-Replaced the idler pulley 60$
-Changed the rear tires 80$
-Changed the batteries on the remotes 10$
-Changed all the rusted bolts and nuts I've found. 7$
-Lubricate all the rubber seals and key holes with some silicone spray.
-Grease the mecanism of the PRHT, the doors hinges and locks.
-Remove the goddamn KIA branding on the car.

Now all that is left to do is:
-Change the diff fluid and clean the diff.
-Change the transmission fluid.
-Get a new head unit.
-Decide if I want to stay 17 inch or go 18 for rims and get summer tires.
-Change the rotors and pads and inspect the calipers.
-Change the coolant at the dealership.
-Change the suspension link on the front right side.
-Nourish the leather.
-Polish the tailpipes.

The extra that can wait:
-Brake ducts.
-Coilovers.
-Dashcam.
-Moto-east intake.
-Smart top module.
-Replace the ground cable on the battery. (Verdigris)

After all this, I'll be a happy man.

Louros > RotaryLover 03/27/2014 at 20:07

1

Stick with 17s, 18s are too big for any Miata, even the NC

RotaryLover > Louros 03/27/2014 at 20:10

0

But the rx8 rims are so hot!

Takuro Spirit > RotaryLover 03/27/2014 at 20:11

0

....do you have different front and rear snow tires?

Brian Silvestro > RotaryLover 03/27/2014 at 20:12

1

It's not even like I want to post this gif anymore, I just feel obligated to.

HappyHealToe > RotaryLover 03/27/2014 at 20:14

0

Nice post! I love all NC related stuff since I'm trying to learn more about them. You've no doubt already told us, but how much mileage (km) on it so far?

RotaryLover > Takuro Spirit 03/27/2014 at 20:15

0

Yeah. Since winter is ending, I decided to go cheap and get used ones on the rear. I'll get new Nokian hakkapeliittas for next year.

RotaryLover > Brian Silvestro 03/27/2014 at 20:16

0

What if...the Miata life choose you?

Brian Silvestro > RotaryLover 03/27/2014 at 20:17

1

*points at Miata*

CLEARLY IT CHOSE YOU!

*starts crying, storms out of room*

Louros > RotaryLover 03/27/2014 at 20:19

0

Those look huuuuuge

Get thee some 17x8 RPF1

RotaryLover > HappyHealToe 03/27/2014 at 20:20

0

92263 km as of today :D

RotaryLover > Brian Silvestro 03/27/2014 at 20:21

0

It's ok man...i'll let you touch the wheel alright?

D > RotaryLover 03/27/2014 at 20:22

0

My dad's 2010 has the Smart Top hack, definitely go for it

RotaryLover > Louros 03/27/2014 at 20:23

0

The issue I have is potholes. The city is filled with rims bending, back breaking potholes. A lightweight rim would kill itself here.

RotaryLover > D 03/27/2014 at 20:25

0

I will later on. For now it's not that important.

Louros > RotaryLover 03/27/2014 at 20:25

1

Well, in that case you definitely want to avoid 18s. The smaller sidewall will kill you.

Brian Silvestro > RotaryLover 03/27/2014 at 20:26

0

*sniffle*

Really?

...can I move the shifter through the gears while not in motion?!

RotaryLover > Louros 03/27/2014 at 20:28

0

Staying with the stock 17s then. I probably should paint them black or charcoal.

RotaryLover > Brian Silvestro 03/27/2014 at 20:29

0

Only if you promise to be gentile. ;)

Brian Silvestro > RotaryLover 03/27/2014 at 20:32

1

*breaks clutch, fries convertible top motor*

Looks like it needs a little work!

*tosses you keys, leaves quickly*

jkm7680 > RotaryLover 03/27/2014 at 20:43

0

Haha, did you park it on a snowbank? I do the same thing to confuse the lady friend.

Get the Rx8 wheels!

RotaryLover > Brian Silvestro 03/27/2014 at 20:56

0

Why you little!

Brian Silvestro > RotaryLover 03/27/2014 at 20:56

1

hahahha perfect

TheD0k_2many toys 2little time > RotaryLover 03/27/2014 at 20:56

0

How the hell do you spend $80 on spark plugs?

RotaryLover > jkm7680 03/27/2014 at 20:59

0

A bit of a snowbank. I worked it so it fit my car only and no one else hahaha. I already got the RX8 rims...but I think i'll pass. Too heavy and the tires are too expensive.

RotaryLover > TheD0k_2many toys 2little time 03/27/2014 at 21:03

0

Laser Iridium spark plugs. At the Dealership, it would had been over 100$. If I was a patient guy, I would had gotten them for 40-60 on ebay.

TheD0k_2many toys 2little time > RotaryLover 03/27/2014 at 21:10

0

Or you could go with the O.E. spark plugs that are designed to work the best with you car and save tons of $. They were engineered to run on the copper ones so why use different ones. Spark plugs are spark plugs, they create a spark. That iridiium blah blah blah is snake oil. but if you really want them: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00…

!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

DarrenMR > RotaryLover 03/27/2014 at 21:16

0

I dont think Ive ever seen the NC engine bay before. It looks completely different than the NA engine bay. Seriously completely different.

RotaryLover > TheD0k_2many toys 2little time 03/27/2014 at 21:18

0

The laser iridium are the ones recommended by Mazda. It's the same as OEM quality and lasts quite long. They don't recommend anything else from what I've seen.

RotaryLover > DarrenMR 03/27/2014 at 21:25

0

Well you'll notice that the engine is placed as far as possible into the firewall compared to the NA/NB. The battery is now in front and all the plastic makes it look like theres no space to work. But once you remove the battery and the air box, you got as much space to work as in an NA/NB.

jkm7680 > RotaryLover 03/27/2014 at 21:32

1

Yeah, I see what you mean. I might have to pass on new wheels also.
Snow bank parking is extremely fun!

TheD0k_2many toys 2little time > RotaryLover 03/27/2014 at 21:36

1

They recommend NGK copper for my 03 Miata. From what i have seen, everyone says copper is the best because it conducts electricity the best compared to other metals used in spark plugs. The only thing the other ones have is longer life, but copper plugs are way cheaper so really there is no difference.

Squid > RotaryLover 03/27/2014 at 21:43

1

Not bad. You can't resist the tinkering even on an NC. . .

RotaryLover > TheD0k_2many toys 2little time 03/27/2014 at 21:46

0

True but by 2006, they changed them to laser iridium for longer intervals before you change them. Mostly because the engine is a duratec also. I could go and get copper ones, but I tend to follow what's recommended on the Miata forum.

RotaryLover > Squid 03/27/2014 at 21:48

0

I just love to play with my own cars. I always try to get the best out of them with stock parts.

RotaryLover > jkm7680 03/27/2014 at 21:55

0

It's even better on 3 wheels.

jkm7680 > RotaryLover 03/27/2014 at 22:02

0

Haha, to annoy her I parked her Xc on a snowbank outside of my house. Thanks to Volvo it came out much easier than I anticipated.

RotaryLover > jkm7680 03/27/2014 at 22:11

0

hahahaha

jkm7680 > RotaryLover 03/27/2014 at 22:13

1

Hahahaha, I get a gold "effort" star.

TheD0k_2many toys 2little time > RotaryLover 03/27/2014 at 22:49

1

Yea i would run copper b/c way less money and they are super easy to change on miata anyway. Just me though