I've been working on this project for about 5 months now and finally decided to post a thread since there isn't much work I can do in the snow.
Let's start with the backstory...
Purchased a 92 MX-5 in July with the purpose of a totally custom Miata. From body, to engine, to interior. The goal is a track day car that isn't just a race car. Something you could drive comfortably to work and back, or to the track, and be able to compete with the big boys. But I'll just let the build do the explaining.
Caution dial-up users: Many pictures on the way.
So here she is the day I bought her:
First thing to do was get rid of these:
And replacing them with these: 15" 6uls wrapped in Hankook RS3's... what else.
I'd say they should lay down some grip a little better:
And on they went:
So while waiting for the suspension and some other goodies in the mail, I got to work on the hood scoop...
And the bumper: took it off and chopped the bottom part off for some customization.
I then created a template for the bottom section of the bumper:
Glassed it and connected it to the upper part: also did so filling of the scoop.
(note that the black on the bumper is just some plasti-dip in testing of grill shapes)
I'll leave it at that for now. More to come. Stay tuned.
And in with the new: Dont mind all the rust. Remember that I am in MN :fp:
Next spring the car will be getting new control arm bushings and I'm going to recondition the control arms while they are off. Also new brakes obviously.
Then these showed up while I was working on the car:
Corbeau A4's with some corbeau 4 point harnesses. Why not 5 points you ask? Well remember that this is meant to be a ROAD and track car. One clasp is much less hastle when you are stopping at the gas station, food, etc. Yet they still provide incredible hold.
My boss frog double hoop came in on the same day, but I was so excited about the seats that I forgot to take any unboxing pics. But here it is while I was test fitting it:
Seats are out and the bar fits just fine. So the new seats went in. And the roll bar was bolted in completely.
They look awesome imo.... But you may notice something is amiss with the passenger seat.
For some reason or another. The Corbeau sliding seat bracket they sent me just didn't fit right. And no, they arent on the wrong seats, backward, upside down, etc. They are on right, but the passenger seat just sits way to far towards the door. In fact, the bolstering is bumping against the door. So I need to somehow fix the bracket, or inform corbeau their bracket doesn't fit very well and hope they are sympathetic.
Anyways, all that was in and was still good looking and functional. So I carried on with body work. The hood is coming together and the bumper has it's basic shape. (Don't worry if you don't like it, it gets better down the road) lol
dead build thread is dead. :? I'm bored. MOAR PICS!
Added some fangy type parts to make it more of a 3 part grill:
It was pretty weak at the front before, but they helped. And then I added some lip to it to make it more finished looking:
Started smoothing out the bumper a bit, and got the hood pretty much completely smooth. Threw some primer on it to help pick out any imperfections:
The rag top had someserious flaws. Vynal was torn and frayed in places. The crappy plastic window had a couple holes and was pretty much held on by duct tape. So it had to go. I replaced it with a one-piece zipperless, defroster glass window, canvas top. Sooooo much better.
The current stance. Was lower. But it still needs to have the fenders rolled. So much rubbing.
If the car does see track use I'd highly recommend 5 if not 6 pts and fixed back seats not only due to increased safety but also because the 4 pts may not even pass tech inspection with various clubs. Just a heads up. Looks like you are working quickly though cool stuff in here.
I have the corbeau a4 aswell, with same bracket and my passenger seat is also like that, biggest PITA ever I do not know how to fix so lmk if you find a solution.
I think my main option is to cut off the angled piece with the hole for the bolts, and re-weld them over an inch or two. Otherwise it's gonna be a totally new custom bracket. Yeah it kind of grinds my gears, because it causes a dent in the seats from being pressed against the door pannel. :fp:
Thanks. Yeah we will see. Since they are new. If i decide to go with anything different eventually I can and it's no big deal. I've never heard of anyone have troubles at tech, with 4 points.
So I've yet to even make a real "mod list" so since I have nothing to do now but wait for my parts. So I'll make a basic one of the big things.
Chassis: (already have)
15x8 6uls
Hankook RS3's
VMaxx adjustable coilovers
Flyin' Miata front and rear sway bars
Boss frog double hoop roll bar
Chassis: (to come)
Flyin' Miata bushing kit
Refurbish control arms
949 Racing end links
Flyin' Miata brake upgrade kit
Engine/Drivetrain:
(All parts are to come)
Ported and polished
Supertech stainless valves
Superteck valve springs and retainers
Raceland 4-2-1 exhaust header
Custom side exit exhaust
Ralco RZ Performance Short Throw Shifter
BEGi 1.6 Cold Side Supercharger System
Exeddy clutch kit
Honed and polished short block
New rings and bearings
Interior: (already have)
Corbeau A4 seats
Corbeau 4 point harnesses
Full costom dash, console, and door panel upholstery (in progress)
Custom gauge cluster
Custom shift knob
Custom E-brake handle
Momo Millenium steering wheel
Stereo (not sure what kind yet)
Exterior:
Oracle flush mount headlights
Canvas replacement soft top with defrost glass window.
Not much else to say. I am custom fabricating the entire body.
I'm sure there is a lot of stuff I am forgetting, but I'll update it when I think of other things.
Yeah I might keep the vent and duct it around into the brakes. It just looked kinda goofy when I drew it last time. But I think I'll try it again just to see if it changed at all. And yup the wheels kinda bring it to reality. If I put some color on it, it will look even more real. (if I can do it right ) I'll see if I can add the top to it also. I'm also thinking of fabricating a fiberglass tonneau cover that flows with the roll bar. something like this:
Yeah it's an s2k but its similar to what I'm thinking about.
In other news, I've been talking to Sam at Renown Performance and I'm pretty sure that's where I'll be bringing it in for a head overhaul. I'm now reasonably excited. And I'll be ordering the supercharger this week for my christmas gift
I'm getting ready to order up some goodies. But I wanted to see if anyone had anything good or bad to say about the raceland 4-2-1 header before I purchased it. Before anyone hastles me about searching Google yadayada, a. I'm at work and don't feel like roaming the interwebs, and b. When I search it I've yet to find an actual review of it.
The vent looks better to me, but ultimately it is your build. The Raceland header will rust in a year or two, from what I have read. I would say save a little extra and buy a Jackson Racing or RacingBeat header. They are expensive but will last. If you buy cheap parts and keep replacing them, it adds up. Do it right the first time if you can.
I do like the vent. I didn't want to go overboard, but than again thats part of my design. I wonder if I were to hi heat powder coat it or heat wrap it, it would hold the rust back? :/
so are you going to go with 5 points at least yet? i left the stock belts in my car so i use those to drive around and the 6 points are on clip-ons so i just clip them on when i get to the track.. much better idea for a dual purpose car.
Yes, I'll probably end up doing something like that. Problem is getting rid of the 4 points I JUST paid good money for, and the seats don't have a crotch hole. lol. But yeah it will happen eventually I'm sure. Just not until the the engine at least goes back in.
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Related Threads
?
?
?
?
?
ClubRoadster.net
2.1M posts
35.9K members
Since 2006
A forum community dedicated to Mazda Miata MX5 owners and enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about Mazdaspeed performance, modifications, troubleshooting, racing, maintenance, and more!