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NA..build for function

5K views 38 replies 21 participants last post by  vsmhatched 
#1 ·
hey guys, I figured i would start a a build thread since im rather new to Miata's, just so i can get some input and thoughts from others to see what you think. Im not new to doing builds on cars, but this will be my first build that im actually set on for a function purpose instead of form. Ive done the whole stance thing this and that, "Bagged 20th GTi, slammed e46" but after attending quite a few track events this past year..ive set my mind on more of a function pursuit. This may be a long and drawn out build, but hopefully something great comes from it in the end. I respect others thoughts and opinions and am open to suggestions. Thanks

So history on the car, I bought the car in September 2011, and got right to work.

1991 miata base model, 91k miles on it, and a midwest car...so lower rockers were starting to rot out.

Here's one of the first few days of owning it.

IMG_6933 by eh6sol2nv, on Flickr

one of the first things on my to-do list is to get new rockers put in, and get the body to the shop for paint. Since i'm a professional painter, its gonna get a full re-spray to BMW alpine white using PPG global basecoat and PPG 893 clear.

Teardown and started to do work on it. In the meantime..I purchased a harddog m1 rollbar and a oem hardtop.

Painted a custom red candy i personally came up with.

IMG_6628 by eh6sol2nv, on Flickr


IMG_6992 by eh6sol2nv, on Flickr


IMG_6939 by eh6sol2nv, on Flickr


IMG_6993 by eh6sol2nv, on Flickr


IMG_6978 by eh6sol2nv, on Flickr


Gutting it out and test fitting the harddog roll bar.

IMG_6980 by eh6sol2nv, on Flickr

back in the garage for the new rockers and to roll the rear quarters.

IMG_6987 by eh6sol2nv, on Flickr


IMG_6989 by eh6sol2nv, on Flickr

OK, fast forward about a month or so...cause i didnt really take many pics of the car while most of the work was being done. But here is the car at the bodyshop with some primer on it. The whole interior of the floor was covered in a rubberized undercoating.

IMG_7061 by eh6sol2nv, on Flickr


IMG_7064 by eh6sol2nv, on Flickr


IMG_7065 by eh6sol2nv, on Flickr
 
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#2 ·
Starting painting.. Alpine white from BMW

IMG_7066 by eh6sol2nv, on Flickr


IMG_7067 by eh6sol2nv, on Flickr


IMG_7068 by eh6sol2nv, on Flickr


IMG_7070 by eh6sol2nv, on Flickr


NOW, time for the bay, no shave, no mis-matched colors theme that was "cool" for a while.

IMG_7077 by eh6sol2nv, on Flickr


IMG_7078 by eh6sol2nv, on Flickr


IMG_7075 by eh6sol2nv, on Flickr


IMG_7069 by eh6sol2nv, on Flickr


IMG_7073 by eh6sol2nv, on Flickr

Now that the painting was all done. It was time to trailer the car back home and start to put stuff back together as i go. I got it home and it sat in the garage for about a week and i found a deal on a 95 miata roller for cheap on craigslist. It had rota circuit 8's, a few other goods, and used to be turbo. My main thought was for the 1.8 swap, since it didnt have the rear end, but the price was right...so I went and picked it up.


IMG_7092 by eh6sol2nv, on Flickr


I ended up keeping both front and rear subframes, complete brake setup, and pulled the 1.8 motor with trans. I used my 91 brakes and subframes, and the daisy rims so i could sell the shell as a roller. It went to a guy looking to do scca with it.


IMG_7058 by eh6sol2nv, on Flickr

Motor on the stand, checking over for inspection and to see if i wanna even do a 1.8 swap. Looked to be in good shape, but eventually sold the motor and stuck with the 1.6.

IMG_7056 by eh6sol2nv, on Flickr

At this time, i have parts on order and parts coming in.

butterfly brace

IMG_7060 by eh6sol2nv, on Flickr

Painted it the same color red as the harddog, same with the vc even tho..no one really see's it, its the small details that make a difference, lol

IMG_7103 by eh6sol2nv, on Flickr


IMG_7157 by eh6sol2nv, on Flickr
 
#6 ·
More parts in and have started to install

IMG_7138 by eh6sol2nv, on Flickr


IMG_7139 by eh6sol2nv, on Flickr


IMG_7265 by eh6sol2nv, on Flickr


IMG_7547 by eh6sol2nv, on Flickr


IMG_7513 by eh6sol2nv, on Flickr


IMG_7510 by eh6sol2nv, on Flickr

wheels bearings, ball joints, steering end joints, rear blanks, hub assembles, gaskets

IMG_7559 by
eh6sol2nv, on Flickr


Started to put things back together


IMG_7081 by eh6sol2nv, on Flickr


IMG_7093 by eh6sol2nv, on Flickr


IMG_7084 by eh6sol2nv, on Flickr


IMG_7082 by eh6sol2nv, on Flickr


IMG_7090 by eh6sol2nv, on Flickr


IMG_7101 by eh6sol2nv, on Flickr


IMG_7148 by eh6sol2nv, on Flickr
 
#8 ·
This is the cars current state, just sitting and waiting for some more stuff to go on.

IMG_7128 by eh6sol2nv, on Flickr


IMG_7538 by eh6sol2nv, on Flickr

I have a jdmspeedworx banner from back when...lol, if you havent seen it or now what im talking about, then you need to check it out. So i came up with something that i thought might get a few laughs, its not the finished product yet, but gives you an idea.

IMG_7250 by eh6sol2nv, on Flickr


and heres how the motor stands, new timing belt and waterpump in.

IMG_7537 by eh6sol2nv, on Flickr


clutch and flywheel on

IMG_7553 by eh6sol2nv, on Flickr


and thats about 4 months worth of work ive done so far. More updates in the future, i'd like to get peoples thoughts and whatnot on what they think. I build cars for myself and not to impress anyone, but i do enjoy people opinions. IM just tired of the hardparking scene and thought building something with somewhat of a purpose would be fun. thanks
 
#10 ·
well currently, i have rota circuit 8's with ehhh falken 912's. I got those with the 95 miata parts car i bought. I only really plan on using those for wheels to get around on if i HAVE to..lol. I have some 15x7, +41 kosei k1 sitting in the garage right now with no tires, so I was gonna use those and actually was looking into the 949 wheels. As far as suspension goes, I thought KW v1's at first, but then saw this company, "SPAX" never heard of them, but they seem decent for the price. Thoughts???
 
#11 ·
Bronze 6ULS.. you know you want to do it. If you want a proper suspension go with Ground Control sleeves + Koni Yellow Sport shocks. Spring rates are up to you but typically something like 450/330lb is a good street/track compromise. If you're ok with spending $1500+, Fatcat Motorsports or Xida CS (949racing) is your ticket.
 
#16 ·
haha, thanks. stick with kw's or whats everyones thoughts for a coilover setup for track use? Could go with the usual koni yellow and gc setup? Like i said, im fairly new to miatas and whats good, i've messed with german cars for years for fashion..not function
 
#25 ·
ive thought about FCM coilovers, but thats at the top of my budget..so we"ll see how it goes. AS far as the "rota " comment. I dont plan on using them, they came on the parts car i bought and decided to keep them cause they have decent tires on them, so if i have to use them, theyre here to use...cause I dont have the stock daisy wheels anymore. Thanks for input and hopefully some updates soon
 
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