Well, I've decided to start a build thread for Jade. I picked her up last month after what seemed like a lengthy search for a low mileage NB. Finally settled on a 2003 Emerald Mica SE with only 46K miles. I never thought I would own a green car or tan interior let alone both. My last two cars have been blue/black (which I was very much pleased with). I was hesitant on it at first but it’s since grown on me. Plus after looking at what seemed like hundreds of Miata’s online I knew I was never going to find another one in this good of condition. It was a one owner, garage queen and although not up to my high standards cleanliness wise, it’s in perfect condition.
Background: My first Miata was a 1990 base NA that I owned for a majority of my time in college. I did quite a bit of work to it and once I graduated and got a real job I decided it was time to part ways for something more grown up looking and professional. You may remember this car from if you were a site member a while back:
I then upgraded to a used 2006 MINI Cooper S. I always loved the MINI’s since they first came out in 2003 and once I saw the Italian Job I knew I was going to own one. It was a great car and I loved driving it. Unfortunately, like all newer BMW’s once things start to go bad, they go bad quick. Not to mention parts aren’t cheap and unlike the Miata, very difficult to DIY fix in a weekend. So after 4 years of motoring and with just under 90K miles on the clock, I reluctantly made the decision that I needed to move on.
Result: The choice was simple. I need a cheap, reliable car that was easy for me to work on and most importantly fun to drive and modifiable. I also wanted something that would last me a long, long time. Since I was so familiar with my first Miata, I knew exactly what I was looking for. And here she is. I named her after obviously the green stone, and the other badass chick from Mortal Kombat that wasn't Kitana. I’ve already started the modifications and I hope this progresses quickly. Many Pictures will follow but his is the only picture I have of it stock taken next to Braineak’s car on day two:
Alright! Alright! Alright! New Updates! Took a vacation day today and had the time to install a bunch of parts that had been sitting around and fix some odds and ends I never have time for on weekends.
First mounted my new vanity plates and installed new rear hardtop brackets and gaskets. Installed new HID's and ballasts in the stock projectors but I didnt have time for the fog lights. Then a quick wash. Still need to adjust ride height and alignment before MATG.
Next, took out the old Nardi and installed the new Nardi and Daikei hub. Finally, Finally got all three dash gauges wired and sensors working. Ran the wires across the top of engine bay and wrapped it all in a clean, heat resistant harness. Finished up by cleaning some of the winter off of the valve cover and manifold.
Picked up some new, old seats. They are far from good shape but I'm going to clean them up this weekend then redye them. I'm looking around for some prices on reupholstering them in a black leather but that's going to have to wait until after the turbo install.
Boy I hope so! Everything should be here by end of the month and i'm going to start throwing things in as soon as they arrive. My biggest worry is will it be tuned properly in time....
First I did the weekly wash but didn't wax. I'll do a full polish and waxing once the pollen is gone for the season. Ever since I installed my HID my headlights have been bugging the hell out of me. They are all yellow and hazy. I've tried what seems like every product until I found this Sylvania Headlight Restoration Kit which worked wonders. Started off with some wet sanding, followed by a rubbing compound and finished with clear coat UV protection. My headlights have never been clearer and every NB owner needs to spend the 35 minutes and do this.
With my shiny headlights done, I took out my chipped dirty fog lights, took them apart, cleaned and reinstalled. You wouldn't believe the crap that came out from inside of them. While I was down there I swapped the bulbs out for some JDMtastic yellow ones. Jury's still out on if they will stay.
I've been waiting to install my Revlimiter Gauges until my KG Works cluster arrives from Japan but Rev9 contacted me Friday and said KG Works is being unresponsive on when the next shipment will arrive. Bummer, so I decided to Install them anyway. Matches my custom AEM gauges perfectly with the white LED's behind. I think I was too conservative on trimming the plastic on the Inside so one area on the Tach is a little dim. Easy fix.
Finally, In went the seats. I love the new position. Sits much lower and holds me in tight. I'm looking straight out the window and the fancy new gauge faces are straight in my view through the Nardi wheel. Quite pleased.
Pretty things being installed on Tuesday! Too bad I wont ever see them again.....
Was under the car all day today and totally changed the coil height settings. Looks much better and new alignment on Tuesday as well!
I know how you feel about the waiting on a KG works panel, I had to wait 2-3 months before finding one thru Rod with Tetsuya Garage. Your gauges look great though! :icon_cheers: Every time I see your AEM gauges with the Revlimiter faces I wish I had done the same with all my auxiliary gauges instead of just the AEM wideband. :suicide: Seats look good too, how they feel? :dunno:
I know how you feel about the waiting on a KG works panel, I had to wait 2-3 months before finding one thru Rod with Tetsuya Garage. Your gauges look great though! :icon_cheers: Every time I see your AEM gauges with the Revlimiter faces I wish I had done the same with all my auxiliary gauges instead of just the AEM wideband. :bang: Seats look good too, how they feel? :dunno:
Nothing new to show per say, but clutch and flywheel are installed. This break-in period is killing me with the slow driving... Clutch feels pretty close to stock. I haven't seen any benefit to the lighter flywheel yet but I also haven't pushed past 4K RPM. Alignment should happen sometime this week.
Looking good. I'm using that same clutch in my car. It feels almost like stock. But after driving my room mate's miata with a 6 puck clutch, I think the next time I do my clutch (Hopefully it'll be a while) I'm going to go with something a little more aggressive.
The black and tan interior look works better with your car then it ever did with mine.
This **** took ALL weekend. I had to buy a Butane torch to get the old latches out of the hardtop. I'm not sure I would ever try it again. Good news is the annoying squeaks and rattles are gone. Bad news is it left a huge gap above the windshield and leaks like a mofo. No Bueno on a daily driver. Looks like I'll be spending the rest of the day undoing all my progress for the weekend. Maybe I can modify the stock latches to seat tighter? The left side is maxed out and still doesn't latch tight....
Do You ever obsess about your car day in and day out for months on end to the point where all you do is cruise forums, think about your next upgrade and work non stop through all of your free time to achieve what you in-vision as your perfect car? Then overnight you wake up wondering where all your money and free time went and if you should put your paychecks toward better investments and diversify your hobbies? And for a few long weeks you aren't interested in your car anymore and you stop buying parts and stop cleaning it every weekend. Then unexpectedly you go for a drive and every shift is butter smooth and all the revs sound absolutely perfect. When you get home there are parts in your garage waiting to be installed and instantaneously you're right back in the game...
Well the good news is I have all the parts needed to go as fast as I will ever want my Miata to go. Bad news is that I dont have the time do install everything before MATG
Fuel pump died last week. Lucky it was within towing distance of my house and not in two weeks when I'm on the dragon. Had the long weekend so replaced the pump, fuel filter and oil change. Only thing left is belt replacement and I'll be in good shape. Also bought myself a birthday present. Replacement for the crap autometer boost gauge.
And got the intercooler in ready for turbo install when I have time. Trying to minimize the amount of work I have to do in one weekend
RyokuRob 13' Tow Hook Group Buy for Garage Star came through right in time for MATG. I honestly wasnt expecting them to arrive let alone get them on before I left. Just a wash and wax away from being ready!
Pre-Dragon cleaning pictures. Leaving tomorrow early AM
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