DD project beater
#1
![Default](https://www.miataturbo.net/images/icons/icon1.gif)
when i first picked up this 1997 it came with a hardtop, rollbar, and 258k miles. The first change was to sadly to sell the hardtop and put on the soft top from my basement. It was a beat softtop that i took off of my old one before i crashed it. I had a bunch of fun stuff on that one but that was given away to the tow company, not by my choice unfortunately. So starting fresh on my new $600 miata i got some decent door speakers and amp. The headrest speakers were already aftermarket along with the radio. Creature comforts out of the way i got a set of twisted spoke miata rims with mixed tires that i plan to change come spring.
![](https://www.miataturbo.net/attachments/build-threads-57/100872-dd-project-beater-20131013_144413_zpssfu5z61m.jpg?dateline=1390661466)
Picture is right before i got rid of the hardtop. I put poly bushings in most of the control arms, i still have to do the rear lowers because the makeshift tool i was using broke. My future plans are upgrading my brakes to the vw corrados and sport rears with some carbotech pads in a week or so,
then onto suspension. I haven't settled on what suspension to get, the consensus is xidas or nothing but xida cs are $2300 which is difficult to rationalize for a $600 car. I have a MS2 waiting to go in along with new injectors and aem uego but no turbo so they keep waiting until i get some motivation or win the lottery.
![](https://www.miataturbo.net/attachments/build-threads-57/100872-dd-project-beater-20131013_144413_zpssfu5z61m.jpg?dateline=1390661466)
Picture is right before i got rid of the hardtop. I put poly bushings in most of the control arms, i still have to do the rear lowers because the makeshift tool i was using broke. My future plans are upgrading my brakes to the vw corrados and sport rears with some carbotech pads in a week or so,
then onto suspension. I haven't settled on what suspension to get, the consensus is xidas or nothing but xida cs are $2300 which is difficult to rationalize for a $600 car. I have a MS2 waiting to go in along with new injectors and aem uego but no turbo so they keep waiting until i get some motivation or win the lottery.
#2
![Default](https://www.miataturbo.net/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Looks like a pretty straight car for six bills (close to free w/ hardtop sale?)
Wish my $1k '90 was that clean, at least no rust!
I don't know what xida's are but they sound a bit expensive depending on your goal? I'm a Koni sport and GC guy myself, but my goal was balanced track/autox use...
Wish my $1k '90 was that clean, at least no rust!
I don't know what xida's are but they sound a bit expensive depending on your goal? I'm a Koni sport and GC guy myself, but my goal was balanced track/autox use...
#3
![Default](https://www.miataturbo.net/images/icons/icon1.gif)
well the car was $600 after i sold the hardtop but still....that rollbar is like 550-600 shipped new ![Drool](https://www.miataturbo.net/images/smilies/drooling.gif)
first my cat Deb
![](https://www.miataturbo.net/attachments/build-threads-57/125766-dd-project-beater-20140530_232529_zps2izc4mtt.jpg?dateline=1413464075)
I changed out my steering wheel to a smaller 320mm
![](https://www.miataturbo.net/attachments/build-threads-57/125767-dd-project-beater-20140519_150858_zpsmoooddzz.jpg?dateline=1413464075)
got new tires 205/45/16 sport comp2 and a new tinted soft top. The top has a tinted plastic window and is cloth. the pic is of the car i stole it off before reselling. The white car also came with a hardtop.
![](https://www.miataturbo.net/attachments/build-threads-57/125768-dd-project-beater-20140519_150937_zps75ukonca.jpg?dateline=1413464075)
![](https://www.miataturbo.net/attachments/build-threads-57/125769-dd-project-beater-20140519_150848_zpsrmrvwhct.jpg?dateline=1413464075)
my turbo
![](https://www.miataturbo.net/attachments/build-threads-57/125770-dd-project-beater-20140821_175458_zpsxtw4ivyv.jpg?dateline=1413464075)
trying to get the thing in...some sawzall required
![](https://www.miataturbo.net/attachments/build-threads-57/125771-dd-project-beater-20141005_122411_zpshwln6mxf.jpg?dateline=1413464075)
and my other cat Dexter
![](https://www.miataturbo.net/attachments/build-threads-57/125772-dd-project-beater-20140520_105032_zps0jct6od2.jpg?dateline=1413464075)
most nerve racking part
![](https://www.miataturbo.net/attachments/build-threads-57/125773-dd-project-beater-20141005_171339_zpst972rggk.jpg?dateline=1413464075)
got the bov positioned. had this piece welded by je import, stupid expensive for an hours work but it fits
![](https://www.miataturbo.net/attachments/build-threads-57/125774-dd-project-beater-20141004_161848_zpsgwbau6y8.jpg?dateline=1413464075)
intercooler pipe, i saw the diy thread about your own pipe but decided to try anyway. 2.5" pipe if i did again i would do 2" here is the pass side with iat
![](https://www.miataturbo.net/attachments/build-threads-57/125775-dd-project-beater-20141004_161908_zpslk0tulwo.jpg?dateline=1413464075)
here is semi final pic of engine
![](https://www.miataturbo.net/attachments/build-threads-57/125776-dd-project-beater-20141004_182041_zpsrrbq54l8.jpg?dateline=1413464075)
all said it was easier than i thought. i didnt do the tuning tho i took it to york automotive. I ordered the new 949 coilovers supposed to be DDable. my clutch is starting to slip but i have a 949 twin disc organic in the corner, also an exhintake cam and new injectors and brakes...next weekend
![Drool](https://www.miataturbo.net/images/smilies/drooling.gif)
first my cat Deb
![](https://www.miataturbo.net/attachments/build-threads-57/125766-dd-project-beater-20140530_232529_zps2izc4mtt.jpg?dateline=1413464075)
I changed out my steering wheel to a smaller 320mm
![](https://www.miataturbo.net/attachments/build-threads-57/125767-dd-project-beater-20140519_150858_zpsmoooddzz.jpg?dateline=1413464075)
got new tires 205/45/16 sport comp2 and a new tinted soft top. The top has a tinted plastic window and is cloth. the pic is of the car i stole it off before reselling. The white car also came with a hardtop.
![](https://www.miataturbo.net/attachments/build-threads-57/125768-dd-project-beater-20140519_150937_zps75ukonca.jpg?dateline=1413464075)
![](https://www.miataturbo.net/attachments/build-threads-57/125769-dd-project-beater-20140519_150848_zpsrmrvwhct.jpg?dateline=1413464075)
my turbo
![](https://www.miataturbo.net/attachments/build-threads-57/125770-dd-project-beater-20140821_175458_zpsxtw4ivyv.jpg?dateline=1413464075)
trying to get the thing in...some sawzall required
![](https://www.miataturbo.net/attachments/build-threads-57/125771-dd-project-beater-20141005_122411_zpshwln6mxf.jpg?dateline=1413464075)
and my other cat Dexter
![](https://www.miataturbo.net/attachments/build-threads-57/125772-dd-project-beater-20140520_105032_zps0jct6od2.jpg?dateline=1413464075)
most nerve racking part
![](https://www.miataturbo.net/attachments/build-threads-57/125773-dd-project-beater-20141005_171339_zpst972rggk.jpg?dateline=1413464075)
got the bov positioned. had this piece welded by je import, stupid expensive for an hours work but it fits
![](https://www.miataturbo.net/attachments/build-threads-57/125774-dd-project-beater-20141004_161848_zpsgwbau6y8.jpg?dateline=1413464075)
intercooler pipe, i saw the diy thread about your own pipe but decided to try anyway. 2.5" pipe if i did again i would do 2" here is the pass side with iat
![](https://www.miataturbo.net/attachments/build-threads-57/125775-dd-project-beater-20141004_161908_zpslk0tulwo.jpg?dateline=1413464075)
here is semi final pic of engine
![](https://www.miataturbo.net/attachments/build-threads-57/125776-dd-project-beater-20141004_182041_zpsrrbq54l8.jpg?dateline=1413464075)
all said it was easier than i thought. i didnt do the tuning tho i took it to york automotive. I ordered the new 949 coilovers supposed to be DDable. my clutch is starting to slip but i have a 949 twin disc organic in the corner, also an exhintake cam and new injectors and brakes...next weekend
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