Hey guys, been lurking long enough, time to introduce myself and the car. Lots of pics. You guys like pics right? Good. SUPER LONG WITH LOTS OF PICS. You've been warned!

Its an 2001 Emerald Mica Green NB base, 5MT. Bought it last November with 145k miles on it.

Took her home and gave it a full detail/clay/polish
50/50s


Cleaned Headlight Lenses and de-ambered/painted housings (free ricer mods)

After:




Drove it a few weeks before winter came along, and put it away for the winter.
...like this:

 

Welcome, MoarCurves!

 

Good intro thread, almost belongs in the build thread section.

Keith

 

You told me there was a picture of me straddling a tranny in your intro thread just so I would come look.... I hate you.

 

I said I didn't post it, but since you've brought attention to it. Here it is:

 

Update- VMaxx XXtreme Track Packs are installed and alignment is done to (as close as possible) 949 dual duty alignment. Couldn't dial out anymore rear camber, so the rear left is a hair more than the front left. Though, L/R sides match pretty well.

The install for the VMaxx's weren't all that bad, except for the driver LCA Shock bottom bolt... the bolt was frozen to the bushing, and no amount of heat, PB, torque/extension bars would make it turn.

Worked at it for over an hour and eventually a combination of all of the above, and removing the tophat from the strut tower (to allow rotation of the shock body), along with a BFH on the bolt threads, I was able to get it to break loose and painfully back it out.

Impressions:
I'm sitting 11 13/16" Hub to Fender Front, 12 5/16" Hub to Fender Rear (.5" rake)
Track pack spring rates are a lot better than I anticipated for street driving. I have the damping turned slightly softer than recommended by FlyinMiata, front is 6 clicks from full stiff, 10 in the rear, and it really takes on the street bumps VERY well. Its not jarring or crashing anything when I hit even good sized bumps. Its definitely comfortable for street driving.

After the alignment last Thursday, been enjoying a much more neutral handling car. Its flatter through the turns of course, but handling characteristics are much more predictable. Its a hair towards the oversteer side rather than understeer. I've broke it loose (purposely) on a few turns just to get a feel for limits and its no fuss/drama oversteer. When I get it to auto-x and the track (probably next year), I'll be able to fine tune it to my liking. Right now I'm happy with the setup for street driving.

Photos attached, starting with a before/after, and some other shots afterwards.