Just a post saying hello. I am coming from the turning world of Subarus. Behind the wheel of both an STi and WRX (wagons, of course) I worked very hard over the past several years on the best modification of them all: myself. But, the STi is just rather expensive to track 4+ times a year and auto cross never really appealed to me. So I got the bright idea that a Miata was the way to go.

My first Miata was short lived; "they make them in turbo?! I'm getting one" and so I did. And now I'm on this forum learning about a whole new platform and I am reminded now of how much I actually knew about Subarus (well, still do) and how much in all respects about automotive everything I don't know squat about.

The best part about my 04' MSM? My wife loves to drive it. And that means it has to stay daily derivable which means lots of creativity in how to get track seats and 6-pt harness in and out of the car easily, etc. etc.

And of course I have started modifying it well after I:
-Changed the plugs, wires, fuel filter, oil, oil filter, tranny and diff fluid, tires, pads, rotors, calipers and brake lines, brake fluid, power steering fluid, and wipers.
-Rebuilt the shifter
-Added a Blackbird roll bar
-Still need to do those F'en eyeball vents!

Anyhow, plans are for some engine management, so I can run a catted down pipe, larger FMIC, and intake on the stock turbo. That will require some good dyno time which will be well worth the cost since the plan is open lapping days. I can't wait for 949 racing's new cross flow radiator.

Still tossing the coin on suspension. But overall I figure the car will not really have all the main pieces linked for at least another year. Crap, no matter what I do to the car i still need to learn to drive a RWD car

Anyhow, that is my hello. Back to reading reading reading reading....

First fill-up


Bottom shifter bushing; new and old:


Unmodded engine bay:


old plugs. Once replaced along with the wire three CELs went away.

 

Careful driving it hard in the rain.

Welcome to the site.

 

And I saved the hardtop from my other car. dose not look too bad.

 

Pacific NW Oregon...what rain?

yeah, I nearly learned that the hard way, so thank you. Found the rear end floating out on my on a turn I never would have expected that to occur. No more daily spirited driving unless it is dry until I learn better car control and then likely not even then.

 

Welcome

You just scared me - I went into the back yard to check my newly acquired MSM is still there. Mine is exactly the same, and I put my exact same looking white hardtop on it, from my previous miata.

lol

I too come from the world of subaru's, still wrench on and tune them as a side job/hobby. You'll fit right in

 

Another Subaru/ Miata guy... Surprise

I currently own 2 miatas (99 stock & 96 turbo) and 2 subarus (07 LGT & 14 BRZ). Formerly had a modded bugeye WRX & a 98 OBS

 

Thanks for joining, tazswing!

 

Looks like a great condition MSM! Nice buy

 

Are you really in Oregon? Did you buy this car off hwy 99 in Gladstone? I think I test drove it before buying my '01 from the same dealer for I think around $2500.

Couldn't justify spending that much for only 20k less miles, no cruise control, worse gas mileage, and a much bigger temptation for modding.

Welcome, and thank god you replaced that shifter bushing, I couldn't believe how bad it was.

 

I traded up from a lot there but my car has cruise or are you talking about the one you got did not and that is plus? I like the black interior much better and the little trim pieces on the MSM vs. LE which was saddle borwn. I also talked them down since the sifter needed to be rebuilt and the car at 4 CELs.

But you're correct, the money difference if you are going to turbo a Miata is nearly a wash, maybe even in favor of turboing an N/A vs. upgrading an MSM.

That is too funny. The top is actually silver but the lighting is strange in that photo.


Overall I have been impressed with what I have been reading. Not too much flaming so long as you don't ask too idiotic a question...but that's forums for ya.

Thanks for the warm welcome. Cool that there are so many Subaru folks around. Kinda' a sub-group, the Miata-Suby fan?

 

yes, we even have a dedicated "subaru" section on here

 

Man I have a lot to learn. I am reading about timing stuff now; how to adjust it, etc. etc. and I think i need to be reading with my face in the engine bay b/c I am finding it confusing. Trigger wheels, cam gears, angel sensors, etc., At some point the car will need a new timing belt, i also want to put on a coolant re-route so need to know this stuff.

Do y'all think there are more straight forward threads over at miata. net? It just seems that so many of the threads here people already seem to know their stuff to a large degree.

 

the only useful section on m.net is the "garage" section, which isn't even part of the forum.
yes, it covers that pretty decently.

It's WAYYYYYYYYYYYY easier than it seems, trust me. These cars are a piece of cake to work on.

 

Put your location in your profile. Maybe some locals can help you...

 

oh, found this. it's helping, at least with the mechanical stuff.

MX-5 Unleashed - Changing of the timing belt ( cambelt ), water pump, and shaft seals in Eunos or miata

oh yeah, profile. Yeah, i have reached out to a local but I will up-date that.

 

You can have Adrenaline Racing (Lake Oswego) or myself (Oregon City) do the timing belt/water pump job if you're interested, or you can just PM one of us (curly, mobius, greddygalant, storminnormin, oregonmon, etc) for tips and tricks of the job.

Feed us beer and most of us will come over for an hour or two and lend a hand. Depends on how DIY you are.

 

Don't know how I missed this.

If you want to see an MSM all torn apart come on over

Great group here, tons of resources. Looking forward to seeing you at the track.

Also: I have a hardtop that matches your car and my next car is not going to be this color

 

Thanks, folks. Based on the posts and responses I have read from the aforementioned members I can see there are some great folks around.

I found some better info on the timing belt stuff. I will still reach out and have someone look it over before I button it up when the time comes.

A MSM in pieces, nice...well, not for you.

BTW, has someone taken out the engineer who decided to put the oil filter where it lives? If not, sign me up please. It must have something to do with the engine originally being for a FWD platform and therefore a different orientation?


Racing seat brackets nearly done (photos when finished) and then I should be able to bolt in and out the OE seats for race seats (and back again) and still use the soft/hard top and still fit under the broom...with a helmet on. Trying to make that all work is like trying to get over 1g on a skid pad with all-season tires.

 

I have a Rev build MS2 on the way. What I am nervous about is wiring things correctly, like grounding, etc. etc. I understand all this in principle but the amount of abbreviations and raw wiring diagrams have me very lost.

I have not found a thread yet that has any photos of what the hell people are talking about. Yeah, flame-on, I need a picture-book! If anyone can think of specific threads that might help I would appropriate the lead. Of course I will keep searching.

I will be wiring in an LC-2 for the MS2 first and foremost.

Cheers.

 

Did you buy it from Rev directly or is it a second hand unit? Either way, if you PM him the SN on the case he can help you out. He's a seriously great vendor.

Welcome to the forum! Its amazing how a little maintenance can really change things with a car. Sounds like you need to start a build thread