I Need Some Ideas

[dragonprey]

I wanna start upgrading my 1990 miata and i have no freakin idea where to start. other than a cold air intake. i need some suggestions. keep in mind i dont have bill gates bank account. but i do need a future list for when i do so any suggestions would be great!

[RX-7drifter]

go look at racing beat
they havwe alot for mazdas

[Laurel]

put a 20b in it!

[SpeedRacer]

..... Dragon whatver you do dont listen to laurel...ever..

[RX-7drifter]

laurel
something that wont kill him

[GR-8]

13b

No way. A 20B 8 would be hotter. A 20B miatta would be like....like....well whatevers better than hotter.....INSANE?

[RX-7drifter]

hear you go man


http://www.racingbeat.com/FRmiata.htm

[Buffalo]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (SpeedRacer @ Feb 4 2008, 11:29 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> (index.php?act=findpost&pid=22952)</div>so get a hardtop[/b]

I actually was in the springs for work a couple of days ago and on the way back i saw the new MX5 with a hardtop. For as ugly as the Miata hardtop looks in the pics i have seen, they actually look nice in person. Sorry just had to say that.

back to topic, how about a midpipe. Should help.

[MazdaTom]

I listed some of this in your other thread, but here you go again:

http://www.miata.net/
http://www.flyinmiata.com/
http://www.jacksonracing.com/home.htm
http:/www.miatamania.com (http://www.miatamania.com/)

Ignore the rotorheads in this forum. Anyone knows that if you're going to do a motor swap in a Miata, it's a 5.0L V8- not to some goofy magical spinning triangle motor thing.

But Miatas are built to handle, so usually adding a 5.0L V8 screws up the front/rear weight balance and you go from off-throttle understeer to massive on-throttle oversteer.

My Miata knowledge bank is a bit weak, but I believe older Miatas can benefit greatly by adding chassis stiffening. But with yours having such low miles, it might not need it as bad as high mileage.

A good set of SUMMER tires with some nice looking and lightweight 14" or 15" wheels goes a long way to adding to your appreciation of your Miata.

If you're tall, there are tips about removing some of the seat foam to lower your seating position.

Lightweight flywheel and a good clutch- great upgrades.

I would love to get a Miata. My dad has one as his weekend/nice weather car. Mine would be an occassional daily driver but mostly a track lapping whore. Gotta get the kids out of daycare first to get rid of that huge expense.

[Buffalo]

(Mazda tom)^^

Ignore the rotorheads in this forum. Anyone knows that if you're going to do a motor swap in a Miata, it's a 5.0L V8- not to some goofy magical spinning triangle motor thing.

>>you wish you had one. you know it.


A good set of SUMMER tires with some nice looking and lightweight 14" or 15" wheels goes a long way to adding to your appreciation of your Miata.

>>Couldn't agree more. The first place to get real performance out of any car you should start with where the power meets the road. I can't wait until i pay off my credit cars. I am sure i will start saving soon for some SUMMER tires and wheels. (tax return)

[RX-7 Chris]

Don't forget Brakes. They are more important then power.

[Buffalo]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (RX-7 Chris @ Feb 5 2008, 09:33 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> (index.php?act=findpost&pid=23058)</div>Don't forget Brakes. They are more important then power.[/b]

A good set of pads and rotors and you shold be good. I would think $450.00 should cover it, dont you?

[RX-7 Chris]

A set of Power Slots, Hawk pads, and stainless lines all the way around and you should be good with brakes for all your power mods.

[RX-7 Chris]

Before we go any further we need to know what you want out of your car. Power? Cornering?
What will you be using the car for? Street only? Autocross? Drag racing? etc.
What are you looking to spend?
Are you looking to do the work yourself?
Anything else?

[MazdaTom]

Using good tires usually takes care of the braking aspect of most cars- afterall, brakes don't stop the car, the tires do. Unless you are doing repeated high speed braking (road courses), then the stock brakes with a good pad will usually be enough. Stainless lines are nice, but do little for actual performance- they are more of a feel thing.

[RX-7 Chris]

True, I just was not sure what he want out of the car.

[Chris Swearingen]

There are a lot of ways to upgrade your miata. The best place to start is with all the basic maintenance items. When was the timing belt done? Does it have good plugs and wires? Fluids changed? Is the crank pulley bolt/keyway in good shape? ( do a search on short nose crank in the forums listed ) Any maintenance items you know are bad, ie anything broken?

After that is all done. You then have to answer some of the other questions above. What do you want the car to do? Do you want to compete in a sanctioned event? (*Shameless plug for the scca autocross on Feb 10th registration closes Thursday at 10 am www.rmsolo.org (http://www.rmsolo.org) ) If so read the rules before doing any other mods.

My miata has had a little work done to it, so I would be glad to share anything I have learned, but an idea of where you want to go would help.

Last years info (http://www.systemstrategies.com/miata)
This years info (http://www.systemstrategies.com/miata/Uber)

[SpeedRacer]

Awesome information guys thanks for helpn him out :)

[SpeedRacer]

Laurel stop it :) he's not gonna put a rotary in his car lol.

[RX-7 Chris]

calm down. He can do a lot with what he has.

[Chris Swearingen]

Did we scare dragon off?

[SpeedRacer]

lol PM him :P

[dragonprey]

Power? Yeah Cornering? meh
Street only? yeah Autocross?nope Drag racing?maybe
What are you looking to spend? not a lot
Are you looking to do the work yourself? if i can

I hate to burst everyones bubbles (and thanks for the awesome suggestions i really appreciate it) but i might be getting another car. sorry guys

[Spinalhaven]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (dragonprey @ Feb 7 2008, 01:22 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> (index.php?act=findpost&pid=23688)</div>I hate to burst everyones bubbles (and thanks for the awesome suggestions i really appreciate it) but i might be getting another car. sorry guys[/b]

ZOMG I'm not the only one who hates my Miata

[RX-7drifter]

get another mazda

[Chris Swearingen]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (dragonprey @ Feb 7 2008, 01:22 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> (index.php?act=findpost&pid=23688)</div>Power? Yeah Cornering? meh
Street only? yeah Autocross?nope Drag racing?maybe
What are you looking to spend? not a lot
Are you looking to do the work yourself? if i can

I hate to burst everyones bubbles (and thanks for the awesome suggestions i really appreciate it) but i might be getting another car. sorry guys[/b]

Miatas aren't for everyone, and they really don't align with your goals very well. We would still be glad to help you where we can, even with another car.

[Buffalo]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Chris @ Feb 7 2008, 05:51 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> (index.php?act=findpost&pid=23708)</div>Miatas aren't for everyone, and they really don't align with your goals very well. We would still be glad to help you where we can, even with another car.[/b]
Agree, What ever you decide to get i am sure we can help get you started in the tuning world.

[RX-7 Chris]

No matter what you end up with we will help you all we can. Just DO NOT buy a new car and put NOS on is and blow the motor. NOS looks cheap for the amount of power but it is expensive to do right.

[dragonprey]

well guys thanks for the support. at least i got a place to come with my questions. i would get another mazda but there isnt really anything that interests me. and i would never put NOS on any vehicle i ever own. i dont need that power. but im lookin for another car. im thinkin a v-dub.

[RX-7 Chris]

Great cars, just stay away from the 1.8T motors. They had a lot of problems.

[Buffalo]

Agree. I know of several people that own the 1.8T and they all have had some stupid problems. There is one vacume hose that pops loose and causes all sorts of porblems (wipers, and gauges, and shit).

[ZoomPrincess]

Yeah, I had a 1.8T Bug, worst car I ever had... it was in the shop 90% of the time I had it... if you have any questions with V-dub's or want to see whats out there, contact FreezingCX7, he knows ALOT about them (currently has an 06 GLI Jetta) ,and also works at a dealership so he can look around and see what his company has.