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Bought a Miata


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A LGT is a Bentley compare to a Miata in the NVH department :lol:

 

$5000 seems pretty high for a 1.6 car to me. Also the location of the license plate is concerning to me as NA's struggled with proper air flow to the radiator with the plate in the stock location. With it effectively blocking half the radiator I'd suspect this one has probably overheated, especially if it gets driven in hot weather with the AC on.

 

$500 to $1000 more would get a nice NB Miata.

2003 Baja 5MT

2016 Outback 2.5i Premium w/Eyesight

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This little guy isn't far from me and has a couple modifications for room:

http://morgantown.craigslist.org/cto/5882878046.html

 

That's got some quality mods, which indicates it may have been better maintained than most. Given there's no chassis mileage stated, I'm going to guess it's close to or over 200k.

 

I'd also want to know what's going on with the trunklid and rear bumper cover... was it hit? Also no interior or engine pics...

 

Lots of questions I would want to ask, and I start with an offer well under his ask. NA prices are rising, but that particular NA is not going to bring strong money. As we've noted previously in the thread, NB's are where it's at right now for value. For $5k, you should be able to find a pretty nice NB...

Edited by rodan
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So, I started a build thread over on GRM covering both our NC and NA, and it just got featured! :D

 

https://grassrootsmotorsports.com/forum/grm/readers-ride-of-the-week-his/124375/page1/

 

Just read the whole thing even though I knew most of it from this thread :lol:

2003 Baja 5MT

2016 Outback 2.5i Premium w/Eyesight

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  • 3 weeks later...

So, back at it... been doing a little work on the wiring harness here and there, but not really much time during the holidays. Today it was nice out, so after changing the oil in the dually (diesel oil changes are just nasty... yuk!), I tackled a little fab project.

 

Since I trimmed off most of the bracketry from the stock dash support bar, I needed a support. Fortunately there's a stock attachment point in a good location on the center hump. I started by making the piece that would bolt to that point out of a bit of round tube, and a circle cut out of 10ga with the plasma.

 

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y185/RodanAZ/Miata/VVT%20swap/DSC_0079_zpsh8izaxob.jpg

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y185/RodanAZ/Miata/VVT%20swap/DSC_0080_zps6fo645fe.jpg

 

I welded in the disc, then chucked it up in the lathe and drilled a hole for the bolt. Sorry, forgot to take pics of that step. Next was the support itself, also built from 1" tube. I used my tube notcher to cope it.

 

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y185/RodanAZ/Miata/VVT%20swap/DSC_0094_zpswv96ec3m.jpg

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y185/RodanAZ/Miata/VVT%20swap/DSC_0095_zpstmaionif.jpg

 

Once the fit was right, I tacked it up, and pulled the support to weld it. Squirt on a little primer and voila... dash is supported!

 

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y185/RodanAZ/Miata/VVT%20swap/DSC_0096_zps5owfwdru.jpg

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y185/RodanAZ/Miata/VVT%20swap/DSC_0099_zpsxwnrxfsf.jpg

 

Probably working on more wiring tomorrow... supposed to be raining again. Have some fun parts on the way. More when they arrive... ;)

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Got the dash harness finished up today. Pruned out the HVAC wiring, and some other stuff that will be unused.

 

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y185/RodanAZ/Miata/VVT%20swap/DSC_0101_zpsaiewwpva.jpg

 

Well, sort of finished... the power window and hazard/headlight retract switch runs will get shortened when I figure out the positioning. Also, the wires going to the connector on the right are mostly going to the MS3 (H2O temp and tach signal for instruments), so those will likely get shortened as well.

 

There's also probably a few wires that will come out of the connectors under the steering column, but I need to get it in place to trace everything.

 

At least it's progress... :p

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Since I haven't done anything about the top leaking yet I moved the Miata to the back yard covered it yesterday. Glad I did as we've gotten a lot of rain today and more to come this week.

 

http://i1375.photobucket.com/albums/ag459/christobal65/Miata%20Stuff/IMG_20170107_090707_zpsnek6nmkx.jpg

2003 Baja 5MT

2016 Outback 2.5i Premium w/Eyesight

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That makes me sad... :(

 

Almost as sad as mine being undriveable for a year... :p

 

Just make sure to air it out on any sunny days you get if it's going to be covered a while. I've seen all kinds of nasty things happen under tarps in wet conditions!

 

Meanwhile, got the seats mounted. Will be finalizing the position when I get the wiring done and clutch pedal back in... I'm trying to find a position that will work for SWMBO, and not be excruciating for me so I won't have to move it. For now, at least they're off the floor and out of the way...

 

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y185/RodanAZ/Miata/DSC_0106_zpsgittzwdh.jpg

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  • 3 weeks later...

Lots of crap keeping me from working on the Miata lately, but I did start mocking up the intake this afternoon...

 

Ordered pipe and couplers from siliconeintakes.com and an AEM filter from Amazon...

 

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y185/RodanAZ/Miata/VVT%20swap/DSC_0186_zpsc5jrdnkv.jpg

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y185/RodanAZ/Miata/VVT%20swap/DSC_0188_zpskwwo7alz.jpg

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y185/RodanAZ/Miata/VVT%20swap/DSC_0190_zps3js9m1wm.jpg

 

Still need to verify hood clearance, and I would like to weld the two pieces of pipe and eliminate the middle coupler. Will also come up with a support bracket for the filter end.

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Why didn't you go with a cold side intake?

 

I still might... if I can find 180* tubing that will fit. With the headlight, headlight motor and overflow tank all right there, it's pretty tight.

 

Reason #238 I should have started with an NB... :p

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I still might... if I can find 180* tubing that will fit. With the headlight, headlight motor and overflow tank all right there, it's pretty tight.

 

Reason #238 I should have started with an NB... :p

 

Oh yeah I forgot you had the pop ups :redface:

2003 Baja 5MT

2016 Outback 2.5i Premium w/Eyesight

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Here's a couple of cardboard mock ups of the two different radii 180s I've found so far...

 

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y185/RodanAZ/Miata/VVT%20swap/DSC_0191_zpsogujknfy.jpg

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y185/RodanAZ/Miata/VVT%20swap/DSC_0192_zpswrbr9ctq.jpg

 

The wider fouls on the headlight, the tight one fouls on the throttle linkage... So it's hot side for now. Once the car is running I'll investigate other options. One possibility is cutting the tight radius pipe and welding the leg back on at a slight angle. That particular one is cast, so I need to look into welding cast Al. My TIG skills on Al are rudimentary at best, so I need to practice a bit before I'm ready for that.

 

At least the hood closes on the current setup... :p

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  • 2 weeks later...

Big test today... 90% success!

 

Plugged the dash harness and instruments back in and hooked up the battery for the first time in a year...

 

1. Nothing caught fire! Woohoo! :lol:

 

2. Lights, signals, headlight retractors, power windows all worked.

 

3. Wipers and horn are not working, so I have some trouble shooting to do.

 

I was also able to determine the status of several power leads (12V w/ ignition on) for re-purposing.

 

Overall, I'm pretty happy. I have a few more harness wires on the driver's side to investigate, but it's time to start straightening things up for looming. :D

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