Wednesday, May 1, 2013
Sunday, January 20, 2013
Wednesday, January 9, 2013
Happy New Year
Shopping for a 2007 NC Miata has been a frustrating experience. Way too many automatic transmissions, 6-speeds, and PRHT equipped cars. Too many grey and silver colored cars and Mazda's bright red is too orange. The premium beige leather looks like baby poo. I want a dark blue 5-speed base or SV with black cloth interior. I would like to build an MS-R.
Wednesday, November 21, 2012
Nonprofit
SOLD
Current SMOG and catted California exhaust manifold currently installed. RB header included with vehicle purchase but not presently installed.
Odyssey battery and K&N intake have been removed and no longer being sold with the car. They have been replaced with a Westco full size battery and the stock Mazda '99 intake assembly with a new K&N panel filter. Also, the 15x9" wheels have been sold separately.
Complete car plus all these extra parts included:
15x7.5 6UL (4) bronze, excellent condition, newer Toyos.
Spare NEW heater hoses (2) and NEW radiator hoses (2).
OBDII bluetooth diagnostic scanner code reader.
Spare stock ECU (BP4W).
Stock driver seat with sliders.
Race springs: pair 375# 2.5 dia 6", pair 430# 2.5 dia 7", pair 350# 2.5 dia 6".
OEM shifter assembly.
Federal exhaust manifold and midpipe.
Softtop Boot.
Factory service manual, well worn.
Monday, November 12, 2012
As Fate Would Have It...
There is a certain noise that a squeaky bed spring makes when you bounce up and down on a mattress. Who would have guessed it is the same noise that a failing drive shaft u-joint makes on a Miata.
Chasing the noise for a couple weeks, I first assumed the squeak was my newly installed AC belt/pulleys or the worn out brakes, so I replaced the brake pads on all four corners and while my hands were dirty I also installed my newly purchased radiator.
The squeak was still there and now my concerns focused on the clutch which is only a few months old. Amazed was I when my mechanic Rocky immediately diagnosed the u-joint problem as I backed into his shop.
Just an FYI, the noise is most prominent under deceleration and when driving in reverse, and when inspecting my faulty front u-joint there was barely any noticeable slop. The Miata's power plant frame keeps the driveline in shape so any wheel hop or vibration issues normally associated with a bad u-joint do not appear until the failure gets worse.
Unfortunately, the Miata u-joints are sealed and not easily serviceable. I purchased a new (rebuilt) replacement driveshaft from an on-line parts supplier that has new u-joints with zerk fittings and fully balanced ready to install.
I took a few days last weekend to help out instructing at Imagine Lifestyles, a supercar rental arrive-and-drive style event, and got a little left seat time couple of different Lamborghinis - LP560-4 Spyder and the LP550-2 Balboni (pictured). Great cars.
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| OEM front brake pads |
Chasing the noise for a couple weeks, I first assumed the squeak was my newly installed AC belt/pulleys or the worn out brakes, so I replaced the brake pads on all four corners and while my hands were dirty I also installed my newly purchased radiator.
 |
| A/C compressor and idler pulley |
The squeak was still there and now my concerns focused on the clutch which is only a few months old. Amazed was I when my mechanic Rocky immediately diagnosed the u-joint problem as I backed into his shop.
Just an FYI, the noise is most prominent under deceleration and when driving in reverse, and when inspecting my faulty front u-joint there was barely any noticeable slop. The Miata's power plant frame keeps the driveline in shape so any wheel hop or vibration issues normally associated with a bad u-joint do not appear until the failure gets worse.
Unfortunately, the Miata u-joints are sealed and not easily serviceable. I purchased a new (rebuilt) replacement driveshaft from an on-line parts supplier that has new u-joints with zerk fittings and fully balanced ready to install.
I took a few days last weekend to help out instructing at Imagine Lifestyles, a supercar rental arrive-and-drive style event, and got a little left seat time couple of different Lamborghinis - LP560-4 Spyder and the LP550-2 Balboni (pictured). Great cars.
Monday, October 29, 2012
Sticky Notes & Marana
Added ~35 lbs to the car by installing air conditioning that I previously removed only a year earlier. Also switched to the quieter Enthuza/Borla muffler which is a few pounds heavier.
Speedway Motors 2012 SCCA Solo Nationals Championships Music Video
Earlier transmission shifting issues were resolved by bleeding the slave cylinder.
My co-driver and I visited our Arizona friends at Marana for a two day autox event October 27-28 hosted by the Border Region SCCA. A large flat asphalt surface at the regional airport gains grip throughout the day as a line is created on the dusty surface. Great hospitality from the AZ crew and a couple fun and challenging courses make the 400 mile drive worth it, even though my AC went out and I killed the Toyos. RESULTS
PS. Try the bacon wrapped steak skewers at Boston's.
Rev limit reduced down to 7500 just to be easy on the engine. This engine has solid lifters and reportedly softer valve springs than the previous NA8 engine, and the shim on bucket design can be troublesome at extended rpm.
The car seems to turn better on left-hand turns, I think. Or it could be old tires. Difficult to know what is going on because of the extreme camber changes at Qualcomm's West lot and the SE lot drainage is poor leaving a dirty surface in select areas.
Marana is at 2600 ft. elevation but engine power felt quite good even with daytime temperatures in the high 80s. As the surface cleaned up and gained grip I was forced to deal with more and more understeer, probably mostly due to the worn out tires, nearly bald with 4K+ street miles and 170+ runs, and my lazy ass did not feel like raising the rear ride height to help the car turn. No water sprayer for tire cooling and air pressures were neglected.
I purchased a new radiator but it sits in a box in my living room. It is one of the few parts that has not failed...yet. Well, that and the timing belt. My AC failure at Marana was simply a tensioner pulley nut that backed out and the pulley fell off during saturday's event. No damage done, but I lost a spacer and had to wait till I got home to get a replacement washer and put it all back together.
Speedway Motors 2012 SCCA Solo Nationals Championships Music Video
Earlier transmission shifting issues were resolved by bleeding the slave cylinder.
My co-driver and I visited our Arizona friends at Marana for a two day autox event October 27-28 hosted by the Border Region SCCA. A large flat asphalt surface at the regional airport gains grip throughout the day as a line is created on the dusty surface. Great hospitality from the AZ crew and a couple fun and challenging courses make the 400 mile drive worth it, even though my AC went out and I killed the Toyos. RESULTS
PS. Try the bacon wrapped steak skewers at Boston's.
Rev limit reduced down to 7500 just to be easy on the engine. This engine has solid lifters and reportedly softer valve springs than the previous NA8 engine, and the shim on bucket design can be troublesome at extended rpm.
The car seems to turn better on left-hand turns, I think. Or it could be old tires. Difficult to know what is going on because of the extreme camber changes at Qualcomm's West lot and the SE lot drainage is poor leaving a dirty surface in select areas.
Marana is at 2600 ft. elevation but engine power felt quite good even with daytime temperatures in the high 80s. As the surface cleaned up and gained grip I was forced to deal with more and more understeer, probably mostly due to the worn out tires, nearly bald with 4K+ street miles and 170+ runs, and my lazy ass did not feel like raising the rear ride height to help the car turn. No water sprayer for tire cooling and air pressures were neglected.
I purchased a new radiator but it sits in a box in my living room. It is one of the few parts that has not failed...yet. Well, that and the timing belt. My AC failure at Marana was simply a tensioner pulley nut that backed out and the pulley fell off during saturday's event. No damage done, but I lost a spacer and had to wait till I got home to get a replacement washer and put it all back together.
Friday, September 28, 2012
Now What? (updated with less bitching)
Consider this the beginning of the end of this STR Miata drama. I do not feel like continuing with this build or advancing the car in any way, but I will continue to autox regionally until I figure out what my next big move is.
My decision is mostly based on the level of preparation required and cost involved to be at the pointy end of the field. The biggest major improvement needed is more power with a properly built first overbore engine tuned for E85. The Wootton car I drove at Solo Nationals had a fresh engine on pump gas and was noticeably more peppy than my car. Second improvement would be some fancy multi-adjustable race shocks because the more I learn and drive I am starting to see and feel the limitations of my Koni yellows. Having driven a Delrin bushing equipped STS Miata I know how well that works and want to make those improvements too. Still trying to keep the car streetable and a daily driver while creeping down the path to CSP is more than I can handle at this time.
Some of my results have been encouraging and I think I have learned what I needed to know and proved to myself and others what has been believed and said all along; the NB Miata in Street Touring Roadster can be somewhat competitive in the right hands.
Knowing what I now know and if I had a bigger budget, I would start an NB Miata build with a 2003 ClubSport or clone mostly because the VVT engine. Just an FYI for anyone that may be following along or interested in their own build....
I would hate to get rid of my 99 because it makes a good daily driver and should remain very reliable especially considering how many new parts have been replaced since I bought it eleven months ago. For daily driving and commuting comfort, my current idea is to re-install the air conditioning system, raise the ride height a little, and install my larger muffler.
Although officially not for sale (yet), I am open to offers and would be specifically interested in trading for an 87-88 Mustang Coupe V8 5 Speed, preferably clean and unmolested or with easily reversible modifications.
My decision is mostly based on the level of preparation required and cost involved to be at the pointy end of the field. The biggest major improvement needed is more power with a properly built first overbore engine tuned for E85. The Wootton car I drove at Solo Nationals had a fresh engine on pump gas and was noticeably more peppy than my car. Second improvement would be some fancy multi-adjustable race shocks because the more I learn and drive I am starting to see and feel the limitations of my Koni yellows. Having driven a Delrin bushing equipped STS Miata I know how well that works and want to make those improvements too. Still trying to keep the car streetable and a daily driver while creeping down the path to CSP is more than I can handle at this time.
Some of my results have been encouraging and I think I have learned what I needed to know and proved to myself and others what has been believed and said all along; the NB Miata in Street Touring Roadster can be somewhat competitive in the right hands.
Knowing what I now know and if I had a bigger budget, I would start an NB Miata build with a 2003 ClubSport or clone mostly because the VVT engine. Just an FYI for anyone that may be following along or interested in their own build....
I would hate to get rid of my 99 because it makes a good daily driver and should remain very reliable especially considering how many new parts have been replaced since I bought it eleven months ago. For daily driving and commuting comfort, my current idea is to re-install the air conditioning system, raise the ride height a little, and install my larger muffler.
Although officially not for sale (yet), I am open to offers and would be specifically interested in trading for an 87-88 Mustang Coupe V8 5 Speed, preferably clean and unmolested or with easily reversible modifications.
Monday, September 10, 2012
Oh Hail No
The week long 2012 Tire Rack SCCA Solo Nationals and Pro Finale has come and gone. I am very disappointed that my car broke down and I ultimately left the car in Utah with a final diagnosis being the fuel pump, specifically low pressure under load when hot. Fortunately, the Woottons graciously offered their STR 1999 Miata for me to drive at both the Pro and Nationals, even though neither of them was entered in the Pro. Too bad my car was absent because Wootton and I had already planned to swap cars at the Test and Tune to compare setups and try to advance the competitiveness of the NB Miata.
Without any practice time and a very slim chance for the overall Pro victory, I used the Finale to get familiar with the new car and offer my impressions of the setup as the car owner made a big spring and swaybar change just prior to this weekend. On Hankooks and nine inch wheels the launches were good and the car sweeps exceptionally well but can be a handfull transitionally and a light throttle touch was required to put power down upon corner exit. Hot weather and a unique course design may have affected the results but I thought I drove well. Pro Finale Results
Overall I thought the car was too loose at the Pro, so I was able to get a couple practice laps on the TnT course during the weekend and the car felt great. All three of our times were right there with the other STR cars and the balance was neutral. I figured that the nature of the Pro course design, car familiarity, and some over-aggressive driving on my part was to blame for the looseness and shifted my focus to the upcoming National's courses.
Tuesday's East course walked narrow and was visually deceptive but ended up being my favorite course of the week and the car performed excellent. I was relatively quick on my first run but knew there was more time out there. Second run was perfect until a braking issue before the Ring of Fire caused me to nearly come to a stop while punting two cones, but I was feeling good because I knew the leading times were within reach if I fix my mistake. As I exit my grid spot for my third and final run rain and hail begin to fall from the sky but the hot concrete (102F ambient) is basically dry. I arrive at the start line and held there for several minutes because the hail is triggering false trips for both timing lights while the rain briefly intensifies. The course is now damp, the thundercloud quickly passes, the bright sun re-appears, and then the starter waves the green flag. Ugh. The course fully dried in less than ten cars. 15th position after day one.
With over a second deficit from the East course, my goal for day two's West course was to simply maintain my position or move up into the trophies. Again just like at the Pro, the car's balance shifts slightly and the car does not behave as I expect but I manage to get within six tenths or so of the leader and I was happy with my driving. I move up several positions and land in the 11th trophy position. Solo Nationals Results
For the trip home, I hitched a ride West from a fellow competitor and picked up my stranded car first thing Monday morning from the St. George Mazda dealer. A new aftermarket fuel pump was sourced from a local parts store and I completed the install in about an hour at the hotel parking lot. The car ran flawlessly all the way home to San Diego.
Without any practice time and a very slim chance for the overall Pro victory, I used the Finale to get familiar with the new car and offer my impressions of the setup as the car owner made a big spring and swaybar change just prior to this weekend. On Hankooks and nine inch wheels the launches were good and the car sweeps exceptionally well but can be a handfull transitionally and a light throttle touch was required to put power down upon corner exit. Hot weather and a unique course design may have affected the results but I thought I drove well. Pro Finale Results
Overall I thought the car was too loose at the Pro, so I was able to get a couple practice laps on the TnT course during the weekend and the car felt great. All three of our times were right there with the other STR cars and the balance was neutral. I figured that the nature of the Pro course design, car familiarity, and some over-aggressive driving on my part was to blame for the looseness and shifted my focus to the upcoming National's courses.
Tuesday's East course walked narrow and was visually deceptive but ended up being my favorite course of the week and the car performed excellent. I was relatively quick on my first run but knew there was more time out there. Second run was perfect until a braking issue before the Ring of Fire caused me to nearly come to a stop while punting two cones, but I was feeling good because I knew the leading times were within reach if I fix my mistake. As I exit my grid spot for my third and final run rain and hail begin to fall from the sky but the hot concrete (102F ambient) is basically dry. I arrive at the start line and held there for several minutes because the hail is triggering false trips for both timing lights while the rain briefly intensifies. The course is now damp, the thundercloud quickly passes, the bright sun re-appears, and then the starter waves the green flag. Ugh. The course fully dried in less than ten cars. 15th position after day one.
With over a second deficit from the East course, my goal for day two's West course was to simply maintain my position or move up into the trophies. Again just like at the Pro, the car's balance shifts slightly and the car does not behave as I expect but I manage to get within six tenths or so of the leader and I was happy with my driving. I move up several positions and land in the 11th trophy position. Solo Nationals Results
For the trip home, I hitched a ride West from a fellow competitor and picked up my stranded car first thing Monday morning from the St. George Mazda dealer. A new aftermarket fuel pump was sourced from a local parts store and I completed the install in about an hour at the hotel parking lot. The car ran flawlessly all the way home to San Diego.
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| I found some shade in Barstow. |
Wednesday, August 29, 2012
On the road again...
So I sit here in a St. George, Utah hotel room with what sounds like Hurricane Isaac outside; hot, dusty, windy, thunder, hail, rain. We don't get much 'weather' in San Diego.
I am headed to Lincoln for Solo Nationals and I made it about 500 miles from home before I had a mechanical breakdown. I departed San Diego a day early so I could relax and explore a little with a scheduled stop in Vegas. Leisurely cruising up I15 on Wednesday morning just east of Nevada and the car starts to hesitate and cutout under load. First thing that comes to mind is the ECU, specifically the Greddy EMU piggyback, so I pull over and bypass the Boomslang harness which puts everything in stock configuration. Start and go and I notice it runs great for the first couple miles and then quickly gets worse again. Replace the cam angle sensor and check all connections and inspect AFM and throttle body. Briefly runs great again for a few minutes and then goes bad again. I am able to repeat this procedure a few times and limp it to the next safe exit and call for a tow truck.
St. George is a few miles away and the local Mazda dealer gets me in right away. Diagnosis is the ECU (fuel cut), but they do not have a spare one available to test and a new ($$$) ecu is days away. The car has cooled down a little again so it is happy for a few miles before the symptoms appear again; just enough time to get me to a hotel where I search for a used ECU. St. George Craigslist has nothing and a local junkyard search does not show any available computers for the NB1 Miata.
A tip from a friend leads me to Mike's Place, an Arizona automotive shop specializing in Miatas, and they are happy to work with me and overnight a BP4W ecu directly to the hotel here in St.George. However, the shipment is not guaranteed because of the remote (?!LOL) location and may not show up until Friday.
I also called Joe at Dynotronics (DPTune) and he was eager to help me also with an overnight delivery of another BP4W; this one being delivered directly to the local Mazda dealership with the hope that a business address may help make the overnite shipment a reality.
If all goes well and the diagnosis is correct, I will get the ECU installed before noon Thursday morning and continue my journey to Nebraska.
I am headed to Lincoln for Solo Nationals and I made it about 500 miles from home before I had a mechanical breakdown. I departed San Diego a day early so I could relax and explore a little with a scheduled stop in Vegas. Leisurely cruising up I15 on Wednesday morning just east of Nevada and the car starts to hesitate and cutout under load. First thing that comes to mind is the ECU, specifically the Greddy EMU piggyback, so I pull over and bypass the Boomslang harness which puts everything in stock configuration. Start and go and I notice it runs great for the first couple miles and then quickly gets worse again. Replace the cam angle sensor and check all connections and inspect AFM and throttle body. Briefly runs great again for a few minutes and then goes bad again. I am able to repeat this procedure a few times and limp it to the next safe exit and call for a tow truck.
St. George is a few miles away and the local Mazda dealer gets me in right away. Diagnosis is the ECU (fuel cut), but they do not have a spare one available to test and a new ($$$) ecu is days away. The car has cooled down a little again so it is happy for a few miles before the symptoms appear again; just enough time to get me to a hotel where I search for a used ECU. St. George Craigslist has nothing and a local junkyard search does not show any available computers for the NB1 Miata.
A tip from a friend leads me to Mike's Place, an Arizona automotive shop specializing in Miatas, and they are happy to work with me and overnight a BP4W ecu directly to the hotel here in St.George. However, the shipment is not guaranteed because of the remote (?!LOL) location and may not show up until Friday.
I also called Joe at Dynotronics (DPTune) and he was eager to help me also with an overnight delivery of another BP4W; this one being delivered directly to the local Mazda dealership with the hope that a business address may help make the overnite shipment a reality.
If all goes well and the diagnosis is correct, I will get the ECU installed before noon Thursday morning and continue my journey to Nebraska.
Monday, August 13, 2012
August Week 2
You can see the newly installed Racing Beat swaybar reinforcement blocks in the video below and they actually seem to work well. No more deflection from the factory swaybar mounts.
The blocks are crude, but effective. A better but more costly solution is the AWR brackets.
18 runs at the PCA autox Saturday on the Southeast lot at the Q. Video. The car feels really good. 28F 27R, low rear ride height, shocks stiff front; soft rear.
8 runs at the SDR-SCCA championship Sunday August 12th on the West lot and everything is working well except for the transmission which is having difficulty engaging reverse and 5th gear. Unable to catch the STR leader during class runs but picked up a half second during Time Only runs. Some slow corners at the start would benefit from first gear but I choose not to make the downshift for several reasons. Results will be posted soon.
The blocks are crude, but effective. A better but more costly solution is the AWR brackets.
18 runs at the PCA autox Saturday on the Southeast lot at the Q. Video. The car feels really good. 28F 27R, low rear ride height, shocks stiff front; soft rear.
8 runs at the SDR-SCCA championship Sunday August 12th on the West lot and everything is working well except for the transmission which is having difficulty engaging reverse and 5th gear. Unable to catch the STR leader during class runs but picked up a half second during Time Only runs. Some slow corners at the start would benefit from first gear but I choose not to make the downshift for several reasons. Results will be posted soon.
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