-------------------------------------
Index of Pages: 1-Introduction , 2-Tires & Wheels , 3-Suspension , 4-Alignment , 5-Performance , 6-Exterior , 7-Interior , 8-Autocross & Track , 9-Adventures & Trips , 10-Paint Protection , 11-Maintenance , 12-Safety .
-------------------------------------
INTRODUCTION
The Mazda MX5/Miata. A classic in the making. 700,000+ cars built, as of 2004. The best-selling roadster ever made. Simple, clean lines, with modern and reliable mechanicals and electronics. Front-engined and with rear-wheel drive. Classic sports car looks. World-class handling with no surprises. The car is simple to work on, as well. As a newbie, DIY mechanic, I can attest to that. Hey, what's not to like?
Why name a car Li'l Bit ? Assuming you'd name a car at all ... Well, start with a good foundation, tweak a little bit here and a little there, making small improvements where needed ... and pretty soon you've got a car !
Base Car: 1996 M-edition in Starlight Mica Blue, 1.8L 4cyl engine, 5-speed transmission, Torsen limited-slip differential, ABS brakes, PS/PL/AC, dual air bags, door sill scuff plates, 8-speaker cd/tape/stereo. 133 hp at the crank (stock factory-rated) and 119 lbs-ft torque.
Modifications & Improvements
I appreciate the design intention that Mazda had when putting together the original Miata. The engineers started with an exceptional unequal-length A-arm suspension, world-class bushing designs derived from a decade of RX7 development, and a dedicated roadster chassis built expressly for the Miata.
Good genes are hard to hide and a shame to butcher. So, I have strived to keep the sleeper look, with all changes being made to achieve a mild and specific enhancement to handling, performance, reliability, quality or looks.
What is it about the Miata that's got us all turning our heads? It's all in the feel. To many, it's almost like shrugging on a comfortable pair of jeans and a sweater. It easily becomes an extension of your desire to turn. Point-and-shoot, unlike most every other car made. Most cars are either too long, too heavy, don't have the balance or feedback in the steering, or simply cannot develop a "dance" with the road in a way that makes the car the driver's plaything. It's like the difference between a carving knife and a well-designed paring or fillet knife. Whatever else can be said, the Miata design team did get it right when they went after their original design principle: Horse and Rider as One.
Relatively bauble-free, here is what I've done with the car.
Performance : Goals -- retain the original design intention, yet get actual performance improvements . Jackson Racing cold-air intake (CAI) to reduce intake temperatures; timing advance to 14*BTDC on 91 octane for shift of the torque curve lower to provide more low-end 'grunt' yet still avoid ping/detonation; Flyin Miata aluminum race radiator, to improve cooling capacity and guard against detonation; cleansing of the internals via an annual de-carbonizing with a good top-end cleaner and a semi-annual Techron bottle tossed into the gas.
Suspension and Handling : Goals -- retain original design intention, yet tighten the handling while maintaining stock ride quality. KYB AGX 8-way shocks over stock springs, for smooth, capable handling and a soft ride; performance alignment with new bolts/eccentrics every couple of alignments, bolts torqued to stock+50% to eliminate suspension creaking; Toyo T1-S tires in 215/45VR15 at ~29psi, for stellar grip even on awful roads; Flyin' Miata performance sway bars for better cornering and transitions; Flyin' Miata front STB for stability and reduction of 'shakes'; Beatrush rear STB, to plant the rear end in hard cornering. Replaced suspension bushings at 75Kmi with Polybush touring/comfort 'blue' set, which erased 75Kmi of slop and regained the original ride quality. PowerSlot brake rotors, good pads, Goodridge braided steel lines and Neo 610 fluid for sure, safe stops.
Safety: Hard Dog M2 Sport DD roll bar; Cibie H4 E-code head lamps for dramatically improved visibility; Canadian DRL module installed, so parking lights are always on; Fiamm twin air horns for improved 'visibility'; a Buck Diamond grille to protect the condenser and radiator from stones and debris; SpeedBleeders on each brake caliper to 'save' me during inevitable one-man bleeding at track/autox events; CB radio with Jeff Anderson antenna splitter, to keep in communication; aggressive maintenance schedule to keep things running reliably well, always. Last but not least: frequent driving schools and autocross to tighten the 'nut' behind the wheel (me).
Styling: Few changes have been made for aesthetic reasons that didn't otherwise have a specific functional purpose. Exceptions include: Polished aluminum fuel lid, KG Works chrome washer nozzles. Modified the soft top boot to lay flush against carpet around roll bar legs, for a clean, finished look. 6-CD, in-dash, double-DIN sized stereo head unit. Shaved lenses, to remove those raised letters that always catch wax and look ugly. OEM front and rear skirts.
Maintenance: Particularly on a 118Kmi car, plenty of good-quality bonding time with the Miata yields results. It helps avoid a rattle-trap car at risk of failing on the road when I most need it. OEM factory parts are the general rule, except where an after-market item can offer actual enhancements in performance, handling or safety. Aggressive, retentive maintenance schedule; annual fluid flush; annual top-end decarbonization for ping-avoidance; annual bolt tightening and LocTite where appropriate; Mobil-1 synthetic 10w30, RedLine MTL and 75w90 gear oils; Pinnacle Souveran wax, microfiber towels, 303 Aerospace Protectant, Wolff RaggTop cleaner/protectant.
Jinn-ba Ittai -- "Oneness between horse and rider." The stated design goal of the Miata design team, from the outset of the project. Successfully achieved.
SOLD, as of January 2006
Decided to sell the car. An old leg injury makes getting in and out of the car very painful. Nicely, the 96M went to a good home ... someone with experience on previous sports cars who will appreciate the finer points of the Miata. Of course, the mommy-mobile I've got now is nicknamed "The Mobile Great Room," due to its sheer size. No kidding. Great seats, though.
-------------------------------------
Index of Pages: 1-Introduction , 2-Tires & Wheels , 3-Suspension , 4-Alignment , 5-Performance , 6-Exterior , 7-Interior , 8-Autocross & Track , 9-Adventures & Trips , 10-Paint Protection , 11-Maintenance , 12-Safety .
-------------------------------------
