We originally bought this 1992 Mazda Miata on Christmas Eve back in 1998. It became a project car for Grassroots Motorsports. The original plan was to build a neat street car. We did the suspension, engine and more. We even converted it to a Flyin' Miata/Link programmable ECU. The max horsepower of 118 at the rear wheels probably doesn't sound too exciting these days, but the car makes more than 100 lb.-ft. of torque pretty much everywhere. It makes for a nice, flexible engine that gladly pulls to redline.
But once the car was done, we couldn't part with it. It has lived with David S. Wallens, our editor, ever since. The car has received a few mods since the official project car series ended, including a Kaaz limited-slip differential, Ground Control coil-overs and some brake work. The car also seems to wear different wheels and tires every couple of months.
Here is the current mod list:
Drivetrain:
Prepped cylinder head
Unorthodox cam gears
Jackson Racing header
Jackson Racing cold-air intake
Jackson Racing exhaust
Jackson Racing high-flow cat
Flyin' Miata/Link ECU
NTK four-wire O2 sensor
NGK plug wires
Jackson Racing Stage I clutch
Moss Motors aluminum flywheel
Kaaz limited-slip diff
Dyno tuning by Ed Senf
Suspension:
Koni Sport shocks
Ground Control springs
Racing Beat front anti-roll bar
Brembo OE brake rotors
Hawk HPS pads
Goodridge braided brake lines
Powerflex urethane suspension bushings
Wheels and tires:
15x7-inch American Racing Silverstones wheels
205/50VR15 Kumho ECSTA SPT tires
or
15x6.5-inch Rota J.SPL wheels
205/50ZR15 Nitto NT-01 tires
Body and interior:
Pioneer Premier head unit
Sony Xplod speakers
KG Works review mirror
Racer Parts air/fuel monitor
Miata Club of America shift knob
Miata R front spoiler
Runabout side-view mirrors
Hella H4 headlights
RSpeed clear side markers
Other parts replaced:
timing belt
timing belt tensioner
thermostat
idler pulley
water pump
coolant hoses
drive belts
all seals/gaskets
slave cylinder
rear main seal
front tranny seal
rear brake pads
bump stops
valve cover gasket
differential rebuild
