1994 Miata Build/Adventure thread

Finally started to do some work on my 94 Miata. Started by removing the soft top yesterday:

Old top taken off now:

Looks so much better to me:

Finally got some suspension parts to install. Got springs that I was told are from Flying Miata and some koni yellows.

Had to take this because the height difference was really funny to me.

And what build thread would be complete without pictures of new (used) parts in their new home.

Front:

Rear:

Can't wait for the next track day!

Hardtop brackets arrived! Gonna do the resin tomorow.

What is the game plan for this project? I sense that the soft-top is off for good?

Big-ish update (lots of pictures):

Finally started working on the hardtop for the miata, its a bit rough but was $400 and survived falling off a car at 60mph.

Where it sits after a bit of sanding:

Took it outside for more sanding (PO covered this thing in goopy paint and bondo):

Fixing one of the nastier areas on the top (first time laying fiberglass):

Took away too much of the top so we added some bondo to shape it:

Test fit:

seems to fit well and with the brackets there is no light getting in around the seals.

Discovered big berkeleying hole:

Added fiberglass and resin to inside of hole:

Filled to hole using some spare aluminum channel and fiberglassed over it:

Final sanding so we could paint before it got cold:

Primed:

When you have no neighbors the yard is your paint booth:

Painted:

Waiting on it to dry at the moment as temps dropped a lot more than expected last night.

One last thing: bought a blower that may end up on the miata

Thats all for now, thanks for reading!

Looking good!

I rehabbed a Snugtop last year for my NA, and put up a thread on M.net about it. If you don't have window seals, you might find some useful info. I ended up using soft top rails and rubber... if you can find them used in good shape it's a lot cheaper than new factory seals.

Thread here: Hardtop rehab

In reply to Rodan:

Thanks! Yours looks really good.

Well there she is. Looks pretty bad but it keeps the cold out. It leaks around the driver window in the same spots the old soft top did but otherwise is pretty well sealed.

What are the hivemind's thoughts on covering the top in stickers?

Please don't!

Fitzauto wrote: What are the hivemind's thoughts on covering the top in stickers?

Go for it. I don't think the kids are ALWAYS wrong.

The above is an opinion, and worth every cent you paid.

In reply to wheelsmithy:

Decided to go for it. The miata is the fun, do stupid stuff car in the fleet anyways.

Here is an inspirational photo to go along with the GM supercharger that you showed above:

![PhotoFail] (http://i65.tinypic.com/11hge2q.jpg).

[edit]fixed the photo link fail.

In reply to Frank_and_Beans:

Is that an m90 on a miata?

Here are a few pics of the stickerbombing as it sits:

Bought ITBs for this wonderful beater today. Cant wait.

ITB's are going to make the supercharger a little harder to implement if you are still thinking about that.

And, the pic I posted above is actually an M62 from a '95 Bonneville/Buick/3800 on my Miata. I am not entirely certain I could have gotten the M90 to fit due to the super long snout. But, M62's can be found for $50 at the local pick and pull.

Frank_and_Beans wrote: Here is an inspirational photo to go along with the GM supercharger that you showed above: ![PhotoFail] (http://i65.tinypic.com/11hge2q.jpg). [edit]fixed the photo link fail.

Do you have a build thread for this?

In reply to Frank_and_Beans:

Probably just going to go N/A at his point. Realized that not every car I own needs to be overpowered.

In reply to jstancel:

Sorry, no build thread yet. I did take plenty of pics, so it is a possibility. Sorry for the threadjack...

Update: top is holding up well with a few trips up in the 3 digits for speed.

However, I am now hearing far more clunking than I used to and Im not sure if Im going crazy or if I should be looking for parts. The clunk is mostly when one rear wheels hits a bump. Doesnt happen when both it.

Clunk is gone. Forgot I had a pulley and pulley puller in the trunk.

Fitzauto wrote: Clunk is gone. Forgot I had a pulley and pulley puller in the trunk.

That's awesome...

Our NC once had a rear suspension 'clunk' that was driving me nuts. Turns out the jack (hidden behind the plastic trim) had come loose. Took about as long to fix as yours probably did once I finally figured it out.

Question for the hive: I know I want more power in this car and the engine+tranny are going in the gf's fb. So far Ive come up with: 1uz (have a tranny that should work) J32 (only if there is another rwd tranny beside the miata) Any other choices I should consider? Would like 250-300whp NA

I know it's slightly shy of the 250 mark but what about the f20c/f22c1?

In reply to Smoke:

Trying to keep it cheap and add cylinders if possible