With the 996 you connect a resistor to the airbag wiring where the airbag used to be, when you are swapping to a non airbag wheel- fools the car into thinking there is an airbag still completing the circuit so it does not put a light on, on the dash.
Yes, you can do that to the Miata too, a 3 ohm 1/4 watt resistor if I recall correctly.
That’ll let me run a non airbag steering wheel but the passenger bag will still be active. Good for an adult passenger bad for carrying my son
Ah, gotcha- misunderstood what your goal was.
Rodan said:They haven't posted the schedule yet, but keep an eye here: FM summer camp
Also, if you call in and talk to Tami, I'm sure she'd put you on the email list. Registration usually opens end of Jan/ early Feb.
Another option for brakes is the factory NB 'sport' upgrade (standard on all '03 up cars). The parts can be a little tricky to find these days, but with good track pads they reportedly work very well. However, if you're serious about tracking on R-comps, the big brakes are the way to go. I made that decision, and haven't regretted it. Except for Wilwood's stupid NPT fittings...LOL. Even though I'm still naturally aspirated, I know I've got enough brake for whatever HP the car gets in the future.
I used an NRG quick release for my wheel. I haven't had any reason to regret it. I tore all my airbag wiring out completely, so I'm not up on the 'fix' for the light.
To get on the mailing list, go here: https://www.flyinmiata.com/maillist/ . We haven't set the date for registration (or the schedule) yet, we should know soon. Last year, we started publicizing the date in advance instead of just sort of gradually starting to accept registrations, and we'll do the same this year. The track event is more like an autocross than a track event, you won't be on track for more than about 8 minutes at the time. Chances are you'll be able to find someone to watch a 5 year old, there are usually loads of volunteers and people just hanging out and watching.
I'm not particularly fond of the Sport brake upgrade. It's a completely different system, and you really need to bring the booster and master along with you. Then you're stuck with heavy front rotors and surprisingly expensive pads.
My favorite way of dealing with the airbag system is a complete delete as well. The airbag harness is separate from the rest of the car and clearly identifiable. NRG quick releases are my choice as well.
Ah Miata.
M-make
I-it
A-another
T-top notch/toy
A-autocrosser/automobile
Best of luck on your new ride.
Have the Tire Rack in-house wheel C1M on our 96. It's a nice good light cheap wheel.
I had some C1s that I sold, but I thought they were a nice wheel. I have some old school Kosei wheels for my Miata now and I've always like them on our cars, but I think they only come in 15x7 or 16x7 to 7.5. They are still not too difficult to find. I know Keith at FM has helped you a ton but there is another Miata specific forum sponsor with tons of Miata wheels too. I've actually bought parts from both vendors and have been super happy with both. I wish others makes and models of cars had two great companies to choose from for aftermarket business and support. I'm not sure the Miata hobby would be what it is today without these two top notch businesses.
In reply to AnthonyGS :
The nice thing about FM is I’m about a 4 hour drive away from them, plus there’s a whole bunch of their parts on the car already.
Started to order parts for the car, ordered the Miata specific cap for my motive power bleeder.
I need to order all the tune up parts and cat so I can do that ASAP and get it thru smog so I can register it. Probably going to call Keith today or tomorrow to do that
If you're going to do the timing belt yourself, the FM toolset is a must have. It's a good idea to do the cam and crank seals while you're in there as well.
If you want 15x7s, there are a boatload of affordable options at right about 12 lbs - which happens to be the Spec Miata requirement. If you find a Spec shop shutting down or cleaning house, you can probably pick up a few. The old Kazera KZ-M were a good looking wheel but unfortunately the company shut down. The TR Motorsport wheels are the successors.
In reply to Keith Tanner :
if I end up buying new I’ll get 15*8. I’m far less picky if I find something used for a good price.
Rodan, thanks for the tip, I’ve added the FM tool set to my wish list.
I need to get ahold of the service records and see when the timing belt was last changed, if ever. I may get lucky and not need to change it.
Found an oem hardtop locally for a decent price. Of course it’s red so I’ll either plastic dip it black or wrap it black.
what all do I need to bolt it onto my car? That way I can try and get those parts from the seller too
thanks!
At the front, it will use latches just like the soft top. There are also similar latches at the B pillar, for which you will also need the strikers. There are removeable plastic plugs in the trim where the strikers bolt on. At the rear, there are two "Frankenstein" bolts that stick up out of the chrome trim at the front trunk corners. You will need to add those if the car doesn't already have them.
Alternatively, you can use bolt on brackets like Spec Miata uses... more cumbersome for removal, but more secure as well.
Side strikers/latches:
Rear bolts
Spec brackets:
Sorry for the giant pics... just linked off Google...
I assume those Frankenstein bolts just screw out? Same with the side striker plates?
Yup.
They screw out, but they're not happy about it. There's awesome Loctite holding them down. Chances are you'll need an impact screwdriver with a JIC bit. All NAs came with them, no NBs did.
The plastic "plugs" for the side latches are really just oval marks on the backside of the panel. You have to cut them out. If your seller has a similar interior to yours, you may want to just exchange side panels.
In reply to Keith Tanner :
Ok, so my 94 has them then? I have a tan interior, I suspect the seller has black. I’ll check tho. Otherwise I’ll ask for the strikers and see what he says
It certainly had the bolts when it left the factory! They're quite easy to spot.
Please wrap that top instead of plastidipping it. There are enough crappy looking tops out there already...
In reply to Keith Tanner :
Confirmed the car still has the bolts. So I’ll just grab the striker plates from the seller.
Yeah, probably have it wrapped in black, that way it basically will match any color.
Well, easy come, easy go. I flew home today from visiting my family in Cali and arrived to a text from the hardtop guy saying that he'd sold the car and the buyer wanted the hardtop too. Oh well, there goes a reasonably priced, local, oem hardtop. On the other hand, it was totally the wrong color (red), had a little damage and I also doubt I'm ever gonna drive the car in the winter. So I just have to make sure I pass the 2" broom stick rule with the rollbar and my helmet and I should be fine.
I'll now re-allocate those hardtop funds to something else that I'll use more often on the car, like maybe a set of 15" wheels/tires. I'd still like to find a decent set of those used tho but the clock is running. If I don't find a set in the next week I'll either buy them new, or just buy tires for the factory 14's.
First miata specific thing showed up today, the proper Motive Power Bleeder adapter.
Once I get the car home next Saturday and have a chance to go through the service records I anticipate a large order with Flyin Miata...
Get a hard top. Unless you really like open air cars you'll love it with a hard top. As far as interior panels, I cut mine with a dremal pretty quick and easy.
In reply to Stampie :
Easier said then done. I’ll keep looking but these things don’t pop up that often locally, or for a decent price....
I think every Miata hardtop has been repainted. My red car has a top that used to be white. My blue car has a top that used to be white. My white car has a top that used to be black. But they're all properly painted with real automotive paint so you can't tell.
In reply to Keith Tanner :
Its more finding one locally that's the issue. I know I can get it painted or wrapped to take care of the color issue. It seems like they've gone up in value as the other two that were for sale locally sold for ~$1500 in days. I always thought they were worth $800-1000, this one I was going to pick up today was $800, so I was happy with that.
I'll keep my eyes open for you too Doc. They are getting a little thinner on the ground. We sold my last one a couple years ago for $950.
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