Help me plan another, street-only NA8 Miata build

Forum browsing even when sober can be dangerous to your wallet. I really didn't plan to buy another NA Miata as the white NA6 (that I agreed to sell) was supposed be the last one. Well, until a '95 M-Edition that has almost all the correct parts on it showed up.

The plan for this car is pretty much street-only use, maybe the odd autocross. Nothing that would require a rollbar, so for once I'm not going to stick a rollbar in it and enjoy the massive amount of additional space this affords me.

But I'm not going to leave it stock either.

Right now, I have a vague plan to build an all-rounder with a bit more oomph that we can use as a nice day driver and roadtrip car.

The plan so far includes:

• Suspension rebuild - the car has 100k on it. 'nuff said. Plan is to use IL motorsports rubber bushes which I already have to happen at hand, and some sort of nice, reasonably comfortable suspension. Mostly considering the FM options - I've had the Konis + springs and VMaxx Classic, both with the FM ARBs. If I really feel flush I might spring for the Fox coilovers, although I really don't need coilovers on this car.
• Needs moar powah. Well, they all do. Bank account says no to LS conversion, so I'm guessing we're talking turbo here. I don't have that much wrenching time so something like a K swap is likely to consume too much of my time. I'm getting the impression that for a reasonably competent hobby wrench, it should be possible to install the FM kit on a weekend? Without clutch upgrades etc, just installing the actual turbo kit. I don't want to assemble my own kit, or get one of the cheaper ones where one trades their time in exchange for saving a few bucks.
• Re the power upgrades, I happen to have a set of high-compression 1880cc-ish pistons squirreled away somewhere. But I'm guessing that rebuilding the engine for more power and then having to map an aftermarket ECU to prevent it from blowing up would be a lot more time consuming.
• Some additional sound deadening to ensure more comfort for longer trips.
• Converting to an NB steering wheel as I don't really like the OEM NA one.

Anything else I'm missing?

Are you keeping the airbags? I deleted my driver’s side in favor of a better wheel and a better driving position.

I  can’t tell you how great stock suspension feels with decent shocks. I think more people need to feel what Miata suspension was like when new, the only thing I can tell it needed are sway bars. Which FM helped with. 

What class would you run in autocross? My miata is built for fun, so I show up and run the exhibition class. I don’t need a trophy, and I’m past the “I gotta prove myself” phase. 

Also, what wheels? I’m running the nb five spokes (12.5lbs according to m.net), 14”. I got some federal 595’s from amazon for $170, installed by a friend for $40. Cheap, everyday fun. I put gas and oil in it (stem seals). I set a brick on the throttle and never lift. 

_ said:

Are you keeping the airbags? I deleted my driver’s side in favor of a better wheel and a better driving position.

That's where the NB steering wheel comes in - it has a less flimsy rim, an airbag (although I don't think anybody ever reported back what happened if it deployed in an NA) and looks better thanks to its three spoke design (IMHO). The current car has a Momo Prototipo in it, but a) that's going to end up in my 911 and b) Prototipos (which I really like) tend to cover the top of the instruments for me.

I  can’t tell you how great stock suspension feels with decent shocks. I think more people need to feel what Miata suspension was like when new, the only thing I can tell it needed are sway bars. Which FM helped with. 

IME - this is NA Miata #7  for me - at 100k the OEM shocks will be dead. I'm not a big fan of the polyurethane bushings so I'll use the IL Motorsprots rubber bushings as an excuse to buy a hydraulic press . I'm definitely not the kind of person who believes that suspension works best if you don't let it move, so I still want compliance, just with better shocks.

What class would you run in autocross? My miata is built for fun, so I show up and run the exhibition class. I don’t need a trophy, and I’m past the “I gotta prove myself” phase. 

I'll stick with the "I can't drive for toffee anyway" class. I have no delusions of grandeur anyway when it comes to autocrossing, so exhibition class or similar works for me.

Also, what wheels? I’m running the nb five spokes (12.5lbs according to m.net), 14”. I got some federal 595’s from amazon for $170, installed by a friend for $40. Cheap, everyday fun. I put gas and oil in it (stem seals). I set a brick on the throttle and never lift. 

The car fortunately still has the original 15" BBSs, plus I have a set of 14" Bridgestone Super Raps with performance rubber on them. Eventually I might get a set of TE37s for it, but either way the OEM wheels are not going anywhere.

I've owned one (badly put together, not by me) turbo'd Miata and I really like to have the additional oomph, just done right this time. The brick on the right pedal is getting a little old.

As the current owner of said 95. it has the stock 95 M BBS's 15x6 et45 that weigh 12lbs according to m.net.  My thoughts were always the centrifugal blower route since I prefer that kind of power delivery. 

Also if anyone cares here is the most current picture of said M, keeping safe from the possible hail we are supposed to get today.

In reply to MrChaos :

Much appreciated.

BoxheadTim said:

In reply to MrChaos :

Much appreciated.

No problem, I don't care if my land cruiser gets hailed on because that just means more $$ for a rallycross car.

As for the turbo install - a competent wrench can do that in a weekend, especially if you do some prep work like ensuring the exhaust bolts aren’t frozen with rust and reading the instructions so you know what tools to have handy. My first turbo install was done back in the late 90’s before I joined FM, and we were test driving the car on Sunday afternoon. Those kits were a lot harder to install than the current ones. 

In reply to Keith Tanner :

Thanks. Any comments on recommended brake upgrades on your out-of-the-box turbo kit? Does it need more than better pads?

Reading instructions. Hmm. I'm an IT guy, so that's more of a just-in-time endeavour for me .

Huh an IT guy selling another IT guy a miata.

Having had NAs and an NB i’d suggest graduating to an NC.  It feels so much better, more grown up, has real power and ABS that works.  Room for your shoulders.

(If only there was a $6,000 NC available somewhere........)

I think just upgraded pads would be fine for a street miata with a turbo.

About the steering wheel - check the Cipher options.

For street use, good pads/fluid will work for most use. I like the Little Big Brake Kit for the pedal feel and that's what I have on my street Miata, but it's not the first place to spend money.

Keith Tanner said:

About the steering wheel - check the Cipher options.

Thanks - never heard of them but their options look interesting. Not sure if they'd look out of place for the sort of OEM+ build I have in mind, but I'll consider them regardless.

For street use, good pads/fluid will work for most use. I like the Little Big Brake Kit for the pedal feel and that's what I have on my street Miata, but it's not the first place to spend money.

Thanks - I've been eyeing the Little Big Brake Kit and I think eventually I'd like one. I just don't have enough experience with a well screwed together turbo Miata - the last one I owned was more "screwed" than "together" - to make the call if I needed it before or after the turbo kit. Sounds like an overhauled brake system with stainless lines, good fluid and fast road pads (R4S?) should do the job then if the lose nut behind the wheel acts reasonably.

After some more thinking, it looks like I forgot add a coolant re-route to the list above. Just in case, like.

KyAllroad (Jeremy) said:

Having had NAs and an NB i’d suggest graduating to an NC.  It feels so much better, more grown up, has real power and ABS that works.  Room for your shoulders.

I'm just not a big fan of the NC, even though I liked my RX8. Big fan of the NA, and I think part of the appeal is that it doesn't feel grown up.