I'm picking up a relatively clean, '90 Miata with 120k on it this evening.
Recent maintenance includes water pump/timing belt/accesory belts, maintenace receipt to prove it. SUspension feels good, accelerates decently (much better than the last two early models I drove) so it seems to be a solid, rust-free Miata.
I've read the upper control arms must be replaced, since the ball joints can't be replaced. Any other things like this?
The plan over winter is to do poly bushings (I guess the subframes have metal ones since I never see it mentioned, used to E30s here), check sway links/tie rods/etc. Add rollbar, wheels/tires, good pads, suspension and start tracking it in the spring.
Typical fluid replacements.. Brake, Clutch hydraulic, trans, rear, etc..
Did they do the oil seals when they had the TB apart? (dont really need to bother tearing back apart if not)
other then that.. shifter bushing? I did the (stiffer) mazda competition motor mounts on mine when I was replacing the motor.
If you auto-x it, sign up for Mazda Competition development.
if the bolts the hold the shocks to the lower control arms rusts inside the farrell it's a royal pita to cut out
and in the rear you get the same issue only the captured nut breaks free inside the a-arm and you have to cut a hols int he arm to get the nut off
otherwise they run forever, avoid the early short snout 1.6 engien that was prone to cracking, but at this point i suspect they've been fixed or replaced
z31maniac wrote:
The plan over winter is to do poly bushings (I guess the subframes have metal ones since I never see it mentioned, used to E30s here), check sway links/tie rods/etc. Add rollbar, wheels/tires, good pads, suspension and start tracking it in the spring.
Subframe -> body? There are no bushings.
^Good to know, that's why I asked!
Anyone Here have experience with the flyin Miata springs? I'm considering the 2.5 kit, but curious if its enough spring to handle 225 wide rcomps?
This will basically be an HPDE, occasional nice weather car.
