How is Keith's Mazda MX-5 Miata: Find It. Fix It. Trick It Book| Off-Topic Discussion forum |

jonnyd330 New Reader
1/4/12 10:05 a.m.

I was looking at getting this book just wanted to see if it was a worthwhile book to get. I am trying to find a Miata for a weekend car for HPDE.

alex SuperDork
1/4/12 10:33 a.m.

Knowing that guy it's probably all BS.

Keith GRM+ Memberand SuperDork
1/4/12 11:04 a.m.

Depends on what you're looking for. Here's a rundown on the three books.

Performance Projects is the "how to". It'll tell you how to change a clutch, how to install sway bars, etc. There are 42 projects in the book that cover a pretty wide range of jobs, from utter novice to more advanced. It doesn't give much theory as to why you want to choose the set of sway bars you're installing, it's all nuts and bolts. Despite the "performance" aspect of the title, it's suitable for bone stock cars as well. It covers all Miatas from 1990-05 although it doesn't address the Mazdaspeed specifically. It does not have expert-level info such as engine rebuilding or how to modify a head for maximum flow. You'll find a few sample projects here: http://www.miataprojects.com/samples.html and a list here: http://www.miataprojects.com/contents.html

How To Build a High Performance Miata (not the title I would have chosen, but there you go) is the "what to" book. You've seen the sample chapter. It won't tell you how to install those sway bars, but it will tell you how weight transfer affects handling, what role sway bars play in the suspension, how to adjust them and how they interact with other components. This is the one you get if you are thinking about modifying your Miata or are simply interested in why people keep talking about brake proportioning valves. It covers all Miatas up to this point.

Find it, Fix it, Trick it sits a bit apart. I called it "Miata 101" when I was writing it. It's got a bit of everything, including a buyers guide and a list of year-by-year changes. It has overlap with both of the other books but doesn't hit anywhere near the depth. It covers all 1990-05 Miatas including the MSM. I use this one for reference all the time when I'm trying to determine just when various changes were made. It's not necessarily aimed at the hard core Miata nerd.

EvanR Reader
1/4/12 11:05 a.m.

I have 2 of the 3 gathering dust on my shelf. PayPal me $15 and they're yours.

ProDarwin SuperDork
1/4/12 11:07 a.m.

I had the Performance Projects book. My co-driver last year had it as well. Came in quite handy prepping the car for STR. I would recommend it.

jonnyd330 New Reader
1/4/12 11:10 a.m.

Thanks for the run down Keith.

jonnyd330 New Reader
1/4/12 2:07 p.m.

EvanR wrote: I have 2 of the 3 gathering dust on my shelf. PayPal me $15 and they're yours.

Which books do you have?

1slowcrx HalfDork
1/4/12 2:46 p.m.

I'll put it this way... I haven't owned a Miata in several years.

I can still put my hands on Keith's book within 30sec while sitting at my desk.

Curmudgeon SuperDork
1/4/12 4:39 p.m.

Do any of the books tell how to get rid of the whole 'hairdresser' aura?

92CelicaHalfTrac SuperDork
1/4/12 4:44 p.m.

Curmudgeon wrote: Do any of the books tell how to get rid of the whole 'hairdresser' aura?

If not, there's this:

http://grassrootsmotorsports.com/forum/grm/guide-to-a-manly-miata/6544/page1/

Keith GRM+ Memberand SuperDork
1/4/12 4:52 p.m.

Well, "How to build..." has a chapter on stuffing in a V8.

BoxheadTim GRM+ Memberand SuperDork
1/4/12 4:55 p.m.

I've recently bought the Performance Projects book and find it quite useful, despite the current Miata not exactly being my first one.

failboat HalfDork
1/4/12 5:02 p.m.

well now I kind of want the performance projects book and I havent had a miata for a few years.

Keith GRM+ Memberand SuperDork
1/4/12 5:34 p.m.

You guys are weird.

I do think the "How to build a high performance Mazda Miata" (or HPMM as I call it) has good info for every car. It's 2/3 of the way to being a general car hop-up book.

DuctTape&Bondo Reader
1/4/12 5:56 p.m.

I helped my sister pick out Find it, Fix it, Trick it for my cousin who just acquired a Miata. He seemed to like it. I don't own a Miata and haven't read the book... yet.

kazoospec Reader
1/4/12 7:40 p.m.

Curmudgeon wrote: Do any of the books tell how to get rid of the whole 'hairdresser' aura?

Performance Projects has a chapter on how to install a roll bar. Even my M Edition looks manly with a Hard Dog Dual Diagonal roll bar, harness bar and race harness. Nothing ads manliness quite like some NASA/SCCA certified crash metal, except maybe an engine that clearly doesn't belong in a Miata.