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mx5 2nr's build thread
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Copy/pasted from my build thread from Club Roadster. I'm going to try my best to mirror my build thread there with this one. Link to said thread: CR build thread
So here is the story of my Miata project. A ‘lil background is in order… After a few years of not having a “fun car”, I grew a bit annoyed. I had sold my NB 2 or 3 years prior due to financial issues. Originally I was looking at a few various project cars I’ve kinda always wanted – Conquest/Starion, E30, ’80’s Mini-Truck, FB (1st gen RX7), C3 Corvette, an old Datsun 240Z, or a Miata. The Miata bug had already infected me & I felt a relapse brewing… Eventually (Feb 2k11) I came across this Miata in a Houston Craiglist that was square in my price range ($2k) & had a good friend who is also one of my old Miata buddies check it out for me on a Friday. He called me that night after looking at it & mentioned that it was really “ricey”. It had the full Fast & Furious treatment aside from Altezza tails & Troy-Lee graphics. It had an awful aluminum wing bolted into the trunk, black painted style bars, & the plastic window was held on with zip-ties. It smelled like ass, looked like ass, but it drove really really good. Overall he said that the drive train was good, & if I can get a few dollars knocked off it’d be a good deal. I talked to the owner over the phone & agreed on a $1800 price. The next day I grabbed my girlfriend & was on my way to Houston to pick up my new toy. --Pic from the Craiglist Ad https://www.miataforumz.com/attachme...ine=1329489732 So after I picked up the car I decided that there’d be no way I’d make the trek back to San Antonio with that gawd-awful wing on, so I whipped out my tools & removed it – the first step to saving this car from the clutches of ricedom. One of the things that I had noticed & that my friend had pointed out was that somewhere in the life of this poor car the paint had been changed to some sort of grey’ish color. Kinda a bummer since it’s an original 1990 Silvertone, of which there was only like 3000 made (don’t quote me, IIRC I read it on M.net). One of the things that will need to be addressed in the future will definitely the paint – that’s later… First thing’s first , I got it back to my garage in San Antonio to assess what I had bought. Aside from the horrible smell, it actually drove pretty good. The shifter had a little grind, but really, other than that it wasn’t bad. I went ahead and changed all the fluids – oil, tranny, turret, diff, etc.. and the spark plugs. It felt much much better. Next after a few weeks I went ahead and deleted my top & attempted to find the culprit of the stank that had started to permeate my garage. --interior ripped apart https://www.miataforumz.com/attachme...ine=1329489732 In the process of deleting the top and ripping out the interior, I got inspired & decided to do a headunit-less stereo since the stereo that was in it was some horrible “Pyle” stereo that had a Scarface dvd stuck inside. https://www.miataforumz.com/attachme...ine=1329489732 https://www.miataforumz.com/attachme...ine=1329489732 --Yes that’s a 6x9 speaker sitting in the tunnel behind the driver’s seat. I went ahead and installed a JL Audio e2150 amp & Polk db65 6.5” 2-way coax door speakers. I hooked it up direct to my old Ipod. It sounds good & recommend doing it if you’re looking to do a stereo without showing it off to potential thieves. So I found the culprit of the horrid stench – the top had been rained on with it’s disastrous rear window repair, leaking water into the interior. The water had dried into the foam sound-deadening/heat foam stuff, turning it moldy. I ripped all of it out & steam cleaned every piece of carpet 3 times. I went ahead and steam cleaned the seats a few times to make sure the stench was gone for good. I cleaned every panel by hand before I reassembled them. A month or two passed & I decided to go ahead and detail the engine since it had like 21 years of crap on it & looked atrocious. After a few passes of Simple Green it really didn’t change much, but it was noticibly cleaner, pictures don’t do it justice… I went to the local Pick N’ Pull and found a few interior bits that were damaged in my car, a spiffy (ha!) mesh grille & a valve cover that I would later repaint when I change valve cover gaskets. I also went to town with engine paint, toothbrush and Simple Green. https://www.miataforumz.com/attachme...ine=1329489732 I wanted to redo my interior panels ‘cause I always dug the plaid look on older VW’s, & I never got to redo panels on my old GTI in plaid so I found some fabric at a local Hancock & recovered them… <pic of door panels> https://www.miataforumz.com/attachme...ine=1329489732 It was really easy (the panels), and makes a difference in the look of the cabin. I made my own door pulls based on some of the DIY’s on the forum. I used the leather handles off a purse I found at a thrift store. All in all I think I spent like $10 and an hour doing the panels. So a few months passed and I had been saving pennies for coil overs & wheels, I went ahead and ordered them, but as I was online ordering them, I got a little click happy & decided that I needed to replace the bug-eyes with something updated... So I did the sensible thing & decided that modifying a 240 exposed headlight to fit a Miata would make sense. Yeah. So being that my logic was flawless I went ahead and picked some up off ebay & with some metal flashing, a dremel, some bondo, some primer, a lot of sandpaper, and a drill I came up with this: https://www.miataforumz.com/attachme...ine=1329489732 It started life as this: https://www.miataforumz.com/attachme...ine=1329489732 *** Props go out to SPRSTA & 97_M-edition for helping me out & replying back to my pestering private messages on their 240 headlight conversions. *** I'm going to go ahead & post this up for now. More to come soon - consider this part 1. As of typing this I've already installed coil overs, fitted the wheels, and am finishing up the stereo. And at the time of typing this, I've already ordered my "Canadian" Bride seats, & am on the hunt for a hardtop.... __________________ |
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So ok I suppose this is part 2...
So as I was fabricating the headlights my coil-overs came in - Megan EZ Streets. I got them for $599 at LSD Motorsport, I was still waiting on my wheels - 15x9, 0 offset XXR 002's. Yes they're played, but screw it - I still like them. And for the price ($350/set), you can't beat 'em. I went ahead and ordered the tires; 195/45/15 Nexxus N3000 while I was fabricating the lights. I also found a JL Audio A2150 & a JL Audio 8" sub on flea-bay going for next to nothing. I had the guy on ebay that makes Miata trunk enclosures make a 8" version of his box to fit the JL. I needed an actual battery tray and a better way to secure the battery so I got the factory battery mount kit, battery turn off post (so it's easier to disconnect the battery), and I got some blingy Stinger multiple output positive battery terminal. https://www.miataforumz.com/attachme...ine=1329490010 I went ahead and added the new pieces to the stereo, added a fan, used some old Phoenix Gold wires & distribution blocks, and came up with a trunk that looks like this: https://www.miataforumz.com/attachme...ine=1329490010 I'm still not finished yet, I decided to add an in dash equalizer/line driver to get better control over the music & to get an improved signal to the amps. I've got a piece of plexiglass & some trim pieces I still need to finish - but until those parts come in, this is where I'm leaving it. Right now I feel as if I really should give serious props to the guy who wrote the DIY on the suspension install. I'm sorry I completely forgot his name right now, but If I ever see him, Im getting him beer and a hooker. He deserves it... [EDIT: FooSchnickens, if you're reading this - I owe you!] After studying the DIY like a hawk, I decided to tackle the coil over install. While I was installing the suspension I picked up a fender roller & got a 'lil roll-happy. Honestly I wasn't planning on flaring out the rear as much as I did, but I'm happy with the look. This is the end result: https://www.miataforumz.com/attachme...ine=1329490010 It was the single most dramatic change I've done to the car & I can't be any happier... A few weeks later (this past Friday) my wheels finally came in! I got the tires mounted & threw them on the car. I re-adjusted the suspension to max drop in the rear, and I have about another .25" lower I can go in the fronts. I'm glad I rolled and pulled the fenders as much as I did - the only rubbing I have is on the front drivers side when I make right turns. There's a tab where the bumper meets the fender that I need to cut/grind off. Anyway, on to the pics... https://www.miataforumz.com/attachme...ine=1329490010 https://www.miataforumz.com/attachme...ine=1329490010 As you can see, I still have a ton of work left, mainly bodywork, before it looks pretty. I need a rear finish panel & I need to decide which front lip I want to do before it gets to see a paint booth. I eventually want to pull the motor & drop in a 1.8 & turbo, but in time... As I was typing this, my seats, & EQ just came in. So it's back to the garage for me... More to come... |
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Got the (fake) Bride Gias seats in & used the factory rail/slider to bolt them in. I really can't gain any more weight - seriously. I can barely shoehorn myself into them. For reference I'm 6'2"; 34 inseam, 34-36 waist (pushing 36 right now, yes I'm a fatty)... Thanks go out to xDJ DUBx for giving me insight on how to get them in.
https://www.miataforumz.com/attachme...ine=1329490097 I haven't taken them out on the street yet, it's too freakin' hot right now & I'm about to install the last of the stereo stuff (EQ & new RCA cables & start on the amp rack trim). Steering wheel, brakes, rear finish panel, front lip (need opinions - I was set on a Togue Run lip, but I'm thinking maybe R-Package?), RSX-type projector low beam HID's, and exhaust are on the menu.... |
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(CR member asked about headlights)
Here's an additional pic of the mock up of the brackets I fabbed for the headlights: https://www.miataforumz.com/attachme...ine=1329490483 -- What I didn't take a pic of was where I mounted them on the front (near the bumper). I popped off the 3 plastic tabs on the radiator support and used 11/32" bolts/nuts/washers to keep the front part of the headlight down. To access the bolts I have to take off the TSI, you might be able to avoid doing that, but my "Arsenio Hall" hands are just too damn big. I finished the install on the EQ & made a trim/blanking plate out of leftover basswood from design projects. Great easy to use material, as long as you remember how flimsy it is. I cracked it on the top left hand side as I was screwing it in & split it as I was trimming it to fit the EQ Oh well, guess I gotta spring for the $12 panel from Rennmetal.com - serves me right for being a cheap-ass... (pic of testing the EQ) https://www.miataforumz.com/attachme...ine=1329490483 (pic installed; the panel doesn't glare normally, I think it's the flash on the camera) https://www.miataforumz.com/attachme...ine=1329490483 Random pics in the driveway after I cruised out to meet up with Stoly on Labor Day... https://www.miataforumz.com/attachme...ine=1329490483 https://www.miataforumz.com/attachme...ine=1329490483 https://www.miataforumz.com/attachme...ine=1329490483 I was planning on finishing the trim on the amp rack this weekend, but I'm going to be out car shopping - not for me though. My girlfriend wrecked her '06 Mustang a week ago & it appears that it's most likely going to get totaled. She's ok, just a 'lil sore. She's more upset that she's going to lose her baby. I ordered rotors & pads the other day, they should be here in about a week & I'm shopping brake lines right now. I'll be doing a brake job in the upcoming weeks - I just realized how piss-poor my brakes really are. |
i dig the headlights, may have to look into doing something like that.
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This Saturday I'm finally going to be doing my brakes. I picked up a low profile hydraulic jack from Harbor Freight - ----'s dope. No more driving up 2 levels of wood to get a jack under the car - only 1 thin level now...
I just got in from working on the "beauty board" trim piece for the amp rack. Looks ok, just need to wrap it in fabric (same as the door panels). I strained my shoulder cutting it up though, & I'm in pain... Glad I'm off for a lil' while, I'm gonna be hopped up on pain killers... Still gonna do these brakes on Saturday, ---- pain... Edit for pics of progress... https://www.miataforumz.com/attachme...ine=1329490598 https://www.miataforumz.com/attachme...ine=1329490598 https://www.miataforumz.com/attachme...ine=1329490598 |
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Got a window to work on the car today. Finished up wrapping the amp trim piece. I kinda rushed it & moved the fabric while it was drying so as you can see, the lines came out crooked... sigh... oh well, I'm rollin with it for now. It's something for me to redo at a later time.
https://www.miataforumz.com/attachme...ine=1329490728 you can kinda see the slant on the fabric https://www.miataforumz.com/attachme...ine=1329490728 ^^^ teaser pic of the next 'lil project that's been sitting in the garage for a few weeks. Yes custom altezza's!!! hahaha! Don't worry, they are going to be "massaged" a bit - I'm hoping they won't turn out ricey. If they do, this might be the only evidence of me ever purchasing something this wack... I'm trying to get them done & on the car by Stoly's F&F event on 10/01, we'll see if that happens... And if you were wondering - yes that's a real license plate (MX5 2NR). I had it on the silver NB I used to own (my avatar, pics in my album). And yes, I have plans to use it (another teaser)... Remember kids, only you can prevent forest fires... |
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So with the help of Stoly (big props brah) I got to working on my brakes this weekend.
https://www.miataforumz.com/attachme...ine=1329490938 It was all lookin' good, got everything installed (pads/rotors/SS lines). https://www.miataforumz.com/attachme...ine=1329490938 Then the next morning I got my girlfriend to lend a foot to help me bleed the system. The bleeder valve on the right rear caliper was stuck so I exerted my manhood to show him who's boss - bad move... https://www.miataforumz.com/attachme...ine=1329490938 I snapped the bleeder valve screw right at the caliper & I spent the next few hours trying to get it out - it's a no-go... Now I'm searching for a rear caliper. I found that the local Pick N Pull has a ton of Protege's & from what I can gather it's the same caliper. I should be heading out there to grab one sometime this week... |
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Well, I installed the PnP Protege caliper. I had put up a post in the brakes/suspension section, it has more info, pics & discussion if you want to read through it - here's the link: http://clubroadster.net/vb_forum/sho...15#post1014515. Anyway, here's a pic of the Protege caliper installed on a NA:
https://www.miataforumz.com/attachme...ine=1329491062 It kinda fits, but the bracket is a lil' large, making the pad grab about half as much as it should. As of this writing the car is still on jackstands & obviously haven't driven it yet. I can see it working, but not as well as a stock NA caliper would. I'm using it as a temporary fix until I find a NA caliper on the cheap. I wouldn't recommend it to guys who DD their car or track it (obviously). I drive less than 50 miles a month on this car- if that & most of it is at maybe 2/10ths... |
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I left out discussion on the caliper/bracket from the original post. I ended up using a Miata bracket on the Protege caliper - works like a charm....
Well, after the Cowboys debacle on Sunday I got frustrated with life & decided to finish up the trunk. I went ahead and cut up some spacers out of 2"x2" & 1"x1" wood pieces (the 1"x1" are covered in black speaker carpet). I always thought things look better under glass. https://www.miataforumz.com/attachme...ine=1329491280 It's like I'm straight outta' a car stereo shop in '88 now. I am thinking about cutting the edges of the plexiglass to match up better with the curves of the sunken area, ya' know, so it doesn't look so boxed out. I wasn't sure if I could cut it with the jigsaw I am using, so I didn't take the chance. I'm hoping someone can chime in... I'm not too happy with the look of the black-carpeted spacers, I'm not too sure what to do. I need the extra space to clear the amps & to provide some ventilation. Should I re-cover them in the matching plaid fabric? |
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I haven't updated the build thread in a while, and it's for good reason - there hasn't been much to update. I've been extremely busy with "life" & I haven't had much time to devote to the car.
I have been able to drive it a bit more since it's been amazing weather out here. Here's a pic from a "meet" in San Antonio where I met up with Banzai & Shadow_Mx5... It was earlier on, the parking lot was pretty full when I left about an hour or 2 after this pic was taken. Sorry about the crap phone pic... https://www.miataforumz.com/attachme...ine=1329491367 I haven't really progressed too far on the whole tail-light thing. Hopefully in a couple of weeks I'll have some time to work on them & have something to show. I'm having to slow down progression. I was originally planning on getting the car into a paint booth in Jan/Feb, but now it's looking like it'll be sometime in late-summer - if that. But when it goes in, it looks like a R-Type lip will be added, CR has spoken & I was leaning that way anyway... Enjoy & be safe... |
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Well, I've gotten a lil time to work on the car during the holidays & have progressed work on these:
https://www.miataforumz.com/attachme...ine=1329491551 I removed the plastic cover with a heat gun and a screwdriver. Then I spent hours with Goo Gone, a flathead screwdriver, and a few jack & cokes. After cleaning out all the adhesive gunk I could I started taping everything off. https://www.miataforumz.com/attachme...ine=1329491551 I then proceeded to apply body filler. I am suck at this, but steadily improving... https://www.miataforumz.com/attachme...ine=1329491551 I sanded off the excess filler, and attempted to smoothen everything out. I sprayed a couple of coats of primer... https://www.miataforumz.com/attachme...ine=1329491551 It's kinda where I'm at today. I need to fill in the little imperfections, sand it smooth, and respray the light. I haven't touched the other light yet, this is taking a lot longer than expected, but I'm learning as I go - that's where the fun is, right? Hopefully today I'll get one light finished - that's the plan... I'll update this with a pic if I can get it done. Anyway guys I kinda want your opinions/tips/suggestions. I'm kinda still on the fence with these tails, if anything it's a challenge for me & a learning experience. I feel like I've gotten much better at working with body filler since doing the headlights (the first time I've ever touched the stuff). The ultimate goal is to get at least the rear end of the car (trunk, taillights, finish panel, bumper) straight & primer'ed out by the end of the month... |
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Been working on the tails..
It took a lot of this: https://www.miataforumz.com/attachme...ine=1329491709 checking out what it'd look like... https://www.miataforumz.com/attachme...ine=1329491709 aannddd..... Done! https://www.miataforumz.com/attachme...ine=1329491709 All together to check for paint variances.. https://www.miataforumz.com/attachme...ine=1329491709 I kinda rushed the other taillight & had some drips on the clear coat. I tried to "fix" them, but I think I made it worse. Oh well, it's all relatively temporary... I'm still not 100% sure if I'm gonna like it. I'm saving final judgement for when it's all on the car. I also painted the rear finish panel I bought a while back. I ran out of clear coat, so it still needs 1 more coat to get the same gloss as the tails. Next week I'll start on the rear bumper - trim off a 'lil on the bottom, fill in a phantom 1" hole, sand and primer; & also fill in holes in the trunk lid from PO's aluminum wing, sand & primer. New goal - by mid February get the entire car primer'd out. Progress pics coming... __________________ |
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Originally in build thread, omitted here - questions/comments about molding lights, & discussion about possible options...
Really really good suggestions guys, I really appreciate it - a LOT... I'm taking a lunch break right now, & also waiting for my Dremel tool to recharge (one of these days I gotta get a corded Dremel). I went ahead and cut my bumper, and I fit a spot for the reverse light that I picked up from Harbor Freight (for a mere $12!). I'd like to trim up the rear bumper support, but I've got to deal with rusted bolts like these: https://www.miataforumz.com/attachme...ine=1329491977 I can't stress enough how much I don't want to deal with this at the moment, it's like a whole can of worms that I'd rather not open right now. I know it's not a "choice" look, but for the moment I'm gonna leave it be. I'll clean it up later... I didn't want to begin molding in the reverse lights on the modified altezza's until I found a decent location to mount the new reverse light, for obvious reasons. I located a bolt that I could use that places the light about where I wanted it - opposite the exhaust pipe. I thought about installing it in the tailpipe location & running a center exit exhaust, but i decided to keep the exhaust in the stock location. Sometime in the future I'm planning on installing a trailer receiver to lug around track wheels/tires & a toolbox... Anyway, here's a pic of where I mounted the bracket for the reverse light. https://www.miataforumz.com/attachme...ine=1329491977 Before I came back in, I did a "mockup" of how it all should look. I duct taped the areas together where the pieces are to be filled in. https://www.miataforumz.com/attachme...ine=1329491977 https://www.miataforumz.com/attachme...ine=1329491977 I need to figure out how to wire up the reverse light - there's a red wire coming out of the Harbor Freight light. I haven't looked at the Mazda wires, but I'm assuming it can't be difficult... --- right? |
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Been workin' on the ass end some more, progress pics...
I fixed all the little bumps and bruises on the bumper & layed down a layer of primer... https://www.miataforumz.com/attachme...ine=1329492157 I filled in the reverse lights, this is before I sanded them down... https://www.miataforumz.com/attachme...ine=1329492157 While I was sanding the passenger side down, I noticed a small gap between the red reflector & the taillight (the area not taped up). I haven't done it yet, but am thinking about carefully sealing it up with caulk & sanding it smooth. Good idea or should I do something else? https://www.miataforumz.com/attachme...ine=1329492157 Here's a few pics of the taillights sanded down & everything mocked up again... https://www.miataforumz.com/attachme...ine=1329492157 https://www.miataforumz.com/attachme...ine=1329492157 I've already started wiring up the new reverse light, I'm about halfway through, should have the wire done over this weekend. Gotta spend time with the g/f & her parents so I probably won't get to finishing up the rear end until Monday or so... The goal is to get the tails & finish panel molded together, painted, and installed before next weekend... |
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So back to the car. I've been working on the car all last week to get it to a point to where I can have a "driveable project" again & I veered off the path a lil' bit. I have kinda always liked the clean smooth look (no body lines), so I got to workin'.... (BTW props to 1vicissitude on the Rage Body Filler tip, thanks mang!)
So anyway, I filled in the belt line on the rear bumper... https://www.miataforumz.com/attachme...ine=1329492395 ... and the rear bumper lights... https://www.miataforumz.com/attachme...ine=1329492395 I wired the reverse light by tapping into the wires on the back of the driver's side tail light - I set it up so it could be reversed back to stock easily (bullet connectors). https://www.miataforumz.com/attachme...ine=1329492395 I went ahead and mounted up the tail lights & finish panel. Just a word of warning - I'm using an R-Speed finish panel (stock). The panel does not bolt up and line up perfectly like a Mazda factory rear finish panel, I don't know if it's just the one I have, or if all rear finish panels are like that. I had to modify the key hole & I had to shave down the edges of the finish panel where it meets the rear 3/4 panel (rear fenders). Also a pictured below the lines are all outta wack - good thing I'm molding-in the tails.... https://www.miataforumz.com/attachme...ine=1329492395 https://www.miataforumz.com/attachme...ine=1329492395 After a bit of fill & sand I went ahead and sprayed a quick layer of primer. I still need to smoothen it out a bit and finish it out proper. All in all I think I spent about $225-$250 on the finish panel, tail lights, body fill, primer, clear coat, sandpaper, filler applicators, extra hardener, and random hardware. Pic of where it stands at this point.... https://www.miataforumz.com/attachme...ine=1329492395 https://www.miataforumz.com/attachme...ine=1329492395 https://www.miataforumz.com/attachme...ine=1329492395 More body work to come.... |
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I got about an hour today to get back to work on the rear. I sanded out the areas to expose the low spots.
https://www.miataforumz.com/attachme...ine=1329492573 Another shot... https://www.miataforumz.com/attachme...ine=1329492573 I'm really trying to get the rear totally smooth & painted & also get the trunk smooth/painted within the next 2 weeks. I'm gettin' kinda busy with other things, which is hindering progress. I picked up a fender from an NA & a cowl/front window trim panel off an NB this past week. THe fender has a slight dent where it meets the bumper, but I think it's workable. The cowl looks like it's the same for an NB & NA, mine was broken at the passenger side. https://www.miataforumz.com/attachme...ine=1329492573 pics of the dent, it's hard to see in pics... Sorry about the camera strap floating in the frame on the second pic... https://www.miataforumz.com/attachme...ine=1329492573 https://www.miataforumz.com/attachme...ine=1329492573 I've got my eye open for a new steering wheel, I've grown sick of the diaper of a steering wheel that came from the factory. Any recommendations? |
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Well, Monday night before I went to sleep I noticed that the local PnP had 2 Miata's on the lot. So Tuesday morning I dropped everything to scavenge what I could off them before they turn into carcasses. I picked up a straight trunk lid for $35 & 3 window/door trim pieces for $15. Why 3? One of them had the tabs ripped off, but it was in good condition otherwise. Either way the 3 I picked up are in far better condition than what's on my car now. I'm having a ---- of a time sanding off the clearcoat on the back of the trunk - the stuff does not want off. I'm using 80 & 100 grits & doing it by hand with slow results. The paint on the top of the trunk was already faded & the clear was gone so sanding was a joke on that.
Pics of my booty... not what you think, pervs... https://www.miataforumz.com/attachme...ine=1329492669 I smoothened out the tails/rear panel & sprayed a layer of primer, waiting for it to dry.... https://www.miataforumz.com/attachme...ine=1329492669 I'm no graffiti artist, but my spray can skill jumped like 10 points since I started this project. |
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mx5 2nr I'm no graffiti artist, but my spray can skill jumped like 10 points since I started this project. Totally spoke too soon.... After spraying the tails I had an alligator looking pattern emerging from part of the tails & finish panel. After some more sanding (sigh) and a few coats of primer & clear coat I can now say I am 100% freakin' done with these tails/finish panel. In between waiting for the coats to dry I finished prepping the PnP trunk & spraying it. Turns out my new trunk isn't as straight as I once thought. Unfortunately there's about 6 or 7 small hail dents that I didn't see until I sprayed the first coat of primer. Oh well, even with the dents it's in better condition then the one that came with the car. Either I learn how to do PDR, or I work it in the deal when I get the car painted professionally. I'm not sure if they shows in pictures. https://www.miataforumz.com/attachme...ine=1329492960 I'm soo used to seeing the car all taped up & under drop cloth, it's weird to see it like this... https://www.miataforumz.com/attachme...ine=1329492960 https://www.miataforumz.com/attachme...ine=1329492960 https://www.miataforumz.com/attachme...ine=1329492960 I feel like all I've been doing is updating this with the same pics over and over. I can't tell you the elation I felt when I pulled the tape & plastic off for (hopefully) the last time on those tails. I really can't believe that they're done. This was a hell'uva monster project for me, I totally pushed the limits of what I thought I could do. If anyone out there wants to do the same conversion, hit me up if you want assistance. Finishing off the bodywork seems like a piece of cake now... |
Man... that took longer than expected... Ok, now both build threads are on the same page...
Enjoy MFZ'rs, & comments/questions are more than welcome. |
Originally Posted by mx5 2nr
(Post 11996)
Man... that took longer than expected... Ok, now both build threads are on the same page...
Enjoy MFZ'rs, & comments/questions are more than welcome. |
Originally Posted by RedTurboMiata
(Post 11979)
i dig the headlights, may have to look into doing something like that.
I saw a guy on CR in "the headlight thread" that started the conversion, but didn't fill the space b/w the light and bumper; he eventually went back to barndoors IIRC. I took his idea & tried to "make it fit". Another member on CR (Sprsta) decided to use the barndoors & cut into the headlight to mount the 240 light housing. I wanted to be able to go back to stock if I wanted to relatively easy. I'm currently combing over the body, starting from the rear moving forward, shaving the body line & primer'ing it out. When I get to the headlights, I'm planning to refinish the fitment on them so they sit better on the car along with doing a projector retro-fit. If you need help or anything, hit me up. I'll do my best to help.. |
Originally Posted by mx5 2nr
(Post 12000)
Thanks man, i appreciate it!
I saw a guy on CR in "the headlight thread" that started the conversion, but didn't fill the space b/w the light and bumper; he eventually went back to barndoors IIRC. I took his idea & tried to "make it fit". Another member on CR (Sprsta) decided to use the barndoors & cut into the headlight to mount the 240 light housing. I wanted to be able to go back to stock if I wanted to relatively easy. I'm currently combing over the body, starting from the rear moving forward, shaving the body line & primer'ing it out. When I get to the headlights, I'm planning to refinish the fitment on them so they sit better on the car along with doing a projector retro-fit. If you need help or anything, hit me up. I'll do my best to help.. |
I had to trim the sides of the housing to get it to fit in the area where the stock Miata lights go. The 240's headlight opening is about an inch or 2 wider than ours.
-edit - were you asking if I used "all the 240 headlight assembly"? Like the motors and whatnot? Not really. THe ebay kit is just the 2 housing pieces, 4 headlights (lenses/beam), & 4 H3 bulbs. I used all the pieces included in the kit, but I didn't use any actual 240 pieces. I dunno if that made sense or answered your question. |
yea i answered it kinda, i was asking about the bulbs and housings
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I really love those tail lights! Awesome build!
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By far one of my favorite headlight/tail light custom jobs. Glad to have your build on here Jay ;)
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yum those taillights are sexy. good stuff!
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Wow great effort on this build! Love to see people working hard to get ---- done! Makes me feel not so bad for slaving away at mine.
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2 Attachment(s)
Thanks guys!!! :D
It's a lot of work, but when you're working with a budget of near zero, you learn to do stuff that saves $$$. Well, anyway... bodywork continues.... https://www.miataforumz.com/attachme...ine=1330014149 I wanna get to a stopping point asap - the weather out here is too damn' nice to not be driving! |
what are you doing to the body in that picture? pulling the fenders?
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Originally Posted by mx5 2nr
(Post 12486)
I wanna get to a stopping point asap - the weather out here is too damn' nice to not be driving!
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Originally Posted by Track
(Post 12489)
what are you doing to the body in that picture? pulling the fenders?
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Ahhh I see...good good. A lot of prep work for you not to paint it in the end! You should just plastidip it!
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Originally Posted by Track
(Post 12503)
Ahhh I see...good good. A lot of prep work for you not to paint it in the end! You should just plastidip it!
lol! I should, right... Seriously, it'll get painted properly one day when I've finished the exterior, interior, engine work, suspension, etc... not particularly in that order. Soo, yeah.... I'll get to really paint it sometime in the next 3 to 5... years? lol |
10 Attachment(s)
Got done with the rear 3/4! It's not perfect, but I'm no painter. I had huge runs in the clear that I tried to wetsand out, you can definitely see them... anyway pics...
https://www.miataforumz.com/attachme...ine=1330125800 https://www.miataforumz.com/attachme...ine=1330125800 https://www.miataforumz.com/attachme...ine=1330125800 https://www.miataforumz.com/attachme...ine=1330125800 One from a quick cruise to Starbucks... https://www.miataforumz.com/attachme...ine=1330125800 I'm gonna commence bodywork next week, I need to rest & drive while it's nice outside... |
8 Attachment(s)
Not really much of a "build update", but I borrowed a hardtop from my buddy Stoly last weekend in anticipation of rain for a drive to Austin for a run on Lime Creek Road with some friends. A few pics...
With Stoly's other Miata, Flipper when I picked up the top.. https://www.miataforumz.com/attachme...ine=1331823501 Making a stop along Lime Creek Rd to regroup and to snap a few pics... https://www.miataforumz.com/attachme...ine=1331823501 Elbows out! lol! https://www.miataforumz.com/attachme...ine=1331823501 The end of the day at Bikini's in San Marcos for some food & drinks... https://www.miataforumz.com/attachme...ine=1331823501 I had an absolute blast. It's been about 10 years since I did my last "Miata drive" (in my old NB), & I did fairly well considering how slammed the car is. The only carnage was when I nailed a hidden bump at the bottom of a hill and went airborne, dislodging a spark plug wire from the coil. Running on 3 cylinders is all fun & games until you need to get up a hill.... Sadly, I had to give back the hardtop, but I have to move that higher on the "parts to buy" list. The car really felt so much tighter with it on. |
low and slow!
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Originally Posted by MF-Brain
(Post 13881)
slow and low!
Like the Beastie Boys song, ya know... lol |
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