My new toy- 1992 Miata

[AARP]

Hey guys, after months of scouring Craigslist and looking for a deal I finally found what I was looking for and thought I'd show her off. It's a 92' with 112,000 and (as far as I know) I'm the third owner. The car was used by gomiata.com as a show car and got pretty much every upgrade they could fit in it. Actually, you can still see a picture of it here http://www.gomiata.com/stipepa.html as they're still using it as the picture for their package deals.

I'm getting more used to the clutch every time I hop in it, but hill starts still aren't as good as they need to be. I have a feeling I'm holding the clutch in too long but that's the only way I don't stall. Now for something strange. The car has an aftermarket sony sound system and it also has an alarm. However, the LCD screen for the alarm is broken. Tonight when I parked her in the driveway she started dieseling without the key in the ignition. I had to stall to get it to stop. However, this has only happened once. I thought it may have something to do with the alarm (viper system?) but when I press the second button all that happens is the lights and console lights will turn on and off. As far as I know the third button doesn't do anything. Anyone have experience with these systems? Does my car have a remote start?

Here's some pics I took this afternoon.
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash1/hs886.ash1/179457_1757687738877_1139510070_31900871_4675525_n .jpg
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/hs256.snc6/180474_1757691698976_1139510070_31900883_2561689_n .jpg
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash1/hs897.ash1/180531_1757683338767_1139510070_31900858_2556469_n .jpg
http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs1365.snc4/163702_1757684658800_1139510070_31900863_6417706_n .jpg
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/hs021.snc6/165165_1757699819179_1139510070_31900912_6735777_n .jpg
http://i53.tinypic.com/2mwcge8.png

[Vettezuki]

Awesome. :dinrk: I LOVE my wife's MX-5 (2006). Best handling car I've ever driven, not that I have a lot of experience.

[Chuck]

Is your alarm remote blue looks like a tiny cellphone?

[AARP]

Is your alarm remote blue looks like a tiny cellphone?

It's black and looks like a tiny cellphone with buttons at the bottom labeled I, II, and III.

[SeanPlunk]

That's awesome. Do I see an eaton blower in there?

[AARP]

That's awesome. Do I see an eaton blower in there?

That's actually a Jackson Racing that they don't make anymore. :bigthumbsup:

[injdinjn]

See you at Adams ;)

[SoCalC55]

niceeeee find

going to be perfect for the twisties! Any idea what power it's putting down

[AARP]

niceeeee find

going to be perfect for the twisties! Any idea what power it's putting down

A rough ballpark estimate is around 130HP (not bad when stock is 90), but I have no idea what kind of torque. It would be nice to get it dyno'd.

[AARP]

See you at Adams ;)

Ha, won't be until I get better at driving it.

[94cobra69ss396]

First off, beautiful car. Now to the dieseling. It's usaully caused by too much ignition timing. Do you know what it set to at idle?

[BADDASSC6]

I like it! Good find.

[Kozak]

I think if you hold the third button it pops your trunk, but I'm no expert.

[AARP]

Hmm, I've gotta ask you guys if this is normal. Today I stalled in an intersection (first time I've stalled in 3 days of driving) so I acted casual, put the hazards on, put the clutch in again and made sure I was in first. However, when I went to turn the ignition it wouldn't click over. I immediately went into panic mode and tried until about the fourth time when it would turn over. Is this normal?

[Vettezuki]

Hmm, I've gotta ask you guys if this is normal. Today I stalled in an intersection (first time I've stalled in 3 days of driving) so I acted casual, put the hazards on, put the clutch in again and made sure I was in first. However, when I went to turn the ignition it wouldn't click over. I immediately went into panic mode and tried until about the fourth time when it would turn over. Is this normal?

No. The only thing that pops into mind is a potentially faulty neutral safety switch. If it happens again, take it out of first, into neutral and back into first, pumping the clutch, and see what happens. :huh: The swtich is designed to keep you from starting in gear. Jeeps (at least most Wranglers I know of) don't have them so you can start in gear. :nuts:

[AARP]

No. The only thing that pops into mind is a potentially faulty neutral safety switch. If it happens again, take it out of first, into neutral and back into first, pumping the clutch, and see what happens. :huh: The swtich is designed to keep you from starting in gear. Jeeps (at least most Wranglers I know of) don't have them so you can start in gear. :nuts:

Yeah, I've had this happen before after stalling, but usually it will turn right over. However, the rpm's would jump between 1500 and 500 and die in a couple seconds if I didn't gas it.

[AARP]

Started her up today and am still having a rough idle. However, I can now hear belts squealing at startup. Could these be related issues?

[Vettezuki]

Started her up today and am still having a rough idle. However, I can now hear belts squealing at startup. Could these be related issues?

I'm not sure, but doubt it. Are the belts worn? Do they seem to have decent tread and tension? The squealing is coming from them slipping on the pulleys before they grab. It's worst when it's cold and the rubber is hard.

Your rough idle could be from a large number of things. How many miles? When (if ever) did it get a thorough tuneup? Fouled plugs and dead O2 sensors don't bode well for performance. A failing MAF certainly could effect your idle. Any thought you might have a leak around the intake?

[enkeivette]

I always think it's strange when people supercharge a 4 cyl. But still cool. If the car is idling the same as it was before you took the key out, it may have to do with the alarm, if it's not an intermittent problem. But if it's 'dieseling,' running rougher but still chugging along, it does not have to do with the alarm.

Your rough idle has nothing to do with your squeaky belts. Your throttle body/ IAC is probably just dirty. Spray a ton of carb cleaner in there, then get it up to operating temp and run it hard.

[Vettezuki]

I always think it's strange when people supercharge a 4 cyl. But still cool. If the car is idling the same as it was before you took the key out, it may have to do with the alarm, if it's not an intermittent problem. But if it's 'dieseling,' running rougher but still chugging along, it does not have to do with the alarm.

Your rough idle has nothing to do with your squeaky belts. Your throttle body/ IAC is probably just dirty. Spray a ton of carb cleaner in there, then get it up to operating temp and run it hard.

You could use my favorite SeaFoam too. It's kind of amazing how much better some cars run after it's been used. Just bring it in through a vacuum line to the intake for a bit. Let it sit a while, fire it up and observe the battleship smoke screen that may emit (if it was all carboned up in the cylinders). Good advice on the TB too.

[AARP]

Alright, I'll let you guys take a look at it at the meet on the 13th. As far as the alarm, I got it disabled a couple days ago. :thumbs_up:

[Chuck]

The alarm could have had a remote start that was acting up.

[AARP]

Alrighty, bumping the thread because I believe I've isolated the issue today at a Miata Techday meet (which funny enough my engine died again on the way to. All of a sudden, "Oh **** my power steering just went out. Wait, no my engine died.") We think it's my fuel pressure regulator that's causing it. Here's a pic to show the Jackson Racing model.
http://i56.tinypic.com/2rn8uqa.jpg

With the low boost I'm running, I really don't think it's worth it to invest a bunch of money in a MegaSquirt and tune it. I think I'm just going to get another Jackson Racing one for around $100 off a guy that has an extra. Hopefully that'll solve my issue. How easy is it to remove and install a new one?

[Vettezuki]

Alrighty, bumping the thread because I believe I've isolated the issue today at a Miata Techday meet (which funny enough my engine died again on the way to. All of a sudden, "Oh **** my power steering just went out. Wait, no my engine died.") We think it's my fuel pressure regulator that's causing it. Here's a pic to show the Jackson Racing model.
http://i56.tinypic.com/2rn8uqa.jpg

With the low boost I'm running, I really don't think it's worth it to invest a bunch of money in a MegaSquirt and tune it. I think I'm just going to get another Jackson Racing one for around $100 off a guy that has an extra. Hopefully that'll solve my issue. How easy is it to remove and install a new one?

Exactly why do you think it's the fuel pressure regulator?

[AARP]

Exactly why do you think it's the fuel pressure regulator?

It seems it's not compensating adequately for the blower. I'm not 100% sure it's the culprit, which is why I'm going to take it to a miata mechanic first, but it seems to be likely at this point with the surging, crappy idle, and it running rich/lean.

[AARP]

Still haven't had time to get the fuel pressure issue checked out, but I am seriously tired of my god awful "baller" 17" wheels. I'll possibly be selling my bike since I don't ride enough to pick up these:
http://www.good-win-racing.com/Mazda-Performance-Part/21-1013.html
Very similar to Enkei RPF-1's but weighing 13lbs at $125 each.
http://www.good-win-racing.com/Mazda-Performance-Part/60-0157WO.html
Or possibly with Kuhmo's mounted on them, but the price seems a bit high since TireRack charges $90 per for the same tire. Anyone have experience mounting their own tires?

Also, considering I currently have 17's I'm hoping I don't have to roll my fenders. I can't tell if they've already been rolled or not.

[Vettezuki]

Still haven't had time to get the fuel pressure issue checked out, but I am seriously tired of my god awful "baller" 17" wheels. I'll possibly be selling my bike since I don't ride enough to pick up these:
http://www.good-win-racing.com/Mazda-Performance-Part/21-1013.html
Very similar to Enkei RPF-1's but weighing 13lbs at $125 each.
http://www.good-win-racing.com/Mazda-Performance-Part/60-0157WO.html
Or possibly with Kuhmo's mounted on them, but the price seems a bit high since TireRack charges $90 per for the same tire. Anyone have experience mounting their own tires?

Also, considering I currently have 17's I'm hoping I don't have to roll my fenders. I can't tell if they've already been rolled or not.

I wouldn't think to mount my own tires. It's like $10/each almost anywhere. Probably less if you look around. They have the automated machines for this and will bang it out in minutes. If you try to do it manually, it's going to be a fight and you might ding up your rims in the process. JMO.

Oh, hit up Leedom. He knows a place in South OC that has consistently low out the door prices for wheels and tires.

[Leedom]

Tucker Tire in Laguna Niguel of the 5 @ Crown Valley - (949) 364-3225.

They rock!

[AARP]

Tucker Tire in Laguna Niguel of the 5 @ Crown Valley - (949) 364-3225.

They rock!

Alrighty, I'll hit em up after I get the money. Dunno if they'll have the Konig's as they seem to be pretty new and not too prevalent. But I'll definitely talk to them about the Kuhmo's and getting them mounted.

[Shaolin Crane]

K&E Tires in el monte. They are a whole saler, pay cash, no tax and will mount and balance on the spot too. Got 4 NT05's in a 275/40/17 for $580 Mounted and balanced.
2503 Seaman Avenue South El Monte, CA 91733-1927 - (626) 453-0491

[AARP]

So as a poor high school student, I think I'll be going with the Kuhmo Ecsta ASX instead of the XS as a treadwear of 420 goes a lot longer than 180, plus they're about $20-25 cheaper per tire. Plus, I get to wiggle my tail more often :p

Leedom/Shaolin, do you remember how much your shops charge to mount/balance?

[Shaolin Crane]

I dont recall exactly, something like $10-15 a tire. On the 07 it was 580 for Pirelli P-Zeros mounted and balanced.

[AARP]

I dont recall exactly, something like $10-15 a tire. On the 07 it was 580 for Pirelli P-Zeros mounted and balanced.

:D

Damn that's cheap.

[Ryridesmotox]

bitchin little miata dude. Those are fun to drive for sure.

[AARP]

So, since my rear diff (one of the notoriously bad 1.6 versions) grenaded on me on Fullerton Rd., I've managed to get a 04 MazdaSpeed Miata's Torsen LSD. Not only that, but I'm also getting it's big brakes/rotors aswell. Now if I only the money to swap in it's 6 speed tranny too...

[SeanPlunk]

So, since my rear diff (one of the notoriously bad 1.6 versions) grenaded on me on Fullerton Rd., I've managed to get a 04 MazdaSpeed Miata's Torsen LSD. Not only that, but I'm also getting it's big brakes/rotors aswell. Now if I only the money to swap in it's 6 speed tranny too...

I didn't know you blew your diff, total bummer :(

When are you putting the new stuff on?

[AARP]

I didn't know you blew your diff, total bummer :(

When are you putting the new stuff on?

Already bought the rear end, working on talking the guy down on the entire break set up on his MSM. He said he can't ship till Monday so I might be out for the cruise.

[Small White Car]

Don't bother with the 6sp. It won't do anything for you performance wise, it's just more rowing, the ratios are too close. The 5sp is perfect for the the little bugger. You got the axles to go with the Torson, correct?

And ship? Where you buying from? Did you talk to Erik? Have you been in touch with Roman in Pasadena?

[AARP]

Yep, I got the bosch torsen 4.1, beefy MSM axles, and driveshaft for 650 shipped from Florida. Matt's selling me his sport brakes for 150 also. Erik's installing everything.

[Kozak]

And here I'm having trouble saving up for my headers at 24 years old

[Small White Car]

So I hear this thing is up and running again?

Missed us last week youngster.

[AARP]

That it is, though it won't be at KINOD this week. Instead it will be getting a 6-point rollbar with double diagonals installed by Moti. I just couldn't resist those door bars.

Already with the Torsen in the back the car feels more solid then ever. And I believe we fixed a hose leak by replacing all my hoses which should help my surging problem. Erik did an excellent job!

[AARP]

Bump to show how the car is coming along:
http://i52.tinypic.com/2h31rp1.jpg

[blackax]

It's looking sexy