So we might have a problem, but when you can collect wheels and tires off Craigslist for cheap, eventually it becomes apparent that you’re a hoarder. However when you find yourself painting wheel weights to match the inside of your white wheels, now that’s a bit neurotic. Looks like someone will be having a Craigslist … Continue reading “Wheels, Wheels, Wheels…”
I promise this is the last time, for now. Really. Somehow I ended up on TireRack and somehow came across a pair of these Sparco who knows whats but they do look kind of funky. Like they would be cool on the back of a Miata drift car right, maybe, we’ll see.
Again with the unnecessary wheel purchase on Craigslist. But hear me out, these aren’t knock offs, these aren’t oversized; these are a genuine set of Enkei RPF1s. Now, these are not as iconic as the Volk Racing TE-37s, but amongst racers, these lightweight rollers are as classic as they come. It turns out the previous … Continue reading “A Set of Affordable Track Wheels or Enkei RPF1s with a Little Curb Rash”
After tripping over the new rims and being threatened by love ones, it’s time to get those rims on the Miata. PRO TIP: Don’t drive on mystery tires
I always loved old cars with new wheels, the only problem with these NB Sport rims by Enkei were that they needed a good scrubbing. A bucket of car wash, some new brushes and a handle of Simple Green should do the trick. Also, first time playing with Plastidip. Plan is two coats of black … Continue reading “New Wheels”
Sometimes moving forward, means letting things go. While there was a somewhat not so top-secret plan to expand the collection to include a drift-specific NB in order to preserve the restoration we call the CLM; like most things that happened in 2020 plans changed. Seeing as how we didn’t want to bother with cutting fenders … Continue reading “Off to a Better Home”
It is not very often the roof comes off the Craigslist Miata to reveal the NA’s nature as a real roadster. Originally this top was bought because the original soft top came with the rare USDM drop-down “flow-through” rear glass, and it was full of holes. The car once wore a very fashionable shower cap, … Continue reading “Going Topless or Making the World’s Sexiest Dog House”
Third time’s a Charm, right? Well, actually, this time yes. Yes, it was. The last time the Craigslist Miata made the trek out to Adams, things didn’t go so good. After a bit of required wrenching that included changing all fluids and rebleeding every hydraulic system in an attempt to ensure maximum time spent running … Continue reading “Time Attack @AMP 05/05/20”
Time for something new; now that the heater core is bypassed and the new brakes are good and bedded it is time to try Time Attack. Think of Time Attack like autocross with consequences, instead of hitting orange cones you drop wheels off curbs. While I had been to Adams Kart Track in the past, … Continue reading “Time Attack @AMP 02/28/20”
If the stupid amount of extra wheels and tires recently purchased off Craigslist wasn’t a giveaway as to the next big dumb idea being cooked up in the CLM garage an extra set of rear calipers should be a smack in the face. These looked cheap, and are definitely in need of a rebuild, but … Continue reading “Rear Calipers for Project Drift Miata”
I am a huge sucker for $500 wheels off Craigslist. Why buy a set of knock offs that are too gaudy, when you already have a right-sized version of the real thing? Because racecar; of course. When trying something new and risky, a cheap set of wheels can be a good bit of insurance. A … Continue reading “Why Rotas When You Already Have the Real Thing?”
Nothing looks nicer than a set of gleaming white TE-37s wrapped in chunky Falken rubber. As long as the wheels were coming off so the new tires could go on, why not spend some time to make them sparkle, even painted those pesky wheel weights. Based on the way they made the car handle in … Continue reading “A set of Falkens for my TEs”
If it weren’t for a friend making fun of my stock wheels, it would have been unthinkable to pull the trigger on a set of TE-37s for the Craigslist Miata, pretty much doubling the purchase price of the vehicle. There is only one wheel that should be on all cars, and while lots of time … Continue reading “TE-37s for the Craigslist Miata or Doubling Down on the CLM”
So I had this plan that the timing with the autocross at El Toro didn’t allow, but I have had this Bride bucket in an extra room for about two years now and right when I spring for a roll bar and start to get serious about a set of Takata harnesses and BOOM, great … Continue reading “I love it when a plan comes together”
It sounded like a good idea. $90 for up to 12 runs at El Toro, the day before an SCCA Solo competition. Not to mention the new Falken Azenis tires I was going to try out. The crowd at MCAS El Toro is always so friendly, and the Miata showing is quite strong. I started … Continue reading “SCCA SOLO Practice @ El Toro 6/10/17”
I once had an S13 and specced out the lightest 300ZX conversion complete with aluminum calipers and the smallest rotors possible. I could never get everything to fit once I packed the rotors, I even had them turned (God I love Hialeah), but ended up trading with my old mechanic in Miami. But the story … Continue reading “In search of the lightest Miata factory rims”
Ever since seeing Kei Miura sitting next up against a trailer at FDLB sketching something out I have been a fan of the wide bodied bombastic nature of Rocket Bunny kit. When I was he was making Miatas sit out like only an FD could I have been tempted by RBing my NA out. There … Continue reading “RC Rocket Bunny Miata Part 1: If you can’t buy it, build it”
Words, Photos and Video by TJ Keon Jacques Flynn is a Lead Designer at Mazda Design North America. He also had a big part in refreshing the windshield-less second generation ND Speedster concept that debuted at the 2016 SEMA Show alongside the all-new matte black RF Kuro concept car. After a year on the auto … Continue reading “2016 Mazda Miata SEMA Concepts”
Mazda is showing off their next generation of SEMA concept cars with the all-new and even lighter Speedster concept, devoid of any driver protection, as well as the one of a kind RF Kuro concept car, named for its custom charcoal metallic finish and wheel and tire package that would be familiar to any fan … Continue reading “Mazda’s 2016 SEMA Concepts are the Yin and Yang of MX-5 Miatas”
Miata hardtop Miata Torsen Miata M Edition Miata engine Miata turbo Miata wheels Miata suspension
Thanks to a pissing coolant pipe annoyingly located beneath the intake manifold, the Craigslist Miata makes a trip to Hiro’s where we not only replace every hose under the hood, but some very worn tie rod ends as well as front wheel bearings while we’re at it. New tires for the new wheels meant we … Continue reading “Suspension restore serious work”
After admiring the new wheels for a few days it’s time to dive in and get to work replacing the sway bar bushings. PRO TIP: Get a good set of tools
