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Mazda’s 2016 SEMA Concepts are the Yin and Yang of MX-5 Miatas

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 of the Global Cup Car. The concept cars were designed in house at Mazda’s R&D center in Irvine and aim to honor the brand’s motorsport heritage while evoking a sense of “Mazda Premium.” Either way they both look like a lot of fun!

Press Release after the jump
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It’s Torsen Time! or How about a little LSD?

Sometimes you just have to go off Craigslist. Thanks to the people at The Parts Group from the great state of Florida, and with little thanks to the FedEx shipping clerk in California for making me wait another day, the meat and potatoes of the Craigslist Miata’s upgraded drivetrain has finally arrived.

Stay tuned for a full 4.3 Torsen LSD swap into an NA6 Mazda Miata from Hiro’s Auto Repair in Costa Mesa. The swap includes new axles, driveshaft and now the installation of Energy Suspension bushings. At least that’s what we know about.


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Mazda Miatas Hit the High Banks of #FDSEA

Mad Mike’s RadBull is based of the Mazda Miata and is powered by a four rotor-twin turbocharged monster of a motor that gladly spits flames as he flies around the track. Kyle Mohan and the MazdaTrix MX-5 may be down one rotor, but equally rips around the banks of Evergreen Speedway in Monroe Washington outside of Seattle. Enjoy the sights and sounds from the grid at Formula Drift Seattle with this quick little walkaround video of the Red Bull sponsored machine, just make sure you turn your speakers way up.

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Classic or Crazy? You decide!

After spending a few minutes playing with Photoshop, realizing we had a new logo to work with. One thing led to another and this Steve McQueen Gulf liveried inspired Le Mans racing jacket went from classic to crazy. Special shout out to all The Craigslist Miata supporters including Mazdaspeed for providing racing discounts, Hiro’s Auto Repair for when it comes to serious work, Dunlop tires and of course Valvoline with their wonderful High Mileage power steering fluid which we buy by the case.

FDNJ 2016 + OPTIMA ULTIMATE FILM FEST

Being chosen to participate in the Optima Ultimate Film Festival with SNOW DRIFT, we just had to go to the screening at Formula Drift New Jersey at Wall Speedway (only a short ways away from the Jersey Shore). Highlights included an RE Amemiya FD RX-7 complete with 993 front end and of course some smokey sideways drifting action. Special thanks to Kyle Mohan for the interview.

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AutoX SCCA/SCNAX @ El Toro 7/12/16

What a difference a year makes. Second annual AutoX for the Craigslist Miata. The runways of El Toro seem to be our home track. Started the day at 74, then a 72 and finally a very low 70. All runs with passenger for maximum fun. Other cool cars included an old Scirocco with some pretty aggressive stance. Thank you very much to the man at tech who lent me the air compressor and suggested starting around 40 PSI for the new tires.


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Car wash

Doing your part in the Golden State means riding dirty. However $5 worth of quarters can make the Craigslist Miata incredibly shiny. You gotta’ look good if you plan on passing tech. Rather have them talking to you about the hardtop than harking on that power steering puddle.
PRO TIP: The bolt that holds the striker plate to the windshield is an 8MMx20MM

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Suspension restore serious work

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 needed an alignment anyway.

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New wipers

Very simple job that goes a long way towards making the Craigslist Miata a lot nicer looking. An email from our friends at Project-g letting us know that the reconditioned wipers for the NA were back in stack, and way nicer than anything you can do over a long weekend. Check for availability. Now it doesn’t look like I got a ticket every time I walk up to the car.
http://www.projectgla.com/store/
PRO TIP: The blue tape really helped when it came time to reinstall


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Suspension restore day 3

Because no good suspension restoration is complete without enjoying the fruits of one’s labor. Over 100 miles of solid carving along Mullholland Drive and the slop in the front suspension seemed to be gone. The non-pressurized power steering proved to be intrusive to the newly refined driving experience (until topped off), but boy does the Craigslist Miata soak up the bumps with new bushings.
PRO TIP: Always stop to enjoy the views


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Suspension restore day 2

After feeling defeat from our O’reily’s sourced socket set, a trip to the Home Depot for some serious tool corralling.
PRO TIP: Breaker bars, blue gloves and are your friend
AMATEUR MOVE: Don’t tighten down one side without the links being in place on the other

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Snow Drift – OPTIMA ULTIMATE FILM FEST @SEMA2016

I was looking at Instagram and saw something about the Optima Ultimate Film Fest. They were looking for video of cars being pushed to the limit. Turns out there was an action cam category. 100% POV. 2:00 limit. Thanks to the ride along from the Mazda Ice Academy, we got that.

-Shot: GoPro Hero4 Black
-Edit: Final Cut Pro 7
-Song: Pomade by Silent Partner

UPDATE: SNOW DRIFT was chosen and screened at the Optima Ultimate Film Festival at FDNJ and is in the running for the finals at SEMA. Sorry but they told me I had to take the link down until then.

New Wheels

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 base, one coat of gold (when I can find it) finally followed by some clear. Let’s see how this goes.

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Mazdaspeed spoiler install

Some careful use of blue tape and an electric drill make installing the (replica) Mazdaspeed spoilers a possible one-person job. Interestingly enough, the back bumper on the ’91 Craigslist Miata had marks letting you know where to make the holes for a ’94 R Package (imitation) lower rear lip.

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Steering wheel install

The Nardi had spent quite some time sitting quietly on the bookshelf, now it was time to restore its purpose. It took a little bit of courage to tinker with the 20 year old airbag, but once the cover came off things started to look a lot nicer inside the cabin.

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