My NA6 Miata!

Small presentation of my 5 from the first day till now...

So 1st day I bought the Miata was dirty and... stock!

Its the 1.6 model claimed by Mazda to make only 90 PS.

(Edit: All dynos prove the engine has 102. Not a big difference but its something)

German Import to Greece, 96k kms, one airbag, no ABS, no AC.

Ugly Artec 14'' wheels, crap stock suspension, broken roof tensioners.

Extras included Oris windblocker, Miata sideplates, Sony Radio, rear baggage thing etc

Just look how tan the roof is!

Next few days I bought an anti-theft system and a... cover to... cover it.

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1st mod: Bought a set of aftermarket mats from a friends store

(Edit: they are in my closet now)

Another mod, a set of thick leather grey stitched gear and handbrake gaitors.

Costed me 30 euros then...

Now they go for around 15 on ebay!

(Edit: Replaced later, sold to Sambas, who then gave the hb gaitor to Ksadelfos)

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Started toying with the idea of changing wheels.

Had some issues when I had the 86 but havent realized

how bad my situation was.

I now know I a fuckin wheel whore!

Photo-chops:

The Miata is made for lightweight rims.

And since the OZ Superlegera is a bit expensive, I only had one chance,

the Miata Mk2 oem rims in 15''

They weight only 5,1kg each ( the TSW above around 8+)

A quick chop was conviencing enough:

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My first wheel change.

The 14x5,5 Artec rims were traded for

some 17x7 Advanti Racing (for no extra cash!!!)

I m not a fan of large wheels and 17'' are overdose for

the Miata which makes you very clear

it doesnt like heavy wheels.

Although car was not as bad as internet users say,

absolutely no reason to keep them.

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Soon enought the Advantis were sold for 300 euros,

cheap for 17'' but very expensive for 14'', if you know what I mean...

Bought a set of 15'' I ve spotted a year ago:

Kosei Hexa 15x6,5 with 35 offset and a niiiice polished lip!

Weight 6,3 kg instead of 5,9 of the stock rim and an inch wider.

So I thought the wheel saga would end here.

(so I was swearing I wont lower it...) 

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The poverty spec German model I drive had the

facelifted interior, all black.

Too dark for my taste, so I custom painted the

center console silver. Should ve been made a couple

of tones darker though, towards gunmetal.

You can also see some "strange" stuff

like oem seats and oem momo wheel lol

Aluminium ball gear knob and Patrick also fitted.

A factory front lip spoiler also purchased

from Miataman in Salonika, who also

gave me a pair of JDM folding sunvisors.

Mine was painted in BRG as I got it in red.

Please notice the 4x4 look.

I quote myself  back from the days:

"Car is at stock height and thats how its gona stay"

Guys at the aeu86 made fun of me...

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Next addition was a so called style bar.

Bought the strongest one, 60 mm pipe

and a bar connecting seatbelt towers

and thus act like a cabin brace.

It's important to understand that even this one that

has some practical usage is not an actual rollbar.

Chances are that if you roll,

it will probably bend and take your head.

Its never late to spend that 500 euros needed to

protect yourself.

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Time to Continue with this one!

One of the many items I ve bought, was that headlight lid

with NACA duct. Those are supposed to drop

the temp 13 degrees Celcius right behind

the opening inside the engine bay.

Never got around to fit that one, cant remember why,

I just sold it... Strange!

(Edit: Remembered: I didnt like the fitment, most copies fit like shit)

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The next purchase though, was the most important one.

Having an AE86 -which are equiped with a

clutch type 1,5 way LSD from the factory- right

before the Mx5, I knew I had to have an LSD immediately.

This is how my Type2 Torsen looks

It wasnt that immediately, but it was found, purchased and

kept inside the drawer till I manage to get a shorter

ring and pinion and then again collect money for fitting.

Its a shame to open the housing

to fit a Torsen without fitting a shorter FGR

(stock is 4,1 and gives a theoritical top speed of 225 km/h...)

Keep in mind you ll need an experienced mechanic to do this

and you ll also have to change the diff bearings (cost around 70 euros)

and of course use brand new oil.

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Adding some strenth to the body is quite an issue,

especialy on the Mk1 and it turns out to be a

neverending saga, battling with money and weight as well.

First aditions were the lower il-motorsport braces

front and rear... (and yes, I did paint em silver!)

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Next step was a custom cat-back exhaust,

specificaly asked for it not to be very loud.

Now I have changed my mind...

(as I did for the fake titanium tip)

You can see the rear bar fitted as well.

And some comments from back then:

"Well in the begging I though I d wanted it even shorter, than the 4,3, then I realised I just need a GReddy Turbo kit...  Car is now a perfect small car. It's what it should be from the beggining!

Sound is perfect, response with the shorter FGR is good, and the LSD should be standar in all Miatas

In the beggining you get impressed by how much fun the car is, but then, driving fast you realise the amount of grip with the Torsen is AWESOME!! I kept on thinking my brakes are now poor. Car needs now more attention of course but it sticks like a gum (when not forcing it to oversteer, of course)"

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After 5 months of owning the car

(I was planning to stay stock, wasnt I?)

I gave it a good clean. Results were interesting,

especially on the tan hood.

Used Autoglym Vinyl/Rubber care shit

and Renovo shit for the rear screen.

Drift Charm...

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Then began the Steering Wheel Saga.

I ve changed like 12-14 wheels the last 4 years.

It all started with this

Beatifull 330 mm Nardi Classico

perforated leather and red stitch

Along came a boss, cup holder, a oem rear lip spoiler, a huge Ms Induction kit.

None of these stayed in the end and non is on the car

today. Wheel was too small, boss was chromed, induction

wouldnt fit my new setup and sold.

Also bought a pair of Watanabes from ebay but never received them...

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Then it was time to fix that induction.

"Fix" is not the right word thouh...

Oem parts removed

And M's Induction fitted

Huuuge filter and most importantly badly palced

as its next to the exhaust manifold.

Major issue on most Miatas, especialy Left Hand Drive ones,

that have the servo and clutch master cylinder

at this very side of the firewall.

I had to change the water tank to fit this Raceland Strut Bar

and also changed the plug wires with ebay ones.

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Raceland windblocker fitted with tie-wraps

and rear oem spoiler from Japan test fitted

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I like to consider this the begging of a Later Period

for the Miata, as my relationships with Japan and JDM

started getting stronger and stronger.

Still stock ride height, clear repeaters and reflectors

and a new Dquatro Headlight Cover to bring some

fresh air to the induction.

Which by the way was moved right behind the opening.

NOT the best way, as induction length is now too much.

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Back from the dead!

I had a fender fixed and some more parts arrived.

Aluminum handbrake sleeve to match the gearknob

Aluminum Rare JDM Carbing cooling panel

with the all important JDM stickers on!

Fixed the damaged fender 

Installed some new steakers and a pair of tweeters,

they are a must for decent sound when topless.

Installed and painted the rare rear

oem lower spoiler, painted the bumper and mud guards as well.

It was back in the days I still paid for painting

instead of doing it myself...

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And that is how the Rota thing began.

Contacted my mate Julian and he found me

some Rota RB 15x8 et25.

I was convinced by the AEU86 guys that

wheels are about style, not what you like.

Classic style with agressive offset and width.

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And off they went into the car!

Cool fitment and nice stretch, but no idea

what Stance is obviously...

Check out the ride height!

You can also see one silver mirror...

They are the JDM electric type folding mirrors.

They look much much better than the stock ones imo!

And another funny statement of mine, back from those days...

"I aint lowering the car. I could lower it 2,5 cms if  I was going track racing each weekend,

but now, in Greek roads, its just foolish to lower a Miata. Beleive me, its low enough..."

LOL!!!!

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Then came the stupid part:

Airbag removed. Nardi 330mm in.

White dials in. Clear Raybrig Lamps in.

What a difference!

Beatiful steering wheel but 330 mm is too

small for me to have eye contact with the dials.

Raybrigs in!

Mirrors also painted and installed!

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Then bought some seats I never used

DO NOT sell any Rev seat that falls into your hands.

Keep it, its great seat!

Some artistic pics.

Notice that the car is so high I can take it offroad...

LOL!

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And then came the rare HKS Turbo Kit

Got it, had it on the trunk waiting

and then they stopped paying us from

my work and was wise (or stupid enought) to sell it.

Just for the record, the first week

I bought the car mate called about a complete turbo

kit he found for 500 euros. I had sworn I wont buy bits to fit "later"

I was totaly out of cash and passed.

It turned out it was a BRAND NEW BBR turbo kit...

Ooops, I did it again!

Also had some extra nice turbo stuff...

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With the turbo stuff gone, everything stayed NA

and moved in a slow tempo.

I let the Rota RBs go, as a mate wanted them.

I ve found a set of Genuine JDM 15x7 et23

Panasport Formula Wheels from UK.

They were very expensive used and about 1.200 euros

to buy new from Moss. I still have them...

OBX header travelled all the way from US.

Nice sound, no dyno done, it needs a spiral thing to

fit it and as most OBX stuff wont go right in.

Also used a high flow cat from HJS.

Bargain Low-Pros found localy

so I had to grab them and install to the car.

Its the early version and lighting is crap.

Keep that i mind before purchasing.

Very expensive!

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The wheel saga continues...
It looks like I have a thing for round items! lol
Nardi Classico (now on Apolans car)

Personal Neo Grinda

Ebay short shift kit also installed.

Utter Crap, buyers be aware!

You need to make the two pieces stick together,

and most importantly use the STOCK plastic parts!

Amazingly enough, it does a great job

even if the Miata has a fantastic gearbox from stock.

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NA tuning was the way to go then.
Had the header heat wrapped

And fitted the rare JDM ARC Magic

induction chamber I bought from Japan.

Astonishing sound, great throttleresponce.

Magnecor 8 mm Spark Plugs is the way to go

Dont forget to change them oftenly as the miata burns them.

M's induction was too big too fit, so a cheap egay filter was in.

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Time for another update here.

I then fitted some Momo recliner bucket seats.
Original pics deleted but I m sure you ll notice em in some pics.
Seats on a Miata is a big issue, especialy if you are tall.
Email me for info I cant bother to write it down...

I then got a Suede/Red stitch dial cowl.
Nice part, but please notice
Caution: LHD and RHD cowls are different!!!!!

And that led me to some

Black Sued/Red stitch gear and handbrake gaitor

You see the pattern right?

Black dash, with silver center console

brushed aluminm parts (practicaly silver)

and red details. See the whole picture???

And matching armrest

Glad you see the complete picture,
but then I got this nice 10 cm
custom made black resin Gear Knob
Only one available in Greece. Mine.

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Then came the serious shit.
Brakes!
Realy filthy on the NA version.
231 mm disks front, lame feeling...

fyi, Mk1s had the small 230 brakes
Mk1,5s and Mk2s had the 251 mm brakes
and Mk2,5s and Sport Editions had the 271 mm brakes.

Bull! Mine as many Mk1,5 had the small 231 mm brakes.
One of the best mods I ve done, 
I fitted Sport front brakes (271 mm disks) with stock sport pads and 1.8 rear brakes (251 mm disks) with EBC ultimax.

I also have braided lines all around.


271 mm disk next to my 231 mm ones

Fronts fitted

Snug fit under some 15'' wheels for the Sport brakes

(Edit: They fit the OEM, Panasports and Grid-V fine)

Also in there was a set of

KYB AGXs adjustable shocks

with Vogtlanf lowering springs

And I quote myself :

"Along with my AGXs I eventually fitted a set of lowering Vogtland springs. They lower the car about 3,5 cm, making it look more like a car, as mine was too high in the front and low at the rear.

This springs are nice and not very hard and seem to match the KYB well. I m running now 4 in front and 3 rear and eventually will harden the car to a 5/4 setup.
Thats how the car seats now. I m very happy with it"
(Edit: I m not anymore. lol)
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Then I asked a mate to make me some
suede leather/red stitched door handles
to replace the horrible plastic oem ones.

And then took some semi decent pics of the interior setup

with all the Black/Silver/Red bits.

And then took some pics of the car while clear

that is a rare site...

OMG, its amazing how the car has changed since the beggining

and even more amazing how its changed till today...

Then someone (godam Apolan) mentioned the following:

"the car souinds about right from all speakers: JDM car, rwd, torsen diff., bucket seats, Personal, Nardi, Panasport.. so where is the style no no? Well the car is roaming in the no-mans-land.

The British racing green, the tactile golden rims and fancy roll-arcs try to push the car into the "POSH RACING ARISTOCRAT" direction, whilst suede Personal wheel, torsen diff, bucket seats and all the red stiching try to push it onto the path of "DAIHARUDU JDM WORIARU". 

So the first deed toward salvation is: decide what you are. Are you a racing gentleman, or ar you a crazy motherfucker who is not afraid to live to the fullest!"

Hmmmm...

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