[matthewpak]

Hey guys, this is a build thread for my car to keep track of progress and share love with the Miata community.

Please keep in mind this will be slowly built to meet my goals. I'm a freshman in college, so bare with me here. However, I have many hopes and dreams for this car that I know can eventually be very realistic, with some investments in the right places.

It all started with "Mia", my fathers 10AE. It's the car that stole my heart and made me research what a Miata even is. Probably how I ended up here.

I eventually learned to drive with that car, but he was ready to sell it for a Boxster... about 5-6 months later, i picked up this bone stock 94 C Package - "Tia"

hillyb:

the day after i picked her up:

and the journey begins from there.

 

[matthewpak]

the interior - with the wheel i bought on top of the car off the PO.

and then I sought out for suspension.
Originally my plan was to build a Budget Bilstein coilover, but then a practically new set of BC Racing coils popped up near me. I picked them up for $700.

Installed them anxiously...
dialed in:

more updates another time for lack of content. but i hope you guys enjoy the many more things to come.

 

[matthewpak]

So a few months ago, Kenjo of Garage Star held a really big Miata meet on Treasure Island of San Francisco. it was pretty rad, about 100+ Miatas overall.

i threw on my buddy's SSR's for the event since he couldnt make it.

Parked next to Brian (onetwo)

Later a reallllly clean M-Edition:

and this sick NC, with my beautiful hometown in the back.

Then, I won a raffle for the first time in my damned life, and it just so happened to be Garage Star's grand price of a $100 gift card to their store. :haiguyths: the options!!

I settled with a Radiator cooling panel, and a 2.75" shift extender.
Also, at the meet, Brian's (onetwo) car motivated me to get a Techno Toy Tuning steering hub extender, and my new Blox 490 knob came in the next day.

sorry i forgot to get pics of the cooling panel, but you'll see soon enough. there's more but it can wait.

 

[Rough-Rhythm]

Moving along nicely, the car looks great. Subbed for good thread!

 

[thelaughingman]

tan on black looks really good man! - just need some wheels
i think some nice BBS Mesh would look the goods

 

[onetwo]

How are you liking the hub extender? Nice shot BTW!

 

[matthewpak]

Thanks guys i appreciate it!

Brian, i love it. nice quality and gave me the legroom i needed really.
My only complaint about the hub extender was that it was fully powdercoated and did not allow my nardi button to be grounded for the horn to work. problem easily solved though.

So i set off for wheels... Brian you also had the wheels I wanted!
but the ones we sourced on CL were an instant cop.
15x8 et25 Konig Flatout wrapped in Kuhmo XS 205/50

first on the car:

funny story, when i went to buy these wheels, i took Calaveras road which is a pretty nice backroad going out to south bay. took one of the final turns way too quick, overcorrected, and slid into the hillside.... was scared shitless at first, but the damage was minimal. i got lucky to say the least.

You can sorta somewhat see the damage here. It looks worse in the daylight but still not bad. gonna get it resprayed soon.

and more pics of the wheels on car:

Until next time!

 

[Ptotherice]

Loving it so far! Really like the look of the shifter. I cannot wait for my new shifter to come in from Miata Roadster in September!

 

[matthewpak]

thanks, i highly recommend at least this size shift extender. it makes shifting feel butter smooth, seriously.

 

[onetwo]

Thanks guys i appreciate it!


So i set off for wheels... Brian you also had the wheels I wanted!
but the ones we sourced on CL were an instant cop.
15x8 et25 Konig Flatout wrapped in Kuhmo XS 205/50

I'm so pumped you were able to score those. I ended up trading mine for a set of 15x9 6ul. We both ended up better off!

The bronze looks great on the black. Any luck on the roll bar hunt?

 

[matthewpak]

@Brian, No luck on a roll bar except I am actually designing one right now with my old engineering teacher.

Since the last update i've just been driving the car a lot and collecting little parts while addressing tiny issues. again, slowly getting it where i want. also generally working on my driving skills, meeting new people, etc,.

this is my buddy's ae86 and eg hatch.

4age 20v blacktop

Anyways within a few thousand miles the tires that came on the wheels were shot -- especially with my shitty alignment, since my camber bolts were shot too.
I got new bolts in and was saving for some good sticky tires, but a deal popped up for 4 used RS3's for $200. ironically it was the same dude i bought my wheels off of lol... he gave me the 40-50% RS3's for $170. that's just a tad bit over the price of a single brand new one. hillyb:

speaking of phillyb:
rice on my windshield. shoutout to Garage Star and Static Nine too.

i was in serious need of alignment after finishing my camber bolts.

225/45 RS3 on 15x8 Konig Flatout

 

[matthewpak]

This became apparent:

Bought a fel-pro gasket from my local NAPA, and Joe (jpatrick) came and helped me out since it was my first time doing this. He was also kind enough to bring me a new CAS O-ring as all my local hardware stores were sold out.... it's good thing he did as the old one had apparently been RTV'd around it and was very brittle.
everything off, head was pretty clean.

sealed it all up and went for a drive with Joe. He advanced my timing to 12*.

snapped this iphone rolling shot of his car.

drive felt amazing, no more leaks, just pure awesomeness

 

[matthewpak]

Just been driving the car...

Spray painted my hard top since i only rock it maybe 2-3 months during the year. came out alright.

 

[matthewpak]

oh I also went to wekfest to get some car action besides my own.... some sweet rides out there.

of course had to snap the project-G group.

my buddys RHD, H2B EK.

'til next time!

 

[AlterEgo]

I love those wheels man!

 

[matthewpak]

thanks Ryan!

I made an intake.

its the racing beat DIY version. (http://siliconeintakes.com, great site)

i have to say... i didnt expect any gains, but the mid range does feel quicker to access, and it sounds nice.

 

[matthewpak]

A few updates, I always forget to give this thread love..

I got a seat for $100.

went out with the Kanjo crew..

i also sold my Nardi and got a 320mm Monte Carlo. The Momo is wonderful, paired with the bucket seat and being ~40mm smaller in diameter, it made a HUGE difference in ergonomics and driving experience. Also the leather is so much thicker and easier to grip than the wooden Nardi.

and that's a quick summary of past 2 months..

 

[carfanatic63]

Sub'd. Nice build man

 

[cherrycoke]

Nice build

 

[matthewpak]

thanks guys!^

small photo dump..