Big Man, Little Car!! Benz Project Miata!!!

benzsxt · Post by **benzsxt** » Mon Jul 27, 2009 10:02 pm

Non-Neon Material!!!

This is my new project. I had bought a BMW 735 M after I sold my Neon but after trying to track down parts for a rare car I deciede to let it go before it burns a hole into my bank account. Who buys a muffler for almost $800, then I need a tail pipe and the HVAC worked sometimes. I went to Summit Point Motorsports Park 2 weeks ago on accident. I went in and watched some small indy cars racing after that I heard a lot of tire squeling, turbos blowing off and rev limiters being hit. We got into the car and drove over to see what it was. It was Drift Nirvana day. I have watched drifting on TV but I have never seen it in person. I was blown away. There was 240s, a Skyline, Camaro, and a high modded 350Z. I will post pics if you guys want!! I am addicted I got a schedule and I will be at every event from now on.

I wanted something a LITTLE different than everyone else. I searched for a 240 but everything I saw was either dogged or way overpriced. I joked with my wife about the little Miata that has been sitting at my work for months. She said go for it. I looked around and they have a lot of potential. I am thinking of either turboing the stock motor or a 13BT. I already picked out my coilovers and wheels. Will be painted in a few weeks and it is going satin black. I want to thank 01RTGURL for posting pics of her Miata to actually get me really into building this car and answering some ??s. I hope to give drifting a try in Sept at Summit Point. Please dont give me the ''its a girls car or the other stereotypes!!" There is some badass Miatas out there!!

LowNSlow · Post by **LowNSlow** » Mon Jul 27, 2009 10:15 pm

Miatas are cool... but too small for me... imo.

Cool thing though... drifting is pretty fun.

I can't wait to get my 240 set up pretty nicely.

And I know what you mean about finding a non ragged out 240... I searched in every state within like 12 hours.

bone-yard-racing · Post by **bone-yard-racing** » Mon Jul 27, 2009 10:57 pm

Its a girls car, so is a neon, and, so is a Mini go find a more rewarding driving experience

benzsxt · Post by **benzsxt** » Mon Jul 27, 2009 11:14 pm

^^ Like what??^^

Speeder · Post by **Speeder** » Mon Jul 27, 2009 11:31 pm

pic!!!! or :ban:

Miatas are cool... but too small for me... imo

same here i feel like a sardine when i'm in one of them

LowNSlow · Post by **LowNSlow** » Mon Jul 27, 2009 11:47 pm

bone-yard-racing wrote:Its a girls car, so is a neon, and, so is a Mini go find a more rewarding driving experience

I think you're joking...but a lot of guys with S2Ks own Miatas and vice versa..

Miata = Poor mans S2K.

Speeder · Post by **Speeder** » Mon Jul 27, 2009 11:48 pm

Miata = Poor mans S2K.

that is so true

measy27 · Post by **measy27** » Tue Jul 28, 2009 6:23 am

Ive seen some pretty manly miatas in my day..
Theres a LS1 powered miata north of me her in mass. Car looks like a regular miata with fat wheels. Things a beast..

PhillyLS1 · Post by **PhillyLS1** » Tue Jul 28, 2009 10:18 am

measy27 wrote:Ive seen some pretty manly miatas in my day..
Theres a LS1 powered miata north of me her in mass. Car looks like a regular miata with fat wheels. Things a beast..

It's an expensive swap.

neonslg09 · Post by **neonslg09** » Tue Jul 28, 2009 10:58 am

^-- its gotta be worth it though.

MyNeonSaysHi · Post by **MyNeonSaysHi** » Tue Jul 28, 2009 12:35 pm

The 5.0 bolts right in there supposedly. Talked to a guy with Miata MX 5.0 and he said there wasn't really much fabrication with the swap and it went right in there. Check this site out:
http://www.monstermiata.com/

PhillyLS1 · Post by **PhillyLS1** » Tue Jul 28, 2009 12:46 pm

MyNeonSaysHi wrote:The 5.0 bolts right in there supposedly. Talked to a guy with Miata MX 5.0 and he said there wasn't really much fabrication with the swap and it went right in there. Check this site out:
http://www.monstermiata.com/

He's full of it. I've helped with one of those swaps.
You need the motor mounts
engine
trans
trans mount
driveshaft
rear
wiring harness
etc etc etc.

It's not easy or you'd see more, like the RX-7's and 240's. Putting a 5.0 in there makes no sense, considering an LS1 weighs less then the stock engine.

bone-yard-racing · Post by **bone-yard-racing** » Tue Jul 28, 2009 3:35 pm

benzsxt wrote:^^ Like what??^^

Im saying you cant, there are faster cars but in order to get the same thrill you have to go faster so their is a bigger penalty when you fuck up.

An s2k is a poor mans s2k they are easy to find below 10k now where bad early miatas still fetch 3k+ 2gn miatas around here go for 8k plus all day

The monster miata kit as well as most of the DIY V8 swaps move the steering rack just enough to ruin the perfect feel and handling of the car. The Flyin' miata kits use a different sub frame as well however it from what I understand the steering rack stays in mostly the same place.

The LS engines gain about 60lb over a rotary in an RX7 so it should be around a 200lb gain on a Miata(big cast iron triangles are heavy) according to FM its set back far enough that it doesnt really effect handling

benzsxt · Post by **benzsxt** » Wed Jul 29, 2009 8:14 pm

Rich man-Poor Man I dont really care. I would rather drive the N/A car that doesnt have boost lag!!
I like the car I paid $400 and all I have to do is pull the frame a little and reinstall the bumper. The car is a one owner and just had a new top put on. It also had a new clutch, water pump, timing belt, and a tune up. The car is in real good shape.

I looked into the LS swap and watched some videos. All I can say is I have 2 little kids and I want them to have a father for a long time! I have been reading a lot and I think I am going to turbo the stock motor for now. Maybe a T-25 or T28. Low PSI on a stock bottom end will give it the little extra it needs.

I bought the paint today and I should have the front end realigned tomorrow. I am thinking it will get paint early next week. I found a set of good coilovers online but I am waiting for a reply and as soon as someone buys my Neons old wheels I will be getting my 0 offset Sportmaxx!!!

INVUJerry · Post by **INVUJerry** » Wed Jul 29, 2009 9:47 pm

Hey Ben, you should join up over on MDstreetscene.com . There are TONS of drift nerds over there, you'll get tons of information there.

benzsxt · Post by **benzsxt** » Wed Jul 29, 2009 10:01 pm

I joined in 2007??? I forgot about that site! Thanks Jerry

INVUJerry · Post by **INVUJerry** » Wed Jul 29, 2009 10:45 pm

Oh damn! Well then post more!

neonslg09 · Post by **neonslg09** » Wed Jul 29, 2009 11:39 pm

lol bens sleeping on the sites he's joining

Chris's 02 · Post by **Chris's 02** » Thu Jul 30, 2009 2:23 am

benzsxt wrote:Non-Neon Material!!!

This is my new project. I had bought a BMW 735 M after I sold my Neon but after trying to track down parts for a rare car I deciede to let it go before it burns a hole into my bank account. Who buys a muffler for almost $800, then I need a tail pipe and the HVAC worked sometimes. I went to Summit Point Motorsports Park 2 weeks ago on accident. I went in and watched some small indy cars racing after that I heard a lot of tire squeling, turbos blowing off and rev limiters being hit. We got into the car and drove over to see what it was. It was Drift Nirvana day. I have watched drifting on TV but I have never seen it in person. I was blown away. There was 240s, a Skyline, Camaro, and a high modded 350Z. I will post pics if you guys want!! I am addicted I got a schedule and I will be at every event from now on.

I wanted something a LITTLE different than everyone else. I searched for a 240 but everything I saw was either dogged or way overpriced. I joked with my wife about the little Miata that has been sitting at my work for months. She said go for it. I looked around and they have a lot of potential. I am thinking of either turboing the stock motor or a 13BT. I already picked out my coilovers and wheels. Will be painted in a few weeks and it is going satin black. I want to thank 01RTGURL for posting pics of her Miata to actually get me really into building this car and answering some ??s. I hope to give drifting a try in Sept at Summit Point. Please dont give me the ''its a girls car or the other stereotypes!!" There is some badass Miatas out there!!

please post those pics. please

benzsxt · Post by **benzsxt** » Sat Aug 01, 2009 1:10 pm

Yesterday I got the frame pulled and welded in the new reinforcement. I was cleaning up the car and found the factory paint is delaminating. That just makes more work, I need to strip and reprime the whole car. My paint came its $65.00 to repaint a car!! I will get my wife to post the pics up. I am not good with cameras and computers. I am really happy how fast this car is progressing. Wish the Neon would have moved along this quickly. I am going to Summit Point in Sept. So my goal is to have the cars handling done and an exhaust and intake. I have talked to some people and you have to stuff the car into corners at 65-70mph!! That will be fun.

INVUJerry · Post by **INVUJerry** » Sat Aug 01, 2009 3:01 pm

You doing a drift car, or a cornering car?

patiofurnituregt · Post by **patiofurnituregt** » Sat Aug 01, 2009 5:38 pm

If you have never drifted before, you have picked the wrong car. Short wheel base and 50/50 weight distribution make for a very touchy car. If you want a potential drift car there are planty of other cars other than 240's that you can drive that have more forgiving drifting characteristics. However as a grip car they do extremely well. They are tons of fun, I currently own a SC miata.

What coilovers and wheels did you decid on?

benzsxt · Post by **benzsxt** » Sat Aug 01, 2009 9:18 pm

I think I am going towards a handling car. I think I might take it drifting a few times to try it. I looked for a 240 and found everything was either dogged or made of gold. I explained earlier why I got the Miata. I am looking at the Megan coilovers and Sportmaxx wheels even though 90% of everyone hates them but 80% of people want them. I have always liked the wheels they offer.

patiofurnituregt · Post by **patiofurnituregt** » Sun Aug 02, 2009 5:51 am

I saw that you said you looked at 240's, but their is a whole crape ton of mid-80's cars that are RWD that are decent cars to beat on.

Funny you say you want megans and sportmax's cause thats what I have on my miata. Although I want to sell the megans and get Stance GR+'s and maybe sell my 002's and get 15x8 6ULs.

did you get a 1.6l? or a 1.8? assuming its an NA

benzsxt · Post by **benzsxt** » Sun Aug 02, 2009 12:45 pm

Its hard to find a car that is over 10 years old here. I have always liked the Miatas in a way. I am pretty sure its a 1.8. I looked before but I dont remember. How much do you want for your Megans?

patiofurnituregt · Post by **patiofurnituregt** » Sun Aug 02, 2009 4:46 pm

I dont know I may sell them for 500, they still dampen really well and in really good physical condition especially for used.. But I may need to wait a lil to save up the extra cash so I can get the Stance AL+'s

neonslg09 · Post by **neonslg09** » Wed Aug 12, 2009 9:55 pm

updates ben!

benzsxt · Post by **benzsxt** » Thu Aug 13, 2009 8:42 pm

Not to much lately. My job is completely dead and we are moving. I have done some work to it the frame is realigned and the reinforcement is welded on. Today I spent about 3 hours stripping delaminating paint off the car with a razorblade. I HATE EARLY 90s PAINT!!!! I detrimmed everything for paint and I repaired the used front bumper cover. I am going to wait a little while and get a spec Miata exhaust and my brothers friend is going to build a custom cage!!! It is coming along but my slow ass job isnt helping.

SOKADAO954 · Post by **SOKADAO954** » Thu Aug 13, 2009 11:01 pm

PICS please Ben.

benzsxt · Post by **benzsxt** » Thu Aug 20, 2009 10:35 pm

No pics yet my camera is sitting in my empty house!!! I spent another 3 hours today stripping paint!! I should of had a stripping party. This car is small but a damn razorblade is only 2'' wide!! I bought some primer, sealer and reducer yesterday so she is ready after I get the rest of the paint off. I did find out that my car has a factory LSD. Great for drifting. Cant wait I will take pics on Monday. I promise

2GN.ORG

Big Man, Little Car!! Benz Project Miata!!!

Big Man, Little Car!! Benz Project Miata!!!

Re: Big Man, Little Car!! Benz Project Miata!!!