New guy from TN

[Army4g63]

Hello everyone! Just wanted to take a couple minutes of your time and introduce myself to the forum. My name is Josh, currently serving in the US Army as a Recruiting Station Commander in TN. I’ve been all over the performance scene over the last 10 years. I love working the things that would make you say, “WTF”. For example, 02 Ford Focus SVT (stock longblock) turbo’d with a GT2860 @ 19psi, made 351whp.
Tuned everything from the old MegaSquirt, SCT LiveLink, ECMLink, EvoScan, AEM EMS. I am more geared towards DSMs and EVOs, 4g63/4b11 platforms but want to continue to expand my horizons and have decided to go with an NB Miata. I am very picky about my cars so I am still looking for that NB that speaks to me. I’ve been a member of a lot of forums and know how to use the search functions lol, so hopefully you won’t hear newb questions out of me. New challenge for me and I am really looking forward to it and I look forward to picking everyone’s brain about these cars.

[theothersawyer]

Welcome!!!!

[Bob_Bobber0]

Heyyooooo

[RotorNutFD3S]

Welcome to the madness! Don't be afraid to ask questions!

[Army4g63]

Welcome to the madness! Don't be afraid to ask questions!

Thanks, I was stationed in Newnan as the Army Recruiter for 2.5 years. And your DD was what sold me on getting an NB. Spent a lot of time last night reading over your NA and NB build threads on here..:jawdrop:

[nickt93]

Welcome! I'm a Tennessee native - I grew up in Nashville.

[Beastinthebushes]

Heyooooo!!!

I once went to Nashville for a night with a good friend. We hit up 7 bars all with live music in the downtown area, I woke up naked in a bathtub the next morning. That was awesome!

[jester911]

Welcome. You are in the right place for knowledge about these cars.

[oldgrayfrog]

Welcome! I'll be sure to give you a PM if a deal on an NB comes up. Any preferences?, NB1(99-00 my former ride, now Rotornut's daily) NB2(01-05) or Mazdaspeed(04-05). Good drivers cars are available in NB1's starting around $3500, low mileage NB2 are $6000-8000, and MSM cars are now hitting $10000-12000. The MSM cars have a lot of goodies, but feature a really undersized turbo, so if you want to make much more than 225 rwhp, you'll end up needing new manifold, turbo, downpipe and exhaust, plus the ecu isn't really prepared to go much past 8 psi. In other words MSMs are cool, but you won't save a lot over another NB if turboing is still your plan. 99-00 have the best heads, 01-05 don't suck, they're just more complicated to tune with their VTCS. If you even think that you may end up stationed where emissions testing is possible, I strongly suggest you look at the OBD I cars, from 90-95. The 99 heads can be retrofitted to the 94-95 engines as well. There actually is more room in an NA as well. I'm kind of a big guy so I should know:) Again Welcome!!

[miatasaint]

Welcome! Heyyyooooo!!!

[RotorNutFD3S]

Thanks, I was stationed in Newnan as the Army Recruiter for 2.5 years. And your DD was what sold me on getting an NB. Spent a lot of time last night reading over your NA and NB build threads on here..:jawdrop:

Awesome! Where at? I like the area, it's not Atlanta, and while it's getting a little more busy and more people are moving this way, it's still very quiet in a lot of places.

You probably spent a lot of time sifting through a lot of conversation in those threads too. :lol: I'm glad they're an inspiration though!

I agree with what Dave (oldgrayfrog) said, just keep this in mind: NA and NBs are much lighter than the majority of what's on the road so it doesn't take a lot of power to go stupidly fast in these cars. So 200 rwhp is actually a lot of fun but still very reliable, obviously as long as you maintain your setup. You can actually find the MSMs down in the $9k range this season, I've already seen two clean examples for that low with around 80-100k miles. And don't let mileage scare you, these engines will last as long as they're maintained well, and if not, replacements are pretty plentiful and won't break the bank.

Everyone has their reason for deciding on the platform they like, I really like my NB, but if I could find the right NA again, I'd jump back into one immediately.

*edit* This other forum member in Auburn, AL has had his turbo NB for sale for quite a while (1999 Mazda MX5 Miata - $8000.00 - Miata Turbo Forum - Home to the Turbo Miata) and has continually dropped the price and it's now down to $8000 (or $7500 with no TorSen diff. included, the TorSen is worth having even though you'd have to swap it in). I'm not sure why it hasn't sold other than it's an NB with an aftermarket ECU (can't pass OBDII inspections obviously) and may need some tuning on the newer-to-the-market Adaptronic ECU, but the seller is/was a very active member of that community and from everything I've seen the build was done very well.

[fastnfurious7]

Rip is right...I've been eyeballing that car ever since I got into miatas. I honestly think it has been for sale that long. I'm still trying to get someone I know to buy it because I can't & it's an awesome build @ a great price. Love that car. Oh...and WELCOME for sure! Thanks for serving this great country. :)

[oldgrayfrog]

Hey Rip, I just noticed on that silver 99 you posted a link to, the guy is running the Adaptatronic "IN PARALLEL". That means he retained the stock ecu, ala Ben91! This is the best of all possible worlds. It's a steal and it could pass emissions!

I also agree with Ripley that 200-250 whp cars are insanely fast. I'm sure that your Focus was really quick too, but these cars weigh around 2000-2350 pounds, vice 3000 plus for the Focus. Additionally, with sticky tires (I love my RS3's) and a Torsen, it doesn't go up in smoke. You can get 250 whp to the ground in a Miata. I have personally gotten whiplash in a 245 whp car, just accelerating from a stop to 60. 250 whp gets you to about a 12 second quarter mile, if you have any skill with a Christmas tree at all. Of course 350 whp is nice too..

[Beastinthebushes]

I know python over on CR.net has his Evo orange NB for sale with watanabe wheels and hardtop for 6 grand. Car is clean too. I'm on my phone so I can't post a link at the moment. Not sure if it's still available though.

[oldgrayfrog]

I know python over on CR.net has his Evo orange NB for sale with watanabe wheels and hardtop for 6 grand. Car is clean too. I'm on my phone so I can't post a link at the moment. Not sure if it's still available though.

He still has that for sale? Those wheels are worth $2000 plus on Club Roadster, and the hardtop is worth another grand. In the end you end up with a very clean, and well cared for car, in a very rare color, for about $3000. That's a deal!!

[Beastinthebushes]

If I remember correctly he posted it for sale again at the end of December sometime. Doesn't have the nakame seats anymore though.

[theothersawyer]

I know python over on CR.net has his Evo orange NB for sale with watanabe wheels and hardtop for 6 grand. Car is clean too. I'm on my phone so I can't post a link at the moment. Not sure if it's still available though.

He still has that for sale? Those wheels are worth $2000 plus on Club Roadster, and the hardtop is worth another grand. In the end you end up with a very clean, and well cared for car, in a very rare color, for about $3000. That's a deal!!
Yes it is still for sale and here is the ad http://mazdaroadster.net/showthread.php?265-2000-Mazda-Miata-Evo-Orange-6-000-Priced-To-Sell&highlight=Priced+sell

[Beastinthebushes]

Thats it, thanks, Danny!!!

Im not a fan of the color, but that is a killer deal, and it isnt too far from you either.

[oldgrayfrog]

The Nakame seats are great, but only if you have a 28 inch waist, like you know small Japanese guys. I prefer the more manly sized Lotus offerings...

[Army4g63]

Hey Rip, I just noticed on that silver 99 you posted a link to, the guy is running the Adaptatronic "IN PARALLEL". That means he retained the stock ecu, ala Ben91! This is the best of all possible worlds. It's a steal and it could pass emissions!

I also agree with Ripley that 200-250 whp cars are insanely fast. I'm sure that your Focus was really quick too, but these cars weigh around 2000-2350 pounds, vice 3000 plus for the Focus. Additionally, with sticky tires (I love my RS3's) and a Torsen, it doesn't go up in smoke. You can get 250 whp to the ground in a Miata. I have personally gotten whiplash in a 245 whp car, just accelerating from a stop to 60. 250 whp gets you to about a 12 second quarter mile, if you have any skill with a Christmas tree at all. Of course 350 whp is nice too..
I am trying to get away from the 1/4 for awhile, looking for a newer challenge to get under my belt. My last build, 2g DSM (97 GS-T Eclipse), was pushing 28psi on stock bottom end with balanceshafts and did 350whp on a Evo III Big 16g. That was fun but having to fix it every night got old. I'm used to it with a DSM but I just had enough. I have a power number in mind and know how to get there, its just needing to learn a new EMS to tune with useless I want to spend an arm and a leg on AEM.

Welcome! I'll be sure to give you a PM if a deal on an NB comes up. Any preferences?, NB1(99-00 my former ride, now Rotornut's daily) NB2(01-05) or Mazdaspeed(04-05). Good drivers cars are available in NB1's starting around $3500, low mileage NB2 are $6000-8000, and MSM cars are now hitting $10000-12000. The MSM cars have a lot of goodies, but feature a really undersized turbo, so if you want to make much more than 225 rwhp, you'll end up needing new manifold, turbo, downpipe and exhaust, plus the ecu isn't really prepared to go much past 8 psi. In other words MSMs are cool, but you won't save a lot over another NB if turboing is still your plan. 99-00 have the best heads, 01-05 don't suck, they're just more complicated to tune with their VTCS. If you even think that you may end up stationed where emissions testing is possible, I strongly suggest you look at the OBD I cars, from 90-95. The 99 heads can be retrofitted to the 94-95 engines as well. There actually is more room in an NA as well. I'm kind of a big guy so I should know:) Again Welcome!!
I have been looking on the lines of getting an NB1, something about them just speak to mean (I'm sure you all know what I am talking about). Emissions is the least of my worries. Where I am now in TN, they don't do it like they did in GA, but if I ever move back to a county that does do it, I can just get the car plated in IL and call it a day (helps to still be a resident in that state, no emissions)

Awesome! Where at? I like the area, it's not Atlanta, and while it's getting a little more busy and more people are moving this way, it's still very quiet in a lot of places.

You probably spent a lot of time sifting through a lot of conversation in those threads too. :lol: I'm glad they're an inspiration though!

I agree with what Dave (oldgrayfrog) said, just keep this in mind: NA and NBs are much lighter than the majority of what's on the road so it doesn't take a lot of power to go stupidly fast in these cars. So 200 rwhp is actually a lot of fun but still very reliable, obviously as long as you maintain your setup. You can actually find the MSMs down in the $9k range this season, I've already seen two clean examples for that low with around 80-100k miles. And don't let mileage scare you, these engines will last as long as they're maintained well, and if not, replacements are pretty plentiful and won't break the bank.

Everyone has their reason for deciding on the platform they like, I really like my NB, but if I could find the right NA again, I'd jump back into one immediately.

*edit* This other forum member in Auburn, AL has had his turbo NB for sale for quite a while (1999 Mazda MX5 Miata - $8000.00 - Miata Turbo Forum - Home to the Turbo Miata (http://www.miataturbo.net/showthread.php?t=55051)) and has continually dropped the price and it's now down to $8000 (or $7500 with no TorSen diff. included, the TorSen is worth having even though you'd have to swap it in). I'm not sure why it hasn't sold other than it's an NB with an aftermarket ECU (can't pass OBDII inspections obviously) and may need some tuning on the newer-to-the-market Adaptronic ECU, but the seller is/was a very active member of that community and from everything I've seen the build was done very well.
I lived over in Preston Mill, by the post office and Publix. I loved the town, met my wife there while I was recruiting. You are right, it is getting busy busy busy, town just won't stop growing. I was down there last weekend and got caught in massive traffic on Bullsboro, I thought I was on 85/285. Not sure if you ever saw my old SVT, CD Silver with black 6spoke SVT wheels powdercoated black. On occasion I went up to Sherman Williams and hung out but it really started getting stupid (people did) after a while. I will keep my eye out, just researching different routes I want to take with it and taking notes for now.

[RotorNutFD3S]

Hi Josh. I remember you now. I had the NA when you were here.

[Army4g63]

Lets find you another NA and then you can sell me the NB ;)

[oldgrayfrog]

Well if you went with an NA, used AEM's are going for less than $500. DIY PNP are sub $500 used, about $500 new. If you can find a good Laguna blue without too many miles, in a 94 or 95, I bet you Ripley would swap you the 99! He just loves that Laguna! Besides he has a MSM engine he can drop in whatever he gets:)

[Army4g63]

Well if you went with an NA, used AEM's are going for less than $500. DIY PNP are sub $500 used, about $500 new. If you can find a good Laguna blue without too many miles, in a 94 or 95, I bet you Ripley would swap you the 99! He just loves that Laguna! Besides he has a MSM engine he can drop in whatever he gets:)

Hmmmm...seems I will be on the lookout..

[RotorNutFD3S]

:lol: We'll see. I've added a lot of touches to this car that make it "mine" so now I'm more attached than I was at the beginning. That said, if a very well cared for and comparably modified 94 or 95 in anything but Montego Blue was offered up, I'd be very tempted.

[Army4g63]

:lol: We'll see. I've added a lot of touches to this car that make it "mine" so now I'm more attached than I was at the beginning. That said, if a very well cared for and comparably modified 94 or 95 in anything but Montego Blue was offered up, I'd be very tempted.

I would love to make the side sills and front bumper "mine" when I get my NB. Haha, I think that swap makes the styling of yours. Never really been an apperance guy but Damn!

[oldgrayfrog]

I blatantly stole that look from a former member named Doppelgänger. We even went so far as to put The same SSR type C wheels on it for a while last Spring. As someone pointed out, there are only so many great looking parts out there, so there are bound to be some copies....he was very unhappy. His car had a "real" Garage Vary bumper, while this one was a copy. He imported his from Japan, this one came from Aneheim,CA.. The big surfboard side skirts were also obtained on EBay, also about $200 I think:)

[oldgrayfrog]

It looks different enough that one day I was visiting Rip at his work, and a guy asked what kind of car it was.lol

[Army4g63]

It looks different enough that one day I was visiting Rip at his work, and a guy asked what kind of car it was.lol

Bwahaha, nice. Like you said, there are bound to be repeats out there. It makes it look so aggressive, that's the big selling point. It's a Damn work of art!

[Army4g63]

Time has finally come...

http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e300/Army19kilo/GOPR0042.jpg
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[epilonious]

Ooooh, pretty!