NEW INTAKE ETC.

First, an Oil Change to record:
October 28, at 27,565 miles.

I've installed Flyin Miata's Complete Intake Package, and a larger intercooler, which by the way looks much cooler!

The Complete Intake Kit
Drove to Indy to have my cousin's help for all this. The Intake package consisted of the intake itself, a stronger throttle body inlet pipe, (the rubber oem unit is reported to expand and even blow off under increased power), a manual boost controller, a new blowoff valve, and an 02 signal modifier.

I delayed installing the 02 signal modifier, so that I could see the results of the rest by itself, and then see the change the modifier makes. Big difference. Okay, with all the rest installed, I CLEARLY had more power! But not all of those additional horsies were working until I hit about 5000 rpms. To test the difference before and after the 02 signal modifier, I did several identical runs starting from 4k rpms in 4th gear, both before and after installing the modifier. Before, I would have nice power from 4k rpms, but then at about 5k it would really start laying down the power. After, I had all that additional power immediately, from 4k all the way up. :)

BEFORE
AFTER
Then it was time for the intercooler. Flyin Miata has a very nice one available for over $500. A more popular solution among 'Speed Miata owners are the units available on eBay for around $50-60. The typical choice is 28" long, 7" tall, and 2.5" thick. Installing it requires a bit of a rearrangement of the power steering lines, and the top couple of inches is not in the direct air flow through the mouth of the Miata. So instead of that unit, I bought a similar unit on eBay that was only 5.5" tall. No rearranging of the power steering lines, the whole thing is in direct air flow, AND I just feel a little more comfortable with the radiator not being quite as blocked. Intercooler cost was $37 plus shipping, plus some silicone couplers and clamps. The front end looks MUCH nicer now, with this wide aluminum intercooler instead of that little factory unit.

Factory Intercooler
New Intercooler
More info still to be added.....
(some special touches in these installations, and before/after dyno runs)

COSMETIC CHANGES

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1. COMPLETED '04 INTERIOR

As I commented in my first entry, I bought this Black '05, planning to install the '04 red interior accents: red insert seats and red insert door panels. IT'S DONE! I bought the seats soon after I bought the car, and just recently ordered the door panel inserts from Online Mazda Parts, out of Montgomery Mazda in Charlotte NC (better than average parts prices). Mike aka Droptopdrifter/Doppelganger had done this same installation a couple years ago in his car (different colors), and since he has a heating tool that proves helpful for a factory-like installation, and since I also knew I'd like to meet him and his awesome car (260 whp and Garage Vary front bumper), today I went up to Atlanta. We got the job done and just enjoyed talking Miatas and modding. And man does his car move.

Anyway, I wonder if my car is now the only Black Mica Mazdaspeed Miata with the red/black interior. Quite possible since that arrangement was never offered. That would be kinda cool. Whether or not, I think it looks great.


2. HEADLIGHT & TAILLIGHT BEZELS

For a long time I wasn't sure if I thought these were an improvement or not, but I was sure that (to me at least) the Black Mica cars are the only ones they look really good on. Well I just came across a Black Mica set for $25! -normally $70+ for new, and painting costs on top of that. So they're mine! I'll get them mounted in a few days and see what I think.

FIRST DYNO

I recently ordered and received Flyin' Miata's Complete Intake Kit. It will free up the car's breathing, allow me to raise the boost a couple pounds, prevent the ecu from seeing a rich condition under boost (in which case it would pull fuel), and solve a problem with the throttle body inlet pipe. Installation comes later this week!

Before doing the install, I took the car today for a dyno test: a first for the car, a first for me. Without any power mods, the car shows 151 horsepower at the wheels (as opposed to the factory number of 178 at the engine). Those are smallish horsepower numbers....until you remember they only have to push 2500 pounds down the road. :)


I'm looking forward to feeling the change my shiny new car parts will make....and to posting new numbers when I dyno the car again after the installation!

Odometer: 25,626