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I can't post my own build thread since I bought the car already converted by Flyn Miata. Flyin' Miata : Projects: Bert the V8 Miata But I will be making some changes to make the car "mine" so I'll document that process as my own "build". The first change was done prior to pick up with new wheels installed (pictured). The second change was getting rid of the windshield banner. Stickers are for tool boxes imo. Also had the 11 rear brake kit installed with a manual bias valve and front brake vent dust guards installed.




The next step is I'm having a new bumper cover installed. It's referred to as an Adore/Grinder bumper and evidently was done in limited numbers by Autokonexion on a group buy. It's supposed to replicate an NC nose for a NA. Its lower to the ground and wider at the base to cover the front wheels (more areo). The fog light holes are going to be necked down to be used as inlets for my brake vents. At least that is the plan as of now. I dropped the bumper off at the painters and he's getting started on the reinforcement of the bumper. Basically laying down another layer of fiberglass on the backside and reinforcing all the mounting tabs. Trying to give it some strength in hopes of keeping it from cracking as fiberglass is prone to do. He's also stripping down the not gelcoat crap off the front and respraying it with an appropriate base and start the process of prepping for paint. I'm looking for a (better than) oem finish.




I'm also picking up a Harddog dual hoop role bar to replace the Harddog sport it currently has. I have a line on a nice wood steering wheel to go with the shifter and brake handle I already have. I'm going for a bit of a classic roadster look in the interior. The exterior will stay pretty stockish with no plans beyond the bumper cover at this point. I may trim the rear bumper cover and polish the stainless muffler. ...Lift the skirt and show some tush. Maybe I should rename the car to Bertette if I'm going to reference mods in this way....

charchri4

LOL what does the hind end look like now? Single, double or CME?

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Dual. It has FM's production system for their conversions. My idea is to basically connect the two cut outs.

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Got my steering wheel today. Its a Momo. Have not seen any others exactly like it. Perfect condition and really like that it's a bit different.

Sunshine Guy

Sexy yet elegant. Nobody does emotion-evoking design better than the Italians.

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Thanks...and I agree. But I'm thinking it may need a dose of German also.

Inspired buy another MX5 build, I really like the idea of Porsche 914 seats. They'd get me lower in the car and I just plain dig em.

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Mock up of the new bumper was done yesterday. Fitment is crap but I really like the overall look when mounted. The bumper is too narrow at the fenders causing stress cracks when mounted and the gap is huge between the hood and the bumper. The body guy is going to slice and dice the bumper to add where needed. Looking forward to the end product. He's going to send me some pics of the progress.

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btw... the body guys are the two Marks of "Scat" fame. Quite the epic thread on Club Roadster complete with a cool motor build, very unique body work, and then heartbreak. ...A car guys' Lifetime Channel drama.

The body work stuff starts on page 53 if interested in burning a solid weekend of time. It's cold anyway...why not... Scrat - Page 53 - ClubRoadster.net

charchri4

Totally know that car and epic build for sure. Sad to see the large hole in the side of the block. The seats that were in it are holding my can in place now...

V8droptop

Gator, You should look into elise seats. They are quite nice, and if you want to go for something with a harness, you can do exige seats or add the cut outs for elise seats a vendor sells.

I've got 08 Elise probax seats, they are great, and sit you about 1.5" lower.

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Got some pics of the Frankenstein work being done on the POS Autokonexion front bumper. I really like that fast back hardtop they make but it the quality and fit is as bad as this bumper I'll not waste the money. You can see in the pics how much the Marks had to widen the top part for a non stressed fit and then they are having to make up about a .5 inch of hood gap.

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Also decided to go ahead and install the 'vette intake. Ordered the weld in cross bar and the areo hood latches from FM yesterday.

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Nice...but very spendy. I sat in some Elise seats that were in one of the cars at FM when I was picking Bert up. They were quite nice and put me more in the car which I need due to my longer torso. The seats are further down the build list though. I have some Google search traps set up so if any pop up for a deal I can't pass up I should see them.

V8droptop

I forget exactly, but I think I paid 650 for the set, and drove to Chicago to pick them up. Quite a deal, and its been a few years, can't complain. It is funny watching passengers fall into my car, though. ha. A set is usually 800-1000 used, maybe 1200-1500 for exige versions. if you find a set of exige seats, I'm looking to swap down the line.

I'll look for some photos as well, and I can give you specs on brackets, or I could build them also. I re-stitched the interior (shifter and steering wheel) with white thread to match the white threaded seats as well, it looks pretty cool. Although, the red was pretty cool before.

Just dropping these off here. Some photos of my car with the seats installed. Also, a guy with an N/A and rather rare Exige non-leather seats I helped install. His car was pretty sweet looking, btw. I remember one of my mounts was a tad off, we had to open the mounting hole a bit. Whoops!








Ok, sorry for the threadjack! Cheers.

charchri4

Damn Nick those are sweet seats!

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getting closer

V8droptop

very nice man. looks perfect. I will measure my intake filter down the line for comparison. It looks fairly similar in size.

charchri4

Damn nice honker you have there but I'm looking forward to seeing her with her skin on!

SSSOOO one of us put the areo latches on backwards and I bet it was me!



And in true Road Kill style I'm missing a screw too...

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I don't see it as wrong vs right, just a preference. I would have also preferred to use the location you did but Keith told me the front of his hood was lifting at speed when he had his there so he ended up adding the forward set (4 total).

charchri4

Yep our fearless leader showed us that!

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Finally back from rinoplasty...

charchri4

V8droptop

My friend, that is a good looking car. Bravo.

Can't wait till you start throwing pushing the power limit. Zoom Zoom, afterall!

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Thanks!

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Went to the local Miata club meet tonight at this old drive in in Dallas. Drunk biker chick backs into the drivers fender and the new bumper cover. Joy.