the answer is 42. a drivabeater thread

Just amazed. Miata would never be the option for me. (6ft 3in)

In reply to Mad_Ratel:

I thought the same thing, but due to being built like a tree stump. I don't fit in c3 corvettes because my shoulder hits the window.

The miata doesn't have a lot of room to speead out width wise. Without a foamectomy, i have a good 4 inches from head to top, another 4-6 of rearward seat travel, and nothing side to side.

If you're interested in trying out the fit of one, come take mine for a druve.

I know a bunch of people over 6' that drive Miatas. They don't wear helmets with the top up, but they're fine otherwise. That said, there are plenty of people over 6' that don't fit for various reasons so you really do need to try one on to see how it goes.

I personally am 6'3" and fit just fine. I can drive it with the top up and a helmet on but my head ends up wedged between the top bows when I do that.

not only did it not go to dinner last night, it didn't tonight either. I'm slowly chipping away at it though.

first, I cleaned and refinished the faded window and rear moldings, as well as the black plastics behind the bumper, and the visible AC system parts behind the lower grille.

[URL=http://s54.photobucket.com/user/dusterbd13/media/miata/20161119_083436_zpsjft9xcvc.jpg.html][/URL]

test fit the new front bumper, seeing if anything visible was missed. [URL=http://s54.photobucket.com/user/dusterbd13/media/miata/20161119_111025_zpsm4arhjcz.jpg.html][/URL]

decided that the tow hooks needed to go away. also, decided that I should clean and protect the ground points under the headlights before reassembly. they were pretty crusty. [URL=http://s54.photobucket.com/user/dusterbd13/media/miata/20161119_155147_zps81tabknv.jpg.html][/URL]

while I was at it, cleaned and polished and repaired the headlights. still have to remake the innermost tabs that go above the radiator that are missing, but didn't want to do that without having the headlights and bumper in place for reference. used JB weld epoxy for the cracks in the passengers side headlight housing, and was able to find a adjuster from a REALLY broken headlight to replace the fubard one on the drivers side.

[URL=http://s54.photobucket.com/user/dusterbd13/media/miata/20161119_155151_zpsys6ui36m.jpg.html][/URL] [URL=http://s54.photobucket.com/user/dusterbd13/media/miata/20161119_161026_zpsx2gs4xz4.jpg.html][/URL] [URL=http://s54.photobucket.com/user/dusterbd13/media/miata/20161119_161032_zps2tu0y3by.jpg.html][/URL] [URL=http://s54.photobucket.com/user/dusterbd13/media/miata/20161119_161024_zpsow5a1c9g.jpg.html][/URL] [URL=http://s54.photobucket.com/user/dusterbd13/media/miata/20161119_171232_zps5xz6gede.jpg.html][/URL] [URL=http://s54.photobucket.com/user/dusterbd13/media/miata/20161119_171234_zpsdmv5qhqv.jpg.html][/URL]

so then I mounted the headlights and front bumper. not happy with the fit along the hood edge, but not sure how to fix it yet. seems way too large.

[URL=http://s54.photobucket.com/user/dusterbd13/media/miata/20161119_171851_zps97so9pvz.jpg.html][/URL] [URL=http://s54.photobucket.com/user/dusterbd13/media/miata/20161119_171855_zpswtpbonat.jpg.html][/URL]

also, debating on whether to put fog lights back in it, or leave the holes open. I kind of like the open look, but part of me thinks it looks unfinished.

Dusterbd13 wrote: In reply to Mad_Ratel: I thought the same thing, but due to being built like a tree stump. I don't fit in c3 corvettes because my shoulder hits the window. The miata doesn't have a lot of room to speead out width wise. Without a foamectomy, i have a good 4 inches from head to top, another 4-6 of rearward seat travel, and nothing side to side. If you're interested in trying out the fit of one, come take mine for a druve.

I also have size 14/15 feet. I've driven a 2002 before, had to use my big toe to hit the brakes and my pinky toe to do the gas. I had to get out of the car to move the hand brake. The car had no foamectomy but I just highly doubt I'll ever be "comfortable" in one.

ok. the feet definitely throw you out if the running. its tight with my 10.5 wide boots. but not nearly as tight as the midget was...

coldnt even drive that damn car with shoes on.

Earlier today I had typed up a very well written update. Somehow, I fat fingered the computer, deleted it, got aggrevated, took a nap, and played on the beach instead.

So were going to try this again. Same as the first time, but quicker and a little less well written....

Since we left off, my new job and commitments have been keeping me jumping. Im blowing clean through deadlines (self imposed) on the miata. Right now, and through Saturday night, I am beachfront with my entire family for the holidays. I took a nap. It was great. The miata is home, in the garage, still torn apart and not driveable. But we ARE getting closer.

First, I found the color that im doing my replacement wheels in. I really dig it. This is a quick dusting of color, on uncleaned, un prepped wheels just to test the color. Should look good against the silver when wrapped in 205/50/16 and stuffed under the car. I was looking for a light bronze that didn't look gold. This is some GM color from the factory touch up rattle cans at the paint store.

[URL=http://s54.photobucket.com/user/dusterbd13/media/miata/20161120_202912_zpsrxlqqu0s.jpg.html][/URL]

I also manage to get the ground effects on. I did a no drill method, using 3m molding tape on all flanges, and used the fender j nuts and bolts to hold them to the fender lips. They are sturdy as hell, but well see how they hold up in the long run being just essentially taped on. I took the opportunity to clean out the inner fenders and shoot some rust proofing in there as well. Forget what brand it was, left over from a LONG time ago in another state, and an aerosol waxy product.

Anyway, heres the ground effects. Im a product of the mid 90s (graduated high school in 99) and love the body kits of the era (yep. In hindsight I really liked the cars in the first fast and the furious. So shoot me.) this makes my inner 15 year old happy.

[URL=http://s54.photobucket.com/user/dusterbd13/media/miata/20161120_202908_zpscjhxvdjy.jpg.html][/URL] [URL=http://s54.photobucket.com/user/dusterbd13/media/miata/20161121_215419_zpsvjigvlya.jpg.html][/URL]

And an outdoor money shot

[URL=http://s54.photobucket.com/user/dusterbd13/media/miata/20161121_072435_zpsjgvjq7dl.jpg.html][/URL]

When I put it back in the garage, I got busy getting the interior and pile of parts pit back together. Door molding, etc. Polished all the sidemarkers and lenses before reinstallation, vacuuming and cleaning all the interior surfaces before being covered, and scrubbing down the interior plastics that I have removed.

[URL=http://s54.photobucket.com/user/dusterbd13/media/miata/20161120_205245_zpsyzxfkht4.jpg.html][/URL]

Before: [URL=http://s54.photobucket.com/user/dusterbd13/media/miata/20161123_121110_zpsfx2kkrab.jpg.html][/URL] [URL=http://s54.photobucket.com/user/dusterbd13/media/miata/20161123_121118_zpsuxgwhrqh.jpg.html][/URL] [URL=http://s54.photobucket.com/user/dusterbd13/media/miata/20161123_121122_zpsh4cgtyw9.jpg.html][/URL]

Apparently the only after picture I took before vacation was the rear package shelf carpet. Now, all this stuff was cleaned with castrol super clean, a stiff concrete brush, and my garden hose. The carpet was very, very black and scruffy around all the edges, had rust stains, and was moldy on the drivers side near the drain. Heres how it turned out. [URL=http://s54.photobucket.com/user/dusterbd13/media/miata/20161123_121129_zpsc469zovt.jpg.html][/URL]

I have also spent a lot of time on the audio system. This car has the factory Bose audio package. It blows goats. I actually prefer to drive with my dollar store headphones on because they sound better and I dont have to play them as loud. So, since my average drive in a day is north of 200 miles, this HAS to be fixed.

To that end, a comprehensive audio package has been designed in my head, balancing performance, investment, space, and effort. The heart of the system is a pioneer HD radio reciever (used, $45). This feeds a pair of pioneer 6 3/4 components and crossovers being stuffed in the doors ($20 swap meet score). Additionally, I am going to try to add headrest speakers to the surfboard seats. I have found reference to people attempting it with 3.5 speakers in a rear facing capacity, but no evidence of it ever actually being done. Im assuming this is because a determined redneck with no fear of failure has given a fair whack at it. So, im going to be that redneck. The headrest speakers that were in the NA miata seats in the midget were great. So, lets repeat it. Lastly, the bass response of both the bose system, and the pioneer speakers I have selected sucks. Just not nearly enough. Now, im a literary and musical omnivore. Ill read anything and listen to anything. At any time. So my audio system has VERY differing demands based upon it. I like nice, tight, accurate bass and midrange that is not overwhelming of the rest of the system, or the car next to me.

After trying a lot of installs over the years, I have found things I like for various body types. But these all take up precious real estate that the miata doesn't have. The trunk is just so small. While trying to figure out what people had been doing, I found the hakuna install. The more I looked, the more I wanted to try it. Its an infinite baffle system (which ive heard, but never done. Seems to be a much more flexible sub design that others ive tried). I went down the rabbit hole of research for a while on infinite baffle, and came up for air with a couple rules of thumb. 1. Needs to have the front of the speaker cone and the basket completely separated. The two should never meet as far as sound waves are concerned. Secondly, the more mass and dampening of the separating panels, the better the results. 3. Buy subs rated for infinite baffle, and feed them moderate power.

So, seems simple enough. Bought a pair of parts express close out 8 inch subs for 10 each, a cheap 50 watt rms 2 channel amp (boss. Nothing to lose, it was 30 shipped), dug around for RCA cables, speaker wire, and amp wiring in the shop (youd be amazed how much E36 M3 I have stuffed in there). Pulled out some peel and seal, as well as foam weatherstripping and insulation.

Heres where we started. [URL=http://s54.photobucket.com/user/dusterbd13/media/miata/20161120_205249_zpsj5xr75er.jpg.html][/URL]

Step one was using the peel and seal to cover over all holes between the interior and trunk cavities. I also test fitted the subs to see if they would clear the windblocker and if I found a place I liked them.

[URL=http://s54.photobucket.com/user/dusterbd13/media/miata/20161120_210550_zpsibbdgoiy.jpg.html][/URL] [URL=http://s54.photobucket.com/user/dusterbd13/media/miata/20161121_215337_zpssghacjho.jpg.html][/URL]

We then broke out the CAD (cardboard aided design), sharpie, and air nibbler. No going back. [URL=http://s54.photobucket.com/user/dusterbd13/media/miata/20161123_074402_zpsfhofdar3.jpg.html][/URL] [URL=http://s54.photobucket.com/user/dusterbd13/media/miata/20161123_074405_zpsjrhodfr3.jpg.html][/URL]

After cutting the holes with the air nibbler, I applied peel and seal to both sides of that panel to add mass and reduce vibration. [URL=http://s54.photobucket.com/user/dusterbd13/media/miata/20161123_104016_zpsq8rkyjxb.jpg.html][/URL]

I also wrapped the entire flange of the sub panel with the pictured foam weatherstripping, and the other 2 panels with 1/4 foam weatherstripping. Used some more to wrap a double thickness around the mounting flange of both subs to seal to the irregular surface of the sub panel. [URL=http://s54.photobucket.com/user/dusterbd13/media/miata/20161123_104037_zpsuc39xoau.jpg.html][/URL]

While I was at it, I decided to dampen the interiors of the tunnels, and tightened the filler neck clamps, cleaned grounds, etc. While I was in there....

[URL=http://s54.photobucket.com/user/dusterbd13/media/miata/20161123_104024_zpsfistz3yi.jpg.html][/URL]

Wired the subs, ran my rca cables, bolted it all back together. [URL=http://s54.photobucket.com/user/dusterbd13/media/miata/20161123_131754_zpsu5wjglpl.jpg.html][/URL]

I then covered the rear panels with the bubble wrap foil from lowes. Ive used it extensively in street rods and corvettes. It adds some midrange noise deadening, works to reduce thermal loss of HVAC, and stops air movement around gaps and flanges. Perfect for what were doing. Its also only 1/8 or so thick, so no real loss of space. Heres where the install ended. I also am doing the rear bulkhead, but wont be doing the trans tunnel and floor pans at this time. Im looking for better carpets before pulling everything that far apart. [URL=http://s54.photobucket.com/user/dusterbd13/media/miata/20161123_131751_zpsybcopg6l.jpg.html][/URL] [URL=http://s54.photobucket.com/user/dusterbd13/media/miata/20161123_131740_zps8zvcqnrh.jpg.html][/URL]

The last thing I got done before leaving town was getting my economy ebay rain rail mounted. The directions said to put the foam washers on the studs between the body and rain rail, and then the rail. Some reason this doesnt seem right to me. Is it? [URL=http://s54.photobucket.com/user/dusterbd13/media/miata/20161123_133150_zpsomtkocch.jpg.html][/URL]

What's the intended use for the bubble-wrap foil foam in the last few pictures? Meaning, what do normal people use it for?

Garage door insulation. Its got a fairly low r value (20?) But really works for this kind of thing. For both noise cancellation and hvac improvement.

Meet the all new drivabeater:

Now woth 75% less bose, 100% more weatherproofing, and 1000% more awsome.

[URL=http://s54.photobucket.com/user/dusterbd13/media/miata/20161126_221213_zpsf0132yhc.jpg.html][/URL] [URL=http://s54.photobucket.com/user/dusterbd13/media/miata/20161126_221223_zpsfudypbzu.jpg.html][/URL] [URL=http://s54.photobucket.com/user/dusterbd13/media/miata/20161126_221216_zps12yx0qaq.jpg.html][/URL] [URL=http://s54.photobucket.com/user/dusterbd13/media/miata/20161126_221208_zpsuagn16bt.jpg.html][/URL] [URL=http://s54.photobucket.com/user/dusterbd13/media/miata/20161126_221247_zpsjffgyiyi.jpg.html][/URL] [URL=http://s54.photobucket.com/user/dusterbd13/media/miata/20161126_221231_zpse9zwvbta.jpg.html][/URL]

Looking good. Curious what you think of the sub install.

Initial thoughts are that they don't hit nearly hard enough.

Ill be driving it all week, so expect the review to be much more comprehensive.

Ok, so outside pictures. Now with new tires, and 35% tint o the sides and windshield. I didn't wind up using the bronze wheels, as 1 was so bent that it wouldn't lay flat on the floor, and the other three were egg shaped. So, the old wheels stayed. I still haven't tinted the rear window. I believe that im going to polish the plastic with mcguires plasticx, and then use some static cling tint. May work, according to what ive found on the internet.

The tires are falken 450. In 205/50/16. They fill the wheelwells better. And maybe marginally improve ride quality. Maybe.

So, heres pictures because everyone likes pictures.

[URL=http://s54.photobucket.com/user/dusterbd13/media/miata/20161205_134013_zpsqfaix7ji.jpg.html][/URL] [URL=http://s54.photobucket.com/user/dusterbd13/media/miata/20161205_134020_zpsveabouid.jpg.html][/URL] [URL=http://s54.photobucket.com/user/dusterbd13/media/miata/20161205_134027_zpsghytm7jo.jpg.html][/URL] [URL=http://s54.photobucket.com/user/dusterbd13/media/miata/20161205_134040_zpsbnmjafg4.jpg.html][/URL]

I was asked after the last update for thoughts on the sub install and stereo setup. Now that I have a thousand miles on the setup, I can give a real account (yes, this is now my daily. Due to circumstances beyond my control....)

Anyway, ill start with the bosectomy and head unit. I bypassed the amp, reusing all the stock wiring. I also have retained the bose door speakers at this time. Looking at the diagrams, it appeared to me that the head unit would see about a 4.5 ohm load per channel, well within spec for the pioneer. Now, when the thing is cranked really hard, and hits a hard bass note, the whole system cuts off for a split second. I believe that this is actually clipping, and primarily due to the ,5 ohm bass speakers in the doors sucking too much amperage and sending the head unit amp into protection mode. Door speakers are on the list....

However, the bose speakers powered by the pioneer head unit sound FANTASTIC. Reception and imaging greatly improved, much clearer sound from the same speakers. Much louder as well. I no longer believe I need headrest speakers for top down driving except for interstate speeds.

Onto the subs and the infinite baffle/ hakuna install.

Overall im very pleased. Im running them off a small (power wise) cheap amp I got from a swap meet years ago. Its a dual brand, and fairly well crap. And its too big and takes up too much room. I have a new one of similar power coming from amazon. Anyway, the infinite baffle setup requires much less power than most other installs, so it works for this.

The best way I can describe it is that it adds what was missing from the bose system as far as bass goes. Its not a lot (especially for a pair of 8 inch subs sitting right behind your head), but its adequate. Im going to so the review based upon musical styles as summed by a common (to my jumpdrive/pandora) band and what I think of the subs in that musical style.

Classical music (radio station in HD from Charlotte): the kettle drums sound like you're sitting mid audience. The stand up bass sounds lifelike. Its actually a well designed install for classical. Sounds just right for that type of venue.

Rap (ICP, Eminem, NWA, DMX): full, but not hard bass. Doesnt hit as well as a sealed setup would and has issues on the extended really low notes. Somewhat less clear that a sealed, single sub of larger size. Adequate, but not great. Hell of a lot better than a good set of components by themselves though.

Country (garth brooks, merle, johnny cash, trampled by turtles, cast iron filter): good, tight, well balanced bass. Not overhwelming, just right. Like a good home stereo and a recliner.

Heavy Metal (biohazard, 80s metallica, megadeath, opeth) it cant keep up. Distorts and just sounds generally like crap. Better that components by themselves, but not as good as a good set of 6x9 speakers would back there. Dont know why it hates this type of music, but it does.

Techno/dance (bond, prodigy, static-x, trans Siberian orchestra) good until sustained very low notes. They sound nice and accurate on the quick stuff, but electronic bass notes like static-x likes I find it lacking.

Rock (punk/ska/rockabilly/new/old in here. Like flogging molly, molly hatchet, floyd, zepplin, pretty reckless, shinedown, stray cats, mighty mighty bosstones, brian setzer, george thorougood, you get the point) PERFECT. Best sub install ive ever had for this type of music. Still doesn't hit hard enough on the kick drums, but im in a freaking convertible.

Now, top up/down: not a lot of difference. Hits slightly harder and sounds better with the top up, but im also getting deflection off the top and getting a more contained and outside noise free sound-stage. So thats my explanation. But sound shockingly good top down. Really surprised me, actually.

Hope this helps.

It's looking really good, and foam tape is awesome for fixing rattles. Do you recall what GM colour that wheel paint was?

Foam tape was more for sealing airspace to give tbe infinite baffle setup the best change of success.

I don't remember the gm colir, and don't think I have the lid anymore, but I will look. I remember it had bronze in the name.

I threw the lid away. Sorry....

And a bit of an enlightenment moment: when you have to look up at the top of a tractor trailer tire on the interstate, your car probably isn't visible to most.

So, im selling it. It has been my daily since the last update. I love it. Turns out that I am a miata guy.

I said when I got this one that if i turned out wanting to long term a miata, it wouldn't be this one. So, its going away for 3500 obo.

I will get another. Probably an nc. Or a boosted nb with long travel soft suspension.