Yes, fun piece and welcome to the Miata club.
Yes, fun piece and welcome to the Miata club.
In reply to Katie Wilson :
A/C compressor went out on my NA last summer. Pulled it off to replace it and that is a really heavy component.
Doesn't make the Miata any faster.
Would Colin Chapman have equipped the Series 1 Elan with A/C?
The TR4 and Datsun 1600 and 2000 roadsters my Dad would occasionally drive home as demonstrators didn't have A/C and 12 year old me thought they were pretty neat.
Since the compressor came off I have been pondering the need for power steering.
Decisions.
In reply to SuperDave :
I'll take that compressor and all the other AC bits, I can provide the bypass duct that replaces the evaporator. Sweating in 100F heat doesn't improve the experience for me, I've done my time :)
My NB1 has had a slow leak, would hold a charge for about 9 months. I couldn't find the leak until recently when I had to replace the clutch slave cylinder. While I was under the car, I used the UV flashlight to check the drain hose. Looks like I need an evaporator. Good news is that it is reported to be possible to change by only removing the glove compartment.
I have the vacuum pump and a set of gauges, but it's going to be my first time replacing any AC parts. Still looking for a good miata specific video, and AC season is upon us here.
This story sparks joy on several levels for me.
First...love hearing Katie's voice on a topic this community holds dear.
Second...it brings back memories of my zero-option 92 base model. Ran it in C Street autocross, then CSP, and finally STS. It's the subject of a GRM project car series.
But more importantly... I drove it *everywhere*. Top-up, rear window down in the sun was tolerable in CenTex summer heat (when I was younger). But also on trips up/down the Cali coast, various national parks, etc. So...much...fun.
It's why I was so thrilled when Mazda recaptured that same feeling with the ND Miata, which is my new love. My biggest beef with the new car? The overboosted steering.
And just today I scored the unobtanium manual steering rack off my old K-swapped NB Miata when the new owner went to electric PS. Stay tuned for yet another new build...
In reply to Andy Hollis :
I think I've come up with a way to drop the boost level on the ND rack. I've come up with an approach to try, anyhow...
In reply to Keith Tanner :
What you waiting for .........
In reply to Floating Doc (Forum Supporter) :
I'm an automotive tech and have been working on A/C systems since the early 90's - including installation of countless systems in new Toyotas when A/C was a dealer installed option only. Lived through the R12 to R134 conversion era too. Feel free to send any questions this way if you wish.
The principles remain the same regardless of vehicle - that makes it simpler. In addition to the tools you have you'll need a vacuum pump to evacuate the system. If your budget oriented (like me) you can pirate one from an old fridge or freezer. They work well. Keep in mind the tubing is aluminum (= somewhat delicate), don't overtighten fittings, use new R134 compatible o-rings, and begin with the factory fill quantity of refrigerant (don't use hydrocarbon based blends). Use the operating pressures to guide your action from there. Good luck
Revived some nice memories Katie, thanks
Back in 1990, I put in orders for a base car with AC and limited slip with 2 dealers and sat back to wait (and wait some more) as Miata mania was in full swing and the cars were difficult to come by (esp in import starved Detroit). Picked the car up Memorial Day weekend. Driving a new launch year Miata was like being a celebrity and the car itself did not disappoint. The steering was telepathic even if a tad slow and heavy. As the car aged, I think that the manual windows began to give the steering effort a run for its money though!
Never missed the PS but sure was glad I had the AC! Had the car for 27 glorious years and after the kids were through college I replaced it with a 987 Cayman (launch year, of course). Still have the hankering for another Miata though, however I've found that the NC has really grown on me so that might be the one (w/ 2.5 swap).
In reply to BlackDawg :
Thanks for the tips and encouragement. I have a vacuum pump, just got the evaporator and drier/filter in last week. I'm putting it off until I get a new radiator so I can do that at the same time.
Keith Tanner said:AnthonyGS (Forum Supporter) said:I'm kind of looking for an NB manaul rack.... I'd love to give one a try if I could source one.
1999 base model and the 50 2003 Club Sport cars, that was it for the US supply. I think Mazda Motorsports had them for a while, not sure if the supply has dried up. Rare, rare beasties.
I may have successfully located one of these rare steering racks. I should have photos soon. I could be really lucky in this case.
Great article!
If you can find a Cool Breeze scoop, that makes driving in the heat a LOT better with an NA. It looks like they're no longer made, though, so if you happen to have, say, a brother with a 3d printer, you can probably use something like this:
https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2983617
Seriously, I used mine all the time for my NA. It really made it much nicer just to have airflow near your legs.
The rack was not as advertised. No luck on an NB manual rack, yet.
My first Miata was also one of the first in Canada, October 1989. Kept her 32 years. The best car I have ever owned. Raced it (Solo I) for several years. But with "older" age creeping in, I needed A/C. Found a gorgeous 95 Laguna Blue with A/C on Bring-a-Trailer. Couldn't resist. Kept both for a while, but then "reason" took over and I sold the 1990. Still, the best car I have ever owned and I did drive quite a few during my 20 years as auto journalist. Glad to see them nowadays in vintage racing.
How did they run no PS and have A/C?
In reply to MyMiatas :
It wasn't common, but there was an idler pulley available that bolted where the PS pump would be.
In reply to Berck :
Yes, there is a Kia part that is identical. Unfortunately, both it and the Mazda version are NLA.
Update on this: With the insanity of buying a house in May, going on my honeymoon in June, and moving in July, the Miata STILL doesn't have A/C. But now it has a lovely garage to live in, rather than a condo parking lot.
Hoping to get to the A/C install this Fall, but with the way things are going this year it'll be comfortable to drive even without it before long.
I was literally just opining on this very topic in regards to my Dad's 1992 Ram 50 pickup. It's way more fun than it ought to be.
In reply to Katie Wilson and everyone else here: I drive a de-powered rack NB. The feedback through the wheel is night to day. The only drawback is that at a standstill the effort to turn the wheel can be "unpleasant" at times. A few things that helped. Wheel offset has to be the original Mazda +45 to achieve zero scrub radius. NB wheels went down to +40, presumably to fit larger brakes. It did not matter because power steering was standard on NBs but +45 is still the ideal wheel offset.
The next thing that helps is a narrower tyre section and lower profile. I went from the oem 185/60 R14 to 175/55 R15. Both the lower tyre width and profile help as there is less contact patch area and less tyre flex when steering. This improves feedback even further. As for roadholding, it is even better than on 185/60 and the 195/50 I tried. The 175/55, although still fitted to a 6" width wheel, has more room to stretch, comparatively speaking, so the tyre sidewalls are stiffer and width is fully utilised under load. 6.5" would be even better in this respect. An added plus is that 175/55 weigh less, improving ususpended/rotational mass and making the car feel more responsive.
Love my 91 NA with PS and AC. In Florida when it's hot the ice cold AC is so refreshing even with top down. When I read an ad or Miata post claiming Miata AC's don't cool or are not needed I question their honesty or have they simply never experienced a Miata with properly working AC? As for PS back in 94 I loved steering feel on my AC optioned R model so much I'm thinking of putting manual rack in my 91. Either way a drive in a Miata is one of the simple joys in life that any auto enthusiast should experience! Congratulations on your new Miata and welcome to the club!
Love my 91 NA with PS and AC. In Florida when it's hot the ice cold AC is so refreshing even with top down. When I read an ad or Miata post claiming Miata AC's don't cool or are not needed I question their honesty or have they simply never experienced a Miata with properly working AC? As for PS back in 94 I loved steering feel on my AC optioned R model so much I'm thinking of putting manual rack in my 91. Either way a drive in a Miata is one of the simple joys in life that any auto enthusiast should experience! Congratulations on your new Miata and welcome to the club!
For those who want AC and not PS, there's a new product on the market! A belt tensioner that uses an automatic tensioner and isn't from a junkyard :)
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