d00mwizard’s K24Z3 NA Miata

Quick alignment from this weekend. I have the PACO camber/eccentric bolt locks, which unfortunately limit the adjustability of the camber bolts. Even when trying every orientation combo possible, the “smiley face” teeth wouldn't fit into the eccentric locks to match caster AND camber, so this was the best we could do. 949/SuperMiata camber bolts ordered for the next alignment so we can dial everything in to what we want instead of what we can get.

Focus was to reduce caster from the previous alignment which was around 6.5 degrees. I could go down as far as 2 degrees caster, but didnt want to overshoot it and have the opposite problem of zero self steer.

The camber was also reduced from 6ish degrees on the previous alignment to left say an AVG of -5.0. I moved the newer LBJs to the innermost position on the destroy or die LCAs instead of the middle position. My new knuckles I welded up dont have as much ackerman correction as the old “angle adapters” so the LBJ was moved in to ensure the existing tie rod length was “okay”. If I remember correctly the destroy or die LCAs at the inner most setting are still +10ish mm on track width from OEM LCAs.

I can deal with the camber difference for this event. Not sure what happened to the rear LH toe… it was perfect before we aligned front and re swept for caster. Oh well.

I’ll follow up to this and that “non power steering drift alignment” thread after this weekend with results. From the drive home and some more gentle break in miles, it feels like it should be enough… but we will see.

Got replacement parts from KPower. The adapter plate and hydraulic release bearing were out of spec. Thankful that KPower sent me replacements free of charge and FAST.

Did a bunch of little things to the car while it was down like an accesory fuse box for gauges and what not, added footwell lights, rebuilt fuel lines (had ptfe lines and the ptfe fittings went bad and kept leaking so I just went to normal fuel rated nylon braided hose and fittings from Vibrant), remade a dashmat, and some other things not worth mentioning.

Put the new KPower stuff on and the Exedy clutch kit. While I was in there I replaced the pilot bearing (tried the grease tool, had to use a normal puller), trans tail-shaft seal, and my driveshaft u-joints (never again… I’d rather buy a new driveshaft haha), and replaced the trans and diff fluid (why was this shit ever packaged in hard plastic bottles!?). Dialed in everything and so far have put 100 city break in miles on it and it feels great. Goal is 500 miles before the event, shouldn't be too hard. Just needs front end alignment to reduce the caster and some tires mounted.

Welp, the Miata is on jackstands... Had a very grabby/chunky clutch pedal and it looks like it was the internal hydraulic throw-out bearing. I was using KPowers previously recommended ACT clutch kit, but they have switch to ONLY recommending an EXEDY Stage 1. Apparently they were seeing issues combining their hydraulic throw-out bearing and the ACT? IDK... but a new EXEDY is en route either way; anyone need a Miata ACT clutch kit with less than 500 miles on it? I'll give ya a hell of a deal to help offset the cost of this new one.

Luckily KPower is working with me and inspecting the adapter plate and the hydraulic throw-out bearing to make sure they are in spec. If not, HOPEFULLY they make it right and send me good parts.

Bummed to take the car apart so soon, but it is what it is. Hoping I can still make the CAMS event on 12/28.

Alec and I finally got back on track after a year or so hiatus. We got invited to a private day at Cams Acres before wither one was ready, so this was a huge motivator to make things happen. Without the invite I don't think wither of us would have been driving our cars this year, so shouts out to Tristan (Brown ITB PP FC) for reaching out!

Glad/proud to say that both cars did fantastic with zero mechanical issues. We had low expectations on our driving and just wanted to have fun and learn the cars. Drifting is sick. 

Lots of things got done in the last few months. Car is mechanically “finished”. Had to rebuild some fuel lines, realized RDX injectors don't work on my Kpower IM (injector bores are too big…would need to buy another), got it titled in my name and registered (that was a hassle), got it tuned on OEM 310cc’s (no data sheet but went conservative for longevity and I’m sitting at 185whp and about 150tq), installed some angle adapters (not bad but I don't trust them to not waller out at tie rod pickup points so ill cut, re-locate pickup, and weld my own), thermoformed some side windows (separate post soon), and finally had a test and tune day.

Although the alignment I chose is unfavorable and required a ton of effort to drive (too much caster), the car is an absolute blast and exceeds my expectations. Got a lot of shit for not making the 200whp club, but it doesn't need it. Maybe I’ll spend the money on it later, but for now I want to paint the car, lower the rear… maybe raise the front a little, re-align, and enjoy it.

Some media from the test and tune (might have a legit edit later):

One of the first few runs

Driving with@ajshadd completely stock NA FC

Driving with @devil7___ ITB PP FC

Quick 1-2 rip so I could hear the exhaust note.

Still on the base map. Grabbing some RDX injectors then getting a tune! Feels good so far.

It trips me out every time I see a z3 header lol WHERE THE RUNNERS AT

Exhaust done!

3”SS all the way back with vband connections, vibrant ultra quiet resonator, and vibrant universal straight through muffler. I’ll make a quick turndown at the last vband so I can swap it on when I want to be loud . Had to hammer the passenger side tunnel a bit but I'm happy with it.

Got the miata at my girlfriends dads shop to use his lift for the exhaust.

Snapped some photos of the undercarriage because I’ve only seen it on jackstands. Feels wild. For anyone wondering this is wire wheeled, degreaser, clean with IPA, self etching primer, rollbar and chassis paint, and seam sealed.

Still need to get a few things like front sway endlinks, make a skid plate for the front of the oil pan, rear subframe brace, modify the front knuckles. and get rear drop knuckles but it's basically "done" after the exhaust and ready to cruise around minus an alignment.

Been a bit, but here's some updates.

PPF delete complete. Got the k miata diff mount in and I fabbed up a trans mount . Not the prettiest but it works and give me plenty of room to route the exhaust without going under the frame rails. Kmiata diff brace is shimmed the thickness of the rear subframe ladder brace (required) until I can snag one from the junkyard.

Figured out how I'll run the doors. It's tricky to keep this as much of a street car as possible, but this lets me keep speakers (a must), the OEM inside door handle (lock disabled), added a pull strap, and the OEM top door pad. IMO it doesn't look terrible either for having to gut the doors for the nascar bars.

"Finished" the interior for now. Got some block off plates for the gauge holes until I get those ordered.

And today I did a quick test fit the front bumper and the replica mazdaspeed a spec type2 lip. Some gaps in the photos, but they should get better when I actually install it . Shouts out to a certain overseas Miata enthusiast for making affordable and decent fitting replicas of shit that is priced out of control now.

And with that, the last thing needed to get the car driving is the exhaust. I have everything, just need to find time to trailer the car to my gf's dads shop to use his lift and weld it all up. I'll get to that after this Final Bout SSS trip here in a few weeks.

Small update; I have functioning pop ups that clear the pesky intake tube that you have to worry about with a kswap if you don’t want to run it to the hot side. Bonus points that it’s essentially a headlight motor “tuck”.

I’ll follow up with a crude “how-to” soon. Long story short…swap the LH and RH motors, use some caveman skills to bend the brackets to clear, and re drill a hole for mounting the motors.

Montego squad. Up there with BRG as best colors in my opinion

I miss my old turbo NA6 miata and the OG one reminds me a lot of it. Excided to see where this goes!