Cars

  • Building a Track Car – Oil cooler

    With the engine running and in great shape it was time to add one more piece.  A good deal came up on a used Cobalt kit that relocates the oil filter to the firewall and also adds an oil cooler. … Continue reading

  • Building a Track Car – a Very BIG Weekend

    This weekend’s work on the Miata really was a milestone for the project.  Last weekend Doug lent a hand and changed out the timing belt and the water pump.  Two very important components on this car with over 150,000 miles… Continue reading

  • Building a Track Car – have a seat

    The factory Miata seats were pretty well worn out and a replacement set was received a while ago.   They are not true “race seats” as I am watching my budget and this is an HPDE car, not a race car.  The replacements have… Continue reading

  • Building a Track Car – Lighting Failure

    It was with great anticipation that I opened the large carton with the ORACLE Flush Mount Headlight Kit in it.  It seemed like the perfect solution to the barn door pop-up headlights that came on the first generation Miatas.  Advanced… Continue reading

  • Building a Track Car – Hardtop acquired!

    One key component in this project that has been missing is a hard top.  While I could run on the track sans any top, having a hardtop installed simplifies compiance with safety regulations.  I chose the Hard Dog roll bar… Continue reading

  • Building a Track Car – Completing the front end and the brake system

    The car has had its rear suspension completely rebuilt and the rear portion of the Good-Win four-wheel brake upgrade installed.  The front suspension needed much the same.  An earlier post went over some of that process, but left off with… Continue reading

  • Building a Track Car – Rust remover

    Some day I should invest in a CARFAX report and find out the history of this Miata M-edition that I have.  From the VIN it looks like it started out in NC as well as ended up in NC for… Continue reading

  • Building a Track Car – Drive Shaft

    Yes, in a previous entry I talked about a road trip to pick up a replacement drive shaft for the Miata track car and then left you  hanging.  Well, here is the tale. I had found out that the Driveshaft… Continue reading

  • Building a Track Car – Road Trip!

    Sometimes the  special parts you want are not available in or near the city in which you live, but the road trip it takes to get there is an adventure in itself. I made the decision to change out the… Continue reading

    Building a Track Car – Road Trip!

  • Building a Track Car – Attending to small projects

    Most of these entries have covered portions of the track car preparation that take hours of time and often a modest amount of engineering.  But there are many other things that need to be worked on that don’t really take… Continue reading