Member's other Modded rides

My Car right before the FX45..

1997 BMW 328is, with m3 body kit. All stock Motor

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Installed Megan Axle Backs on my M
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Also wet sanded the megan logo off of the tips
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Been sort of quiet about the Miata but I've done a lot of work to her over the past couple weeks. Most of this stuff was voluntary. I had planned on doing some cosmetic work to the valve cover and intake manifold and as I began removing items, other problems surfaced.

New motor mounts - here's what came off the car. This job was a major PITA due to bolt access. Took me about six hours to swap these out.

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Replaced a coil pack because I found a hole in one of the coils. I had been running on three cylinders inconsistently. When the car got warm, everything was working fine. Hopefully this will fix my cold starts and cold idle.

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And I pulled the fuel system and got all new seals and bushings, plus I cleaned it up. I wouldn't have done this if I didn't have to remove the intake manifold.

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And the refinished Valve cover and Manifold installed. I cut the front of the VC off to show the Fidanza cam gears. I like the way it is coming out! That yellow filter you see is the exact same filter we use on the FX!

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I have my intake crossover tube and STB out at the powdercoaters. Excited about getting those back and doing the install!
 

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So which one you like driving more? The M or FX? What do you like/not like about each?

I hate to say it but I like driving the M more than the FX. Just so smooth and agile. Less weight and full time rear wheel drive..



And lifting even a little engine is a bitch. Are you gonna blow this motor too?

Don't plan on it but there is always room for improvements.:wink (2): You never know with me.
 
I was actually talking about the Miata, but it's always nice to have a hint from you too. You're so secretive :confused:

I thought you were talking to Berto also!

It's a really good question. The FX and the Miata couldn't be further apart in terms of driving experience.

The FX is roomy, comfortable and to a degree it isolates you from part of the driving experience. I tried to maintain that, "spirit" through my build with the FX. Sport luxury with a heavy dose of utility mixed it. I use my FX for daily driving, especially when I need to bring anything at all with me. I tend to zone out in the FX, but I'm also always looking to get into boost - just to have fun with the ride. The stereo can be loud and immersive. Easy to sink into all the options and features and get lost for a while without realizing the time is gone.

There's just no space in the Miata - especially since I filled the trunk with stereo gear.
The Miata pretty much feels like a toy. I don't see it as a DD, even though I drive it as often as the FX. I use it to commute to work (when not transporting anything) and as an outlet for more car projects. Since it is a manual, I'm forced more completely into driving the car. I rarely even think about using a phone. The stereo isn't nearly as nice as in the FX so music is more for background noise than for my entertainment. The car is very low to the ground - every other car on the road seems to tower over the Miata (and often that means they don't see me). I'm a lot more defensive in the Miata because of that, but the act of being defensive is also a form of driving concentration. I'm a LOT more connected to the car and how it feels on the road. It's tight - I rarely ever feel weight shifts around corners and being so small and low - even slower speeds still feel like a lot of fun. I'm a fan.

If I had it to do over again, I might have looked for a turbo'd Miata to start with. They can be purchased for around 5K, and then I'd be looking to tweak the system and upgrade a few things. For that reason I think this particular Miata will stay NA. The motor is too high mileage to consider boosting it at this point, but this might not be the last Miata I own.
 
Oh yeah and ... shebuyah! This is what I've been doing for the past three weeks. The mani and valve cover were all me. The intake chamber and the STB were powdercoated. Those were both sent from Japan (used) and I couldn't bring myself to rattle can them like I did the VC and mani.

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I'm thinking I need a Carbon Fiber radiator panel to match the wire cover. With a wire tuck and just a couple details, this car bay is DONE.
 

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It's actually gold. In sunlight you can see metal fleck but under the garage flourecents in the photos, there's no sparkle. I like the color combo.
 
A new facia with a new custom carbon fiber body kit lip made by hand and color matched to the front bumper.

The front bumper is from an 2010 M45 Sport package..

Plus new modded grill.

All color matched but the only chrome left is the buckle and the outer lines.


Just a teaser... I just love this new color...

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Bert, you decided not to go widebody afterall? Nice color.

Jumbo...wow you've really got into your miata....sick.
 
Bert, you decided not to go widebody afterall? Nice color.

Jumbo...wow you've really got into your miata....sick.

Yeahh.. I opted not to because the rear is so flat and high that there are not any real angles I can play with to still make it look classy and not Ricey... LOL

Bert, I will be on the market next year for a 4 door sedan, you should sell me your M at that time :wink (2):

Don't think so.. I plan on trading it in within a year or two for a new S8... Still have hopes to get one when they come out.
 
Very nice Bert!!!

I would love to trade my M in a couple years also... Probably for the new M35 Hybrid....that thing is a beast.
 
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