One Owner's Upgrade Path for an NB Miata

Better Than New

00:00 - SHOW OPEN

Insight gained from making a series of upgrades to a 1999 NB Miata

01:10 - INTRODUCE CHRIS FISH - An NB Miata Owner Who Loves To Modify His Car

Chris began his search for a Miata a few years ago and describes how he found his 1999 Emerald Green NB Miata and why he fell for this small, lightweight roadster.

06:45 - WHAT CHRIS DECIDED TO MODIFY ON HIS MIATA

Chris started his research research journey for parts and upgrades on the Miata.net forums and Flyinmiata.com and then went from there to find the parts he wanted.

07:35 - Wheels & Tires

5x8-inch 6UL with Yokohama S-Drive Tires.

08:55 - Hardtop

Stock Miata hardtop found on Craigslist

09:40 - White Gauge Faces

Purchased a set of 2001-model white gauges from an online vendor and used YouTube instructions swap in his odometer to keep the mileage accurate.

11:30 - Nardi Wood Shift Knob and Emergency Brake Handle

Found through online private party ads

13:00 - Nardi Wood Steering Wheel

Found through an online vendor in Japan

13:20 - Faux Woodgrain Radio Surround

13:40 - Upgraded Center Console

From a later model NB Miata

14:45 - Racing Beat Header

16:50 - Racing Beat Cold Air Intake

Chris wasn't sure if this added power, but he loved the sound

17:35 - Flyin' Miata Midpipe and Catalytic Converter and Racing Beat Cat-back Exhaust

18:40 - Adjustable Coil Over Suspension

21:50 - Timing Belt & Water Pump

22:45 - Coolant Re-Route and Oil Filter Relocation Kit

24:45 - Removed the Head and did a Valve Job

25:45 - Mazdaspeed Camshaft

28:30 - WE DISCUSS MIATA ENGINE SWAP UPGRADES

Chris talks about the Rocketeer V6 conversion for NB Miatas and how it was one of his favorite options based on his research at the time (he did not do this conversion, however).

https://www.rocketeercars.com

32:30 - CHRIS TALKS ABOUT THE FAST FORWARD SUPERCHARGER KIT

Chris prefers a supercharger for forced induction over a turbo and the kit he prefers based on research is the Fast Forward Supercharger. We discuss how it works and why he likes it best (this is on his wish-list)

https://www.fastforwardsuperchargers.com

38:10 - WILL CHRIS SUPERCHARGE HIS MIATA?

Great question. He wants to, but he knows if he puts a supercharge on his Miata, he will dig into other projects, so he is thinking maybe the car is good as it sits right now.

40:15 - WHICH UPGRADES WOULD CHRIS RECOMMEND TO OTHERS?

Chris has the time and is one of those guys who loves to McGuyver his way through a troublesome project that might leave the rest of us (or me) throwing wrenches.

42:45 - CHRIS' ADVICE TO OTHERS THINKING OF MAKING UPGRADES TO THEIR CAR

Chris says he probably should have driven his car for a while before jumping into making upgrades. Many people like the Miata "as is" and if you drive one for awhile rather than jumping into upgrades, you might like it "as is" too.

44:00 - SHOW CLOSE - Final Thoughts on Car Mods and Upgrades

When it comes to upgrading any vehicle, my recommendation is to start at ground level and work your way up. That mean's upgrading tires first (those contact patches are all that connect your car to the road), then brakes (you need to be able to stop), followed by suspension (you need to be able to turn too!) and finally horsepower. If your car can't go, stop and turn, adding more horsepower will just make things worse. So start with tires and work your way up.