Edit: Original "ZOMG I bought it" thread is here.

I figured I'd better start a thread now that I'm doing things to my car.

For starters, it's a 1995 Miata with the 1.8L motor. Makes ~128 HP at the crank, no idea how much at the wheels (less, duh). It has the Popular Equipment package, so I have cruise, power windows, headrest speakers, and a Torsen LSD.

Mods so far:

JVC KD-G510 head unit installed to replace my 13-y.o. Mazda unit.
Pioneer door speakers, to replace the crumbly Mazda ones
Headrest speakers replaced, with 3" ones from a Zenith home-theater-in-a-box system. They suck less than the Mazda ones that were (again) falling apart.

I also installed a set of Flyin' Miata sway bars over the break. Here's my first "issue" I guess. Front one is installed fine. Rear is, too, except for one bolt on a bushing. We uh, snapped it in half. Most of the bolt is still in the car. The sway bar is on, but I need to get the bolt out and replace it. Soon.

So, any tips for getting that bolt out? I know I can run to Lowe's and buy another bolt, but I may have to drill the other one out. It's threaded, I think. We tried just hammering it out and that failed.

The project thread begins [/list]

whats up guys, it's been a while since ive had a car to mess around with and actually feel fairly safe taking to an autocross/track. The headgasket in the volvo i was driving blew out so i was forced to find another dd/beater. I wanted something cheap, reliable and good on gas. Called a few of my buddies i used to work on hondas with to see if there were any deals flyin around. Sure enough my best friend in HS had a 1991 crx hf he just finished swapping, 1500 bucks and only a few catches.

The Good
-143k miles on chassis, 90ish on engine, god only knows on si transmission
-converted to OBD1, JDM d15b sohv vtec
-chipped p28 ecu
-4-2-1 Megan Racing Header
-ACT stage 2 clutch
-no check engine, no surge

The Bad
-rear driver spring looks cut and looks like it broke off the upper spring perch or something, i dunno it rides like hell, infamous rice bounce
-interior looks straight outta the early 90s(duh)
-no ac, no PS, no PDL or PW........only thing powered is the brakes


The Ugly
-Oh god the color is horrid, someone painted this thing like mopar bright green, its pretty blinding and ugly
-5" monster tach with shift light......gonna sell asap
-exhaust note sounds raspy from like 2-3.5k rpms
-oh god those fenders are hideous :hakes head::

I Threw some del sol wheels i had laying around on it since the steelies had crap tires on em.

Ill get some pics up of the green monster with the del slo wheels some day that isnt a cell photo, but heres an idea just how riced out i am

So the problems have just kept popping up and at this point i'm going back to school today for the next 5 months-ish. and can't afford to put more money into the car. Brifely:
Silvertop 20v motor from Japan includes the tranny
wire harness done by a guy on the mr2 forums who's done over 100 20v harnesses alone
new battery
new radiator
new belts
there are very few parts from the old motor even down to the trans linkage. everything from the firewall back is new except for the body harness. I will also include:
new passenger quarter window
new shift boot
steering wheel
flip up touch screen bawlin' head unit
any of the old engine parts you want.

I'm selling for 1500. I paid 1300 in the motor and wiring alone and the battery and radiator were 200. so essentially you're getting the rolling body Fo' Free!! will consider partial trades too. i could always use an extreme beater car...

* I'll post up pics of the new motor in there when i get back tomorrow.
* Pleas Buy. I want to see this car go to a good home. plus, i can help with a majority of the maintenance because i've become fluent in 4age.

So, the Jeep has some seriously nasty brake dust caked on the wheels. It's probably been there for years, but I can't really confirm that... the previous owner didn't seem like he would have really cared.

I tried the local luxury car wash's wheel cleaning service, but didn't have much luck. I presume I'm going to need some rather strong stuff. Should I just go to Mother's, or do any of you guys have reccomendations?

My little brother is getting married this summer, and we're trying to figure out how to send him off in style. I've had a few ideas, but would love to hear some more suggestions.

The followings rules do (unfortunately) apply:

1) No strippers, strip clubs, hookers, etc...
2) DC-area, or possibly NYC-area
3) The night can end in a bar or club, but that shouldn't be the entire event

The things I've thought of so far:

1) Caps game
2) Dave & Busters
3) AllSports

Who has done it, where, how much did it cost, how long did it take?

The front end is kinda fug, but you can't argue with the specs.

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So, I did something bad to the Tan F-150ÔÇÖs 4.6 engine. Zero compression in Cylinder #3 . Whoops. Should have taken it a little easier up Afton Mountain pulling the XR I guess.

Good news is that I found a lower mileage 5.4 liter engine from a 2003 (no more spark plug problems) that IÔÇÖm going to put in it!

Then, in true RJ style, IÔÇÖm selling the new white truck I just got and keeping the tan one!

My justification is that the tan truck is paid for, it has great tires, a topper, and racks. To get the new truck to where the tan truck is regarding capability would take about $4000. IÔÇÖm going to put $800 into an engine, another $800 into installing a rear locking diff, and maybe $500 for a winch, and itÔÇÖll be my perfect adventure vehicle.

The catalyst for this is that I almost got stuck this past weekend in just a few inches of snow. ItÔÇÖs really the fault of the tires on the white truck, but the stupid thing has 20ÔÇØ wheels and I canÔÇÖt find a good all around tire (like the Bridgestone Dualer AT RevoÔÇÖs on my other truck) that I like. Nor did the PO order the liminted slip diff (dumbass).

Second, I feel like I have to be careful driving the new truck. I cant run over every curb, hill, and Yaris that gets in my way and it sucks. I dont want to take it off road either, and most of the things I like to do require going off road! For those of you that have ridden with me you can probably understand what I mean.

Strange shift in thinking for me but I think IÔÇÖll be really satisfied with my decision. Who the heck needs a leather interior and a sunroof in a pickup truck anyhow?

I almost bought a Navigator 4V engine for a total boost of over 130 HP and 100 Tq from my current setup, but couldnÔÇÖt justify the $1200 premium. I think IÔÇÖll be happy with the 60hp and 75tq gain from the regular 5.4.

This will all do fine until the 2010 F150 Raptor comes out.




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Engine swap is happening this coming week in a heated garage. If you get bored come on down!

what's the best way to go about this without buying new ones?

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Dude's fortune drops from 12+billion to 9+billion and he commits suicide?? How many people out there right now are just trying to put food on their table and this guy stresses that some of his companies are sucking dick. Guy was 74 anyway, get over yourself, dump a few or all of your companies and enjoy your last few years on Earth knowing you've financially set up your entire family and their families in the future for life.