Miata Mailing List: April 1995, Message #53
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From: "MIATA"
Subject: WEEKLY digest of "miata" mailing list (part 3 of 6)
Date: Mon, 3 Apr 1995 05:27:52 -0400
Subjects of messages in this digest:
====================================
Re: Leather Hat
Re: Sunbelt rentals - San Diego - luggage - lodging
Re: Dust busting
Re: PIAA Light confusion
Bodysonic transducer
I thought this was kinda funny:
Re: Hats with Earflaps
Re: PIAA Light confusion
Re: Redline MTL ???
re: Do It Yourself & Warranties
Re: Gotcha!
Premium Gas for Turbo's & Eaton Supercharger?
Re: Bodysonic transducer
re: Do It Yourself & Warranties
Re: Gotcha!
Re: An Interesting Mailing List Survey...
police detectors
car rental USA
Re: Bodysonic transducer
Re: Premium Gas for Turbo's & Eaton Supercharger?
Lousy factory radios et.al
Re: police detectors
Antenna
Gratuitous plug.
New Miata - New Member
Edmund's Car Prices
Re: Momo Zebrano shift knob
Soft top
Re: New Miata - New Member
CB radio install questions
Re: Lousy factory radios et.al
Heat shield service bulle...
Re: Edmund's Car Prices
RE: Lousy factory radios et.al
Re: New Miata - New Member
Re: Edmund's Car Prices
RE: Soft top
Turbo Reliability: Canada
Re: Premium Gas for Turbo's & Eaton Supercharger?
RE: police detectors
Re: Miata goodies
Re: Air Horns!!!
re: warranty question
Re(2): Buicks
Re: "...one quick Miata..."
'94 to '95 What Changed?
Top Down at 29 degrees
Re:Top Down at 29 degrees
Re: Edmund's Car Prices
Re[2]: Miata goodies
RE: Lousy factory radios et.al
Shipping your baby
re:Top Down at 29 degrees
Re: Lousy factory radios et.al
RE: Lousy factory radios et.al
Top Down at 29 degrees
Cellular phone (was: Re: Cupholder)
Hella Horns (LONG)[REPOST]
Re: Edmund's Car Prices
Re: Shipping your baby
Sale: 91-A Red
Re(2): PIAA Light confusion
Re: Lousy factory radios et.al
Re: Shipping your baby
Re: '94 to '95 What Changed?
Heat Shield Quick Fix
Re: Pink Slips?
Re: Gotcha!
Storage bin...
Gas Odor Revisited
*Storage bin...
Re: '94 to '95 What Changed?
cross-country in a Miata
Re: Heat shield service bulle...
Painting Miata's Braces
Front License Plate Location
RE: Lousy factory radios et.al
Re: Gas Odor Revisited
Re: "...one quick Miata..."
Re: Momo Zebrano shift knob
====================================
>From archive-owner Tue Mar 28 22:28:24 1995
From: Arch Glasgow
Subject: Re: Leather Hat
Date: Tue, 28 Mar 1995 22:28:15 -0500
On Tue, 28 Mar 1995, Carolyn wrote:
> Since I was asked, I bought my hat at a leather store in New York City. It is
> not a name brand or a chain store. But I am sure they can be found in other
> leather or hat stores. Good hunting.
>
> Carolyn in sunny CT
For those of you new to the net the leather hat was a MAZDA UK
bona fide accessory in the early Miata years. I have seen the ad with my
own eyes.
Archie Glasgow Elect. Eng. Techn.
University of Windsor Bio. Sci.
arch@server.uwindsor.ca
˙
==============================================================================
>From archive-owner Tue Mar 28 22:59:30 1995
From: mbooth@cts.com (Mark Booth)
Subject: Re: Sunbelt rentals - San Diego - luggage - lodging
Date: Tue, 28 Mar 1995 22:59:05 -0500
At 9:17 AM 3/28/95, Dr. Susan Harrison wrote:
>The Apple Tree Inn is actually a few miles northwest of Julian in
>the town of Wynola.
Susan,
I certainly hope you tried WYNOLA ROAD while you were in the Julian/Wynola
area??? It is one of the best Miata roads in all the county! Too short
but long enough to have some serious fun! I don't think there is a
twistier road to be found anywhere.
Mark
'92 B Classic Red
Member: MCA
SOCALM
TEAM VOODOO
˙
==============================================================================
>From archive-owner Tue Mar 28 22:59:57 1995
From: mbooth@cts.com (Mark Booth)
Subject: Re: Dust busting
Date: Tue, 28 Mar 1995 22:59:14 -0500
At 9:45 AM 3/28/95, Arch Glasgow wrote:
> Is this the hairy thing in rainbow colours? Where can you find them?
Arch,
The CALIFORNIA CAR DUSTER has red "string" and a long white handle. It
comes in a storage pouch that CLEARLY identifies it as "The Original"
California Car Duster.
Mark
'92 B Classic Red
Member: MCA
SOCALM
TEAM VOODOO
˙
==============================================================================
>From archive-owner Tue Mar 28 23:49:09 1995
From: JMardy@aol.com
Subject: Re: PIAA Light confusion
Date: Tue, 28 Mar 1995 23:48:43 -0500
>I don't have a real internet connection so I can't
>do that cool thing where you automatically copy
>part of the message to which you are replying...
I got my PIAA 1000's from Andy at Brainstorm. He supplies a useful
instruction sheet and an OEM switch. Brainstorm's number is 800-779-3223
I'm not sure if the lights I have are ion crystal or not; I don't even know
what ion crystal is, but it has to be better than non-ion crystal : )
I paid $199.95. I've heard stories about the factory fog light switch
costing $40 from Mazda so I think it's a pretty good deal.
John Mardesich
White '94 R, Marin County, CA
˙
==============================================================================
>From archive-owner Wed Mar 29 00:14:18 1995
From: JMardy@aol.com
Subject: Bodysonic transducer
Date: Wed, 29 Mar 1995 00:13:42 -0500
In the shop manual, it describes a "bodysonic" element located in the seat
back of Miatas equipped with ALC (Auto Level Controller). My dealer gave me
his typical blank stare when I asked him so... What do people who have this
option think of this thing? Does it really work to reproduce low
frequencies? Is your lower back pain gone?
I've seen ads for something similar from Pioneer but theirs goes on top of
the seat and looks, well, kinda stupid.
If it weren't for that damn gas tank I could get some real subwoofers in the
car...
John Mardesich
White '94 R, Marin County, CA
˙
==============================================================================
>From archive-owner Wed Mar 29 00:41:35 1995
From: JMardy@aol.com
Subject: I thought this was kinda funny:
Date: Wed, 29 Mar 1995 00:41:21 -0500
>From the factory shop manual:
"The manufacturer's warranty... can be voided if improper service or repairs
are performed by persons other than those at an Authorized Mazda Dealer."
At least they tell you what to expect.
John Mardesich (who is less cynical than he used to be)
White '94 R, Marin County, CA
˙
==============================================================================
>From archive-owner Wed Mar 29 00:44:41 1995
From: Serikaku@aol.com
Subject: Re: Hats with Earflaps
Date: Wed, 29 Mar 1995 00:44:30 -0500
I have a black leather World War II aviator's type flying helmet. It has a
fleece liner that keeps the ears warm, but the really nice thing is that it
keeps the cold air off the back of my neck. I got it for my birthday years
ago when I was driving my Datsun 2000 Roadster. I think that it was bought
from a Harley-Davidson motorcycle shop. I have seen replicas of the real
thing complete with ear speakers in a Smithsonian Museum catalog, but of
course they were very expensive. It's fun to wear the helmet with goggles
and a white scarf. I can pretend that I'm flying my white Zero looking for
american iron to swoop. 8-) And yes I know that the real ones were made by
Mitsubishi, maybe they subcontracted to Mazda. Ironically, my Japanese
engine is assisted by a British turbocharger. Hmmm, those 20mm cannon and
7.7mm machine guns might come in handy on the freeway.
Ron Serikaku, white 91A w/ BBR turbo
˙
==============================================================================
>From archive-owner Wed Mar 29 00:49:26 1995
From: TAKAHARA@aol.com
Subject: Re: PIAA Light confusion
Date: Wed, 29 Mar 1995 00:49:11 -0500
<>
John, if your PIAA projects Yellow lights, you have Ion crystal. If yours
projects clear, you have non-ion crystal. Simple as that. :-)
Ion crystal is some kind of coating they combine with the lens to make the
clear light project as yellowish color. It is more effective than yellow
bulbs since it does not decrease the lighting power as yellow bulb, and it
does go through better in fog and such.
Also, Seems like you are using America Online, and you can use "Copy &
Paste" to copy those words from other's postings. Its very simple to do.
:-)
TAKAHARA
94White with ACTIVE Bodykits
˙
==============================================================================
>From archive-owner Wed Mar 29 01:21:11 1995
From: ARacer@aol.com
Subject: Re: Redline MTL ???
Date: Wed, 29 Mar 1995 01:20:46 -0500
Dennis J. HeRR wrote on March 28:
>>After reading all those wonderful comments regarding Redline MTL I decide
it's time I change the MT oil. To my horror, none of auto part shops
heard about this brand and all sware by Castrol - is it some kind of holy
grail or what?. :( Could someone post me the specification of Redline MTL
so I can at least find closest thing if not the original. :( Is there
something special ingredient in Redline that makes all these improvement or
what?
>>Dennis (^_^;
Dennis, there's no special ingredient added to Red Line that makes it
superior; its the synthesis of the base product, from the start, that is
different. I looked into this last year, and now have forgotten most of the
specifics, but you can get the whole story, and probably the name of a dealer
near you by calling headquarters:
Red Line Oil
3450 Pacheco Blvd.
Martinez, CA 94553
(510) 228-7576
(800) 624-7958
We put Red Line MTL (Manual Transmission Lubricant) in our '90 Miata last
year when the transmission began to worry us a bit after nearly four years of
autocross racing. It was sometimes getting locked out of reverse (as it
should if it had just been in 5th) from any gear. The Red Line, being
lighter, made shifting easier and has practically eliminated that problem.
I also remember that an important charactistic of Red Line MTL is that it is
very resistant to breaking down under the shearing forces that any lubricant
takes from being chopped through the gear teeth under great pressure. It's
100 percent synthetic, which makes the product very consistent -- and also
expensive. I think it was between $8 and $9 a quart. But I think good
performance and protection is worth it. If you want to be economical about
it, you could leave the Red Line in two or three times longer that
conventional lubricants and still have protection.
Since it has superior lubricating and durability characteristics, it can be
used in a much lighter viscosity than other lubricants. Maybe that saves a
fraction of a horsepower, but it also makes shifting a little smoother. And
there is something in the formulation that keeps it from being so slick that
the sycro gears lag in getting up to speed (translates into quicker, safer
shifts).
I liked what it did so well, I put it in the transaxle of our family sedan as
well. Even there, I noticed a little crisper shifting.
Don't expect to find this at chain auto parts stores. It's well known by
racers, and should be in just about all performance shops.
Ed Pitts
'90 blue Miata (with most of the modifications SCCA C-Stock will allow).
Cardiff-by-the-Sea, CA
˙
==============================================================================
>From archive-owner Wed Mar 29 01:23:09 1995
From: ed.walker@aquila.com (Ed Walker)
Subject: re: Do It Yourself & Warranties
Date: Wed, 29 Mar 1995 01:22:54 -0500
from jsimmons@ainet.com
"I feel sorry for you folks that can't for what ever reason take
care of your Miata personally."
Feel sorry for me when I'm lying on my back on a damp wet garage
floor, melting snow still dripping off the chassis of the car,
while I try to bench press a starter off my chest and hold it in
position while the bolts fall out and hit me in the eye. No, I
didn't do that on my Miata, but on my 10 year old Buick. It was
only about a 20 minute job, but if it had still been under
a warranty, Mr. Goodwrench would have done it.
If I didn''t enjoy twirling a wrench, I wouldn't do it, but there
are messy jobs like mufflers, shocks, that I farm out to a shop
now. I agree with Jim that shops can do shoddy or unneeded work,
but if my cars have something that should be covered under warranty,
I'll let the warranty cover the work.
˙
==============================================================================
>From archive-owner Wed Mar 29 01:30:19 1995
From: jsimmons@ainet.com (Jim Simmons)
Subject: Re: Gotcha!
Date: Wed, 29 Mar 1995 01:30:07 -0500
>Mike S. notes that God not only owns a Ferrari, He builds them. Well, we
>have solved one great theological question here, at least. We now know that
>God is not a perfectionist.
> --Jack M. & KANSEI--
Jack--
Anybody who has ever had to work on a Ferrari will certainly agree with you.
The engines and gear boxes are really neat, but that's about it. Oh yeah,
they DO sound nice with 12 cylinders, and I haven't seen many ugly ones.
But, pretty is as pretty does, as my old father used to say.
____
Jim Simmons, R&D Director, Airship Remote Technologies
E-mail: jsimmons@ainet.com
Snail: 1050 North Carpenter Road, Ste E, Modesto, CA, USA
Phone: +1-209-578-9565 FAX: 549-8784
Building tomorrows airships for the business of today.
˙
==============================================================================
>From archive-owner Wed Mar 29 01:31:13 1995
From: ed.walker@aquila.com (Ed Walker)
Subject: Premium Gas for Turbo's & Eaton Supercharger?
Date: Wed, 29 Mar 1995 01:30:45 -0500
What kind of gas are you owners of turbos and superchargers
running in your cars? I happened across an article in Sport
Compact on the Aerodyne turbo. It didn't have much information
but it did say that the car required 93 octane.
I looked at the octane ratings yesterday while filling up
and saw that my local station only went to 92 octane. So I
was wondering if that's a problem?
˙
==============================================================================
>From archive-owner Wed Mar 29 01:58:33 1995
From: jscown@canuck.com (Jack Scown)
Subject: Re: Bodysonic transducer
Date: Wed, 29 Mar 1995 01:58:09 -0500
>In the shop manual, it describes a "bodysonic" element located in the seat
>back of Miatas equipped with ALC (Auto Level Controller). My dealer gave me
>his typical blank stare when I asked him so... What do people who have this
>option think of this thing? Does it really work to reproduce low
>frequencies? Is your lower back pain gone?
I haven't had mine all that long John, but frankly it feels funny. It''s a
bit like one of those beds in really cheap motels that you put a quarter in...
Maybe I will get to like it more, but I have mine all but tuned out.
>If it weren't for that damn gas tank I could get some real subwoofers in the
>car...
I think that's the real answer, John. You might want to check with folks on
the list as to whether or not the subwoofers might affect the photon flow of
your headlights though...
Regards, Jack
******************************************************************************
Jack Scown (jscown@canuck.com) Calgary, Alberta Canada
'94 BRG "C" "Prozac"
*******************************************************************************
˙
==============================================================================
>From archive-owner Wed Mar 29 01:58:57 1995
From: jsimmons@ainet.com (Jim Simmons)
Subject: re: Do It Yourself & Warranties
Date: Wed, 29 Mar 1995 01:58:47 -0500
>from jsimmons@ainet.com
>"I feel sorry for you folks that can't for what ever reason take
> care of your Miata personally."
To which Ed Walker replied.
>Feel sorry for me when I'm lying on my back on a damp wet garage
>floor, melting snow still dripping off the chassis of the car,
>while I try to bench press a starter off my chest and hold it in
>position while the bolts fall out and hit me in the eye. No, I
>didn't do that on my Miata, but on my 10 year old Buick. It was
>only about a 20 minute job, but if it had still been under
>a warranty, Mr. Goodwrench would have done it.
>
>If I didn''t enjoy twirling a wrench, I wouldn't do it, but there
>are messy jobs like mufflers, shocks, that I farm out to a shop
>now. I agree with Jim that shops can do shoddy or unneeded work,
>but if my cars have something that should be covered under warranty,
>I'll let the warranty cover the work.
>
Gee Ed--
I guess I forgot about those days. I haven't laid on a garage floor since I
was a teenager. I'm sorry I can't relate to owning a Buick, I got paid to
work on those GM cars, so I knew better than to ever buy one. FLAME ME,
FLAME ME Boy am I in an evil mood tonight!!
I used to do warranty claims for the local Porsche Distributer in the late
'60s and early '70s. I signed off on many claims because it was the
politically correct thing to due, but I actually found only about one
percent of the parts submitted for claims were defective.
The only defect on my '86 Mazda 626 GT turned up at 104 thousand miles. It
was a badly assembled connector in the fuel injection harness that caused
the fuel pump to shut off as I backed out of my mothers drive way 45 miles
from home. I just took a paper clip and shorted the fuel pump diagnostic
connector, and drove home to fix it in my shop. It took 5 minutes to figure
out that the pump was not working, and 20 minutes to trouble shoot and
repair at home. The towing bill alone would have been over $100. And of
course this happened long after any possibility of warranty coverage.
____
Jim Simmons, R&D Director, Airship Remote Technologies
E-mail: jsimmons@ainet.com
Snail: 1050 North Carpenter Road, Ste E, Modesto, CA, USA
Phone: +1-209-578-9565 FAX: 549-8784
Building tomorrows airships for the business of today.
˙
==============================================================================
>From archive-owner Wed Mar 29 02:55:34 1995
From: "Michael Simmons"
Subject: Re: Gotcha!
Date: Wed, 29 Mar 1995 02:55:15 -0500
> >Mike S. notes that God not only owns a Ferrari, He builds them. Well, we
> >have solved one great theological question here, at least. We now know that
> >God is not a perfectionist.
> > --Jack M. & KANSEI--
> Jack--
>
> Anybody who has ever had to work on a Ferrari will certainly agree with you.
> The engines and gear boxes are really neat, but that's about it. Oh yeah,
> they DO sound nice with 12 cylinders, and I haven't seen many ugly ones.
> But, pretty is as pretty does, as my old father used to say.
>
> ____
> Jim Simmons, R&D Director, Airship Remote Technologies
Perhaps getting a Ferrari fixed right requires divine intervention.
Mike Simmons
˙
==============================================================================
>From archive-owner Wed Mar 29 02:59:22 1995
From: "Michael Simmons"
Subject: Re: An Interesting Mailing List Survey...
Date: Wed, 29 Mar 1995 02:59:06 -0500
I wonder if Anu is really a fourth-grader named Billy.
Mike Simmons
˙
==============================================================================
>From archive-owner Wed Mar 29 03:17:18 1995
From: C3140010@BCITVM.BCIT.BC.CA
Subject: police detectors
Date: Wed, 29 Mar 1995 03:16:54 -0500
Does anyone remember a product advertised a few years back in Road and Track
called the CHiPs detector (I think)? Apparently, it was designed to detect
the repeater frequency in the patrol car used for boosting the radio signals
transmitted by the officers. Sounded like a good concept to me since every
car would have a repeater but not necessarily a radar unit. I think it had
a built in scanner too.
Anyone (Mac?) have info about this technology?
Of course I would never need such a device =:)
magnus pau
92 yellow le
c3140010@bcit.bc.ca
˙
==============================================================================
>From archive-owner Wed Mar 29 03:52:04 1995
From: Jonathan Webb
Subject: car rental USA
Date: Wed, 29 Mar 1995 03:51:44 -0500
Dear all,
not really a miata question but you're my best collective group
of USA citizens and besides most of you probably ski because that's
the nature of the type of people who drive miatas.
So the position. I'm thinking of taking a bit of leave from work, lets say
3 months next season to become a ski bum. Now I could go to the alps
or I could go to the USA, but in the USA I figure I'd need a car and I'd
have to rent.
So the question. What's the cost of 3 months car rental in the USA
including any extras for little things like insurance ? Naturally I'd
like a miata as a starting point and work downwards from there !
Cheers,
Jonathan
˙
==============================================================================
>From archive-owner Wed Mar 29 07:02:07 1995
From: Jim Kouzmanoff
Subject: Re: Bodysonic transducer
Date: Wed, 29 Mar 1995 07:01:27 -0500
It's part of the MSSS option. And, I think it really works, and gives a
reasonable back rub at the same time. I have noticed on occasion that the
frequency is so low at times that it begins to have a nauseating effect.
Would this be 10 hz ?
Years ago, I operated my own audio shop, so think I have a sense of
"quality" audio: I feel the MSSS option is worth the $$.
73, N9AVP, Jim
Urbana, IL
===========================================================
===========================================================
˙
==============================================================================
>From archive-owner Wed Mar 29 08:18:59 1995
From: tan@eng.osh.mid.gmeds.com (Tan Lo)
Subject:
Date: Wed, 29 Mar 1995 08:18:34 -0500
subscribe miata
˙
==============================================================================
>From archive-owner Wed Mar 29 08:35:47 1995
From: SAMUEH01@MCRCR6.MED.NYU.EDU
Subject: Re: Premium Gas for Turbo's & Eaton Supercharger?
Date: Wed, 29 Mar 1995 08:35:17 -0500
The BBR turbo runs on 87 or 92 octane. There is a console switch
which adjusts for whatever octane you need. The switch modulates the
ECU to adjust the timing to accomodate the different octane gasolines.
You get somewhat more power at higher RPMs with 92 octane because the
timine is adjusted in a more optimal fashion. I've never used 87 in
my turbo. Where I live there is only 93 octane (no 92). However,
I've heard of regions of the country where 93 is not available. Some
comments have been made about this before with the Seebring
Supercharger. Howeber, you should be able to modify the timing to
safely use 92 octane but with somewhat less power.
Herb Samuels
˙
==============================================================================
>From archive-owner Wed Mar 29 08:46:45 1995
From: STRIDER86@aol.com
Subject: Lousy factory radios et.al
Date: Wed, 29 Mar 1995 08:46:29 -0500
So, with all the horror stories out there about defective factory
radios/cassette players, has anyone found a really decent aftermarket radio
to install in its place?
˙
==============================================================================
>From archive-owner Wed Mar 29 09:08:39 1995
From: jared.stack@amp.com (Jared Stack)
Subject: Re: police detectors
Date: Wed, 29 Mar 1995 09:08:11 -0500
I seem to remember the ad, but at the time did not give it that much attention.
The concept sounds similar to the Uniden BearTracker. This unit can pick up
radio signals from the radio repeaters worn by the police/patrolmen. My
understanding is the radios that they wear on their shoulders (the ones
with the CB looking microphone/speaker and long curly cord) relays the
signal to a more powerful transceiver in the squadcar. Alert occurs with a
dedicated warning lamp and beep and signifies that the signal is within a
2-3 mile radius.
It works. However, understand that it will only alert you to a trooper who
has already pulled someone over. Thus about the only scenario in which it
is valuable is to warn you about speed traps with multiple troopers. Don't
expect it to replace a radar detector, but it can alert you to Vascar
traps. It's great in the open country, but as noisy as the Miata listserver
in the cities.
The Beartracker is also a scanner with amazing range for a unit that uses
the stock radio antenna. Scans highway patrol, police, DOT, and weather
bands. (The weather band is really why I got it for the Miata :-) ) You
select a state and the scan bandwidth is limited to what frequencies that
state's law enforcement uses. Unfortunately the mobile radio detection only
works in the police and highway patrol modes. Meaning you need to squelch
it down to avoid continuous donut-du-jour chit-chat.
It connects between the radio and antenna, and doesn't affect radio
reception too much. I mounted mine by Dremeling a slot into my blank panel
below the stereo. It has a built in 4" speaker, and the volume is ok except
in high speed top down blasts (which is when you would want to have it).
There is an external speaker jack, and I'll probably run an extra speaker
into the headrest.
The Bearcats retail for around $220. Damark carries new and refurbished
units for approximately $129-$179. My "refurbished" unit had cold solder
traces around the antenna jack, so buyer beware. I just touched it up with
a soldering iron and haven't had reception problems since.
In retrospect, I wouldn't recommend it unless you wanted the weather band.
The majority of police/trooper conversations aren't relevant to speed trap
detection. "False" alarms are more common near populated areas. However,
once in a while it does sound like COPS and can be used to pass time on
long trips :-)
BTW, mobile scanners may be illegal in certain localities, so check your
local laws. My understanding is that NYC is one such location.
>Does anyone remember a product advertised a few years back in Road and Track
>called the CHiPs detector (I think)? Apparently, it was designed to detect
>the repeater frequency in the patrol car used for boosting the radio signals
>transmitted by the officers. Sounded like a good concept to me since every
>car would have a repeater but not necessarily a radar unit. I think it had
>a built in scanner too.
>
>Anyone (Mac?) have info about this technology?
>
>Of course I would never need such a device =:)
>
>magnus pau
>92 yellow le
>c3140010@bcit.bc.ca
>
Jared Stack
Classic Red '91B
˙
==============================================================================
>From archive-owner Wed Mar 29 09:50:22 1995
From: harrison@cli.com (Calvin Harrison)
Subject: Antenna
Date: Wed, 29 Mar 1995 09:50:08 -0500
>However, I really wanted to cover the car and I didn't feel like
>burning an antenna hole in my new cover with a wood burning iron as
>suggested by the cover fabricator.
>Bob Crawford and "Little Red"
FYI:
I just wanted to mention, that I have met several miata owners who
burnt holes in their covers for the antenna, and didn't know the the
antenna unscrews and can be placed in the trunk. It only takes and
extra 10 seconds to do.
Calvin Harrison
'91A Silver Bullet
˙
==============================================================================
>From archive-owner Wed Mar 29 10:14:57 1995
From: ktanner@julian.uwo.ca
Subject: Gratuitous plug.
Date: Wed, 29 Mar 1995 10:14:21 -0500
In trying to find the Racing Beat front suspension braces, I was talking to
a Canadian dealer in Toronto. This particular outfit refused to believe
that the front suspension brace I was looking for was not a sway bar, and
pulled one of those "I'm the big pro here, and you got your information from
a computer?" attitudes. I then contacted PBC (1-800-359-4093) and was
treated very well. Not only did they know exactly what I was looking for,
but they helped to clarify the difference between sway bars and the braces I
wanted. They also had good prices, and I'm expecting delivery of my part in
less than a week, depending on Customs :(. Al Staats seemed pleasantly
surprised that I had obtained all my info from the net, and I'd also like to
thank you all for your help. I'm not going to be phoning Maz-d's anymore,
that's for sure. Product report to follow in a week or so.
Keith Tanner and Baby, who is going to get a stiff
upper lip.
Disclamer: I do not work for PBC or any other automotive organizations.
I'm a musician. This is merely a plug from a satisfied customer. They're
not driving the part down here in a supercharged Miata, but I can accept that.
˙
==============================================================================
>From archive-owner Wed Mar 29 10:40:03 1995
From: "Schnabolk, Judy"
Subject: New Miata - New Member
Date: Wed, 29 Mar 1995 10:39:25 -0500
Hi all,
I'm new to this group and also a new Miata owner :-) ! Just purchased a
95 Montego blue car and it has all of 50 miles on it and hopefully at lunch
I can go for a ride with the top down (When I left for work this morning is
wasn't quite 40 degrees!)
Anyway a question... What type of special tool do you need to take off the
oil filter and
where can I get it? We like to change our own oil .
I'm not new to Miata's ... both of my brothers have them (91 RED A and 92
Black)..But
it was time to get one of my own!!!!
Thanks
Judy
jchnabolk@powersoft.com
˙
==============================================================================
>From archive-owner Wed Mar 29 11:22:35 1995
From: "Kate W. Hughes 4-1913"
Subject: Edmund's Car Prices
Date: Wed, 29 Mar 1995 11:21:56 -0500
Got a request from a former lister: Does anyone remember the posting
and/or know where to find it? I do recall something like this on the
list....
>I can't remember where I read/saw/heard that Edmund's New Car Prices
>is online via WWW/InterNet. I don't remember if I read it on the
>Miata mailing list, or if I heard it via a conversation . .
kate
'91 mariner Blue
"Whatever else an American believes or disbelieves about himself, he is
absolutely sure he has a sense of humor." E.B. White
˙
==============================================================================
>From archive-owner Wed Mar 29 11:27:19 1995
From: "Phydeaux's PC"
Subject: Re: Momo Zebrano shift knob
Date: Wed, 29 Mar 1995 11:27:11 -0500
At 05:23 PM 3/28/95 -0500, Ken Walker wrote:
> Has anyone seen the wood package for less that 400? I'm speaking of the
> one that replaces the arc-shaped central panel, and the central console
> that your ashtray rests in.
I've seen the parts listed in Miata Mag. for around $400... but when I saw
these things I've always thought that they looked like they were just glued
on to the existing panel (perhaps they are). Not too much for your $400...
reb@xyzzy.com
˙
==============================================================================
>From archive-owner Wed Mar 29 11:35:54 1995
From: "STEPHANIE BOURDAGE"
Subject: Soft top
Date: Wed, 29 Mar 1995 11:35:25 -0500
Hello,
I am new to miatas and to the list. I was wondering if there was a
way to get the scratchs out of the plastic window of the soft top???
It has just been replaced and it is already scratched... Any trick,
anyone?
Stephanie_Bourdage
@acdi-cida.gc.ca
Montr?al, Canada
˙
==============================================================================
>From archive-owner Wed Mar 29 11:54:00 1995
From: ARacer@aol.com
Subject: Re: New Miata - New Member
Date: Wed, 29 Mar 1995 11:51:43 -0500
On March 29, Judy Schnabolk asked:
<>
You can get a socket that fits the top of the oil filter, so that you can use
your rachet wrench (and probably a universal joint extension, unless you have
an easier time getting your hands in there than I do!). We bought ours at the
Mazda parts department. It fits a 3/8" drive.
Ed & Marky Pitts
'90 Blue Miata
Cardiff-by-the-Sea, CA
˙
==============================================================================
>From archive-owner Wed Mar 29 11:56:28 1995
From: ROBERT03?LESLIE%CC01@CC01.MSSC.EDU
Subject: CB radio install questions
Date: Wed, 29 Mar 1995 11:54:52 -0500
TO: MIATA MORENET Users on MORENET
FROM: ROBERT03 LESLIE STUDENT - Leslie Roberts 9/8/94
DATE: MARCH 29, 1995
SUBJECT: CB radio install questions
Has anyone installed a CB where the blanking plate is? I would like to
hear opinions, tips, etc.
Leslie
"Remember, just because you ain't paranoid, don't mean they ain't out
to get you!" --Steve Earle
˙
==============================================================================
>From archive-owner Wed Mar 29 11:57:55 1995
From: ARacer@aol.com
Subject: Re: Lousy factory radios et.al
Date: Wed, 29 Mar 1995 11:55:03 -0500
STRIDER86@aol.com wrote:
<>
We've been very happy with our Alpine removable radio and tape deck we
installed in 1990. Later, we added Clearwater speakers and an Alpine 3503
amplifier. Each step improved the sound. The amplifier fits out of sight
right under the radio.
With this setup, we can listen to music even with the top down on a noisy
freeway. And, it's simple: No extra speakers to find space for and nothing to
attract unwanted attention to the car.
Ed Pitts
Cardiff-by-the-Sea, CA
˙
==============================================================================
>From archive-owner Wed Mar 29 11:58:43 1995
From: Jesse_B_Kunst_at_CFW06PO@smtp.bnr.com
Subject: Heat shield service bulle...
Date: Wed, 29 Mar 1995 11:58:19 -0500
Lester Seal wrote:
>Would someone please let me know the number of the Service Bulletin
>having to do with the heat shield weld breaking?
>>Gary It's Bulletin # 009/93 revised 12/10/93
According to my 'Service Advisor' at Hillard Auto Service in beautiful
Ft. Worth TX, that particular bulletin is not about the heatshield
(something about the reverse engage plate???). He said that my VIN
did not have a recall for a heatshield. So what is this Bulletin
about?
This heatshield rattle is obviously a problem that many of us have
encounter. With customer loyalty/satisfaction so important in the
industry, I would think that Mazda would want to do the right thing.
Does anyone know the position that Mazda takes on this?
Thanks in advance
Jesse Kunst
Ft. Worth TX
White 90 Base
˙
==============================================================================
>From archive-owner Wed Mar 29 12:03:55 1995
From: fischman@nynexst.com (Gary Fischman)
Subject: Re: Edmund's Car Prices
Date: Wed, 29 Mar 1995 12:02:02 -0500
> Got a request from a former lister: Does anyone remember the posting
> and/or know where to find it? I do recall something like this on the
> list....
>
> >I can't remember where I read/saw/heard that Edmund's New Car Prices
> >is online via WWW/InterNet. I don't remember if I read it on the
> >Miata mailing list, or if I heard it via a conversation . .
>
Check out:
gopher://gopher.enews.com:70/00/showroom/edmunds/make/mazda/Mazdmiat.95
Its also referenced from the Miata Marketplace section on the Miata Web.
-------------------------------------------
Gary Fischman
fischman@nynexst.com
'90 A Package/Classic Red
http://www.catalog.com/miata/miata.html
-----
Member -
Delaware Valley Miata Club
Miata Club of America
Miata Century Club
Do-it-yourself timing belt Club
Cyber-Miata Club (the listserver)
Miataville Resident
Team Voodoo
-------------------------------------------
˙
==============================================================================
>From archive-owner Wed Mar 29 12:05:52 1995
From: Robert Holland
Subject: RE: Lousy factory radios et.al
Date: Wed, 29 Mar 1995 12:05:41 -0500
>So, with all the horror stories out there about defective factory
>radios/cassette players, has anyone found a really decent aftermarket radio
>to install in its place?
I like my Kenwood 960 a lot. Has 3 pre-amp outputs (no internal amp).
I've seen some Sony radios that friends put in their cars that were well
laid out on the display. Easiest way to determine what you'd like best is
to go to an audio store and see what appeals to you. Buttons too small?
Need an electronics degree to figure out the button sequence? Extra
input/output for more aftermarket goodies? Decent ventilation for a
built-in amp?
Robert
----------------------
Robert Holland (JTBob)
Southwest Fisheries Science Center
Internet: robert@caliban.ucsd.edu
Team Voodoo
Red '92A ("N2 TULL")
SoCalM
"Where once stood oil rigs so phallic, there's only swear words in Gaelic, to say, at the
Broadford Bazaar"
: Jethro Tull
˙
==============================================================================
>From archive-owner Wed Mar 29 12:08:23 1995
From: Ron Singer
Subject: Re: New Miata - New Member
Date: Wed, 29 Mar 1995 12:08:16 -0500
I just purchased such a socket this weekend, though I find it easier to
snake my arm down to the filter. One word of advice. The Mazda dealer
wanted $10.00 for it, I bought it at a discount store (Target) for $2.99.
˙
==============================================================================
>From archive-owner Wed Mar 29 12:11:13 1995
From: "Doug Klein"
Subject: Re: Edmund's Car Prices
Date: Wed, 29 Mar 1995 12:10:57 -0500
On Mar 29, 11:21am, Kate W. Hughes 4-1913 wrote:
> Subject: Edmund's Car Prices
> Got a request from a former lister: Does anyone remember the posting
> and/or know where to find it? I do recall something like this on the
> list....
gopher://gopher.enews.com:2100/11/showroom/edmunds
--
Doug
klein@ncd.com
˙
==============================================================================
>From archive-owner Wed Mar 29 12:16:02 1995
From: Robert Holland
Subject: RE: Soft top
Date: Wed, 29 Mar 1995 12:15:50 -0500
> Hello,
> I am new to miatas and to the list. I was wondering if there was a
> way to get the scratchs out of the plastic window of the soft top???
> It has just been replaced and it is already scratched... Any trick,
> anyone?
>
>
> Stephanie_Bourdage
> @acdi-cida.gc.ca
> Montr?al, Canada
Stephanie,
Meguiars makes three products that work great on the plastic window.
#10 will clean the plastic, and #17 will polish/condition it. Meguiars has
a new one, #18 which does #10/#17 combined and comes in a spray
bottle. I use #10 followed by #17 when I want to do a deep polish on
the window. And then use #18 then after when I want to keep the
window looking clean.
Robert
----------------------
Robert Holland (JTBob)
Southwest Fisheries Science Center
Internet: robert@caliban.ucsd.edu
Team Voodoo
Red '92A ("N2 TULL")
SoCalM
"Where once stood oil rigs so phallic, there's only swear words in Gaelic, to say, at the
Broadford Bazaar"
: Jethro Tull
˙
==============================================================================
>From archive-owner Wed Mar 29 12:19:17 1995
From: BAIN DAVID
Subject: Turbo Reliability: Canada
Date: Wed, 29 Mar 1995 12:19:02 -0500
This has probably been asked but...What are the reliabilty
concerns when one turbo charges....I'm concerned about
1) Cold weather performance ie. will it start?
2) Longevity of the engine
3) the appropriate kms on engine before this work is done
4) Are there any places in Toronto that are a good source for service
etc.
5) When you did turbo your cars did you install it yourself?
6) Is there any Miata Turbo Owners in Toronto that would'nt mind
showing me there car and advising me on mine?
I realize these questions are probably common so even if you
could direct to the appropriate sources I would be thankful...
Thanx
David
90 Red Zeppelin
T.O. Ontario
˙
==============================================================================
>From archive-owner Wed Mar 29 12:25:25 1995
From: mgorelick@aas.com
Subject: Re: Premium Gas for Turbo's & Eaton Supercharger?
Date: Wed, 29 Mar 1995 12:24:42 -0500
>The BBR turbo runs on 87 or 92 octane. There is a console switch
>which adjusts for whatever octane you need. The switch modulates the
>ECU to adjust the timing to accomodate the different octane gasolines.
>You get somewhat more power at higher RPMs with 92 octane because the
>timine is adjusted in a more optimal fashion. I've never used 87 in
>my turbo. Where I live there is only 93 octane (no 92). However,
>I've heard of regions of the country where 93 is not available.
I have found that in the Detroit area at least, that all gas stations
with 92 octane are also adding ethanol to their gas. If I see 92 octane,
I go to the next gas station since this means that all their grades of
gas contain 10% ethanol. If the station has 93, the gas is pure.
This may not be true in other areas, but it's universal in MoTown and
environs.
I have no use for >87 octane, but I won't run ethanol in Mitzi. She says
she's allergic to it, and I don't feel like testing her.
+------------------------------------------------------+
|Marc Gorelick--mgorelick@aas.com--PMH Caramanning, Inc|
+------------------------------------------------------+
˙
==============================================================================
>From archive-owner Wed Mar 29 12:25:41 1995
From: mgorelick@aas.com
Subject: RE: police detectors
Date: Wed, 29 Mar 1995 12:25:20 -0500
>Does anyone remember a product advertised a few years back in Road and Track
>called the CHiPs detector (I think)? Apparently, it was designed to detect
>the repeater frequency in the patrol car used for boosting the radio signals
>transmitted by the officers. Sounded like a good concept to me since every
>car would have a repeater but not necessarily a radar unit. I think it had
>a built in scanner too.
>
>Anyone (Mac?) have info about this technology?
>
>Of course I would never need such a device =:)
>
>magnus pau
>92 yellow le
>c3140010@bcit.bc.ca
>
>
>
I believe that this product was designed to detect the frequencies used
by the California Highway Patrol and nobody else, Hence the name CHiP
Detector. Since your user ID is from Canada, I presume that this would
be of little use to you unless you drive there a lot.
I have often wondered about how to do something like this in my area, since
the local police radios don't use a relay system. Unfortunately, the only thing
I was able to come up with involved placing a transmitter on every cop car
in Oakland County. This seems less than feasible! (g) Besides, you'd have to
replace the batteries from time to time...
+------------------------------------------------------+
|Marc Gorelick--mgorelick@aas.com--PMH Caramanning, Inc|
+------------------------------------------------------+
˙
==============================================================================
>From archive-owner Wed Mar 29 12:32:28 1995
From: "Ken Walker"
Subject: Re: Miata goodies
Date: Wed, 29 Mar 1995 12:32:08 -0500
I didn't like the the Nardi shift knob that came with the BRGs... too
tall. I love the shorter throw you get with a small round knob! The
voodoo knobs are terrific, but vanity prevailed cause I wanted the
wood.
Brainstorm furnished my knob and handle. They match, and the knob is
round (golf ball sized).
kjw &
TIC-TAC
______________________________ Reply Separator _________________________________
Subject: Miata goodies
Author: WORLD.SJI at REMNET
Date: 3/28/95 11:18 AM
Ken and TIC-TAC,
May I ask where you got your walnut shift knob and brake handle? Are they
same ones that come with the BRG special edition? I've had my eye on those
goodies, but I've never seen them anyplace.
Cheers,
Steve Ino
Portland, OR
sji@plaza.ds.adp.com
˙
==============================================================================
>From archive-owner Wed Mar 29 12:32:44 1995
From: "Ken Walker"
Subject: Re: Air Horns!!!
Date: Wed, 29 Mar 1995 12:32:15 -0500
As Beavis would say, "Yea, Loud.. LOUD... LOUD!!" Try a tunnel Les,
its incredible. We only had two (one in front of the other), but it
was enough to alert the tunnel repair guys once we came out...
kjw &
TIC-TAC
______________________________ Reply Separator _________________________________
Subject: Air Horns!!!
Author: WORLD.LSAPEX at REMNET
Date: 3/28/95 8:29 PM
Most of the cars in our club have air horns, did you ever try going three
abreast under an overpass at full song?
It's real LOUD!
Hope I never grow up
Lester Seal
Mass Miata
˙
==============================================================================
>From archive-owner Wed Mar 29 12:45:04 1995
From: buck@hvx02.billerica-ma.peritus.com (Ken Buck)
Subject: re: warranty question
Date: Wed, 29 Mar 1995 12:44:46 -0500
> From: mbooth@cts.com (Mark Booth)
> Subject: Re: warranty problems
> Date: Tue, 28 Mar 1995 09:22:44 -0500
>
> At 9:53 AM 3/27/95, Carol Bonney wrote:
> >Either the dealership sold me a used car as new, or they used it as a
> >demo car, or one of the salespeople drove it around - in any case, the
> >warranty would have begun on this Sept date, but they NEVER told me. [...]
> >I've called Mazda in California, and basically they say it is a problem
> >that I have to resolve with the dealership from where I purchased my car.
>
> The part about this that sucks is the way Mazda is dealing with it!
> [...] A vehicle warranty is an IMPORTANT part of a vehicle purchase.
> To tell you that it is a dealership problem is NOT the way for Mazda
> to approach it. VERY poor customer service IMHO.
i have to disagree with your evaluation.
the dealer who sold the car apparently misrepresented it as a
new car with an intact warranty - this was almost certainly
without the knowledge of and beyond the control of the manufacturer.
the manufacturer warrany was intended to cover the car from its
start-of-use. the problem is that someone else (the dealer)
started using the car before they sold it to the customer, and
effectively stole some percentage of the warranty period
(along with some percentage of the car's life).
while the manufacturer could voluntarily elect to extend the
warranty period to cover the customer's claims, i see no reason
why they should be required or expected to do so. IMHO, it's
the responsibility of the dealership that sold the car
to cover the warranty because they are the initial cause of
the problem. although the law has many interpretations for
such things, i see it as a case of theft, pure & simple.
the dealership stole part of the car's life and part of its
warranty period.
just my $.02.
--
Ken Buck /|
Internet: kbuck@peritus.com \'o.O' ACK!
Mail: Peritus Software Services =(___)= THPTPHH!
304 Concord Rd, Billerica, MA 01821 U
˙
==============================================================================
>From archive-owner Wed Mar 29 13:00:13 1995
From: XINCLXMiata@learnlink.emory.edu (Miata Conference @ learnlink.emory.edu)
Subject: Re(2): Buicks
Date: Wed, 29 Mar 1995 12:59:40 -0500
> I don't think I'd be interested in anything that was cut down from 7" to
> 4.5", thanks.
One word: OUCH!
--
/========/ LearnLink: Expanding Educational Horizons
!! !! !! Internet/Telnet: bbs.learnlink.emory.edu
!! !! !! For information, mail Info@learnlink.emory.edu
/========/ "Minds are like parachutes, they must be open to function."
˙
==============================================================================
>From archive-owner Wed Mar 29 13:07:00 1995
From: samad@priacc.com
Subject: Re: "...one quick Miata..."
Date: Wed, 29 Mar 1995 13:06:51 -0500
>Hey folks,
>A buddy of mine has a blower in his 91 Silver and it puts out 265 HP. He
>asked me if I had time to take it for a spin...AWESOME!!
>
>...
>
>monitors what the computer is doing with the fifth injector. The blower
>screams at 80K RPMs.
>John
>'92 Yellow A
265 HP, 5th injector, 80,000 RPM? C'mon, John, it's not April 1st yet! :-)
cu,
Gary
˙
==============================================================================
>From archive-owner Wed Mar 29 13:11:55 1995
From: VNKJ85A@prodigy.com (MR PETER G PARK JR)
Subject: '94 to '95 What Changed?
Date: Wed, 29 Mar 1995 13:11:34 -0500
-- [ From: Peter G. Park, Jr * EMC.Ver #2.10P ] --
Two questions:
1. What changed in the MIATA from 1994 to 1995. I know that there were
substantial changes from 1993 to 1994 (e.g. changed engine, stiffening
of the frame, installation of side bars in the doors, sway bar, etc.)
but haven't heard what changed from 1994 to 1995.
2. (Separate but related questions). Other than the "Merlot" color,
what changed on the "M" edition from 1994 to 1995?
I have a 1994 MIATA "M" Edition (with the "formerly exclusive" montego
blue color that is now a stock color.
Peter
Colorado Springs, CO COLORADO LICENSE: 94MIATA
˙
==============================================================================
>From archive-owner Wed Mar 29 13:16:00 1995
From: TCapoccia@aol.com
Subject: Top Down at 29 degrees
Date: Wed, 29 Mar 1995 13:15:46 -0500
Well, you folks on this list are having an impact on me, what with all this
talk about cold weather driving with the top down and what headgear to wear.
This morning it was 29 degrees in New Jersey, with no wind and sunny skies.
As I opened the garage door and woke BaBa up, I was tempted to put the top
down, but said to myself, "it's too cold now, I'll wait till this afternoon."
Well, after I backed little BaBa out of the garage she then refused to move
till I put down her top! So out came the window protector and down the top
went and the sun did shine.
My headgear was prescribed since I was in my AF uniform. I wore the blue
flight cap, which did nothing for my ears, so up went the collar on my
leather flight jacket, which offered minimal protection.
It was great! Oldies on the stereo from the 60's and the top down! It
brought me back to my high school days in the early 60's with the top down in
the middle of winter in Ohio, driving a Red 1954 Mercury convertible.
I had a great time. I got a lot of strange looks from my neighbors.
As my ears cooled down to the outside temperature, and the heater was running
full speed ahead, I thought that all the world may think I'm nuts, but
somewhere out there are other Miata owners driving with the top down and
probably at a temperature colder than 29 degrees.
Of course, when I got to the base I was immediately told by a fellow officer
that I could catch a cold driving around with the top down on such a cold
day. Really? That's what my parents said to me in 1962.
Tony Capoccia and BaBa
95 Red/leather
Columbus, New Jersey
˙
==============================================================================
>From archive-owner Wed Mar 29 13:27:19 1995
From: "Irwin, Chuck"
Subject: Re:Top Down at 29 degrees
Date: Wed, 29 Mar 1995 13:27:05 -0500
Yet another of the numerous reasons that the Miata is the car for me is
the fact that I work California hours, despite living in NJ. It was a
sunny 50 degrees when I left the house today at 11:00, compared with your
29 degrees. Gloat Gloat. Of course it will be dark and cold on my way
home, while you will probably enjoy the late afternoon warmth and maybe
the sunset. :( Then again I could leave work early and take a drive up to
Driving Impressions in Dover, which I just saw in the Del-Val schedule.
Hmmm better work fast.Yet another of the numerous reasons that the Miata
is the car for me, it makes me more productive at work!
Chuck Irwin and Cover Girl Silver 90B 62Kmiles (New Jersey where we have
weather instead of seasons)
Dialogic Inc. 1515 Route 10 East Parsippany, NJ 07054, 1-201-993-3000
x6162, C.Irwin@dialogic.com
These are the ramblings of Chuck Irwin, a person who sees wonderful and
bizarre things when he closes his eyes, and therefore should be taken
with many grains of salt until something better is written. ( It helps
that I have bonked my head so many times while working on cars)
˙
==============================================================================
>From archive-owner Wed Mar 29 13:27:58 1995
From: Miq Millman
Subject: Re: Edmund's Car Prices
Date: Wed, 29 Mar 1995 13:27:43 -0500
the URL is:
gopher://gopher.enews.com::2100/11/showroom/edmunds
--
Miq Millman mmillman@ptdcs2.intel.com˙ 503 642 6139 (Aloha site)
AL4-55 Intel, 5200 NE Elam Young Parkway, Hillsboro, OR 97124-6497
See also miq@teleport.com
˙
==============================================================================
>From archive-owner Wed Mar 29 13:48:01 1995
From: samad@priacc.com
Subject: Re[2]: Miata goodies
Date: Wed, 29 Mar 1995 13:47:39 -0500
>I didn't like the the Nardi shift knob that came with the BRGs... too
>tall. I love the shorter throw you get with a small round knob! The
>voodoo knobs are terrific, but vanity prevailed cause I wanted the
>wood.
>kjw &
>TIC-TAC
Ah. Y'know, I think there are two kinds of people, the
"knee-grabbers" and the "pistol-grippers!" :-)
This refers to the way people grab the shift knob. Of course, many
cars force the knee-grabbing approach since the shifter is too low to
allow pistol-gripping. The Miata's shifter seems to be at a height
that allows either, although with the standard shift knob neither
method is perfectly comfortable, IMHO.
Thus, there seem to be two types of aftermarket shifters available -
the smaller, spherical shifters that encourage knee-grabbing type
shifts and the taller, pistol grip shifters that make pistol-gripping
comfortable.
My new Momo Zebrano "superanatomic" knob is the pistol-grip variety
(and it feels great!) and the Voodoo knob is the knee-grabbing
variety.
So, it sounds like many of you are knee-grabbers, but I guess it's
time to come out of the closet as a pistol-gripper!
cu,
Gary
˙
==============================================================================
>From archive-owner Wed Mar 29 13:59:24 1995
From: jaimev@netcom.com (Jaime C. Villacorte)
Subject: RE: Lousy factory radios et.al
Date: Wed, 29 Mar 1995 13:59:03 -0500
For those people who installed aftermarket radios, did you have problems
with fit (the radio/cassette player being too deep to fit in the console) or
with the fitting/appearance of the faceplate that the radio slides into?
I'm thinking of ordering a replacement radio from a place like
Crutchfield, but I'm hesitant in doing so, not knowing the fit and appearance
of the radio and it's faceplate. I'm worried about what happens to the
tiny cassette holder/tray that's under the stock radio: will a new
face plate completely replace the entire front fascia?
- jaime villacorte jaimev@netcom.com || jaime@tcville.es.hac.com
Miata License Plate list: ftp://ftp.netcom.com/pub/ja/jaimev/Miata/plates
˙
==============================================================================
>From archive-owner Wed Mar 29 14:02:58 1995
From: "Bob Jones, Data Mgmt Human Factors 8-543-5624....."
Subject: Shipping your baby
Date: Wed, 29 Mar 1995 14:02:41 -0500
A few months back, Alex Little posted a note on my behalf asking for
advice on shipping a Miata from NC to CA. Now that I've safely arrived
in Silicon Valley, I thought I'd pass on my experience.
Despite my plea to the contrary, I received several horror stories about
damage done to cars in transit. Most seemed to be caused by movers'
incompetence or equipment failure (e.g., platforms above the car collapsing).
Not surprisingly (for Miata owners), I received several notes urging me to
drive the car to California. I did make the drive (highly recommended), but
in a car that could fit 2 adults, a dog, and a couple weeks worth of luggage.
Since it was in early February, there was a lot of sand, gravel, and salt
on the highways - I'm glad that it wasn't the Miata that suffered all those
rock chips!
I used Bekins moving company. I had a choice of Mayflower, Allied, and Bekins
and Bekins was the only one I hadn't heard horror stories about. I was very
satisfied - the car arrived without a scratch. Some hints and tips:
- Remove the tie-down hooks so they won't be tempted to use them (see
numerous warnings about this in archive and miata magazine). If they
need to strap it, run the strapping around the suspension arms. Better
yet, Bekins used "jam bars" in front and back of the front and rear tires
(4 bars total). These are the same bars that they use to build the
internal loading platforms; they go from side to side of the trailer
and are about 4" x 6" in cross-section. They securely wedge the car
in and only touch the tires. I think they're great!
- Make sure your car is spotless before loading. This prevents grit from
rubbing against the paint for thousands of miles. It also makes an
impression on the movers that you really care for your baby.
- Driving it up the ramp into the truck can be problematic. The movers
should do it (if it falls -gasp- you want their insurance to cover it),
but you should definitely be there. Approach the ramp carefully checking
for front clearance. The movers started to pull up on the fenders to
"help" when I stopped them. I got out some 2" x 6" blocks that we used
to help ease the transition onto the ramp. Don't let them use the clutch
to hold the car on the ramp - several miatas have had premature clutch
failure due to this.
- The movers had brought along brand new cotton pads to completely cover the
car. Even though I had a new Evolution 4 car cover, they said the pads
would be easier on the paint (they were!). They shipped it with the top
down to give them more room to build platforms above. Other than the jam
bars and pads, nothing else touched the car.
- On the arrival end, they were able to drive the car off onto a loading
dock, so it was much easier. Otherwise, the same cautions about the
ramp apply. If you can't be there to unload, make sure they know how
to raise the top!
The car came through in perfect condition (believe me, I would have noticed
the tiniest swirl or scratch). General note: usually the driver and head
loader are professionals. While it's probably good to express concern and
mention how much your car means to you, they probably won't appreciate
constant criticism, advice, etc. (i.e., don't make them mad!). It probably
didn't hurt that I bought them all lunch after they loaded it.
By the way, the driver of the truck was Karen Robinson and she was driving
one of the biggest rigs I ever saw! 400+ gallon tanks - she could go
coast to coast without stopping for gas. The agency was Masella Moving
(Bekins franchise) based somewhere out of southern CA.
Sorry for the long summary, but I wanted to return the favor of all the
helpful comments I received. And now that I'm here - does anyone know
where you can get those neat front license plate holders that mount
down low and to one side? And do they interfere with fog lights? If I'm
required to have a front license plate, I'd rather not put it square on
the snout.
- Bob Jones (first append - be gentle!)
˙
==============================================================================
>From archive-owner Wed Mar 29 14:11:29 1995
From: (MAJ TUCKER, STRATEGIC MOBILITY O, DSN)
From:
Subject: re:Top Down at 29 degrees
Date: Wed, 29 Mar 1995 14:10:58 -0500
>My headgear was prescribed since I was in my AF uniform. I wore the blue
>flight cap, which did nothing for my ears, so up went the collar on my
>leather flight jacket, which offered minimal protection.
Being in the Air Force figured you'd use one of those leather flying
helmets mentioned earlier this week. Being in the Marine Corps I just use
my issue Kevlar helmet - not much warmth, but great rollover protection!!
Charlie Tucker
91 Red A (2D WIND)
Camp Lejeune, NC
˙
==============================================================================
>From archive-owner Wed Mar 29 14:16:30 1995
From: "Jyri J. Virkki"
Subject: Re: Lousy factory radios et.al
Date: Wed, 29 Mar 1995 14:16:12 -0500
Once upon a time Jaime C. Villacorte said:
>
> For those people who installed aftermarket radios, did you have problems
> with fit (the radio/cassette player being too deep to fit in the console) or
> with the fitting/appearance of the faceplate that the radio slides into?
>
> I'm thinking of ordering a replacement radio from a place like
> Crutchfield, but I'm hesitant in doing so, not knowing the fit and appearance
> of the radio and it's faceplate. I'm worried about what happens to the
> tiny cassette holder/tray that's under the stock radio: will a new
> face plate completely replace the entire front fascia?
Width and height should be standard for any DIN sized chassis (but
note that the factory radio is taller than standard so there will be
some extra space with a standard-size unit). Depth can vary, I
believe crutchfield lists max depth for each radio as well as for the
car. Apart from this, it should be a breeze. I put in a Clarion
unit, it bolts to the subframe that used to hold the factory radio.
Perfect fit. I also put a half-height equalizer below, so the
remaining space wasn't big enough for the plastic tray, so I'm
planning on getting some black plastic and covering this empty space.
(would be a cool place to mount some toggle switches for something,
except I have nothing to toggle with them..)
BTW, completely unrelated subject, but since I'm posting: Are all 1.6L
oil filters the same? I met someone this morning on the supermarket
parking lot who told me he used to have a Miata but no more, and had a
bunch of oil filters for it, and gave me a bag full of mazda filters
for a '91. I assume these are the same as for my '93, but just
checking..
--
Jyri J. Virkki - Linux: Choice of a GNU Generation - DoD#0561
˙
==============================================================================
>From archive-owner Wed Mar 29 14:17:04 1995
From: Robert Holland
Subject: RE: Lousy factory radios et.al
Date: Wed, 29 Mar 1995 14:16:54 -0500
> For those people who installed aftermarket radios, did you have problems
>with fit (the radio/cassette player being too deep to fit in the console) or
>with the fitting/appearance of the faceplate that the radio slides into?
>
> I'm thinking of ordering a replacement radio from a place like
>Crutchfield, but I'm hesitant in doing so, not knowing the fit and appearance
>of the radio and it's faceplate. I'm worried about what happens to the
>tiny cassette holder/tray that's under the stock radio: will a new
>face plate completely replace the entire front fascia?
>
>
>- jaime villacorte jaimev@netcom.com || jaime@tcville.es.hac.com
>Miata License Plate list: ftp://ftp.netcom.com/pub/ja/jaimev/Miata/plates
I got my radio from Crutchfield, and they supplied the kit and adaptors. The
faceplate kit looks OK, but not great, because the storage area under the
radio is now gone (even though I didn't use it for anything except a pen).
The wiring adaptors were really helpfull. I soldered the wires coming from
the amps to the adaptor wires and used heat-shrink tubing to cover it, then
plug the adaptor plug into the door speakers plug. If you don't use an
external amp, installation of the radio will be really easy (fewer wires to
run to the trunk and back).
Robert
----------------------
Robert Holland (JTBob)
Southwest Fisheries Science Center
Internet: robert@caliban.ucsd.edu
Team Voodoo
Red '92A ("N2 TULL")
SoCalM
"Where once stood oil rigs so phallic, there's only swear words in Gaelic, to say, at the
Broadford Bazaar"
: Jethro Tull
˙
==============================================================================
>From archive-owner Wed Mar 29 14:26:45 1995
From: JEANNIE_HOBBS@HP4200.desk.hp.com
Subject: Top Down at 29 degrees
Date: Wed, 29 Mar 1995 14:26:03 -0500
>the middle of winter in Ohio, driving a Red 1954 Mercury convertible.
"I had a girl, stole her from a friend,
He got lucky, stole her back again,
She heard he had a Mercury
Lord, she's crazy 'bout a Mercury
Gonna buy me Mercury and cruise it up and down the road!"
As for your 29 degree cruise...good for you--ah, sir!
JH :)
˙
==============================================================================
>From archive-owner Wed Mar 29 14:30:37 1995
From: fbro@innet.be (Frank Brochoven)
Subject: Cellular phone (was: Re: Cupholder)
Date: Wed, 29 Mar 1995 14:30:27 -0500
>>stuff deleted about the cupholder in Oz
> Dennis (^_^;
>
>p.s. Does anyone who installed new sound system with an amp experienced the
>interference with the digital mobile phone? My system make weird noise
>whenever I travel into the different cell zone. :( Mate at the sound shop
>told there's nothing he can do about at the moment. ):-(
>
> /\_/\ "Truth and falsehood are both whatever, and
> ( - - ) simultaneously not so, rather than not."
> ==_Y_==
> '-' Dennis J. HeRR
> University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
> _
Dennis,
My portable used to cause interference with the stereo when changing cell
zones. My phone was mounted nest to the center console (on the right side).
I used to have only a holder/charger for it, but when I installed a (hands
free) car-kit with an external antenna, the problem went away. I have my
antenna mounted on the trunk lid, but I don't think a different location
would cause any interference.
Don't put your phone where the ashtray is. It gets in the way of your arm
for shifting. Also it causes the display to be unreadable (in my case anyway
- I *tried* that position too). I bought a leather console that's on the
right side of the center console of the dash. I'm sure you can get them in
Oz as well. But if you don't I can get you the address of where I got mine
(in Germany). Just let me know if you want it.
Good luck!
Frank
______________________________________
Frank and Cellular Bibi from Antwerp, Belgium
Members of
Flanders MX-5 Club
Team Voodoo
Cyber-Miata Club
______________________________________
"These are the days of wild..." - The artist formerly known as Prince
˙
==============================================================================
>From archive-owner Wed Mar 29 14:42:16 1995
From: "David Green"
Subject: Hella Horns (LONG)[REPOST]
Date: Wed, 29 Mar 1995 14:41:49 -0500
Hella Horns (LONG)[REPOST] 3/21/95 8:35 AM
If you have seen this post, please forgive me and hit 'd' now.
Judging from the Hella-related list mail lately, a lot of people missed this
post, possibly due to the listserver being serviced last week. Since I am not
a mechanic (and I don't play one on TV), I think this info will be really
helpful to the horn-impaired, especially with new Miatas, so I am
re-re-posting it in a desperate bid to actually help someone.
I received my set of Hellas from PBC on Friday. They cost $25. There are a
few differences between the '95 Miata and previous models, based on others'
perviously recounted installation experiences.
Remove the plastic sheet that covers the area between the radiator and the
front cowling. There are four plastic screws that hold this sheet down, and
they screw into a plastic "expansion nut." This is basically a pressure fit,
and after assisting each screw with my fingernail, I was able to remove all
four and the sheet pulled out with carefully applied upward pressure.
The first difference I noted between my Miata and descriptions in previous
postings is that upon removing the old horn, the nut that holds the mounting
bracket is spot-welded to the frame. This meant I could not simply mount the
compressor to the old horn bracket as others have suggested. The bolt for the
compressor is larger than the original, and will not fit into the same nut. I
considered knocking off the nut and enlarging the hole, but decided to
fabricate a bracket instead, similar to the one holding the old horn. I took
a 3"x1/4" piece of steel that had a hole drilled about 1/2" from either end
and used it to offset the compressor from the mounting hole. It worked great,
but I later found I had to drill a third hole in the center to provide a
place to attach the grounding lugs for the compressor/relay electrical. I
recommend using a 4-inch piece for the bracket instead, since it was a real
tight fit.
The Hellas do not come with all the wiring and lugs necessary. You will need
to provide about 8 female slip-on lugs, a butt splice or two, and a couple or
U-lugs or O-lugs. In addition, you will need an inline fuse holder assembly
and about 6-8 feet of #12 wire (#10 is better, but harder to work with.) The
entire compressor/relay assembly can be assembled as a subassembly before
placing in the car. I also recommend a few extra lock washers for wherever
seems appropriate. The instructions show the schematic clearly enough that I
will not go into detail here.
NOTE: I borrowed my friend's manual of electrical wiring, and determined that
contrary to what others have stated on the list, the existing horn wire in
the Miata is not of sufficiently high gauge to power the compressor directly,
let alone the fuse on the circuit (which is shared with the brake light, I
believe). While it may work, it is so easy to wire the relay into the
assembly that I strongly recommend doing it right. The wire to the horn is
about 16-18 gauge, whereas the compressor specs call for a 25 amp fuse. #12
wire will just about handle 25 amps. The Hella instructions don't give
gauges, but give "cross-sectional areas." The instructions recommend a 4mm2
wire, which is about #12.
One cool thing about the '95 Miata that I gather is not true with earlier
models is that the '95 has several holes drilled into the frame crosspiece
that the hood latch attaches to. Perfect for the ever-tricky decision of
where to attach the horns. Again, I fabricated a bracket so that both horns
attach to a single bracket, facing down at an angle, and the top of the
bracket attaches to the frame. I assembled the air tubes onto the horns
before placing them into the car.
I installed the horns first, then attached the air hoses to the compressor,
connected the old horn switch wire to the relay, then installed the
compressor assembly onto the frame. The last thing remaining is the "hot" +12
wire, which I routed around the passenger side of the front of the car. There
is a cable run for the lights that is conveniently located, and I tie-wrapped
the hot wire to that, right up to the fuse box. Since I don't have ABS, it
was easy to connect to the hot side of the fuse box for the ABS. There are
two screws that hold down the fuse box, and it was easy to remove the box,
then feed the wire up through a hole in the bottom and attach to the empty
lug connector for the ABS fuse. (Using a female push-on connector.) I suppose
you could also connect directly to the "main feed" from the battery coming
into the fuse box, but I didn't want to mess with that. Hella recommends
disconnecting the battery before touching the electrical stuff. Not a bad
idea at all, although I lived dangerously. By not putting the fuse into the
inline connector, I felt I didn't have to worry about an accidental circuit
closure drawing sparks.
Yes, they are LOUD. I've been driving around with my finger on the horn
button, just waiting to nail someone. I think they could remove paint, if I
were close enough.
Sorry for the long re-post, I hope this helps someone. If you have any
questions, please e-mail me directly.
David Green & "WEIRDOZ"
95 Montego Blue w/PEP
Los Angeles, CA
david_green@studio.disney.com
˙
==============================================================================
>From archive-owner Wed Mar 29 14:56:17 1995
From: joe@aimnet.com (Joe Flanagan)
Subject: Re: Edmund's Car Prices
Date: Wed, 29 Mar 1995 14:55:54 -0500
You can use a gopher or web browser and punch in:
gopher://gopher.enews.com:2100/11/showroom/edmunds
That will get you there...
> Got a request from a former lister: Does anyone remember the posting
> and/or know where to find it? I do recall something like this on the
> list....
>
> >I can't remember where I read/saw/heard that Edmund's New Car Prices
> >is online via WWW/InterNet. I don't remember if I read it on the
> >Miata mailing list, or if I heard it via a conversation . .
>
> kate
> '91 mariner Blue
>
>
> "Whatever else an American believes or disbelieves about himself, he is
> absolutely sure he has a sense of humor." E.B. White
>
˙
==============================================================================
>From archive-owner Wed Mar 29 15:03:02 1995
From: joe@aimnet.com (Joe Flanagan)
Subject: Re: Shipping your baby
Date: Wed, 29 Mar 1995 15:02:51 -0500
Maybe its me, but isn't it dangerous to have 400+ gallons of gas in a metal
container hurdeling down the freeway at 65mph *JUST* so that the moving
company/driver doesn't have to lose time/money stopping for gas?
˙
==============================================================================
>From archive-owner Wed Mar 29 15:05:52 1995
From: jayl@pyramid.com (Jay Lee)
Subject: Sale: 91-A Red
Date: Wed, 29 Mar 1995 15:05:34 -0500
The following Miata is on sale by me. Please send me a mail if you are
interested or know someone who is.
- 1991 model, red, 56.5k miles
- Manual shift
- "A" package - air, power steering, radio + cassette, alloy wheel,
leather steering wheel cover, (anything else???)
- Clifford alarm with shock sensor, (inside) motion sensor and
ignition kill.
- Yokohama AVS-I stock size tire, about half life left
- Other minor additions:
. headrest speakers (JVC)
. rear plastic window protection pocket
. storage bin under the radio
. MCA club shift knob
. Sill plates
. NGK blue ignition wire installed recently
- Everything else is stock, all in good condition
- Asking price: $9,800
- Located in San Jose/Cupertino, CA
Thanks,
Jay Lee
jayl@pyramid.com
˙
==============================================================================
>From archive-owner Wed Mar 29 15:15:41 1995
From: XINCLXMiata@learnlink.emory.edu (Miata Conference @ learnlink.emory.edu)
Subject: Re(2): PIAA Light confusion
Date: Wed, 29 Mar 1995 15:15:31 -0500
Without going into any deep(boring) detail, the Crystal Ion lights by PIAA
change the output of a regular halogen bulb to amber light. Period. Crystal
Ion does not make it a FOG light! I had a long conversation with PIAA in
Califorina about this question. PIAA produces FOG lights in Clear and Crystal
Ion as well as DRIVING Lights in Clear and Crystal Ion. It really comes down
to a preference of the user. As awlways, there will be the debate which is
better.......clear or amber. PIAA tells me the beam pattern is what determines
the difference between FOG and DRIVING. Fog lights are patterened to project
lower and wider than Driving lights.
Additional Note: I learned a week ago PIAA scrapped the design of their Fog
lights(1000 series) and starting over on a new design. They are scheduled to
be ready in 60 days.
Andy C.
--
/========/ LearnLink: Expanding Educational Horizons
!! !! !! Internet/Telnet: bbs.learnlink.emory.edu
!! !! !! For information, mail Info@learnlink.emory.edu
/========/ "Minds are like parachutes, they must be open to function."
˙
==============================================================================
>From archive-owner Wed Mar 29 15:16:23 1995
From: ccheung@lsil.com (Cyrus Cheung)
Subject: Re: Lousy factory radios et.al
Date: Wed, 29 Mar 1995 15:16:13 -0500
> of the radio and it's faceplate. I'm worried about what happens to the
> tiny cassette holder/tray that's under the stock radio: will a new
> face plate completely replace the entire front fascia?
>
>
> - jaime villacorte jaimev@netcom.com || jaime@tcville.es.hac.com
> Miata License Plate list: ftp://ftp.netcom.com/pub/ja/jaimev/Miata/plates
>
Don't worry about it. Everything should look just the way it is.
My cassette holder remains even there is a crossover installed underneath
the Sony receiver.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cyrus Cheung ccheung@lsi.edu
LSI Logic cub 35
1525 McCarthy Blvd. MS A-168 Tel (408)433-6102
Milpitas, CA 95035 Fax (498)433-
91' white B
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
˙
==============================================================================
>From archive-owner Wed Mar 29 16:22:05 1995
From: samad@priacc.com
Subject: Re: Shipping your baby
Date: Wed, 29 Mar 1995 16:21:38 -0500
>Sorry for the long summary, but I wanted to return the favor of all
>the helpful comments I received. And now that I'm here - does anyone
>know where you can get those neat front license plate holders that
>mount
>down low and to one side? And do they interfere with fog lights? If
>I'm required to have a front license plate, I'd rather not put it square
>on the snout.
>- Bob Jones (first append - be gentle!)
Welcome to California, Bob! As for that front license plate: just chuck
it. (Well, some would suggest you keep it in your trunk...) Many of us
have run without front plates for years without a problem. Your car will
look so much better without it...
cu,
Gary
˙
==============================================================================
>From archive-owner Wed Mar 29 16:33:02 1995
From: "Alex M. Postpischil"
Subject: Re: '94 to '95 What Changed?
Date: Wed, 29 Mar 1995 16:32:26 -0500
The visor changed from a two piece to a one piece unit. The names of the
option packages changed. The price changed. :-( I can't recall anything else.
As for the M Edition: BBS rims (not the chromed wheels), adjustable headrests,
no headrest speakers, no MSSS (sound system), door tweeter speakers, no
"bodysonic" speakers in the seats, the price went up. I'm not cetain about
anything else.
I'm sure you'll get a few responses from the net that may list a few other
items.
-alex-
˙
==============================================================================
>From archive-owner Wed Mar 29 16:51:53 1995
From: Matt Kenyon/HNS
Subject: Heat Shield Quick Fix
Date: Wed, 29 Mar 1995 16:51:27 -0500
I was not aware of a heat shield recall, but mine rattled like heck at around
4000 RPM. I fixed it by bying a steel hose clamp from the local Auto parts
store and wraped it around the heat shield and header. I clamped it down real
good and have not had a problem in over a year!
Best of all it cost me all of 35 cents and 5 min. of time.
Matt
˙
==============================================================================
>From archive-owner Wed Mar 29 17:10:13 1995
From: Tim Markus
Subject: Re: Pink Slips?
Date: Wed, 29 Mar 1995 17:09:45 -0500
As an aside, there is a great older movie (late '60's-early '70's, I think)
with a perfect example of racing for pink slips. It is called Two-lane
blacktop ; the story line is something like 2 gear-heads in an old
modified GM beast take on a guy in a stock GTO (Warren Oates) and decide to
race
coast to coast. One of the gear-heads is actually a young James Taylor.
It's kind of low-budget, but isn't bad. I recommend it if it comes on TV
late at night.
Tim Markus
90 Red
Olympia WA
˙
==============================================================================
>From archive-owner Wed Mar 29 17:19:14 1995
From: jsimmons@ainet.com (Jim Simmons)
Subject: Re: Gotcha!
Date: Wed, 29 Mar 1995 17:18:59 -0500
>> >Mike S. notes that God not only owns a Ferrari, He builds them. Well, we
>> >have solved one great theological question here, at least. We now know that
>> >God is not a perfectionist.
>> > --Jack M. & KANSEI--
>> Jack--
>>
>> Anybody who has ever had to work on a Ferrari will certainly agree with you.
>> The engines and gear boxes are really neat, but that's about it. Oh yeah,
>> they DO sound nice with 12 cylinders, and I haven't seen many ugly ones.
>> But, pretty is as pretty does, as my old father used to say.
>>
>> ____
>> Jim Simmons, R&D Director, Airship Remote Technologies
>
>Perhaps getting a Ferrari fixed right requires divine intervention.
>
>Mike Simmons
>
Man, that Simmons guy is sharp.
Jim S.
____
Jim Simmons, R&D Director, Airship Remote Technologies
E-mail: jsimmons@ainet.com
Snail: 1050 North Carpenter Road, Ste E, Modesto, CA, USA
Phone: +1-209-578-9565 FAX: 549-8784
Building tomorrows airships for the business of today.
˙
==============================================================================
>From archive-owner Wed Mar 29 17:23:48 1995
From: "k.w. tanner"
Subject: Storage bin...
Date: Wed, 29 Mar 1995 17:23:09 -0500
For all you who are replacing their stock radios, and don't hae room for
the little storage bin underneath the radio anymore, what did you do with
it? I'd love to get my hands on one of those for Baby! She's a '90, and
doesn't have one.
Keith Tanner and Baby, who has storage bin envy.
˙
==============================================================================
>From archive-owner Wed Mar 29 17:32:20 1995
From: sjack@interaccess.com (Steve Jackson)
Subject: Gas Odor Revisited
Date: Wed, 29 Mar 1995 17:31:55 -0500
Okay all you sharp Miata owners who suggested I check all the trunk hoses
(been there, done that) and have the dealership inspect the vapor emissions
system (been there, done that too). The gas odor still persists.
Dealer says, "we don't smell it, you got no problem". Tank is down to 1/2
empty (OK, peacecorp types: half full) and the odor is present in the
passenger compartment and the trunk.
Any suggestions? Tried calling Mazda America to confirm/deny presence of a
service bulletin. Busy signal.
Anyone know of a good dealer in the Chicago area? How about a good mechanic
(non-dealership)?
Thanks all.
˙
==============================================================================
>From archive-owner Wed Mar 29 17:52:06 1995
From: "Irwin, Chuck"
Subject: *Storage bin...
Date: Wed, 29 Mar 1995 17:51:49 -0500
>For all you who are replacing their stock radios, and don't hae room for
>the little storage bin underneath the radio anymore, what did you do
with
>it? I'd love to get my hands on one of those for Baby! She's a '90,
and
>doesn't have one.
> Keith Tanner and Baby, who has storage bin envy.
Keith,
I was just thinking that these were some after market do hickey and I
would have to go get one myself. If you get more than you can use through
your post, I'd like one... If not, they can probably be gotten through
Mazda... (note the convienent mailing address in my signature, I knew
that would come in handy someday)
Chuck Irwin and Cover Girl Silver 90B 62Kmiles
Dialogic Inc. 1515 Route 10 East Parsippany, NJ 07054, 1-201-993-3000
x6162, C.Irwin@dialogic.com
These are the ramblings of Chuck Irwin, a person who sees wonderful and
bizarre things when he closes his eyes, and therefore should be taken
with many grains of salt until something better is written. ( It helps
that I have bonked my head so many times while working on cars)
˙
==============================================================================
>From archive-owner Wed Mar 29 18:31:43 1995
From: TAKAHARA@aol.com
Subject: Re: '94 to '95 What Changed?
Date: Wed, 29 Mar 1995 18:31:11 -0500
<>
The other change that I know would be MSSS System. They have new face now on
1995. I found it pretty hard to control. But neat feature would be you can
change the sound settings by choosing if you have your top open, or closed.
TAKAHARA
94White with ACTIVE Bodykits
˙
==============================================================================
>From archive-owner Wed Mar 29 19:02:04 1995
From: ktanner@julian.uwo.ca
Subject: cross-country in a Miata
Date: Wed, 29 Mar 1995 19:01:37 -0500
It turns out that I have to drive across Canada to get to my summer job this
year (aw shucks). I'll be leaving on the 22nd of April or so. Any
suggestions for good driving roads between London, Ontario and Prince
George, BC? Also, is there anyone I can drop in and meet? We'll be camping
across, so I'm not looking for a place to stay - just other Miata netters.
Keith Tanner and Baby, who is awaiting her
braces eagerly.
ps-While this is not a honeymoon trip, my passenger will be accompanying me
on one later in life :)
˙
==============================================================================
>From archive-owner Wed Mar 29 19:04:59 1995
From: LSAPEX@aol.com
Subject: Re: Heat shield service bulle...
Date: Wed, 29 Mar 1995 19:04:49 -0500
>>According to my 'Service Advisor' at Hillard Auto Service in beautiful
Ft. Worth TX, that particular bulletin is not about the heatshield
(something about the reverse engage plate???). <<
Jesse,
I'm not surprised a 'Service Advisor' doesn't know the difference between a
transmission and an exhaust heat shield. :)
Lester Seal
Mass Miata.
˙
==============================================================================
>From archive-owner Wed Mar 29 19:38:53 1995
From: TCapoccia@aol.com
Subject: Painting Miata's Braces
Date: Wed, 29 Mar 1995 19:38:25 -0500
The other day in the sunlight I was again taken by the fact that one can see
a lot of shiny metal in the little "Sharkmouth" opening on the front of
Miatas. It looks like BaBa is wearing braces because of all metal. The car
has A/C, so the condenser is there, along with some other shiny brackets and
tubes.
Has any one tried to spray that stuff with a flat black paint? Would doing
that cause problems with the A/C cooling or warranty?
Tony Capoccia and the BaBa
95 Red/leather
Columbus, NJ
Member MCA and Del-Val Miata Club
˙
==============================================================================
>From archive-owner Wed Mar 29 19:39:00 1995
From: TCapoccia@aol.com
Subject: Front License Plate Location
Date: Wed, 29 Mar 1995 19:38:30 -0500
Well, BaBa finally had to have that dreadful front license plate installed.
I absoutely hate the location of the factory installed front plate
bracket--it looks like a sticker stuck at the end of someone's nose--certainly
destroys BaBa's cute little facial expression.
I tried many options and finally mounted the plate at the bottom of the
little "sharkmouth" opening (grille). I simply turned the Mazda license
bracket upside down, drilled a couple of small holes in the inner bottom
plastic, inside the grille opening. It looks great (if any front plate can).
The actual license plate is split--half up in the opening of the "sharkmouth"
and the other half below the bottom of the grille.
Now, the only problem is my conscience. As a Christian trying to obey all
the laws of the land, I knew before I started that New Jersey law says that
the front license plate must be 12" above the ground. Mine is about 6" from
the ground, measured from the bottom of the plate. The plate is very visible
and secure. I have convinced myself that I have kept the "Spirit of the Law"
while not the "Letter of the Law."
Does anyone know why the minimum 12" height requirement? I could move it
higher into the grille but was concerned about overheating.
Oh, to be a PA resident with only a real plate!
Tony Capoccia and BaBa
95 Red/leather
Columbus, NJ
MCA
Del-Val Miata Club
˙
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>From archive-owner Wed Mar 29 19:40:19 1995
From: jaimev@netcom.com (Jaime C. Villacorte)
Subject: RE: Lousy factory radios et.al
Date: Wed, 29 Mar 1995 19:40:11 -0500
Thanks to all the folks who responded to my query about installing an
aftermarket radio/casette player and the concern I had with the fit
and appearance of the face plate.
Sounds like I'll probably go with a mail-order place like Crutchfield, where
they'll also give me the proper wiring harness adapter and a faceplate.
It sounds like it's a simple enough installation job that I can do myself.
Now I'll have to do some more research on which receiver and cd-changer
combo I should get. The reason I want to upgrade is (1) to get reliable
CD playback capability and the convenience of having (hidden) storage of
10 or 12 CDs and (2) a better FM tuner section on the head unit.
Sun's out. Mid 70s here in LA. Itching to drive home (and take the long route).
- jaime villacorte jaimev@netcom.com || jaime@tcville.es.hac.com
Miata License Plate list: ftp://ftp.netcom.com/pub/ja/jaimev/Miata/plates
˙
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>From archive-owner Wed Mar 29 20:23:57 1995
From: LSAPEX@aol.com
Subject: Re: Gas Odor Revisited
Date: Wed, 29 Mar 1995 20:23:42 -0500
Steve,
Before you said the odor was in the pass side, your last mail said > the
odor is present in the passenger compartment and the trunk.
I've had a few cars with gas odors in the trunk since new.
It sounds crazy but we found it was the spare tire.
If you don't want to live without it for a while to see if this is the problem
, wrap the spare in a large plastic bag.
No I'm not kiddin, other people will probably tell you the same thing.
I am not sure why the tire smells off gas, working at a dealership I've seen
this fix a gas smell in the trunk on three separate cars!
just a thought
Lester Seal
Mass Miata
˙
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>From archive-owner Wed Mar 29 20:43:49 1995
From: hsauls@cybernetics.net
Subject: Re: "...one quick Miata..."
Date: Wed, 29 Mar 1995 20:43:30 -0500
> whether the engine will be arround for very long with that much boost.
> Hopefully he has a spare engine in his garage.
I hope he O-ringed the head.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Harvin Sauls hsauls@cybernetics.net 72441.2763@compuserve.com
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
˙
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>From archive-owner Wed Mar 29 20:44:48 1995
From: hsauls@cybernetics.net
Subject: Re: Momo Zebrano shift knob
Date: Wed, 29 Mar 1995 20:44:35 -0500
> and told me he was under the impression that it was a "special
> package" installed by the dealer. Moreover, they charged him 1500
> dollars...
There's one born every minute.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Harvin Sauls hsauls@cybernetics.net 72441.2763@compuserve.com
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
˙
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