NA and FC Initial Shakedown(s)

Alec and I finally got back on track after a year or so hiatus. We got invited to a private day at Cams Acres Racing Site (Website) before either one was ready, so this was a huge motivator to make things happen. Without the invite I don't think either of us would have been driving our cars this year, so shouts out Tristan (Brown ITB PP FC) for reaching out!

Glad/proud to say that both cars did fantastic with zero mechanical issues. We had low expectations on our driving and just wanted to have fun and learn the cars. Drifting is sick. 

Miata Exhaust

Three or so months ago I trailered the k24 miata to Dales shop and built a custom 3” stainless steel exhaust. It’s not perfect, but it’s tucked up well, serviceable, and sounds pretty fucking good in my opinion. Some info/detail shots from the build and a finished sound clip below. Oh yeah, The car’s been basically done minus an alignment, RDX injectors, and a tune for a few weeks.

The exhaust has a “full/street” setup with a vibrant muffler and a turn down tip going out the back and then what I guess could be called a “track” setup without a muffler and just a turndown after the rear subframe. I doubt I’ll ever run the track setup, but it takes no time to remove the “axleback” and swap in the little turndown that I can just keep in my toolbox. 

 

Miata Bash Bars

 Been a while since I’ve updated this. I’ll try to actually make some posts catching everything up for the time gap but no promises.

For the most recent update, Bash bars! 

The OG miata never had bashbars…not even OEM… and it always made minor fender benders a huge headache. These should allow some smaller hits here and there without the need of pulling the chassis back to install panels. The front is  ZerekFab upper and lower bash bars that fit behind the factory bumper nice and snug. For the Rear I picked up a used TrueFocusFab a while ago. It came without a jack point but added one. I’ll shoot a photo next time I pull the bumper off. 

This and That

I've been slacking on updating this and have been meaning to make a Bullshittin' In The Backyard 3 post... I'll get to it eventually. In the mean-time here's a quick random collection of photos from the last 6 months or so. Hover over the images for descriptions. 

Miata Cage Timeline 1

I've been slowly chipping away at caging the new Miata chassis; working a few hours at a time after work maybe once or twice month. I'm fitting the cage and tacking it in but having Dale burn it in because I don't trust my welds enough and because his will look better.  I'm extremely grateful that Dale has gave me full access to the shop and his tools; I can't thank him enough. Working around my free time and Dales has been challenging to say the least, but he's okay with it sitting in the shop, and I still have the other Miata for seat time. 

The interior has been stitch welded in all the important areas, the driver side floor and the Destroy or Die brackets have been modified/massaged to fit the bucket seat. I recommend buying a flat bottom seat if you want a plug and play bucket with these brackets, but I'm still glad I went with the seat I did. Most of the front half of the caged is fit and tacked in, just need to finish the driver side door bars and get the anti-intrusion bars mocked up. Hoping to get the cage completely fitted and welded in by the end of June. After that I will be painting the interior and engine bay, then trailering the car home wo start Engine stuff. KMiata swap stuff should be arriving later this month.

I didn't take photos of every step, but you'll get the idea. Hover over the images for descriptions. I've referenced Tom Hamptons blog (LINK) a bunch as it's been the best resource for photos of the installation process of the Advanced Autosports Spec Miata cage. Not a fan of some of the things he decided to do, but either way it's a solid resource and a fun read.

Mad Dog Mega Bowl 10.31.2020

A few analog shots of Otis and myself from the KCMO Mad Dog Mega Bowl jam/contest Nik Soto (@mik2wheels) hosted last year compliments of Mason Busch (@masononfilm). Nik and Trent's jams are always full of  laughs, debauchery, and general mayhem. I highly suggest you make it out to one if you can.