RHT Checkup

I have been putting up with my RHT rattling away for a while now. So I finally got frustrated and had time to go down to the dealer. I don't have a warranty on my car, so i thought it would be a hassle. But in Japan the RHT gets special treatment. They just know it's not perfect so they do everything to keep you happy.

I had the Mazda USA Service Bulletin, and the mechanic said he tightened the centre latch 1 turn. It's much harder to close now with the extra force. It doesn't seem to rattle anymore, but I'll have to wait for a colder day or an evening to see for sure. But, for now it's fixed.

Another problem though. My clutch pedal is getting low. Seems the Fidanza light flywheel may be having issues with the standard clutch after a while. It's never been great but I just thought it was how it was. It's pretty difficult to get a non jerky change unless you are going quickly. Pedal travel with bite is very small, I'll take it to corn's next week. I just hope it's not a complete money spender.

Russ.

Graphics Test

Make your own stickers. It's a little time consuming but the result is cheaper than anything you'd buy.

First I printed a design on paper and stuck it to my cutting board with the cutting sheet taped underneath so it doesn't move around.

Then I cut it out with enough pressure to cut the sheet but leave the backing in place.

You need to purchase some application sheet thats bigger than the design you have.

I repeated this for the logos but of course they take much more time.

Lining them up is the hardest part. I think the result is pretty good. This lot probably cost me about $1 but my initial test sample was about $10 I have enough to make a lot so It's definately worth it. 1 sticker from a manufacturer is about $5

I can see a vinyl cutting machine coming my way... hehe. Easy to get addicted to this stuff.

Russ.

Parking

I love these big parking lots.
Mechanical... but cool. Practicality wise, it's a little inconvenient though.

Russ.

Wheels Wheels Wheels.

I thought I'd have a crack at some different things.
OZ superleggra are very expensive in Japan. But quite aggressive.

Takata green TE37 in 18" do not suit the car at all!

Russ.

Clean and Shiny

After my trip, I cleaned the car. But this does something to me every time. I hate the colour mismatch of the Galaxy Grey in good lighting conditions.

A thread on miata.net also made me look more closely today. I would never recommend this colour. Especially on the RHT.

I really don't like it. To fix the bump in the fender and then guess a colour... I am holding off.
To correct this properly, I'd have to paint the Bumper, Lip, Fenders, roof, read bumper and RHT Cover. So I may as well paint the whole car. WHITE.

Or Sell it and buy a soft top NR-A. Anyone in Japan want to swap. Not some parts though. I love my ohlins mirrors and some other goodies. Wheels can go though.

Russ.

Small Projects

Today, I whacked some tape on the car again to see how some ideas might pan out.

First was the black roof and windscreen surround. The way the light was bouncing off the car, it wasn't much different at all. I think there is no benefit. You can hardly even see where I did the RHT cover.

Front was a bit different though. I am thinking about the Garage Vary trim to open up the front of the car to the radiator. Here it looks kind of cool.

You can see the hack job close up. I also tried masking a complementary line around the brake ducts but it was unsuccessful. Didn't look good.

After that I ripped it all off and tried a few settings on my Ohlins. They are quite soft now. YUK!

But I'm off on a long highway drive tomorrow. Softly is good.

Then I really wanted to get rid of those ugly holes up front. I had some carbon look sticker, so on it went. The effect was a little dull.

So I tweeked it with an old RC sticker. Calsonic. It was the only one big enough that I had.

Here is a close up of the carbonish .

Finally I was thinking about filling the holes in the lip spoiler with some LED. What do you think???

Russ.

Wheels again

OK, I've been braining again. The reality of buying Rays RE-30 is painful price and 14 spoke cleaning, that I hardly ever do, and the fact that the design with the offset I want is less inspiring. I remembered that This image of the Garage Vary NC Roadster (along with the 19" KS Burnout car) was one of the ones that swayed me to NC purchase and away from S2000.

So I got back to thinking again about Prodrive GC-05F in 18x8.5. They are available in +47 ( I have to check the Hub size though) with the shallow taper centre M disk. The BB British Black is almost a perfect match for the Galaxy Grey. AWESOME. They are forged and made by RAYS, so they are super light and the 5 Spoke design is easy to clean. Sounds perfect? Well, maybe not, the price is a little more than others, so that may be a deciding factor. If the Hub size checks out, they will have knocked the RE-30 way down the order.

So I found these Bridgestone made, cast wheels for almost exactly 1/2 the price. Avangrade Sports Type 071. "Advanced" Grade wheels are spun cast like most good cast wheels. Same offset +47 is available and the colour is actually the same Gun Metal Grey as the prodrive rims, The spokes are long and leave a thin edge and although the centre is not as elegant, I like the rim edge a little more.

So now I am back to simplicity based on initial inspiration. 5 or 6??

I think I have chopped almost everything onto my car now so the only ones left that I like are not available in the size I want. So thats about it for wheel posts... Maybe
Russ.

Karuizawa Meeting 2009

Karuizawa Meeting is held in the centre of Japan. Most tuners go there. Joyfast brought their Awesome white car equipped with a mix of most makers parts. Odula Front, Charge speed sides and it used to wear a NoPro Rear.

NOPRO took three cars. Soft and Hard top Yellow NC2 and their 2.3L race car.

New bumper is very Mazdaspeed.

Auto exe also had their NC2.

The side holes in the bumper are just way too big. If you saw this bumper in white. It would look terrible.

Jets were selling their usual kit.

Barchetta had their funky short tail NC with center pipe.

This Autobacs c@rs show MH1 looked pretty nice with chrome work wheels.

But this NC2 with Enkei TC-4 wheels looked very smooth. I loke this picture. The water beads look slightly patriotic for the Japanese.

Vary was at the event but no pics online yet. This is their new NC2 lip and eyeline set.

Arbic rear with IPF lights.

Some private cars.

Some with Rays.

Kin-san and friend.

I'll leave you with the Hundred-one NA Roadster with Voltex splitter.

If you haven't seen this car before... its awesome.

Russ.

Wheels and height.

Today's image looked good. So I chopped it up with Chrome silver 18" +50 RE-30

Then I changed the colour.

And lowered it.

But is it worth $2500 more than just buying a spray can and painting the 17" Advans I have.

I don't think so. So as soon as I can find somewhere to spray them, they will get the black effect.

About the only other option is Weds SA-67F. They are CHEAP!

Russ.