Miata Mailing List: May 1993, Message #183
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   From: (none)
Subject: Re: Introduction and questions
   Date: (none)


>I'm new to the Miata lsit, I just bought an A package 91. It has
>a limited slip, rollbar and a wooden gear lever knob! Other
>than the complete lack of straight line power its the most
>fun car I have ever owned - I'm taking the long way home
>from work!

I to have a package A '91 Miata.  But I don't have the rollbar or wooden
shift knob.  I have and very much enjoy the little round Miata Club knob.
You can find it advertized in the Miata Magazine.

I do agree with your statement about being fun.
But if you have not taken the engine to red line, you do not know how
much power is available.  (Still not the fastest car I driven, but it is
faster than most owners realize.)

>At weekends I intend to autocross the car as often as possible,
>I usually run in Austin, San Antonio and College Station TX.

The Miata is a great car for autocrossing.  Again, maybe not the fastest
through the course (or is it me:-), but definitely the most fun I
have ever driven.

>1) Anybody installed a trailer hitch? Whats a good one to get?

I do not have one, but have known several how did.  I am sorry that I cannot
make any recommendations for you.   But I do know that they exist.
Check the Miata Magazine for adds.

>2) Any recommended after market mufflers? 

The Miata Magazine has adds for several aftermarket mufflers.  I have not
installed one, but my understanding is the Walker Dyno-Max (sp?) is the
muffler of choice.  It's about $84.

>3) Splitfire plugs - the consenus on rec.autos was that they do
>   nothing that Bosch platinums wouldn't - any feeling from
>   Miata owners on this? 

I have heard both sides of the Splitfire plugs.  Some swear by them, others
say they did nothing.  I do not have them and do not intend to.

I read somewhere (maybe the Miata Magazine), that you should not use
the Platinum plugs in the Miata, because of the way the ignition works.
In the Miata, there are two coils, (one for each pair of plugs), and
that both plugs fire each time.  (I know this sounds wierd, but is a
common setup these days.)  Now, on the Miata, one of each pair is
wired backwards (I do not know the rational for this, but there is
one), and therefore the spark goes across the gap backward.  The platinum
plugs are supposedly plated only on one side, and that will prove to
be the wrong side for two of the plugs. 

The result is that you cannot take advantage of the platinum plating.
If you wish to use them, I would first talk to a knowledgeable person
and verify that the ones you select will work properly.

>4) Were headrest speakers standard on 91 A packages? I hear
>   they weren't on 90's. The fader for my hr.sp does not work -
>   known problem? take it back to the dealer?

The '91 package A Miata did not come with headrest speakers.
But you can buy a couple of pairs of 3.5" round speakers and install them
yourself.  (The headrest speaker set from Mazda is about $200.)
Or check out the Miata Magazine for adds for other solutions.

>5) Any reason *not* to join the Miata club?

I can't think of any.  All of your questions, and many more you haven't
thought of are answered there.  And you will find dealers for all of your
Miata needs.

Tom Tkacik
tkacik@adtaz.sps.mot.com