Miata Mailing List: July 1993, Message #103
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   From: Al Jenab 
Subject: Miata Presents
   Date: Tue, 13 Jul 1993 16:07:13 -0400


Miata Lords,
Well, I gave my Miata some more presents over the weekend:  a Millen
header and an HKS Powerflow intake system.  I installed the intake
system first and then the header.  Power went up noticeabley for both.
Together with the Borla, there's now a significant increase in power
across the entire rpm band.  Much fatter torque curve.  Can't wipe the
smile off my face driving it now (couldn't before, either).  Throttle
response is also improved.  The combo of header and intake seems to have
mellowed the exhaust note of the Borla somewhat, too.

Installation for both components was pretty easy. (And no, I didn't break
the converter bolts this time.  The plain non-factory nuts did the trick.)
Very nice, quality materials all around with clear instructions.  I highly
recommend each of them, although only if you've replaced the factory
muffler first.

I can't wait to get out on the track again, but I'l be sure to bring along
double th extra brake pads.  Maybe I can go toe to toe with some of the Vettes
(he said, wistfully).

A final note on the Borla.  I took the whole system apart again and
realized that, well, it just didn't fit.  If the muffler hung like it wanted

to, the pipe from the converter was about two inches short.  So I stuck in
one of those extensions near the differential (between the muffler section and
the other pipe) you find at auto parts stores, reassembled the
whole system and voila!  Everything fit just fine.  As I took it apart,
however, I noticed that the spot welds holding the heat shield on had
already broken in two places, thus the annoying
temperature&rpm-dependent buzz.  I bent the shield slightly away from
the pipe and now there's no buzz.  I'll take it to a muffler shop and have
them tack it back on.  Bottom line is that though the Borla's pretty loud, it

sounds great, the fit and finish were lousy, but it's made of solid
stainless steel and should last forever.
-Al