Miata Mailing List: January 1995, Message #36
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   From: daumda@smtplink.en.wpafb.af.mil
Subject: Various Miata Stuff
   Date: Tue, 3 Jan 1995 10:14:26 -0500

     To Jeannie Hobbs -- So, you found the typo, eh?  Good eyes !!
     
     
     Flash To Pass -- 
     
     The diode modification is not a true Flash To Pass feature.  It merely 
     shunts 12v power to the headlight motors when the high beams are 
     MOMENTARILY energized with the spring-loaded high beam switch on the 
     stalk.  The headlights will only stay up as long as you continue to 
     pull back on the stalk.  Let go of the stalk and the high beams go out 
     and the headlights retract.  So if you try to "flash" your lights at 
     another motorist, the headlights will be flopping up and down.  I 
     understand that in 1994, Mazda incorporated a true flash-to-pass 
     feature in the Miata that uses an electronic delay circuit to keep the 
     headlights up while you continue to flash the high beams on and off.  
     Then, after a small delay, the headlights retract.  I have designed 
     and installed such a unit for retrofit to earlier Miatas and hope to 
     market it eventually.
     
     
     Switch positions on the dash -- 
     
     Prior to 1994, there were 3 accessory switch positions to the left of 
     the steering wheel (dashboard dimmer switch, cruise control on/off for 
     B & C package equipped cars, and a blank for the optional factory fog 
     light switch).  A dash light and the cigarette lighter are positioned 
     on the right side of the steering wheel.  In 1993, one of the switch 
     positions on the left was used for the factory power mirror control 
     (this switch is no larger than all the others and can be installed in 
     any of the dashboard slots -- see my MCA magazine article on 
     retrofitting power mirrors to early Miatas, Spring issue 1993).  In 
     1994, Mazda eliminated the driver side courtesy light on the right 
     side of the steering wheel in favor of placing another switch position 
     near the cigarette lighter.  Now you can have switches for cruise 
     control, mirrors, fog lights, AND the dash light dimmer all installed 
     in factory locations, but you lose some driver side cockpit 
     illumination.  I have all four of these controls in my '92, but I had 
     to mount the dimmer rheostat on the back edge of the lower dash panel 
     down below and to the left of the steering column.
     
     
     Additional Lighting Accessories-- 
     
     I have installed various lighting accessories:  
     (1) lighted rearview mirror incorporating two map lights;
     (2) Mialite console lights;
     (3) Brainstorm Products delay module to keep interior lights on for 25 
     seconds after the doors are closed or until the ignition is turned on;
     (4) Glove box light (mercury switch activated);
     (5) Trunk light (mercury switch activated).
     (6) Marchall QI headlights with H4 bulbs (55/100)
     (7) PIAA driving lights (55 watts), activated by factory fog light 
     switch in the dash.
     All these products work well together and make night driving a 
     pleasure.
     
     
     Chassis bracing -- 
     
     I recently installed the lower front subframe brace from BRAINSTORM 
     PRODUCTS.  The item seems well made and very sturdy (solid bar, not a 
     hollow tube).  Installation was easy with the front end up on jack 
     stands.  My immediate driving impression is of a slightly stiffer car 
     that seems to turn in more aggressively, i.e., more tendency toward 
     oversteer (alignment specs are stock).  Instead of the rear cockpit 
     brace (ala the stock 1994 brace behind the seats), I have the Racing 
     Beat Style Bar which does a tremendous job of tying the two sides of 
     the car together to greatly improve chassis rigidity. This also leaves 
     all the space behind the seats open for storage (I have the Atlantic 
     Design Cooler/Storage case installed there).  The cockpit brace 
     (either stock or aftermarket) intrudes on this space and does not 
     allow as much to be place on the shelf behind the seats.
     
     
     MCA 5-Year Anniversary Album --    
     
     Thanks for all the kudos on our club member Marcia Neumeier.  Our 
     topless rallies are rather special in Ohio.  Eat your hearts out, 
     guys.  I have yet to receive my copy, but according to other club 
     members, there are 12 MVMC photos on various pages, in addition to our 
     club's full page feature. I will let you know the exact pages later.
     
     
     Feel free to contact me via personal E-mail if you wish to discuss any 
     of these topics further.
     
     Cheers,
     DRAKE A. DAUM, President
     Miami Valley Miata Club
     PO Box 33503
     Dayton, Ohio 45433-0503
     (Red '92/B)