Miata Mailing List: September 1995, Message #28
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   From: hache@ix.netcom.com (Harry Hache)
Subject: What I've done to my Miata
   Date: Fri, 1 Sep 1995 12:47:43 -0400

Okay, I got on this list right after I bought my very stock '93 about a 
month ago.  I got some advice from you folks (thanks!) and here's where 
I'm at with it.

After gathering info about the wiring on the stock cassette, I bought 
two pair of 3 1/2" speakers for the headrests  (I listed to both 
Blaupunkts and Fosgates, and I like the Blaupunks better - and they 
were $39.99/pair compared to $69.99 for the Fosgates), installed them, 
wiring to the existing harness.  As expected, the act of attaching 
speakers to the harness activates a crossover internal to the deck, 
causing the highs to drop out of the doors.  No biggy.  Once done with 
the headrests, I replaced the stock door speakers with MB Quart 6 1/2 
coax speakers - $220 / pr.  This took very minor modification to the 
speaker door-holes - drilling new screw holes ( the mazda speakers have 
3 mounting points rather then 4 - go figure!), and nipping/bending the 
metal back a bit.  No big thing.  The stock plastic cover goes right 
over, no problem.

The sound difference?  Incredible.  The Quart speakers are great.  
Great bass.  I just plain do not need a subwoofer.  The whole thing 
sounds great, even with the crossover (the only way to avoid that is to 
wire the headrests to the same leads as the doors, therebye elminiating 
the fader function as well as the crossover - and I like the fader 
function - so I'll live with the crossover.  I could buy an ourboard 4 
channel amp wired direct to the main speaker leads - It would have to 
be an EQ or something so I could access the fader for headrests - too 
much hassle - but possible.)  My next investment will be a FM Modulated 
CD changer, but thats after the alarm I have yet to get....

What else have I done?  I got new rims/tires.  15" 205/50 Z rated 
Comp/TAs on 5 spoke Concord rims.  I had read that 205 was too wide and 
causes odd vibration - but the car rides great and corners like noones 
business, aside from looking much better without the stock 14" steel 
wheels. (Anyone need some?  The old tires have about 10-15000 left on 
them....  Email me should you be interested!)  Now I'm looking into 
shocks - Any suggestions?  I don't want it to ride a whole lot rougher 
than it is now, but a little less roll would be good, and I do have 37K 
on the present set...

I've done nothing with the powerplant - I'm considering the Jackson 
cold-air induction system - is it worth it?  Is replacing the exhaust 
worth it?  We are taking some money here...

The only problem I have now is that the previous owner must have bent 
the front plate bracket in, as there is a depression in the very front 
of the car - a slight little "dent" that I was hoping time would take 
care of - you know, like the plastic would assume its original shape - 
but NOOOOO.  So I need to find some options short of replacing the 
whole front bumper - like heat treating it perhaps, or if nothing else 
a bra would at least hide it (very much like the plate did when I 
bought the car!  Any thoughts?

Thanks and keep the top down!

'93 white A+

Harry in SD