Leon

Have you looked at McMaster.com or Fastenal?

Strange, looks like Mazda still calls it an MX-5 "Miata" to me. The NA, NB, NC designations make more sense, and are similar to the Z actually (S30=240Z/260Z/280Z). Yes, and strangely enough the new Miata felt even more cramped than the old one. That could be a function of the NA having old seat foam and also the fact that I haven't squeezed myself into many Miatas. I think I said earlier, I did go on an autoX ride-along in an NB and it really impressed me. Seems like a fun, toss-able, and surprisingly torquey (nicely geared) car. I've sat in a few NC Miatas over the years and just never got comfortable in the driver's seat. Or... are good enough to not require improvement.

Somehow I've ended up with a third set of triple Webers... (thanks to TJ and Superdan) The carbs are 40DCOE151 and will be replacing the 40DCOE18 set that is currently on the car. The intake is a TWM and I'm unsure on whether I'll run it on this car or on the L28 going into the other Z. It's a tough call since my MJLJ uses MAP to sense engine load which makes the Cannon favorable, since it has a built-in balance tube. My 45s are also sitting on a Cannon but that manifold has been port-matched and had the linkage modified. Decisions...

Wow, and are you the God of Zs? Go back to Zcar.com.

Nice! You can always paint the blue ones black...

Looks great! I'm thinking black silicone couplers would look a bit better than blue, though...

Mine is an AP2 as well. I sit the lowest in an AP1 and highest in '06 and up AP2. I think it's a function of how old the foam is, plus the '06+ got different seats. Otherwise, the AP1 and AP2 are identical in size. Not sure what you guys mean about MX-5 vs. Miata, since they're the same car. It's like trying to differentiate an S30 and a 240Z. Miatas do seem like a fun sandbox though, if you can fit.

Sweet! Good job following through on the project. Very cool!

Sure thing. Seems like he builds quality engines (unlike what I've heard about the Datsun Parts guy).

Nice! Welcome to the club. You've got a lot of work ahead of you, but hey, it's all in the name of fun, right?

There are no more new S2k's, and even then, you could get a new one for $30k a few years ago. I believe the Mazdaspeed Miata was about $25k. For what S2k's go for as used cars, it's an amazing car for the money! Mine is completely stock and I don't feel like I need to change anything on that car, besides dropping the seat down. It's still raw, yet way more refined than the S30. You're right, I haven't driven many and it's because I don't fit! At 6'2" and 200lb, both the S30 and S2000 give me some headroom issues, but the legs fit great. The Miata attempts to decapitate me while holding my legs hostage at the same time! I fit OK in the passenger seat, but the top has to be up. The Miata just does not have a good driving position for my body, whereas the S2k almost fits me like a glove. Shoot, the S30 is spacious in comparison to both of these cars! I LOVED driving the E36 M Coupe. I still want one... The M3 is a jewel as well. However, the E36 will eat cooling systems and suspension bushings/shock mounts so care must be taken to purchase one in good shape and to keep it that way.

Seconded.

http://datsunspirit.com/?page_id=333

Les at Classic Datsun might be able to help.

Cross-posting isn't allowed here...

Nice! It would be interesting to compare maps once you've finished tuning.

Interesting... Any Ortiz newsletters on this?

I will say that the E36 M Coupe is also a fantastic car and reminds me of the S30, except with a lot more refinement. I almost got one but maintenance and price drove me away. I haven't driven a Z3 Roadster so can't comment there. Now that I think about it, an E36 M3 fits the bill great! Find a '98 and call it close enough. I'm 6'2", 200lb and fit nice and snug. I sit a bit high though but there is space to drop the seat down an inch with custom brackets. I've had no issues with heel-toe downshifting, you have to realize it's set up for heavy braking rather than heel-toeing on the daily commute (which I love to do anyway ). Now Miatas are just absolutely tiny, no way do I fit in those!

It really doesn't matter. This isn't an F1 car. A tiny change in unsprung weight isn't going to be noticeable. The valving of those dampers is not that accurate, and again, this is not F1.

Let me know, because I'm coming with you!

This is, unfortunately, the reason why I went to 16s. Tire options are very limited in 15" and smaller rim sizes, as you've noticed. Getting a summer performance tire close to the stock diameter is pretty much impossible unless you go to at least 16" wheels. Luckily 225/50-16 is a common tire size and it fits my Z without rolling using 16X7 Panasports, which I'm guessing have a slight positive offset (+6mm or so). I've been searching for wheels to put on my other Z, but it's tough to find 16" rims that look "right" on the Z and have the correct offset. If we had better tire options, I'd be all for getting 14s and 15s.

Sounds like you've never driven an S2000. I can change that. I think the price is very reasonable for what you get, but I got mine at the start of 2012 so they may be a bit more expensive now. Still, an advertised price is not typically the sale price. I looked at a few cars before I got mine and could've had an AP1 w/ 80k miles for $10k (clean title but had dents and needed some maintenance). I think you can still find a nicely taken-care of AP1 for $10k. It'll have over 100k miles but with good maintenance it'll go for another 150-200k. It's a typical Honda in that department. But enough of me trying to talk it up. It's a great car and if you can find one in good shape close to $10k, it may be worth at least checking out to see what you think.

Great minds think alike! Although I have no idea how you fit in there. I'm 6'2" and I'm looking into getting lower seat rails to be more comfortable and not have to duck down to see traffic lights. This is with an OEM hardtop which already gives me another inch or so of headroom. A "wider" person will have trouble fitting the bolstered seats and getting in and out can be difficult. With that said, it's a small sacrifice (for me) to make for such a fantastic car!

Hands down, a Honda S2000. To me, it is an evolution of the S30 (MUCH more so than the 350Z) as it's a raw, firm, minimalist sports car designed for just that. It's not a car based on some econo-car chassis but engineered from the beginning to be what it was going to be, a sports car. It impresses the hell out of me because not only does it perform, but it's also reliable and gets decent mpg! I've had mine for over a year and I've kept a spreadsheet tracking all costs. I've only done basic maintenance and gas, and I'm averaging 28mpg.

Engine braking should not be difficult to tune-in, and should not change WOT power output. I bet if they retarded your spark timing at very high vacuum and high rpm, you'll get all the engine braking you need. I would clarify with the tuner exactly how they're trying to tune-in engine braking...