2008 MX-5 Special Edition Mazda.com link updated
I updated the link for the 2008 Special Edition MX-5. The link I had now takes you to the current special edition offered from Mazda. Here is what the page looked like back in the day, courtesy of the Wayback Machine from Archive.org. The MX-5 sub-page has also been updated.
http://web.archive.org/web/20080920050031/http://www.mazdausa.com/MusaWeb/displayPage.action?pageParameter=mx5SE&vehicleCode=MX5
Yakima Powderhound Snowboard Carrier on a Miata
Goal: Make the Miata even more practical in the upcoming winter.
Status: Achieved.
Materials:
- Mazda Miata MX-5 Convertible
- Surco classic style luggage rack
- Yakima Powderhound Snowboard Rooftop Carrier
- Snowboard (mine is 158cm)
- Allen wrench
Steps:
This was surprisingly easy to do. I was expecting to have to re-drill a hole for one of the universal mounts on each of the carriers, but it worked as is. However, re-drilling the hole closest to the convertible top in a slight bit towards the back of the car will allow for the mounts to sit perfectly. As it stands at the moment, the mounts are each turned in ever so slightly. The carriers are still stable and are not going anywhere.
Below are the pieces of the carrier. The mounts can be turned 90 degrees if needed to allow for fitment to an nontraditional crossbar.
The carriers mounted on the outer most side bars. This allows for the bindings to sit in between the two carriers which is what you want. This also allows for easy access to open the carriers. If they were in further re-drilling of the holes would be required for best fitment.
Like I said originally, I expected that this was going to be more involved but everything just seemed to work out of the box. More pictures are below
Perhaps you’ll see me at the B-East.
Android App Inventor
I have been doing some experimenting with the Google Labs App Inventor for Android. I expanded upon (very slightly) the Paint application and I figured I would share to see if this mobile side of things works. The barcode below should be able to be scanned by an Android phone to download the Paint Application to your phone. Some steps need to be taken first to allow Non-Android Market Applications though. For the Android inclined it is: Settings > Applications and then check “Unknown Sources”
Scan this with your Android phone’s barcode scanner.
Download the Paint Application
Blasted Wheels
The wheels were finally stripped… Unfortunately they were repainted by the previous owner (somehow within the first 3300 miles of the cars existence) and the paint started to chip. I made a few attempts at refinishing them and it never got completed due to time, until now. The wheels were sandblasted and then powder coated. I’m happy with the turnout but it was a learning experience. Sandblasting is pretty awesome and fun for about the first 5 minutes…..after that…it sucks. But really, it’s not too bad if everything is working correctly. The powder coating was fun to do too and I wouldn’t mind attempting it a few more times.
A link for my original thread on Miata.net
111 HP (Hare power)
Horse power? No, Hare power.
After years of waiting, I finally had the opportunity to get the Rabbit up onto a dynometer. The original motor swap was done a long time ago back in 2006. I can’t believe that is almost 5 years ago now. It feels like just yesterday I blew up the 1.8L motor outside of Hartford, CT on I-84 E. A few things have changed since then, but not much. Exhaust size has changed from 2″ to 2.25″ because at the time I was thinking about forced-induction down the road. I’m not sure if that’s even a thought at the moment though. Maybe in 5 more years? Gone is the Techtonics Tuning exhaust and in went a custom exhaust with a Magnaflow muffler…that’s a bit loud…and fun. Out went the stock cam last year and in went a 260 Techtonics Tuning cam and it pulls nicely in the higher RPM range, it feels almost like V-Tec….ha.
I missed an opportunity to dyno the car last year at the UMass Car Show but I managed to get the car there early enough to fit into their schedule. I was hoping to hit 100 horsepower at the wheels with the 2.0 ABA X-Flow engine swap. Stock it makes 115hp the crank, so by the time you add all of the loss through the mechanical bits, I was going to be happy if I saw 100. I was pleasantly surprised with 111hp/113 lb/ft of torque on a Dynojet dyno.
Anyway, this post is worthless without pics:
Even more worthless if it didn’t have video:
This is the one to watch, it’s shorter and to the point.
This is the boring one where the driver finds out I need shifter bushings.
Luggage Rack
Who said sports cars aren’t practical? Well they sure are! I am able to successfully carry a large box to the UPS store and go snowboarding! Got the Surco Luggage Rack from here.
Abandoned Bus in the Woods
I spotted this abandoned bus along Route 202 in Massachusetts only by shear boredom while making the long trek to my mother’s and naked trees. I returned to this location with Mike today to explore further. Turns out this bus is actually located on state property. On the location there are numerous bird houses in a various array of conditions, a small shack, and an outhouse without a door. The bus looks like it has been at this location for quite some time based on the growth on and around the bus. I’m not entirely sure why it is there, but it looks like scrap wood was being stored inside of it.
Some mediocre photographs of it (as you can see…I am being indecisive on whether to use black & white or not):
Here is where it is located:
Somewhere along Rt. 202
Elgin Pocket Watch
My mother told me about a pocket watch that we have had in the family for a number of years…over a century(!) when I was talking to her about a friend who has recently gotten into the hobby of fixing clocks. She described it as not working and nothing expensive.
Turns out the watch is ca. 1890 and quite interesting (at least to me). After I found a database of information and a way to search the serial number (http://www.trusted-forwarder.org/elgin/databases/elgin_sn_intro.html) I found out some basic info about it. Hopefully in my quest for information I will find out some more.
Serial Number SN Range RunQty Name Year grade size code jewels Adj/reg/etc.
-------------- -------- ------ ---- ---- ----- ---- ------ ------ ------------
4087889 4087001 2000 1890 102 18s hfn2l 11j
Class 102 75000 made lever model 2-4 11j
Photo Trip 9/12
An interesting trip, but unfortunately it did not yield the greatest photos, but here are some that will do. I also attempted a couple of HDR photos…although I’m still not sold on the whole HDR concept/”trend.” I feel as if it can just be a way to make a crappy photo better. Tripods are also VERY important…as is no wind or vibrations so that the photo alignment is dead on. Who did I go with on this trip? Well I went with Mr. Chaos Theory himself.
Butterflies, Flowers, and a Macro Lens
I recently took a half-day trip to Magic Wings in S. Deerfield, MA with the whole family. I could probably have easily spent all day photographing all of the different butterflies and flora there. Unfortunately they do not allow any sort of camera pods into the facility and while I understand why (it’s pretty crowded) it just further emphasized that I have unsteady hands. Oh well! I still manage some great pictures and this is what I have so far. All of these were shot using my 35mm Macro lens.
Some are good, some are great, some are meh. I still have a few more…but I’m not sure if they are worthy of posting.