Lighter = Faster (N/A build thread #2)

[infernosg]

Originally Posted by project86

I've been curious about the transmission issue with the higher rpm applications. What do you have in mind for a replacement? Could the factory NA trans be rebuild to deal with it?

They can be rebuilt assuming the housing(s) isn't cracked, which I've seen happen. I think S5 N/A RX-7 had the highest horsepower engine in front of this particular transmission. OEM-wise the Miata added a double-synchro'd second gear and helical reverse gears in the 90's but I think was it in terms of revising. Maybe there are some upgrade parts available in the Miata aftermarket world.

[infernosg]

The only thing preventing me from finishing the interior is the carpet. My original '89 had the black interior, which I preferred so I kept everything that wasn't somehow connected with the automatic seat belts. This '86 came with the gray interior. It was easy enough to paint all the plastic trim but I'm left with the gray carpet. I tried my hand at dying last night. Unfortunately all I succeeded in doing was dying the edging.



Even then, up close the edging looks to be more a very dark purple instead of black.



I used liquid Rit dye with the hottest water available to me. I know dying plastic (nylon? rayon?) requires high heat and apparently this wasn't enough. I had no way of keeping the heat up over the hour the carpet was submerged so that probably didn't help either.

So now what? I don't want to leave the carpet as is. I thought the black upper/gray lower look might work with the dark edging but I'm not sold. Leaving the carpet out isn't something I want to do. I have a bunch of black vinyl and fabric spray paint I could try. It worked well enough on the vinyl door pieces. I'm not to concerned about texture. I just don't want the color to rub off.