Spencer's Corner
Aftermarket
"The Wonderful World of Mod'$"

II

Article and photos by: Spencer Lynn 

December 2009

 AFTERMARKET: IMPROMPTU TECH DAY AT THE WOOD’S

Christmas can be highly anticipated if you own a Miata and your significant other needs some gift ideas for you. A gentle nudge in the direction of some of the aftermarket websites along with a list of preferences for MX5 accessories is all that is needed.

My pal Dave Davis has owned his 2000 LE less than a year, but he has adorned his Miata with a lifetime’s list of modifications. What does his beautiful wife, Kim have to say about his mounting expenditures? From where I stand, she has been very supportive of his enthusiastic customizing of his car. One of his mod's has been the installment of a “Scan Gauge II” on the center console above his shifter.

Scan Gauge II on Dave's car

These options are only available for NB and NC models because they have the sensors needed which NA’s do not. This 3 in 1 digital tool is a trip computer and it displays four different gauges at one time out of twelve options. “Scan Gauge II” monitors nearly everything your motor does including coolant temperature, oil pressure and temperature, MPG’s in real time, your electrical system, the trip figures and other vital stats you want to check on. Lastly, it’s a scanning tool that covers trouble codes and can reset those “check engine” warning lights, saving you a trip to the mechanic. If it saves him from just one trip to the dealer or mechanic, it will have paid for itself. Installation was simply “plug and play” according to Dave. He removed the passenger’s air bag disengagement switch and relocated it to the glove compartment. In its’ place on the center console, Dave craftily mounted the digital read out “Scan Gauge II” unit (see photo). It has buttons on its’ face to switch the read out between functions. The whole system was around $160 and he did his own installation. I think you really get your money’s worth with this digital tool.

Finding subject material for this article was easy with Dave’s availability, now that he has returned from vacationing in Europe. While he and his wife were in France his mechanic had his ride to work on and along with a timing belt, water pump, belts and hoses all around, he added a “Typhoon”, K & N intake system for $208.

Tom also has this "Typhoon" set-up on his 1999 (ODO) in silver.

Among his recent mods, he has upgraded his front and rear anti-sway bars from Racing Beat. Dave had installed new gold tone, slotted and cross drilled, disc brake rotors, pads and stainless steel, woven brake lines.

A nice setup for go and show

They look really great and cost in the neighborhood of $535. He is amazed at the improved stopping power coupled with his sticky, new “Kumho” rubber. Upon his return and picking up his Miata from the shop, he and I had to test drive it out to Tom Wood’s in Fontana one Saturday, late in October. I was there to talk to Tom about some of the mod's he had done to his Miata's and take some pictures.

Shortly after we got there, Gary Nelson showed up, as well as Ed Pauley and Dusty Pinkerton with car problems Tom offered to remedy.

Dusty's problem needing fixing.

Immediately, Gary rolled up his short sleeves and jumped into a problem Marna Wood’s Miata was having with the top’s latch and bracket rattling.

Tom got busy repairing a problem “newbie” Dusty was having with the improperly installed style bars on his recently acquired Miata. During a break in some of the action of this impromptu Tech Day, Tom and I talked about modifications he has done to his two Miatas “Odo” and his red MazdaSpeed.

       
Impromptu Tech Day                                  Correcting Style Bar Installation

 Underneath, both cars got increased chassis bracing from Racing Beat and Kessler, respectively, in the $100 range.

(This is the Racing Beat Brace.) 175,000 Miles later

Tom added LED’s to his third brake lights, hoping that the increased lumens will better attract the attention of that idiot behind him on the cell phone who’s multi-tasking while he attempts to drive. What impressed me was the customized center console in “Odo” Tom cut and bobbed himself. He remounted the power window switches in the end just behind the gear shift. Although I think it would have looked better in dark blue, Tom’s choice was more of a sky blue. Right now he’s dealing with the aftermath of an electrical system calamity that will require replacing the entire system’s harness.

  
2004 Mazdaspeed  (Scarlet)                        1999 Twilight Blue (ODO)

Happy and safe holidays to all.
           

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