I was looking at getting this book just wanted to see if it was a worthwhile book to get. I am trying to find a Miata for a weekend car for HPDE.
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Jan. 4, 2012 10:05 a.m. jonnyd330 New Reader
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Jan. 4, 2012 10:33 a.m. alex SuperDork
Knowing that guy it's probably all BS.
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Jan. 4, 2012 11:04 a.m. Keith SuperDork
Depends on what you're looking for. Here's a rundown on the three books.
Performance Projects is the "how to". It'll tell you how to change a clutch, how to install sway bars, etc. There are 42 projects in the book that cover a pretty wide range of jobs, from utter novice to more advanced. It doesn't give much theory as to why you want to choose the set of sway bars you're installing, it's all nuts and bolts. Despite the "performance" aspect of the title, it's suitable for bone stock cars as well. It covers all Miatas from 1990-05 although it doesn't address the Mazdaspeed specifically. It does not have expert-level info such as engine rebuilding or how to modify a head for maximum flow. You'll find a few sample projects here: http://www.miataprojects.com/samples.html and a list here: http://www.miataprojects.com/contents.html
How To Build a High Performance Miata (not the title I would have chosen, but there you go) is the "what to" book. You've seen the sample chapter. It won't tell you how to install those sway bars, but it will tell you how weight transfer affects handling, what role sway bars play in the suspension, how to adjust them and how they interact with other components. This is the one you get if you are thinking about modifying your Miata or are simply interested in why people keep talking about brake proportioning valves. It covers all Miatas up to this point.
Find it, Fix it, Trick it sits a bit apart. I called it "Miata 101" when I was writing it. It's got a bit of everything, including a buyers guide and a list of year-by-year changes. It has overlap with both of the other books but doesn't hit anywhere near the depth. It covers all 1990-05 Miatas including the MSM. I use this one for reference all the time when I'm trying to determine just when various changes were made. It's not necessarily aimed at the hard core Miata nerd.
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Jan. 4, 2012 11:05 a.m. EvanR Reader
I have 2 of the 3 gathering dust on my shelf. PayPal me $15 and they're yours.
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Jan. 4, 2012 11:07 a.m. ProDarwin SuperDork
I had the Performance Projects book. My co-driver last year had it as well. Came in quite handy prepping the car for STR. I would recommend it.
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Jan. 4, 2012 11:10 a.m. jonnyd330 New Reader
Thanks for the run down Keith.
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Jan. 4, 2012 2:07 p.m. jonnyd330 New Reader
EvanR wrote:
I have 2 of the 3 gathering dust on my shelf. PayPal me $15 and they're yours.
Which books do you have?
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Jan. 4, 2012 2:46 p.m. 1slowcrx HalfDork
I'll put it this way... I haven't owned a Miata in several years.
I can still put my hands on Keith's book within 30sec while sitting at my desk.
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Jan. 4, 2012 4:39 p.m. Curmudgeon SuperDork
Do any of the books tell how to get rid of the whole 'hairdresser' aura?
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Jan. 4, 2012 4:44 p.m. 92CelicaHalfTrac SuperDork
Curmudgeon wrote:
Do any of the books tell how to get rid of the whole 'hairdresser' aura?
If not, there's this:
http://grassrootsmotorsports.com/forum/grm/guide-to-a-manly-miata/6544/page1/
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Jan. 4, 2012 4:52 p.m. Keith SuperDork
Well, "How to build..." has a chapter on stuffing in a V8.
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Jan. 4, 2012 4:55 p.m. BoxheadTim SuperDork
I've recently bought the Performance Projects book and find it quite useful, despite the current Miata not exactly being my first one.
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Jan. 4, 2012 5:02 p.m. failboat HalfDork
well now I kind of want the performance projects book and I havent had a miata for a few years.
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Jan. 4, 2012 5:34 p.m. Keith SuperDork
You guys are weird.
I do think the "How to build a high performance Mazda Miata" (or HPMM as I call it) has good info for every car. It's 2/3 of the way to being a general car hop-up book.
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Jan. 4, 2012 5:56 p.m. DuctTape&Bondo Reader
I helped my sister pick out Find it, Fix it, Trick it for my cousin who just acquired a Miata. He seemed to like it. I don't own a Miata and haven't read the book... yet.
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Jan. 4, 2012 7:40 p.m. kazoospec Reader
Curmudgeon wrote:
Do any of the books tell how to get rid of the whole 'hairdresser' aura?
Performance Projects has a chapter on how to install a roll bar. Even my M Edition looks manly with a Hard Dog Dual Diagonal roll bar, harness bar and race harness. Nothing ads manliness quite like some NASA/SCCA certified crash metal, except maybe an engine that clearly doesn't belong in a Miata.
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Jan. 4, 2012 8:41 p.m. mndsm SuperDork
EvanR wrote:
I have 2 of the 3 gathering dust on my shelf. PayPal me $15 and they're yours.
If Jonny doesn't take em and you can wait til Friday- I want in. Lemme know. I don't even care, I just like car books.
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Jan. 5, 2012 1:42 a.m. Appleseed SuperDork
Curmudgeon wrote:
Do any of the books tell how to get rid of the whole 'hairdresser' aura?
This sticker helps.
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Jan. 5, 2012 8:04 a.m. Curmudgeon SuperDork
Appleseed, I have GOT to get that sticker!
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Jan. 5, 2012 8:35 a.m. 92CelicaHalfTrac SuperDork
Curmudgeon wrote:
Appleseed, I have GOT to get that sticker!
LOL!!!
X2!!!
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Jan. 5, 2012 8:55 a.m. Alan Cesar Associate Editor
Curmudgeon wrote:
Do any of the books tell how to get rid of the whole 'hairdresser' aura?
I think this is the book you're looking for:
http://www.amazon.com/Confidence-Plan-How-Build-Stronger/dp/1402203497/ref=cm_lmf_...
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Jan. 5, 2012 9:49 a.m. Keith SuperDork
Appleseed wrote:
Curmudgeon wrote:
Do any of the books tell how to get rid of the whole 'hairdresser' aura?
This sticker helps.
Shouldn't there be a lightning bolt in there or something?
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Jan. 5, 2012 9:50 a.m. RossD SuperDork
and some boobs. and guns.
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Jan. 5, 2012 12:01 p.m. slantvaliant Dork
RossD wrote:
and some boobs. and guns.
Not on the sticker. Have the real things in the car.
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Jan. 5, 2012 12:36 p.m. EvanR Reader
jonnyd330 wrote:
EvanR wrote:
I have 2 of the 3 gathering dust on my shelf. PayPal me $15 and they're yours.
Which books do you have?
Performance Projects
and
Find it, Fix it, Trick it
