Tech Articles

From a 1925 IBM user guide:

"All parts should go together without forcing. You must remember that the parts you are reassembling were disassembled by you. Therefore, if you can't get them together again, there must be a reason. By all means, do not use a hammer."

—Still appropriate today when working on your Miata. Except maybe the hammer part.

Installing a Hard Dog Roll Bar — Bethania Garages provides written installation instructions with their roll bars, but they're somewhat lacking visually. Here's some pictures and accounts of an actual install that should help.

Installing Aftermarket Seats — Whatever aftermarket seat you choose for your Miata, installing them is probably going to be a challenge. Read about how a couple of Miata owners met that challenge.

Torque and Horsepower — When it comes to horsepower, we know that more is better, but what exactly does it do? And where does torque come in? Some easy answers and a few diagrams tell the story.

Timing Belts — A DIY timing belt change is a sure sign that you've graduated from oil changes and brake pad replacement to the big leagues of automotive repair. This article covers details that a lot of step-by-step manuals leave out.

The Great Water Pump Debate — Everyone should replace their water pump when changing the timing belt, right? Some things to consider before you throw away a perfectly good water pump.

Aftermarket Wheels — The good, the bad, and the ugly. Important things to keep in mind when choosing new wheels for your Miata.

Suspension Travel in Early Miatas — what happens when you lower an already-low car. Tophats, bumpstops, and aftermarket springs. Also, coil bind and what it means to your tricked-out Miata.