[Miata] Prioritizing Winter Upgrades & Maintenance

[CHRISTOPHER ADAMS]

You did open a can of worms but that's what gets the fish biting. MTL is lighter than what is spec'ed for the '99s, but many like it. My car has the 5-speed, so I'm speaking from what works well for that. I have heard that GM Synchromesh is pretty good in the 6-speed. I sure other will jump in here is more feedback.
 

>>> Dillon <dillon.boyer at gmail.com> 1/11/2007 3:46 PM >>>
I'm afaid I may be opening up a can of worms here ... but you are using
different fluids from what I thought was "correct".  There seem to be a
zillion opinions on exactly which fluids (75-90NS, 75W90, MTL, MT-90, etc)
from Redline should be used.  I thought I had finally narrowed it down in my
list below (for my 6 speed), but I do want to be sure.

I'm open to Mobil 1 too, as I have heard that it is nearly as good for a
fraction of the price?

On 1/11/07, CHRISTOPHER ADAMS <CHRISTOPHER.ADAMS at dmv.virginia.gov> wrote:
>
> I would move the tranny & diff. fluid change up in level. This is often
> neglected service by many owners, the previous owner may never have changed
> it. I personally use Redline 75-90NS in the tranny and the 75-90 in the
> diff. The 75-90 weight is the proper weight for the '99 tranny. MT-90 meets
> this requirement, however I feel the NS works better in mine, but both are
> good.
>
> Chris A.
> '99 Red Miata Lap-dog
> '00 Tundra
>
>
> >>> Dillon <dillon.boyer at gmail.com> 1/11/2007 3:00 PM >>>
> Hello List,
>
> I'm approaching the end of my first year of Miata ownership.  My car is a
> '99 10AE that is just now tipping 60k miles.  The car is going to be
> getting
> some service soon (due to the 60k service and a cross-country move around
> April).  I want to get a jump on some things this winter since I probably
> won't have time / money / energy for a while after the move.  While I am
> pretty tolerant of noise/vibration/harshness, the car is a daily driver so
> it can't be too nuts.
>
> In addition to standard maintenance stuff (coolant, air filter, oil,
> plugs,
> etc), I am planning for the following:
> 1) Timing belt.  I know it could possibly last to 100k but I don't want to
> chance it as this is my daily driver and the upcoming move will include a
> 2000 mile drive.
> 2) Water pump.  As long as I'm in there.
> 3) Brakes.  I'm going to need pads.  The Porterfield R4S have come highly
> recommended.
> 4) Shocks.  Assuming I'm still on the originals, everyone says they are
> shot
> (not that I've noticed, but hey, I trust you guys).  Thinking about the
> AGX
> adjustables.
> 5) Stainless steel brake lines - will I feel the difference?
> 6) Transmission / differential fluid.  Redline MTL and 75W90 respectively.
> 7) Front / rear sway bars.  Don't know what to get here.
>
>
> First, I am looking for the best value in upgrades.  I'm looking for
> feedback on:
> 1) Am I choosing to upgrade the right components?
> 2) Am I choosing the products with the best value?
>
> Second, I need to figure out which of these projects I want to tackle on
> my
> own.  Again I'm looking for the best bang for the buck.  If I can change
> my
> fluids in an hour for $30 but it would cost $150 in the shop, I'll do it
> myself.  The timing belt / water pump I'm inclined to let a shop handle
> due
> to perceived difficulty.
>
> I also have to keep in mind that any work I do absolutely must be
> completed
> in a single weekend (gotta have my car to get to the airport on Monday
> mornings) and I have to borrow a buddy's garage and tools to work
> in.  It's
> too cold out to lie on my gravel driveway working :)
>
> So, of the list above, what do you recommend that I as a novice shadetree
> mechanic take on versus work for my mechanic?
>
>