I haven't blogged much about all the problems we've had with the Miata primarily because it's kind of a sore topic.

However, if I'm going to really rant about something, this is it.

It all started last summer (2003) when we were planning a lengthy west coast road trip. Our initial estimates were to put this road trip at around 10,000 miles.

About 8 weeks before the road trip, I brought up the idea of supercharging the Miata with Laurie again. We'd talked about it inthe past and this time we decided to go for it.

So, a few calls around turned up that Serious Auto in Santa Cruz that used to do it no longer could and it's not as easy on the 99 and later Miata's as it was on the 97 and before. A bit more research and calls turned up that a turbocharger was really the way to go. Specifically, the FMII kit from Flyin' Miata.

I had talked extensively with Rick Weldon of PR Motorsports in Hayward about this. It seemed like the right decision at the time. In fact, it really was the right decision. But there were problems.

It was supposed to take a week or two from when the parts came in. Well, naturally, the parts were a little late. They used to take months, so a few days late on a week wasn't bad.

Then, to keep a long story short, the parts didn't work. A few times back and forth and the ultimate resolution was to put a 49 state kit into the Miata so we could take it on our road trip, which ended up starting 5 days late. This meant that there was only one catalytic converter, rather than the required two for California. Not so good, but workable until the right parts were available.

Of course, the fasteners that held the turbo to the exhaust manifold failed multiple times during our trip. This made the trip a bit obnoxious, even though it (the trip) was a blast. We got back from the trip and took the Miata right back in. New fasteners were put on and we were sent home. About a month later, that failed. This time a new exhaust manifold was put on. We were warned it might have a minor leak because it had a dent on it or something. Anyway, it must have been around October or later by now (the whole thing started in late May, early June of 2003).

About a month ago (mid to late January) the car developed a really nasty noise. So, just as we were selling our second car to help reduce costs while Laurie's company, Mamlambo, gets going, I take the car in.

Sure enough, it's an exhaust manifold leak. This time they have good news, though. Flyin' Miata is sending Corky Bell, in Texas, the guides for machining new parts that will fit my Miata. It was supposed to be less than two weeks. So, instead of taking the car apart twice in about a 2-3 week period, we decide it'll stay up there and they'll only do it once. This was at the beginning of February, 2004.

Well, it's at the end of the month now and we still don't have the car back.

But get this. They (PR Motorsports) called multiple times last week. By Friday, they had the parts from Texas (finally -- late) but Flyin' Miata hadn't sent their part of the stuff yet. Eh? They had weeks to send them... *sigh*

Blarf!

I would like to say, though, that all though it has not been a pleasant experience, the people at PR Motorsports have been very nice. I certainly don't blame them. They've even let me sit in on days and use my laptop while waiting for stuff to get done. Early on, Bill Cardell of Flyin' Miata also called me directly to apologize for all of the trouble. This was a nice and welcome gesture. Between all of the companies, they have been shielding me from a project that is probably 3x over on labor charges and probably 2x over on parts costs.

Now that I've got myself all cought up, I can hopefully keep up better on the progress of the 2 week project gone awry!

Posted by Shane on February 24, 2004 11:16 PM | Permalink