What did you do to your Blackwing today?

[EhsanF]

Onboard of my fastest lap:

 

[Roadhawk]

What a great run - congrats. I really like that track as well (but I'm not a track guy....still)

 

[savethemanual]

What's next?

Incoming. What were you thinking when you picked your username, your credibility is severely eroded.

Looks like I can keep my user name after all. Might be on the wrong manufacturer forum though
ND3 grand touring, manual of course.

I wanted something completely different than the blackwing- it was between this, a boxster and a C8. I hope the cheapest choice winds up being the best.

First impressions- Its so damn light and small. The blackwing had set a high bar on manual feel but this feels even better tbh. The convertible aspect adds a level of drama which I was not expecting.

Its obviously much much slower but I get to shift a lot more which is fun. Its also too quiet inside just like the blackwing so have already ordered an axle back exhaust. There are so many options for the miata so that's promising.

Anyhow,

 

[Matt27]

Looks like I can keep my user name after all. Might be on the wrong manufacturer forum though
ND3 grand touring, manual of course.

I wanted something completely different than the blackwing- it was between this, a boxster and a C8. I hope the cheapest choice winds up being the best.

First impressions- Its so damn light and small. The blackwing had set a high bar on manual feel but this feels even better tbh. The convertible aspect adds a level of drama which I was not expecting.

Its obviously much much slower but I get to shift a lot more which is fun. Its also too quiet inside just like the blackwing so have already ordered an axle back exhaust. There are so many options for the miata so that's promising.

Anyhow,

Mazda's red is so good. Congrats.

 

[savethemanual]

Mazda's red is so good. Congrats.

I agree, the red is gorgeous. IMO its the only good miata color. Everything else is a shade of grey.
It was also a little hard to find as its end of the year and not many 24s are around anymore. Found this and jumped on it.

 

[sonny200]

I agree, the red is gorgeous. IMO its the only good miata color. Everything else is a shade of grey.
It was also a little hard to find as its end of the year and not many 24s are around anymore. Found this and jumped on it.

Two words for you: Flyin Miata
I knew them even before Bill & Teri Cardell started FM when it was still known as The Dealer Alternative in West Orange, NJ. It was the year I met them that they moved to Colorado. When I had my NA Miata, I essentially had the entire FM catalogue installed in her. With FM's complete turbo kit & aftermarket ECU, I was making (a dyno proven) 255rwhp on 93 octane. Since then, there have been lots of companies (come & go) making aftermarket goodies for the Miata. But none as well tested & proven to be beneficial (IMHO). Their long lasting customer base is a testiment to what they do & how well they do it. If you're into modifying your Miata, go talk to the peeps at FM. You won't be disappointed!

 

[5VBW Nick]

I almost went that route earlier this year. I am 6'3" though, and headroom is an issue without seat lowering brackets. Also, convertible weather around northern New York is very minimal.

Congratulations, looks great!

 

[coffee_time]

Looks like I can keep my user name after all. Might be on the wrong manufacturer forum though
ND3 grand touring, manual of course.

I wanted something completely different than the blackwing- it was between this, a boxster and a C8. I hope the cheapest choice winds up being the best.

First impressions- Its so damn light and small. The blackwing had set a high bar on manual feel but this feels even better tbh. The convertible aspect adds a level of drama which I was not expecting.

Its obviously much much slower but I get to shift a lot more which is fun. Its also too quiet inside just like the blackwing so have already ordered an axle back exhaust. There are so many options for the miata so that's promising.

Anyhow,

Their red is fantastic but seriously, the paint quality on the entire Mazda range is fantastic.

 

[Super Saloon]

Looks like I can keep my user name after all. Might be on the wrong manufacturer forum though
ND3 grand touring, manual of course.

I wanted something completely different than the blackwing- it was between this, a boxster and a C8. I hope the cheapest choice winds up being the best.

First impressions- Its so damn light and small. The blackwing had set a high bar on manual feel but this feels even better tbh. The convertible aspect adds a level of drama which I was not expecting.

Its obviously much much slower but I get to shift a lot more which is fun. Its also too quiet inside just like the blackwing so have already ordered an axle back exhaust. There are so many options for the miata so that's promising.

Anyhow,

Great choice! I’m glad you are still living up to your user name. I also have a drop top GT, though mine is an ND2. The car isn’t quiet at highway speeds like the Blackwing which you will soon learn, only the exhaust is quiet. Good luck on your search for an axle back. After trying several combinations I landed on the HKS LP. It’s not too loud but just enough to make the car not sound like an econobox like the stock unit. You will also enjoy the fuel economy, I average 35mpg in mine. I found myself choosing the ND2 over the Blackwing in the summer but the other 3 seasons I prefer the BW. Feel free to reach out with any Miata questions and I’ll see you on the other side!

 

[savethemanual]

I almost went that route earlier this year. I am 6'3" though, and headroom is an issue without seat lowering brackets. Also, convertible weather around northern New York is very minimal.

Congratulations, looks great!

I JUST fit in mine. And it’s on the non recaros. I don’t fit in the recaros. Might explore a bucket or the brackets at some point to get even lower.

 

[668LT4]

Looks like I can keep my user name after all. Might be on the wrong manufacturer forum though
ND3 grand touring, manual of course.

I wanted something completely different than the blackwing- it was between this, a boxster and a C8. I hope the cheapest choice winds up being the best.

First impressions- Its so damn light and small. The blackwing had set a high bar on manual feel but this feels even better tbh. The convertible aspect adds a level of drama which I was not expecting.

Its obviously much much slower but I get to shift a lot more which is fun. Its also too quiet inside just like the blackwing so have already ordered an axle back exhaust. There are so many options for the miata so that's promising.

Anyhow,

Very cool, congrats!! Honestly, I could tell in other posts you were not going to buy a CT5-V Blackwing. I'm glad you settled on the Miata, very cool car, and very different.

 

[Z51L9889]

Their red is fantastic but seriously, the paint quality on the entire Mazda range is fantastic.

Not all of them. We had a red 2019 Mazda3 that we bought new. As many have said, the color is absolutely beautiful. The paint is great as long as you never touch it, take it to a car wash, or try to hand dry it. I swear that the clear coat on our car scratched just by looking at it, lol. I'm an amateur detailer that has done several dozen paint corrections over the years, and the finish on this car was by far the softest, thinnest, and most delicate paint I've ever dealt with. Paint correction on this car was orders of magnitude more difficult than any other car I've ever detailed.

 

[coffee_time]

Not all of them. We had a red 2019 Mazda3 that we bought new. As many have said, the color is absolutely beautiful. The paint is great as long as you never touch it, take it to a car wash, or try to hand dry it. I swear that the clear coat on our car scratched just by looking at it, lol. I'm an amateur detailer that has done several dozen paint corrections over the years, and the finish on this car was by far the softest, thinnest, and most delicate paint I've ever dealt with. Paint correction on this car was orders of magnitude more difficult than any other car I've ever detailed.

Ah that sucks. They always look so great clean - but I've never owned one.

 

[sonny200]

You can't tell by looking at her but I installed the Soler Performance Bluetooth Throttle Controller today. It really "livens up" the throttle response with so many more options than OEM. In addition, I can deactivate the throttle pedal as a theft deterrant when the vehicle is parked.

The photo also shows how the meaty Michelin Pilot A/S 325 fit in the rear.

 

[Sully]

Since BW was already jacked up to do the CF rockers.. went ahead and did the rear diff fluid. Only 11k miles and boy the fluid is dark and smells amazing.

 

[Deneed4spd]

Since BW was already jacked up to do the CF rockers.. went ahead and did the rear diff fluid. Only 11k miles and boy the fluid is dark and smells amazing.

I did mine at 1200 miles and it was pretty dang dirty. Surprised it isn’t part of regular maintenance even if u don’t track similar to M cars break in. Mine almost had a metallic hue. Compared to my Honda truck (yes it’s not the same) but that even after 25000 seemed still clear.

 

[5VBW Nick]

Since BW was already jacked up to do the CF rockers.. went ahead and did the rear diff fluid. Only 11k miles and boy the fluid is dark and smells amazing.

Just used stock fluid? Or something else?

 

[Sully]

Just used stock fluid? Or something else?

75w-85 SAF-EH Modified Low Viscosity Rear Axle Lubricant - GM#19418501

 

[565565]

Since BW was already jacked up to do the CF rockers.. went ahead and did the rear diff fluid. Only 11k miles and boy the fluid is dark and smells amazing.

How hard is it to do the CF rockers. I got mine but was too lazy to install them yet.

 

[KatyTxCT5V]

How hard is it to do the CF rockers. I got mine but was too lazy to install them yet.

Not sure if you have the OEM kit or Anderson outer skirt.
I have the OEM CF rockers and they have clips in every direction, so much harder than you might believe to remove to mount the outer CF skirts, especially when you’re being careful to reuse the factory painted lower rockers.
Here’s are some pictures from the OEM primed lower rocker CF kit to provide an idea. Now that I have a few days off, plan to try again and finish my CF2 upgrade. I have been communicating with Sully and appreciate his guidance from his experience.

Once these are installed, I will have completed the OEM CF1 & 2 options. I plan to share my experience on the CF rear diffuser and modifications required when installing on a non-CF rear bumper. It was a pain in the butt. There are few different rear bumpers from my learnings…