This write-up describes the process of replacement of a soft top for a Mazda Miata. My vehicle is a 92, but I think that this might be very similar for many model years of Miata. I refer to this as “removal and installation” because removing the old top can be (at least was for me) a task requiring as much effort as installation of the new top. This is particularly true when you are not an expert at removing convertible tops, or have no previous experience replacing Miata tops. Without adequate instructions this can (and did for me) turn into a job taking 15 to 20 hours and requiring a few trips to the hardware store. Instructions from Mazda or from the people who sell you the top might claim that the job will “take you an afternoon with a few common tools”. Good luck with that! I’m writing this in hopes that someone else will not have as much difficulty as I did.
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In 1993 Chrysler has improved security in their Double-Bitted locking system. All 1993 vehicles will utilize a new key groove (78 primary, 79 vallet), the change in key groove will initiate a keyway restricted vallet system and new J-Series codes. A seventh tumbler has been added to the ignitions. To continue giving your customers the quality service their use to, the following should be noted when servicing the 1993 vehicles:
• Some new component parts have been added to the line, old component parts remain unchanged. (Tumblers, Caps, Shutters, Springs, Pawls, Shafts)
• New lock service packages will be required for 1993.
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One Of the oldest traditions in racing and road-tripping is Targa competition. Invented in Italy in 1906 as the Targa Florio, a Targa is an extended road trip with speed competition sections mixed with transit and endurance sections. The “Targa” name comes from the Italian word for a crest, or plate — the emblem traditionally bestowed on the winner. After the Targa Florio became famous, other nations took up the practice of high-speed races over public roads. Thus, the event was imitated in Britain, Mexico, Australia, Tasmania, New Zealand, and on the Canadian island of Newfoundland. You might wonder what a 102-year-old Italian goat-trail race has to do with us? Just ask any racer or rallyist for a short list of the races he or she hopes to enter in this lifetime, and you’ll get your answer. Targa Newfoundland is one of the most exhilarating challenges in the world, and it’s tailor-made for a Miata.
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Miata introduced in fall of 1989 with a base price of $13,800. Originally designed as a $7,500 sports car, dollar-to-yen fluctuations drove the price up a couple of years before its introduction. The Miata Club of America is started months before the auto’s release in anticipation of the reaction the auto will provoke. Demand far surpasses supply. Some dealers are asking and receiving twice the sticker price for the first six months. Because of the Miata’s introduction, Automobile Magazine starts an annual tradition of naming one car the Automobile of the Year. The first award goes to the Miata. “Most Fun” Autoweek, Chicago Auto Show Road & Track names the Miata one of the five best cars on Earth, along side of a Mercedes, BMW and Porsche.
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In 1993 Chrysler has improved security in their Double-Bitted locking system. All 1993 vehicles will utilize a new key groove (78 primary, 79 vallet), the change in key groove will initiate a keyway restricted vallet system and new J-Series codes. A seventh tumbler has been added to the ignitions.

To continue giving your customers the quality service their use to, the following should be noted when servicing the 1993 vehicles:
• Some new component parts have been added to the line, old component parts remain unchanged. (Tumblers, Caps, Shutters, Springs, Pawls, Shafts)
• New lock service packages will be required for 1993.
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This month’s column is the short version of an article I wrote for Miata Magazine about a Mazda Miata cylinder head and intake manifold project we were contracted for by Bill Cardell of “Flyin Miata”. Flyin Miata is a Miata high performance specialty house located in Grand Junction, Colorado. The full text version, pictures and dyno charts of this article are in the magazine version out this month. The cylinder head and intake manifold was from a Miata 1.6-liter engine that had undergone a bit of Bill’s turbo add-on magic. The subject in question is a streetcar and would be a daily driver. We would remain conservative here; this is not an all out race engine or car. Still, we could and would help make it stronger.
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The Secret To Suspensions
At most, you’ve got 4 strips of rubber keeping you connected to the ground. Keep this in mind at all times when considering how a chance will affect that tire/ground interface. An optimized suspension will take into account how each suspension components affects the vehicle in acceleration, braking, cornering, over rough terrain (even race tracks have berms) and especially at the limit of adhesion when encountering any combination these at the same time.
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1990-1993 Wiring Chart Circuit LG/W GY/W R/W R/Y P/W LB R/Y GY BK/LB, PK/LG BK/Y T/Y Not Used LB/R BK Circuit Function Left Turn Indicator Hi Beam Indicator Coolant Temperature Sender Feed 12V Input1 Check Brake Indicator Feed Low Coolant Indicator Feed 12V Input1 Check Oil Indicator Feed Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) Feed Air Bag Indicator Tachometer Feed Not Used Illumination Feed Ground Pin Number Circuit Not Used R/LG Not Used Not Used Not Used Not Used R/Y W/R BK Y/W LB/R W/LB DG/LG LG/R Circuit Function Not Used Ignition Switch Not Used Not Used Not Used Not Used 12V Input1 Oil Pressure Gauge Feed Ground Fuel Gauge Feed Illumination Feed Right Turn Indicator Fasten Belts Indicator Battery Indicator Feed
Match to same colors as the 1987-1989 harness.
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The KraftWerks Mazda Miata Supercharger kit is designed and engineered to install with ease. If you are a competent mechanic with a good set of tools the installation will be relatively simple. This is a general installation guide for the KraftWerks Mazda Miata kit however each installation may vary slightly. Please keep these key factors in mind before installing: Please review the entire installation guide before attempting install. If you have any questions about your ability to perform this installation, we recommend you take your vehicle to a performance shop for installation.
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The steps of timing belt installation for this 1993 Mercury Villager LS.
Removal
1. Disconnect negative battery cable. Raise and support vehicle. Remove covers from below engine. Drain cooling system. Remove right front wheel and engine side cover. Remove accessory drive belts. Remove crankshaft pulley bolt and pulley. 2. Remove upper radiator hose and water inlet hose. Remove A/C compressor idler pulley and bracket. Remove water pump pulley. Remove upper and lower timing belt front covers. See Fig. 1 . 3. Temporarily install crankshaft pulley bolt so crankshaft can be rotated. Set cylinder No. 1 at TDC of compression stroke by rotating crankshaft until marks on camshaft sprockets align with marks on timing belt upper rear cover, and mark on crankshaft sprocket aligns with mark on front cover housing. See Fig. 2 . 4. Loosen timing belt tensioner nut. Release tension on belt. Remove timing belt. Check timing belt tensioner, spring and timing belt.
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