Power side mirrors

Minh · Post by **Minh** » Fri Jun 13, 2003 10:43 am

Does anybody know anything about the Miata's side view mirrors?

My Roadster "IS" and will be a fully loaded and powered Roadster. I have been spoiled by modern cars.

And now I can't live without them.

I am successful with the power locks, power mirrrors, and power antenae. Not expensive at all.

The power mirrors I am researching into. Is there anything in between the power mirror controller and mirror themselves? If not COOL!!!

Thanks for the help.

Minh · Post by **Minh** » Wed Jun 18, 2003 2:00 pm

I did some digging around and got 1st and 2nd sources. They Mazda Miata power mirror have only 3 pieces and conector plugs.
1. Left mirror
2. Right mirror
3. Indash mirror controller switch.
4. Wiring connector plugs (to connect the mirrors to the conrol switch.)

The power and ground wires are connected directly to the control switch. The says it is very low amp fuse ~ 1 amp.

The Mazda salvage yard says the whole thing for $150. I sure it's less elswhere.

Wether they will look straight is another question.

Thats it....

SLOroadster · Post by **SLOroadster** » Wed Jun 18, 2003 7:50 pm

All I have to ask is why? It sounds like you are asking for more problems than its worth. Plus your adding weight.

Sorry I'll step off my soap box. Have fun with your quest for a modern roadster

.

Will

Post by **spl310** » Thu Jun 19, 2003 8:14 am

I have to agree with Will. If you are going to add all of the modern conveniences, wouldn't it be easier to find a Miata with sheetmetal damage and graft Roadster sheetmetal in it's place? Build it how you like. I always thought that the attraction of a vintage sports car is that it is vintage....

Minh · Post by **Minh** » Thu Jun 19, 2003 11:10 am

Yes, it will not be true to form purity, but there are enough pure form Roadsters for Historical aspect. My Roadster will never be unique like that.

If it would be cool to add whatever it is why not,.. yah no. I've taken the road less traveled my whole life. Not much different from adding a modern stereo.

I have a vision and in my own way trying to get these cars back on the road. It is more of crime to let this waste away.

No offense, I'm just a little wacky. Let's just say a Roadster has fallen into the wrong hands.

I don't intend to resale, show or race my Roadster (well maybe burn a few young modern hot rods at the lgiht).

As for as mirrors I'm using the Miata's cuz they are a bit cheaper than the BMW Z3's.

Post by **spl310** » Thu Jun 19, 2003 1:20 pm

Well, there are lots of remote mirrors that you can consider. Both electric and manual. I have seen a lot more modified Roadsters than dead on stock ones, so I think that the path that you are heading down has been travelled before. I recall one with power locks, power windows, t tops (on the removable hardtop of course), alarm, manual remote mirrors, power antenna, and an aftermarket stereo (that cranked LOUD). The guy also had a Judson supercharger that was next on the install list and then air conditioning. The seats were Recarro. His engine was a modified 1600 with a 5 speed, and the car was green. It was here in Florida back in the 80's when I was in college in Daytona.

Minh · Post by **Minh** » Thu Jun 19, 2003 3:17 pm

SId, that Roadster you saw sounds really cool!!! That's what I want. Now the t-tops that was silly. Would have liked to have seen that one.

Regardless... So I won't be the 1st. I gonna have my car my way. Different strokes for different folks... Apples vs. Oranges... Nurture vs. Care...

So long as there are more Roadster on the road is all I care - in the grand scheme. So long it doesn't evolve into some cult/lifestyle like VW Vans and 4-Runners for example.

Minh · Post by **Minh** » Mon Sep 01, 2003 8:01 pm

I found a really nice manual remote power mirror swap for anyone interested in this sort of thing. They were $13/each at the Pick-N-Pull.

The 85-86 Volkswagen Jetta and Golf have a pratically universal setup. (maybe other years but this is what I found) They are not big at all and collapse when hit while in reverse or something. They are paintable too.

They are easy to remove and very minor custom mod to install. They have to and need to be the small footprint variety, not the large over the corner mold variety. You'll know when you see em at the yard...

Later...

Post by **spl310** » Tue Sep 02, 2003 8:32 am

Although I would not do it, the T-top idea has merit if you are doing massive mods. For example, if you install a huge speaker box in the rear, it could prevent the top from folding down - making the hardtop a necessity during certain (rainy) times of the year. The removeable units would allow use during this time when it is dry as it would allow protection when the weather sours.

The other reason is something that I once saw in a custom Cobra replica. The guy owned an AC shop, and he put the evaporator in the trunk with the registers blowing forward through the rear firewall. Again, with the top down, you would lose the AC...

Minh · Post by **Minh** » Tue Sep 02, 2003 11:16 am

Ooooh... I was wondering if or at all AC was possible. But AC best works if the top is down.

My hardtop has a sunroof in it. So, the best I can do is a Targo top scheme.

Not likely since I'm not into that look, but somebody else might.

Speaking of Cobras. I found em! I really found em!

Man am I stoked.

7 inch aluminum Halibrand Racing Knockoffs reproductions for our 4 lug pattern.

The company that makes em doesn't have a web site. So if anyone is interested just ask and I will reply on the forum with the info.

Have to save up some money. They aren't cheap, but it will look so cool maintaining that 60's roadster-era styling

TR · Post by TR » Tue Sep 02, 2003 11:43 am

Hey Minh,

What do the wheels look like?

As for your quest for the "Power Roadster" - Like you said, everyone has their own idea of what their car should be. The roadster provides a platform you can tweak to your liking...I want to see it when your done! TR

Minh · Post by **Minh** » Tue Sep 02, 2003 1:09 pm

There are only 2 companies that make em - Trigo and PS Engineering.

PS Engineering makes a 4 lug adaptor.

Here is a link:
http://www.erareplicas.com/427/wheels.htm

Post by **spl310** » Tue Sep 02, 2003 1:34 pm

Trigo will not sell a 4 lug adaptor - at least that is what they told me a while back. I got the same info from PS engineering. It seems that they all were kind of snotty about the 4 lugs a while back. Since then, Factory 5 has talked PS into drilling the wheels for a 4 lug pattern! I like that as the adaptors require that you drill a spoke and safety wire the big wing nut in place. If you don't they may decide that you are going to slow and pass you on the road.

There are several varieties. The most common is the Cobra II reproduction wheel. That is the one seen on the 427SC Cobras. It is similar to the GT 40 wheel. (which PS also makes!) The one I prefer is the 289 competition wheel. It is also a 6 spoke design. If you are familiar with the Shelby Cragar wheels, they are visually similar. The Shelby Cragar wheels are a 5 spoke composit (alloy center and chrome steel rim) while the 289 comp wheel is an all alloy wheel.

There are other companies that make 5 spoke versions of the Cobra II wheel - Team III comes to mind. In England there is a company that makes a 3 piece version in a 4 lug. They were available from Europa a while back. If you keep digging you will also find that there was a company that made a fiberglass center cover for Centerline type wheels. You bolt the wheel on with a center cap that has a threaded top. The fiberglass slips on then the wing nut goes on....

Yeah, I have evil plans for a Cobra replica....

Minh · Post by **Minh** » Tue Sep 02, 2003 2:01 pm

My neighbor has commissioned me to do his Cobra replica after he has seen what I've done in restoring the Raodster. He wants to make sure I am a sound mechanic.

This commision is where I'm gonna be getting my rims and paint money from affter I get the Roadster running.

Before I got the Roadster I had evil plans for replica too. Somehow, I could not seem to muster up the $17,000-$25,000 from wife.

Maybe after the I get my own business, someday.

Post by **spl310** » Tue Sep 02, 2003 3:20 pm

Being a scavenger is my plan. I have found a body for $2500 - not the exact one I want, but it is the right price! I picked up a 289 for $25, a toploader for $75, a scattersheld for $10, made some taillights from some esoteric parts for $10 for the pair, headlight buckets for $10 for the pair, ignition switch, dash switches, and I have plans for inexpensive gauges and such. The frame was free (fully rebuilt front suspension) and headers will be old units that I have leftover from a mustang. I figure that if I have $5000, I can have the car put together. That price includes painting! It just takes patience and willingness to not be exact on the repro. My next challenge is to modify a shifter to be correct for a Cobra (the 289 shifter not the more common 427 unit). I will be able to do that for about $15....