We got the 200SX SE-R back from the local shop that installed the front end poly bushings ($$ ouch $$), etc. My wife likes it a lot, and it's her car; I still think the turn-in is iffy but I'm so used to the Miata now. My theory remains that the steering rack bushings were the culprit.

Also, the shift linkage bushing is in, big improvement from the fist-into-the-glovebox-going-into-fifth arrangement previously -- but she still wants a short shifter (uh, okay).

Now that I'm satisfied that the car doesn't have an unsolvable problem, we'll keep it; next we'll phase in a few more improvements: sound system, brakes (again), intake/exhaust.

Did we take the car out and fling it about on back roads to test it out? No (er, I did chuck it through a few corners on the way home from the shop), we hitched up the trailer (+/- 400lb) and brought home 3,000 lb of topsoil. We should name this car "Timex", it takes a licking and keeps on ticking!

I'm glad you are happy with the new upgrades. They should really tighten up the handling. Turn-in is an issue only solved with very sophisticated tuning, because of the lazy ass rear beam. In this respect it may never feel like a miata. It will however beat teh shit out of it in a straight line, with a few upgrades.
Brakes are strong stock, but can easily be upgraded nicely. The sound sytsem does leave something to be desired as well. Is the ride bone stock? Later'z Ben

Originally posted by Tigermiata
we hitched up the trailer (+/- 400lb) and brought home 3,000 lb of topsoil.

Are you serious?? A SE-R can tow that much?

And the sound system was one of the 1st things I did when I bought my car. I was lucky it came with a few mods. ;) And all I did was take the old system out of my other car and buy a new sub.

Originally posted by Bennitto Mallito
They should really tighten up the handling. Turn-in is an issue only solved with very sophisticated tuning, because of the lazy ass rear beam. In this respect it may never feel like a miata. It will however beat teh shit out of it in a straight line, with a few upgrades. Is the ride bone stock?

Hmmm, wondering about differential shock settings, F/R to affect handling balance but my wife is used to FWD and I don't want the car rotating _too_ fast on her.

Yeah, no problem showing the Miata some Nissan taillights in a straight line at all. OTOH, there are mods available for the Mazda, too, you know. ;)

Bone stock? Nothing major, that's sure. KYB AGX shocks, $tillen strut bar, Brembo rotors, braided stainless brake lines, Yoko AVSi tires and now the bushings. And -- oh yes -- the Nis-Knacks style grille and a chrome propeller sticking out of the trailer hitch.

Originally posted by Bennitto Mallito
Turn-in is an issue only solved with very sophisticated tuning, because of the lazy ass rear beam. In this respect it may never feel like a miata

It's not that hard to fix. All you need is the stock front swaybar and a ST or even better Stillen adjustable rear bar. Easy.

Steve

Originally posted by Chrissy
Are you serious?? A SE-R can tow that much?

Yeah, but I wouldn't recommend it under normal circumstances -- but our local dirt/mulch place is maybe 4 miles from home, and no serious hills. A little clutch slipping to get going, and _lots_ of extra stopping room, and it was OK.

We have a 4x8 utility trailer, a kit from Northern Hydraulics (the mail-order catalog), which I've upgraded to 13" radial tires on spoked steel wheels, and did nice wooden sides out of pressure-treated 2x4's and marine ($$$) plywood with all stainless steel hardware. Nice, hauls and tracks well, but heavy (I actually get compliments on the trailer). After bending the axle once trying to transport a ton of sheetrock, I got a replacement axle and had it reinforced before installing it -- but I suspect 3000lb was _really_ close to the limit.

The SE-R pulls it better than my old '92 Toyota 4x2 pickup with the 2.4 litre four (stock engine except header and exhaust) did. OTOH, until the local dump built a place for cars to off-load into a dumpster from a concrete pad, I dreaded taking home-improvement debris to the dump and fighting the deep-rutted dirt hilltop in the SE-R, dodging the trash trucks and whatnot.

Overall, we've found that a sedan and a trailer means we don't need a truck in our household. YMMV.

Originally posted by Tigermiata


I have a 4x8 utility trailer, a kit from Northern Hydraulics (the mail-order catalog), which I've upgraded to 13" radial tires on spoked steel wheels, and did nice wooden sides out of pressure-treated 2x4's and marine ($$$) plywood with all stainless steel hardware. Nice, hauls and tracks well, but heavy (I actually get compliments on the trailer). After bending the axle once trying to transport a ton of sheetrock, I got a replacement axle and had it reinforced before installing it -- but I suspect 3000lb was _really_ close to the limit.
.

Nice trailer. I have the base model with out all the HP mods. I did do some nice wood sides. People at Lowes usually notice my trailer not my car. I guess I need to stop modding my car and conctrate on the trailer more. More bang for the buck. As I have said before: The best $250 I have ever spent. How this for an idea "www.HPutilitytrailerforum.com".

Steve

Originally posted by 98sr20de
I guess I need to stop modding my car and conctrate on the trailer more. More bang for the buck. As I have said before: The best $250 I have ever spent. How this for an idea "www.HPutilitytrailerforum.com".

LOL! Hmm, perhaps not a bad idea!

BTW, one of those 2-wheels-and-a-handle trolleys for manuvering the thing while unhitched is a must!

I'll admit to being delinquent on replacing the lighting since the last refurbish (old wood rotted off, hence the hi-$$ approach this time). A fellow Tiger owner gave me a spare set of Tiger taillights and emblems, and I've been tempted to install them on the trailer. ;)

I wonder how long there would have to be a www.HPutilitytrailerforum.com before someone was doing a ricified trailer -- lowered, big wing off the back, yellow interior, Altezzas... :eek:

(begining to think, due to drift, that this topic belonged better in "Off-Topic" or "General SR20DE")

It's been fun, but I'm done.

Steve

(begining to think, due to drift, that this topic belonged better in "Off-Topic" or "General SR20DE")

Dude no way; We need th threads here in this forum. You should start mas producing those trailers too hehe

For the shocks I ride 1 front, and 2 rear on the street.

Originally posted by Bennitto Mallito
(begining to think, due to drift, that this topic belonged better in "Off-Topic" or "General SR20DE")
Dude no way; We need th threads here in this forum

LOL! OK...

I'm driving the SE-R this AM; my wife "stole" the Miata. Once over the fact that it's a bigger car, you know the steady-rate cornering is pretty darn good. OTOH, that's what F-body owners say vs our cars.:eek: :eek: :eek: