The stubby antenna was the very first mod I did to my NB2. It looked like a RC Car with the factory antenna going up and down Everytime you turned on the ignition 😂. Not sure if it's a issue on the NC but a shifter rebuild with the bronze bushing was the second and still two years later the most effective mod I've done. Instantly made the car feel better and just more fun.
My suggestions: 1. A Cipher steering wheel. The steering wheel is what you interact with constantly while you drive, and the Cipher wheel's shape is a huge improvement, if you drive with two hands on the wheel, at the 3 and 9 positions. If you are a driver who steers with your left hand on the top of the wheel (bad steering technique!) don't waste your money on a different steering wheel for "the look". 2. Spray those orange side markers on the front bumper with a gray tint paint. It makes a huge difference, and the side markers will still be visible at night. 3. I think that replacing the piano black center dash trim with one that's painted Winning Blue would look great. 4. Flyin' Miata door bushings. They improve the stiffness of the car, and their new (2nd generation) are only $20 for a pair. 5. Paint the silver rollbar hoop covers Winning Blue to match the dash suggestion (#3) 6. Add an auto dimming rearview mirror. I put a Gentex in, with a digital compass display. It was under $60, is a direct swap, and has three wires to hook up.
I’ve got the center dash trim off my 08 that you can have to experiment with if you don’t want to chance ruining the original. I live near your brother so next time you’re in town I’d be happy to drop it by. Also I agree with a Cipher Steering Wheel upgrade, probably the best thing I’ve done to my NC3. Good luck and I’ll be following your progress.
The old Mazdaspeed front end looks really good if you can find one and want to part with the cash. Progress springs and sway bars with Koni yellows are supposed to be a great choice
Good choice. I picked up my 2006 Winning Blue about 10 years ago. Since then... 2.5 swap with cams, Ohlins with 10/8K springs, urethane bushings, rear sway delete, Wilwood brakes, Weds 17x9-17 with 255 or 245 tires, Quaife LSD. MS replica front bumper and skirts, Sparco race seats and much more. Made 180 at the wheels. Great weekend and track toy. Recently added a Fab9 turbo that I'm working the kinks out of. Look at MeisterR coilovers Biggest issue you'll run into with the NCs and any engine mods is finding a responsive and reliable ecutek tuner. Looking forward to your adventure.
Mate hello from Brisbane where I'm sitting in my blue 06. Had it 5 years and it's been my daily. I got coilovers early on but reckon the best option probably would have been the FM full kit. This thing is a scalpel but lacks the balance of the OEM and probably the FM. I suggest checking out that kind of option as you get to know the car. Cheers John
Looking forward to seeing the build. I've just started to mod my '06... I am envious of your Air Conditioning, that's going to be a big job for me. I agree it needs a front splitter/lip. I'm leaning towards the Garage Vary one, but we'll see. I went full chrome delete (mine's True Red, so the chrome was a bit garish for my taste). For Spoilers, I like a duck tail so leaning towards Jet Stream for mine. Wheels are expensive so for me that's far in the future. I like the darker wheel look on your blue though, I hope you keep in that theme. Interior: I think you're right on about NC2+ door cards and centre console... those cup holders. Hope modding is as fun for you as it is for me, can't wait to see what you do!
Hello, I am a proponant of replacing the "piano black" interior parts with body color. That's what I would do with the fuel cap as well. Whatever, have fun in your new ride!
I think a rollbar, or at least an upgrade to the stock ones would be my #1. Even if I don't plan on racing, and can get away with a smaller one.
The stubby antenna was the very first mod I did to my NB2. It looked like a RC Car with the factory antenna going up and down Everytime you turned on the ignition 😂. Not sure if it's a issue on the NC but a shifter rebuild with the bronze bushing was the second and still two years later the most effective mod I've done. Instantly made the car feel better and just more fun.
My suggestions:
1. A Cipher steering wheel. The steering wheel is what you interact with constantly while you drive, and the Cipher wheel's shape is a huge improvement, if you drive with two hands on the wheel, at the 3 and 9 positions. If you are a driver who steers with your left hand on the top of the wheel (bad steering technique!) don't waste your money on a different steering wheel for "the look".
2. Spray those orange side markers on the front bumper with a gray tint paint. It makes a huge difference, and the side markers will still be visible at night.
3. I think that replacing the piano black center dash trim with one that's painted Winning Blue would look great.
4. Flyin' Miata door bushings. They improve the stiffness of the car, and their new (2nd generation) are only $20 for a pair.
5. Paint the silver rollbar hoop covers Winning Blue to match the dash suggestion (#3)
6. Add an auto dimming rearview mirror. I put a Gentex in, with a digital compass display. It was under $60, is a direct swap, and has three wires to hook up.
Watching this makes me want to make a few improvements on my 2008 SE.
Definitely recommend a Cipher steering wheel. One of my favorite interior upgrades to my NC
I’ve got the center dash trim off my 08 that you can have to experiment with if you don’t want to chance ruining the original. I live near your brother so next time you’re in town I’d be happy to drop it by. Also I agree with a Cipher Steering Wheel upgrade, probably the best thing I’ve done to my NC3. Good luck and I’ll be following your progress.
The old Mazdaspeed front end looks really good if you can find one and want to part with the cash. Progress springs and sway bars with Koni yellows are supposed to be a great choice
Good choice. I picked up my 2006 Winning Blue about 10 years ago. Since then... 2.5 swap with cams, Ohlins with 10/8K springs, urethane bushings, rear sway delete, Wilwood brakes, Weds 17x9-17 with 255 or 245 tires, Quaife LSD. MS replica front bumper and skirts, Sparco race seats and much more. Made 180 at the wheels. Great weekend and track toy.
Recently added a Fab9 turbo that I'm working the kinks out of.
Look at MeisterR coilovers
Biggest issue you'll run into with the NCs and any engine mods is finding a responsive and reliable ecutek tuner.
Looking forward to your adventure.
That ending drone shot was niiiiiice.
Hi, I have a 2006 silver that I bought this March.
Looking forward to your mods.
In the meantime, enjoy your little beast .
Cheers from Canada
Following for the long term transformation. Keep er up bro. 👏
Mate hello from Brisbane where I'm sitting in my blue 06. Had it 5 years and it's been my daily. I got coilovers early on but reckon the best option probably would have been the FM full kit. This thing is a scalpel but lacks the balance of the OEM and probably the FM. I suggest checking out that kind of option as you get to know the car. Cheers John
Congrats! Great pick up. I kinda like the exterior blue for the dash trim.
Will definitely be following along, too. My '13 PRHT is totally stock, but I'm thinking a few things should be changed . . .
Looking forward to seeing the build. I've just started to mod my '06... I am envious of your Air Conditioning, that's going to be a big job for me.
I agree it needs a front splitter/lip. I'm leaning towards the Garage Vary one, but we'll see. I went full chrome delete (mine's True Red, so the chrome was a bit garish for my taste). For Spoilers, I like a duck tail so leaning towards Jet Stream for mine. Wheels are expensive so for me that's far in the future. I like the darker wheel look on your blue though, I hope you keep in that theme.
Interior: I think you're right on about NC2+ door cards and centre console... those cup holders.
Hope modding is as fun for you as it is for me, can't wait to see what you do!
I'll definitely be watching with interest as I have a '12 grand touring hard top that is bone stock except for the wiper switch and antenna.
Go low and wide and you cant go wrong.
Hello, I am a proponant of replacing the "piano black" interior parts with body color. That's what I would do with the fuel cap as well. Whatever, have fun in your new ride!
Guys we’re can I find a new engine for my 2006 NC
what size tires and wheels you running? any suspension mods?
Keep the Chrome, to much black looks boring
I’m in the market to buy a nc2 but mostly nc3.. selling my na8 to purchase a nc hopefully soon.
Nice ride.