Fixing the NC Miata's weak points

Today we are replacing the front wheel bearings and the coolant expansion tank on the NC in preparation for track time.
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[@StefanMailey]

I wrecked my RX8 6 years ago. I was an avid viewer of this channel. I took a break from youtube for a few years. Now my son has a RX8 and Iv found this channel again. I was always subscribed but wasn't getting your videos pushed to me. Happy to be back lads!

[@Online_ToughGuy]

I never get their videos suggested to me, always have to go land right on the page or deliberately search. Pretty sure they have gotten shadow banned

[@TheSlipAngle]

Happy to have you back! Good luck with your son's build!

[@TheSlipAngle]

@@Online_ToughGuy Yeah, I don't think KZbin is very fond of us sometimes. Although we don't build 3000hp V24 Quad Turbo 6WD Fiestas so I guess we're the problem.

[@Online_ToughGuy]

@@TheSlipAngle I’m sure it’s frustrating. For what it’s worth I myself appreciate the driving experience centric nature of your content as opposed to the fast build/lifestyle quantity over quality crap that is so prevalent. WATCH US DO PULLS ON DA WAY TO STARBUCKS AT 50 PSI SLAMMED ON BC COILS FILMED IN MEXICO DONT MISS UR CHANCE TO WIN OUR DRIFT MISSILE GIVEAWAY N BUY OUR KEYCHAINSBRAH gets so tiring

[@goldenegg1063]

I Like Watermelons 🍉 😋

[@louKushh]

this car is sweet. funny how I never liked the NC, but in my older age, it's becoming my favorite miata.

[@lurcheradogs4life]

My thoughts exactly 💯

[@honda_miata]

Most sensible miata for sure.

[@TheSlipAngle]

I feel the exact same way. I never thought I would ever get rid of my NA

[@davidmccaughan2710]

Incremental upgrades really tell the story. It's how us real people do it, rather than these bugillion $ builds seen on other channels. Thanks for keeping it real 👍

[@TrackMouse34]

I’m so glad NCs are getting the content they’ve always deserved. Nice video!

[@gregoryrobertson]

This is quite possibly the cleanest best looking Miata I've ever seen. And it's functional? Well done.

[@markmartin7384]

Loving the black with silver wheels look. Thats my new jam

[@TheSlipAngle]

Classic and will never go out of style!

[@markmartin7384]

for real. Im painting my car black and my wheels getting refinished in silver because of your black FD@@TheSlipAngle

[@Deadgrau5]

Just found this channel, just as I've bought my third NC, this time to do exactly the same purpose as yours so excited to follow this. One OEM mod that's meant to be great Is Yellow Dot Anti Roll Bars off an Rx8

[@eldalyeffendi6171]

New NC’er here. Do you plan on making a video or explains more ? Where did you get the new yellow bar from ? Cheers

[@patrickjones8209]

I installed EBC Yellow Stuff pads on my V8 NC1, and they are fantastic. With stock calipers too, I have plenty of stopping power.

[@Glenn-te4nl]

I've had the Ohlins R&Ts on my 2013 PRHT for about 9 months now. Have enjoyed on the street as well the track. So far so good.

[@lurcheradogs4life]

Glad to see some NC2 content, i too leaving my na turbo built motor behind to explore the NC2 route... dreaming of Cams , exhaust , itb,s ,etc. ...hope to see more tuning content 😊

[@TheSlipAngle]

Nice! Don't you worry, there is a pile of parts at my house for this thing, just fighting the New England weather right now unfortunately.

[@agegonzo39]

This is an nc3

[@EchoSigma6]

I recently bought a used NC, it has over 186k miles on the odometer but it still runs good with no oil consumption issues. I have the same wheels but the Tein coil overs that are a bit too uncomfortable. I’m so glad to have stumbled upon your video as I will be replacing all the underside mounts and bushings this year. I subscribed to your channel and look forward to future releases so I can plan my rebuild of the suspension. I love my NC!

[@djf7380]

I have the Goodwin Clubsport coilovers on my NC2 and love them. Comfy on the street yet plenty firm enough for fast driving. Same rates as the Ohlins but more travel. I like that it doesn't feel like I bang into the bump stops or over limit extension on rebound. Very good all-around coilover. Also running the RX8 red/front and yellow/rear swaybars.

[@16vclub]

Xidas are the way! Drove an NA with them installed, off the shelf valving and spring rates, were awesome. Then installed a used set of gen 1 xidas in my NB with equivalent to 10kg rear and 15kg fronts and they're just as comfy if not comfier on the street compared to the ohlins and killer on track.

[@Beakz_]

I'm in the process of developing a front caliper upgrade for the NC utilizing an OEM porsche 4 piston caliper with the same caliper piston area (- 1% compared to stock is the closest I've found) to retain a similar brake pedal feel with the stock master cylinder, on as large diameter a rotor I can fit under a 16" wheel.

[@TheSlipAngle]

No way, that sounds great! Let us know when you are done, I'd love to check it out.

[@CruiseControl1]

Xida coilovers are pricy but worth it, if you want it comfortable you could get the touring setup they are 5k front and 4k rear, and if you don’t want the race 11k front and 7k rear you could tell them custom rates and they will build to your spec. Maybe 7k front and 5k rear would be a nice middle ground?

[@TheSlipAngle]

I had Xidas on my NA (now on the Exocet) and I am a believer. I'm guessing that they are on par with Ohlins. Right now it's on Meister-R Clubrace with 11K 6K and it's not bad cruising around, it's the chopped up roads and inability to raise them up enough that's bad. I think somewhere near 7K 5K would be a nice happy medium.

[@TiyamatFTL]

The NC really relies on its rear damper travel. The Öhlins barely have any, so they will work well on track but bottom out almost constantly on a bumpy backroad, so something like the xidas with a one length proper shock is the way to go

[@styledliving]

@@TheSlipAngle ohlins are complete garbage for this application. rear shock travel is simply non-existent. whoever made the ohlins setup just picked up off the shelf parts and installed them to fit w/o any understanding of the way the car actually works.

[@MiataChannel]

@@TheSlipAngle The Meister-R ZetaCRD coilovers are a great budget coilover for the NC. I have been running them on my NC2 for about 10 months, and they are fabulous. I unfortunately don't have Ohlin / Xida budget, and these are less than half the price.

[@bobbyrios2k223]

Small upgrades is the way! Glad more things are coming to the shop

[@thelowcartheory]

Both of you need Xidas. I was part of the developement for the RX-8 setup and they are amazing as a dual use shock. The Ohlins are fine (and I am a total Ohlins fanboy), but the rear shock geometry is compromised and you would lose travel. Spend the extra dollars and get Xidas, you wont regret it.

[@TheSlipAngle]

I love Xidas. I'll just have to bite the bullet I think.

[@citabriaable]

In 2022, I jumped on a 2008 Miata Grand Tourer w cow interior, heated seats, Bose 6 speaker stereo, upgraded BilStein shocks, added handling pckg, ect...but had only been driven 31,000 miles. Today it has less than 37,000 on it, and runs like its brand new, I mean. It will spin the tires like it's nuts, easily chirps 2nd gear, and so far top speed with me is 120 for a moment. But this is the crazy thing, the 169 hp engine & 6-speed has the coolest torque curve...when cruising the BRPW I can stick it in 6th gear with the cruise on at 45mph and it never falters at those speeds ??? So cool.......

[@ColoredinLight]

If you're wanting to stick with OEM - throw in the RX8 sway bars front and rear. I ran a yellow dot front and rear and really enjoyed it. Also, future proof your clutch pedal which is a super common failure point. The brake master cylinder tends to leak which then rusts your clutch pedal. Go with the Nielex clutch pedal brace like I did and you'll enjoy a much sturdier clutch feel and you wont have your pedal explode on the way to the track.

[@TheSlipAngle]

It's got a Racing Beat front sway bar on it currently, a bit aggressive and darty but that could also be the toe.

[@mattbell6908]

Racingbeat nc front bar with stock rear or whiteline rear. Works well on track and the soft rear bar allows for good street manners.

[@the_fist_inyou4785]

Just bought a 2013 club edition too! Same color, those RPF1s are quite sexy on this car especially in that silver 🥵

[@CargoInk]

I have a 2012 NC Grand Tour with the soft top and of course all black (Looks alike like yours) that I bought 10mons ago. I’m slowly mod’ing it and already did the expansion tank plus the power steering tank. I did do a stage 1 clutch because the bearing went bad. But I’m not really excited with it. Haven’t found anyone who has the same problem that I’m having on KZbin or any of the forums. It drives fine but don’t know the noise that the stage 1 clutch makes when I’m down shifting or off the power is normal. I’m not seeing any damage but replacing the clutch again is going to be in the near future. Looking to get a detachable top in the future also. Watch your channel did inform me about the front hub so replacing said hubs could be my next project. Can’t wait to see what you have in store for this NC..

[@nuketube2650]

Keep the NC content coming! I still need to do the RX8 hubs on my NC, but at least I have the aluminum coolant tank already. I have also been debating on a suspension that is primarily daily driven but track capable. I have been eyeing the Flyin Miata Koni sport kit.

[@mry82]

same here on all fronts... well don't have the tank yet, but eye on FM suspension!

[@TheSlipAngle]

I had the FM Koni Sport kit on my NA for a while. It's great on the street especially for the price. I question how well it will do on the track which is my only hangup. I like having height perch adjustment too for the ability to corner balance.

[@nuketube2650]

@@TheSlipAngle Makes me think should definitely call GWR/FM when I am ready to do the suspension upgrade (shooting for this summer) and get some personalized advice from them.

[@CruiseControl1]

Look at Xida coilovers in touring the front is 5k and rear is 4k, very good daily setup. You can also request custom rates like 7k front 5k rear if you want a little more.

[@nuketube2650]

@@CruiseControl1 Just looked into the Xidas and a video from SuperMiata about it. They definitely sound amazing, but it's rather pricey(~2k being my budget). Although I learned from that vid that I should look for something that maximizes the wheel travel like the Xidas do. Thanks for the suggestion.

[@LamborghiniReven1000]

I daily drive an NC2 with stock Bilstein suspension (I have a Grand Touring with the sport package, LSD, etc) and I test drove an NC3 with Ohlins coilovers, the ride felt identical in harshness to stock. I plan on getting Ohlins as soon as I can scrape together enough dough for the wheels you have and do it all at once. 17x9 RPF1s are THE wheels for this car. Subscribing for more vids, love it. Edit: Just checked out your website, noticed you have the exact wheels I want for sale. I know where I'll be buying them from when the time comes.

[@andrecarvalho2439]

Tein flex Z are an excelent option too. Dont know for the NC but in my NA is like a charm.

[@TheSlipAngle]

Quinn loves his Tein Coilovers... Another potential option

[@mry82]

Another great RX8 based upgrade for daily driven NCs... intermittent wiper stalk... easy to replace with same plug/hardware... Not sure if any NCs came with that (I have an 06 Sport), but the ECU knows what to do with it! Sway bars too, for a mile upgrade from the RX8.. I'd like to do a full Flyin' Miata suspension at some point.

[@mry82]

No comments on the ultimate NC upgrade? lol You guys need to learn to appreciate the massive difference it makes when you become your own god of wiper speed! :P

[@mattbell6908]

Sakebomb ohlins for three rx8 and Nc! Definitely the way to go Unless you spring for the xidas. Dfv valving, longer travel than the standard ohlins and you can select the spring rates you want from Sakebomb.

[@elo7393]

Plot twist there are no weak points on the NC Miata!!

[@brianharnish2503]

I'm gonna have to go with Quinn on this one, you should have gone with that red S2 RX8 for handling😂. Haha, I forgot the front bearings on my NC were shot when I bought it. Ride home sucked! I ended up going with the RX8's also. 👍🏼. Nice video layout today. Glad you guys have been uploading more vids lately.

[@TheSlipAngle]

Hahahahaha! I would have been just as happy with that S2, maybe happier! The simplicity of a trade was the appealing part.

[@brianharnish2503]

@@TheSlipAngle I hear that! S2 found a good home😃

[@TheSlipAngle]

I tried for ya Brian! lol - Quinn

[@OhayoRoadsters]

Love the OEM+ mods. RX-8’s are extremely underrated

[@jaystink]

Nice! Very excited to see your impressions of the new Goodwin coilovers! I'm hoping they hit the streetcar sweetspot that Goodwin describes, but I haven't seen enough reviews to be certain. It'll be my first aftermarket suspension, and I'd like it to not suck. lol

[@TheSlipAngle]

I couldn't find anything either as far as review videos go. Seems like a sweet spot for a mostly street driven car.

[@rezi420]

A thing that always gets overlooked or just forgotten is the bolt holding the brake discs to the hub, it's cheap to get from mx5 parts

[@TheSlipAngle]

I wasn't a fan that this car didn't have them, I'll definitely grab a set!

[@RichJ_youtube]

Love the color and the black accents. I’d personally keep it stock for a while, but interested to follow the project. I would have bought this car if it had been available in manual and without a huge markup in 2020, but ended up going down a different road. Now that the manual is available, it would be hard to pay new car prices when the used ones are falling so hard.

[@ProjectM97]

Mazda did not use the RX8 wheel bearings because it affected the ABS sensors in the NC Miata. They knew that the spec Miata racers would not care about the ABS sensor issue so they let them upgrade the RX8 bearings themselves.

[@johncrofts6058]

i've got an NC 25TH Anniversary, fully forged, BBR turbo kit, 360bhp, Ohlins, braided brake lines, 9" enkie f1rp's, stock calipers and rotors, uprated pads. it is f***in brilliant. PS. i've owned modded Supra's, Skylines, Silvia's and Evo's. the MX5 wins hands down. Performance and value for money!!!! No need to uprate calipers or rotors, just pads.

[@Downhillheros]

Thank you brave men of The Slip Angle for SAYING THE DAMN TORQUE NUMBERS WHERE EVERY OTHER CHANNEL IS SCARED TO. “Confirm with your owners manual”

[@tigim101]

damn that NC looks sick in black (what doesnt though). One of my fav car channels, cant wait to see this build. NC might be my next car. Would be dope if you guys figured out an ITB setup, all I know of is the BBR set but havent really seen anyone in the US with it.

[@Kiddingmez32]

Consider the Xida Touring coilovers. I love them. Lotta development went into them.

[@jboyd427]

Xidas. No question. I run the "Race" variant on my NB, and they're freaking amazing. They have no reason being as compliant as they are with the spring rate I run. It's frankly some kind of witchcraft and I wish I could find the same setup for our '03 Cobra.

[@rcmakingtracks18]

Excellent, liked and subscribed. John

[@TheSlipAngle]

Thanks for the sub!

[@johndiestelow3944]

Best thing for the 2.0 MZR is the bigger radiator. I cant get the temp gauge past 1/2 way with the A.C. running and 110 out.

[@brucewiser9270]

Looking good, love the RPF1's!

[@Leo-rt5dt]

Very good and entertaining video. Sending love from Florida 🎉🎉

[@Wizardnil]

Love my '07 NC!

[@shifty3583]

Got plans for the motor figured out yet? Just spent some time on the dyno last week with a cammed 2.5 with the prototype Fab9 intake manifold that put down 220 whp SAE with a monster powerband.

[@mattwiser7982]

That’s really good! I’m 99% sure that this thing will keep a Duratec engine. I really like the idea of a high comp 2.4L

[@shifty3583]

@@mattwiser7982 yeah I think the 2.4 is definitely the sweet spot. If you're interested in much more than 220-230 whp, plan on a ported head.

[@aktubegoogle]

NC for the win

[@nate1413]

I just put on that GoodWinRacing suspension. It’s solid! Don’t get Ohlins, Xida is the new king for NC suspension.

[@TheSlipAngle]

My one worry is that it will be too soft. Do you drive your car on track?

[@nate1413]

@@TheSlipAngle I do not. It’s pretty firm on the street. If you want race springs, get the Xida Race

[@sbrenx7132]

Definitely get the Öhlins man, got a set on mine, I find them actually more comfortable than the stock suspension! Maybe they have a little too soft springs if you run very aggressive tires on track, but people say if you also get sway bars they are perfect. For me they are absolutely worth the price

[@dielaughing73]

How are your Öhlins on track with stock sways? I put in Whiteline sways first, then installed the coilovers, and I'm wondering if the sways are too stiff even on the softest settings. But I've still taken 2s off my lap time with the new coilovers (and finally some camber!!). Is there any significant body roll on yours?

[@sbrenx7132]

@@dielaughing73 Im happy with them, no significant body roll, but Im on street tires, not semislicks... I think with aggressive semislicks you might need some sway bars and stiffer springs, but on street tires it works very well

[@FreshYoungDude]

I have the Ohlins R&T and progress sways on mine. The rear spring rate is way too soft. You can swap to a 5-6K swift spring luckily.

[@Nasonix2]

I think the reason why the front wheel bearings go bad on these is because the spindle apparently flexes under hard turning look up the aftermarket support brackets that they make for the front spindles and you'll see what I mean I'm going to try putting a support bracket on before I do the wheel bearing change and see how that works out

[@BushidoDriver]

Nice start! For every NC problem the answer is RX-8, lol Ohlins are soft as 👼 💩 , more comfortable than stock on the street more capable than stock on the track, they just don't support high enough spring rates for AutoX (in stock form). Project Gr8 daily should get Ohlins, and pass the teins down to the NC 🙃

[@TheSlipAngle]

Great idea! lol

[@WorkzGarage]

Ohlins all the way. I have them on my ND Miata and love them.

[@neilobusk]

👌👍👌👍👌Matchew doing Matchew things.. N x

[@illsz]

Thank fuck, more NC Miata content!

[@TheSlipAngle]

More exciting stuff on the way too!

[@illsz]

@@TheSlipAngle When's the LS3 swap? ;)

[@ttinnovations3310]

Nice , I just picked up a NC3 club ht 2015, 60,000 ; the engine mounts and trans mounts are already soft and the rear wheel bearing is going bad, the coolant & PS tank are super yellow

[@dielaughing73]

Mine is at the same mileage. The coolant tank blew the first time on track. I started missing shifts and fixed that by replacing the engine mounts. All the things you mentioned are definitely worth looking at when the car gets to that age

[@epvendetta]

In for a review of Goodwin racing Clubsport coilovers....

[@JimmyYams]

Fitment is on point, what are the specs?

[@ricepony33]

Xida is the real deal!

[@travisswanson3449]

91st like but a Miata Is Always The Answer...😅😂

[@CraaaigV302]

Looks like that battery is next on the list 😂

[@TheSlipAngle]

Hahahahaha it was really hard to do that shot of the Moroso tank with that thing in the background. It'll be addressed in one of the next videos lol

[@spencerzoppoth719]

Feels difficult to find these for sale with the PRHT and manual.

[@MAD_NC]

Rx8 breaks bolt right on and theyre much better definitely a good nc mod.

[@Ed-wu9jg]

Just to throw a different option you may not have heard of, MCA coilovers. Australian brand. Very popular here, and they have done well for themselves in both circuit and drift competition. Won WTAC a few times. They have a series called "pro comfort" that are designed to be a bit more compliant but still handle well.

[@flipflop7577]

Aussie stuff never dissapoints. DBA, super pro....😊

[@XtruhSpecialK]

More NC content plz

[@lurcheradogs4life]

Xidas please... they are top of my mod list for my future NC2 purchase, trying to justify myself with this big budget purchase, is made alot easier when guys like yourselves( people who know ) rubber stamp what the rest of the Internet are already saying, i.e Xidas are superiors to Òhlins. In THIS application 😊

[@michaeldragos]

Just swap a 6 port 13B-MSP, 6 speed RX8 gearbox and a 4.7 RX8 diff and it will be one of the best car in the world :)

[@dielaughing73]

4.7‽‽ That's crazy short!

[@whiteprideisnotacrime1685]

That would make less torque than the stock miata engine, you can FI nc2 and nc3 up to 9psi(safe as fuck) and run around 300hp. The stock motor is decent, don't waste your time and money on an na 13b

[@slowfrs]

Hold up, is that TMP Cayuga in the outro?

[@TheSlipAngle]

Yes it is! We went to go visit Speed Academy a few years ago and had the ITB Miata up there. Great track!

[@zwarst]

Air shocks all round !

[@mr.adventure559]

What about a 2.5L swap?

[@TiyamatFTL]

Question about your car: do the brakes ever feel Overboosted to you? I own a 2012 NC, and whilst there are apparently no differences to speak of i‘ve read somewhere that some return valve was Changed in the braking system. NC2 and NC3 otherwise are the same car suposedly, except for the bumper styling of course. I‘ve only ever driven NC2 and would be really interested to know if the brakes feel less boosty on the NC3

[@colinbowman8816]

'Fixing the NC Miata's weak points' -Pogo suspension -140 whp -Inadequate rollover protection -Weak Tochigi Fuji LSD -Rear makes too much lift at speed pads and wheels are a given.

[@tomek9567]

when you change the hub from rx8 you dont have problem with abs ?

[@TheSlipAngle]

No issues and it's been about a month

[@terminator2149]

are you no longer selling the rg2?

[@fatalgaming6068]

GET XIDAS!!!!!!! dont waste your money on anything else. theyre arguably the best

[@markusluftner8418]

No IMO AP1 better handling :^) Also NA1 nsx is nice. But i am Biased.

[@kliotfilms6293]

Bro! can you tell me name of this wheels?)

[@TheSlipAngle]

Enkei RPF-1 17x9 +45

[@terminator2149]

just do the 2.5 swap as everyone says, well worth it. engine is pretty lame stock

[@Samurai6936]

I'm going to be selling my ohlins soon since I I ended up going with Xidas. Let me know if you'd be interested.

[@rberbe2918]

Hallo, what’s the name of that front lip?

[@TheSlipAngle]

stock

[@rberbe2918]

@@TheSlipAngle You know where I can buy these? Mine is diffrent. Maybe a diffrence because i'm from EU?

[@FATmenDRIVEtrucks]

Ohlins all around buy once cry once 😅

[@brendanlambert3890]

could atleast clean the corrosion on the battery

[@TheSlipAngle]

I did believe it or not... I didn't go crazy though, already have a lightweight battery for it

[@whiteprideisnotacrime1685]

Meister R zeta crd coilovers, thank me later

[@johnjimmers9356]

Shouldve just melted the hubs out 🤷‍♂️🤓

[@AquaStevae]

I don't even understand putting a hardtop on a MX-5. This is a ragtop car, and that is it's most foundational purpose. People can do whatever they please with their car, but for me, it's sacrilege to put a hardtop on a MX-5.

[@VisualTraining]

I highly agree but it’s also a huge weak point in the overall stiffness of the car. The “ultimate” Miata with the best handling will have a hard top

[@mrmohr2]

I just like the top off. Whether a removal hardtop or soft top, I agree the top needs to be off if it's not raining! And this retractable hard top is the best of both worlds, except for the extra weight

[@louietownsend8619]

"Promosm" 🎊

[@Online_ToughGuy]

GnR Chinese Democracy Dr Dre Detox New Supra video

[@styledliving]

do not get ohlins for the NC, they suck so bad.

[@rafallo1333]

"Fixing the NC Miata's weak points" - you mean selling it to buy the NB2 instead? It would do in that situation ;)

[@mry82]

haha... Love my NC, but I can still appreciate this. Always was drawn to the Mazdaspeed.

[@nickleone1902]

The NC isn’t a Miata

[@whiteprideisnotacrime1685]

Yeah, but your mum IS a slag so it balances out bro