How I spent the last 3-1/2 years

[Doug Riparetti]

I flow out of Monterey to  Los Angeles on the 20th of December, 2013 to pick up my new "02".  The previous owner and I worked on the car for 5-hours, we had to swap out the guibo, neither one of us had ever done that before. We worked on it in his carport, he has a floor jack, and two jackstands,  and minimal tools. It took us five hours to swap it out, (I could do it in about an hour by myself now). arrived home at around 2:am Saturday morning, with no issues driving home.

 

Spent all day Saturday driving around the Monterey Peninsula. On Sunday, the bumpers were off, and the endless modifications began. 

 

May of 2014,  I started the rust repair on the front passenger side floor, cut out the factory seat mounts and fabricated my own, installed Miata seats, power windows, power door locks, center counsel, 5-speed conversion, and 17-inch wheels.  All that work was completed by June 5th. I had Seats re-upholstered, carpet and "CoCo Mats" done a couple of months latter.

 

Since then, I've done 22mm sway bars front and rear, Wilwood big brake kit,  replaced all the bushings on the front end, 20-gallon fuel cell (recessed factory sending unit so my factory gas gauge works), brake booster delete, and completely rebuilt S14 with forged pistons, Carrillo rods, ARP stud bolts Etc....

 

These photos will give you an idea of the transformation the car has gone through since I took ownership. 

 

 All the modifications on my car have been perform by either myself, my brother and Dave Lewis. 

 

I like to give a special thanks to my brother John (Riparetti Cylinder Head Service, Kuna Idaho), and Dave Lewis for all the help and guidance. 

Edited June 16, 2017 by Doug Riparetti
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[Dudeland]

That fuel cell is so smart!  Very safe.  Love the power door locks!  How do you like the PW kit?  I have been contemplating it. Simply a wonderfull car, you must be very proud!

[joysterm]

terrific job and tastefully done......congrats

[joekitt]

Great story - do you ever ask yourself "why" ........ thanks for sharing - it's a work of love


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[Doug Riparetti]

I raced circle track for 20-years (1988-2008), I spent LOTS of time working on your car. I needed a project, I owned "02's", but sold my last one in 1989

Edited June 16, 2017 by Doug Riparetti

[saaron]

Very nice.  I see it on the FB too.  Good for you for doing something different with you engine.  Variety is the spice of life.

 

Scott

[BarneyT]

great looking work, even that Jack Russell seems impressed...the plating and powder coating really make it pop.

[PaulTWinterton]

Very cool.  Will we see you at the Monterey Re-union in August?

[AceAndrew]

Woohoo Doug, is it back down in your hands then?

 

I'd love to do a 2002 road trip up to Boise next summer, any chance you'd be up for it?

[Doug Riparetti]

@Dudeland,

 

Thank you, it's been a lot of fun.

 

I dig the power windows, and the keyless entry. I had a dog that used to cruise around with me EVERYWHERE, so rolling down the window was a pain in the ass.

 

I knew within months of purchasing the car, the power stuff was going to be done.

[Doug Riparetti]

7 hours ago, AceAndrew said:

Woohoo Doug, is it back down in your hands then?

 

I'd love to do a 2002 road trip up to Boise next summer, any chance you'd be up for it?

My brother has a race at Meridian Speedway this Saturday, he's going to load my "02" up Sunday morning and head to California.

 

 I'm heading down to the lake tomorrow, coming back on Monday, so I won't get my car till then. 

[RadicalRacing]

Great prooject.  Well Done!

 

I'd like to know the specifics of the blue power coated intake manifold in the 17 and 18 photos (from the top).   I need one like it badly for my current 2002 project. 

[Doug Riparetti]

It's the Lynx manifold, an it's for sale, $450 plus shipping