1993 Supercharged Mazda Miata: Crafting a Dream Roadster
Discover Patrick Vidal's 1993 Supercharged Mazda Miata transformation: a 13-year journey blending artistry, performance, and passion for JDM culture.
Mr2mivin
Share this story on social using the buttons above the image.
Order Your Car Magazines From Our Amazon, or Etsy Store!
Already A Member? Click Here To Read Your Car Magazines FREE!!!
Patrick Vidal
1993 Supercharged Mazda Miata
Instagram: @pdr_93le
Photographer: Marvin Recinos
Instagram: @mr2mivin
Performance Stats:160whp, but I haven't confirmed this on a dyno yet.
From Gran Turismo to the Real World: The Journey Begins
Hi, I’m Patrick Vidal, a freelance Visual Effects Artist based in Los Angeles, California, and a devoted car enthusiast. Growing up in Denver, Colorado, I discovered my love for driving in the mountainous roads of my hometown. My passion for cars grew as I tinkered with my inherited second-generation Acura Integra during high school. Moving to California for work in 2011 sparked my deeper dive into driving and modifying cars, beginning with a Classic Red 1990 Mazda Miata.
Today, I'm still indulging my love for driving with a 1993 Limited Edition Mazda Miata, building, modifying, and learning along the way. While I dream of owning many cars, the Miata holds a special place in my heart, keeping me connected to the road, the track, and my ever-growing skills as a driving enthusiast.
Inspired by JDM Culture
My passion for cars stems from my early exposure to automotive culture through video games and anime. Titles like Gran Turismo and Tokyo Extreme Racer on PlayStation ignited my love for JDM vehicles, while anime series like Initial D and Wangan Midnight further fueled my admiration for mountain road driving and street racing. Magazines like Import Tuner, DSport, and Super Street became my reference points for style and performance.
California’s thriving car culture was the inspiration for my journey, and when I finally had the means to buy my own car, the choice was clear—a Mazda Miata.
The Evolution of My Miata: From Classic Red to 93LE
I purchased my first Miata in 2011 for $2,000—a 1990 Classic Red model that introduced me to manual driving on my way home. This car was my gateway to the world of track days and mountain drives, equipped with minimal but essential modifications: a bucket seat, roll bar, sport brake pads, high-temp fluid, and 200tw tyres.
In 2014, I acquired my current car, a 1993 Limited Edition (LE) Miata, as a bone-stock, reliable alternative while I worked on the Classic Red. I found the LE in Visalia, CA, towed it home, and began its transformation. Ultimately, the Classic Red became a donor car for the LE, which has evolved into a culmination of 13 years of learning, experimenting, and refining.
1993 Supercharged Mazda Miata: Modifying with Passion and Purpose
The LE has gone through numerous transformations, including supercharging, turbocharging, and a return to supercharging. Its current setup is California CARB-legal, maintaining its street usability. My modifications are guided by two principles: artistic expression and driving performance.
Performance Specs
-
Engine: 1.6L B6ZE with a FastForward Superchargers Eaton TVS 900 kit
-
Suspension: Circuit Sports coilovers
-
Brakes: Hawk HP+ pads with RBF 660 fluid (soon to be upgraded for better track performance)
Engine:
1.6L B6ZE, FastForwardSuperchargers Eaton TVS 900 kit, Cobalt Ceramic Coated 4-2-1 header, Maruha x Yoshimura Rayo Veloz Cat-back Exhaust.
Interior:
6-pt GT-3 Rollbar by BlackBird Fabworx. Lotus Elise Probax seats in red diamond-stitched leather, a Lotus Trim Shop special. I also occasionally swap in a bucket seat and harness. Gauge Cluster by Art Works Dewa, Nardi ND Classic Steering Wheel, and a shift knob by Car Make Corns. Vent rings, window switches, light switches, and HVAC faceplates are by Revlimiter. The radio was deleted to mount AEM Classic temp gauges and X-Series Wideband. Bose Mini Soundlink 2 in lieu of a DIN-mounted radio.
Exterior:
NoPro GT-L Widebody Kit, Zoom Engineering rear bumper, APR GTC 200 Carbon Fiber GT Wing with Singular Motorsports endplates. Sev Marchal 722 Starlux headlights. Vented headlight lid, and rear tail light finish panel by Garage Vary. Vented carbon fiber hood by Zeromotive. Replica Zest turn signal intakes, and replica M2-1028 style side mirrors.
Suspension and brakes:
Watanabe R Type in 15x9.5 -19, Nankang CRS in 245/40/15, oem brake calipers with Hawk HP+ pads and RBF 660 fluid. Coilovers by Circuit Sports. Please note, the brake setup is a carryover from before I was supercharged; after driving a few track days recently, this setup is decidedly insufficient, and top of my list to be upgraded next.
The Miata’s recent makeover was completed just in time for the 2024 Miata Reunion at Sonoma Raceway, where it turned heads and performed impressively on track.
A Community Effort: Acknowledgments and Lessons
The journey hasn’t been without its challenges. Early on, I faced setbacks from poor workmanship at a previous shop. Thankfully, Alex Garcia and his team at Fuzion Teknique in Gardena stepped in to untangle the mess, rebuild, and elevate the project.
The patience and expertise of key mentors like Toshiki Yoshioka and Moti Almagor have also been instrumental in shaping my understanding of car mechanics and performance tuning.
Future Plans and Dream Cars
For now, my focus is on driving and maintaining the Miata. Unfortunately, a recent rear-end collision means more bodywork is needed, but I’m determined to keep this car on the road and track.
Looking ahead, I dream of experiencing different powertrains and chassis dynamics—front-engine, mid-engine, all-wheel drive, and rotary setups. While I explore these, the Miata will remain a lifelong project and companion.
Shout Outs
Fuzion Teknique
IG: @fuzionteknique
Pro Shop Noble
IG: @pro_shop_noble
Blackbird Fabworx
sales@blackbirdfabworx.com
Lotus Sports Cars of Southern California
IG: @lotusclub_socal
Kinod
IG: @k.i.n.o.d
Call to Action
Love what you see? Follow my journey on Instagram @pdr_93le for more updates on my 1993 Miata. Do you have your own car story to share? Submit it to Stance Auto Magazine for a chance to be featured!
Please leave your comments below!
Your feedback helps us reach more readers and the Printed Car Magazine. Thank you.
So you think you know all about Cars, prove it! Take A JDM Car Quiz
Do you Need A Freelance Photographer?
Our Photographers Are Available For Hire
UKTM no: UK00003572459
