Submitted by Butch Lovell

When I first received the 1999-I edition of the Miata Magazine, I looked at the cover for a long, long time. I asked myself, "What is different about this car?" It captivated me. Then, it finally hit me - chrome and/or stainless steel turn signal intakes! I had never seen them before. I searched the web and found the K. G. Works website and found that they were slightly over five MSU's (Miata Spending Units) after doing the Yen-to-US dollar conversion. Bummer… Couldn't afford those… My wife must have picked up on my desire because for Christmas, she gave me a set of the exact intakes that appear on the cover! That explains the mysterious disappearance of my 1999-V issue for over a month!

After unfolding the instruction manual (1 page - double spaced) and reading it at least three times, I decided to track my actions and do my first product review for the TMC Web Site! The instructions may have been vague and without pictures, but the product is excellent! Here are my thoughts (instructions) as I captured them during the installation process (photos appear at the end of this review):

1. Raise the headlights;
2. For those of you that do not want your hands or fingers crushed, memorize your radio code and disconnect the battery since you will be spending quite a bit of time under your head lights;
3. Raise hood and ask yourself, "When was the last time I cleaned under here?";
4. Disconnect the electrical socket from the existing turn signal lamp. Easier said than done. The instructions indicated that a "hook" should be pushed. It is more like a tab on the male side of the electrical connector housing. Push the tab down with your thumb and pull the inboard wiring away. If you are like me (hands a bit too large) deviate from the instructions somewhat and remove the lenses before attempting this step (see step 5 below);
5. Remove stock turn signal assembly. As you remove the units, you will notice that the outside screws are shorter than the inside screws. Remember this. Gently twist the bulb housing from the turn signal assembly. This should leave you with a dangling bulb and plenty of room to work under the head light assembly from the front and back;
6. As best you can, separate the electrical housing of the remaining bulb assembly from the body of the car. This took a bit of thinking on my part, but there is probably a tool that will do this for you. If no tool is available, look at your new K. G. Works bulb assembly and note how it "snaps" out of the gray anchor. After removing the connector from the body, remove the anchor;
7. Again, a tool is probably out there, but the anchor may be a bit resistant to your actions (mine were) and I had to resort to using a flat head screw driver to force the anchor out of its hole. You will see other "holes" near the anchor hole, but they are all either too big or too little;
8. Now you should be ready to install the new turn signal intakes! Make sure you have the right intake for the right side (no pun intended, but you should see my point). There is a small screw under the amber turn signal. The screws should be pointed down. Now is also a good time to check the fit of the new TSI assemblies. The units fit snug - as in tight. You will also note that a lot of water spots and mineral deposits are now noticeable because you never removed your original turn signal assemblies whilst washing your Miata! Get over this and clean and wax the area before proceeding;
9. Attach the new electrical connector to the original connector under the head light assembly BEFORE anchoring the new unit;
10. Connect battery;
11. Test the turn signal;
12. If all is well, disconnect the battery again (I know, too safe…);
13. Press the new assembly into the old anchor hole;
14. Gently - and I stress gently - push the new TSI into the opening. Remember, the fit is snug. I put each in at an angle rather than straight on so as to avoid any scratches;
15. Use the original screws (long screw to the inside - short screw to the outside) and tighten each about half way. Repeating the half rule until both sides are tight. The instructions call for outside-to-inside tightening;
16. Repeat the process (steps 4-15) for the remaining side;
17. Connect battery;
18. Lower headlights;
19. Lower hood;
20. Stand back and enjoy!

During my installation, the left side took 47 minutes 25 seconds and 733/1000 of a second. The right side, 28 minutes 32 seconds and 835/1000 of a second. This includes several minutes of just plain "looking" during both installations. Timing was provided by ROBIC Timing.

Overall, I am extremely pleased with the product and its looks! I highly recommend the product, but would probably include several installation photographs with the instructions. I cannot describe the change these TSI's have made to the car. They say that no two Miatas are alike, well the addition of these TSI's will make your Miata stand out in a crowd! The best comment so far - "Damn! Where and how much?" I only wish I had put them on sooner or removed my original turn signal assemblies during the "wash cycle"…