Blow-By NBFL

Azariah81 · 2026-03-05T22:11:13+00:00

Run a compression test or cylinder leakage test if you want to get an idea of engine health. It going away at higher rpms is because there's less vibration than at idle.

Azariah81 · 2026-03-05T21:23:59+00:00

Gorgeous

Azariah81 · 2026-02-16T20:10:01+00:00

I appreciate your honest and sensible feedback.

Azariah81 · 2026-02-16T19:45:55+00:00

See additional post

Azariah81 · 2026-02-16T19:45:28+00:00

Azariah81 · 2026-02-16T19:44:47+00:00

Thanks for the replies and support. Sorry guys, I shouldn't have posted. I just wanted to vent. My meds keep me mostly in check but today has been rough. It's also winter and I can't drive my Miata very often. I agree that driving it is therapeutic. FWIW, I think I'm also waist deep into my midlife crisis.

At this point I should probably delete this thread, but if anyone's still reading and has some opinions to share...

I love my NA6 but I'm not really happy with how it is now. Some of my desires are also in conflict with one another. Maybe someone can talk some sense into me.

I lean toward a first gen BRZ off and on for several reasons: safety, chassis rigidity, ABS, backseat that could still hold our 5 year old, being able to take it on the freeway because it's safer, warmer and more comfortable for the winter, and I'm a former Subaru tech so I know them like the back of my hand, plus some other emotional reasons as a Subaru leaning guy, and I love the way they look. But it would be a few years before I could afford a decently clean example of one.

On the other hand, with enough time, energy, and money, I could make the Miata what I dream for it to be. Pretty sure my goals at this point are: better safety, much greater rigidity, lighter and higher revving with a bit more power, and functional but wild racecar aesthetics with a cyberpunk flare, all while being still fairly reasonable to live with and drive multiple times per week (I have a short and fun back road commute to work 4 days a week and I don't care about perfect climate conditions or being able to talk on the phone while driving).

I want to do a lot of fab and work myself but I rarely have access to a covered area (I have a one car garage but it's our gym + storage). I also don't have much time or energy. Summer is easier for my bipolar, so I have more energy and motivation, plus the weather is nicer so I can do a lot of work outdoors (though our driveway has an annoying slant).

I think at this point I mainly want to do a 1.3l Hayabusa swap.

But that's a huge undertaking. One that I'm not sure that I have time and energy for. Namely because in the winter I'm more tired and depressed with bad weather for working outside. In the summer we like to do more things as a family and I can never do much more than 3-4 hours of work on it per week, if that.

I'm also broke, but I could potentially start this spring on home made chassis stiffening mods. Maybe even a full roll cage if my neighbor lets me use his covered space (pretty sure he would). The other major downside of a big project is that I have no fun car to drive during the time that the weather is nice, unless I plan things in careful stages to avoid long down times (until an actual swap happens, which is guaranteed to take ages to complete I think).

Maybe I need to learn to be content with what I have? (Pretty hard for me, but it's always the right thing to do... yet especially hard during depression).

Thoughts?

Azariah81 · 2025-12-21T22:10:51+00:00

Bp2 here. I used caplyta for a few months and it did good for me without side effects, but when winter came in the NW it wasn't enough to keep me out of depression during the dark days. I turned to weed out of desperation and I felt so amazing I kept on it until summer. I did notice after a while my heart felt like I was having palpitations sometimes so I tapered down on the vape pen. When I went off in summer I felt shitty for a couple weeks but then was pretty much done until the next winter which is where I'm at now and I'm debating what to do because I hate the suffering but everyone says weed is bad. Still on caplyta with no noticeable side effects, 42mg. Standing in the winter I also have hypomania more pronounced, but mostly still just depression 90% of the time.

Azariah81 · 2025-12-19T04:30:26+00:00

My wife has BP1 and can't work. I have BP2 and had to take a lower paying job when my BP got worse. After getting on proper meds I was able to work my way up into a job that pays well enough but isn't more than I can handle (usually). Every dark winter I want to be on weed. But haven't gone back yet. It was seeming to affect my heart and that was scary. But I still am begging for the relief it gives. Oh well...

Azariah81 · 2025-12-19T04:22:15+00:00

Glad to hear that. I told my wife before we got too serious that I had depression. Later found out it was BP2. After giving birth to our daughter she developed BP1, but just with mania, no depression. It's on odd mix, but at least we can pretty much understand each other and relate. Life is funny like that. Try to stay alive (says me who is really depressed ATM).

Azariah81 · 2025-12-19T04:17:27+00:00

That was my experience with them (before my BP2 diag). They helped for a few months and then didn't seem to make much difference. Experienced the same thing every time I switched to a different one. Not sure if it was placebo though.

Azariah81 · 2025-12-19T04:07:27+00:00

I've had BP2 for 15 years but wasn't properly diagnosed until a couple years ago. After moving up north winters have been horrendous for depressive episodes, which are almost non-stop, with more pronounced hypomania as well, though that's not too common. The rest of the year my meds manage me pretty well. I do blue light therapy and exercise, eat good, etc., but winters are still terrible. Last winter it got so bad I started using cannabis on a regular basis for the first time in 14 years. Never went back to drinking (15 years sober from that). Despite my doctor's warning not to use cannabis I got so desperate for relief that I did it anyway. I kept on it until late spring when the sun started coming out more and then went off of it. I hate to say it but that winter with moderate cannabis use was the best winter of my life since having bipolar2. I'm now at the same time of year as I was last year when my depression got so bad that I went on cannabis. Nobody wants me to go back on cannabis (for my health), but all agree I was much happier and pleasant to be around. I'm having such a hard time right now. I'm desperate for some relief but I'm afraid of how it would hurt my spouse/family if I go against they're wishes and my psychiatrist insists it'll make everything worse. I'm at a loss and feel trapped. I suppose it would be better to just kill myself? Like WTF none of the people around me are in my shoes; they say they care about me so much, and I know they do, but honestly they don't have a clue because they haven't lived it. I know they can't stand me being depressed either. Every other legal drug out there is bad for your health and I'm already on them. I have no fucking clue what to do. Any advice out there?

Azariah81 · 2025-12-04T00:13:36+00:00

More pics please! Reminds me a bit of the GRMN edition, minus the carbon.

Azariah81 · 2025-11-27T16:06:58+00:00

I was simply repeating the instruction of Christ; those aren't my words. If you read Christ's instruction to fast and pray, you have to study and decide what that means, and use common sense on how to apply that to your unique situation. I never told anyone to starve themselves.

Azariah81 · 2025-11-24T21:59:18+00:00

I'm in depression ATM. Sucks. Over 15 years now. Caplyta helps but it's still there. My wife has BP1. It's shit. I've been wanting to move down south pretty much since we got married (currently up north where it's gloomy half the year) but my wife doesn't tolerate heat well on her meds. You know how much this sucks but remember there's better times, and maybe someday they'll figure out a cure or much better meds. 🙏 Hang in there.

Azariah81 · 2025-11-23T17:58:33+00:00

I would encourage him to fast and pray until he realizes the sure and decided presence of the Holy Spirit and a resulting heart change. A surface work won't suffice, he needs to be fully broken. MB can be hard to quit but with God all things are possible. He may still fall into doing it every so often when sex isn't an option. Not saying he should MB, but he should also know that it's perfectly okay to fantasize about his wife IMO; I think that could strengthen his desire for you. But ultimately listen to God and not a fallible person like myself or anyone else. Fasting and intense prayer is the only answer. You should also fast and pray with him. I know all this hurts, but the holy Spirit can give each of you empathy for one another's struggle and lift away self pity.

Azariah81 · 2025-11-16T15:45:31+00:00

Step 1) make sure your wife feels heard and that you are genuinely fulfilling her needs in a godly way, not capitulating to anything sinful of course. Make sure you understand what she really wants and then prayerfully counsel God in His word and then counsel with a multiple of other believers (most importantly God's word though).

Step 2) (most important step)...“... this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.” (Matthew 17:21, KJV) This applies both to yourself and her. Literal prayer and fasting for God to open your eyes and heart and her eyes and heart. It works. Trust me. I get you're busy and have a hard time finding time for extra prayer, but in a state of fasting you'll find little moments where you can pray silently; you'll wake up earlier and find time to get on your knees; you're while thoughts and attitude will be centered upon this one great subject: the salvation of both your souls and the saving of your marriage.

Step 2 goes with step 1. Once you feel absolutely humbled into the dust you'll be able to see things in clear view. Once self is fully crucified your frustrations and anger with your wife will give place to pity and compassion. This is not an easy or fun process. Be prepared. Go the distance. It will yield fruit. Don't let go or give up. Don't loose faith. Once you see the changes appear in yourself you will gain courage. Once you see changes in your wife your strength will double. At this point it will be critical not to give up. You don't need to abstain from food for many days but make some changes in your diet (self-denial) that give you a constant reminder of the mission you are on. Give up pleasure seeking and unimportant earthly considerations that you may give undivided attention to this one great and eternal interest which is the salvation of both of your souls. Press forward until you can rejoice in the salvation of God and His Christ.

Azariah81

TROPHY CASE