Driver's Mk2 Mx5.

[Driver]

1st of all let me just say this is copied over from another forum so if it looks out of line or smileys don't match up etc, I do apologise.

Well I have had my Mx5 for a short while now and just getting it ready for the road so thought I'd start my build thread.

I started mx5 ownership with this NA6c but sold it 6 month later due to financial implications.


It stayed pretty standard with nothing more than some carbing style tow hooks and threw some R888s on for a track day before returning it stock to sell.

Then after trying a bit of vtec and diesel daily I had a hankering for another MX5.
After a bit of searching I come across a decent NB at a semi decent price. Went to view it and was happy with it so put an offer in and left a deposit.
Here is a really bad for sale ad pic.


After further inspection it had a couple of choice mods that can be used to sell on and make some money back when I put my own mods on
These were ....
Front and rear strut braces (IL motorsport ones I think)
K&N panel filter
Nameless stainless back box (Maybe an MX5parts one)
Eibach springs all round
Ripspeed gear knob ....... I know, it will be replaced.

Then my insurers were being little bitches so decided to keep it off the road until my policy expired on the 5th of April. Lucky really due to excessive snow we had!


Well finally sorted some insurance out thanks to Neil and the staff at Greenlight so decided a big service was in order.

Up she goes.


This lot to go in.
- Cambelt kit (MX5 parts)
- Rocker gasket (Gen Mazda)
- Oil filter (HKS)
- Fresh engine oil (Millers CFS 5/40)
- Gearbox and diff oil (Mobil 75/90 fully synth)
- Fuel filter (Gen Mazda)


Found the previous owner attempted an airbox mod.


The strip down commences !


Hmmmm, one of these may be a little worse for wear. Need to order some new colder grade plugs.


Shiny tuning parts


Whilst I was in there I was convinced (By Titch off here) to remove the charcoal/carbon canister.
Also shortened and re-run some of the vac lines to neaten it up a tad. Looks very OEM if I may say so myself.


Then my hands were kind of greasy so no more pics were taken.
But did manage to get the cam belt, oil, filter and box oil done before running out of body warmth and retreating to KFC.
The diff oil and fuel filter will be done tomorrow.

Also booked onto a track day in May at Cadwell park (love that track) and bought some appropriate sized Toyo T1s too as the current tyres are less than ideal for use on track (linglong specials)

That's all for now folks but will keep this thread as up to date as possible.

C&C welcome of course.

[Starbo Moorley]

Good little cars ! I had bought a battered drift spec mk2 for £500, was an epic car, had soo much fun in it bouncing of walls ect ! Youll enjoy it on track but youll get itchy fir more power in no time !

Think this is more a personal prefference thing but i find t1's take too long too heat up, id of got prada spec 2's as they warm up quicker, but like i said its down too personal preffrence !

Edited March 30, 2013 by Starbo Moorley

[Driver]

Awesome little cars I agree. Took the mk1 I had on track and loved it. I had a hankering for more power before I bought it and have already ordered a nice 2860

Never been a fan of Pradas, they don't give the feedback or progressiveness I like then I drive and only got the T1s's as they were an excellent price so once I have worn them out I will probs get Rainsports2s to be honest.

But like you said, it's down to personal preference.

[Driver]

Diff oil changed to some nice clean stuff, the oil that come out was horrible. Looks like it was way overdue a change.
Tried
to change the fuel filter but one of the "quick release" clips on the
lines wouldn't budge ! So I'm going to get a spare in case I damage it
getting it off and end up being stick on the drive with my fuel pissing
out all over the place.
Also noticed that after yesterdays cam-belt
change I hadn't tightened the bolts up holding the water pump pulley on.
Had some right wobble on it ! So nipped it up and managed to snap one
of the bolts holding it on . So need to get the old snapped part out and put another bolt in but that is a job for another day.

Also cracked open the charcoal canister, just to see what it looked like.
Turns out it is full of charcoal.


Who'd of guessed it.

Little update.

Water pump pulley bolts turned up .... £10 for 3 little bolts ! The things we do for these little cars ey.

[Driver]

SHE IS ON THE ROAD !!! Taxed, tested and insured


Before anyone says, she is very dirty but I just wanted to drive after having her for a few month without being able to drive her.

1st things 1st though.
My 'Freaky Roadster' gear knob turned up in the post.
So out with the old.


And in with the new

Much better !

Then the water pump pulley bolt I mentioned previously.
Changed them from ...
Old and busted


New highness


Off for my 1st proper drive in the 5 and this happened.


DAMMIT !!

Turned out that when I did the cam-belt etc I forgot to put the clip back on the bottom rad hose !
So when I was out for a drive I noticed a slight temp increase but shut it off and check straight away, luckily.


So popped it back on, put the clip on and topped her up with water/coolant/antifreeze and away I went again

From today's 'shakedown' I have established a few things that need sorting with the car ...
1, The driving position is not ideal for a 6'2" guy so need a lower seat and smaller wheel.
2, The tyres that it come one are garbage, a full set of replacements have been ordered as the tyres are the only thing between me and the tarmac so want them to be decent !
3, The brakes are worn/garbage/fubar etc, they don't seem to bring me to a halt as quickly as my old 1.6 ones so I think they have either been sat around too long or need replacing. Either way I need to look into it.
4, The current alignment is less than ideal, twitchy at speed, doesn't feel planted in the corners and the wheel doesn't sit straight on straight road. I'm putting this down the Eibach springs as I don't think the previous owner had it setup afterwards. So this will be done sooner rather than later.

That's all for now folks !

[pick1]

Sounds good dude fun little cars these

[Driver]

Definitely good fun ! Best drive home from work I have had in a long time.

Wheel, boss and seat ordered

[Driver]

Delivery the other day ...






My Bride seat is here


Also my wheel and boss arrived the other day too.

But After popping it on the roller it is down on power and compression so these goodies may not be in as fast as I'd like whilst I look into those.

[Driver]

Right then, seeing as Titch has made me look lazy I thought I'd do an update.

Seeing as summer is kicking in I decided to buy a hardtop.

I know, logical right ?

Either way here it is getting a quick jet wash of Titch as I don't really do cleaning.

On the way home we stopped off at a random little town, that had way too many steep cobbled hills, for a few pics. You know, as you do.

Got home and decided to permanently remove my soft top as the hard top wil be solid mounted when I order a mounting kit.

You can see in the same pic that it was a trial fit of my bride seat too !

Unfortunately the Bride seat didn't fit on standard JB Fab rails So it means custom rails. I also want Lotus Probax seats or Exige seats so have put the Bride up for sale. If I get my money back on it then I will order some Lotus seats.

Until then, the standard seats will have to do ! Hope I get my seat issue sorted by the 15th of May though as I have a track day at Cadwell to attend and I'd like to keep the hardtop on for that, which I can't do on stock seats due to a lack of headroom to fit a helmet in.

Also popped my dished wheel in which offers loads more leg room, it's like driving a different car !

But again took it out due to a lack of airbag delete and working horn which will be resolved this Friday hopefully so I can drive the car instead of reaching round the wheel haha.

Had a play with a mated GoPro

Awesome piece of kit and hopefully will have my own shortly too

And a delivery today.

This consists of some different wheels which are a little wider than mine and don't have a small flat spot like my right rear. They will do for track days and the likes

Also some new rear discs and pads, shifter boots and cup and last but not least some new fuel filter clips as mine looked very weak when removing them.

Purchased some Toyo T1S tyres too which will be alright on track, the T1Rs slightly stickier predecessor. No pics though I'm afraid.

That brings us up to date as far as I'm aware.

Let us know what you guys think.

[Driver]

Another small update

I have a trackday booked on the 15th

Here was my to do list.

I'm aware some of those didn't NEED doing for a track day but the task was set.

1st task, rear brakes as they were shocking.

I know older cars like to snap bleed nipples, especially when they haven't been changed in a while (which these haven't) so tried them 1st ...

DAMMIT !

I know there a ball ache to remove so thought, I'll just replace the full rear calipers.

Oh well, 2 new calipers ordered at a good price So future proofed that too.

Not many more pics as I was getting on with it apart from one of me midway through WDing the alighnement bolts in prep for my alignment set up on the mornign of the 15th by Rodinsons and a few others.

Airbag delete.

by midday the next day ....

Don't think I did bad to be honest !

Also got time to spray my front grill

Before

During

After, much better

And a little pic of my fleet.

http://smg.photobucket.com/user/nathandriver/media/NB8c/More%20maxing/84DE8C87-DCAC-4E2B-95E6-8F2967ED2123-433-000000254287451B_zps3d0826a4.jpg.html'>

Also it's my birthday tomorrow so was gifted this

A few trackday videos should make there way on here after the 15th

[Azz]

What sort of price will you be looking at for the bride seat buddy ?

[Driver]

Not allowed to sell on here as I'm not a full member but I will drop you a PM.

[Driver]

Little update.

don't really take may pics so sorry for the lack of those.

1st off some more packages turned up

This was my Ali rad from Dan's group buy and 2 new rear calipers as both mine were siezed.

Fitted new rear calipers, pads and discs.

Loads better

Old pads ....

Not good at all :/

Also whilst the wheels were off I noticed this on the front left.

No ideal but luckily I have new (to me) wheels and new tyres in the garage so got them put on but no pics of those just yet.

Also did a little track work at Cadwell park in her.

I love track work !

She was faultless all day too.

No vids at Cadwell though as the Javelin organizers wouldn't allow the GoPro suction mount on track and stated it would have to be solidly bolted .... Maybe next time.

Also went to Mallory park.

I really need lower seats haha. Stick out a bit.

.

Will update shortly with a vid of practically everything overtaking me haha.