Early mid life crisis car! (MX5 inside - Sorry!)

[tsp]

It was time for something new... Well something really old but I can't afford anything new. Not that I'd want something new!

I know the car, it's an honest little car but it's a bit scruffy. Bit like me really, just looks better with it's top off! I'm pretty sure it's a bit crusty underneath, yet another likeness.

I'm not sure what model it is, I know it's a 1600 import. That's about as much as I can confirm!

It has got 2 strut braces, one at the front and one behind the seats... They might not mean anything though!







Can anyone confirm the model for me???

Now to get cracking! I've got a few plans but nothing drastic.
- Remove spoiler & mud flaps
- induction kit (I'll make it nice and noisy if nothing else!)
- Roll bar (suggestions??)
- Wheel spacers (10mm - not many scene points!)
- Poly bushes... I need to try and sort the soggy handling!

And some other pointless curse word I expect!

Who are the go-to people for MX5s? MX5 Parts are at the end of the road, they seem to do pretty much everything that's available!

What's your opinions??? Not mega retro but it'll have to do until I'm allowed the TR6

[skozra]

My opinion ? I love it and think it's pretty awesome - Japanese cars are awesome and you'll have a lot of fun with yours, that much is certain. Enjoy it !

[tsp]

Thanks mate!

Shows how well I know it... Log book says 1800cc not 1600cc as I said!

[MiataMark]

If MX5 Pats are at the end of the road I'd stick with them, I've bought a new hood, coil-overs and various parts from them, they also fit some things for free (e.g. my hood). Also check out Moss Europe they import a lot of US parts, and Autolink for spares.

I'd go for a TR Lane roll bar (stocked by MX5 Parts). For bushes most people say to fit uprated standard (IL Motorsport) bushes rather than poly for general use, I need to do mine and I think I'm going to go for eBay Poly bushes as an interim step (~£100 vs ~£300 for a set). Depending on budget if the suspension is worn refresh it, either new shocks or coil-overs (I'll have a full set of GMax lowering springs going begging soon).

Otherwise a geo alignment when you've sorted out the suspension, 15" alloys and, and, and...

Have a look at my thread for my idea of what to do.

Mark

[Rafftank]

I might be wrong, but I thought raised lettering on the cam cover indicated a 1.6, depressed lettering indicated a 1.8. It hasn't had an engine swap at some point has it?

Mx5parts is a good site for spares/parts.

I'd also recommend a TR Lane bar, I have one in my 5. Bit of a pain to install but worth it!

[goldnrust]

It's definitely an 1800 Rafftank , the can angle sensor on the exhaust cam and the hot wire (rather than flapper door) type MAF confirm it.

As an imported 1.8 you're likely to have one of the higher specs available with more toys (or weight depending on your perspective!) than many of the base spec models sold in the UK. If you're lucky you might have an LSD under the rear.

Looks like a tidy base to work from In terms of sorting soggy handling, MiataMark has pretty much nailed it, though avoid eBay polybushes like the plague, only use Superpro or equivalent quality bushes if you want to go that route. The nature of the design of the mx5 suspension means that people using cheap polybushes have run into problems with bushes binding and seizing, in the most extreme cases resulting in snapped wishbones.

Make sure you've got 4 matches tyres (preferably not budget ones) and then go get it 4 wheel aligned. Mx5 are very sensitive to alignment and tyres. No point getting it aligned till you've done any other suspension changes you want to do though, because you'd just have to get it done again.

[MiataMark]

Oct 31, 2015 9:28:35 GMT goldnrust said:

Looks like a tidy base to work from In terms of sorting soggy handling, MiataMark has pretty much nailed it, though avoid eBay polybushes like the plague, only use Superpro or equivalent quality bushes if you want to go that route. The nature of the design of the mx5 suspension means that people using cheap polybushes have run into problems with bushes binding and seizing, in the most extreme cases resulting in snapped wishbones.

Slight hi-jack, how much of an issue are the eBay bushes (something like this), can it also be down to different lubrication requirements? If I go the expensive route I'd go for the IL Motorsport bushes, having talked to a few people and read a few posts they are recommended as a good compromise and for track use.

[goldnrust]

Its hard to say exactly how much of an issue it is, but there are certainly lots of people in the mx5 community who will say not to bother with polybushes unless they are the Superrpo ones. Bearing in mind the mx5 community is very price focused, where people will always always go with the cheaper option, it's a fairly strong statement. There's lot of info in this thread : www.mx5nutz.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=86241

[tsp]

Thanks for the replies everyone... This is why I like this place over single make forums - People on here are nice!!!

Thanks for the links, I now want a halogen headlight conversation, a sticky front plate and indicator intakes!

How do I determine the exact model??? My guess would be to drive down to MX5 Parts and ask them. Same for the LSD I guess.

Thanks again all

[Carlosfandango.]

Lovely choice tsp, they look great in red. I had one almost identical but it was a 1600 non import. I loved it & still see it around. You have some fun times ahead with that car, enjoy & keep us updated with the progress.

CFD

[lewis]

Oct 31, 2015 21:05:08 GMT tsp said:

Thanks for the replies everyone... This is why I like this place over single make forums - People on here are nice!!!

Thanks for the links, I now want a halogen headlight conversation, a sticky front plate and indicator intakes!

How do I determine the exact model??? My guess would be to drive down to MX5 Parts and ask them. Same for the LSD I guess.

Thanks again all

Eunos model guide here:
web.archive.org/web/20141104042802/http://ox.mx5oc.co.uk/guide_eunos.htm

Also have a look at the white build sticker in the driver's door shut.

[tsp]

I've taken a photo of the door sticker, hopefully someone can help me make sense of it

Thanks wheelspinner for your help with this

[ant1303]

Enjoying my little one. Done a few niggles and exhaust. Need to get the bumpers painted next!

[tsp]

Looking good mate!

After doing what seems like a month of solid reading I think I've sussed the initial route I want to take...

- Stick on front plate
- Fit the steel wheels
- 25mm wheel spacers
- Replacement bushes (I'm not sure if I want to go for standard or Superpro??)
- Gear stick extension
- Indicator intakes
- Clear side repeaters (maybe?!)
- Cold air intake (I'm not sure on the make yet, this seems to be the one thing the internet can't tell me!)
- TR Lane roll over bar
- Remove the spoiler and mud flaps

For now, that'll be it. it's just a bit tired at the moment so I'd like to freshen it up a little bit. Eventually I'll fit some VX220 seats, a set of coilovers or shocks & springs and possibly remove the sound deadening, air con and electric windows.

I'd love a TR6 really but no garage and no money mean that I'll have to wait for that so I'd love to turn the MX5 into a no-frills Elan dedication. Not a race or track car but something that the average joe might find a little bit raw. The mrs will be using it as a daily though so I can't go to the extremes some of the MX5s have been modified too!

Thanks all, keep your eyes peeled for some updates... Not that they will be as exciting as some of them I've seen on here!!!

[ant1303]

Just taken a stick on plate off of mine and fitted the small one. Not sure how legal the motorbike size one is but its got the bs mark etc.
The sticker plates are totally illegal now as far as I can work out.

[wheelspinner]

I am a long term MX 5 fiddler and offer the following advice

- Stick on front plate - go for it,most people go for the number plate bracket that fits to the baby tooth(tow hook) in the front.
- Fit the steel wheels - they look retro but the standard hollow spoke Enkies you are rolling on are lighter.
- 25mm wheel spacers - check your tracking.
- Replacement bushes (I'm not sure if I want to go for standard or Superpro??) - don't skimp on these,there are a couple of stories of the cheaper ones just seizing and snapping the wishbones,not pretty.
- Gear stick extension - I have one you can have for the post...you will throw it away after you curse word your hand on the radio console a few times.
- Indicator intakes - yep make sure you sort out sidelights and indicators as the polizei will take a dim view.
- Clear side repeaters (maybe?!) - do it,they are dirt cheap on Ebay
- Cold air intake (I'm not sure on the make yet, this seems to be the one thing the internet can't tell me!) - just drill the standard airbox on the or look up Randell intake.
- TR Lane roll over bar -have a TRLane on on mine its sturdy and stiffens the whole car up.
- Remove the spoiler and mud flaps - agree

For now, that'll be it. it's just a bit tired at the moment so I'd like to freshen it up a little bit. Eventually I'll fit some VX220 seats, a set of coilovers or shocks & springs and possibly remove the sound deadening, air con and electric windows. - thay have sod all sound deadening,your car doesnt have aircon according to the white sticker it has power steering (the pump can be got rid off for weight saving...see depowered rack), leccy window delete is good, again i have a set of the manual mechs but they need handles.

[wheelspinner]

One of my favourite 5's on steels

My old girl (excuse the missing pop ups- i am making some airstream copies)

[tsp]

Hi wheelspinner

Your MX5 looks awesome! I bet it sounds pretty scary doesn't it?! The car looks really purposeful though, well done mate

Thanks for the tips, I'm glad to hear that I'm sort of on the right track, I'm just thankful for the guidance from friendly forums such as this.

The offer of the extension is greatly received thanks, how much would you like and how shall I pay it?

I don't suppose you can determine the model can you by looking at the label? The non-air con discovery is very interesting!

Lastly, I love the idea of the intake, I might see if I could make something like this myself?!

Thanks again

[wheelspinner]

Drop me your address i will put it in the post.

Seem to remember drive 2 indicates an Lsd,apart from that its an 1800,5 speed,no Abs,power steering red with standard trim.

If you look on Mx5 nutz there is a decoder i think.

Yes car will sound awesome when the little curse word starts......

[wheelspinner]

Might want to put a little box over the Vin.....or some people might use the info....