MX5 mk1 tuning

[VladD]

I'm not sure how up to date this wheel guide is, but it has plenty of info.

[k-ink]

Hi all, update...



So... I was looking at sensible cars. Then something happened. I bought a mint UK mk1 MX5.




I'm going to keep it looking very tidy and respect it. Sort of. Except I also plan on modifying it, SENSIBLY. Then use it as intended. So far it is being protected underneath and in the cavities with rust preventative products. It has never been welded, has all original arches, sills and spot welds visible, as it was kept in a garage. Although I will be using this, I want to keep it fresh.

So, onto the mods... What shall I do?


Suspension
First of all I want to fit fresh dampers as the originals will be old. Maybe adjustable ones? I have been recommended Meister R. Alternatively the German made KW are supposed to be bullet proof. It will be for road use, so it has to be fine with the odd bump! Ideas? I have also been told rubbers may be a better bet than poly bushings for road use. So Just a general refresh and maybe better dampers. Help and advice please.

Tyres
These have to work in all weathers. So wet traction is as important as dry. Ideas?

Wheels
I don't want to roll the arches or anything like that. So I was going to stick to 15"x7" wheels / tyres with a sensible ET like 20 (max) or so. Thoughts? I saw this guide:
http://www.driftworks.com/mazda-mx5-wheel-guide/#i...

Interior
I have some spare carbon fibre adjustable seats (from my daily Alfa) which I may pop in there. Other than that, I like it plain black and basic. So no real changes there.

Exterior
I quite like those old fashioned alloy bullet style side mirrors. So long as they don't leave OE holes? Maybe a mohair black roof with glass heated window at some point down the line. I'll probably move the front number plate to the side or bottom as well. It looks a bit daft at the very front like that.

Engine
Not sure yet. But NA tuning with ITBs and a Racing Beat full manifold / exhaust system would probably sound amazing. Faster, but not daft or changing the fun nature too much. So perhaps an MX5 +1. 180bhp (max) of screaming NA power should be enough for a smile, no?



If you have any ideas please share them...

All work will probably be done by Nick and Mark at Scuzzle Motorsport.



Thanks again! Oh, car arrives tuesday, so pics possible then.

Edited by k-ink on Tuesday 9th August 22:15

[CABC]

looks lovely.
prices on that site are 'keen', but the examples do look top notch.
i got these for my track mk1 because of the weight. they've served me well over last 15 track days. These cars love a light wheel, indeed the original daisies were quite light too.

Edited by CABC on Thursday 14th July 18:06

[Synchromesh]

You spent £6k on it?

[k-ink]

I am far from knowing much about wheels, but so far the ones I've seen are +7kg or something. So yours look like a massive saving! I was into the retro look, but your idea looks better.



These are just random things I liked...


1 by s_worksair, on Flickr

3 by s_worksair, on Flickr

[k-ink]

NO!

[CABC]

i'm no expert but i've really enjoyed the journey of modding my mk1 bit by bit and feeling the differences each time.
When i changed my wheels i also changed tyres, so my comparison isn't fully scientific. Then again, i've changed tyres on all sorts of cars many times before. This time, with new wheels on my jaw dropped as i drove off! Keep the wheels at 15x7 and minimise unsprung and rotational mass, as if you fit wider wheels the tyres will also weigh more.

My other favourite mods were Meister coilovers (comfortable yet great handling) and underbody bracing (with double wishbones you'll benefit most with lower bracing and not top struts).

[k-ink]

This will probably make your hair fall out...

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...

[k-ink]

Great stuff, thanks.

[Drums]

k-ink said:

Hi all, update...

Suspension
First of all I want to fit fresh dampers as the originals will be old. Maybe adjustable ones? I have been recommended Meister R. Alternatively the German made KW are supposed to be bullet proof. It will be for road use, so it has to be fine with the odd bump! Ideas? I have also been told rubbers may be a better bet than poly bushings for road use. So Just a general refresh and maybe better dampers. Help and advice please.

Tyres
These have to work in all weathers. So wet traction is as important as dry. Ideas?

Wheels
I don't want to roll the arches or anything like that. So I was going to stick to 15"x7" wheels / tyres with a sensible ET like 20 (max) or so. Thoughts? I saw this guide:
http://www.driftworks.com/mazda-mx5-wheel-guide/#i...

Exterior
I quite like those old fashioned alloy bullet style side mirrors. So long as they don't leave OE holes? Maybe a mohair black roof with glass heated window at some point down the line. I'll probably move the front number plate to the side or bottom as well. It looks a bit daft at the very front like that.

Engine
Not sure yet. But NA tuning with ITBs and a Racing Beat full manifold / exhaust system would probably sound amazing. Faster, but not daft or changing the fun nature too much. So perhaps an MX5 +1. 180bhp (max) of screaming NA power should be enough for a smile, no?

If you want old skool style mirrors without leaving holes or compromising visibility then I'd recommend a set of Runabout mirrors - they're made especially for the MX5. I've got a set of Runabout S800's on mine and I think they suit the car down to the ground. The glass is curved as well so visibility isn't far off the OE mirrors.



Suspension - I've recently fitted HSD Dualtech coilovers and I find them to be excellent. I'm running quite low, 6 clicks from the hardest setting and they are still very comfortable.

Wheels and tyres - I'm on 14" RS Watanabes which most would agree suit the MX-5 very well. Rota RB's would give you a similar look in 15x7 flavour. For tyres I've got Toyo T1-R's which again are a popular choice among MX5 owners. My only complaint with them is that the side walls are quite soft. I've put another picture of mine below to give you an idea of 14"s with standard, unrolled arches and a drop in ride height.



Tuning - ITB's all the way if you've got deep pockets!

Looking forward to seeing what you do with yours.

[eltax91]

I've got a (nearly) rusty mk2. Might be persuaded to strip the full supercharger kit off for the right price.

[k-ink]

The looks of yours is really good. If mine comes out like that, but silver, it'll be what I had in mind from the start. Do you know how much your wheels weigh? Maybe I should stick to 14" and have a taller side wall to the tyre. That might be better for pot holes!

[Rickyy]

Looks like a very clean example, very similar to mine, which is an R-reg 1.8i Uk model, but classic red.

Not sure how much you know about MX5s and their foibles, but have a feel around the rear of the cylinder head and check the CAS (camshaft angle sensor) for an oil leak, then check the heater matrix hoses directly below it.

Mine was leaking, which resulted in one of the hoses blowing on a Sunday afternoon on the Brecon Beacons!

I've researched suspension refreshing and the general consensus is that OE rubber bushes are better than Polybushes for road use. I've a set of Blueprint ARB link arms and Mazda ARB bushes waiting to go on mine, as it's feeling very baggy and knocking like a good'un.

Still unsure whether to keep mine or not though, I don't use it very often, but know I'll miss it if I did sell it!

[k-ink]

eltax91 said:

I've got a (nearly) rusty mk2. Might be persuaded to strip the full supercharger kit off for the right price.

I have been advised the supercharger kits can be fiddly to get running correctly. So I was going to stick to NA. I think. Dither, dither!


I do love the sound of the ITBs! Scuzzle said they can do two stages for me:

1, new cams, full exhaust system etc.
2, add the ITB later on (to spread the cost).

[Djr1]

Drums - love the white circle on drivers door! Been toying with the idea of something similar for ages. Where did you get it? Is it a sticker or paint?

[k-ink]

Rickyy said:

Not sure how much you know about MX5s and their foibles, but have a feel around the rear of the cylinder head and check the CAS (camshaft angle sensor) for an oil leak, then check the heater matrix hoses directly below it.

Mine was leaking...

Roughly, bugger all I'll be taking it to scuzzle for a full service, inspection, fettle on day 1.

[Drums]

k-ink said:

The looks of yours is really good. If mine comes out like that, but silver, it'll be what I had in mind from the start. Do you know how much your wheels weigh? Maybe I should stick to 14" and have a taller side wall to the tyre. That might be better for pot holes!

Thanks! Apparently 14x6 cast Watanabes are around 5.1KG per wheel, which is lighter than I thought. 14"s with a chunky tyre is a good look though, if you can find a set of Wats then go for it!

[Rickyy]

k-ink said:

The looks of yours is really good. If mine comes out like that, but silver, it'll be what I had in mind from the start. Do you know how much your wheels weigh? Maybe I should stick to 14" and have a taller side wall to the tyre. That might be better for pot holes!

I'd recommend sticking to 14" if you can find a set you like. Mine was recently struck by a bin lorry, which did some damage, including ruining a wheel. So I bought a set of 15" Mk2 wheels to replace the 14"s (same as the ones on your car) and it feels worse to drive. I'll be reverting back to 14" when the right set comes up. Plus, it looks too high on standard suspension!

[Drums]

Djr1 said:

Drums - love the white circle on drivers door! Been toying with the idea of something similar for ages. Where did you get it? Is it a sticker or paint?

I had a company custom make them in Old English White to 17" as I thought 16" roundels looked too small, 18"s too big and plain white stood out too much on a black car. Sounds really picky now I say it but it's the little things and all that!

I think, from memory, the company was called Sticky Fingers Decals.

[Djr1]

Drums said:

I had a company custom make them in Old English White to 17" as I thought 16" roundels looked too small, 18"s too big and plain white stood out too much on a black car. Sounds really picky now I say it but it's the little things and all that!

I think, from memory, the company was called Sticky Fingers Decals.

Great, thanks!