The £500 MX5

[eltax91]

Bit of a thread resurrection by way of an update.

Due to the car stepping into service for my mother in law last summer, it rapidly approached the insurance mileage limit by Christmas. So, I took it off the road in December and between calls when working at home started on a bit of a consumables overhaul. The car has had:-

New plugs and leads
New Cambelt
Engine oil and filter
Fuel filter (yet to be fitted)
Cambelt, tensioners and water pump
Thermostat and coolant change
New discs and pads all round
Rear diff oil change
Gearbox oil change (pending)

It's been very rewarding to do these jobs myself, learning as I went along. I made a mistake or two along the way but the car is running sweetly again. The smile on my face when it started again for the first time was something else.

I've stuck to my principles of only replacing stuff that will end up on the kit for now.

It's due it's mot next month so we will see how it all pans out.

And for those who ridiculed my bodywork, it remains untouched still.

[eltax91]

Another update here, I decided to go crazy when the offer of a lightly used supercharger kit came up on the MX5 sub forum. Here's my build thread on MX5 Nutz.

http://www.mx5nutz.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=1...

I ran out of time (and skill) to finish it, as I'm now working away in Denmark. So I had the car shipped to a respected MX5 tuner to put the finishes touches on it. Hoping to collect it the first week in July when I get back to blighty.

[eltax91]

Hi all

SuperCharger kit fitted. Oh MY what a difference!

Here is a picture of my special body work, this time putting it to use as it should be!

[eltax91]

HorneyMX5 said:

Nice! I was down nick's all week this week helping him with a few bits and interccoling my supercharged MKI.

What power did you make?

Approx 206 at the fly. Very happy with that. It the additional torque of the SC, it just makes the car so much more useable and drivable

[eltax91]

Bit of a thread resurrection, but thought it deserved an update.

3 years from the original filler work and the car is still marching on strong. Several track days have passed, the last one taking the tyres and brakes down to the bare minimum.

MOT day tomorrow and I'm like a nervous expectant father. I'm fully expecting a fail on the back box (there's a hole in it) but i've not replaced the pads or tyres intentionally in case there's some more structural rust going on. If it passes, it'll be treated to a new set of performance discs/ pads, braided lines and 4 new boots. If not, then the strip down for parting out begins at the weekend.

Wish the old girl luck

[eltax91]

Butter Face said:

How's the supercharger going?

It's great. Still sounds nice and quiet. The boost is fantastic. Had some running trouble which I thought was curtains until I realised it was a leak in a intake pipe. Replaced it with aluminium one and it pulls better than ever.

[eltax91]

wilbo83 said:

So....how did the MOT go?

It got cancelled. It's now at 11am tomorrow. I'm at the mercy of the tester as since I supercharged it, on its aftermarket ecu and a de cat, it's needs a tester prepared to be friendly on emissions and they are difficult to find!!

[eltax91]

[eltax91]

Toaster Pilot said:

Crate of beer in the boot to weigh it down for it's emissions test?

Let's just say I paid more than the usual test fee, and it had a quick engine conversion to a 1.2 corsa for 5 minutes. Those mechanics sure work fast.

eta: 1300 miles between MOT's - not killing any bunnies.

Edited by eltax91 on Monday 25th April 16:09

[eltax91]

So, a surprising turn taken for this car in the last 2 weeks. I decided my time with it was over. I started to drop posts out on the groups to try and sell it, but because of the cat c status, people offer 40% of what you are asking, which instantly decreases the value of all the nice upgrades I've done.

So, a couple of weeks working at home, dipping in and out of the garage when I can, and the car now looks like this:-



Sold some of the choice parts already. Still got the supercharger full kit to shift but they are quite sought after so that shouldn't be an issue.

So, a somewhat said end to this thread, although it does mean my filler work (untouched for 4 years) will now go where it deserves, to the scrappy.

[eltax91]

Hoofy said:

Shame!

Yeh it is a shame. However, having just had a second kid, the 2 seater toy is getting even less use! So for me tube to move on, it's been a fun 4 years and has given me some great track experience to boot.