Mk3 MX5 Sport - Grey and Tan
Discussion
Accelebrate said:
Looking good. Was the manifold tricky to install? I haven't touched mine as a guy I met who was building a supercup car claimed it was the worse job he'd tackled so far.
I got Skuzzle Motorsport to fit it. It only takes them a couple of hours as they've done loads before. It' a bit of pain as you have to remove a lot of stuff and lift the engine off one mount for clearance. I reckon a DIY job on stands you'd have to put aside a day to be sure on a first attempt.Well worth it though. Makes a huge difference to how the car drives. It's not cheap though. On a standard car you're looking at manifold, labour, ECU licence and remap. Depending on which manifold and where you get it done you're unlikely to see any change from £1k.
Just came across this thread, lovely car and looks like you are using it properly! Very similar to mine, it looks like I have followed the same mods as you too.
Does your Carbon Miata spoiler still look as good as it did the day you got it? Mine has been fitted for 6 months and is very creamy / blotchy, like water vapour is seeping in somewhere, just wondered if you had a similar experience? My car is garaged and loved, the spoiler isn't damaged.
I also have an I.L manifold fitted, along with a full stainless system and sports cat, which transforms the car. I had mine re-mapped but the EML light refuses to stay off, its been back and forth to the re-mapper 3 times, it stays off for about 100 miles then comes back on! Similar issues or am I unlucky?
Here's mine:
Does your Carbon Miata spoiler still look as good as it did the day you got it? Mine has been fitted for 6 months and is very creamy / blotchy, like water vapour is seeping in somewhere, just wondered if you had a similar experience? My car is garaged and loved, the spoiler isn't damaged.
I also have an I.L manifold fitted, along with a full stainless system and sports cat, which transforms the car. I had mine re-mapped but the EML light refuses to stay off, its been back and forth to the re-mapper 3 times, it stays off for about 100 miles then comes back on! Similar issues or am I unlucky?
Here's mine:
Blimey, I’ve been tardy in keeping this up to date.
The day at Donno for my Dad’s birthday was wet, very wet. As I was running on the Rainsports it was a very entertaining day of overtaking everything and chasing around a couple of Ginetta race cars who were using it as a test day. The old man had a whale of a time and we came home with the car in one piece.
And a video of the day: https://youtu.be/MSBqjrYmWak
Next up was JDM Combe where I did the 9am track session only (best one to avoid the idiots). Always a good jap car show with plenty of stuff on and off track to enjoy.
Video of the 9am session: https://youtu.be/Fc3jVCBVMFg
I then went to the ring for the first ever time, a new post for that one I think.
The day at Donno for my Dad’s birthday was wet, very wet. As I was running on the Rainsports it was a very entertaining day of overtaking everything and chasing around a couple of Ginetta race cars who were using it as a test day. The old man had a whale of a time and we came home with the car in one piece.
And a video of the day: https://youtu.be/MSBqjrYmWak
Next up was JDM Combe where I did the 9am track session only (best one to avoid the idiots). Always a good jap car show with plenty of stuff on and off track to enjoy.
Video of the 9am session: https://youtu.be/Fc3jVCBVMFg
I then went to the ring for the first ever time, a new post for that one I think.
MrsH bought me a Nurburgring experience for my 40th birthday. This was to be done in my own car and the format was:
Arrive Sunday
Theory talk and track walk in the afternoon
Drivers dinner in RingWerk in the evening
A night in the swanky hotel on site
Monday Morning driver instruction
Monday afternoon Open Pit Lane
We decided to make a long weekend of it and for me to tick visiting the old circuit at Reims off my bucket list.
Such an awesome place and I love the work the local are doing to restore it. We were there for about an hour and a good few other people came and went during that time and it was a week day. We drove back through as the sun was setting later in the day and it was very atmospheric.
So next up was the trip to the ring. The afternoon and evening stuff was great but I was dead nervous! The morning arrived and I pulled up on the track at the meeting point to discover I was down 100bhp on everything else there. Yikes!
The format of the morning was we followed the instructor in his Cayman and he talked to us over a 2 way radio. We’d take it in turns to be right behind him in the train. In my group we had me, a M240i, 2 Caymans and a 991 911. Group 10:
First few laps were terrifying as I had forgot I’d up the pressures for all the luggage we were carrying. The car felt like it was on ice. Dropping the pressures down and adding a few clicks to the dampers sorted that out.
The instruction was really great and then the afternoon free lapping was just awesome. I did a few sets of 3 laps back to back and finished the day with 24 laps in the bag. Finished the day with some beers and a steak at Pistenclaus.
Here’s a vid of a slow and unexciting lap: https://youtu.be/4aScEbHZLEo
It was an awesome experience and I’m already planning a trip back, but in the Mini Cooper S. The MX5 didn’t escape unscathed however. The sustained high speeds up past Devils Diner (Indicated 140 mph) seems to have killed the rear seal on the gearbox and it’s now leaking oil onto the prop shaft and that is then spraying it onto the exhaust. This will need fixing along with some more welding for the MOT in September.
Last weekend I took it to Holland, more on that later.
Arrive Sunday
Theory talk and track walk in the afternoon
Drivers dinner in RingWerk in the evening
A night in the swanky hotel on site
Monday Morning driver instruction
Monday afternoon Open Pit Lane
We decided to make a long weekend of it and for me to tick visiting the old circuit at Reims off my bucket list.
Such an awesome place and I love the work the local are doing to restore it. We were there for about an hour and a good few other people came and went during that time and it was a week day. We drove back through as the sun was setting later in the day and it was very atmospheric.
So next up was the trip to the ring. The afternoon and evening stuff was great but I was dead nervous! The morning arrived and I pulled up on the track at the meeting point to discover I was down 100bhp on everything else there. Yikes!
The format of the morning was we followed the instructor in his Cayman and he talked to us over a 2 way radio. We’d take it in turns to be right behind him in the train. In my group we had me, a M240i, 2 Caymans and a 991 911. Group 10:
First few laps were terrifying as I had forgot I’d up the pressures for all the luggage we were carrying. The car felt like it was on ice. Dropping the pressures down and adding a few clicks to the dampers sorted that out.
The instruction was really great and then the afternoon free lapping was just awesome. I did a few sets of 3 laps back to back and finished the day with 24 laps in the bag. Finished the day with some beers and a steak at Pistenclaus.
Here’s a vid of a slow and unexciting lap: https://youtu.be/4aScEbHZLEo
It was an awesome experience and I’m already planning a trip back, but in the Mini Cooper S. The MX5 didn’t escape unscathed however. The sustained high speeds up past Devils Diner (Indicated 140 mph) seems to have killed the rear seal on the gearbox and it’s now leaking oil onto the prop shaft and that is then spraying it onto the exhaust. This will need fixing along with some more welding for the MOT in September.
Last weekend I took it to Holland, more on that later.
Great thread, the Mk3 MX5 is so under appreciated, they're great cars for the money and with a few choice modifications go and handle like a proper little sports car too!
I believe we spoke briefly before about the fact my manifold, map etc. was done the day after yours at Skuzzle and made (within 0.5bhp), the same power at the wheels! I am getting an itch for forced induction but I feel the car might lose its revvy, fun nature...
For those that haven't seen it, what a MK3 2.0 with a few basic mods is capable of with a handy driver...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tQ3x462rlmg
I believe we spoke briefly before about the fact my manifold, map etc. was done the day after yours at Skuzzle and made (within 0.5bhp), the same power at the wheels! I am getting an itch for forced induction but I feel the car might lose its revvy, fun nature...
For those that haven't seen it, what a MK3 2.0 with a few basic mods is capable of with a handy driver...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tQ3x462rlmg
Great thread! I can't believe I've missed this!
You've done some lovely modifications to the car and I like them all, especially the wheels!
Looking forward to updates, I dropped my supercharged NC off to Skuzzle today for mapping as the previous owner has fiddled with it so I want it checked over and tweaked to make sure it's nice and safe, if it gets the seal of approval I'll be looking for wheels and tyres and booking a few trackdays.....although I took it for a cheeky sprint at Curborough last month, absolutely great fun little cars!
43431123541_321f2189b8_c by ROSS HALSEY, on Flickr
20180608_124621 by ROSS HALSEY, on Flickr
You've done some lovely modifications to the car and I like them all, especially the wheels!
Looking forward to updates, I dropped my supercharged NC off to Skuzzle today for mapping as the previous owner has fiddled with it so I want it checked over and tweaked to make sure it's nice and safe, if it gets the seal of approval I'll be looking for wheels and tyres and booking a few trackdays.....although I took it for a cheeky sprint at Curborough last month, absolutely great fun little cars!
43431123541_321f2189b8_c by ROSS HALSEY, on Flickr20180608_124621 by ROSS HALSEY, on Flickr Looks like a great trip. How long did the track walk take? I cycled around it the first year I went, that took long enough! I'm always rather nervous on the ring, it definitely shows in my track footage, any other track day and I'd be pushing a lot harder but it's a big old unforgiving place and the potential costs of a crash are always at the back of my mind.
Not updated this in far too long.
Over the winter it's been with the chaps at DaveFab being used to develop bits in their MK3 range. It kept it out of my way for a few months and gave them them opportunity to work out products without having to buy a car themselves.
Untitled by Nicholas Horne, on Flickr
Coolant tank:
Untitled by Nicholas Horne, on Flickr
Battery box cover:
Untitled by Nicholas Horne, on Flickr
ECU cover for those of us running a cold air intake, the ECU is normally covered by the airbox.
Untitled by Nicholas Horne, on Flickr
Engine cover with more cooling vents for the coil looms:
Untitled by Nicholas Horne, on Flickr
Washer bottle with nearly double the capacity of the standard one:
Untitled by Nicholas Horne, on Flickr
Fuse box cover:
Untitled by Nicholas Horne, on Flickr
Oil catch can:
Untitled by Nicholas Horne, on Flickr
You can find all these things at https://davefab.com/product-category/mk3-mx5/
They also do MK1 and MK2 stuff.
I've neglected in the last 18 months while I've been focused on the Mini race car, I've decided this is not on and so th eMX5 is getting some love.
First up the boot lid was knackered, I sourced a mint used one and swapped the spoiler over.
Untitled by Nicholas Horne, on Flickr
Untitled by Nicholas Horne, on Flickr
Untitled by Nicholas Horne, on Flickr
New boot lid on:
Untitled by Nicholas Horne, on Flickr
Went out for a blat:
Untitled by Nicholas Horne, on Flickr
Untitled by Nicholas Horne, on Flickr
Untitled by Nicholas Horne, on Flickr
Next up I need to address the state of the soft top. It's water tight but the fabric is badly stained and faded.
Over the winter it's been with the chaps at DaveFab being used to develop bits in their MK3 range. It kept it out of my way for a few months and gave them them opportunity to work out products without having to buy a car themselves.
Untitled by Nicholas Horne, on FlickrCoolant tank:
Untitled by Nicholas Horne, on FlickrBattery box cover:
Untitled by Nicholas Horne, on FlickrECU cover for those of us running a cold air intake, the ECU is normally covered by the airbox.
Untitled by Nicholas Horne, on FlickrEngine cover with more cooling vents for the coil looms:
Untitled by Nicholas Horne, on FlickrWasher bottle with nearly double the capacity of the standard one:
Untitled by Nicholas Horne, on FlickrFuse box cover:
Untitled by Nicholas Horne, on FlickrOil catch can:
Untitled by Nicholas Horne, on FlickrYou can find all these things at https://davefab.com/product-category/mk3-mx5/
They also do MK1 and MK2 stuff.
I've neglected in the last 18 months while I've been focused on the Mini race car, I've decided this is not on and so th eMX5 is getting some love.
First up the boot lid was knackered, I sourced a mint used one and swapped the spoiler over.
Untitled by Nicholas Horne, on FlickrUntitled by Nicholas Horne, on FlickrUntitled by Nicholas Horne, on FlickrNew boot lid on:
Untitled by Nicholas Horne, on FlickrWent out for a blat:
Untitled by Nicholas Horne, on FlickrUntitled by Nicholas Horne, on FlickrUntitled by Nicholas Horne, on FlickrNext up I need to address the state of the soft top. It's water tight but the fabric is badly stained and faded.
Edited by HorneyMX5 on Monday 27th May 17:04
Blimey, nearly a whole year since the last update.
I have done pretty much nothing to it apart from get another MOT and stick a few thousand miles on it. First trip out in 2020 recently, so I got some pics:
Untitled by Nicholas Horne, on Flickr
Untitled by Nicholas Horne, on Flickr
Untitled by Nicholas Horne, on Flickr
Untitled by Nicholas Horne, on Flickr
Untitled by Nicholas Horne, on Flickr
Untitled by Nicholas Horne, on Flickr
Untitled by Nicholas Horne, on Flickr
Untitled by Nicholas Horne, on Flickr
I have done pretty much nothing to it apart from get another MOT and stick a few thousand miles on it. First trip out in 2020 recently, so I got some pics:
Untitled by Nicholas Horne, on FlickrUntitled by Nicholas Horne, on FlickrUntitled by Nicholas Horne, on FlickrUntitled by Nicholas Horne, on FlickrUntitled by Nicholas Horne, on FlickrUntitled by Nicholas Horne, on FlickrUntitled by Nicholas Horne, on FlickrUntitled by Nicholas Horne, on FlickrGreat to see your Mk3 Sport. I had exactly the same model for 2 years (my 4th Mx5 - I've owned 1 x Eunos, 1 x mk1, 1 x mk2, 1 x mk3)
Unfortunately I over filled my mk3 with oil and blew the piston rings. (I think that was the issue. I'm not great with the oily bits) So i sold it to a mechanic for £500.
Few months later I saw it driving around so obviously it was fixed up. Had a pang of nostalgia but was happy to see it looking great and back on the road - this time without a plume of smoke behind it!
Unfortunately I over filled my mk3 with oil and blew the piston rings. (I think that was the issue. I'm not great with the oily bits) So i sold it to a mechanic for £500.
Few months later I saw it driving around so obviously it was fixed up. Had a pang of nostalgia but was happy to see it looking great and back on the road - this time without a plume of smoke behind it!
Interesting read! My son has just bought one (only a 1.8 as he’s 18!) and it’s currently hovering above my drive on four stands for me to give it a full Dinitrol treatment as he hopes to keep it a few years. It’s really tidy underneath and I don’t think it’s ever got wet by the look of it!
It’s a real shame Mazda never got the hang of rot protection as it’s so unnecessary with modern materials and design.
I won’t show him this thread just yet or he’ll spiral down a route of uninsurable modifications
It’s a real shame Mazda never got the hang of rot protection as it’s so unnecessary with modern materials and design.
I won’t show him this thread just yet or he’ll spiral down a route of uninsurable modifications
gary71 said:
Interesting read! My son has just bought one (only a 1.8 as he’s 18!) and it’s currently hovering above my drive on four stands for me to give it a full Dinitrol treatment as he hopes to keep it a few years. It’s really tidy underneath and I don’t think it’s ever got wet by the look of it!
It’s a real shame Mazda never got the hang of rot protection as it’s so unnecessary with modern materials and design.
I won’t show him this thread just yet or he’ll spiral down a route of uninsurable modifications
Show him where the dipstick is and tell him to use it once per tank full at least.It’s a real shame Mazda never got the hang of rot protection as it’s so unnecessary with modern materials and design.
I won’t show him this thread just yet or he’ll spiral down a route of uninsurable modifications
Updating this thread as the 'new' custodian of this really great car.
I've made a few minor modifications to the car, but keeping it very much track AND road suitable and enjoyable.
GRacing short shifter imported from the states
3D printed fog light air ducts for brake cooling
GCFab roll bar + bucket seat and harness
Sparco 330mm leather perforated steering wheel
Carbotech XP10 pads + Castrol RBF660 fluid
Aside from keeping on top of regular oil changes, zero things to report other than a fantastic year of weekend fun + a few track days thrown in - Cadwell park, Anglessey, Oulton park, Brands hatch, and earlier this month on a double header track day to Spa.
I've made a few minor modifications to the car, but keeping it very much track AND road suitable and enjoyable.
GRacing short shifter imported from the states
3D printed fog light air ducts for brake cooling
GCFab roll bar + bucket seat and harness
Sparco 330mm leather perforated steering wheel
Carbotech XP10 pads + Castrol RBF660 fluid
Aside from keeping on top of regular oil changes, zero things to report other than a fantastic year of weekend fun + a few track days thrown in - Cadwell park, Anglessey, Oulton park, Brands hatch, and earlier this month on a double header track day to Spa.
Gassing Station | Readers' Cars | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff