MX5 upgrades?

[edoverheels]

I have just acquired a Japanese import 1994 1.8 Eunos. Ok but awful red paintwork and very cheap with the idea of doing track days. It is a joint project with my brother in law who is a mechanic which will undoubtedly come in useful. If you were going to spend £1000 (twice the cost of the car) what would you do? It needs tyres anyway by the way. I know what I think I would do but I am a novice and not actually done this before. Those with hindsight will have a better idea. I haven't done a track day for 25 years and will be doing one soon in my road car and getting some tuition to try and keep me out of the gravel.

[HustleRussell]

Weight reduction. Brake fluid and pads. Discs as necessary. Then suspension.

[Sf_Manta]

HustleRussell said:

Weight reduction. Brake fluid and pads. Discs as necessary. Then suspension.

I'd say brakes first, really need to make sure these are in tip top condition.
Calipers / lines should be checked, I'd recommened at least doing as above and flushing the fluid out, and changing the rubber lines for braided steel ones.
Good pads (Ds2500s are well worth it) would be the next port of call so long as the discs are in good order.
Make sure the engine's in good service, fresh oil and filters. I'd also refresh the coolant system if the budget allows as this gets stressed hard and make sure there's no leaks, most track places will bar you if you drop fluids.

[johnwilliams77]

Sf_Manta said:

I'd say brakes first, really need to make sure these are in tip top condition.
Calipers / lines should be checked, I'd recommened at least doing as above and flushing the fluid out, and changing the rubber lines for braided steel ones.
Good pads (Ds2500s are well worth it) would be the next port of call so long as the discs are in good order.
Make sure the engine's in good service, fresh oil and filters. I'd also refresh the coolant system if the budget allows as this gets stressed hard and make sure there's no leaks, most track places will bar you if you drop fluids.

No, they won't.

[MG CHRIS]

As someone that tracks a exocet kit car extreme light weight mx5 first off strip all excess weight if its just being used as a track car, interior seats, all the plastic covers underneath, there is metal reinforcing panels in the bumpers which are heavy too soft top too as that is heavy.

Next brakes and tyres, new discs if old ones are rusted don't get drilled discs standard are fine or if you want grooved/dimpled discs but not drilled, Pads I use mintex 1144, hel braided brake lines and using dot 5.1 brake fluid which will be ample for a mx5 on track. Tyres light wheels are better if you can get them tyres I would use federal rsr for the money well worth it.

Next up proper half roll cage tr lane etc bucket seats and 4 point harness, the seats and harness will keep you in one place without moving around in corners and under brakes and the cage just incase you roll it I have seen mx5 rolled one at pembrey and the roll cage saved him.

Make sure all the fluids and filters are changed and I would advise a ally rad/silicone hoses and a full flush out of the coolant. After that get it on track and enjoy it then see what it needs next and go from there.

[johnwilliams77]

Perfectly fine in standard form IMO. I have done a few track days in my mk1 and a few ex caterham racers have had a shot and the brakes cope fine. Yes it's a bit wollowy and yes I would fully recommend a tr lane half cage but that's it. Everything else is a nice to have. IE it would be nice to have meister shocks but not sure it's really worth it in terms of fun/enjoyment.

There are a lot of cages on mx5 parts. Any recommendations on which one to get?

[jumare]

Roll cage (TR Lane) and harness, brakes, coil-overs if the suspension is tired.

That's what I planned for mine (Mk1 1.6 Eunos), although brakes have slipped behind coil-covers (they are Pagrid pads and better fluid as bought, and I have a set of 1.8 brakes in the shed).

Safety first then handling then think about power.

[johnwilliams77]

Which cage did you get?
http://www.mx5parts.co.uk/roll-bars-c-376_294_354....

[edoverheels]

Will service car and change all fluids of course including all brake fluid. I had assumed changing pads and putting suitable tyres on. Then a cage/roll bar and harness and coil overs when funds allow. Will depend of course on how we get on in the meantime!
Thanks for the input
Not sure about too much lightening because it will stay road legal, again, we will see I guess.

[johnwilliams77]

edoverheels said:

Will service car and change all fluids of course including all brake fluid. I had assumed changing pads and putting suitable tyres on. Then a cage/roll bar and harness and coil overs when funds allow. Will depend of course on how we get on in the meantime!
Thanks for the input
Not sure about too much lightening because it will stay road legal, again, we will see I guess.

I actually prefer st tyres on track. The car is more fun when it's moving around below you. It's always going to be one of the slowest without FI.

[Robert Elise]

Lot of good advice above.
I would emphasise bucket seats so that you feel part of the car, more in control, more fun.

[johnwilliams77]

Robert Elise said:

Lot of good advice above.
I would emphasise bucket seats so that you feel part of the car, more in control, more fun.

Hunting for a good bucket seat myself. Which one did you use?

[JQ]

Robert Elise said:

Lot of good advice above.
I would emphasise bucket seats so that you feel part of the car, more in control, more fun.

This.

I found doing a trackday gripping the steering wheel to brace my entire weight quite unpleasant and distracting from the feel of the car. So my most important upgrade was a bucket seat and harness, which also meant a proper roll bar and harness bar, so not a cheap upgrade.

After that it was brakes and suspension (Meisterr). Then more power!!

[Robert Elise]

johnwilliams77 said:

Hunting for a good bucket seat myself. Which one did you use?

Sparco Sprint Junior
apparently these fit the existing runners and sit low (check Nutz or FlyinMiata). I didn't do it myself as my car was track prepped by the previous owners, who had read the forums and done the usual stuff:
- 1.8 front brakes, braided lines
- water pump and silicone hoses (good preemptive install, cooling system often fails on old cars that get tracked)
- standard airbox put back on (yep)
- PAS delete (loopback which i completed properly, worth it)
- AC delete
- stripped out
- soft top delete (quite heavy)
- Tr Lane roll bar (strengthens chassis too)
- sports manifold
- coilovers (unknown, but seem to work fine. MeistrRs would be my next move if i felt the need to change)

i then added light alloys as their 'look nice' wheels were too heavy. (Tracklite Gear. flow formed, which is cheaper form of forged, aparently ) light wheels - great upgrade. I use ok rubber as really sticky stuff is less fun!

i use CG Lock rather than full harness. it works well and i'd recommend at least try it. Harnesses look great but they aren't needed and are more hassle

My next items will be timing advance and AFM.
I'm resisting FI, cams and Megasquirt because of the complexity and risk. plus the fact as i make the biggest upgrade (driver training) it's all about carrying speed and having fun.
I also believe in ester synth oil for this little engine, because they can take a beating you'll find yourself on track for up to 30 mins at a time if you're 'in battle'. So best have the best fluids in and changed regularly.

Power is the last upgrade you need.
First are some basic items (seats, fluids, roll bar, weight)
Second is YOU, driver training
Third is suspension and brakes (less so brakes with an MX5, but make sure they work very well obviously)
Last is power.

Edited by Robert Elise on Sunday 11th October 10:38

[T0MMY]

All you need to do with MX5 mk1 brakes is change the fluid and get decent pads (I used Roddisons or Axxis Ultimates). Even with mine running an extra 40bhp from a DIY turbo kit they never faded and I'm pretty hard on them. Maybe they'd need further upgrades if you were running slicks though.

If you've made sure reliability is taken care of (changing perished hoses, knackered rads, rusty exhaust hangers and service items etc.) and you have tyres that don't go off after 2 laps (super sticky or not) then the car should be fine to blat around in all day and any further mods can be dictated by where you feel the car is lacking. Limited overall performance doesn't ruin a trackday. Chronic brake fade, overheated tyres and terminal break downs are the only things that will stop you having fun so address those things before worrying about performance.

Edited by T0MMY on Sunday 11th October 11:24

[johnwilliams77]

T0MMY said:

All you need to do with MX5 mk1 brakes is change the fluid and get decent pads (I used Roddisons or Axxis Ultimates). Even with mine running an extra 40bhp from a DIY turbo kit they never faded and I'm pretty hard on them. Maybe they'd need further upgrades if you were running slicks though.

If you've made sure reliability is taken care of (changing perished hoses, knackered rads, rusty exhaust hangers and service items etc.) and you have tyres that don't go off after 2 laps (super sticky or not) then the car should be fine to blat around in all day and any further mods can be dictated by where you feel the car is lacking. Limited overall performance doesn't ruin a trackday. Chronic brake fade, overheated tyres and terminal break downs are the only things that will stop you having fun so address those things before worrying about performance.

Edited by T0MMY on Sunday 11th October 11:24

The most sensible post yet.

[JQ]

Robert Elise said:

i use CG Lock rather than full harness. it works well and i'd recommend at least try it. Harnesses look great but they aren't needed and are more hassle

I've got to disagree on that point, installing a harness and bucket seat was probably the best upgrade I did. I also initially used a CG Lock. It's great for stopping your bum moving around in the seat and much better than just a belt, but a harness is sooo much better. It totally stops your upper body moving, either under harsh breaking or when cornering. It means all your hands are doing is steering the car and guaging the feedback - with a CG Lock you're still having to brace yourself against the steering wheel.

And I'm not sure why a harness is a hassle , I never found any issues with mine.

[200Plus Club]

Other than mx5nutz anywhere else where decent mx5 trackday cars come up?watching ph obviously but itching to get back out in one.

[jumare]

johnwilliams77 said:

Which cage did you get?
http://www.mx5parts.co.uk/roll-bars-c-376_294_354....

I got the TR Lane V shaped (GPV) with welded harness bar, MX5 parts will fit for free (or used to) or TR Lane will charge £150 (I think it was) but less for the cage. Depends where you are located, for me TR Lane are fairly local so got them to do it.

[johnwilliams77]

jumare said:

I got the TR Lane V shaped (GPV) with welded harness bar, MX5 parts will fit for free (or used to) or TR Lane will charge £150 (I think it was) but less for the cage. Depends where you are located, for me TR Lane are fairly local so got them to do it.

Improved handling / feel noticeable?