MX5 tuning firms
Discussion
Hi,
Saw the V8 conversion thread and remembered a similar thing I was pondering. Are there any companys doing turn-key MX5 upgrades of any sort? What got me thinking was this image....
How good would it be if you could get a small rear wheel drive coupe, with better handling than the Mk3 MX5 offers, a bit more performance, much greater practicality (care of the hatchback) and something with a rather more bespoke feel. I've always liked the idea of starting up a re-engineering company like Alpina do for BMW or Lister did for Jaguars in the 80s.
Oh well, that's another thing on my 'things to get me out of working for someone else' list
Saw the V8 conversion thread and remembered a similar thing I was pondering. Are there any companys doing turn-key MX5 upgrades of any sort? What got me thinking was this image....
How good would it be if you could get a small rear wheel drive coupe, with better handling than the Mk3 MX5 offers, a bit more performance, much greater practicality (care of the hatchback) and something with a rather more bespoke feel. I've always liked the idea of starting up a re-engineering company like Alpina do for BMW or Lister did for Jaguars in the 80s.
Oh well, that's another thing on my 'things to get me out of working for someone else' list
Not aware of them if there are. Thought they looked nice though.
Have seen a few MX5 body conversions to make your car look a little bit like something else (I think replica would be too strong a word!) but the styling was mixed to say the least - think I saw one that was quite nice, the rest just looked like a cartoon of their chosen 'inspiration'.
Just think theres a gap in the market for a practical sports car, almost like a mini 911 in terms of the 'drive to the shops' ethos. The Z3M style hatch back on that photoshopped one would dramatically increase the ammount of luggage space and the fixed head would add to the stiffness, reduce drag and improve security. Plus, I've got a bit of a thing for GT body styles!
Have seen a few MX5 body conversions to make your car look a little bit like something else (I think replica would be too strong a word!) but the styling was mixed to say the least - think I saw one that was quite nice, the rest just looked like a cartoon of their chosen 'inspiration'.
Just think theres a gap in the market for a practical sports car, almost like a mini 911 in terms of the 'drive to the shops' ethos. The Z3M style hatch back on that photoshopped one would dramatically increase the ammount of luggage space and the fixed head would add to the stiffness, reduce drag and improve security. Plus, I've got a bit of a thing for GT body styles!
well... if you were to ever set up a company bringing in mk2 MX5 Coupes, and fitting them with, say, the jag/ford 3-litre V6... I'd buy one!! 
one of these:
with this in the front:
(from here: www.miata.net/news/v6.html )
one of these:
with this in the front:
(from here: www.miata.net/news/v6.html )
Edited by Pierscoe1 on Tuesday 20th March 21:30
Exactly - how cool would that be? 
Right now I'd jump at an attractive coupe that went well, handled nicely, was reasonably spacious inside, compact on the outside and could be left out on the street with out the venom that parking a 3 series or Porsche 944 in public attracts! Set up a license with Mazda to re-badge them like Alpina do to the BMWs and the image concious wouldn't even have to worry about the characters "MX5" on the back!!
I'm told the MX5 engine isn't all that light, so a V6 transplant wouldn't be out the question. Failing that you could probably offer a conversion kit for... what? £10,000 - £1k for the suspension, £4k for a supercharger, £5k for a nice hardtop conversion and discrete re-trim. Might seem a lot for a '5, but you could comfortably end up with a sub £20k car, more civilsed than an elise, more focused than a 3 series coupe as fast as a 350Z/TT and more exclusive than any of them.
Right now I'd jump at an attractive coupe that went well, handled nicely, was reasonably spacious inside, compact on the outside and could be left out on the street with out the venom that parking a 3 series or Porsche 944 in public attracts! Set up a license with Mazda to re-badge them like Alpina do to the BMWs and the image concious wouldn't even have to worry about the characters "MX5" on the back!!
I'm told the MX5 engine isn't all that light, so a V6 transplant wouldn't be out the question. Failing that you could probably offer a conversion kit for... what? £10,000 - £1k for the suspension, £4k for a supercharger, £5k for a nice hardtop conversion and discrete re-trim. Might seem a lot for a '5, but you could comfortably end up with a sub £20k car, more civilsed than an elise, more focused than a 3 series coupe as fast as a 350Z/TT and more exclusive than any of them.
chris71 said:
Exactly - how cool would that be?
Right now I'd jump at an attractive coupe that went well, handled nicely, was reasonably spacious inside, compact on the outside and could be left out on the street with out the venom that parking a 3 series or Porsche 944 in public attracts! Set up a license with Mazda to re-badge them like Alpina do to the BMWs and the image concious wouldn't even have to worry about the characters "MX5" on the back!!
I'm told the MX5 engine isn't all that light, so a V6 transplant wouldn't be out the question. Failing that you could probably offer a conversion kit for... what? £10,000 - £1k for the suspension, £4k for a supercharger, £5k for a nice hardtop conversion and discrete re-trim. Might seem a lot for a '5, but you could comfortably end up with a sub £20k car, more civilsed than an elise, more focused than a 3 series coupe as fast as a 350Z/TT and more exclusive than any of them.
Right now I'd jump at an attractive coupe that went well, handled nicely, was reasonably spacious inside, compact on the outside and could be left out on the street with out the venom that parking a 3 series or Porsche 944 in public attracts! Set up a license with Mazda to re-badge them like Alpina do to the BMWs and the image concious wouldn't even have to worry about the characters "MX5" on the back!!
I'm told the MX5 engine isn't all that light, so a V6 transplant wouldn't be out the question. Failing that you could probably offer a conversion kit for... what? £10,000 - £1k for the suspension, £4k for a supercharger, £5k for a nice hardtop conversion and discrete re-trim. Might seem a lot for a '5, but you could comfortably end up with a sub £20k car, more civilsed than an elise, more focused than a 3 series coupe as fast as a 350Z/TT and more exclusive than any of them.
4K for a Supercharger! Cool
MOAB/Uber territory Well, maybe that's overkill - based on a 'fully fitted' comercial price I heard and even that might have been rather expensive. Knock a grand off that for a big brake kit and some uprated tyres then and you still have roughly a £10,000 bill for turning an MX5 into a very nice little coupe. By second hand cars (obviously) with sound chasis but not a lot else (hood, original dampers, springs, brakes ect are all going to be changed) and sell on any reconditionable parts that are surplus to your requirments. Obviously get plenty of trade accounts, bulk buy discounts etc with your surpliers and bingo......
I'm sure that's a nieve pipe dream and I'm sure I'll never do that or anything like it, but still, sounds like a fun way to make a living
I'm sure that's a nieve pipe dream and I'm sure I'll never do that or anything like it, but still, sounds like a fun way to make a living
Pierscoe1 said:
chris71 said:
Exactly - how cool would that be?
Very!!! Do It!
chris71 said:
£5k for a nice hardtop conversion and discrete re-trim.
what's that based on?!?! do you know a good coachbuilder?
Nah - that's based on having the facilities to do it myself. This is pipe dreaming remember!
Just started up a limited company to handle my engineering contract and it would be nice to use it for something that get's me away from the office! Had all sorts of ideas, most, if not all of which I'll never get round to.
I've seen the odd one come up for auction in Japan but I think it would need a specific model report; I don't think you'd get it on the road using an existing report despite the fact that it's still an MX-5. I'd guess there aren't enough cars available to justify getting a new report made but I'm sure there'll be some over here in a few years when they hit their 10th birthday!
Trouble is, of the few hundred in existence, some are very basic & some have an ugly front. I forget which model is the desirable one (Type A?) but it'll be a job to find one.
Trouble is, of the few hundred in existence, some are very basic & some have an ugly front. I forget which model is the desirable one (Type A?) but it'll be a job to find one.
Edited by risotto on Tuesday 3rd April 08:35
looking coupe-like just doesn't do it for me... I want one as much for the structural rigidity (infact mostly for that) as the looks/cabin refinement etc...
Type-A is the one to get...
see my little shrine here:
www.zen100588.zen.co.uk/RS%20Coupe/rs_1.html
the yellow one (first thumbnail) is the type-A
Type-A is the one to get...
see my little shrine here:
www.zen100588.zen.co.uk/RS%20Coupe/rs_1.html
the yellow one (first thumbnail) is the type-A
RedCabbage said:
Pierscoe1 said:
well... if you were to ever set up a company bringing in mk2 MX5 Coupes, and fitting them with, say, the jag/ford 3-litre V6... I'd buy one!!
one of these:
one of these:
Edited by Pierscoe1 on Tuesday 20th March 21:30
Have any of these been brought into the UK?
Thats a fantastic looking car, I'd definately have bought one if they were available here. The mk3 hardtop on the first page looks a dogs dinner.
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