MX5 upgrades?

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Discussion

edoverheels

Original Poster:

358 posts

106 months

Saturday 10th October 2015
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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.

edoverheels

Original Poster:

358 posts

106 months

Saturday 10th October 2015
quotequote all
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.

edoverheels

Original Poster:

358 posts

106 months

Tuesday 13th October 2015
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Thanks for all the input.
In reality my distant memory of track days 25 years ago before they were even a 'thing' and called track days, just owners club meets, was brake fade and tyres going off. So it will be new standard discs, new track day pads, racing fluid and braided hoses. Tyres are tired anyway and so Nankangs or Federal 595s, not really after grip and lap times just consistency and resistance to going all squirmy. Before we start is safety and so bucket seat, roll bar with harness bar and a pair of 4 points. Over the winter we will change all fluids/ hoses etc and aim for reliability and then start.
However I expect that we will end up with coil overs in the long run but have some fun and do a few track days first with a view to having taken sensible precautions on safety and reliability.

edoverheels

Original Poster:

358 posts

106 months

Friday 20th November 2015
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Have just bought a GC Fabrications roll bar after a group buy with MXNutz went sour. Very good service etc and will try and fit it at the weekend. Have also ordered Nankangs and Meistr Rs are on the way.
Since buying MX5 I had been hugely underwhelmed and couldn't understand the hype even allowing for the baggy suspension and crap tyres (my every day car is an S2000)
Then I drove it for a whole week during some warm weather (last week) and on a few days the road had dried out. It was hilarious, sane speeds and the confidence to throw it at corners and experience understeer and oversteer and everything in between at your choice. It was huge fun and I couldn't wait to sort out the suspension and brakes and get it on a track.

The Honda is much better of course, in an analytical sense. Much faster, much better control of body movement, engine and gearbox cannot be beaten and a noise to die for (no air box). However really getting hard and getting some movement around corners rather than just being very neat and tidy whilst pushing at the edges is an act of faith and commitment.

I absolutely adore the Honda and every mile in it is a pleasure and wonder in the age of electronics and paddle shifts if I will ever own a better car but I often drive it with a frown of concentration whereas the MX5 I was laughing out loud and singing along with the music that the VTEC has normally drowned out.

I'm not really making a point I suppose. Just everything is different but a lot of it is fun. Looking forward to my first MX5 track day.

edoverheels

Original Poster:

358 posts

106 months

Saturday 21st November 2015
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As far as I am aware the TR Lane group buy fell by the wayside because they started selling through MX5 parts and so could no longer offer the discount. Felt sorry for the group buy organiser who had obviously put a lot of work in. Can't blame anyone. We all have to make a living.