JFReturns Mark 1 MX5 Project

[trooperiziz]

tuttle said:

trooperiziz said:

You need to remove the plastic strips from around the bonnet that will block the airflow, they just unscrew.

What strips?

The ones around the bonnet that will block the airflow...

Lift up the bonnet, look at the edge which goes around the light, you should see some hard plastic strips, about 2 inches deep.
If you can't see them, someone has already removed them.

[JFReturns]

Update time - not had time to do much to the car as brought my first house.

I have fitted a TR Lane roll bar, pics will follows once I have cleaned her up. Well impressed, the quality is good and it seems to have stiffened the car. However, this has highlighted how shagged the dampers are... so, advise needed on where to go.

So far I am considering:

- EBay specials

- Koni Street

http://www.mx5parts.co.uk/product_info.php/product...

- Gaz fixed height

http://www.mx5parts.co.uk/product_info.php/product...

- Gaz classic

http://www.mx5parts.co.uk/product_info.php/product...

Does anyone have any experience or recommendations? Is it worth spending the extra on fully adjustable? This is for road use only, no track days....

[MrV]

I keep trying to save for these

http://www.performance5.com/handling_suspension.as...

[JFReturns]

Look good.. but £560? Ouch...

[Jonny671]

The £150 ones on eBay seem to be rated quite highly on Nutz..

[Munter]

Unless you think you want to set up something special regarding ride height. I'd go for the Gaz fixed height. If they ever have any in stock. Might be worth contacting absolutely shocks direct.

[JFReturns]

Jonny671 said:

The £150 ones on eBay seem to be rated quite highly on Nutz..

Indeed...

Based on that thread, I think I will go for them.... Whatever happens I'll update my experiences for everyone elses benefit!

[Jonny671]

JFReturns said:

Jonny671 said:

The £150 ones on eBay seem to be rated quite highly on Nutz..

Indeed...

Based on that thread, I think I will go for them.... Whatever happens I'll update my experiences for everyone elses benefit!

Thanks! As I think I'll be buying some on payday

[Jag-D]

Jonny671 said:

JFReturns said:

Jonny671 said:

The £150 ones on eBay seem to be rated quite highly on Nutz..

Indeed...

Based on that thread, I think I will go for them.... Whatever happens I'll update my experiences for everyone elses benefit!

Thanks! As I think I'll be buying some on payday

I need to look into them, saw them on ebay the other day and couldn't believe the price

[Mark-2]

Jag-D said:

I need to look into them, saw them on ebay the other day and couldn't believe the price

From what I've read about them it seems the general consensus is they're great for road use and maintain a lot of the standard ride quality (they also seem to go pretty low when wound right down!) but are too soft for track use.

Also a lot of people are surprised by the build quality for the price, I believe they are rebranded Raceland ones?

Edited by Mark-2 on Thursday 20th May 16:00

[JFReturns]

EBay specials ordered for the grand total of £189.99, delivered.

I need to refurb and fit my daisies first, as theres no point getting alignment done then changing to different sized wheels. Hopefully, this should all be within a few weeks, so I'll update with how I get on.....

[JFReturns]

Update time!

Love this car now, she runs like a dream and now (in my opinion) looks ace too. Not girly any more

New replacements / mods include 14 degree timing mod (already had it, spotted by the mechanic..), TR Lane rollover bar (not crappy show things), new coilovers, news discs and pads, water pump, various oil seals, back to standard wheels and a decent clay/polish/wax. Oh and a PH sticker. Here are some pics, comments and suggestions welcome.

[MixxyMatosis]

Very nice my good man.

[JFReturns]

Thanks

[anonymous-user]

It really needs a twin stainless exhaust + silenced decat pipe - I've got one on my (currently off-the-road ) Eunos and it looks really neat (much more manly than a single pipe) and sounds amazing - it was too loud with an unsilenced decat pipe but the silenced version is just right. I kept driving through tunnels and under bridges at about 20mph and 5000rpm....

[Jonny671]

Very clean!

Paint looks to be in very good condition too considering the age and red paint being abit common to go pink!

[JFReturns]

I like the idea of the de-cat (though Mark at Freelance Mazda advised against it) but not sure about the twin exhaust.. I find it a bit fussy and 'try hard'...

[JFReturns]

Cheers Jonny! She had a hard life for the first 7 months of ownership - left outside over the winter with a leaky roof and therefore a cover. Never again! The cover messed the paint up big time, but I've recovered it back nicely

[JFReturns]

Small update - headlamp covers adjusted so they fit flush with bonnet. Also, I have brought some wire brushes to clean the rocker cover. Pics to follow.

Also, the wheels that came with my '5 are now for sale - Mille Miglia Chronus. See P/H advert for details:

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1825265.htm

[Jonny671]

If you take the cam cover off, do you just need to stick a new gasket in there when putting it back together?

I want to paint mine up in the same as my wheels colour.