Finally got an mx5!!!.......now what to do first..??
Discussion
After much searching finally managed to get myself a cracking mx5 turbo.
My question is what should I do first? (apart from just drive it..!) It has a bit of history but not much and it does have new oil. What basic checks should I do before using it properly, diff. oil etc?
Also I think it needs aligning which I would get done at WiM, but what do I need to do before that? It could do with new tyres and the shocks may need over hauling (they are bridgestone NPG) if possible. Also there are no strut braces as extra. So do I need to do all these things before taking it to WiM or just take it to them and let them advise me what I should be looking to do?
Here it is...
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/987259.htm
Oh and if anyone local knows what they should be set up like and wants to help me give it a once over let me know! :-)
Cheers
Ben
My question is what should I do first? (apart from just drive it..!) It has a bit of history but not much and it does have new oil. What basic checks should I do before using it properly, diff. oil etc?
Also I think it needs aligning which I would get done at WiM, but what do I need to do before that? It could do with new tyres and the shocks may need over hauling (they are bridgestone NPG) if possible. Also there are no strut braces as extra. So do I need to do all these things before taking it to WiM or just take it to them and let them advise me what I should be looking to do?
Here it is...
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/987259.htm
Oh and if anyone local knows what they should be set up like and wants to help me give it a once over let me know! :-)
Cheers
Ben
Thanks guys, yeah its is a nice car. Would never believe it was 18 years old! It had only been up for 2 hours when i spotted it....made a quick move and the rest is history!
Just been for a little drive with the top down and the sunshine - what a great feeling, already love it! and boy does it shift....only running at 6psi but still quick. Really would like to get the handling sorted though, I am new to performance cars so to me it feels quick and handles really well but I have no point of reference so would like to be sure i am getting the best out of my new toy!
Yes worked out the un-zipping first, actually quite quick to put up and down - probably faster than one of those electric fancy ones ;-)
Anyone else been out for a blast today..? Think I am sunburnt already....lol!
Just been for a little drive with the top down and the sunshine - what a great feeling, already love it! and boy does it shift....only running at 6psi but still quick. Really would like to get the handling sorted though, I am new to performance cars so to me it feels quick and handles really well but I have no point of reference so would like to be sure i am getting the best out of my new toy!
Yes worked out the un-zipping first, actually quite quick to put up and down - probably faster than one of those electric fancy ones ;-)
Anyone else been out for a blast today..? Think I am sunburnt already....lol!
I am guessing these are the braces mentioned before?
http://www.mx5parts.co.uk/product_info.php/product...
It has a full roll cage, so I guess the rear upper is fairly stiff already? just sort the rear lower, front lower and maybe front upper if I can fit one in there, would have to re-jig some of the turbo install components but is do-able if its worth it.
Also, brakes, yes well they are spongy and may as well not even be there...lol! On the top of my list is either a 1.8 brake conversion or maybe twin/4 pot calipers. Not sure the latter is really necessary as I have heard good things about the 1.8 upgrade and should be possible for about £300 (??). The car will be used for mainly weekend B roads and track days, but still want the car to perform as well as it can without breaking the bank.
http://www.mx5parts.co.uk/product_info.php/product...
It has a full roll cage, so I guess the rear upper is fairly stiff already? just sort the rear lower, front lower and maybe front upper if I can fit one in there, would have to re-jig some of the turbo install components but is do-able if its worth it.
Also, brakes, yes well they are spongy and may as well not even be there...lol! On the top of my list is either a 1.8 brake conversion or maybe twin/4 pot calipers. Not sure the latter is really necessary as I have heard good things about the 1.8 upgrade and should be possible for about £300 (??). The car will be used for mainly weekend B roads and track days, but still want the car to perform as well as it can without breaking the bank.
ok will keep an eye on the braces then, there is a new set on Ebay ;-)
Yes plenty of bits to tinker with, I think I have a great base car to just tweek here and there.
only picked it up yesterday so still very new to mx5's and the turbo set up is all very technical but with a bit of help from you guy's I will get there, plus being an engineer the temptation to fiddle is over-whelming! So far I have got the following details on the car as it is now (thought it was important to note the start point and maybe identify bits to tweek!);
'91 1.6 Eunos V-spec
TD04H turbo with heat shield
Large intercoiler
HKS sequential BOV
HKS PFC F-CON fuel controller
HKS electronic valve controller (no idea how to use it..)
HKS turbo timer
Long nose crank
Forged pistons (no evidence of this, wouldnt know how to tell anyway!)
Bridgestone NPG adjust. shocks lowered to 310mm front and 330mm rear (anyone know about these shocks?)
Close ratio gearbox (5th gear @ 55mph is about 3000RPM)
Uprated clutch (not sure if its triple plate or not, but is definately either on or off!)
Powerflow twin exit 3" exhaust (new)
15" alloys (not sure what make) with falken ZE512 195/50R15's (3mm tread so need some new ones!)
1.5 way LSD (unknown make, but cost 80000 yen back in 2004!)
Full roll cage that bolts into the floor with strut across top of windscreen
Seems to run fine, and on boost it is rapid! I have a dyno rpint out that say 210bhp @ 7240rpm but not sure what psi/bar this is at, currently running at 0.5 bar which is plenty for now! Gearbox and cutch take a bit of getting used to but getting there, feels real race like and loves being pushed!
Down side is the brakes, fairly crap to be fair. I am looking into this at the mo, and see what I come up with. 1.8's are looking like the way forward, anyone breaking one..?? ;-p
Thoughts and comments welcome, and if anyone local wants to come and help me figure out all these new toys, you are welcome! Would be good to talk to someone who knows what a well set up '5 feels like.
Cheers,
Ben
Yes plenty of bits to tinker with, I think I have a great base car to just tweek here and there.
only picked it up yesterday so still very new to mx5's and the turbo set up is all very technical but with a bit of help from you guy's I will get there, plus being an engineer the temptation to fiddle is over-whelming! So far I have got the following details on the car as it is now (thought it was important to note the start point and maybe identify bits to tweek!);
'91 1.6 Eunos V-spec
TD04H turbo with heat shield
Large intercoiler
HKS sequential BOV
HKS PFC F-CON fuel controller
HKS electronic valve controller (no idea how to use it..)
HKS turbo timer
Long nose crank
Forged pistons (no evidence of this, wouldnt know how to tell anyway!)
Bridgestone NPG adjust. shocks lowered to 310mm front and 330mm rear (anyone know about these shocks?)
Close ratio gearbox (5th gear @ 55mph is about 3000RPM)
Uprated clutch (not sure if its triple plate or not, but is definately either on or off!)
Powerflow twin exit 3" exhaust (new)
15" alloys (not sure what make) with falken ZE512 195/50R15's (3mm tread so need some new ones!)
1.5 way LSD (unknown make, but cost 80000 yen back in 2004!)
Full roll cage that bolts into the floor with strut across top of windscreen
Seems to run fine, and on boost it is rapid! I have a dyno rpint out that say 210bhp @ 7240rpm but not sure what psi/bar this is at, currently running at 0.5 bar which is plenty for now! Gearbox and cutch take a bit of getting used to but getting there, feels real race like and loves being pushed!
Down side is the brakes, fairly crap to be fair. I am looking into this at the mo, and see what I come up with. 1.8's are looking like the way forward, anyone breaking one..?? ;-p
Thoughts and comments welcome, and if anyone local wants to come and help me figure out all these new toys, you are welcome! Would be good to talk to someone who knows what a well set up '5 feels like.
Cheers,
Ben
Thanks for all the replies, very helpful :-)
I will give Tony a call at WiM and go from there, really want to get the brakes sorted too as I am a bit nervous to go too quickly as I dont think the brakes will stop me if anything goes tits up! Will keep researching this one before I decide which way to go, does anyone know of a good breakers for mx5's? This may help decide for me.
Also, got to give a shout out to Sky insurance! Excellent price today, best previous qoute was Adrian flux and most would either not insure because of the turbo or because of the roll cage. Adrian flux was £540 fully comp 3k limited mileage and sky came in at £400! Bargain! Cant wait to take it to work tomorrow....hopefully the weather will hold out.....
I will give Tony a call at WiM and go from there, really want to get the brakes sorted too as I am a bit nervous to go too quickly as I dont think the brakes will stop me if anything goes tits up! Will keep researching this one before I decide which way to go, does anyone know of a good breakers for mx5's? This may help decide for me.
Also, got to give a shout out to Sky insurance! Excellent price today, best previous qoute was Adrian flux and most would either not insure because of the turbo or because of the roll cage. Adrian flux was £540 fully comp 3k limited mileage and sky came in at £400! Bargain! Cant wait to take it to work tomorrow....hopefully the weather will hold out.....
Thanks for the replies, I am planning on doing the 1.8 upgrade next weekend. Got a full set of caliper brackets on their way, going for standard discs, goodrich hoses, and not yet decided on pads. May go with the mazda standard pads or axxis ultimates depending on funds.
Would it be worth changing the brake fluid at the same time and fitting some speed bleeders? If so, what fluid? dot 5?
Thanks
Ben
Would it be worth changing the brake fluid at the same time and fitting some speed bleeders? If so, what fluid? dot 5?
Thanks
Ben
[quote=Herman Toothrot]1st thing you should do is take it to a respectable mapper and get some det cans on it to confirm that its running ok. As its an import using HKS management chances are it is not mapped for uk fuel. Also look at a dual feed fuel rail. At 6psi it won't have forged internals unless its been blown up once already (quite possible if its never been mapped to uk fuel).
So can anyone recommend me a decent mapper in the hants area and roughly how much this would cost? Also, what dual feed fuel rail should I be looking at and is it something I can do myself - keen to get my hands dirty!
Thanks
Ben
So can anyone recommend me a decent mapper in the hants area and roughly how much this would cost? Also, what dual feed fuel rail should I be looking at and is it something I can do myself - keen to get my hands dirty!
Thanks
Ben
Thanks for that, will pick some up ready for the weekend.
personally i don't see the point of speed bleeders, i do a one man job without all the one way valves and stuff just on standard bits.
[/quote]
How do you manage that? I will have help this time so will be ok for now but would be handy to know any hints and tips!
personally i don't see the point of speed bleeders, i do a one man job without all the one way valves and stuff just on standard bits.
[/quote]
How do you manage that? I will have help this time so will be ok for now but would be handy to know any hints and tips!
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