Hoodedreeper's MX5 (Purple Project)
Discussion
Finished off the prep on the block and masked it up ready for paint
A couple of layers of Smooth Silver Hammerite,job done!
Started to spray some bits and pieces in VHT Wrinkle Black
Also had some bits and pieces powder coated in Gloss Black
I also received my GarageStar/Circuit Dreamer order,much excite! rare part! wow!
Mazda 323/Mercury Capri Valve Cover
Coil On Plugs bracket
Alloy Overflow Tank
Cam Gear Hardware
A couple of layers of Smooth Silver Hammerite,job done!
Started to spray some bits and pieces in VHT Wrinkle Black
Also had some bits and pieces powder coated in Gloss Black
I also received my GarageStar/Circuit Dreamer order,much excite! rare part! wow!
Mazda 323/Mercury Capri Valve Cover
Coil On Plugs bracket
Alloy Overflow Tank
Cam Gear Hardware
Fitted a front Stainless Tow Hook from Jass Performance along with their new Interior Mirror and retro style oil cap. I also fixed the broken side light on one of the TSIs.
While the bumper was off i refitted my HIDs as the current bulbs are pretty useless
With the car breaking down back in September i was starting to have enough of it,this meant it didn't get cleaned for 4 months!
The other half kindly cleaned it for me,as it always seemed to rain when ever i had a day off :/
While the bumper was off i refitted my HIDs as the current bulbs are pretty useless
With the car breaking down back in September i was starting to have enough of it,this meant it didn't get cleaned for 4 months!
The other half kindly cleaned it for me,as it always seemed to rain when ever i had a day off :/
I've had one of Aran's MP45 inlets it sitting in the garage for about a year,it was time to finally fit it. While the supercharger was off i did an oil change and fitted a new belt and tensioners.
Also while the supercharger was off i replaced the L shaped hose inbetween the Waterpump inlet and metal joiner (which goes to the lower radiator hose) as i'm pretty certain thats the cause of my coolant leak.
I received a package from Japan a couple of months ago. That was a brand new RX7 FD3S 99spec front splitter! I've seen one other car with it fitted on a Mazdaspeed bumper and i fell in love. It was a gamble as i didnt know what the fitment would be like.
With the original lip discontinued from Mazda,i had to improvise. Its far from perfect,its not the correct shape but i think i did a good job with getting it on.
As you can see,i didn't fix the coolant leak I need the front crank seal,timing belt and waterpump changing so fingers crossed its waterpump related.
Also while the supercharger was off i replaced the L shaped hose inbetween the Waterpump inlet and metal joiner (which goes to the lower radiator hose) as i'm pretty certain thats the cause of my coolant leak.
I received a package from Japan a couple of months ago. That was a brand new RX7 FD3S 99spec front splitter! I've seen one other car with it fitted on a Mazdaspeed bumper and i fell in love. It was a gamble as i didnt know what the fitment would be like.
With the original lip discontinued from Mazda,i had to improvise. Its far from perfect,its not the correct shape but i think i did a good job with getting it on.
As you can see,i didn't fix the coolant leak
I need the front crank seal,timing belt and waterpump changing so fingers crossed its waterpump related.Y'know when you get an idea in your head,and you can't tell if its going to be a good or bad idea...well...that may have happened.
Every year it seems i do something drastic with the car and its always a risk. I've had an idea about having a livery designed and fitted to the car for almost a year now. I contacted Tom at Infamous Creations (he's done some awesome drift car designs for drivers across the globe) as i knew he'd be the guy to speak to.
A few months went by with ideas being thrown back and forth. I've always loved the HKS livery and knew that would be the one for MX5. So Tom drew out the pattern as a base and we built it from there. The design ended up looking like this:
I wasn't too keen on my photography logo being as big as that,but that could be changed later on. I emailed a local graphics company ( Unique Signs) with the render back in June 2016. We got the design sorted,the guys took lots of measurements and the graphics were fitted this week. I collected the car on Thursday (25th May) ready for the Modified Nationals show the following day.
After getting back from the show today (Sunday 28th May) i stopped off at a previous location i took for photos not long after i bought it
Every year it seems i do something drastic with the car and its always a risk. I've had an idea about having a livery designed and fitted to the car for almost a year now. I contacted Tom at Infamous Creations (he's done some awesome drift car designs for drivers across the globe) as i knew he'd be the guy to speak to.
A few months went by with ideas being thrown back and forth. I've always loved the HKS livery and knew that would be the one for MX5. So Tom drew out the pattern as a base and we built it from there. The design ended up looking like this:
I wasn't too keen on my photography logo being as big as that,but that could be changed later on. I emailed a local graphics company ( Unique Signs) with the render back in June 2016. We got the design sorted,the guys took lots of measurements and the graphics were fitted this week. I collected the car on Thursday (25th May) ready for the Modified Nationals show the following day.
After getting back from the show today (Sunday 28th May) i stopped off at a previous location i took for photos not long after i bought it
Superhoop said:
For the coolant leak, have you checked the two hoses to the heater from the back of the block? They are a common failure due to getting covered in oil from the CAS O ring leaking and causing them to get weak - You can get silicone replacements??
I've got silicone hoses fitted but the leak is at the front of the block according to the puddle on my driveway. Tomorrow will tell as it goes into the garage to be sorted
Who really cares?But i havent recreated stock power? A stock UK 1.6 is 90hp at the flywheel,mine with the supercharger is 204hp at the fly.
0-60 and 1/4 mile times will obviously be affected due to the drastic change in aerodynamics. It performs great on the road,it looks good (personal opinion) and its cheap to repair.
I know its not the best handling car now,or the fastest on the road,but again....who cares?
0-60 and 1/4 mile times will obviously be affected due to the drastic change in aerodynamics. It performs great on the road,it looks good (personal opinion) and its cheap to repair.
I know its not the best handling car now,or the fastest on the road,but again....who cares?
threespires said:
Hoodedreeper
Congrats on creating such an interesting and individual MX-5. Your standard of workmanship is top rate.
I'm told that my NA is a 204 bhp modified BBR turbo. Some years ago the diff failed. I replaced with the same spec diff which also failed a couple of years later.
I was concerned about this so called BBR who told me that the reason their original conversion was limited to 150 bhp was that the diff is only rated to 175 bhp. They advised to fit an LSD which I did and have no problems since.
I also fitted a 6 speed 'box and love it. The punch in 2nd & 3rd is addictive.
Have you had any problems with your diff?
I'm still running the stock 5spd gearbox and viscous diff. I'm hunting for a 3.9 torsen but they're either expensive,hard to find or i'm skint when they come up for sale. So far not had any issues so farCongrats on creating such an interesting and individual MX-5. Your standard of workmanship is top rate.
I'm told that my NA is a 204 bhp modified BBR turbo. Some years ago the diff failed. I replaced with the same spec diff which also failed a couple of years later.
I was concerned about this so called BBR who told me that the reason their original conversion was limited to 150 bhp was that the diff is only rated to 175 bhp. They advised to fit an LSD which I did and have no problems since.
I also fitted a 6 speed 'box and love it. The punch in 2nd & 3rd is addictive.
Have you had any problems with your diff?
Jass Performance have been developing their flush headlights for awhile now. Yesterday i received the first set off the production line and fitted them to the Monster.
Fitment still needs tweaking on the corners. Please bare in mind my bonnet and bumper are FRP and the bumper is sagging abit,so fitment isnt as spot on to a stock car. Also my Intercooler pipe is sitting higher for some reason (another job to do)
Assembly was simple,took longer to align them in all honesty. The expansion bottle has to be moved back approx 5cm,all hardware and brackets are included.
The beam pattern is fine and hasn't been effected. I've experienced zero drag or air turbulance from them. I cant see it being any different to when pop ups are up.
Vlad should have them up on the website with a write up over the week/next week
Fitment still needs tweaking on the corners. Please bare in mind my bonnet and bumper are FRP and the bumper is sagging abit,so fitment isnt as spot on to a stock car. Also my Intercooler pipe is sitting higher for some reason (another job to do)
Assembly was simple,took longer to align them in all honesty. The expansion bottle has to be moved back approx 5cm,all hardware and brackets are included.
The beam pattern is fine and hasn't been effected. I've experienced zero drag or air turbulance from them. I cant see it being any different to when pop ups are up.
Vlad should have them up on the website with a write up over the week/next week
Thank you for the comments 
The headlights are certainly a marmite thing. Theres been a couple of manufacturers from Japan who have done similar,but they're either hard to get hold of or stupidly expensive.
They'll certainly only suit some cars,but with the car being a moving parts catelog for Jass Performance,i couldn't turn them down
Today i received the photos from the magazine shoot,photos courtesy of Matt Woods Photography
There were 70 images but i've picked the best 10 (in my opinion)
The headlights are certainly a marmite thing. Theres been a couple of manufacturers from Japan who have done similar,but they're either hard to get hold of or stupidly expensive.
They'll certainly only suit some cars,but with the car being a moving parts catelog for Jass Performance,i couldn't turn them down
Today i received the photos from the magazine shoot,photos courtesy of Matt Woods Photography
There were 70 images but i've picked the best 10 (in my opinion)
Thank you Did you enjoy the show?
The 1st September marked 4 years since my previous MX5 caught fire. On the 10th Sept it'll also be 4 years since i got the Purple MX,wow how time flies!
The weekend just gone saw the return of JAE (Japanese Auto Extravaganza), the UK's only 4 day jap show. It was also a year ago i had the running/ECU problems coming back from the same show. You'll be glad to hear i made it there and back with no issues
We went up with the club we always attend with,although attendance was very low this year,but we still had an awesome weekend. The week before the show i had one of the organizers ask for my car to be inside the hall for their Show & Shine
We stuck around till the end and watched the awards (couldnt get the car out any sooner). And to a huge surprise I ended up winning Best Mazda! Its great to finally see a reward for the work. A mag feature and trophey in one month is pretty awesome!
Monday just gone and me and the other half started to strip the daily MX. The MOT (annual inspection for those overseas) had an advisory of the passenger wing/fender due to corrosion. Managed to source a replacement along with another front bumper for a very good price. (bumper had severe paint cracking,so it made sense to change that too)
The bottom didn't look great...
Gave the inner wing and bumper fixing areas a coating of underseal before refitting
All back together along with an import plate surround and some 6mm front and 10mm rear spacers.
We also picked up a twin exhaust and silenced de-cat. The initial plan was to cut the existing bumper and eventually fit an R-Package rear lip. Then this Auto Joy/VIS Racing fibreglass bumper came up for sale locally so went with that instead
Found out the rear lights were siliconed in,which resulted in 2 snapped studs on the driver side light,luckily i had a spare pair of lights. Also swapped the broken number plate panel for my painted carbon fibre one i had on the other MX
So yeah.... we've done more to the daily MX in the last 2 weeks than we have all year lol
Did you enjoy the show?The 1st September marked 4 years since my previous MX5 caught fire. On the 10th Sept it'll also be 4 years since i got the Purple MX,wow how time flies!
The weekend just gone saw the return of JAE (Japanese Auto Extravaganza), the UK's only 4 day jap show. It was also a year ago i had the running/ECU problems coming back from the same show. You'll be glad to hear i made it there and back with no issues
We went up with the club we always attend with,although attendance was very low this year,but we still had an awesome weekend. The week before the show i had one of the organizers ask for my car to be inside the hall for their Show & Shine
We stuck around till the end and watched the awards (couldnt get the car out any sooner). And to a huge surprise I ended up winning Best Mazda! Its great to finally see a reward for the work. A mag feature and trophey in one month is pretty awesome!
Monday just gone and me and the other half started to strip the daily MX. The MOT (annual inspection for those overseas) had an advisory of the passenger wing/fender due to corrosion. Managed to source a replacement along with another front bumper for a very good price. (bumper had severe paint cracking,so it made sense to change that too)
The bottom didn't look great...
Gave the inner wing and bumper fixing areas a coating of underseal before refitting
All back together along with an import plate surround and some 6mm front and 10mm rear spacers.
We also picked up a twin exhaust and silenced de-cat. The initial plan was to cut the existing bumper and eventually fit an R-Package rear lip. Then this Auto Joy/VIS Racing fibreglass bumper came up for sale locally so went with that instead
Found out the rear lights were siliconed in,which resulted in 2 snapped studs on the driver side light,luckily i had a spare pair of lights. Also swapped the broken number plate panel for my painted carbon fibre one i had on the other MX
So yeah.... we've done more to the daily MX in the last 2 weeks than we have all year lol
I feel I've reached a point where it's time to move on from the Purple Monster. The project needs a lot more money spent before it's finished and unfortunately I feel reluctant to spend it.
The car will be broken in September, that way I can still enjoy it over this show season and use up the remaining Car Insurance.
Its time to own my dream car, the R34 Skyline (GTT), I know its very cliche, but oh well.
The car will be broken in September, that way I can still enjoy it over this show season and use up the remaining Car Insurance.
Its time to own my dream car, the R34 Skyline (GTT), I know its very cliche, but oh well.
A few weeks back we advertised the Blue MX for sale, no one was interested but received a few messages asking about breaking. So we ended up stripping the car and the shell got scrapped (which is a shame, because it was pretty rust free). Before the work begun we had one last photoshoot with them both together
Time to say goodbye
We took the Monster and R34 to the Japanese Performance Show a week or so ago. Having decided we won't be attending JAE for the first time in many years, this was the last show for the MX5
We got back and i jumped into a friend's car to take some rolling shots. This is something i've wanted doing for alooong time
Time to say goodbye
We took the Monster and R34 to the Japanese Performance Show a week or so ago. Having decided we won't be attending JAE for the first time in many years, this was the last show for the MX5
We got back and i jumped into a friend's car to take some rolling shots. This is something i've wanted doing for alooong time
We advertised it on the facebook selling pages and on a few forums and no one wanted it. It needed to be moved off the drive way so scrap was the only way
Sunday just gone I arranged a photoshoot with a few friends of mine who have Japanese cars too. Very pleased with how the group photos have come out,also did some solo photos of each car too
Only 8 more days till the final day I plan on spending this Saturday driving it as much as a i can as its my last full day, I'm sure there will be more photos. Wednesday 5th is the very last day, which i'll be spending taking it to pieces
Sunday just gone I arranged a photoshoot with a few friends of mine who have Japanese cars too. Very pleased with how the group photos have come out,also did some solo photos of each car too
Only 8 more days till the final day
I plan on spending this Saturday driving it as much as a i can as its my last full day, I'm sure there will be more photos. Wednesday 5th is the very last day, which i'll be spending taking it to piecesHorneyMX5 said:
I guess the purple shell will go the same way sadly. No one wants bare shells as re shelling a good car is too much effort. After breaking the purple one it’ll cost too much to buy all the bits to make it a working MX5 again that he’d never get his money back.
Oddly enough someone wants the Purple shell lolGassing Station | Readers' Cars | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff