Project MXT - MX5 Turbo

Project MXT - MX5 Turbo

Author
Discussion

GravelBen

15,729 posts

231 months

Monday 30th August 2010
quotequote all
thumbup

Very nice! What's your suspension setup like? Just wondering as my turbo Mk1 doesn't have the traction problems you mention - it was practically riding on the bumpstops when I bought it and would light up 3rd on bumps at 60mph even in the dry, but I raised it 20-30mm to a more sensible level and have been very impressed with the traction since then.

Edited by GravelBen on Monday 30th August 07:21

MrFlibbles

Original Poster:

7,692 posts

284 months

Monday 30th August 2010
quotequote all
GravelBen said:
thumbup

Very nice! What's your suspension setup like? Just wondering as my turbo Mk1 doesn't have the traction problems you mention - it was practically riding on the bumpstops when I bought it and would light up 3rd on bumps at 60mph even in the dry, but I raised it 20-30mm to a more sensible level and have been very impressed with the traction since then.

Edited by GravelBen on Monday 30th August 07:21
Cheers Ben. HKS Hypermax coilies. I've never adjusted them since I've had the car, but they are fully adjustable so I should really get them set up properly. Its pretty low but Im not sure how much lower than standard. Looking at the coilovers there is the capacity to go lower still...

TBH I really enjoy my "traction issues" evil

GravelBen

15,729 posts

231 months

Monday 30th August 2010
quotequote all
MrFlibbles said:
TBH I really enjoy my "traction issues" evil
hehe

Fair enough too! I've got some sticky things on mine at the moment which take some of the fun out of road driving, so I'm planning to keep those for track use and get another set of wheels with normal road tyres.

_Batty_

12,268 posts

251 months

Monday 30th August 2010
quotequote all
looking forward to my ride in it fella smile
and to 200bhp+

MrFlibbles

Original Poster:

7,692 posts

284 months

Monday 20th September 2010
quotequote all
Small update, went to TR Lane to have a roll bar fitted. Seems to have tightend up the back end a little and hopefully will protect my bonce should the worst happen.







I'm aware a diagonal would make it stronger but I didnt want to sacrifice the rear visibility. Bolts into the seatbelt mounts, rear suspension mounts and into spreader plates fixed into the floor.

GravelBen

15,729 posts

231 months

Tuesday 21st September 2010
quotequote all
Looks like a good bar design - I'm looking at options for mine at the moment but but I doubt it would be economical for me to import one! hehe

Speedracer329

1,507 posts

178 months

Tuesday 21st September 2010
quotequote all
Really nice car, & the mods look to be very well done thumbup

MrFlibbles

Original Poster:

7,692 posts

284 months

Tuesday 9th November 2010
quotequote all
A couple more interior changes.

Swapped the massive wheel for a 300mm Momo. Much nicer to use and more user friendly when you need a dab of oppo. The dewoodifying will continue, just waiting for a new gear knob to arrive and trying to find a decent leather handbrake that doesnt cost the earth.



Relocated the rotary switch for the switchable maps to somewhere a little easier to access.



Swapped the headunit and had a fiddle around with the big ugly AFR meter and came up with a much nicer (IMO) solution.




Or888t

1,686 posts

174 months

Wednesday 10th November 2010
quotequote all
Great stuff!
The new wheel looks the nuts.

Zad

12,710 posts

237 months

Wednesday 10th November 2010
quotequote all
Regarding the wooden handbrake and gear knob, as a short term solution how about sanding it down and staining it David Dickinson dark ebony or similar? Just a thought. How much power do you think will be "enough"? I get the impression that 200ish is probably plenty. Beyond that and it somehow doesn't suit the car.


MrFlibbles

Original Poster:

7,692 posts

284 months

Wednesday 10th November 2010
quotequote all
Zad said:
Regarding the wooden handbrake and gear knob, as a short term solution how about sanding it down and staining it David Dickinson dark ebony or similar? Just a thought. How much power do you think will be "enough"? I get the impression that 200ish is probably plenty. Beyond that and it somehow doesn't suit the car.
Seems a shame to do that Zad becuase they'd probably be worth something to some poor sap an enthusiast.

Tbh over 200 is more than ample, but my aim has always been to get to 230, which should be fun!

Mr MXT

Original Poster:

7,692 posts

284 months

Sunday 27th February 2011
quotequote all
A few more updates since the last one. Treated myself to these, Vx220 / Elise S2 seats on Christmas day:





Sit a bit lower than standard and feel so much more connected to the car. They offer just the right compromise between good shoulder support without the hassle of having full on buckets for daily use. Really comfortable too, I sat in a few cars and these are much better than the S1 Elise seats IMO.

Also finished my dewoodifying mission, thanks to Jonny671 for the black handbrake sleeve. I'm much happier with the interior now.



Looks a bit meaner from behind as well I think:



The plan for the next month or so is a wheel refurb, the current ones are very tatty, for which I'm dropping the wheels off tomorrow.

I've got an uprated clutch on order (rated to 280 ftlb) and a lightened flywheel (4.5kg I think) which should both arrive middle of next week.

Then its box out, 3rd gear syncro rebuild, clutch and flywheel in, then good to go for more boost!

Then it should be finished...

BCA

8,629 posts

258 months

Sunday 27th February 2011
quotequote all
I like the progress. thumbup

Out of interest, why are you rebuilding the 'box? I've seen them go for less than 400quid used in the past, so it's almost worth considering it as a 'consumeable' or are you upgrading the strength of it for more boost?

Mr MXT

Original Poster:

7,692 posts

284 months

Sunday 27th February 2011
quotequote all
BCA said:
I like the progress. thumbup

Out of interest, why are you rebuilding the 'box? I've seen them go for less than 400quid used in the past, so it's almost worth considering it as a 'consumeable' or are you upgrading the strength of it for more boost?
Its a 6 speed and I know a guy who knows a guy so I can get it rebuilt for less than the price of a 2nd hand box smile

BCA

8,629 posts

258 months

Sunday 27th February 2011
quotequote all
Fair play and noted, just in case... hehe

piefacemate

592 posts

172 months

Monday 28th February 2011
quotequote all
Mr MXT said:
Then it should be finished...
Yeah, yeah. They're never finished, you'll be after more before long!

Riknos

4,700 posts

205 months

Monday 28th February 2011
quotequote all
Very nice car Russ. I purchased my '5 with the intention of going down the FI route (once funds permit)


...Should of got a mk1 though hehe

Mr MXT

Original Poster:

7,692 posts

284 months

Monday 28th February 2011
quotequote all
Riknos said:
Very nice car Russ. I purchased my '5 with the intention of going down the FI route (once funds permit)


...Should of got a mk1 though hehe
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lmUZGdi7Ty4

Dift

1,622 posts

228 months

Monday 28th February 2011
quotequote all
With the new steering wheel, it the Airbag light permanently lit?

Mr MXT

Original Poster:

7,692 posts

284 months

Monday 28th February 2011
quotequote all
Nope, it's easily worked around.