Kozy's stable - Accord Type R and MX5
Discussion
I finally got a pic of them both together, and clean too!
I've had the ATR for a year now, it was bought as an immaculate if slightly high mileage 2002 facelift example, completely standard down to the factory head unit, with an extensive folder of main dealer service history. I wanted a facelift because it's ability to run on 95ron, as it's not that widely available on the IOW and I knew my missus would just put any old rubbish in it when she filled it up. The lack of 5th gear syncro issues is a bonus too.
The seller was an absolute gent, when I called him to enquire he said he couldn't meet me that weekend as one of the front calipers had just siezed up. He said he would replace it before meeting me the following weekend, and sure enough produced a reciept for £300 for not a refurb, but a brand new caliper. Not only that, two days before I was due to go view, I called to check that it was all ready and he explained that his missus had kerbed one of the alloys that morning. He assured me it would be repaired prior to my viewing, and again, delivered a set of perfect condition OE alloys. During the viewing he explained which oils he used, and that they had all just been changed (I later checked, he was correct, even the gearbox oil was fresh), and also how to remove and clean the EGR, and also how he cleaned out the rotor cap regularly to keep the thing running sweet. I was happy that the bloke was a real enthusiast, especially given that he had another modified ATR parked next to it outside his house. The only things that let it down were odd, midrange tyres on the front and rear axles, but since I'm anal about tyres, I was happy to change them for my own preference anyway. Paid the asking price and the bloke chucked in a fresh 6 month disc and a Honda Type R jacket. Absolute pleasure to deal with.
Since then, she's been almost totally dependable, the only thing which has really given me grief was the clutch slave cylinder. As a matter of precaution (and totally NOT because I mis-diagnosed the problem, honest guv) I replaced the friction plate, pressure plate, release bearing, slave cylinder, master cylinder and the hose. At least it probably won't ever need doing again. Annoyingly, I had a receipt for the clutch being done in 2009 at a cost of £735... ouch.
Replaced the dire Kumho/BFGoodrich tyre combo with a set of slightly wider 225/45/17 Goodyear F1 Assymetric 2s. Utterly, utterly fantastic tyres, worth every penny. Masses of grip come rain or shine, they're also very comfortable and quiet. You can't beat the feel of four decent quality tyres on a performance car...
Other than that, fairly uneventful. This is essentially my OHs car now which is used for ferrying our 1 year old about and her job as a social worker. She attracts lots of 'girl racer' comments from other blokes in the office, but on the plus side the ASBO kids she has to deal with love getting rides in it and treat it with respect.
It's punting about at around 28-30mpg, which isn't too bad. The engine is great for us as she gets a docile yet reasonably meaty engine for driving around at work, and when I drive it it makes noises like a touring car. Fantastic engine, 2200ccs of VTEC is addictive if annoyingly difficult to use with no motorways on the IOW. The handling is also phenomenally good, you really do have to drive one to understand just how good a 1300kg, FWD four door saloon can be. The steering feel through the chunky Momo wheel (same as fitted to the Ferrari 355 I believe) is among the best I've felt, almost totally devoid of the usual FWD pollution, and has a nice heavy feel to it unlike most Japanese cars (yes I know, it's built in Swindon and is basically a tarted up Rover 600). That lovely wheel is also supplemented by probably the best interior Honda put in cars of that era, it's all well screwed together and good quality. Nipper got a matching Recaro baby seat, of course. The brakes are hugely powerful and even with OEM pads in I've not suffered the slightest hint of brake fade. All in all, a superb cheap to buy, maintain and run car that does a good job of pretty much everything. Highly, highly recommended.
As for the MX5, that was bought in December as I needed a cheap car to get to work in after moving back in with my parents to save money for a mortgage. Obviously, given the circumstances, some eyebrows were raised when I returned with a bright red two seater convertible, however I justified it with £300 classic insurance, when the alternatives would have cost £800. Personally, With a £1300 budget, £1000 for the car and £300 on insurance makes far more financial sense than £800 on insurance and £500 on the car. Not to mention that with the spec I have, and the mileage, it could probably fetch double what I paid in the summer.
She's called Tate, (The Answer To Everything) and is a 1994 UK 1.8iS, fitted with a Torsen, correct colour hardtop. Will be using this for standard class autotests with the local motorclub, as well as driving to work.
Here she is, doing what she used to do best (and looking very happy about it too)...
I say used to, as despite my initials being DK, I am nothing of the sort. I've also, like the ATR, swapped out the shoddy tyres for a set of Uniroyal Rain Experts which have sadly killed all the tail out fun and made it understeer, however this has made it a lot more fun to actually drive, as I am not permentantly driving around with a clenched sphincter. Also like the ATR, I've had to change the clutch slave cylinder, but at least time I diagnosed it correctly and the part only cost £12.
Don't really have any plans for this, it has to remain standard for my class at the autotests, and after driving a coilovered + polysbushed, supercharged 6 speed example last week, I am more than happy with the standard car's road manners. I just need to learn to drive the thing, as it is my first RWD.
So, there's my stable. Trends seem to be double wishboned, LSD equipped and naturally aspirated.
I've had the ATR for a year now, it was bought as an immaculate if slightly high mileage 2002 facelift example, completely standard down to the factory head unit, with an extensive folder of main dealer service history. I wanted a facelift because it's ability to run on 95ron, as it's not that widely available on the IOW and I knew my missus would just put any old rubbish in it when she filled it up. The lack of 5th gear syncro issues is a bonus too.
The seller was an absolute gent, when I called him to enquire he said he couldn't meet me that weekend as one of the front calipers had just siezed up. He said he would replace it before meeting me the following weekend, and sure enough produced a reciept for £300 for not a refurb, but a brand new caliper. Not only that, two days before I was due to go view, I called to check that it was all ready and he explained that his missus had kerbed one of the alloys that morning. He assured me it would be repaired prior to my viewing, and again, delivered a set of perfect condition OE alloys. During the viewing he explained which oils he used, and that they had all just been changed (I later checked, he was correct, even the gearbox oil was fresh), and also how to remove and clean the EGR, and also how he cleaned out the rotor cap regularly to keep the thing running sweet. I was happy that the bloke was a real enthusiast, especially given that he had another modified ATR parked next to it outside his house. The only things that let it down were odd, midrange tyres on the front and rear axles, but since I'm anal about tyres, I was happy to change them for my own preference anyway. Paid the asking price and the bloke chucked in a fresh 6 month disc and a Honda Type R jacket. Absolute pleasure to deal with.
Since then, she's been almost totally dependable, the only thing which has really given me grief was the clutch slave cylinder. As a matter of precaution (and totally NOT because I mis-diagnosed the problem, honest guv) I replaced the friction plate, pressure plate, release bearing, slave cylinder, master cylinder and the hose. At least it probably won't ever need doing again. Annoyingly, I had a receipt for the clutch being done in 2009 at a cost of £735... ouch.
Replaced the dire Kumho/BFGoodrich tyre combo with a set of slightly wider 225/45/17 Goodyear F1 Assymetric 2s. Utterly, utterly fantastic tyres, worth every penny. Masses of grip come rain or shine, they're also very comfortable and quiet. You can't beat the feel of four decent quality tyres on a performance car...
Other than that, fairly uneventful. This is essentially my OHs car now which is used for ferrying our 1 year old about and her job as a social worker. She attracts lots of 'girl racer' comments from other blokes in the office, but on the plus side the ASBO kids she has to deal with love getting rides in it and treat it with respect.
It's punting about at around 28-30mpg, which isn't too bad. The engine is great for us as she gets a docile yet reasonably meaty engine for driving around at work, and when I drive it it makes noises like a touring car. Fantastic engine, 2200ccs of VTEC is addictive if annoyingly difficult to use with no motorways on the IOW. The handling is also phenomenally good, you really do have to drive one to understand just how good a 1300kg, FWD four door saloon can be. The steering feel through the chunky Momo wheel (same as fitted to the Ferrari 355 I believe) is among the best I've felt, almost totally devoid of the usual FWD pollution, and has a nice heavy feel to it unlike most Japanese cars (yes I know, it's built in Swindon and is basically a tarted up Rover 600). That lovely wheel is also supplemented by probably the best interior Honda put in cars of that era, it's all well screwed together and good quality. Nipper got a matching Recaro baby seat, of course. The brakes are hugely powerful and even with OEM pads in I've not suffered the slightest hint of brake fade. All in all, a superb cheap to buy, maintain and run car that does a good job of pretty much everything. Highly, highly recommended.
As for the MX5, that was bought in December as I needed a cheap car to get to work in after moving back in with my parents to save money for a mortgage. Obviously, given the circumstances, some eyebrows were raised when I returned with a bright red two seater convertible, however I justified it with £300 classic insurance, when the alternatives would have cost £800. Personally, With a £1300 budget, £1000 for the car and £300 on insurance makes far more financial sense than £800 on insurance and £500 on the car. Not to mention that with the spec I have, and the mileage, it could probably fetch double what I paid in the summer.
She's called Tate, (The Answer To Everything) and is a 1994 UK 1.8iS, fitted with a Torsen, correct colour hardtop. Will be using this for standard class autotests with the local motorclub, as well as driving to work.
Here she is, doing what she used to do best (and looking very happy about it too)...
I say used to, as despite my initials being DK, I am nothing of the sort. I've also, like the ATR, swapped out the shoddy tyres for a set of Uniroyal Rain Experts which have sadly killed all the tail out fun and made it understeer, however this has made it a lot more fun to actually drive, as I am not permentantly driving around with a clenched sphincter. Also like the ATR, I've had to change the clutch slave cylinder, but at least time I diagnosed it correctly and the part only cost £12.
Don't really have any plans for this, it has to remain standard for my class at the autotests, and after driving a coilovered + polysbushed, supercharged 6 speed example last week, I am more than happy with the standard car's road manners. I just need to learn to drive the thing, as it is my first RWD.
So, there's my stable. Trends seem to be double wishboned, LSD equipped and naturally aspirated.
Edited by Kozy on Thursday 7th March 10:42
Edited by Kozy on Thursday 7th March 10:43
I absolutely adore ATRs, yours looks like a fine example! Would love one as my next car when finances allow, facelifted for the issues you mention also. Do you mind if I ask what mileage it's on now? Most of the ones I've seen are comfortably 100k+, would assume it still feels quite tight?
Love the name for the MX-5 also!
Should you ever wish to sell the Honda, I would certainly be interested...
Love the name for the MX-5 also!
Should you ever wish to sell the Honda, I would certainly be interested...
It's on 125k now, and still feels nice and tight. I think the brake master cylinder could probably do with a refresh at some point as there is a bit of slack there, but other than that, it feels superb. These have been known to go on to 200k, provided they are maintained and not modified.
I would certainly not baulk at 100k+ examples provided the history is there and the seller gives the right impression, which mine certainly did.
There is a risk that mine might be in for chop as I have a wedding to pay for in May, however if I can avoid selling it by any means, I will.
I would certainly not baulk at 100k+ examples provided the history is there and the seller gives the right impression, which mine certainly did.
There is a risk that mine might be in for chop as I have a wedding to pay for in May, however if I can avoid selling it by any means, I will.
Here's my previous car, that also ran as a dual purpose daily and weekend racer:
Bit's n stuff:
B16B
Head rebuilt by Will Hincliff at RDT
Supertech valvesprings and retainers
High compression viton stem seals
3 angle valve job
Head decoked and skimmed 0.10mm
B16B cams
New OEM water pump, headgasket, timing belt and tensioner
ARP head bolts
EK9 manifold, cat and carback system
EK9 Intake system
OBD2a EK9 ECU
Energy suspension poly engine mount inserts
APEXi VAFC
AC removed
Suspension
Spoon springs and dampers
ASR 24mm rear ARB kit w/brace and EK9 drop links
Energy Suspension polybushed trailing arms
Recently had refurbed rear calipers
MGZS 282mm front brake conversion with EBC grooved discs and Yellostuff pads
SPC front camber/castor arms.
Transmission
S4C gearbox with Quaife differential
ACT 9lb Flywheel
Clutchmasters pressure plate with OEM EK9 friction plate replaced at time of engine conversion
Exterior
Buddyclub P1 SF alloys 15x6.5 4x100 with 2x Yoko AD08 and 2x Goodyear Eagle F1.
Replica colour coded EK9 lips on original VTi bumpers front and rear with colour coded sideskirts.
SiR front grille
This suffered two engine failures and was eventually sold off following the arrival of my son.
Yes, I drove it on the road, exactly as it is in the pictures, for two years. Never got told off.
Bit's n stuff:
B16B
Head rebuilt by Will Hincliff at RDT
Supertech valvesprings and retainers
High compression viton stem seals
3 angle valve job
Head decoked and skimmed 0.10mm
B16B cams
New OEM water pump, headgasket, timing belt and tensioner
ARP head bolts
EK9 manifold, cat and carback system
EK9 Intake system
OBD2a EK9 ECU
Energy suspension poly engine mount inserts
APEXi VAFC
AC removed
Suspension
Spoon springs and dampers
ASR 24mm rear ARB kit w/brace and EK9 drop links
Energy Suspension polybushed trailing arms
Recently had refurbed rear calipers
MGZS 282mm front brake conversion with EBC grooved discs and Yellostuff pads
SPC front camber/castor arms.
Transmission
S4C gearbox with Quaife differential
ACT 9lb Flywheel
Clutchmasters pressure plate with OEM EK9 friction plate replaced at time of engine conversion
Exterior
Buddyclub P1 SF alloys 15x6.5 4x100 with 2x Yoko AD08 and 2x Goodyear Eagle F1.
Replica colour coded EK9 lips on original VTi bumpers front and rear with colour coded sideskirts.
SiR front grille
This suffered two engine failures and was eventually sold off following the arrival of my son.
Yes, I drove it on the road, exactly as it is in the pictures, for two years. Never got told off.
Edited by Kozy on Thursday 7th March 12:29
Took the MX5 to 'go and get some milk' at 8pm last night in the snow. Returned at 11pm after skating about on sheet ice in an industrial estate for three hours. She never once got stuck, and only suprised me once. Was genuinely surprised by how well it coped and how well behaved it was.
Average speed <10mph.
Average steering lock - Lots
That much fun should be illegal.
Average speed <10mph.
Average steering lock - Lots
That much fun should be illegal.
Brilliant fleet, adore ATR's, my dad had a red pre facelift a few years ago, by far the best car he's ever owned, quick, comfortable, brilliant handling, lovely thing.
Only thing that ever went wrong was, surprise surprise, the 5th synchro, but apart from that, faultless.
Now got a burgundy eunos roadster, great car and want one myself, but would have the Type R over it any day.
Only thing that ever went wrong was, surprise surprise, the 5th synchro, but apart from that, faultless.
Now got a burgundy eunos roadster, great car and want one myself, but would have the Type R over it any day.
That's good to hear, so many of them just get broken for spares because the values are so low, there'll not be many left soon enough. Shame really because as you say, they are pretty bulletproof. Mine has just been for MOT, failed on a sidelight bulb, an out of alignment headlight and a snapped load sensor for the Xenons (which would have passed had I have put it in 2 days earlier).
Not bad. I was used to the Civic throwing £500 MOTs every year!
Not bad. I was used to the Civic throwing £500 MOTs every year!
I will wait until there are less than 300-500 on the road and then sort it out.
It needs new doors, suspension replacement dampners, shocks, arb overhaul.
There's a all oil leak on the vtec solenoid/thing,
Apart from that a respray and all 4 alloys. I plan for my son to learn to drive in it in 14 years assuming they let you drive a 2.2 manual petrol then. That car took him home from hospital!
It needs new doors, suspension replacement dampners, shocks, arb overhaul.
There's a all oil leak on the vtec solenoid/thing,
Apart from that a respray and all 4 alloys. I plan for my son to learn to drive in it in 14 years assuming they let you drive a 2.2 manual petrol then. That car took him home from hospital!
A fair bit of work needed then, you must really love that thing!
I fear for petrolheads in 14 years time. We'll be certified lunatics by then.
Bought a new wheel for the MX5 this week, the standard airbag wheel is in a sorry state and looks like it's done double the cars 80,000 miles, as well as just look very dated. Love the Momo wheel in the ATR, so I snapped this non airbag Momo from a Eunos for £30.
Normally these seem to go for about £120, but this one has some of the covering pulling off in the center section. Plan is to send this to Royal Steering Wheels for a re-trim in alcantara with a printed leather centre section.
I fear for petrolheads in 14 years time. We'll be certified lunatics by then.
Bought a new wheel for the MX5 this week, the standard airbag wheel is in a sorry state and looks like it's done double the cars 80,000 miles, as well as just look very dated. Love the Momo wheel in the ATR, so I snapped this non airbag Momo from a Eunos for £30.
Normally these seem to go for about £120, but this one has some of the covering pulling off in the center section. Plan is to send this to Royal Steering Wheels for a re-trim in alcantara with a printed leather centre section.
Edited by Kozy on Thursday 28th March 09:28
Edited by Kozy on Thursday 28th March 09:30
Been doing some research on the MX5. No, not the typical "ask a random cross section of idiots on an internet forum" kind of research, but something a little more technical.
I wanted to investigate the finer details of the standard suspension, find out what made the car so good to drive as standard and find out how various modifications affected it.
So, I found some references for the chassis pickups, some CAD models for the uprights and a shell surface model and bunged it all together into a CAD model.
This can be rolled, steered and pitched as well as changing the tyre sizes, offset, ride height and rake. From that all the kinematics can be read, the alignment on individual wheels, the KPI, scrub radius roll center heights and roll axis inclination. It's an arduous process, but I can measure toe and camber curves in both bump and roll. Should be interesting to find out how things like lowering and rake changes affect this.
As for setting the attitude, I've got a dynamics spreadsheet that will tell me roll angles for given lateral acceleration values, which I crudely measure on autotest events using my iPhone and the SensorData app. I've written a basic web version of the spreadsheet here: http://blackartracing.zxq.net/Load%20Transfer%202.... Sorry, it's a bit messy at the moment, only just got into web development and have no idea what I am doing really.
Another method is to take photos from my autotest events:
And setup the model to the same attitude using overlays:
Only just got this set up really, but I am hoping it will prove educational.
I wanted to investigate the finer details of the standard suspension, find out what made the car so good to drive as standard and find out how various modifications affected it.
So, I found some references for the chassis pickups, some CAD models for the uprights and a shell surface model and bunged it all together into a CAD model.
This can be rolled, steered and pitched as well as changing the tyre sizes, offset, ride height and rake. From that all the kinematics can be read, the alignment on individual wheels, the KPI, scrub radius roll center heights and roll axis inclination. It's an arduous process, but I can measure toe and camber curves in both bump and roll. Should be interesting to find out how things like lowering and rake changes affect this.
As for setting the attitude, I've got a dynamics spreadsheet that will tell me roll angles for given lateral acceleration values, which I crudely measure on autotest events using my iPhone and the SensorData app. I've written a basic web version of the spreadsheet here: http://blackartracing.zxq.net/Load%20Transfer%202.... Sorry, it's a bit messy at the moment, only just got into web development and have no idea what I am doing really.
Another method is to take photos from my autotest events:
And setup the model to the same attitude using overlays:
Only just got this set up really, but I am hoping it will prove educational.
Updates, nothing interesting though really.
MX5 went through it's MOT the other week. Straight through, only advisories were 'worn rear tyres'
and some chips in the windscreen. Not bad for a 20 year old rust magnet that is parked about 2ft from the sea every day at work.
It has chewed up those Uniroyal tyres like a pillhead chews gum though, seem to go through a set in about 4000 miles. Bought some Vredestein Sportrac 5s to replace, hopefully they'll last a bit better.
Oh, I won first place in the standard class in my autotest championship too against some stiff competition. So stiff that it is infact a joint first, but a first none the less.
ATR still soldiering on as usual. Replaced front tyres, think I got about 10k out of them, rears still got loads of life left. Went for the F1A2s again, they are still awesome.
Replaced the poly front mount with a new OEM one. Much better, in all honesty just as good as the poly but without the nasty cabin vibration. Crank pulley is still holding on.
Did a 650mile drive over two days a few weeks ago, felt fresh as a daisy afterwards, those seats are sublime.
MX5 went through it's MOT the other week. Straight through, only advisories were 'worn rear tyres'
and some chips in the windscreen. Not bad for a 20 year old rust magnet that is parked about 2ft from the sea every day at work. It has chewed up those Uniroyal tyres like a pillhead chews gum though, seem to go through a set in about 4000 miles. Bought some Vredestein Sportrac 5s to replace, hopefully they'll last a bit better.
Oh, I won first place in the standard class in my autotest championship too against some stiff competition. So stiff that it is infact a joint first, but a first none the less.
ATR still soldiering on as usual. Replaced front tyres, think I got about 10k out of them, rears still got loads of life left. Went for the F1A2s again, they are still awesome.
Replaced the poly front mount with a new OEM one. Much better, in all honesty just as good as the poly but without the nasty cabin vibration. Crank pulley is still holding on.
Did a 650mile drive over two days a few weeks ago, felt fresh as a daisy afterwards, those seats are sublime.
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