Project 'Minimum Albatross' - 92 Eunos 1.6
Discussion
Aren't name generators wonderful. I'm sure it'll grow on me.
So, mx5 number 3, though this time its an import and thankfully and importantly, it's rust free. For now. It's also very nearly standard. It will remain so for a few days and then I shall begin gradually transforming it into my perfect '5.
I'm holding off on modifying it for a few days because Classic Cars magazine are using it for a piece on convertibles. Having said that, I've already managed to ruin the rear window stitching so by the time of the shoot, it'll have a lovely red mohair hood with glass rear screen.
What is my perfect '5? I'm not certain yet, but I have two main objectives:
1) Learning how to do most of the maintenance and modifications myself.
Until now I've never modified anything and made a failed attempt at changing the oil on a Micra. Pitiful. This is a second car so if I break it, I'm not going to be stuck like I would have been in the past. That said, it's still my daily. This is probably more important to me than the car itself as the skills will be transferable to every other car I'll ever have, plus I've always wanted to learn how to do it.
2) Maintain or increase the fun factor.
It's a cracking little thing out of the box, but being 23 years old, undoubtedly various parts will be past their prime. There are many tried and tested improvements that can be made relatively cheaply so the plan is to make this little car as fun and rewarding as it can be without spending too much.
These are the pictures from the advert. Only difference is the rear window now sags and its rather more dirty.
So far, I've had the 14° timing mod and a 4 wheel alignment done. The difference is noticeable for both. The car didn't feel very stable before, but now I have confidence in the chassis and it is gleeful around corners. Objective 2 well and truly accomplished. Saying that, I had other people do the work, so a big fail for point 1.
Things that require immediate attention:
*Throttle pedal has a bit of dead travel before it engages. Could be the cable needs tightening, but might be something else. Either way, it makes heel/toe quite hard. Was a slack cable. Noticeably different now.
So, mx5 number 3, though this time its an import and thankfully and importantly, it's rust free. For now. It's also very nearly standard. It will remain so for a few days and then I shall begin gradually transforming it into my perfect '5.
I'm holding off on modifying it for a few days because Classic Cars magazine are using it for a piece on convertibles. Having said that, I've already managed to ruin the rear window stitching so by the time of the shoot, it'll have a lovely red mohair hood with glass rear screen.
What is my perfect '5? I'm not certain yet, but I have two main objectives:
1) Learning how to do most of the maintenance and modifications myself.
Until now I've never modified anything and made a failed attempt at changing the oil on a Micra. Pitiful. This is a second car so if I break it, I'm not going to be stuck like I would have been in the past. That said, it's still my daily. This is probably more important to me than the car itself as the skills will be transferable to every other car I'll ever have, plus I've always wanted to learn how to do it.
2) Maintain or increase the fun factor.
It's a cracking little thing out of the box, but being 23 years old, undoubtedly various parts will be past their prime. There are many tried and tested improvements that can be made relatively cheaply so the plan is to make this little car as fun and rewarding as it can be without spending too much.
These are the pictures from the advert. Only difference is the rear window now sags and its rather more dirty.
So far, I've had the 14° timing mod and a 4 wheel alignment done. The difference is noticeable for both. The car didn't feel very stable before, but now I have confidence in the chassis and it is gleeful around corners. Objective 2 well and truly accomplished. Saying that, I had other people do the work, so a big fail for point 1.
Things that require immediate attention:
- The steering wheel is ugly and doesn't feel very nice to touch. I have a 350mm momo mod 78 in leather ready to go on after the shoot.
- I'm short, but I feel like I'm sat far too high. I'm looking into a new seat. Fomectomy doesn't appeal. It still needs to be adjustable as I share my car with others.
- 1st-2nd is notchy. Common issue and a boot kit/oil change should help.
- Offside mirror cover is loose
- Need more noise - intake and/or exhaust. Don't expect to make any power, but I'd like more of a burble at low speeds and shouty throaty roars at high ones. It's not a v8, but I'll see what can be done.
Edited by Adamxck on Thursday 26th February 13:23
Edited by Adamxck on Wednesday 4th March 20:44
The car has developed a squeak once warm. I think it's one of the aux belts. It's the photo shoot tomorrow and there will be 9 other chaps there who are all into classic cars so I hope one of them might be able to help me diagnose the problem. If not, I'll have to do some swift learning.
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