Mx5 Mk1 1992 Eunos Roadster
Discussion
Evening Pistonheaders,
Well where do you I start, Here is my Second Mx5 Mk1, both have been in Silverstone Silver 3L and both have been imports the only difference has been my new one is 92 and the previous a 91.
Since owning this I have only covered 2,000 miles but i quickly realised that this feels different to my old mk1 but having said that it has been tweeked by the previous owner so I always expected it to be different.
I have driven quite a few different Mx5's from Mk1's through to the Rather nice Mk3.5 SportsTech (My dads) and all have felt different in there own subtle ways. Anyway i digress.... this example feels faster and and more responsive which could be to do with the Arc Induction kit and DDM works Intake and numerous other mods like extra bracing and KYB shocks. It corners rather well following a trip to 5 Speed in Nottingham for a full alignment.(must recommend it if your car doesn't feel great when in the bends) but is let down my my cheap winter tyres I am running now and the slightly old shocks.
I know the Mx5 gets this reputation as a hairdressers car but i have always struggled to understand why, ok its not a powerfull car by any means but for what I like which is twisty country lanes and enjoying driving a car and having the feeling like I am driving not technology, the good old fashioned Analogue steering which makes the car feel more precise and immediate with direction changes which I feel is mostly due to it being rear wheel drive.
Changes and mods
I have the timing adjusted up to 14 degrees and as a result always run my car on Shell Nitro V Power Plus which seems to suit it nicely, I have changed the Spark Plugs for NGK Iridiums, Jackson Racing plugs, New fuel filter, brace bars front and rear both under the car and in the engine bay/boot. I am now running Valvoline Max life 10/40 semi synthetic oil and have been reasonably pleased with the results so far.
I have removed the Aircon Pump, Condenser,Radiator and pipes as it did not work and I was doing a belt change anyway this all aids weight if any of you have picked up a air con pump you will know.
Good points
Its a clean example minus a few dints and minor scrathces (well it is a 22 year old car) and has a solid rust free shell. It has been garaged all of its UK life and serviced well. It still has its original sills, and has the extras like, heated rear windscreen loom, wiring and relays, power steering, central locking, remote boot lever and ARC Induction chamber.
Bad points
Cam angle sensor decided to work on and off causing "pinking" and rear calliper seized but not really a think I can blame the car because it is in reality a 22 year old car.
Future plans include things like a roof with heated glass window and a vented headlight cover, also things I will be doing this weekend include fitting Ford Maverick Washer jets which mist and apparently have a better spray pattern.
Things that have surprised me are just how cheap and easy these cars are to work on and to run, great if you are looking for an introduction into the world of the rear wheel drive.
Well I was planning to write more but I feel like that I have rabbited enough, I know its not everyone's cup of tea but I love my 5. Please feel free to comment and ask questions about anything I have said or missed out.
This is my first time I have done this hope it makes decent reading.
Dave
Well where do you I start, Here is my Second Mx5 Mk1, both have been in Silverstone Silver 3L and both have been imports the only difference has been my new one is 92 and the previous a 91.
Since owning this I have only covered 2,000 miles but i quickly realised that this feels different to my old mk1 but having said that it has been tweeked by the previous owner so I always expected it to be different.
I have driven quite a few different Mx5's from Mk1's through to the Rather nice Mk3.5 SportsTech (My dads) and all have felt different in there own subtle ways. Anyway i digress.... this example feels faster and and more responsive which could be to do with the Arc Induction kit and DDM works Intake and numerous other mods like extra bracing and KYB shocks. It corners rather well following a trip to 5 Speed in Nottingham for a full alignment.(must recommend it if your car doesn't feel great when in the bends) but is let down my my cheap winter tyres I am running now and the slightly old shocks.
I know the Mx5 gets this reputation as a hairdressers car but i have always struggled to understand why, ok its not a powerfull car by any means but for what I like which is twisty country lanes and enjoying driving a car and having the feeling like I am driving not technology, the good old fashioned Analogue steering which makes the car feel more precise and immediate with direction changes which I feel is mostly due to it being rear wheel drive.
Changes and mods
I have the timing adjusted up to 14 degrees and as a result always run my car on Shell Nitro V Power Plus which seems to suit it nicely, I have changed the Spark Plugs for NGK Iridiums, Jackson Racing plugs, New fuel filter, brace bars front and rear both under the car and in the engine bay/boot. I am now running Valvoline Max life 10/40 semi synthetic oil and have been reasonably pleased with the results so far.
I have removed the Aircon Pump, Condenser,Radiator and pipes as it did not work and I was doing a belt change anyway this all aids weight if any of you have picked up a air con pump you will know.
Good points
Its a clean example minus a few dints and minor scrathces (well it is a 22 year old car) and has a solid rust free shell. It has been garaged all of its UK life and serviced well. It still has its original sills, and has the extras like, heated rear windscreen loom, wiring and relays, power steering, central locking, remote boot lever and ARC Induction chamber.
Bad points
Cam angle sensor decided to work on and off causing "pinking" and rear calliper seized but not really a think I can blame the car because it is in reality a 22 year old car.
Future plans include things like a roof with heated glass window and a vented headlight cover, also things I will be doing this weekend include fitting Ford Maverick Washer jets which mist and apparently have a better spray pattern.
Things that have surprised me are just how cheap and easy these cars are to work on and to run, great if you are looking for an introduction into the world of the rear wheel drive.
Well I was planning to write more but I feel like that I have rabbited enough, I know its not everyone's cup of tea but I love my 5. Please feel free to comment and ask questions about anything I have said or missed out.
This is my first time I have done this hope it makes decent reading.
Dave
Edited by DSS199 on Wednesday 29th January 19:47
Very close to my spec, 100% agree with your comments. They do take some beating as fun, every day sports car. We're on our third MX after e39 m5, Boxster S, Imprezas etc and whilst they are all great cars in their own right the MX5 in my opinion is more usable more of the time for the type of driving I do now. It puts a smile on my face without having to do silly speeds.
One question, mine is fully braced with the exception of upper rear - is this a worthwhile mod?
One question, mine is fully braced with the exception of upper rear - is this a worthwhile mod?
OppoLocksmith said:
Very close to my spec, 100% agree with your comments. They do take some beating as fun, every day sports car. We're on our third MX after e39 m5, Boxster S, Imprezas etc and whilst they are all great cars in their own right the MX5 in my opinion is more usable more of the time for the type of driving I do now. It puts a smile on my face without having to do silly speeds.
One question, mine is fully braced with the exception of upper rear - is this a worthwhile mod?
Thanks for the quick reply!One question, mine is fully braced with the exception of upper rear - is this a worthwhile mod?
If you have decent shocks/coilovers then the rear brace bar makes a reasonable difference, ebay are selling the for around £50 and are reasonably well made.
Am currently looking at the option of fitting door bars or chassis brace frames
Thought i had updated this thread a few months ago, unfortunalty the Mx5 has now been sold and i still wonder if i did the right thing by selling her, i now own a 2014 Kia Rio, oh i know the joys =) but so far i have been more than impressed how much Kia have improved.
Looking for a motorcyle project on the side now =)
Looking for a motorcyle project on the side now =)
I have been doing some fun sprinting, autotests and autosolos in these 1600cc Eunos's for a couple of years now. Most important things I have found is make sure suspension and bushes in fine fettle, good geo setup, decent tyres and an actual working LSD. Otherwise it will not be sharp to drive. Best cheap upgrade I found is a decent 330mm suede steering wheel, transforms the was the car feels in your hands. I have much faster cars but I always enjoy jumping in one of the Mazdas. One I get to use has the ride height lowered by a couple of inches, not a silly amount, and slightly stiffer in the springs and dampers ( all unknown make I am afraid, were on it when purchased )It is lovely to drive, well judged and never bites! 
Furyblade_Lee said:
I have been doing some fun sprinting, autotests and autosolos in these 1600cc Eunos's for a couple of years now. Most important things I have found is make sure suspension and bushes in fine fettle, good geo setup, decent tyres and an actual working LSD. Otherwise it will not be sharp to drive. Best cheap upgrade I found is a decent 330mm suede steering wheel, transforms the was the car feels in your hands. I have much faster cars but I always enjoy jumping in one of the Mazdas. One I get to use has the ride height lowered by a couple of inches, not a silly amount, and slightly stiffer in the springs and dampers ( all unknown make I am afraid, were on it when purchased )It is lovely to drive, well judged and never bites!
Totally agree, I prefer the mazda over it's bigger engine rivals as they make you feel more involved, my first mx5 had gaz pro golds, anti roll bar bushes and that made the car a beauty to drive. Furyblade_Lee said:
I have been doing some fun sprinting, autotests and autosolos in these 1600cc Eunos's for a couple of years now. Most important things I have found is make sure suspension and bushes in fine fettle, good geo setup, decent tyres and an actual working LSD. Otherwise it will not be sharp to drive. Best cheap upgrade I found is a decent 330mm suede steering wheel, transforms the was the car feels in your hands. I have much faster cars but I always enjoy jumping in one of the Mazdas. One I get to use has the ride height lowered by a couple of inches, not a silly amount, and slightly stiffer in the springs and dampers ( all unknown make I am afraid, were on it when purchased )It is lovely to drive, well judged and never bites!
Totally agree, I prefer the mazda over it's bigger engine rivals as they make you feel more involved, my first mx5 had gaz pro golds, anti roll bar bushes and that made the car a beauty to drive. Gassing Station | Readers' Cars | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff