Bilbo's Eunos

Had the speaker covers off today to replace the speakers. Opened it up, and oh, I'm greated with a nice set of very new looking JVC speakers. Look like decent ones too.

I'm thinking the current Pioneer headunit is a bit crap, so I'll be replacing with my Sony one I've kept from old cars which I've always found great.

I need good sound so I can enjoy my tunes again!

Small update time.

Had the brakes looked at by my trusty independent mechanic today. He got it up on the ramp, and told me after that there's nothing wrong with the rear brakes, and that the noise from the rear was likely down to lack of use. 

Apparently there's no bind at all, and it's all good. He took a look around while it was on the ramp, and did note that the rear offside anti-roll bar link has come loose, so that'll need sorting ASAP. THAT EXPLAINS THE KNOCKING NOISE!

Wouldn't even let me pay him, what a legend. If you're ever in Brighton and need a good garage, try MJB Motors. Mark is a top bloke!



In other news, I removed the Pioneer headunit to install my preferred Sony one. Somehow I only have one of the removal tools, so with some pulling and holding in place with a key, I finally managed to yank it out.


What I saw did not please me. Not at all.  One of the previous owners decided that, instead of buying an adapter similar to this for the headunit:






They would use one of these:






So instead of using a readily available Pioneer adapter, (which probably came with the headunit!!!11!) or using another one to fit the MX-5, they decided to cut off the original wire block, and use push-in connectors on each individual wire to mate it to the second block shown above. Quite literally:







Not only that, but the push-ins have been done badly, there are bare wires visible, and no electrical tape or shrink wrap has been used. GENIUS.


They've put time and effort into it, with bad results, and when no real effort was actually needed. I put the Sony headunit back in the box, and cursed many swears. I'll sort this out soon, as I'm really not happy with the sound at the moment. I might also Dynamat around the JVC speakers, seems worth it for the minimal outlay for the speaker kit they do. Unless anyone knows of any alternatives to Dynamat they prefer?


Thanks for reading, and be sure to tune in for the next installment of Retarded Things Previous Owners Do.

It's just painful to be honest. It literally didn't need to be done. I'll probably try and put the wires back into an original connector, so it's as it was when new. Then I'll use my adapter for the Sony unit, which is what I've done in all 3 of my previous cars with no issues.

The thing is, I know basically nothing about wiring and electronics. So if I look at it and can tell it's been done completely wrong, then it's clearly really bad haha.

Finally got the "Randall Cowl" intake sorted today.

Previously I put this on as I had most of the parts for it already:


IMG_20170128_003028_zpsg7axkhes by Chris Oldham, on Flickr


Dat heatsoak doe.

This clearly wouldn't do, so I pulled it out and remounted the stock airbox, and moved the washer bottle over:


IMG_20170218_134450_zpsj2i8whvg by Chris Oldham, on Flickr


Conveniently there was a hole with a rubber grommet which was perfectly placed for the right hand bolt of the washer bottle.

With this done I then (with the help of my dad for sheer brute strength) drilled a hole for the bulkhead flange connector. We made a right old racket doing that! Bolted this up and got some flexible duct, cut to size, and attached with a couple of jubilee clips:


IMG_20170218_202618_092_zpscz4heubb by Chris Oldham, on Flickr


IMG_20170218_150757_zpshhpfhzsr by Chris Oldham, on Flickr


A really snug fit, and very securely held in place. I had to bend the AC pipe up slightly, and relocate one of the bolts. I'm not fussed as I'm ripping it out soon. It's heavy and doesn't work anyway.

I went for the paper covered aluminium duct as it doesn't have the horrible slinky metal spines all along it, as most of the other ducting options do.


If anyone wanted to do this you can find the parts I ordered here:

Ducting (sold by the metre, price has gone up since I ordered):
www.carbuildersolutions.com/uk/classic-ducting-aluminium-paper-covered-heater-65mm-id

Flanged connector: www.carbuildersolutions.com/uk/63mm-od-bulkhead-flange-connector

You'll also need a pack of m6 bolts, and nuts to suit. Oh and a big old holesaw (64mm ish) and arbor for your drill.


Results? Not as loud as I thought, but just feels more willing to rev than with the K&N cone. It has a nice sound across the rev range, and retains the entire stock setup, bar the snorkel. Way cheaper than the off the shelf ones which seem to be £120+.



The engine bay is ugly right now, but I guess it's all functioning, which is nice . The manifold heatshield will be treated to some rust killer and then repainted soon, and the camcover gasket is starting to weep oil, so that'll be done at the same time.

Gave it an oil and washer fluid top up, and went for a drive. What a great day. No roof down action yet though. Roof is in such bad shape I'm worried it'll just disintegrate when I lower it down haha!

I have been noticing a little oil underneath the car when it has been parked up for a while, and there is clearly oil dripping off the engine (though pretty slowly).

The cam cover gasket has simply had enough, and is seeping a fair amount. Someone advised me to check the CAS O-ring too, and this is even worse! A noticeable amount of oil has come out, and down the back of the engine.

I haven't sourced a leak for the PAS, but the level is very low. So taking all of this into account, new parts and fluids have been ordered:

- Genuine cam cover gasket
- Silicone sealant
- CAS O ring
- Droplink from Autolink
- ATF fluid
- Fuchs fully synth 5w40
- Genuine Mazda Oil Filter
- Castrol SynTrans 75w90 for the gearbox

Hoping to get it all done this weekend, bar the gearbox oil as I need to order a pump to make it easier. Can't be rear canoed with hose and funnel from the engine bay.

Might have a look at the shift boots too. 2nd is a bit stiff to get in (giggidy) at times. I'll be changing the turret oil anyhow so may just order one and replace it regardless.

Getting there. Tick tock tick tock to the MOT!

So not a huge amount to report of late. I did lose a coilpack bolt after doing the cam cover and O-ring, just fell out after it was tightened back up. Oops. Sourcing a replacement this week hopefully.

Picked up a lightly used MX5Parts single exit from TimHarvey on here. Top bloke.

Here it is fitted:


IMG_20170303_131829 by Chris Oldham, on Flickr


I didn't have much time last weekend, and I didn't want to lay on a wet driveway fitting it, so just took it to a local exhaust place that are one of those Powerflow franchises.

Dropped it off with them and went home. Got a call, essentially "it won't fit". Lol, no. So I went back there scratching my head. Walked in, strolled up to the ramp and the apprentice somehow had thought the midpipe section was a downpipe. I laughed, took the exhaust off of him, walked back three steps and said "bolt it here". They faffed about a bit, and got it done. Bit of a joke that the specialist who was there couldn't have just had a look, but oh well.

Anyway it's clearly sitting too far to the right on the exit pipe, on inspection this is due to old exhaust rubber hangers which are losing their firmness and being pulled slightly to one side. Again, bit annoying they didn't tell me as I would have just paid for two new rear rubber hangers while they were doing it. I'll probably avoid them from now on, which is a shame as I've used them in the past with no issues. The one easy job I've let someone else do so far on this, and I could have done it better and quicker myself!

But anyway, the exhaust sounds fantastic! I can see why people rate these, really nicely made bit of kit too.

I like the stealth dark grey look. When is the MOT due?