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Post by pmayhew on May 3, 2017 20:50:02 GMT
My first MX5 was a Berkeley that went the way of most 5's and died of rust. ![]()  Then after an extremely brief stint with a Puma, I was back on the lookout for another 5. After a few weeks of searching the usual websites and facebook groups, up popped a 1.8 import, recently resprayed and looked like it had had some money thrown at it lately, the only problem was it was an auto. So here it is. Pretty standard 1.8, no ABS, air con had been removed, did have electric mirrors and remote locking though.   Looked good from afar but still needed a few things, the most important being a manual conversion. Before that though, it turned out the repray was "done by a mate." Must have neen a mate incapable of bending down, because he had left the bottom of the sills completely unsprayed. So first job was to sand off the surface rust, and get some paint on there.  With that sorted, it was time to test it out with the Total 5's run up to Gloucester. I almost made it there and back without issue. 10 miles from home a sticking caliper started to give me grief. Two weeks into ownership, and I was already tiring of the auto gearbox. So it was booked in with Mark at Total MX5 repair in Barry. Two days later, I was much happier.  I also fitted a stereo as the car came without on, the wiring on that was interesting.  |
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Post by pmayhew on May 3, 2017 21:23:25 GMT
Then Christmas was approaching, I didn't really have much spare money, so nothing really changed on the 5. I did get a nice new wheel and gear knob for Christmas though.  With everything working well, it was time to start the compulsory MX5 mods. I picked up some second hand HSD Dualtechs from ebay. The springs were a bit rusty, so I sanded them off as best I could, and sprayed on some pastidip, hoping that might flex a little better than paint and not crack. Fitted them on the ramp at Saturday Club at Total Mx5 Repair, which made things a lot easier. So all finished, I was really happy with the result.  I will drop the front a touch. But overall really pleased with them. Set the dampning to the middle setting to start with and it gave a good ride, felt similar in stiffness to the standard ones that came off, but can obviously go softer or harder in the future if I like. Then onto obligatory MX5 mod number two, a Cobalt exhaust. This one was second hand so already bedded in. I love the sound and it's even completely fine on the motorway. Looks a lot nicer than the rusty pea shooter that came off too.  I'd had a pair of bucket seats sitting in my flat since I had the Berkeley, but I'd never fitted them. Until now.  That brings me up to a few weeks ago with my trip to Action Day at Castle Combe with Mighty 5's. Perfect day for it and lots of cool cars to wander round and look at. I was also super lucky and got a passanger trip round in Oli G's turbo'd car.  Made it out for the 9am session with a load of other Mighty 5ers. I just about managed to keep my breakfast down for the full session. After some persuasion from the guys there, I've now gone and booked my first track day at 5 Fest. Perfect for me as I'm only 30mins from Llandow. The next few months will be doing a few things to get her track ready for July. |
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Post by pmayhew on May 11, 2017 15:53:48 GMT
Tidied up the front end a little bit last weekend  Homemade offset number plate bracket. Hopefully doesn't block too much air to the radiator, but can always move it across. Also detangoed the sidelights. Looking for some tyre recommendations, I was just going to get Rainsports, but with a full day on track in July are they going to melt? |
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Post by myothercarsa2cv on May 11, 2017 17:43:31 GMT
Looks great! I'll see you at 5Fest! RSRs are good value track tyres  |
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Post by pmayhew on May 11, 2017 19:34:46 GMT
Thanks for the suggestion but probably looking for something more road friendly at the moment, it'll get used 99% on the road, just needs to be able to survive a track day
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Post by lowender on May 11, 2017 19:59:58 GMT
If it's hot and dry at Llandow in July, the Rainsports will get quite hot and wear quite a lot, especially the nearside front. If it's raining, you'll be in very good shape.
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Post by tgbshelby on May 11, 2017 21:15:14 GMT
I just brought toyo tr1 they seems very friendly on the way home... and for 30 pound a corner I'm fairly impressed!
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Post by myothercarsa2cv on May 11, 2017 22:28:21 GMT
Thanks for the suggestion but probably looking for something more road friendly at the moment, it'll get used 99% on the road, just needs to be able to survive a track day They're great on the road and not too bad in the winter if you're sensible, wet leaves though are terrifying! I am supercharged though. |
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Post by pmayhew on May 14, 2017 18:51:19 GMT
I had the toyos on my last 5 and found them a little bit dicey in the wet, so think I'll give the rainsports a try, with the year round wet weather we have, they should be a safe bet. The rsr's are a bit serious for me at the mo I think.
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Post by trikkisixx on May 16, 2017 16:28:20 GMT
I do enjoy how clean this car looks!
Agreed on the TR1's, they're horribly poo.
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Post by pmayhew on Jun 22, 2017 11:39:39 GMT
No progress the last month, but with 5fest fast approaching I've had to pull my finger out. Just ordered a set of Roddinson brake pads and ATE super blue fluid, and found a set of 4 used Nankang ns2r on eBay, so will give semi slicks a go.
Got a few other small bits like HT leads, Ford washer jets and bought a spare bootlid with a ducktail on, although it's black at the moment, so will need to give it a coat of paint. Heading to Total 5's this Saturday so will work through the list of jobs, then a run out to West Wales on Sunday with Total 5's.
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Post by LewisEK on Jun 22, 2017 13:24:01 GMT
Nice job getting it made manual, would be weird driving these things auto.
Out of interest, when fitting your coilovers which method did you use to get the original shocks out? Long bolt method or spring compressors?
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Post by Dweenimus on Jun 22, 2017 13:39:47 GMT
I'll be interested to see how your car drives at 5fest! Mine's an auto conversion that I did myself
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Post by pmayhew on Jun 22, 2017 15:22:05 GMT
Nice job getting it made manual, would be weird driving these things auto. Out of interest, when fitting your coilovers which method did you use to get the original shocks out? Long bolt method or spring compressors? Yeah I didn't enjoy it so much as an auto, didn't like it changing up and down unexpectedly. Rears just came out with someone pulling down, fronts I actually used spring compressors and it worked pretty well. Was my first time changing suspension so other methods might be better, but this worked well enough. |
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Post by pmayhew on Jun 22, 2017 15:24:21 GMT
I'll be interested to see how your car drives at 5fest! Mine's an auto conversion that I did myself Nice work on doing it yourself! It's well beyond my ability. Drives exactly the same as my old Berkeley which was manual from the factory, so can't say better than that. |
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le sigh