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Post by scottydugg on Nov 22, 2017 9:14:23 GMT
Found some images on my phone of when the car got delivered, pre wash really shows the "death trap" look it was going for.  MX-5 NA Day 1 by Scott Reid, on Flickr  MX-5 NA Day 1 by Scott Reid, on Flickr  MX-5 NA Day 1 by Scott Reid, on Flickr Last picture you can see the Audi that got sold and will eventually be replaced by the Mazda, some of it's been re-invested into car parts. Up there as one of the worst cars I've owned, I'll never buy an Audi out of warranty again! Also been in contact with Tim@Opie Oils regarding what oil I should be running this on, considering it's a tuned N/A engine and not just a standard 1.8 lump. He recommended 5W40 Synthetic, as it has an oil cooler and won't be going on any track days. If however it starts to burn through oil, 10W50 is the next step. So I've gone for some Motul Sport 5W40, excellent service from the guys at Opie as always. I'll hold off on updates until there's some more pictures. |
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Post by scottydugg on Dec 18, 2017 15:23:08 GMT
Mocked up the plan in NFS2015 (games mince but good customisation), - side stripes are matte gold - wheels are gloss bronze - sunstrip is matte black  MX5 PLAN by Scott Reid, on Flickr Open to opinions? couldn't get bronze side stripes unfortunately  Should add all the bits are bought and waiting to be fitted/applied. Actual Wheel Colour  MX5 29/08/2017 by Scott Reid, on Flickr |
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Post by Bilbo on Dec 20, 2017 13:08:40 GMT
Looks ace mate. That game was quality for modifying. They had the bits that most games don't include: camber adjustment, proper front and rear height adjustment, and lots of kits for the MX-5 that I actually wanted to mess around with. Obviously I ended up with a bright yellow widebody slammed mk1 with a cut rear bumper and Boso exhaust haha.
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Post by scottydugg on Dec 20, 2017 14:56:39 GMT
Looks ace mate. That game was quality for modifying. They had the bits that most games don't include: camber adjustment, proper front and rear height adjustment, and lots of kits for the MX-5 that I actually wanted to mess around with. Obviously I ended up with a bright yellow widebody slammed mk1 with a cut rear bumper and Boso exhaust haha. Even the gold and bronze? I'll chuck it all together over Christmas and see how it looks. Tire paint? do or don't? Yeah great game for modifying, but the gameplay, I just couldn't get along with it. Every drift snapped me into a wall. So used to Forza/F12017/Project Cars I've ended up spoiling NFS franchise for myself. |
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Post by Bilbo on Dec 20, 2017 15:30:12 GMT
Looks ace mate. That game was quality for modifying. They had the bits that most games don't include: camber adjustment, proper front and rear height adjustment, and lots of kits for the MX-5 that I actually wanted to mess around with. Obviously I ended up with a bright yellow widebody slammed mk1 with a cut rear bumper and Boso exhaust haha. Even the gold and bronze? I'll chuck it all together over Christmas and see how it looks. Tire paint? do or don't? Yeah great game for modifying, but the gameplay, I just couldn't get along with it. Every drift snapped me into a wall. So used to Forza/F12017/Project Cars I've ended up spoiling NFS franchise for myself. Yeah the gameplay was flawed and the drifting felt forced, it wasn't like you were doing it, it felt like drift-assist. Not great to be honest, and understeer was a problem with the grip based cars. I think real wheels would be a slightly softer colour than that, they almost look chrome. If you just did them in gloss I think it'd be cool. I'm quite a fan of side stripes and tyre writing. Tyre writing suits more aggressive or retro wheels, could look good, definitely suits a higher profile sidewall tyre in my opinion. |
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Post by scottydugg on Jan 3, 2018 8:40:45 GMT
All these huge plans for what to complete and barely anything done!  Slimline quick release sold and replaced with a standard depth unit, could we get the horn button to fit? could we Canoe! Nardi horn button ordered.  MX5 NA - Quick Release by Scott Reid, on Flickr Also started the Randall cowl intake:  MX5 NA - Randall Intake (Started) by Scott Reid, on Flickr Hole is already drilled in the fire wall, I don't intend to move the washer reservoir at this stage, there dose seem to be enough flex in the 1.8 intake before the MAF to have an almost straight shot though. Whether it'll clash with the engine strut brace or not I'm not sure at present (do these even do anything on a mk1?). Perhaps the car would be further along if I wasn't modding as I go! but that'd make too much sense.....surely? |
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Post by Bilbo on Jan 4, 2018 12:40:50 GMT
You'll love the cowl intake, they sound beastly. I need an enclosed filter like that, I'm still using the stock airbox for my cowl setup, so the sound isn't really that aggressive.
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Post by scottydugg on Jan 4, 2018 15:20:31 GMT
You'll love the cowl intake, they sound beastly. I need an enclosed filter like that, I'm still using the stock airbox for my cowl setup, so the sound isn't really that aggressive. I can see why it's noisy, the inlet for the interior heater fan is literally next to it  Keep an eye out on ebay, it's a K&N apollo, got it for £36. A venom or anything of the same ilk would do the same job. 70mm I.D. Hose to connect onto the 1.8 MAF, couldn't ask for more cost effective. |
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Post by Bilbo on Jan 4, 2018 16:38:13 GMT
Yeah that's what I'm after, but those Apollos and Venoms are usually well overpriced!
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Post by scottydugg on Feb 2, 2018 10:26:27 GMT
Cars failed it's MOT on emissions, which I didn't think it would be tested for being an import (They do get a more lenient test). They said it wouldn't sit at a steady idle and the burning oil/smoke machine effect. So I'm left with three choices 1. Sell up and cut my losses. 2. Swap engine and ECU for my spare 1.8. 3. Remove and try fix existing engine. We're going to try swap the engine for the spare, I've got most of the parts already. Fixing the Mazdaspeed engine when it's out of the car or splitting and selling components seems the way to go. On a positive note, bar a few dust shields, 1 corroded brake line, an oil leak (CAS I think) and a ball joint, it didn't fail on anything else, not even an advisory for corrosion. We shall rebuild it!  Anyway, updates to come over the next few weeks, just not the type I thought. |
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Post by atlex on Feb 2, 2018 16:32:36 GMT
rebuild the b-spec engine. it'll take time and money but you'll be left with something very special.
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Post by scottydugg on Feb 6, 2018 9:36:19 GMT
rebuild the b-spec engine. it'll take time and money but you'll be left with something very special. Thanks atlex, I think that is the current plan, won't be this year but hopefully the following. |
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Post by scottydugg on Feb 6, 2018 10:56:00 GMT
I got the results for the MOT emissions test: Fast Idle CO(%): Limits Max: 0.30, Actual Value: 8.88!
Second Fast Idle CO(%): Limits Max:0.30, Actual Value: 9.14Not good, not good at all! So, where to begin....throughout this whole debacle I've tried to resist doing anything with the Mazdaspeed engine, a rebuild of any sort and it would be more economical to swap the engine. With that, the inevitable has happened and at this stage I'm so far down the rabbit hole giving up would be a financial mistake so the decision is made, out the engine comes. We're committed! I've never swapped an engine before, but I've watched a few You-tube videos, so that's about the same right? First things first, drop the fresh oil that went in 20 miles ago:  MX5-NA 05/02/2018 by Scott Reid, on Flickr Oh dear, that's not a good sign Next, remove the radiator and any attached hoses wires, taking care to label everything for ease of re-installation, I'll need a new radiator fan as it's pretty beat up.  MX5-NA 05/02/2018 by Scott Reid, on Flickr We decided to leave the gearbox in the car, having already swapped the clutch we knew what to expect regarding bell housing bolts etc. Only tough points were disconnecting the starter motor electrical connections. Engine ready to be removed:  MX5-NA 05/02/2018 by Scott Reid, on Flickr Engine out, the bays covered in a lot of oil:  MX5-NA 05/02/2018 by Scott Reid, on Flickr Old engine right and replacement left:  MX5-NA 05/02/2018 by Scott Reid, on Flickr Decided to swap over the starter and alternator as we knew they worked, also changed: rubber fuel lines, oil cooler rubber hoses, oil filter, rear camshaft seal, coolant hoses, many many hose clips that had perished. MOT failed on an oil leak at the rear of the block, the likely culprit being the CAS O-ring, looked like it had never been changed since the factory, brittle like plastic with no play. For anyone that hasn't changed this I'd recommend getting it done, the heater hose below hadn't burst with oil dripping on it, but it wasn't in good condition and couldn't have been far off.  MX5-NA 05/02/2018 by Scott Reid, on Flickr  MX5-NA 05/02/2018 by Scott Reid, on Flickr After that it was a case of getting the replacement engine into the car, not as bad as expected, it can be done leaving the box in place. I'm not sure there would be much time difference between the two methods.  MX5-NA 05/02/2018 by Scott Reid, on Flickr So that's how it sits currently: exhaust manifold, air intake, new oil and new coolant are to be sorted then we can see if it starts and how well it runs. I've still to get replacement exhaust gaskets, engine mounts, a ball joint and some dust covers. Plus a new radiator fan an lower radiator mounting brackets as they're toast. Once we've confirmed it works and passed an MOT, the engine will get new plugs, leads, water pump and cam-belt. So the project lumbers on, not quite as special as before, but at least it might actually get on the road this year! |
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Post by atlex on Feb 6, 2018 11:07:44 GMT
awesome. get the car going.. then leisurely rebuild  |
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Post by joeytalent on Feb 6, 2018 15:38:16 GMT
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le sigh