ScottyDugg's Eunos (1.8)

Yup, that version is good until 19th May 2018: www.gov.uk/government/publications/mot-inspection-manual-for-class-3-4-5-and-7-vehicles

I've been through this with a garage before, they should use the VIN and then discover there is no match in the vehicle database - but my experience was they just looked at it, and tested it as a UK car. They were fine about redoing the test with the non-CAT test after I pointed it out though.

This is another reason I love Minnesota - no annual tests here

Great work 👍🏻

So, since the car passed it's MOT last month, work has continued to get it on the road officially as well as a bit of wheeling and dealing.

I seem to have amassed some parts I'll never need or that have been replaced, so in an effort to clear some space had minor clear out, this included the Bronze 15x7" ET30 Wheels with Toyo T1-R.
MX5 29/08/2017 by Scott Reid, on Flickr
Why were these sold? Managed to pick up a set of 14"x6 ET40 Panasport fitted with some Avon tires, a case of right place right time. Quoted at roughly 13.3kg each (including tire), a stark comparison to the 19kg each wheels/tires they replaced.

What is it they say? 1kg of un-sprung = 10kg of sprung weight? Hopefully that makes a difference, but I've no starting point for a comparison.

Other things that have been completed: new roof fitted and seems to have added head clearance as well as improving the exterior, HSD pre-load adjusted from rock solid back to stock.

Some issues still persist though:
- Idle is around 1000-1200rpm and in our search for the cause we have replaced the rear coolant temp sensor, had the throttle body off to try clean out all idle control parts, searched for any air leaks. Next step is replaced the whole thing and try again.
- Manifold bodge is leaking at the reducer, it's going to have to be replaced and fixed off the car, so the hunt for a replacement manifold on-going.
- Underseal, paint, dents!

I digress though, after almost a year of ownership, the car is now ready for the road and my first time driving it. Gratuitous first drive shots:
MX5 NA 19/04/2018 by Scott Reid, on Flickr
MX5 NA 19/04/2018 by Scott Reid, on Flickr
MX5 NA 19/04/2018 by Scott Reid, on Flickr
MX5 NA 19/04/2018 by Scott Reid, on Flickr

Absolutely love it, without trying to waffle on about stuff that's been covered before, it really is a much rawer driving experience and with the HSD's adjusted towards soft it's actually quite comfortable (if you avoid pot holes and drain covers).

Odd quirks I've noticed are driving with the pop-ups up is bizarre, the side mirrors are really far back and these make a passing Ford Focus look HGV huge!

I'll make a list of everything that has been done another time, but for now, here's a before (May 2017) and after (April 2018):
MX-5 NA Day 1 by Scott Reid, on Flickr
MX5 NA 19/04/2018 by Scott Reid, on Flickr

Thanks for reading.

Wow, that looks incredible! Great work.

Although I love my BR Wats, I loved the Panasports I had on my previous car, and they look even better in that condition.

Rob.

Good job, a real credit to you. Actually pretty jelly!

Thanks everyone, appreciate the comments. The panasports really suit the 5, I don't think the 15's I had would have looked anywhere near as good fitted. Would have loved some Watanabe or Rota style wheels, but these were cheap and local.

For the record it's not as clean as it looks in the photos: paint swirl, scratches, dents, paint rubbed through. But it'll do for now!

I've got a GV lip and side stripe w/ Eunos decal (gold set and matt black set) to maybe fit in the future, but I'll leave it like it is for now. All remaining issues can get fixed whilst it's on the road.

11 months is a long time to have a new car and not drive it 

trikkisixx hurry up and do the RIZLA livery 

Car is looking great!

For your idle problem, I had something similar on my 1.6 - in the end, it turned out the throttle body butterfly was worn and letting a tiny bit of air in at idle. Something else to look at.