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Post by scottydugg on Jun 6, 2018 7:58:32 GMT
Update: Spent the majority of the weekend past sorting out the car, ready for the MX5OC Gathering at Braemar, on the Sunday. Firstly, removing, cleaning and refitting the passenger electric window as it was slow as! It's improved but I think the motor has all but given up. Refitted door weather seals using gutter sealant of the "non-hardening" variety, hopefully it does better than the silicone used last time.  MX5 NA 05/18 by Scott Reid, on Flickr Also fitted my new door cards, supplied by mx5mods and the Jass Performance door pulls. Both are excellent pieces of kit and really improve the interior which was starting to look a little tired. Also fitted; Jass Performance sport gear knob, Vent Surrounds, HVAC Knobs and Handbrake Handle.  MX5 NA 05/18 by Scott Reid, on Flickr  MX5 NA 05/18 by Scott Reid, on Flickr Fitted the Carbon surround to the gauges and Jass Performance brushed needle cap covers:  MX5 NA 05/18 by Scott Reid, on Flickr Also deleted the charcoal canister, no photos of this, but there's plenty guides around for those interested. It's exposed some corrosion in the engine bay that'll need some sorting sooner rather than later. Also fitted some window toggle switches to match the rest of my switch gear, another Facebook 2nd hand purchase:  MX5 NA 05/18 by Scott Reid, on Flickr Next steps for the interior are flock the gauge cowl and try dying the seats as they are really letting it down now. Went to the gathering on the Sunday, met up with the Grampian bunch for a run to Braemar beforehand, roughly 12 cars in a convoy. It was absolutely roasting, so a great day for it in the end.  MX5 NA 05/18 by Scott Reid, on Flickr  MX5 OC Gathering 05/18 by Scott Reid, on Flickr  MX5 OC Gathering 05/18 by Scott Reid, on Flickr Got to say, loving the new ND RF, I think it'd be the one I chose if given the option. This weekend I'm finally taking the car down to our new house. Me and a mate are going to drive down at the weekend, trying to catch as many good roads as possible, but I'll save that for a future update (I hope it makes it). Cheers, Scott |
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Post by scottydugg on Jun 11, 2018 8:47:27 GMT
The time finally rolled round that the car was finished and ready to be driven from my parents to my new house, roughly 160 miles. So what do you do; stick your friend on the insurance, plan a road trip with a route that collects some of the best driving roads you know (roughly 380 miles) and watch as the weather decides to throw a yellow warning for rain.......maybe not that last part. The route took us up to Inverness, across to Applecross and down the west coast to Glasgow, passing through Fort William and Glencoe. We managed about 70% with the roof down, before the rain really started. Just after Inverness:  MX-5 Road Trip by Scott Reid, on Flickr Halfway up the road to Applecross:  MX-5 Road Trip by Scott Reid, on Flickr  MX-5 Road Trip by Scott Reid, on Flickr Obligatory Applecross sign photo:  MX-5 Road Trip by Scott Reid, on Flickr Eilean Donan Castle (Near Isle of Skye):  MX-5 Road Trip by Scott Reid, on Flickr Only major issue is that the alignment is suicidal in standing water of any depth, so that's on the list next. It's done 1100+ miles since the engine swap and hasn't used any coolant or oil in that time. No major updates to come, just fix a few niggles and get out and enjoy it over summer. Thanks for reading. |
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Post by joeytalent on Jun 11, 2018 14:13:47 GMT
I loved driving those roads. Car is looking great!
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Post by scottydugg on Aug 7, 2018 12:52:08 GMT
It’s been a while since an update, but I’ve been using the car as my daily driver and been on a few local runs, Mrs.scottydugg has declared her love for the car so that’s an unexpected bonus. I’ll try keep this in order as best I can and keep the waffle to a minimum. After a nail in the tire caused a flat, I decided I’d best get the Vredstein’s swapped over from my spare wheels, to replace the cracked Avons. Probably a good thing I did, worth noting this is the front tyres and the wear is on the outside edge.....  MX5 08/18 by Scott Reid, on Flickr  MX5 08/18 by Scott Reid, on Flickr So that’ll be needing an alignment:  MX5 08/18 by Scott Reid, on Flickr 3 degrees of toe in, that’ll be why it was suicidal in the wet. Sadly rear camber bolts are all seized so rear camber is immovable for now, but it isn’t chewing through tyres currently. What a difference it’s made, feels like a different car, doesn’t under steer a beast anymore. Top ti: get your alignment checked! As some may know, I picked up a “Magic” ARC chamber for a bargain off ebay, so thought I’d set about fitting it to my Randall setup:  MX5 08/18 by Scott Reid, on Flickr  MX5 08/18 by Scott Reid, on Flickr This is just version1.0 for the brackets, but it’s all fitted securely enough for now. Feedback on the new arrangement, it’s changed the exhaust tone marginally and it’s certainly smoother lower in the rev range. Is it faster I hear you cry? Maybe, it feels it, but whether that’s the alignment inspiring confidence or the ARC I’m not sure. Is it worth picking one up cheap? Yes it is. Fitted the Ford washer jets, very misty a worthwhile mod:  MX5 08/18 by Scott Reid, on Flickr Had fitted a fancy DAB/Bluetooth/handsfree head unit so sourced and fitted a microphone so all features worked: Mid Install:  MX5 08/18 by Scott Reid, on Flickr Microphone position:  MX5 08/18 by Scott Reid, on Flickr  MX5 08/18 by Scott Reid, on Flickr Seems to work with the roof up, haven’t tried with the roof down yet. Whilst the interior was in bits, decided to fit my Moss short shifter and Jass top rubber, as well as refresh the oil (the oil was only 2000/3000 miles old):  MX5 08/18 by Scott Reid, on Flickr  MX5 08/18 by Scott Reid, on Flickr  MX5 08/18 by Scott Reid, on Flickr  MX5 08/18 by Scott Reid, on Flickr  MX5 08/18 by Scott Reid, on Flickr I’ve read mixed reviews on the short shifter, my OEM shifter had been rebuilt with new everything 2000miles ago but it never felt “rifle bolt” tight. The short shifter has made the gearshift much more like what I was expecting, it’s not notchy either as most people say, another worthwhile mod. Finally, changed the brake and clutch pedal rubbers, and fitted my “project52” sticker I got made months ago:  MX5 08/18 by Scott Reid, on Flickr  MX5 08/18 by Scott Reid, on Flickr Next on the list is to rebuild the spare set of callipers and fit with new discs/braided lines, the current brake arrangement doesn’t feel very confidence inspiring and could use some love. After that it’s underseal any areas needing attention and sort the rear camber bolts. Thanks for reading, Scott. |
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Post by scottydugg on Aug 13, 2018 13:39:14 GMT
Less than a week and the next issue has arisen, a serious wobble(almost bouncing) when up to speed at 70mph.
Will be jacking up the rear to see what I can find, so far all wheel weights and nuts are all present and tight.
I hope it's nothing serious.
Also, I've no spigots on my 14" panasports, does anyone know which one's I'd need? googling hasn't thrown anyything useful.
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Post by swordspork on Aug 13, 2018 14:14:08 GMT
I've had some experience tracking down spigot rings for the mx5. It was a doddle with the e30 BBS wheels I've currently got fitted. It was a reduction from 57.1mm to 54.1mm (the standard mx5 centre bore). Currently I've had one failed attempt at sourcing the correct spigots for a set of 14" watanabe wheels. It boils down to how accurately you can measure the Outer diameter of the centre bore on the wheel you are fitting. Knowing (or measuring) this you can then hit up eBay by searching for OD of you wheel (mm) to 54.1mm spigot. Just cross fingers that the Outer diameter of the panasports is one that is fairly common.
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Post by scottydugg on Aug 13, 2018 14:39:43 GMT
I've had some experience tracking down spigot rings for the mx5. It was a doddle with the e30 BBS wheels I've currently got fitted. It was a reduction from 57.1mm to 54.1mm (the standard mx5 centre bore). Currently I've had one failed attempt at sourcing the correct spigots for a set of 14" watanabe wheels. It boils down to how accurately you can measure the Outer diameter of the centre bore on the wheel you are fitting. Knowing (or measuring) this you can then hit up eBay by searching for OD of you wheel (mm) to 54.1mm spigot. Just cross fingers that the Outer diameter of the panasports is one that is fairly common. Thanks swordspork, yeah I can measure when the wheels off. Just if someone had the info already I could get them ordered, save the car being off the road for a few more days  |
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Post by swordspork on Aug 13, 2018 15:09:32 GMT
Yeah, totally I see where you are coming from. That's the issue i've had. I couldn't track down the info online for the watanabes while I did rather easily with the BBS wheels so I had to measure. Of course, this meant human error was added to the mix. If you decide to measure be as accurate as you can. I fudged the measurement and had to reorder smaller spigots. Also If you can go for aluminium rather than the plastic ones as they tend to get stuck in the wheels and then shatter when you remove them.
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Post by atlex on Aug 14, 2018 10:42:06 GMT
pork swords ?  I've read (on the 949 page) that the centering rings don't do that much, as long as the wheels have an accurate 4x100 with conical taper and your studs are straight. |
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Post by swordspork on Aug 14, 2018 12:01:13 GMT
Aye, thought I'd jazz it up a bit haha. I was on nutz but not with such a name.
Yeh, I've read that too. I guess I've always just used them because they are quite cheap and it's just one less thing to worry about if you get weird noise and vibration does occur.
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Post by scottydugg on Jun 14, 2019 10:11:15 GMT
Update: Part 1 So it’s been roughly 10 months since the last update, I’ve had a busy few months: new job, wedding, honeymoon.....Mazda time was at a premium. The mighty project 52 performed without any major flaws in that time. Post wedding it was put up in the air for a while to get some maintenance carried out, but other than that it's been fettling here and there as it's used as my daily. So where to start: Car was given a fresh service: new oil (fully synth 0W40), NGK spark Plugs, K&N Oil Filter.  IMG_20181222_230218 by Scott Reid, on Flickr Roddison Pads, Goodridge Braided Lines, DOT4 Brake Fluid, new hardware and replacement front callipers.  IMG_20190111_221118 by Scott Reid, on Flickr Also changed the clutch line for a braided unit, giving the fluid a much needed change.  IMG_20190108_182029 by Scott Reid, on Flickr The standard clutch line is stupidly long!  IMG_20190108_193901 by Scott Reid, on Flickr Whilst brakes/clutch were being freshened up, I rust treated inside the arches and painted with Hammerite, while I waited for some parts to arrive to finish the brakes.  IMG_20190116_210726 by Scott Reid, on Flickr  IMG_20190117_220014 by Scott Reid, on Flickr Fitted a hardtop spoiler from Facebook group, always loved the look.  IMG_20190126_172340 by Scott Reid, on Flickr Mighty5’s sticker also fitted to the hardtop.  IMG_20190126_172347 by Scott Reid, on Flickr My Panasports weren’t holding air and with the car being off the road for a few weeks I was getting fed up having to pump them up every week. So in a moment of sheer brilliance I thought I’d get some second hand wheels. They were Rota Grid 15”x7J ET15 with budget tyres. Brilliant I thought, until I found one wheel didn’t hold air and needed repaired.  IMG_20190125_172013 by Scott Reid, on Flickr Unfortunately, the repair place couldn’t do polished lips so they got a colour change (funded by the sale of a few parts I hadn’t quite fitted yet). But on the plus side the budget tyres aren’t budget and have decent tread. The colour is called glitter bronze.  IMG_20190214_180143 by Scott Reid, on Flickr I spent some time trying to recondition the Nardi wheel leather, following the guide on Revlimiter.  IMG_20190203_105335 by Scott Reid, on Flickr Due to my over eagerness with the leather clear coat, I’ve cocked up the last stage so it’s not quite there, I’ll likely need to redo this at some stage. Car went in for its MOT in February and passed first time, without a cat since it’s an import. Only advisory being some corrosion on the rear brake lines, that will likely need changed before the next MOT. Also got round to fitting my MX5MODS carbon fibre rear view mirror, that drastically improves rear visibility over the stock item, as well as some new interior vent rings and LED interior lights.  IMG_20190223_190810 by Scott Reid, on Flickr  IMG_20190223_190845 by Scott Reid, on Flickr Finally, fitted some LED headlights (7” jeep headlight units), but I’m not quite sure on them and may sell them on, changing for something else (which I’ve now bought but haven’t fitted yet). I didn’t wire in the outer rings, as I’m not electrically competent yet and wasn’t sure if I was going to keep them.  IMG_20190312_212020 by Scott Reid, on Flickr  IMG_20190312_210644 by Scott Reid, on Flickr So how it sits for now (the hardtop did come off for summer).  PSX_20190221_220625 by Scott Reid, on Flickr Also fitted a rear Project-M tow hook, I’ve got the front to go on soon as well. More to come but I’ll update that in a second post. Thanks for reading. |
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Post by scottydugg on Jul 3, 2019 10:40:48 GMT
Update: Part 2 So with the car now through a second MOT in my ownership I moved on to start fitting parts that had been accumulated over the winter months. These included an R-Package Lip, that the previous owner has painted in stone chip, and a Project M front tow hook.  IMG_20190628_170707 by Scott Reid, on Flickr For anyone fitting a splitter, get a friend to help as it took ages, the fit isn’t 100% perfect but it’s solid. Next up, sourced a set of second hand (see a theme here) Jass Low Pro Headlights from one of the many Facebook groups. These came already fitted with a set of pop up cages so installation should have been simple…..it wasn’t. Getting the lights to sit at the correct height when both up and down had them in and out multiple times. On the plus side, they’ve been fitted with a decent set of LED bulbs so not all bad news.  IMG_20190627_212337 by Scott Reid, on Flickr  IMG_20190629_180456 by Scott Reid, on Flickr  IMG_20190630_201133 by Scott Reid, on Flickr Also picked up a replacement boot lid with ducktail, however I’m not 100% sold on it so will try it on and see if it looks better than the current R-Package spoiler. Other projects lined up are fit a tinted sun-strip, rear bumper cut and fit a set of RevLimiter gauges I’m waiting on being delivered, I’m painting a set of needles to go with these (following the RevLimiter guide). I’ve also sourced a 99’ BP4W head that I’m going to refresh and install for some cheap N/A power increases.  IMG_20190609_170135 by Scott Reid, on Flickr Currently it’s stripped down, I’ve to lap the valves then send it for a mild skim. Thanks for reading. |
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Post by howardb66 on Jul 3, 2019 11:47:04 GMT
Looking good, how does the beam pattern compare between the low pros & the Jeep lights?
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Post by scottydugg on Jul 3, 2019 12:53:55 GMT
Looking good, how does the beam pattern compare between the low pros & the Jeep lights? Beam pattern has a better cut off than the Jeep headlights, although it sits a little lower than standard (going by the tape on my garage door). I've not tried them at night yet, BUT the led bulbs are substantially brighter than those in the jeep headlights. The jeep headlight dipped and main beam, were essentially the same. |
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Post by howardb66 on Jul 3, 2019 20:52:05 GMT
Very good. LEDs have a much better beam pattern compared to HIDs, thinking about some for my NB2.
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le sigh