The Toyster and other things.

This thread delivers, what an absolute animal this thing is

Totally agree with you on the torsen vs plate diff, with this level of power or turbo applications in general a plate diff seems a much better choice, yes torsens are better than open diff but when your struggling for traction with a turbo and you have no grip/unloaded on one side then the transfer of torque to the other side, whilst it will transfer it will transfering 4x no grip . On lower power applications then a torsen is much more suited if your not smashing kerbs on a track...

Heck, if it wasn't for the fact there isn't really a plated diff you can pop in the 1.6 VLSD housing without replacing the half shafts and the fact the ring gear is small I'd be tempted to do it. Torsen diffs are going for absolute silly money these days, far beyond their actual worth, which is why I'll be looking for a bargin 1.8 housing, driveshafts, prop and hopefully a decent ring gear/ratio and sticking in something like a 1.5/2 way Kaaz SuperQ in it when the oem one gives up (at stock 1.6 power most problems are easily fixed with sticky tyres ).

The roads got icy today, so the car in in the garage for the winter.

As usual, I have a list of things to do. Sadly, that starts with repairing the miss's corolla.



It really is amazing how the roomy garage I had just.. filled up.

I have no bracing apart from the factory under braces and strut bar and I certainly felt less door rattle over bumps, but your right its almost a german car door clunk now

Also, if they do nothing at least your helping the MX5 economy in Bulgaria

I think the 6spd shifter has a much worse feel to it than the 5spd.
One fix for this is installing the super expensive miataroadster shifter. That is a nice piece of kit that cures the notchy feeling and the moneyshift issue both at once.

But of course I can't go with the tried and tested (or stomach the cost of the MR shifter).

Instead I bought a raised fulcrum long shortshifter from fine cut. It looked like something that would fit my need but I couldn't find much about it online.

The fabricator of it was nice and easy to get in contact with through facebook. The cost was reasonable.

I received the shifter after a week or so.

The machining was raw and it had some really sharp edges. I wasn't expecting it to be 100% for the price so that was ok.


I spent a couple of hours polishing my lever in front of the tv.

The result was what I want. Wetsanding even finer with say 1200 would get me a chrome finish, but I dont want that and the 600 finish is spot on for me.




I think it looks the part in the car. I may weight the knob, delrin (I think) is quite light. Some slight modification of the rubber and leather boots was needed for the install.



It has a really nice throw. The final verdict will as always come when used on track. The car needs to be run for a bit and have warm oil in the gearbox before I can tell exactly how it is. So far so good.

First shift after install, mind that the lever is not fully lubricated in the socket. It's an old box.

Its the perfect spot for it. I really like the height.

Have you been watching AvE?

They really are everything I thought they would be.

Also, I actually did something!



And they even fit, welded nuts inside of the trunk.



Decided on this placement due to being able to route the hoses completely outside of the car. The coolers will go on both sides outside of the pumps. I just got to get materials for the brackets. Oh, and they will be completely level when done.