Jimbo’s first MX-5

Thank for the warm welcome Wannabe,

To Mod, or not to Mod, that’s a very good question?

Plans for the car.

1) Make the Stereo Bluetooth compatible if that’s possible, failing that replace the head unit.
2) I think rust is the route of all evil so I should really send it of to www.rust.co.uk/contact or similar to slow down the rate of decay.
3) ARB’s & Lowering Springs
4) Car has a good set of uniroyal rain sport 3’s, however I would prefer a set of Michelin Pilot Sport 4 and then a proper four wheel alignment.
5) Exhaust and a proper performance air filter.

As time and funds allow.

All of these points are subject to change

I don’t know much about MK3s but at a guess, the ride height looks too high.

Geo is really important on all MX5s but don’t bother until your suspension work is done (unless it’s massively out).

Rainsport 3s are a great tyre but so are the Michelin PS4, just replace them when they wear out. The Rainsport 3s are a soft compound and handle & grip better as they wear- I used to have mine shaved to 3.5mm.


oh and preventative care on rust isn’t an option!

Hi Jim.
so you've got a nice one, good.

Forget modifying it for track use, unless that's where you're going to live, like I do given the chance.
Whatever you do to the exhaust system it will always sound like the 4 pot it is.
ARB and lowered springs, hmmm.

To understand how balance is affected, it's needed to understand that as vertical load on a tyre is increased, the coefficient of friction of that tyre decreases. You still get more grip, but proportionally less. This is known as load sensitivity.

So for Road use it does nothing.
For racing it needs adjusting for each track.
its a great way to turn your lovely thought out car into a nightmare.
likewise lowered springs.

If you want to make a great improvement to your cars handling characteristics and not screw it up there are only two options.
Option one is eye wateringly expensive for a street car, Ohlins, where as option two is not.

Option two is the fitment of MeisterR coilovers, they are amazing and easily adjustable from track to road in but a few moments.
These work with standard ARB's.
Using standard wheels then fit Nankang NS-2R tyres.
The two above items and nothing else.
Then pay for track tuition.

Now you have a lovely road car and a great track day car.
If you then get addicted, go for the 200/210 Bhp tunes that are out there.

With that done and the ability to drive it you have a cracking road and track car that will see off lots of much punchier cars, if that's your thing.
Or simply enjoy the beauty of owning and driving a sublime sports car flat out in safety.

Regards.
Rich.