Post by chris429 on May 23, 2016 10:26:36 GMT
Hi!
Thought I'd take the opportunity to write up a little blog of progress for my MK1, as it's coming up to 2 years with it, and there's nothing I've really documented apart from the usual Faceballs updates.
So, I started off with this;
An early '98 registered, UK 1.6. Apparently that means it's a 90 bhp model, having owned 3 1.8 MK1s (another currently too), there really isn't a whole lot in it and the 1.6 is definitely a sweeter engine IMO. It had 3 previous owners, all elderly, had crusty sills but had been maintained by a garage I know well.
Anyway, a week later and I had it a bit lower to the ground. I should point out that the first year or so of having this, I was probably more concerned about form over function - nowadays I'm pointed a little more in the opposite direction.
Found a splitter off something VAG at the local scrapyard. Bit big really, it comes off later.
Did some quick repairs on the worst sill
Bought some G60 wheels off a friend, in a Land Rover Evoque colour. Also picked up a Range Rover Sport end silencer from him - could you tell he worked at Land Rover?! Used this as a back box, too loud, again, now gone.
Fashioned an upswept exhaust thing, again, this is gone.
Spaced the rear wheels
Picked up a hardtop from Southampton, in the middle of winter so right when they're expensive. And in the wrong colour.
Found some Miata kickplates at a classic car show
Changed the exhaust end to something a little more functional
Wrapped the hardtop
Few other little bits - Square plates, aero wipers, that kinda thing.
Then this is where the big changes start coming in. Bought some Extreme Offset DSPs, 15x8 ET0, in Gold, shod in 195/45 Nankang NS2s. Aware that neither of these are ideal for handling/performance, however, short of getting some RPF1s in the same fitment these are my ideal design of wheel.
Went for a Seat Leon Cupra splitter, and soem generic canards
Jap number plate panel
Picked up a DND steering wheel, solid thing and so nice to drive with.
Did a summer.
Deleted the centre console, all DIY
Picked up a Kakimoto cheap, had one on my first MX5 and was looking for one for ages. Found this on another car that was being returned to stock at a local garage, and kept pestering him for months until he let me have it! Had to open it up, re build the centre resonator pipe and re-pack, and also cut off the standard massive tip they come with.
Got the hardtop painted and lowered it for retro rides. Regretted that immediately, drove like crap, looked epic though, and made it into a mag report.
Then took it off the road over winter, intentions being to make it more driveable, and repair/prevent rust. Wirebrushed the inner arches and chassis rails, and gave a liberal coat of POR15. Also cut out both sills and welded in new sections, luckily the inner sills were savable with a quick brush down and rust inhibitor applied. Also had some new coilovers supplied under warrantee as the old shocks were a bit worn.
A friend of mine had a 1.8 Import that was ddying slowly, he donated me the diff from it - a Type 1 TorSen I believe - very grateful for that! No pictures, but it's just a diff.
Cleaned up the engine bay, stuck the standard air box back in, deleted the charcoal canister and painted the rocker cover, inlet manifold, thermostat housing and exhaust heat shield. Also stuck in a fresh rad and rad hoses.
Wanted to make it a bit more drivable - went up in tyre size to 195/50/15, Parada Spec 2s on the front, some donated bridgestones on the back. Up in height a little, and stuck some generic wide arches on. Cut the rear arches out for clearance - since these photos they've been cut a little more, and obviously painted to protect the weld!
Down on the ground all finished. Rear bumper cut, and relocated the fog to a reverse light.
Flew through the MOT which I was very happy with! Got an alignment, the least camber I could get was -3.5 degrees, matched this on the front and tbh I'm happy with how it drives, I don't want an insane amount of grip, I'm mainly in it for the fun!
Had a birthday present of some clear tinted front indicators, with US style sidelights.
Was given an RX7 FD spoiler, wasn't ever overly sure on it...
However, it fell off on a skid day - right at the end of the day when I opened my boot to pack up! It's now made it's way onto my other MK1, that I picked up with the intention of continuing to drift, so I don't ruin this one.
That's about up to date now. Currently trying to make these 25mm spacers fit the back, as the wheels are a little inset.
Appreciate it's a little different to a few others, but hope the long post has been worth it! Current future plans include sorting a bit more aero on the back end, and sorting out a bit more power one way or another. Any comments/critique appreciated!
Thought I'd take the opportunity to write up a little blog of progress for my MK1, as it's coming up to 2 years with it, and there's nothing I've really documented apart from the usual Faceballs updates.
So, I started off with this;
An early '98 registered, UK 1.6. Apparently that means it's a 90 bhp model, having owned 3 1.8 MK1s (another currently too), there really isn't a whole lot in it and the 1.6 is definitely a sweeter engine IMO. It had 3 previous owners, all elderly, had crusty sills but had been maintained by a garage I know well.
Anyway, a week later and I had it a bit lower to the ground. I should point out that the first year or so of having this, I was probably more concerned about form over function - nowadays I'm pointed a little more in the opposite direction.
Found a splitter off something VAG at the local scrapyard. Bit big really, it comes off later.
Did some quick repairs on the worst sill
Bought some G60 wheels off a friend, in a Land Rover Evoque colour. Also picked up a Range Rover Sport end silencer from him - could you tell he worked at Land Rover?! Used this as a back box, too loud, again, now gone.
Fashioned an upswept exhaust thing, again, this is gone.
Spaced the rear wheels
Picked up a hardtop from Southampton, in the middle of winter so right when they're expensive. And in the wrong colour.
Found some Miata kickplates at a classic car show
Changed the exhaust end to something a little more functional
Wrapped the hardtop
Few other little bits - Square plates, aero wipers, that kinda thing.
Then this is where the big changes start coming in. Bought some Extreme Offset DSPs, 15x8 ET0, in Gold, shod in 195/45 Nankang NS2s. Aware that neither of these are ideal for handling/performance, however, short of getting some RPF1s in the same fitment these are my ideal design of wheel.
Went for a Seat Leon Cupra splitter, and soem generic canards
Jap number plate panel
Picked up a DND steering wheel, solid thing and so nice to drive with.
Did a summer.
Deleted the centre console, all DIY
Picked up a Kakimoto cheap, had one on my first MX5 and was looking for one for ages. Found this on another car that was being returned to stock at a local garage, and kept pestering him for months until he let me have it! Had to open it up, re build the centre resonator pipe and re-pack, and also cut off the standard massive tip they come with.
Got the hardtop painted and lowered it for retro rides. Regretted that immediately, drove like crap, looked epic though, and made it into a mag report.
Then took it off the road over winter, intentions being to make it more driveable, and repair/prevent rust. Wirebrushed the inner arches and chassis rails, and gave a liberal coat of POR15. Also cut out both sills and welded in new sections, luckily the inner sills were savable with a quick brush down and rust inhibitor applied. Also had some new coilovers supplied under warrantee as the old shocks were a bit worn.
A friend of mine had a 1.8 Import that was ddying slowly, he donated me the diff from it - a Type 1 TorSen I believe - very grateful for that! No pictures, but it's just a diff.
Cleaned up the engine bay, stuck the standard air box back in, deleted the charcoal canister and painted the rocker cover, inlet manifold, thermostat housing and exhaust heat shield. Also stuck in a fresh rad and rad hoses.
Wanted to make it a bit more drivable - went up in tyre size to 195/50/15, Parada Spec 2s on the front, some donated bridgestones on the back. Up in height a little, and stuck some generic wide arches on. Cut the rear arches out for clearance - since these photos they've been cut a little more, and obviously painted to protect the weld!
Down on the ground all finished. Rear bumper cut, and relocated the fog to a reverse light.
Flew through the MOT which I was very happy with! Got an alignment, the least camber I could get was -3.5 degrees, matched this on the front and tbh I'm happy with how it drives, I don't want an insane amount of grip, I'm mainly in it for the fun!
Had a birthday present of some clear tinted front indicators, with US style sidelights.
Was given an RX7 FD spoiler, wasn't ever overly sure on it...
However, it fell off on a skid day - right at the end of the day when I opened my boot to pack up! It's now made it's way onto my other MK1, that I picked up with the intention of continuing to drift, so I don't ruin this one.
That's about up to date now. Currently trying to make these 25mm spacers fit the back, as the wheels are a little inset.
Appreciate it's a little different to a few others, but hope the long post has been worth it! Current future plans include sorting a bit more aero on the back end, and sorting out a bit more power one way or another. Any comments/critique appreciated!
le sigh