mx5 build thread

[Adz]

finally i came across a good little car for a project, ive been looking for something jap now for quite a while and i couldnt really make my mind up on what it was to be, then i saw this little 5 on ebay for a good price and couldnt really turn it down. Its a 1997 Classic black - Special Edition (1 of 400) with only 49K miles on the clock. The body work is really good apart from some small rust patches on the rear arches and a repair to the sills need to be redone as it wasnt done to the good of a standard. The plan of attack is good coilovers something like hsd, minilites front 15x9 -5 and rear 15x9 -10 , hard top, nardi steering wheel, garage vary lip and some others bits and bobs, hopefully if everything goes well it should turn into a nice little 5 and a good project.

 

[andywa]

Looks like a good base to start from. Is that fake wood on the dash? Get rid IMHO.

 

[Adz]

yeah its nasty stuff but its all gone now along with the front plate which is sitting in the window

 

[ch!ppen]

Looks quite a tidy example. I nearly bought a mk1 mx5 a few month back... Still want one deep down.

 

[JoeyD]

Finally!

Looking forward to this, Adz.

 

[Dan519]

I have a pang for one of these. Worked on a number of them now and I really want to do something silly

 

[JoeyD]

I want to sling a stupid engine in mine when it's off the road... Just don't have the know-how/skill to do it

 

[richo]

Look forward to this - what are these cars like as a daily?

 

[JoeyD]

Look forward to this - what are these cars like as a daily?

Fine tbh. As long as you don't need to transport people or things... and make sure the roof is waterproof!

 

[Dunn]

Cracking base for a project.

 

[Daniel]

I want to sling a stupid engine in mine when it's off the road... Just don't have the know-how/skill to do it

I'd LOVE to Ls2 one of them. Would be insane.

 

[Adz]

make sure the roof is waterproof!

my roof isnt that great tbh, i need a hard top lol


Little bit of an update, until the clio is sold funds are abit tight and i need to get the car lowered and on some nice wheels, this means ive gone and bought some raceland coilovers .. yep i know they are rubbish but they are very cheap and will do the job until funds are better, also ive got to contact minilite and order the wheels i think im going for 15x9 -5 all round as this is the fitment on the car below

 

[welshname]

Sounds good. The Racelands will be fine until you get some extra cash.

 

[JoeyD]

Sounds good. The Racelands will be fine until you get some extra cash.

If the racelands are anything like my 't.a. technix' ones, they'll be Very bouncy. I'd recommend chopping a Large amount out of the rear bumpstops if you're going to have it low - improves the ride loads!
Can't wait to buy some HSD's tbh!

 

[richo]

Fine tbh. As long as you don't need to transport people or things... and make sure the roof is waterproof!

Thanks Joe - a mk1 mx5 is an itch I need to scratch! Summer next year hopefully

 

[col182]

racelands:dead:

Personally, i'd have waited a little longer untill you could afford a decent set of coillies tbh.

The racelands are very bouncy to the point where it felt unsafe going anything over 60mph lol, even at a sensible ride height!

I've now got MeisterR's on mine and it feels like a completely different car!

 

[JoeyD]

Thanks Joe - a mk1 mx5 is an itch I need to scratch! Summer next year hopefully

Definitely do it. Brilliant cars. Is buy during winter when they're slightly cheaper. It'll give you a bit of time to sort any niggles before summer too!

racelands:dead:

Personally, i'd have waited a little longer untill you could afford a decent set of coillies tbh.

The racelands are very bouncy to the point where it felt unsafe going anything over 60mph lol, even at a sensible ride height!

I've now got MeisterR's on mine and it feels like a completely different car!

This!

 

[richo]

Definitely do it. Brilliant cars. Is buy during winter when they're slightly cheaper. It'll give you a bit of time to sort any niggles before summer too!



This!

Fair point but I only work term time so summer is ideal for me having time to sort things out with my time off.

May just keep my eyes peeled and see what comes up

 

[Adz]

If the racelands are anything like my 't.a. technix' ones, they'll be Very bouncy. I'd recommend chopping a Large amount out of the rear bumpstops if you're going to have it low - improves the ride loads!
Can't wait to buy some HSD's tbh!

ill give this ago lol i cant wait until the clio goes hsd will be the first thing i buy :approve:

 

[Adz]

another little update, Ive ordered the wheels... now i know there are xxr 002 in the uk but im not sure if there are any in the fitment of 15x9 offset 0 which is what ive ordered nothing special but they always look good on maitas so im happy

what it should look like

 

[JoeyD]

another little update, Ive ordered the wheels... now i know there are xxr 002 in the uk but im not sure if there are any in the fitment of 15x9 offset 0 which is what ive ordered nothing special but they always look good on maitas so im happy

Good effort! Can't wait to start making decent progress on mine... having no money sucks! Lol

 

[Adz]

If the racelands are anything like my 't.a. technix' ones, they'll be Very bouncy. I'd recommend chopping a Large amount out of the rear bumpstops if you're going to have it low - improves the ride loads!
Can't wait to buy some HSD's tbh!

coilovers turned up today and they turned out to be t.a technix lol what are they like apart from being very bouncy?

 

[JoeyD]

coilovers turned up today and they turned out to be t.a technix lol what are they like apart from being very bouncy?

Erm... Bouncy is the best way to describe them tbh! lol
They don't go that low either, mine are as low as possible on the front (no thread left!) and as low as is bearable on the rear and the arches only just cover the tops of the tyres...
Also, if you've got the same as me then save yourself the time of taking them off again and chop the bumpstops before you fit them. I've got about 40mm of rubber for a bumpstop to give you an idea - before I did this, the spring wasn't even seated properly - so the whole of the rear of the car was just resting on the bumpstop meaning no travel! Scary in the wet... LOL.

 

[LIL B]

Just get Meisters, will last longer than HSD' too.

 

[Gaz.]

Just get Meisters, will last longer than HSD' too.

Doubtful.

 

[Adz]

Erm... Bouncy is the best way to describe them tbh! lol
They don't go that low either, mine are as low as possible on the front (no thread left!) and as low as is bearable on the rear and the arches only just cover the tops of the tyres...
Also, if you've got the same as me then save yourself the time of taking them off again and chop the bumpstops before you fit them. I've got about 40mm of rubber for a bumpstop to give you an idea - before I did this, the spring wasn't even seated properly - so the whole of the rear of the car was just resting on the bumpstop meaning no travel! Scary in the wet... LOL.

Just had a look at the rears and the bump stop is huge needs chopping up lol i may take the helper springs out for more lows, will be crap ride but anything for more lows

Just get Meisters, will last longer than HSD' too.

hsd are amzaing i dont think the Meister are really in the same league tbh.

 

[JackJack]

Doubtful.

+1

 

[JoeyD]

Just had a look at the rears and the bump stop is huge needs chopping up lol i may take the helper springs out for more lows, will be crap ride but anything for more lows

Yeah, I've got no helper springs in the rear - my car didn't come with any

 

[Adz]

wheels arrived on firday all the way from the states, only took 5 days for them to be delivered very quick service.

just a quick iphone picture for you guys will upload better ones soon

 

[sofaboy]

Watch out for lacquer peel, between the split bolts.

 

[Adz]

cheers for the heads up, ill make sure to keep an eye on that

 

[Naith]

lovely stuff, keep it up!

 

[Jay.S]

Looking at getting a mx5 myself will keep a close eye on this thread.

Will look lovely once finished.

 

[sofaboy]

I say it cos its quite common, happened to everyones i know, including mine.

 

[LIL B]

Just had a look at the rears and the bump stop is huge needs chopping up lol i may take the helper springs out for more lows, will be crap ride but anything for more lows



hsd are amzaing i dont think the Meister are really in the same league tbh.

You're telling me this like I don't own both

And both are not in the same league as the Teins still, IMO.

(just the teins don't like our climate )

 

[Adz]

You're telling me this like I don't own both

And both are not in the same league as the Teins still, IMO.

(just the teins don't like our climate )

ive always read that Meister are just really for super lows? now i would love some teins if only they did like our climate lol

 

[Gaz.]

Meister aren't in the same league as HSD lol. D2 and the likes, Yes. HSD, no.

HSDs have superior damping.

 

[Adz]

test fitted the wheels and.... its going to be nice and flush also got a super jdm spec gear stick and a few other little bits, payday needs to hurry up for some real progress..... what would be the best steel or metal for a skid pan? thickness and grade?

 

[edgeydt50]

some good arching rolling needed there. Mine are +13 and rub all the time. Should look good once it is lower and sitting on those wheels.

 

[Ex-User (19928)]

Loving that fitment! I was always dying to buy wide/positive offset wheels and fit the wide arches.

Regarding suspension I heard great things about the coilovers that Performance5 make.. PureDrive I think they're called. I drove a S/C 1.6 with them fitted and they were very nice indeed.

I put Tein Flex on mine, capable suspension (they were the friggin competition spec ones so you'd hope so!!). Able to go uber-low whilst still providing damping (although I put it back to a sensible height after crushing the chassis rails in the first week) but I can't help feel they were a waste of money compared to other popular units. Build quality was pretty average aswell!!