MX-5 Project log thread
- Thread starter Howard
- Start date
Pretty much yeah. I've only had to wait this long because I ordered just as they were phasing out the Puredrive kit and having the Sportdrive kit manufactured. I've heard nothing but good things about P5's suspension, but a few reports on Gaz reliability etc.
Associate
- Joined
- 28 Sep 2003
- Posts
- 1,724
- Location
- Leamington Spa
I'm in the same boat as Howard. Only difference is it suits me, because mine is still in bits 
Associate
- Joined
- 28 Sep 2003
- Posts
- 1,724
- Location
- Leamington Spa
I'll start a thread for it soon, but it's not dead Damage past the front wing is pretty much non existent, and thanks to free labour from good (skilled) friends and a bit of luck with cheap parts, it'll be back
For a little while longer I'm still in the £150 volvo of shame though =/
Damage past the front wing is pretty much non existent, and thanks to free labour from good (skilled) friends and a bit of luck with cheap parts, it'll be back For a little while longer I'm still in the £150 volvo of shame though =/
Associate
- Joined
- 28 Feb 2007
- Posts
- 1,479
They are very very easy to fit, I have fitted the full set minus the two clamp bushes for the front ARB (will get round to it at some point).
It probably took me around 1.5 hours for the front and 1.5 hours for the back, but I tend to take my time with these things.
How will you be getting the old bushes out of the drop links? I have a big vice bolted to a metal table which I used - I imagine you would struggle greatly with anything less than a big vice or a press. The rubber of the bushes will be bonded to the metal body of the drop link, it took me very little time to force the bush out but I was still left with small amounts of rubber attached to the drop link which i scraped out with a little screw driver.
I took it to onlymx5ives to get it done when i got my hood and rad in.
Took him about 90 mins so £50 to fit.
In all fairness it is a peice of ****, the hard part is getting them in/out.
He heated them and get them on a press, cleaned up the drop links, greased the bushes and pushed them in.
If anyone is going to polybush a whole car i would advise getting the two piece ones whether DIYing or not as it would save hours in labour costs or your time.
Associate
- Joined
- 28 Dec 2004
- Posts
- 517
- Location
- Bristol
I remembered there was some talk of the P5 sportdrive in this thread so I thought I'd share what I have.
Dont know whos interested but i had my sportdrive kit fitted at P5 last week (I was the first to have it fitted apparently) I also had the alignment done at WIM afterwards
I'm very pleased so far. It makes the most difference in high speed cornering particularly over bumps mid corner. its just so planted and body roll is cut significantly. I recon grip has increased at least 20%. low speed bumps are harsher than the standard setup but thats to be expected with 100% stiffer spring rates I guess. the ride is still good for a sports car.
hope all those who are getting the setup enjoy it too.
Pete
Dont know whos interested but i had my sportdrive kit fitted at P5 last week (I was the first to have it fitted apparently) I also had the alignment done at WIM afterwards
I'm very pleased so far. It makes the most difference in high speed cornering particularly over bumps mid corner. its just so planted and body roll is cut significantly. I recon grip has increased at least 20%. low speed bumps are harsher than the standard setup but thats to be expected with 100% stiffer spring rates I guess. the ride is still good for a sports car.
hope all those who are getting the setup enjoy it too.
Pete
I was very tempted with the sportdrives, the only thing that put me off is that it hasn't been tested in the real world, although i would be very suprised if they turned out to be like the original Gaz shocks.
Associate
- Joined
- 28 Feb 2007
- Posts
- 1,479
Just to spam Howards thread some more, in the last week I finally got round to spraying my spare cam cover and fitting it, can post pictures if anyone is interested in what it looks like, I went for a hammerite silver for the cover and hammerite smooth red for the lettering. Also replaced the cam cover gasket (which was leaking all down the engine!) and the CAS O-ring.
I also adjusted the ignition timing to 14 degrees before TDC, as it is meant to give a little more torque lower in the rev range.......didnt notice any difference though TBH.
I also adjusted the ignition timing to 14 degrees before TDC, as it is meant to give a little more torque lower in the rev range.......didnt notice any difference though TBH.
I'm interested in the P5 kit.
How does the car perform on a fast bumpy B road?
What is the scope for adjust ability like, also any pictures of how much this kit lowered your car?
TIA.
Associate
- Joined
- 28 Dec 2004
- Posts
- 517
- Location
- Bristol
I wont post any pics
however to answer Dorje's q's Fast bumpy b road handling is very good as it handles fast bumps very well. It just feels very composed on the bumps which in turn makes you feel absolutely planted.
it lowered my 97 mk1 by 2-3cm (330 F 345 R) which looks nice but not slammed. Phil doesn't recomend going much lower (just need better wheels now)
I'll leave the rest to howard, as I feel that I might be spoiling his big moment....
however to answer Dorje's q's Fast bumpy b road handling is very good as it handles fast bumps very well. It just feels very composed on the bumps which in turn makes you feel absolutely planted.
it lowered my 97 mk1 by 2-3cm (330 F 345 R) which looks nice but not slammed. Phil doesn't recomend going much lower (just need better wheels now)
I'll leave the rest to howard, as I feel that I might be spoiling his big moment....
I wont post any pics
however to answer Dorje's q's Fast bumpy b road handling is very good as it handles fast bumps very well. It just feels very composed on the bumps which in turn makes you feel absolutely planted.
it lowered my 97 mk1 by 2-3cm (330 F 345 R) which looks nice but not slammed. Phil doesn't recomend going much lower (just need better wheels now)
I'll leave the rest to howard, as I feel that I might be spoiling his big moment....
Your opinion is very much valued, I'm glad I haven't bought into a crap product..
The characteristics you mentioned in your first paragraph are exactly what I'm after 
edit: Whose alignment settings did you use? WIM's 'fast road' setup, or Phil's?
Last edited:
Associate
- Joined
- 28 Dec 2004
- Posts
- 517
- Location
- Bristol
I used WIMs fast road. Phil gave some advice but it was pretty similar really- neutral toe and high caster and I forget what he suggested for camber but I think that there is a pretty optimal setting for that for fast road use.
Tony at WIM couldnt quite get the caster that he was after but it was pretty close. It feels spot on to me. My only complaint is that its a bit more noisy, on low speed bumps but i think thats my rear bushes. (wish they weren't so expensive/ difficult to fix).
Tony at WIM couldnt quite get the caster that he was after but it was pretty close. It feels spot on to me. My only complaint is that its a bit more noisy, on low speed bumps but i think thats my rear bushes. (wish they weren't so expensive/ difficult to fix).
Your opinion is very much valued, I'm glad I haven't bought into a crap product..
edit: Whose alignment settings did you use? WIM's 'fast road' setup, or Phil's?
Very interested in how you find it as well. Although to be honest I would rather power upgrades than handling at the moment.
Looks good howard,
I am going with the Koni Sports, FM rear tops and P5 bump stops.
But i may hold off a few months to save up for the bushes and have them all done in one.
949 racing does a full bush set delivered for under £200, or £250 with diff and arb bushes.
I am going with the Koni Sports, FM rear tops and P5 bump stops.
But i may hold off a few months to save up for the bushes and have them all done in one.
949 racing does a full bush set delivered for under £200, or £250 with diff and arb bushes.