MX5 Owners in here....bring your curling tongs

[Will]

Purely a case of buy cheap buy twice, no? If you had bought Ohlins/GT1 you would have a setup that can do both, I know mine is lovely on my 100 mile commute a fair section cross country.

Look forward to your write up on the ITB setup, currently flipping the coin on my choices for next year.

Think you're right about the Ohlins or gt1, the Meister Rs get a lot of hype but the lower end ones aren't as good as is made out, certainly compromised for road use in terms of ride quality. I was tempted to buy the Ohlins this time around but the extra cost isn't justified to me given I'm not likely to do more than 1 or 2 track or sprint events a year, although good they still have some of the features that are likely to impact upon ride quality and NVH - namely the solid top mount and the linear spring.

 

[KingDazza]

Some pics that I've been late taking and sharing

 

[wesimmo]

I love them, that's very nice. What size wheels are they though and what's the ride like?

Although I'm a function over form person, if I could fit a size bigger wheel with no detriment I reckon it'd look a little better, but I'd be as happy as Larry with that one as it is!

 

[KingDazza]

I love them, that's very nice. What size wheels are they though and what's the ride like?

Although I'm a function over form person, if I could fit a size bigger wheel with no detriment I reckon it'd look a little better, but I'd be as happy as Larry with that one as it is!

Thanks chap. 17" alloys. Funny enough I was concerned that it maybe occasionally uncomfortable after one of the two test drives, but no worries there. Just over 1k miles now and shes been great and that's with bilstein dampeners etc as its the full sport spec. Or looking at it another way, I'm glad I never went for the softer option, even though like I say I was a little concerned initially.

 

[Helios1234]

New MX-5 Targa!

http://www.carmagazine.co.uk/car-ne...mazda-mx-5-rf-revealed-at-2016-new-york-show/

 

[KingDazza]

I like it, looks good!

 

[scaza]

Afternoon!

I've spent the day at work on and off mentally putting a list of things to to the mx5 together.

It's a solid red 2006 2.0 and so far I've bought some matte black 17" Alloys and wrapped the in Yokohama V105s tyres and a Cobra sport road backbox.

I've been pleasantly surprised in not necessarily how super quick the car is, but just how 'not slow' it is.

I keep looking at BBR and the super 180 and 200 kits, but I'm interested in opinions on how much of a difference the 20 or 40bhp makes and/or whether adding a 4-1 manifold now for the short term and waiting a few months until possibly dropping in the cams and getting the car mapped is the better way forward.

Any advice as always is well received. Cheers.

 

[Will]

The manifold and remap alone big about the biggest improvements in power and 'fun' on the Mk3 the cost per bhp gain for anything else is less.

Its an expensive mod but the engine revs better, it frees up a little more noise, and the extra power and torque is definitely felt low down as well as in the higher rev ranges. As standard the 5 feels a bit flat, it definitely feels more sporting with the manifold and remap to suit. You may find the Cobra 'road' backbox gets very loud with a manifold change though.

The cams add an extra zing and urgency to it, its a very road friendly cam profile so you get gains in the mid range and its not just extra top end.

You're welcome and have a ride in my car at some point - its got the BBR Super 200 kit plus the BBR mid pipe and 'GT' backbox, soon to get the Super 225 bits from mid April though. BBR do have demo cars mind, they are happy to let people who are seriously considering the conversions to have a go in them, if you wanted to see what it was like for yourself.

 

[scaza]

I've noticed Mx5parts sell both 4-2-1 and 4-1 manifold variants for around £300, which seems okay and look worth the investment come summer.

Am I right in thinking a remap is most expensive for the first time on these due to the ecutek license, then cheaper for any additional map tweaks?

Also noticed the Airbox intake pipe you changed to the US spec for some increased noise upfront. Are these available to buy off the shelf or is it an import off of eBay item.

Thanks for the ride offer, next time there's a rolling road day, I might just take you up on it to compare it over mine (assuming I don't spend the earth on it this summer)

Cheers.

 

[Diddums]

That hardtop looks awesome.

 

[Helios1234]

Replaced the Meister R zeta s coilovers on my car with the BBR custom wound lowering springs and revalved Koni dampers.... Definite improvement thus far, better ride and more compliant for road use which is what I wanted, but still very controlled and grippy feeling. The extra compliance means less wheel skip over rough surfaces which was definitely felt before, in this case I think suspension that is 'softer' will make for a quicker road car. Definitely clear from making this switch as to why so few road cars use linear springs and pillow ball top mounts... The progressive springs setup and rubber top mounts I have now feel much more pleasant on the road. Coilovers for the track only I reckon.

Also booked it in for some engine work next month, 220+bhp naturally aspirated is the goal with a somewhat fruity soundtrack

How's the ride quality now compared to stock? I'm still tempted by the BBR200 kit but don't want to compromise on the ride too much.

 

[scaza]

Purchased a second hand stainless centre section with a 200cell sports cat. Looks to be in rather good condition.

Now just a manifold and a remap. Little bits at a time.

 

[Will]

How's the ride quality now compared to stock? I'm still tempted by the BBR200 kit but don't want to compromise on the ride too much.

Its really smooth, better than expected, to be honest I can't say I've noticed any downside compared to the Meister R Zeta S's I had before, body control seems just the same buts its actually comfortable now. I'd say its not far off stock, its still firm as its a sports car after all but its a very nice compromise indeed for road use.

I've noticed Mx5parts sell both 4-2-1 and 4-1 manifold variants for around £300, which seems okay and look worth the investment come summer.

Am I right in thinking a remap is most expensive for the first time on these due to the ecutek license, then cheaper for any additional map tweaks?

Also noticed the Airbox intake pipe you changed to the US spec for some increased noise upfront. Are these available to buy off the shelf or is it an import off of eBay item.

Thanks for the ride offer, next time there's a rolling road day, I might just take you up on it to compare it over mine (assuming I don't spend the earth on it this summer)

Cheers.

The ILM manifold is cheap and pretty decent, the racing beat used to be seen as the 'best' option but its gone up in price a lot this last year and I can't see its worth the extra.

The intake pipe came from ebay, it was about £80 landed mine was, its not a huge difference if I'm honest, very subtle.

The first remap is the most expensive in order to cover the Ecutek software licence, after that any subsequent tweaks will be cheaper but obviously dependent upon your tuner! If you have it mapped and then go somewhere else to have it tweaked you'll likely have to pay the licence cost again as the tuners lock their own maps.

 

[Frozennova]

I got a Black cat fabrication manifold and downpipe this week couple more weekends till I've got one off work to get the turbo fitted and mapped

Managed to find a dyno graph of Sturovo manifold with a TD04 (which should produce very similar results)
Boost @ 6psi (waste gate pressure) sees just under 180bhp at the hubs and with 12psi producing 200bhp at the hubs (~210 and ~240 at the flywheel respectively)

It's going for a dyno run Saturday to get a baseline figure, it made 138bhp at Powerstation last year as asrock car so with my mapping on the MS2 I'm expecting somewhere in the region of 125-130

 

[Capt Doufos]

So, my mk2 MX5 has been off the road for a year or so after it failed the MOT with a couple of rust issues. I took it out of the garage at the weekend to give it once over and decide whether I should get it repaired (~£1000-1500). The rust has gotten worse and I gave it a bit of a prod. On the plus side it doesn't look too bad on the inside! I am still tempted to get it repaired, as what else could I buy for <£2k which would be as much fun?

Remember to clean your drain holes people!

 

[Frozennova]

I'd wager you can get it done cheaper than a grand.

Repair panels can be had for £78 delivered for both sides

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NEW-PAIR-...hash=item35ff6f5453:m:m5Z-hL1QsZqiXGNbW92-ZTg

 

[Capt Doufos]

£1k is for both sides, I have been asking a few places locally who have a good reputation for these and the are quoting £450-£600 + VAT per side. Haven't found it any cheaper yet, it all depends on how much of the inner wing needs rebuilding. Most of the cost is in Labour and Paint, I was told they would need the car for 10 days. This is for rear wings and sills.

 

[Vigoro]

Looks like at least some of that inner sill is going to need cutting out and rebuilding. When I had them done on the old car I think it was around £300 a side a couple of years ago and that was for a similar state on the inside of the sill, arch was fine though.

 

[dirtychinchilla]

Edit, don't worry!

 

[Will]

Replaced my old front lip today, the old one didn't fit too great and being made from PU plastic, whilst flexible and strong, paint did not adhere well and it was looking a bit of a state.

Here's the new one, much nicer fit and like the carbon finish :cool. This is a JDM part, the fantastically titled Integral Kobe Jets 'Master Spec' front lip spoiler.

Looks wise my car is now done

Central locking is now playing up on it a bit though, drivers side solenoid or actuator is knackered I reckon