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Mar 21, 2018 11:23:14 GMT
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This is my 1993 Eunos Roadster (1.8), imported from Japan in 2005 (hopefully it's almost retro). Won on a Facebook bonus ball lottery for £20.00, in May 2017. My third mx-5, it's a Mazdaspeed B-Spec Stage 2, however only the engine and lightened flywheel remained out of the original spec sheet. Standard the 1.8 puts out about 140bhp, the B-spec unit upping that to 170bph, thanks to: cams, larger pistons, raised rpm etc. It came with a few modifications: HSD Dualtech Coilovers, GC Fabrication Half Cage (bolt in), Nardi Wheel. How we got it:  MX-5 NA Day 1 by Scott Reid, on Flickr  MX5 1-8 by Scott Reid, on Flickr Previous owner had used the car for drifting and daily driving duties, deciding to sell after an altercation with an Astra. After a quick clean and removal of stickers, looking past the exterior, it seemed quite a solid shell (surprised we were), so my Dad and I decided to get it back up and running, to be used as my daily driver since my S3 had been sold for a house deposit.  MX5 1-2 by Scott Reid, on Flickr So what's been done to date, firstly....the B-Spec engine was toast, suspected piston rings (or worse), it was replaced with a standard 1994 1.8 engine on similar miles. The B-Spec may get rebuilt in the future once money allows, but I've no idea where to start or where the money will come from! Other big jobs carried out: welded diff swapped for Torsen LSD, Cobalt Exhaust, RSR 4-1 Manifold, New clutch and gearbox, suspension un-seized, new front bumper/front wings/drivers door, A/C delete. To date, the only things not removed/replaced are the dash, passenger door and rear bumper. Some pictures of the progress to date:  MX5 3-3 by Scott Reid, on Flickr  MX5 NA 02/09/2017 by Scott Reid, on Flickr  MX5 NA 29/10/2017 by Scott Reid, on Flickr  MX5 NA 29/10/2017 by Scott Reid, on Flickr  MX5-NA 05/02/2018 by Scott Reid, on Flickr  MX5 NA10/03/2018 by Scott Reid, on Flickr The car's passed it's MOT and isn't too far off being put back on the road, just in time for the salty roads to disappear. Lots still to be done, but I'm at the stage I want to be able to use it! After looking at other build threads on RR, this might not be as exciting or as detailed, but it's a learning experience for me and a good way to spend time with my Dad. Anyway thanks for reading, Scott. |
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I'll just update his for anyone that is reading  since I've spent the majority of my time reading all these build threads (seem to have found a new love for MR2's, Imps and cars I've never heard of!). So, since the car passed it's MOT last month,I managed to pick up a set of 14"x6 ET40 Panasport fitted with some Avon tires, a case of right place right time. Quoted at roughly 13.3kg each (including tire), a stark comparison to the 19kg each wheels/tires they replaced. What is it they say? 1kg of un-sprung = 10kg of sprung weight? Hopefully that makes a difference, but I've no starting point for a comparison. Other things that have been completed: new roof has been fitted and seems to have added head clearance as well as improving the exterior as it's actually black, HSD's pre-load adjusted from rock solid back to stock. Some issues still persist though: - Idle is around 1000-1200rpm and in our search for the cause we have replaced the rear coolant temp sensor, had the throttle body off to try clean out all idle control parts, searched for any air leaks. Next step is replaced the whole thing and try again. - Manifold bodge is leaking at the reducer, it's going to have to be replaced and fixed off the car, so the hunt for a replacement manifold on-going. - Underseal, paint, dents! I digress though, after almost a year of ownership, the car is now ready for the road and my first time driving it. Gratuitous first drive shots:  MX5 NA 19/04/2018 by Scott Reid, on Flickr  MX5 NA 19/04/2018 by Scott Reid, on Flickr  MX5 NA 19/04/2018 by Scott Reid, on Flickr  MX5 NA 19/04/2018 by Scott Reid, on Flickr Absolutely love it, without trying to waffle on about stuff that's been covered before, it really is a much rawer driving experience and with the HSD's adjusted towards soft it's actually quite comfortable (if you avoid pot holes and drain covers). Odd quirks I've noticed are driving with the pop-ups up is bizarre, the side mirrors are really far back and these make a passing Ford Focus look HGV huge! I'll make a list of everything that has been done another time, but for now, here's a before (May 2017) and after (April 2018):  MX-5 NA Day 1 by Scott Reid, on Flickr  MX5 NA 19/04/2018 by Scott Reid, on Flickr Thanks for reading. |
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Looks very slick.
Excellent work.
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ChasR
RR Helper
motivation
Posts: 10,195
Club RR Member Number: 170
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1993 Eunos Roadster (1.8) ChasR
@chasr
Club Retro Rides Member 170
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I'll just update his for anyone that is reading since I've spent the majority of my time reading all these build threads (seem to have found a new love for MR2's, Imps and cars I've never heard of!). Some issues still persist though: - Idle is around 1000-1200rpm and in our search for the cause we have replaced the rear coolant temp sensor, had the throttle body off to try clean out all idle control parts, searched for any air leaks. Next step is replaced the whole thing and try again. - Manifold bodge is leaking at the reducer, it's going to have to be replaced and fixed off the car, so the hunt for a replacement manifold on-going. - Underseal, paint, dents! . They're great little cars aren't they? I loved mine. It's looking like it has received the right treatment anyway. forum.retro-rides.org/thread/190084/1990-mazda-mx-26-07As for your issues I'd fix the manifold or replace it before doing anything else. A vacuum leak will play havoc with mixture and idle settings. WIth mine, it used slowly hunt between 900-1200RPM. A tweak of the TPS clearance soon sorted that out as well as degreasing that area. For the idle, only reset it once the above two things have been done and by using the Haynes/Mazda guidance. Basically, you put the ECU into a certain mode by bridging two terminals in the diagnostic port. That will set you straight . Enjoy. |
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JoshO
Part of things
Posts: 337
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Apr 20, 2018 11:29:54 GMT
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Looks awesome now, I remember seeing the lottery thing for it. Glad it's gone to a loving home with regards to the funny idle, perhaps the ECU is also mazdaspeed to match the b spec engine? And as such may not like running the standard engine, all the more reason to rebuild the b spec  |
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Apr 20, 2018 11:50:30 GMT
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I'll just update his for anyone that is reading since I've spent the majority of my time reading all these build threads (seem to have found a new love for MR2's, Imps and cars I've never heard of!). Some issues still persist though: - Idle is around 1000-1200rpm and in our search for the cause we have replaced the rear coolant temp sensor, had the throttle body off to try clean out all idle control parts, searched for any air leaks. Next step is replaced the whole thing and try again. - Manifold bodge is leaking at the reducer, it's going to have to be replaced and fixed off the car, so the hunt for a replacement manifold on-going. - Underseal, paint, dents! . They're great little cars aren't they? I loved mine. It's looking like it has received the right treatment anyway. forum.retro-rides.org/thread/190084/1990-mazda-mx-26-07As for your issues I'd fix the manifold or replace it before doing anything else. A vacuum leak will play havoc with mixture and idle settings. WIth mine, it used slowly hunt between 900-1200RPM. A tweak of the TPS clearance soon sorted that out as well as degreasing that area. For the idle, only reset it once the above two things have been done and by using the Haynes/Mazda guidance. Basically, you put the ECU into a certain mode by bridging two terminals in the diagnostic port. That will set you straight . Enjoy. Thanks ChasR, exhaust manifold is set to be changed next week so hopefully that'll help. Using the diagnostic method, we can only get the idle down to 1000rpm wound all the way in. WIll try the TPS if a new thottle body doesn't solve it. Regarding your sound deadining, do you do the whole door skin and then also the surface the speaker fixes to? I've bought the stuff but haven't yet fitted it, will likely try do the boot floor at the same time. Looks awesome now, I remember seeing the lottery thing for it. Glad it's gone to a loving home with regards to the funny idle, perhaps the ECU is also mazdaspeed to match the b spec engine? And as such may not like running the standard engine, all the more reason to rebuild the b spec Thanks JoshO, ECU was swapped at the same time for the one that came with the engine. Plans are to potentially rebuild it next year, but I have 0 knowledge on what to do, had considered getting the bottom end sorted by AK Automotive. |
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Time for another update, spent the majority of the weekend past sorting out the car, ready for the local owners club annual gathering. Firstly, removing, cleaning and refitting the passenger electric window as it was slow as! It's improved but I think the motor has all but given up. Refitted internal door weather seals using gutter sealant of the "non-hardening" variety, hopefully it does better than the silicone used last time.  MX5 NA 05/18 by Scott Reid, on Flickr Also fitted new door cards and door pulls, removing the original handles and giving a bit extra room. Also fitted; new gear knob, Vent Surrounds, HVAC Knobs and Handbrake Handle.  MX5 NA 05/18 by Scott Reid, on Flickr  MX5 NA 05/18 by Scott Reid, on Flickr Fitted the Carbon surround to the gauges and brushed needle cap covers:  MX5 NA 05/18 by Scott Reid, on Flickr Deleted the charcoal canister, in an attempt to tidy up the engine bay and source an intermittent fuel smell. It's exposed some corrosion in the engine bay that'll need some sorting sooner rather than later. Also fitted some window toggle switches to match the rest of my switch gear:  MX5 NA 05/18 by Scott Reid, on Flickr Next steps for the interior are flock the gauge cowl and try dying the seats as they are really letting it down now. Attended the club gathering on the Sunday with an organised run beforehand, glad to finally have the car out on the road:  MX5 NA 05/18 by Scott Reid, on Flickr  MX5 OC Gathering 05/18 by Scott Reid, on Flickr This weekend I'm finally taking the car down to our new house. A friend and I are going to drive down at the weekend, trying to catch as many good roads as possible, but I'll save that for a future update (I hope it makes it). Thanks for reading. |
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Looking really lovely, nice subtle mods really made all the difference.
ON a side note, which cobalt exhaust did you get? I;m having trouble finding a stainless steel for my 1.8i. The main issues are with the cat, although I'm guessing yours is decat?
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1979 Mk1 Passat Estate 1.6 LS
1996 Mk3.5 Fiesta 1.3 Classic
1997 Mk1 MX5 1.8i
2005 Mazda 3 TS
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vanpeebles
Part of things
I am eastbound in pursuit of a white Lamborghini, this is not a recording.
Posts: 978
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Looking at the first photo, it looks like it has a cat?
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Looking really lovely, nice subtle mods really made all the difference. ON a side note, which cobalt exhaust did you get? I;m having trouble finding a stainless steel for my 1.8i. The main issues are with the cat, although I'm guessing yours is decat? It was a second hand system so I couldn't tell you sorry, but it takes a 370mm cat (we're running a cat currently). I think the difference in cat length comes from the manifold not the exhaust. 93/94 370mm, 94/95 440mm, 96/97 475mm, or something like that. |
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The time finally rolled round that the car was finished and ready to be driven from my parents to my new house, roughly 160 miles. So what do you do; stick your friend on the insurance, plan a road trip with a route that collects some of the best driving roads you know (roughly 380 miles) and watch as the weather decides to throw a yellow warning for rain.......maybe not that last part. The route took us up to Inverness, across to Applecross and down the west coast to Glasgow, passing through Fort William and Glencoe. We managed about 70% with the roof down, before the rain really started. Just after Inverness:  MX-5 Road Trip by Scott Reid, on Flickr Halfway up the road to Applecross:  MX-5 Road Trip by Scott Reid, on Flickr  MX-5 Road Trip by Scott Reid, on Flickr Obligatory Applecross sign photo:  MX-5 Road Trip by Scott Reid, on Flickr Eilean Donan Castle (Near Isle of Skye):  MX-5 Road Trip by Scott Reid, on Flickr Only major issue is that the alignment is suicidal in standing water of any depth, so that's on the list next. It's done 1100+ miles since the engine swap and hasn't used any coolant or oil in that time. No major updates to come, just fix a few niggles and get out and enjoy it over summer. Thanks for reading. |
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It’s been a while since an update, but I’ve been using the car as my daily driver and been on a few local runs, Mrs.scottydugg has declared her love for the car so that’s an unexpected bonus. I’ll try keep this in order as best I can and keep the waffle to a minimum. After a nail in the tire caused a flat, I decided I’d best get the Vredstein’s swapped over from my spare wheels, to replace the cracked Avons. Probably a good thing I did, worth noting this is the front tyres and the wear is on the outside edge.....  MX5 08/18 by Scott Reid, on Flickr  MX5 08/18 by Scott Reid, on Flickr So that’ll be needing an alignment:  MX5 08/18 by Scott Reid, on Flickr 3 degrees of toe in, that’ll be why it was suicidal in the wet. Sadly rear camber bolts are all seized so rear camber is immovable for now, but it isn’t chewing through tyres currently. What a difference it’s made, feels like a different car, doesn’t under steer a beast anymore. Top ti: get your alignment checked! As some may know, I picked up a “Magic” ARC chamber for a bargain off ebay, so thought I’d set about fitting it to my Randall setup:  MX5 08/18 by Scott Reid, on Flickr  MX5 08/18 by Scott Reid, on Flickr This is just version1.0 for the brackets, but it’s all fitted securely enough for now. Feedback on the new arrangement, it’s changed the exhaust tone marginally and it’s certainly smoother lower in the rev range. Is it faster I hear you cry? Maybe, it feels it, but whether that’s the alignment inspiring confidence or the ARC I’m not sure. Is it worth picking one up cheap? Yes it is. Fitted the Ford washer jets, very misty a worthwhile mod:  MX5 08/18 by Scott Reid, on Flickr Had fitted a fancy DAB/Bluetooth/handsfree head unit so sourced and fitted a microphone so all features worked: Mid Install:  MX5 08/18 by Scott Reid, on Flickr Microphone position:  MX5 08/18 by Scott Reid, on Flickr  MX5 08/18 by Scott Reid, on Flickr Seems to work with the roof up, haven’t tried with the roof down yet. Whilst the interior was in bits, decided to fit my Moss short shifter and Jass top rubber, as well as refresh the oil (the oil was only 2000/3000 miles old):  MX5 08/18 by Scott Reid, on Flickr  MX5 08/18 by Scott Reid, on Flickr  MX5 08/18 by Scott Reid, on Flickr  MX5 08/18 by Scott Reid, on Flickr  MX5 08/18 by Scott Reid, on Flickr I’ve read mixed reviews on the short shifter, my OEM shifter had been rebuilt with new everything 2000miles ago but it never felt “rifle bolt” tight. The short shifter has made the gearshift much more like what I was expecting, it’s not notchy either as most people say, another worthwhile mod. Finally, changed the brake and clutch pedal rubbers, and fitted my “project52” sticker I got made months ago:  MX5 08/18 by Scott Reid, on Flickr  MX5 08/18 by Scott Reid, on Flickr Next on the list is to rebuild the spare set of calipers and fit with new discs/braided lines, the current brake arrangement doesn’t feel very confidence inspiring and could use some love. After that it’s underseal any areas needing attention and sort the rear camber bolts. Thanks for reading, Scott. |
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piguin
Part of things
Posts: 136 
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That is some transformation!
Love the mods you've done, it is so very easy to go overboard on MX-5's with all the stuff that is available out there but you seem to have found the right balance
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Samage
Posted a lot
Posts: 1,467
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Looks great! I shall follow this thread with interest.
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That is some transformation! Love the mods you've done, it is so very easy to go overboard on MX-5's with all the stuff that is available out there but you seem to have found the right balance Thanks Piguin, indeed there is so much stuff available, as long as you stick to a general theme you're usually ok. Looks great! I shall follow this thread with interest. Thanks Samage, I've bookmarked your thread already, hope you don't sell it at winter  |
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Jun 19, 2019 15:42:31 GMT
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Update: Part 1 So it’s been roughly 10 months since the last update, I’ve had a busy few months: new job, wedding, honeymoon.....Mazda time was at a premium. The mighty project 52 performed without any major flaws in that time. Post wedding it was put up in the air for a while to get some maintenance carried out, but other than that it's been fettling here and there as it's used as my daily. So where to start: Car was given a fresh service: new oil (fully synth 0W40), NGK spark Plugs, K&N Oil Filter.  IMG_20181222_230218 by Scott Reid, on Flickr Roddison Pads, Goodridge Braided Lines, DOT4 Brake Fluid, new hardware and replacement front callipers.  IMG_20190111_221118 by Scott Reid, on Flickr Also changed the clutch line for a braided unit, giving the fluid a much needed change.  IMG_20190108_182029 by Scott Reid, on Flickr The standard clutch line is stupidly long!  IMG_20190108_193901 by Scott Reid, on Flickr Whilst brakes/clutch were being freshened up, I rust treated inside the arches and painted with Hammerite, while I waited for some parts to arrive to finish the brakes.  IMG_20190116_210726 by Scott Reid, on Flickr  IMG_20190117_220014 by Scott Reid, on Flickr Fitted a hardtop spoiler from Facebook group, always loved the look.  IMG_20190126_172340 by Scott Reid, on Flickr Mighty5’s sticker also fitted to the hardtop.  IMG_20190126_172347 by Scott Reid, on Flickr My Panasports weren’t holding air and with the car being off the road for a few weeks I was getting fed up having to pump them up every week. So in a moment of sheer brilliance I thought I’d get some second hand wheels. They were Rota Grid 15”x7J ET15 with budget tyres. Brilliant I thought, until I found one wheel didn’t hold air and needed repaired.  IMG_20190125_172013 by Scott Reid, on Flickr Unfortunately, the repair place couldn’t do polished lips so they got a colour change (funded by the sale of a few parts I hadn’t quite fitted yet). But on the plus side the budget tyres aren’t budget and have decent tread. The colour is called glitter bronze.  IMG_20190214_180143 by Scott Reid, on Flickr I spent some time trying to recondition the Nardi wheel leather, following the guide on Revlimiter.  IMG_20190203_105335 by Scott Reid, on Flickr Due to my over eagerness with the leather clear coat, I’ve cocked up the last stage so it’s not quite there, I’ll likely need to redo this at some stage. Car went in for its MOT in February and passed first time, without a cat since it’s an import. Only advisory being some corrosion on the rear brake lines, that will likely need changed before the next MOT. Also got round to fitting my MX5MODS carbon fibre rear view mirror, that drastically improves rear visibility over the stock item, as well as some new interior vent rings and LED interior lights.  IMG_20190223_190810 by Scott Reid, on Flickr  IMG_20190223_190845 by Scott Reid, on Flickr Finally, fitted some LED headlights (7” jeep headlight units), but I’m not quite sure on them and may sell them on, changing for something else (which I’ve now bought but haven’t fitted yet). I didn’t wire in the outer rings, as I’m not electrically competent yet and wasn’t sure if I was going to keep them.  IMG_20190312_212020 by Scott Reid, on Flickr  IMG_20190312_210644 by Scott Reid, on Flickr So how it sits for now (the hardtop did come off for summer).  PSX_20190221_220625 by Scott Reid, on Flickr Also fitted a rear Project-M tow hook, I’ve got the front to go on soon as well. More to come but I’ll update that in a second post. Thanks for reading. |
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since I've spent the majority of my time reading all these build threads (seem to have found a new love for MR2's, Imps and cars I've never heard of!).
