MiataMark
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 2,971
Club RR Member Number: 29
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Sept 6, 2014 21:34:17 GMT
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Yes after buying an MX-5, from Deathstar RR username not a location, I can finally have a readers ride thread and hopefully park in the retro car park at RRG15! I've been thinking about a project/fun car for years and finally thought why not, a cheap MX-5 seemed like a good place to start. Hopefully it can fulfill, - trackdays
- picnics
- trips out
- european tour, planning to visit Mulhouse next year.
Maybe a tall order for a 24 year old sports car, we'll see  MyMX5_001 by Country Photo (UK), on Flickr It's an early import Eunos (which was my preference) non cat 1.6 with ~100K miles, structurally sound and drives very well. It has a few problems, that James was happy to point out, and obviously is showing typical wear for the milage. The main problem is the paint, although it's probably been repainted it's covered in what looks like white overspray. I'm not too bothered about the looks but it's shame, will try cutting compound or even a wet rub down and repolish. the other thing is the hood which has been vandalised and needs sorting out or replacing. It's got a nice set of original 14" import wheels Enkei. This shot shows the paint damage.  MyMX5_002 by Country Photo (UK), on Flickr More about plans later but it will be more of a rolling resto with some track-day orientated mods than anything wild. Mark |
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Last Edit: May 14, 2024 20:47:14 GMT by MiataMark
1990 Mazda MX-52012 BMW 118i (170bhp) - white appliance 2011 Land Rover Freelander 2 TD4 2003 Land Rover Discovery II TD52007 Alfa Romeo 159 Sportwagon JTDm
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Sept 6, 2014 21:44:21 GMT
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Welcome to the 5 family.
Early red cars paint goes milky, a good machine polish often sorts it out.
For a hood try MX5 Nutz and try your local Mx5 OC website there are normally people breaking cars.
Also places like Autolink, Junkyard Dog do good second hand roofs.
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Ginetta G15 BMW K1100 conversion Sold
Mk1 Mx5 on ITB'S Sold
TVR Chimaera 400 supercharged
MR2 Red Roadster 2ZZ
Bee*R 324 Skyline
95 Cherokee Jeep
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jonk
Part of things
Posts: 154 
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Sept 6, 2014 22:41:36 GMT
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I'd imagine it will cope with your plans, they seem to be pretty much bullet proof. The general consensus is that jack smith trimmers in Swansea are the place for a good quality hood. Nutz is a very good place for info and advice if you haven't been there already too.
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MiataMark
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 2,971
Club RR Member Number: 29
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Sept 10, 2014 17:07:16 GMT
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Some more photos and associated thoughts/plans/questions.... First off a rear view, which I like,  Does show that spacers on the front might be good though, and a better picture of a wheel,  Enkei hollow spoke? I've been told they are valuable but I think it would be good to keep them with the car. Need a bit of a feshen up, I'm assuming they're painted will keep them silver though. Now some issues, the hood,  It's been cut and also the zip out window is coming away from the main hood, I have an idea for some ghetto stlye repairs until I can afford/justifiy a new hood. Many years ago I repaired a hood on a Triumph 13/60 convertible by sewing in new windows so will try something similar. The paint, you might have noticed lots of white spots on the paintwork, can't work out if it's overspray or blistering either way eventually it'll have to be sorted.  Will probably practice on a lamp cover, I can always paint ity black and say it was on purpose.... Engine, which is standard, ![]()    Does have what looks like a bodge (the red pipework), it's a temporary repair made by James, but the actual pipework seems to be an add on, anyody seen anything similar. There's also this,  Can't work out what this pipework is but it doesn't look too healthy, the manky pipe exits left and across the bulkhead. Onto the interior, JVC stereo I can't work out how to turn off and it doesn't fit very well, plus understandably worn interior.   Nice Momo steering wheel but it's worn smooth a feels a bit too big for me, might have to look for something else eventually. Just sorted out the insurance, it's now covered for any modifications up to 180Bhp, now there's a challenge.... Mark |
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Last Edit: Sept 10, 2014 17:11:02 GMT by MiataMark
1990 Mazda MX-52012 BMW 118i (170bhp) - white appliance 2011 Land Rover Freelander 2 TD4 2003 Land Rover Discovery II TD52007 Alfa Romeo 159 Sportwagon JTDm
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Sept 10, 2014 18:48:39 GMT
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The red pipe replaces a metal t piece that comes out the bottom of the thermostat housing and is known to rust. Its a bit of a curse word to replace (might as well do the waterpump and cambelt ) but here might be an alternative phoenixfives.org.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=7303. Those manky pipes are the fuel lines with some truncated cable cover over it its a fairly easy swap even if its just for piece of mind. |
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Ginetta G15 BMW K1100 conversion Sold
Mk1 Mx5 on ITB'S Sold
TVR Chimaera 400 supercharged
MR2 Red Roadster 2ZZ
Bee*R 324 Skyline
95 Cherokee Jeep
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MiataMark
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 2,971
Club RR Member Number: 29
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Sept 10, 2014 19:23:56 GMT
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The red pipe replaces a metal t piece that comes out the bottom of the thermostat housing and is known to rust. Its a bit of a curse word to replace (might as well do the waterpump and cambelt ) but here might be an alternative phoenixfives.org.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=7303. Those manky pipes are the fuel lines with some truncated cable cover over it its a fairly easy swap even if its just for piece of mind. Thanks for the info, does that mean that soemthing isn't working as it should? It's had a new cambelt so don't really want to disturb anything I don't have to. Mark |
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1990 Mazda MX-52012 BMW 118i (170bhp) - white appliance 2011 Land Rover Freelander 2 TD4 2003 Land Rover Discovery II TD52007 Alfa Romeo 159 Sportwagon JTDm
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Sept 11, 2014 19:45:48 GMT
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Ginetta G15 BMW K1100 conversion Sold
Mk1 Mx5 on ITB'S Sold
TVR Chimaera 400 supercharged
MR2 Red Roadster 2ZZ
Bee*R 324 Skyline
95 Cherokee Jeep
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MiataMark
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 2,971
Club RR Member Number: 29
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Having been to Gaydon for the M5 Owners Club rally for ideas and inspiration, and having been picked up for being critical of some of the cars. What are my plans? The car is hopefully structurally sound but the paintwork is shot, I'll be taking it to a nearby paint/restoration shop for a check over but paint is last on the list of things to do. Much to the discust of the neighbour with an immaculate MGF. Initial work will be more remedial but where I can incorporate improvements I will. I ordered a new hood at Gaydon to get 15% discount and that will be fitted before Christmas as the car has to live outside. I need to sort out the electric windows, the passenger one doesn't work and the drivers is slow. I'll also change the broken interior lock assembly on the passenger side with a spare I got at Gaydon for £5. If I'm pulling the door cards off I might as well re-vamp them, maybe add some red to break the interior up (project creep). I need to sort out the thermostat housing which if I replace will mean stripping down the front of the engine, timing belt etc so most of that might as well be changed and might as well replace the hoses with silicone ones. If I'm in the engine bay, charcoal filter may as well come out and a new air filter go in and as the cam covers will be off so they can be painted (project creep). Further than that I'm going for a retro club racer look, Elan 26R inspired, form following function most of the time.  TR Lane roll bar, harnesses, new seats at some point and tow hooks. Interior new steering wheel, Momo suede, sort out the radio and add extra gauges. I'd like to brighten up the interior but not with chrome, maybe some brushed aluminium/steel or red. Also do something about the instrument binnicle as it reflects in the windscreen, flock it? Exterior wise nothing much yet, I'd like to get some 15" wheels either E30 BBS or some steels (Mini or VW?) for the time being. Suspension will start with bracing and then either a set of Bilsteins to go with the lowered springs or some coil overs (not wound right down though). Need to get it 4 wheel aligned as well, but that depends on how soon I'll be changing the suspension. Aim is to do a track day early spring next year. Longer term plans would be staggered (7" and 8") wheels (banded steels or something like Pro Race 1.2 but they don't fit in with the retro look), a decent respray keeping to red and to go down the supercharger route but I think that's a long way off. |
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1990 Mazda MX-52012 BMW 118i (170bhp) - white appliance 2011 Land Rover Freelander 2 TD4 2003 Land Rover Discovery II TD52007 Alfa Romeo 159 Sportwagon JTDm
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Some nice mods planned there.
Flocking the binnacle is a good idea,agree with you on the not too much chrome in my cabin look.
I have a spare thermostat housing if you want it for the postage? I have quite a few other bits in my parts bin if you need anything else.
15 inch E30 BBS look really nice and fill the arches, try and go with lower profile tyres or you might need to roll the arches.
Again there is a whole setion dedicated to interiors on Nutz to give you some ideas.
Good luck and keep the pics coming
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Ginetta G15 BMW K1100 conversion Sold
Mk1 Mx5 on ITB'S Sold
TVR Chimaera 400 supercharged
MR2 Red Roadster 2ZZ
Bee*R 324 Skyline
95 Cherokee Jeep
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MiataMark
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 2,971
Club RR Member Number: 29
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Some nice mods planned there. Flocking the binnacle is a good idea,agree with you on the not too much chrome in my cabin look. I have a spare thermostat housing if you want it for the postage? I have quite a few other bits in my parts bin if you need anything else. 15 inch E30 BBS look really nice and fill the arches, try and go with lower profile tyres or you might need to roll the arches. Again there is a whole setion dedicated to interiors on Nutz to give you some ideas. Good luck and keep the pics coming Very interested in the thermostat housing and anything else you may have, I'll send a PM. |
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1990 Mazda MX-52012 BMW 118i (170bhp) - white appliance 2011 Land Rover Freelander 2 TD4 2003 Land Rover Discovery II TD52007 Alfa Romeo 159 Sportwagon JTDm
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MiataMark
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 2,971
Club RR Member Number: 29
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This might be a bit cart before the horse but as I was close to Demon Tweeks....  The shoes may be a bit excessive but most of my other shoes are too wide, I did wear them on the way home down the M6/M5 in my Alfa that would have been an interesting conversation if I'd been stopped. At least this should give me some incentive to get it on the track! Mark |
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Last Edit: Nov 16, 2014 16:31:18 GMT by MiataMark
1990 Mazda MX-52012 BMW 118i (170bhp) - white appliance 2011 Land Rover Freelander 2 TD4 2003 Land Rover Discovery II TD52007 Alfa Romeo 159 Sportwagon JTDm
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MiataMark
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 2,971
Club RR Member Number: 29
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Nov 16, 2014 16:51:12 GMT
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It's been a while since I did anything with the MX5 but things are slowly happening. Met up with wheelspinner recently and he very generously let me have some parts;  Set of 1.8 discs and more importantly calliper carriers so I can upgrade the brakes, chassis under brace bars, replacement heater panel, replacement 'tombstone' and most importantly a thermostat housing. To this I got an IL Motorsport 2 gauge panel for a good price on eBay and I already have a replacement interior door lock assembly to fit. Today's tasks were to remove interior trim below the hood prior to getting a new hood and investigation of passenger electric window. The window is broken there's power but no movement so need a new assembly. Dismantling the door trim showed a poor quality speaker held in with 1 screw, needs upgrading. Managed to remove the trim panels with only one sheared nut, but they're in a pretty nasty state, will need a bit of a refurb.  but far too many Sunday drivers about to have any real fun. So next step is getting a new hood from MX5parts and trying not to spend too much more when I'm down there... Need to buy an electric window assembly and fit that. Also found a breakers/dismantlers nearish to me selling Mini ONE 15" steels at £18 each, tempted to get some and have them banded. Mark |
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1990 Mazda MX-52012 BMW 118i (170bhp) - white appliance 2011 Land Rover Freelander 2 TD4 2003 Land Rover Discovery II TD52007 Alfa Romeo 159 Sportwagon JTDm
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Nice Momo steering wheel but it's worn smooth a feels a bit too big for me, might have to look for something else eventually. S-spec and V-spec models came with really nice Nardi wheels and matching gear knobs. Worth checking out some breakers.  |
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Last Edit: Nov 17, 2014 10:03:17 GMT by docjock
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MiataMark
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 2,971
Club RR Member Number: 29
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Nov 28, 2014 10:30:19 GMT
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Had to let my daughter use the MX5 (so I could take her 2 year old Mito in for a new battery) and she managed to scrape the door!  funny though she scraped it on her car getting it off the drive, typically she's more concerned about her car and more damage on the MX5 though. Suppose it adds to the battle scarred patina. This shot also shows the existing paint damage, think it's been resprayed with a thin top coat and the paint has micro blistered. Can't complain too much managed to scrape the front corner of my 159 a few weeks ago. Any amateur paint sprayer near Swindon want to earn some beer money? Mark |
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1990 Mazda MX-52012 BMW 118i (170bhp) - white appliance 2011 Land Rover Freelander 2 TD4 2003 Land Rover Discovery II TD52007 Alfa Romeo 159 Sportwagon JTDm
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MiataMark
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 2,971
Club RR Member Number: 29
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Dec 21, 2014 10:40:21 GMT
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One of the main things to sort out quickly was the Hood, split window and too tight. as the car has to live outside this was a priority. So last week I visited here;  MX5parts in Portsmouth, mainly as I got a 15% discount, they fit the hood for free, I've got relatives there I can visit and I was born in Southsea. On arrival, the mechanic asked "where's the rest?" err rest of what, "the hood!", previously I'd removed the trim pieces inside the cabin but they were at home still rusty but are needed to hold the hood in place. New bolts and big washers to the rescue.... While I waited I used the free Wi-Fi to do some work, at an interesting coffee table.  Halfway through;  True to form not just a hood needed, new refurbished frame and rain channel as that was on its way out. When it was finished it looked good, I wanted a topless (the car not me) along Southsea front but has to stay erected (the car....) for ~3 weeks so it stretches into place. The car seemed much more noisy on the way back maybe which is strange considering that the old one had a hole and didn't fit! No problems on the ~140 mile there and back trip which was reassuring. So yesterday onto refurbishment of the trim pieces, but first I did buy a few other things not as many as I planned due to extra cost of frame and channel.  Front grill a few clips and a "shiny" badge Anyway back to rusty bits of metal, before being attacked with the wire wheel, exposed a small hole that had to be filled with woodfiller (all I had).  then Kurust, ready for Hammerite smoothrite black  Nice to see a very waterproof hood though  So after doing that I had to change a light-bulb on SWMBO's Discovery, took the opportunity to fit Osram Nightbreaker bulbs, so headlamps out grill off...  then had to sort out tyre pressures with a 12v compressor, she's towing today, which ran the battery down  must buy a new one, consequence of too many short journeys.  Need to get some bulbs for the Alfa as well... So now I'm waiting for the paint to harden, taking ages in this weather. Mark p.s. for photography people the indoor shots of the trim pieces where taken at ISO1600 and still great quality and the MX5parts shop images are iPhone shots. |
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Last Edit: Dec 21, 2014 11:03:17 GMT by MiataMark
1990 Mazda MX-52012 BMW 118i (170bhp) - white appliance 2011 Land Rover Freelander 2 TD4 2003 Land Rover Discovery II TD52007 Alfa Romeo 159 Sportwagon JTDm
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MiataMark
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 2,971
Club RR Member Number: 29
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Jan 22, 2015 11:40:03 GMT
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So, a few days later managed to run Disco battery down again but this time at stables, jump started from Alfa. Next day the Alfa battery was dead, tried jumping from MX5 but no joy, various messing about with the battery charger that at first seemed dead but sorted in the end and bought a new charger from Lidl along the way. Still got to change the headlight bulbs in the Alfa. Back to MX5, painted the trim pieces then spend a frustrating few hours failing to fit them! So back to MX5parts for them to fit them for free. So now I've got a nicely stretched new hood fitted. Been advised not to take it down for a while. Car on the front at Southsea (where I was born) in front of Navy war memorial, there are few of my relatives on there (great-grandfather and great-great-uncle both killed at Jutland),  |
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1990 Mazda MX-52012 BMW 118i (170bhp) - white appliance 2011 Land Rover Freelander 2 TD4 2003 Land Rover Discovery II TD52007 Alfa Romeo 159 Sportwagon JTDm
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MiataMark
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 2,971
Club RR Member Number: 29
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Jan 22, 2015 14:11:25 GMT
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My first experiences of driving MX5's was as hire cars in North California even with an automatic transmission they were great fun and I had some great experiences. Driving round Stanford/Menlo Park hood down, going to Monterey, Santa Cruz, Highway 1 (Pacific Highway) and driving 17 mile drive to Pebble Beach.  Mazda Miata hire car Highway 1, Pacific in the background, just near a sign that says "Hills Curves. Next 74 miles"So when I got an MX5 I wanted an import, Eunos, so I could badge it as a Miata. Problem is getting hold of the appropriate badge. So ordered one from Rosenthal Mazda in Washington, shipped to San Francisco to be collected by a friend and bought back to me. Cost $30 but worth it to be a bit different.  Pretentious moi... Need to refurbish the rear panel a bit before I put it on and maybe get some replica US plates (if only for show). Mark Oh and I couldn't resist changing my username to something more suitable..... |
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Last Edit: Jan 22, 2015 14:16:52 GMT by MiataMark
1990 Mazda MX-52012 BMW 118i (170bhp) - white appliance 2011 Land Rover Freelander 2 TD4 2003 Land Rover Discovery II TD52007 Alfa Romeo 159 Sportwagon JTDm
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MiataMark
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 2,971
Club RR Member Number: 29
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Started to get a few jobs done, after collecting some parts;  Strut brace from MK2VR6, JASS tow hooks and electric window assembly from Autolink. So the good, bad, ugly. GOOD; First off was to fit the window winder assembly, not too bad a job once I'd found the instructions as the new assembly is nothing like the original. All worked well with the exception of one of the cables fouling with the "bobbin" on the bottom of the window that prevents it going too far. The cable was getting caught between the "bobbin" and the bracket that limits travel, annoyingly the cable is too thick for the clips that held the previous cable in place. In the end I cable tied it but had to use the mounting hole for the bracket.  Old on left.  Lots of horrible black goo that is no longer sticky aaprt from sticking to fingers. Also replaced the broken interior lock assembly with a second hand one I got at Gaydon all good. Then made a door pull (the drivers is missing and I'm happy to lose the arm rest/handle). My wife has a horse and one thing all horsey people have in abundance is bailing twine...  This is temporary... BAD; Playing around with the door pull I managed to break the replacement interior door lock, so I now need another of those. Went to fit the strut brace and I haven't got an Allen key/hex socket big enough to undo the bar fixing. So I moved onto the tow hooks, which were not only tight but pretty much inaccessible without taking the under-tray off, which I didn't have time for. UGLY; Along the way I thought I'd fit the front grill I bought from MX5parts, instructions say simply undo the 2 bolts behind the grill opening and install the grill. Yeah right, they're rusted to bits so that needs investigation. So another order to Autolink, I need a new winder assembly for the drivers door as well as it's very slow, and a Machine Mart order and round 2 next weekend (weather permitting). I'm now getting to the point of having nearly spent as much on the car as I paid for it  and still more to go. Mark |
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1990 Mazda MX-52012 BMW 118i (170bhp) - white appliance 2011 Land Rover Freelander 2 TD4 2003 Land Rover Discovery II TD52007 Alfa Romeo 159 Sportwagon JTDm
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MiataMark
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 2,971
Club RR Member Number: 29
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Not sure if anybody is interested in this but I'll carry on anyway... First track day booked 1:April at Castle Combe as it's local and I can get the wife to come along in a support vehicle, great date to pick So in preparation it's going to TR Lane for a Roll Bar (GPX with welded in harness bar) and they're also going to change the timing belt, water pump and thermostat housing (supplied by me). Bit of a cop-out not doing it myself but at what they are charging it's not worth it, I've got other things I can be doing. Will try and get some harnesses (Sabelt) as well and get those fitted by them. Will get door bars fitted later. I've been looking for 15" wheels on and off for a while and this set came up on eBay;  Picture from eBay ad, 15x6.5, wouldn't be my first (or second, or third...) choice but for use on the track and at £30 (for all 4) they'll do. Been used for drifting so 2 tyres are shot and other 2 are near the limit. Will get tyres removed, clean up, spray (probably metallic grey) fit new tyres and use for track. When they're on the car will get the Enkie's refurbished at some point. Meanwhile a parcel from Machine Mart has arrived so I should be able to complete the jobs I started/tried to do a couple of weekends ago. Tow hooks, strut brace, and maybe the chassis strengtheners I've got. Excited now.... Mark |
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1990 Mazda MX-52012 BMW 118i (170bhp) - white appliance 2011 Land Rover Freelander 2 TD4 2003 Land Rover Discovery II TD52007 Alfa Romeo 159 Sportwagon JTDm
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MiataMark
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 2,971
Club RR Member Number: 29
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Mar 29, 2015 11:31:46 GMT
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With a track day booked for April 1st at Castle Combe better get started on some preparation... I booked the car in at TR Lane for a GPX roll bar with welded in harness bar to be fitted by them as it's safety related and they should know what they're doing. At the same time I got them to do a timing belt and water pump change, fit the thermostat housing I had and a service. I could/should have done most of this myself but the labour rates were reasonable and I was short of time. I also thought it would be a good idea for an expert to give the car a once over. Meanwhile I had the wheels to sort out, I managed to get them shot blasted for £57, front face only but it cleaned up the rear faces as well. Top after blasting bottom after a coat of etch primer.  MyMx5_028 by Country Photo (UK), on Flickr  MyMx5_029 by Country Photo (UK), on Flickr Found out the details, 6.5x15 ET35, don't know the make though;  MyMx5_030 by Country Photo (UK), on Flickr Into the shed and some coats of Citroen meteor grey (used to have a BX in this colour and love it) and some clear, then a set of ubiquitous 195/50 tyres (General £48/tyre I wanted to keep the cost down for my first forays onto the track).  MyMx5_031 by Country Photo (UK), on Flickr  MyMx5_032 by Country Photo (UK), on Flickr Love this last shot! The original wheels are Enkie (hollow spokes? look hollow to me had an image but it won't display), if when I fit bigger brakes these may no longer fit and I'll sell them. Collected car from TR Lane very happy with work but they hadn't fitted the set of Sabelt harnesses as I'd asked. Tim kindly fitted them for free while I waited and chatted getting some good information. He'd sorted out a few issues in the engine bay, heater hose, loose air box. Great chap I will be going back, for door bars and maybe a supercharger  IMG_0221a by Country Photo (UK), on Flickr Tim hard at work, and all finished and ready to go (really need proper seats);  IMG_0222a by Country Photo (UK), on Flickr Next on the agenda were Tow hooks, front first (the bolts were a pain to get out, inaccessible and tight) - looks like I'll need new shock absorbers (or coil overs) soon;  MyMx5_034 by Country Photo (UK), on Flickr  MyMx5_035 by Country Photo (UK), on Flickr yes I painted then gold (tow hooks are JASS stainless steel from Autolink). Fitted the s/h strut brace, need to paint it gold :-)  MyMx5_036 by Country Photo (UK), on Flickr By now it was raining but I put some stickers on and went in for lunch and GP qualifying (repeat);  IMG_0223a by Country Photo (UK), on Flickr Now for the back, much easier, not sure if the hook is the right height.  MyMx5_037 by Country Photo (UK), on Flickr Only picture of the fitted wheels as it was raining and gloomy, I think they might be a bit too blue but for £30, plus £57 shotblasting. ~£25 paint and £192 for tyres not bad. So final job was to fit a couple of important badges (OK one is a sticker)...  MyMx5_038 by Country Photo (UK), on Flickr Roll on Wednesday! |
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1990 Mazda MX-52012 BMW 118i (170bhp) - white appliance 2011 Land Rover Freelander 2 TD4 2003 Land Rover Discovery II TD52007 Alfa Romeo 159 Sportwagon JTDm
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but far too many Sunday drivers about to have any real fun.
must buy a new one, consequence of too many short journeys.
and still more to go.