First week of MX-5 ownership.

[ViNcEnXo]

If I buy a set of extractors, and a full exhaust, will that work with the 1.8 should I convert over?

[The Pupat]

probably not.

Exhaust flanges are different plus it would probably be the wrong sizes.

[ViNcEnXo]

Bugger...

What to do, what to do.

[IMOA]

Bob Hall (the MX5 guys will know who that is) always said to me that the best engined MX5 he ever drove had an SR20DE up front.

Babalouie - depends on the SR20DE, S14 engines are around the $600 mark, will do over 100rwkw for basically nothing and will do a comfortable 125rwkw for a few thousand in mods

[Cal]

There are so many after market supercharger and turbo kits available for these things it's not funny. There are loads of cars getting 200rwhp and quite a few 300. Have a look in here: http://forum.miata.net/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=forum;f=1

My dad has had his 89 model since it was a few months old. He has the Loche Stewart CAI, extractors and exhaust, the timing advanced, Koni yellows with King springs and Yokohama A539's. It is a wonderful car to drive and will crap all over a standard one, particularly one with a lot of kms. Seriously, do these mods with some chassis bracing and you will be happy.

When you start talking big horse power in these things I believe you need the bigger brakes, bigger diff, coilovers, further bracing ect ect. Hardly a cheap sports car anymore and you are better off starting with an 1800.

Cal.

[ViNcEnXo]

Cal. Thanks for bringing us back to reality, I think we're losing sight of the whole point of an MX5.

Chassis bracing is a must, being a '92 it only has very minimal so I can pick up some braces from later models etc. Extractors and exhaust... here is where I need help... Which ones? what sizes? Made of what??

I will be advancing the timing (no distributor, so how do I do it?). Koni's and kings are the plan.

With regard to turboing it... Eventually maybe, but for the time being, I'm going to enjoy it for what it is.

[vrmmmpshhh]

do you tihnk the bilstens are a good upgrade.. they are next to nothing here.

[Babalouie]

Cal. Thanks for bringing us back to reality, I think we're losing sight of the whole point of an MX5.

Chassis bracing is a must, being a '92 it only has very minimal so I can pick up some braces from later models etc. Extractors and exhaust... here is where I need help... Which ones? what sizes? Made of what??

I will be advancing the timing (no distributor, so how do I do it?). Koni's and kings are the plan.

Piss easy mate. Jump the GRND & TEN connectors on the diagnostic plug on the pass-side of the engine bay. Loosen the cam angle sensor on the intake cam, hook up the timing light, advance it from the stock 8-10 degs to 14 degs and you're done.

I use 2.25in on my 1.8, although for the 1.6s I think 2.0in is more the go. The Loch Stewart kits are always good, they're made by CES in Brissy, so if you just call CES they could sort you out. The Loch systems are mild steel pipe, with a stainless muffler. Also you should know that an intake kit (unless you got one already) is probably the most rewarding first-mod since the stock intake is very restrictive. Also the stock spark leads are crap and you'll probably pick up 10hp by putting new ones on

do you tihnk the bilstens are a good upgrade.. they are next to nothing here.

They are VERY stiff, about 300% more bump damping than the stock Showas, and much stiffer than off the shelf Bilsteins. I rate them, although most ppl say that the ride compromise is not worth the handlign improvement. It'll ride very jiggly, and the handling will be "drifty" since there's so much roll stiffness at the back. But the spring seat is 10~15mm lower than stock MX5s so just putting in the Bilsteins will lower the car.

[Cal]

As Babalouie points out, the Bilsteins are probably a little too stiff for most people. The Koni's are adjustable and also cheaper I believe.

Cal.

[Sturmovik]

Hmmm.... that gives me an idea.

When at the tyre shop, I parked and a land cruiser parked beside me.... it looked like a bus parked beside a normal car.

Wait until you have an F350 next to you

[Babalouie]

As Babalouie points out, the Bilsteins are probably a little too stiff for most people. The Koni's are adjustable and also cheaper I believe.

Cal.

Yes but in Japan where Vrmpssh is, the Bilsteins will be free at any wrecker

[BigMuz]

Ok, good info... Thanks for that...

Oh, and how do I get rid of the bloody scuttle shake? Everyone has nicknamed the car shimmy, because the first thing everyone notices is how it's shimmy's on every bump?

1: Borrow welder
2: grind paint from around doors
3: Weld all round doors to guards, sill, front end
4: ???
5: profit

:D

Muz

[The Pupat]

Yes but in Japan where Vrmpssh is, the Bilsteins will be free at any wrecker

Bilsteins are also rebuildable. Would work out more cost effective if you don't like the rates depending upon rebuild cost.

[Babalouie]

Bilsteins are also rebuildable. Would work out more cost effective if you don't like the rates depending upon rebuild cost.

Yes but in Japan where Vrmpshh is, the road do not appear to possess any bumps

[Steve Whitney]

MX5's may have a slight hairdressy image, but on the flip side there's a far greater chance you can pick up a used MX5 that's nice & stock, never been thrashed hard, etc etc. :D

Wait until you have an F350 next to you

last sunday i pulled up next to a new black F350 at the lights. my car (the cordia) has stock ride height and it's roof was in line with the F350's door window sill!!!


say, how short do you need to be in order to fit into MX5's? can someone who's 6'2" (namely me!) fit into one? thanks.