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9.9K views 59 replies 14 participants last post by  Steve_Wright  
#1 · (Edited by Moderator)
Well I now have another one so best stick the pictures & plans up here. Managed to find a low milage 1996 1.8 slushbox on the bay cheap, came with 12months MOT & 6 months tax for not alot. Has been in the UK for 3 years & has been a garaged weekend car all this time, so a spotless underside
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#2 ·
First job was remove the footrest & drivers sun visor, being 6ft4 is a PITA
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Next freebee job is to remove the rear seat mount humps (another 2" of headroom!).
Oh and some suspension porn just turned up!

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Hopefully get them fitted before the nutz meet in chester this sunday.

Next job is to fit greenstuff pads all around (was so impressed with them on my old red one on the track will use them again)

Plans....maybe turbo...maybe not...
 
#4 ·
Suspension finally fitted
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So much better than stock, only dropped the ride height a little though, -15mm at the front, -10mm at the rear. Had full alignment done too, completely different car, not overly hard and comfortable on a long run. Need to change the wheels now though, they sit back in the arches too much, oh and the rear brakes are rattling, seems whoever did the brakes last time didn't fit the metal clips/sliders and the pads are a touch loose
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#5 ·
Greenstuff pads have arrived, will fit them over the weekend, and my wooden momo wheel is fitted now too, no more lorry wheel in mine
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I am liking the meisterR suspension more & more every time I drive it, best mod I have bought for a 5
 
#6 ·
current suspension setup with the coilovers, only dropped the car by 15mm due to the crap roads around here
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Rear camber evens up when I sit in the car, this printout was taken with me out of the car

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#7 ·
goodies arrived yesterday, Racing Beat induction kit
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Fitted up in 15 minutes, need to move the alarm unit though.

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Not hugely louder, just more bassey, but the kick in the back on the change from 1st to 2nd is deffo bigger. Only driven a couple of miles with it on, will see how it goes today
 
#8 · (Edited by Moderator)
Been a while since I've been here, not much changed, ditched all plans of FI on this one, I like it as it is. Had the #1 heater hose blow on me the other day, needed the AA out to get me home, fair play the chap bodged up some hose & had me on my way. So a full set of silicone hoses on the way from MX5parts, had to next day the #1 hose then after fitting decided best do the rest of them, just waiting to arrive. A rather interesting mix of yellow & red hoses though due to sock levels, can't wait for all the same colours as a track day is booked for 2 weeks
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#9 · (Edited by Moderator)
Nice car !!

Check your Cam angle sensor O-ring they weep oil onto the heater hoses at the rear of the engine causing the standard hose to degrade and split.

Mine did it on the m6, looked like a bond car from behind as the coolant/antifreeze leaked onthe exhaust manifold = smokescreen !!!

silicone hoses are inpervious to oil so they'll be fine. don't forget to cut the old heater hoses off as the copper pipes are thin walled and easily damaged entering the bulk head.

Cam angle sensor o-ring's are ?1.07 plus postage from mx5parts.

Hopefully see you at a bunch o fives meet

Cheers Ric !!
 
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#10 ·
no weeping from the cas o ring, think it has been coming from the cam cover next to the cas. But I have since changed the cover & gasket so no leaks, was just waiting to blow though.
 
#11 ·
A box of hoses arrived yesterday from MX5 parts
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Will watch the GP and get fitting them, which going on experience changing the heater hose will involve blood & swearing
 
#12 ·
long time no updates. Have stuck 20k miles on the clock in the last 10.5 months, tyres are getting worn so time to get some 15"s on it. Just got these off the bay

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off to find some tyres for it, thinking proxy 4s
 
#14 ·
yep, wasn't what i was exactly after but for ?300 for 4 new boxed wheels that are fairly local to me I couldn't pass them up.
 
#19 ·
looking good, i do love the rb intakes but i need a strut brace and they are pritty expensive such a shame, fit a vented headlamp grill and that will supply the intake with nice and cool air
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#21 ·
very nice, post pics up once its fitted
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#22 ·
and now some leather door pulls & pockets are on the way, will see some more leg room. Must stop buying stuff
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#24 · (Edited by Moderator)
2.5 seats in today and recovered the door cards.

For info, it seems you cannot do a foamectomy on the 2.5 seats, just had a quick look and the foam is 1 piece on the back, not like the mk1 seats. Seats are good, but feel a bit squishy compared to the later mk1 seats I took out, I'll get used to them, much better upper body support though.

Also recovered the door cards, I got the leather pulls off here but found my style off door card had big bits off cover missing behind the door pulls. Quick session with the sizzors & spary glue they are now plain. I knoe I fitted the door pulls on the wrong 2 mounting holes but I prefer them this way.

before (playing with door pull mounting)
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during
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after (marks are water, should have waited for it to dry before taking the photo)

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2.5 seats fitted

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need to tuck the plugs under the seat
 
#25 ·
front lip looks good
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, have you had your geo doing again since you changed the wheels?
 
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#26 · (Edited by Moderator)
why would you need to change your geometry done after changing the wheels
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changing suspension links/bushes etc will require a need to get alignment sorted as they alter the camber, toe and caster angle of the upright and thus the hub...the upright and hub just hold the wheel on.
 
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