OK, so let me set the scene...

Cerbs has been gradually getting together this wing. In his usual way being a complete perfectionist and making sure that everything is exactly how he wants it, he decides to design the struts himself. Obviously there is a certain amount of banter on our local forum and people are taking sides, while waiting to see how it turns out. On the one side we have the "Brothers of the BGW", extolling the virtues of having a large tea tray hanging precariously off the back of your slow hairdressers car. On the other side, we have the "Flat Boot Society", quoting all sorts of scientific evidence to confirm the BGW won't allow you to drive upside down at 20mph because of the phenomenal amounts of downforce it provides, in fact at best you may slightly dent your bootlid.

At this point in time, I find myself in the "Flat Boot Society" and do indeed quote some random facts I read once on a forum. The debate moves on, and form over function is discussed, as well as some genuine research into the ideal height of the wing (13 inches according to 949 Racings website) and the angle the wing should be at, whether there is any value having it unless you fit a Hardtop, etc, etc.

So the time approaches when the BGW will officially be unveiled and the crowds gather, nervous anticipation is building. Cerbs pulls into the car park and all is quiet while everyone takes it in. People are changing sides as they suddenly realise that bootlids are don't have to be flat or actually, isn't that a MGW really and not a proper BGW?

Unbeknown to the crowds (apart from 3 anonymous spies who have been sent a text), half a mile down the road a second BGW is taking shape. A bemused onlooker in a lone Focus RS shakes his head slowly as a leviathon is taking shape in a quiet corner of The Oak, Hockley Heath.

Ha ha, it is no less than a double agent, an insider spreading mis-information to the members of the "Flat Boot Society". After literally an hour and a quarter of careful planning (and a bit of nifty jigsaw work, let me tell you) the time is nigh when the double agent will risk it all, and unmask himself for the ultimate triumph and glory of the "Brothers of the BGW"

Ladies and Gentleman, tremble and quake as you stand in awe of the ultimate creation. Bow down and worship, lower your head in sheer adoration (although I'll settle for complete bemusement if thats all you've got) at my BGW...

Russell.

 

Still makes me laugh. Awesome work mate.

 

Thanks, although I ought to put another disclaimer on...

To the new owner of my Mk2: Don't worry, thats a spare bootlid!!!!

Russell.

 

I need that dash!

 

I almost pissed myself laughing when I saw that car come past the pub. WhoTF is that, I thought to myself. Some new nutcase? Walked out to the car park to find it was just some old nutcase...

Way to go though - first time I've seen you in an MX-5 for over a year, and it's in that.

If anyone's wondering, I did a close examination of the the wing. The wooden support didn't flex, but the bootlid did.

 

Thanks, I think...

Have to admit the bootlid moved about a lot more than I thought it would... I think you'd need a decent sized reinforcement plate under each foot, maybe 5 inches square or something? Certainly something would be needed otherwise a lot of the downforce would just be absorbed by the bootlid flexing!!

Russell.

 

When last I updated the BGW was installed on the Stunt bootlid. With many stickers covering the trial-and-error holes that I had made during the faffing about stage of the process.

With the Mazda Picnic looming I decided it was time to install the Brilliant-Black bootlid and mount the BGW.

Hmmmmmm looks quite good with a plain bootlid!

Can you spot the small problem with the brilliant-black bootlid that I drove 50 miles to collect?

It's not brilliant-black. It's just plain old black. *COCKSOCKS*

Well it's better than green I suppose. But I am back on hunt for a brilliant-black bootlid with a high level brake light and no spoiler holes!

The measurements I have settled on place the rear foot mountings on the curve of the inner skin of the bootlid. On the stunt bootlid I didn't worry too much about it but on this one I wanted to be a little neater. There will be some re-enforcing plates added to the inner skin later. So for now a bit of dremmel action was called for!

With the clearance cut in the inner skin I transferred the measurements from stunt bootlid and made the holes.

I'll never feel happy about making holes in hole-free panels. It makes my tummy feel funny!

With the rear mounting feet attached I could line up the front ones. With the assistance of some electricians tape for support.

It wasn't long till the full gayness was restored!

I do like the KittyStikahBomb but that plus the BGW was too much. I much prefer the look now

Stunt bootlid will now disappear for a while. Before it returns in it's new fabulous form. Till then it's BGW all the way!

Then I had a delivery!!! Mr Shogun arrived! I asked him to steal me a handful of big assed washers from work. He decided that was far too pikey and made me some spreader plates! Frikkin awesome work dude! thank you!

He even assisted with fitting them, whilst I heckled.

Then I got some heckling for the state of my car. It was, to be fair, bloody filthy.....

So suitably shamed into it I broke out the buckets.

and she's now all clean and tidy for tomorrow!

It's raining now.......

 

When last I updated the BGW was installed on the Stunt bootlid. With many stickers covering the trial-and-error holes that I had made during the faffing about stage of the process.

With the Mazda Picnic looming I decided it was time to install the Brilliant-Black bootlid and mount the BGW.

Hmmmmmm looks quite good with a plain bootlid!

Can you spot the small problem with the brilliant-black bootlid that I drove 50 miles to collect?

It's not brilliant-black. It's just plain old black. *COCKSOCKS*

Well it's better than green I suppose. But I am back on hunt for a brilliant-black bootlid with a high level brake light and no spoiler holes!

The measurements I have settled on place the rear foot mountings on the curve of the inner skin of the bootlid. On the stunt bootlid I didn't worry too much about it but on this one I wanted to be a little neater. There will be some re-enforcing plates added to the inner skin later. So for now a bit of dremmel action was called for!

With the clearance cut in the inner skin I transferred the measurements from stunt bootlid and made the holes.

I'll never feel happy about making holes in hole-free panels. It makes my tummy feel funny!

With the rear mounting feet attached I could line up the front ones. With the assistance of some electricians tape for support.

It wasn't long till the full gayness was restored!

I do like the KittyStikahBomb but that plus the BGW was too much. I much prefer the look now

Stunt bootlid will now disappear for a while. Before it returns in it's new fabulous form. Till then it's BGW all the way!

Then I had a delivery!!! Mr Shogun arrived! I asked him to steal me a handful of big assed washers from work. He decided that was far too pikey and made me some spreader plates! Frikkin awesome work dude! thank you!

He even assisted with fitting them, whilst I heckled.

Then I got some heckling for the state of my car. It was, to be fair, bloody filthy.....

So suitably shamed into it I broke out the buckets.

and she's now all clean and tidy for tomorrow!

It's raining now.......

cars looking wicked dude

 

Took the car to a picnic today. Organised by the local OC group and a local Mazda dealership.

The car was clean so I decided to park her 'prominently'

The BGW and Kitty Cam Cover seemed to go down well with the public.

The dealership brought some new cars to display. I got to have a test drive in the Kuro.

Interesting little thing! I wanted to not like it but failed. It's really rather good.

 

The saga of the BGW should have come to it's final conclusion yesterday. But instead it held another, quite massive, twist to the tale.

As mentioned previously I was a bit disappointed to find that the pre-loved bootlid I had acquired was not Paint code PZ-Brilliant black. So off it went to the painter man to be put in the correct colour. Greg delivered it back to me at the monthly meet. Thanks mate :thumb:

As soon as I saw the bootlid I exclaimed "That's not brilliant black!". So we took it across the car park. Found a willing victim with a Brilliant Black car. (Thank you willing victim! :thumb: ) and compared the bootlids. They were the same. Must just be a trick of the light then!

So yesterday I removed the hello kitty winged boot.....

and popped on the newly painted bootlid.....

Can you spot the problem?

Onto the phone and a text to Greg

"Oy your painters a prat.. this ii the wrong fookin colour! huff!"
"Silly question, but, are you sure your car hasnt been repainted?"
"Course it hasn't been repainted.. I'd know if it had been repainted! The door shuts would give it away!"

*Checks door shuts*

"oh............ Ooooops........."

So in a final dramatic twist of the BGW saga it has been revealed:
O> The bootlid I brought IS Brilliant Black and the seller didn't get it wrong.
O> It needed painting to match my car but all I have done is spent money to repaint it in the colour it already was.
O> My car has been resprayed in a non standard metallic black.
O> That lovely green 'flip' in my paint that I always thought was why it was called Brilliant Black actually doesn't exist in Brilliant Black at all.
O> I am a complete freaking idiot.

So I'm left feeling a bit weird about my car now. I'm pissed with myself for missing something so basic. However I have always said I brought my car because it felt right and I knew I was breaking the rules buying it in the rain at night. I always accepted that buying a known stolen and recovered car, with no history, in the dark, could lead to some surprises down the road. But I have been totally blindsided by this one!

The PZ bootlid is on the car now and the BGW is attached. I'd rather missed the BGW so it's nice to have it back. The bootlid is, of course, still the wrong colour. I will have to do something about that later. Which will probably involve removing the fuel filler cap and taking it to someone that can scan it and figure out what colour it really is.

I've stood back and surveyed the car, long and hard, in sunshine, twilight, and darkness. I've had to think very carefully about whether I am forcing myself to accept the non standard colour. Or if, compared to the bootlid, I prefer it to Brilliant Black?

The result of this soul searching? I prefer the non standard colour. I like the flake in the paint and the way it colour shifts slightly in the sunshine. I'm not worried about returning her to Brilliant Black.

PHEW!

A long time ago.... In a galaxy far far away.... She was a member of the Rebel Alliance

Then for a little while she went all Kittyfied (Mainly to annoy some people)

But now.... She has revealed her true colours... (once they have been scanned I'll let you know what they really are) It's time to harness the full powahhh of teh force!

AND TURN TO TEH DARKSIDE!!!

DUN DUN DUN DAAH DAH DAH DUN DAH DUN....

 

Like it... but the question remains, are you still going to make some nice (bigger) struts for the BGW?

Russell.

 

Cheers

There's a very good chance I will. It's right in the middle of my rear view mirror at the minute. Needs to be at least three inches higher I think.

 

13 inches is the magic height... Apparently...

Russell.

 

Are we still talking about wing struts?

 

Ahem I couldn't possibly comment...

Russell

 

This paint malarky has spannered a lot of my plans. For example I want to buy a vented headlight lid. Problem is I don't know what colour my car is so I cant get the vented lid sprayed the right colour

To find out what my paint actually is I need to take a sample to a good paint shop and have them scan it (With a spectrophotometer?) I still haven't found a place nearby that has the combination of the correct equipment and staff that I would trust to find their own bottoms without the aid of a map and a well qualified nurse. So what to use as a paint sample that I can remove from the car and leave removed for a while whilst the search goes on? Easy! Fuel filler flap. Two bolts, bish, bash, bosh.

However, since I live in the very heart of pikeychavland and the local scrotes will nick yer granny if she isn't bolted down, I'd need a stunt-flap to make sure my combustible fluids remain in the tank. Step up Mr Vindi

Who graciously volunteered to set his project back to the tune of one filler flap. Cheers mate!

The only downside? Stunt-flap is BRG. I've already got a mismatched black bootlid. This simply wouldn't do. There was, of course, only one solution!

Take one stunt-flap and some stickars...

Top bombing. With the kind assistance of my missus.Who then went on to apply three coats of clear drying PVA.

Once the PVA was set it got three coats of clear lacquer.

Yay

 

 

DON'T copy this one Cerbs! Lol

 

i am loving this car and this thread, keep up the good work/nonsense!

 

Very interesting and funny read! Like the spoiler, but only when the roof is up im afraid.

 

Cheers!

It does look crackin with a hardtop on the car (I borrowed one to check). But I like driving topless far too much to own a hardtop

 

That is perfect, wheels are a great fitment as well!

 

Got the rest of though yes ? .

 

I can't admit to any more than two pairs of HK pants that the much beloved bestowed upon me for Christmas.

 

Slightly out of sequence but I should document my nasty suspension knock I suppose!

A few weeks back we had the P5's alignment day at A-Line. Great day out. It's also a good opportunity to get under the car and have a snoop about.

The P5 frame rails are looking fine, very little scraping on them. The under seal all looks nice still. Very happy.

But........ (you knew it was coming!)

I found a little hole on the elbow between the silencer and rear 'can' of my HKS zorst. Dammit! Will need to weld that up then I thought to myself.

Next day A terrible suspension knock reared it's head. An F1 style tyre warming manoeuvre would create a terrible clicking clanging knock. I was a little worried that
an alignment bolt had stretched and was now chattering. So I needed to get the car up in the air as soon as I could to investigate. I set aside an evening after work
and recruited Shogun to come add a pair of hands to the job.

Upon arriving home that night the knocking noise dissipated! Replaced by the sound of the end of my HKS dragging along the road! F*cksticks!

But worse was to come, much much worse.

Amazingly that bodge repair was on the car when I brought it and had lasted 18 months in my ownership! So I am on the market for a replacement HKS!
If you have one the same (but not in bits) that you are looking to sell, please let me know!

I'm on a standard exhaust with a stainless de-cat fitted now. It's flippin awful

I reeeeeeealy miss my HKS. The standard one sounds rubbish and the exhaust tip is tiiiiny

No worries tho eh. Turn the music up and off we go.

Except my 4 channel amp, which drives the door speakers and headrest speakers, went pop...

No obvious signs of damage internally. So it is going off to Raydar and he's going to pass his expert eye over it.

It's a bit wierd having only the seat shakers working. You can't hear any music but you can still feel it! But the game of "I'll name that song with my arse" got boring really fast.

I'm making it into an opourtunity to upgrade and improve. The whole boot install, PC, relay board, both amps are out of the car and I'm designing a new install
that moves things around a little and will make the false boot floor fabrication a little more simple! Always turn a problem into a chance for an upgrade I say!

When life gives you lemons, don't make lemonade. Make life take the lemons back! Get mad! I don't want your damn lemons, what am I supposed to do with these? Demand to see life's manager! Make life rue the day it thought it could give Cave Johnson lemons! Do you know who I am? I'm the man who's gonna burn your house down! With the lemons! I'm gonna get my engineers to invent a combustible lemon that burns your house down!

 

exactly the same thing happened to my HKS, have a look what i'm doing with mine on my thread...

 

If I can't find a replacement I might take mine to be restored. If I can find a very clever zorst fabricator to do it.

Looks like you have a HKS Hiper? Mine was a HKS Super Dragger (I think that's the model, not 100% sure). I like your centre exit idea tho, that will look great!

 

this is a superdrager....

i think yours is a hyper too...

 

Hmmm I'm not right then....
I thought the Hyper looked like this one:

Tho on the 'definitive exhaust thread' Tattoo Ron identifies this as a HKS Hyper.

(Pic stolen from that thread)

Which backs up your identification! That might help in trying to find a replacement one! cheers

 

that top pic is a stock picture from a different car!

good luck finding one in good condition as both of ours are fucked, probably a vast majority are!

any half decent fab guy should be able to sort out what you've got with a few bits of pipe and another box....

 

Doh! Ok that makes sense then

Reconstruction may well be the way forward because, as you say, a vast majority have probably failed or are about to fail the same way

I don't think I fancy dropping £600 on a new one from sumopower. Especially if they can't be bothered to use actual product images on their site! Who's spending that sort of cash for something they can't have a look at?

What I need is a really good zorst fabricator in the West Midlands.

 

i would never pay 600 for it! shit quality in all honesty....

im getting a local hot rod guy to do mine tonight