got a cheap security device

 

 

noticed all the dents in the o/s rear wing.... looks like from inside..... what do we have? an (illegal!) non secured battery that has been bouncing about smacking holes in the bodywork!

 

 

got on fleabay and got a spare battery holder with all accessories..... fixed it! legal , safe, and no more small dents in the wing!

 

 

You need to get that batter vented as well - it looks to be an original Panasonic but should have two small vent tubes from the nuipples either side to the white plastic vent in the boot floor.  It's obviously not been vented fro some time as the area beneath it is corroded from the fumes.  Strip[ it all out and then wash it all down with a solution of bicarbonate of soda before re-fitting - that will neutralise any residual acid, otherwise it will continue to eat through the boot floor.

Just remembered something else - are the windows broken or just slow - if slow then lube the rubber guides at the front quarterlights with some silicon grease as they tend to stick - also take the door cards off and make sure the window runners are well greased - the stuff they use at the factory tends to dry out and go thick and claggy.  If they are totally knackered the chances are it is just a broken wire as the mechanism and motors are pretty rugged (if not a fuse).  If you need a guide for replacing the wire etc. there is one in this months OC magazine (I can scan it and send it on if you want).

thanks yes the drivers is just slow.... the passenger motor works, but the window doesn't... seems the wire is loose, so probably broken, a scan of the repair would be nice I'll PM you my e-mail

At least the sahara desert landed on my car cover, and not my car..... wonder If I can sell it on ebay?! (the sand!)

 

Took baby phantom out in the sun today , so me and ash could walk up Dodd wood and see the Ospreys for the first time this year.... got some nice squeeks from the rear tyres, but need the clutch changing.... new clutch has arrived, just need to get it fitted now!

 

 

clutch was a whole £35 second hand off e-bay.. including bearing, good meat on it  

 

Had my head under it today... MOT coming soon... this will be interesting... think It may need a new exhaust...... welding looks ok..... nice that its got two chassis stiffening bars bolted on under there, needs some top ones though, still too much shake for my liking!

 

gonna get it on the ramps next week!

A top mount brace will make a world of difference - even the ones spanning just between the top mounts, but if you can get one that is triangulated back to the firewall (Mazdaspeed) it will be much better.  If it's a 1.6 you may not have some of the additional bracing underneath that the 1.8 got (not sure but can check if needed).

A top mount brace will make a world of difference - even the ones spanning just between the top mounts, but if you can get one that is triangulated back to the firewall (Mazdaspeed) it will be much better.  If it's a 1.6 you may not have some of the additional bracing underneath that the 1.8 got (not sure but can check if needed).

I had a look at some of the triangular ones, cost about half the cars current value! lol...

 

2 aftermarket under body braces in place, the guy I bought it from sold the top mount brace seperate, so I will replace that first ...... 

 

and I have seen some that connect accross the top mounts for the seatbelts, behind the seats, may put one of those on too

ok... update time... been to my local friendly mechanic seems the clutch I bought from ebay is useless, but hey, it was cheap, never mind!

 

on the upside, seems I may not need a clutch... given that the car only has 50k on it, and it has only done 2k in the last year, and has been stood a long time, he says it may just be contamination on the surfaces... add to this that it doesn't slip, the pedal feels good, fluid and master and slave cylinder good... it seems its just releasing slow....

 

(I cant beleive I didn't think of this given that the "italian cure" was done successfully many times on the fabia I forum for the vRS!)

 

we did a few "italian starts" lots of power and violent clutch engagements.... and sure enough it improved, to being hardly noticable.......

 

the mech says "just drive it, it will probably be fine.." (worth his weight in gold this man!)

 

so no clutch replacement at this time....

 

NEXT: we went on the lift (gulp, first time I have been under it!)  and it seems ok! deffo a LSD turn one rear wheel and the other turns in the SAME direction, not the opposite direction as an open diff would.... glad this hasnt been taken  

 

exhaust seems good, but a plug undone at the cat! hhhhmmmm plugged in, on startup cat overheating light on.... not a worry he says, just the sensor, and these dont really need cats anyway! he says someone may have hollowed it out at a previous date, apparently its worth about 5bhp... hhhmmmm , anyway, NOT a problem for the MOT he says....

 

welding done by the guy who sold it to me is up to the job, no problems there..

 

and I cant beleive this, but there's bear metal under there! its not undersealed, just metal.... this needs to be done ASAP to save the car... everything is solid, so no issue, but there is just bare metal under there all over the place! other sill is fine... all suspention seems fine....  its MOT is due June, so next month (may) gonna book it in with him, and have the underbody rustproofed and protected, as at the moment its all solid...

 

we seem to have a small power steering fluid leak under there too.... could do with sorting that at some point.... reseviors dont seem to be loosing any fluid though...

 

SO , given I didnt go under the car when I bought it, and took the sellers word for it, all seems well! I have a solid car! If I protect it and look after it all should be well!

 

ooohhh, it got an aftermarket underbody brace at the front, and one of these http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mazda-MX5-Roadster-NC-NCEC-Gearbox-Transmission-Tunnel-Diff-Brace-Support-J057-/141251579374?pt=AU_Car_Parts_Accessories&hash=item20e3400dee bracing the gearbox to diff.... dont know if these are standard, or aftermarket fit... but I still need some top braces to stiffen it up...

 

overall I'm happy, I will be even happier when it gets another MOT

 

Shark

ok... update time... been to my local friendly mechanic seems the clutch I bought from ebay is useless, but hey, it was cheap, never mind!

 

on the upside, seems I may not need a clutch... given that the car only has 50k on it, and it has only done 2k in the last year, and has been stood a long time, he says it may just be contamination on the surfaces... add to this that it doesn't slip, the pedal feels good, fluid and master and slave cylinder good... it seems its just releasing slow....

 

(I cant beleive I didn't think of this given that the "italian cure" was done successfully many times on the fabia I forum for the vRS!)

 

we did a few "italian starts" lots of power and violent clutch engagements.... and sure enough it improved, to being hardly noticable.......

 

the mech says "just drive it, it will probably be fine.." (worth his weight in gold this man!)

 

so no clutch replacement at this time....

 

NEXT: we went on the lift (gulp, first time I have been under it!)  and it seems ok! deffo a LSD turn one rear wheel and the other turns in the SAME direction, not the opposite direction as an open diff would.... glad this hasnt been taken

 

exhaust seems good, but a plug undone at the cat! hhhhmmmm plugged in, on startup cat overheating light on.... not a worry he says, just the sensor, and these dont really need cats anyway! he says someone may have hollowed it out at a previous date, apparently its worth about 5bhp... hhhmmmm , anyway, NOT a problem for the MOT he says....

 

welding done by the guy who sold it to me is up to the job, no problems there..

 

and I cant beleive this, but there's bear metal under there! its not undersealed, just metal.... this needs to be done ASAP to save the car... everything is solid, so no issue, but there is just bare metal under there all over the place! other sill is fine... all suspention seems fine....  its MOT is due June, so next month (may) gonna book it in with him, and have the underbody rustproofed and protected, as at the moment its all solid...

 

we seem to have a small power steering fluid leak under there too.... could do with sorting that at some point.... reseviors dont seem to be loosing any fluid though...

 

SO , given I didnt go under the car when I bought it, and took the sellers word for it, all seems well! I have a solid car! If I protect it and look after it all should be well!

 

ooohhh, it got an aftermarket underbody brace at the front, and one of these http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mazda-MX5-Roadster-NC-NCEC-Gearbox-Transmission-Tunnel-Diff-Brace-Support-J057-/141251579374?pt=AU_Car_Parts_Accessories&hash=item20e3400dee bracing the gearbox to diff.... dont know if these are standard, or aftermarket fit... but I still need some top braces to stiffen it up...

 

overall I'm happy, I will be even happier when it gets another MOT

 

Shark

 

Hiya,

 

Glad it's all working out!

 

In terms of the Cat they will usually pass without an MOT but best to have one on a car of the age of yours as they will check for it on thee MOT these days as one was fitted as standard.  New they are only about £120 so s/h should be cheaper.  However, it maybe worth trying the lambda?? sensor first.

 

The fact that it is bear metal underneath is strange and suggests it's been stripped back as some stage as they were all undersealed at the factories in Hiroshima and Nagasaki, regardless of end market.  There are a few places that offer a full underseal treatment but ideally you want to get it jet washed / steam cleaned off, heat dried and then sealed so you don;t trap salt etc. under the underseal (if you know what I mean).

 

Finally that gearbox to diff frame you've seen is on all MX5's - it's known as the Power Plant Frame (PPF) and was installed to stiffen things up and help with handling.

Great to read this all Dave - looks like a fun little project, but hope it's not proving too daunting at the same time!

 

All the best with it - hopefully I'll see it in the flesh sometime soon

 

Steve

skomaz: the cat is in place (i.e I can see it) so this is not an issue for the MOT even if it is empty.... being a 92 car, my mech says this was the first year for cats.. I dont beleive it has a lamnda sensor on this version.... one sensor only, and thats the overheating sensor that appears to have gone wrong, but the it was deliberatly unplugged, so I bet the **** who tried to roll the arches has removed the insides! anyway, its a bit moot, he simply says its not a problem... as you say cats are really cheap, Ive seen whole exhaust systems including cats for £50 on ebay, and cats alone for £20.... there is some underbody protection, but there is also bare metal, and not just at the site its been welded in!  anyway, my local mechanic is going to sort the underbody protection when he does the MOT...

 

Steve, I will be bringing it to every meet that doesn't require me driving fast! lol..... so west midlands meets for lunch ect ect how fast castle coomb ect will be the vRS! lol...

 

I havent yet learned how to drive it fast ..... RWD and no electronics lol... I was amazed how you could drive the supercharged one you had, it was pretty awesome, and quite spectacular to watch!

Its a suprisingly quick little car between 5-7k.... the steering and balance are awesome... I haven't yet has it sliding though! (I know, I'm a wuss!) but I'm building up to it gently suprising ammount of grip too! especially as I have downsized the tyres to OE 185/60/14 .... I have put nice soft toyo's on though..... its just SO pointy! the front end is so sharp to tun in , and it seems to pivot around the centre where you sit..... SO different to the vRS... back has never felt loose yet, but I havent provoked it! lol.... maybe I'll let you test drive it when I see you (You will end up buying another then!!!!)

 

Cheers guys

been out in the sun in the car again today, been pushing it more and more, and still it wont let go..... absolutley zero understeer.... provoking the rear still hasn't got it to slide..

 

question: just how much will this car grip?! without provocation, just pressing on , how will it behave at the limit? will I find understeer? will it oversteer? will it just go into a 4 wheel slide?

 

Colin Graham?

 

I dont want to be driving it at 50% just because I fear what will happen at the limit.....

 

BUT I don't want to find the limit on a public roads without being able to control it... (and yes I have completed advanced driving for my job, which included a "skid" day in a BMW 325, which was really easy to slide, I went sideways all the time without issue, BUT the eunos is a 22 year old car , that I am unfamiliar with!)

 

maybe I'll just have to take it to a track!

From driving a 1.8 on a trackday, very VERY sudden oversteer is what I found once the immense cornering grip was surpassed.  This usually meant having to come in to the pit to do the "drive of shame" and tell a marshall why you span....

been out in the sun in the car again today, been pushing it more and more, and still it wont let go..... absolutley zero understeer.... provoking the rear still hasn't got it to slide..

 

question: just how much will this car grip?! without provocation, just pressing on , how will it behave at the limit? will I find understeer? will it oversteer? will it just go into a 4 wheel slide?

 

Colin Graham?

 

I dont want to be driving it at 50% just because I fear what will happen at the limit.....

 

BUT I don't want to find the limit on a public roads without being able to control it... (and yes I have completed advanced driving for my job, which included a "skid" day in a BMW 325, which was really easy to slide, I went sideways all the time without issue, BUT the eunos is a 22 year old car , that I am unfamiliar with!)

 

maybe I'll just have to take it to a track!

It will oversteer. . . how it does so and how progressively will depend on tyres and alignment. If you haven't had it set up properly yet with a full 4 wheel rig I'd suggest you do and by someone who knows what they are doing as it will make a world of difference

when I replaced the wheels for original daises, the tires were old pirellis... I replaced them with new toyo CF1's, which are good, (and made a world of difference !) no alignment done, but no reason to suspect a problem!

got the back out today, yea!

got the back out today, yea!

Woohoo! ;-)

Was it fun or a brown trouser job?

First couple of times for me were the latter - wet greasy roundabouts and I finished up facing the wrong direction on the circulatory.

Got a roundabout near work that is fun now though. . .

On the alignment side of things if the car feels in any way skittish crossing camber or if it does a slight jig when crossing camber the alignment probably needs looked at. If not then enjoy

its felt so solid, I've had to be pretty brutal to get the back out!... deliberately faster round the junction to my village (big run off.... no cars!) and a foot load of gas.... very easy to control

 

its never felt skittish, I've been very surprised at just how fast I can hustle a 22 year old car down the road! it has way more grip than I expected... (and its not going out in the rain )

its been the main car again today here is our collection! I queried why you would need aircon on a soft top, but honestly it was so hot today , having a cool breeze blowing in your face while sitting in the sun in the car is defiantly worth it!

 

 

we were parked in halfords carpark, and we in the shop, watching a guy looking around it... it pulls more looks than any of our other cars! I dont think he could figure out what it was.... doesn't say mazda on it (has the eunos badge on the front) looks like a lotus elan.... lovely They are a rare sight in original form on the roads now!

got these off ebay for £11 will clean them up and fit them soon!

 

cleaned up well... 

 

 

sill without...

 

 

sill with it fitted  

 

 

did 94 km in her today! no issues at all... was bloody hot, I even had the aircon on! lol...

Done it & here it is:-

 

 

 

Just a teaser pic for now.

very nice, look forward to a build thread

Not much to do:-

 

1 wheel bearing need replacement rear passenger.

Drivers wiper needs replacing.

vynyl hood catch above driver jumps open over a bump.

Hydrolic fluid for steering needs checking.

 

Vynyl hood is immaculate.

New rear discs & pads

New rear tyres.

Hardtop has a few scratches that might polish out.

Also just needs a clean & the poilsh topping up & a coat of polish seal.

 

2002 - 80 000 miles on the clock - FSH. Bargain at £2600.

This is only going to be used on Nice weekends