Just bought an MX5 Mk3

[knitware]

So!

Bog standard MX5, MK3 2.0 sport. I think I got a little bit of a bargain...

2005, 67k fsh 2 owners - £3.5k - HPI clear

I just spoke with BBR and booked the car in for a Stage 1 Turbo conversion and the spring and shock conversion, anything else to consider, like the rear silencer, brake pads or tyres?

I'll do about 3-4 track days a year, mostly though it will be road driving.

Quite excited!

[hobobaggins]

bbr can put their own exhaust tips on a standard backbox which looks better but doesn't make it louder so you might want to look at something aftermarket. Standard brakes are fine for track as long as they are in good condition, done a few track days in mine now and never had issues. keep us updated as it sounds like the start of a good car!

[knitware]

hobobaggins said:

bbr can put their own exhaust tips on a standard backbox which looks better but doesn't make it louder so you might want to look at something aftermarket. Standard brakes are fine for track as long as they are in good condition, done a few track days in mine now and never had issues. keep us updated as it sounds like the start of a good car!

Thanks for the reply. I'll post up pics when I get her and some post modification pics!

I'm hunting insurance now and its difficult with the mods!

[hobobaggins]

pm sent.

[Gandahar]

knitware said:

hobobaggins said:

bbr can put their own exhaust tips on a standard backbox which looks better but doesn't make it louder so you might want to look at something aftermarket. Standard brakes are fine for track as long as they are in good condition, done a few track days in mine now and never had issues. keep us updated as it sounds like the start of a good car!

Thanks for the reply. I'll post up pics when I get her and some post modification pics!

I'm hunting insurance now and its difficult with the mods!

Greenlight will cover it. They subcontract out to Markerstudy in my case who are 200m down the road. So if I ever have to wrangle with them ........

[Gandahar]

hobobaggins said:

bbr can put their own exhaust tips on a standard backbox which looks better but doesn't make it louder so you might want to look at something aftermarket. Standard brakes are fine for track as long as they are in good condition, done a few track days in mine now and never had issues. keep us updated as it sounds like the start of a good car!

BBR Sport Back box on standard mid pipe v Racing beats / Good win racing rear back box

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=er61656VFns

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XP1e-Fb9d2M

Same camera.

The racing beats is a lot lighter and louder of course but not too bad. If you want somwething really light then that is the way to go

http://www.racingbeateurope.com/bgood-win-racing-r...

The turbo takes some of the sound away of course so this back box was not too extreme, should be ok for track days.

Lots of options.

Edited by Gandahar on Sunday 24th April 15:07

[Gandahar]

Note also Michelin are stopping doing the 17 inch Pilot Super Sport this year and moving over to the PS4. So if you want a road tyre rather than track then I'd recommend getting some of these before they run out.

[knitware]

Hello! For those interested!

So I picked up the car today - 2.0 Sport

2005, 67k and HPI clear, £3500!





First thoughts are good, nice bodywork apart from two dings, a scuff on the rear bumper, bonnet paint blistering, 3 places and this: (I'll get a quote from Chips Away)




The lady who I got it from bought the car from Mazda 3 years go and since then had it serviced locally, no record of course.
She had an oil change in January but as the car is now 11 years old what should be done to bring it up to date. I'm thinking:

Brake fluid
Renew coolant
Diff oil
Gearbox oil
Engine oil
Filters

Driving home, motorway, the tyres made an awful roar, mostly over the horrid concrete sections of road. The previous owner had new tyres put on, Maxxis Victra Sport so I'm going to take them off... I found Kwik Fit had a really good deal on Michelin Pilot Sport 4 at the mo, fitted at £430, so that's this Friday afternoon's job.
I really hope these cure the noise. I also found the wheel balancing off, there was noticeable speed wobble at around 70mph, balancing will help.

BBR is booked in 14th May they'll have the car for a couple of weeks; suspension, stage 1 turbo and hopefully the servicing.

Baaaahhh, Super Sport silencer of their Touring silencer or just stick with stock, the vid of the BBR MX Sport exhaust sounds good!

I took a B Road to home for a few miles and I can see this car's potential, really looking forward to the tweaks!

That's it for now!


EDIT: Quite a few have complained about the noise http://www.tyrereviews.co.uk/Tyre/Maxxis/MA-Z1-Vic...

Edited by knitware on Monday 25th April 22:48

Edited by knitware on Monday 25th April 23:29

[RenesisEvo]

Very clean, nice to see another tidy one. My NC is practically identical - a silver 2.0 Sport, even the registration is similar (OV55).

I've got Michelin Pilot Sport 3s, and unfortunately I can report that it also has some horrendous noise from the rear tyres on certain motorway surfaces. This has been with the canvas roof up; with it down and the hard top on it's not quite as bad; all roofs down/off I don't notice! I've been wanting to spend some time checking the car over for any obvious noise path issues. I've driven a few NCs that didn't seem to be as noisy, but they've all been later 3.5 or 3.75 PHRTs on Bridgestone RE050As, so can't directly compare.

I have a BBR backbox on mine, not sure which version as it was fitted by previous owner. It sounds very similar to the first video you linked to a few posts up. If you still can't decide you're welcome to try mine to form an opinion - if it's not too far to travel. Just bear in mind a turbo will bring volume down a little.

[Gandahar]

RenesisEvo said:

It sounds very similar to the first video you linked to a few posts up. If you still can't decide you're welcome to try mine to form an opinion - if it's not too far to travel. Just bear in mind a turbo will bring volume down a little.

The above is also with BBR turbo so it is a good like for like. The Touring version of the back box would be too close to stock in my view and add weight.

I have the racing beat 4 kg exhaust, which with the turbo, in the video above is not that much more noisy, but if you want something between the BBR and that then they do this

http://www.good-win-racing.com/Mazda-Performance-P...

50% heavier due to more baffling. They do a stock to single and then race to street half way through

Problem with all these youtube vids it all depends on your speakers and also what they video it on of course .....

If you are doing trackdays though I don't think anyone of these gets near the limits with a turbo.

Edited by Gandahar on Wednesday 27th April 13:27

[Gandahar]

knitware said:

Hello! For those interested!

So I picked up the car today - 2.0 Sport

2005, 67k and HPI clear, £3500!





First thoughts are good, nice bodywork apart from two dings, a scuff on the rear bumper, bonnet paint blistering, 3 places and this: (I'll get a quote from Chips Away)




The lady who I got it from bought the car from Mazda 3 years go and since then had it serviced locally, no record of course.
She had an oil change in January but as the car is now 11 years old what should be done to bring it up to date. I'm thinking:

Brake fluid
Renew coolant
Diff oil
Gearbox oil
Engine oil
Filters

Driving home, motorway, the tyres made an awful roar, mostly over the horrid concrete sections of road. The previous owner had new tyres put on, Maxxis Victra Sport so I'm going to take them off... I found Kwik Fit had a really good deal on Michelin Pilot Sport 4 at the mo, fitted at £430, so that's this Friday afternoon's job.
I really hope these cure the noise. I also found the wheel balancing off, there was noticeable speed wobble at around 70mph, balancing will help.

BBR is booked in 14th May they'll have the car for a couple of weeks; suspension, stage 1 turbo and hopefully the servicing.

Baaaahhh, Super Sport silencer of their Touring silencer or just stick with stock, the vid of the BBR MX Sport exhaust sounds good!

I took a B Road to home for a few miles and I can see this car's potential, really looking forward to the tweaks!

That's it for now!


EDIT: Quite a few have complained about the noise http://www.tyrereviews.co.uk/Tyre/Maxxis/MA-Z1-Vic...

Edited by knitware on Monday 25th April 22:48

Edited by knitware on Monday 25th April 23:29

Forgot to say, for £3.5k that is a great buy. A blank canvas for you to shine or bugger up as you see fit.

Obviously from the video's above I have an entire BBR Sport back box in my garage since I replaced it with the other one .... going cheap if anyone wants it ...... £50? Clear out my garage....

[knitware]

£50, bargain!

Thanks' for the reply's on the back of which I rang BBR and spent more money.

I’m also steadily going through my list of parts needed to freshen the car up a little.
Floor mats, OE gear knob and other bits of new trim plus wipers.

I visited ChipsAway with a list of minor touch-ups, rear bumper, tiny front bumper scratch, door and front wing dent and to fix the rear wheel inner arches. I have blistering on the bonnet which being aluminium won’t repair very well, according to ChipsAway. So the quote…£985, yup, really, I was thinking £500 but in hindsight I’m not sure why.

I’ve ordered paint and I’ll do the arches myself and I’ll take off the door panel and push out the dent. I’ll fill in the front scratch and see what I can do with the rear. The car has swirls and light scratches on most panels but I have a dual action polishes and all the right polishes and pads so I’m looking forward to making this car sparkle.

After a thought and looking at BBR’s website and weighing up exhaust options I rang them to ask for a full oil and fluid change, diff, gearbox, coolant etc. I then asked about the Stage 2 Turbo conversion and with little persuasion I opted to have that fitted. Neil of BBR suggested the clutch is quite aggressive but I would soon get used to it. I’m not sure what that means, does anyone have an uprated clutch on anything?

Thanks’ for your offer RenesisEvo, have you had anything else done or is the rest of the car stock?
I’ll take pics of changes as we all like pics!

[knitware]

Gandahar said:

The above is also with BBR turbo so it is a good like for like. The Touring version of the back box would be too close to stock in my view and add weight.

I have the racing beat 4 kg exhaust, which with the turbo, in the video above is not that much more noisy, but if you want something between the BBR and that then they do this

http://www.good-win-racing.com/Mazda-Performance-P...

50% heavier due to more baffling. They do a stock to single and then race to street half way through

Problem with all these youtube vids it all depends on your speakers and also what they video it on of course .....

If you are doing trackdays though I don't think anyone of these gets near the limits with a turbo.

Edited by Gandahar on Wednesday 27th April 13:27

Hi,

I just wanted to ask about your experience with the MX after the turbo was fitted. I can only imagine it’s like having a new car, is totally different? I’m not too fussed about 0-60, with 300 bhp for the Stage 2 I’m guessing less than 5 seconds? I’m more interested in the shove out of corners, say 30/40/50mph onwards.

[RenesisEvo]

knitware said:

Thanks’ for your offer RenesisEvo, have you had anything else done or is the rest of the car stock?

It has WIM springs and geometry, and a few minor cosmetic things, but otherwise stock. It's had all the fluids (g'box, diff etc) done recently. I would like to have the full BBR Super 180 conversion a little way down the line, I can't decide on refurbing the OEM wheels, or getting some lightweight 16's (yet to find a set I like that aren't really wide and expensive).

I will be following your progress with interest!

Edited by RenesisEvo on Wednesday 27th April 19:39

[Gandahar]

knitware said:

Gandahar said:

The above is also with BBR turbo so it is a good like for like. The Touring version of the back box would be too close to stock in my view and add weight.

I have the racing beat 4 kg exhaust, which with the turbo, in the video above is not that much more noisy, but if you want something between the BBR and that then they do this

http://www.good-win-racing.com/Mazda-Performance-P...

50% heavier due to more baffling. They do a stock to single and then race to street half way through

Problem with all these youtube vids it all depends on your speakers and also what they video it on of course .....

If you are doing trackdays though I don't think anyone of these gets near the limits with a turbo.

Edited by Gandahar on Wednesday 27th April 13:27

Hi,

I just wanted to ask about your experience with the MX after the turbo was fitted. I can only imagine it’s like having a new car, is totally different? I’m not too fussed about 0-60, with 300 bhp for the Stage 2 I’m guessing less than 5 seconds? I’m more interested in the shove out of corners, say 30/40/50mph onwards.

Hi

These are figures from a 240bhp, roughly, automatic on my racelogic vbox



yours will be faster on stage 1 or 2 tune.

BBR have done a very linear boost which is nice, shove out of corners will not be an issue and it will not be spiky.

I guess from your post you are wondering whether you will really feel the difference? Yes you will.

Less than 5 seconds 0-60? Depends on tyres and your gear shift hand I guess.

Edited by Gandahar on Thursday 28th April 13:18

[knitware]

Hello!

PM sent!

Edit, I've just noticed I have an old email registered, could you wait until I have confirmed its changed if you want to reply. Ta.

Now sorted!

Edited by knitware on Tuesday 3rd May 10:57

Edited by knitware on Tuesday 3rd May 13:22

[CABC]

OP, you have the suv ride height setting of early NC.
get it to WIM. the car will be transformed for £300.

[Rich196]

I know Neil from BBR, was lucky enough for me to have a go in the factor car at bedford. Its like an MX5.............. but everything happens quicker, first few laps I thought the brakes were rubbish, nope they werent just approaching the corner a lot faster than was in my 188bhp MK3 track car. Real OEM plus feel, maintains the cars character. Drives like a big displacement car, not a tuner turbo.

Be careful regarding noise limits and backboxes. Decatting the system, and running a OEM backbox will probably produce better power and noise levels.

You will love it. I loved my NC track car. I only sold it as I had the chance to buy a well sorted supercharged 86.

[knitware]

Rich196 said:

I know Neil from BBR, was lucky enough for me to have a go in the factor car at bedford. Its like an MX5.............. but everything happens quicker, first few laps I thought the brakes were rubbish, nope they werent just approaching the corner a lot faster than was in my 188bhp MK3 track car. Real OEM plus feel, maintains the cars character. Drives like a big displacement car, not a tuner turbo.

Be careful regarding noise limits and backboxes. Decatting the system, and running a OEM backbox will probably produce better power and noise levels.

You will love it. I loved my NC track car. I only sold it as I had the chance to buy a well sorted supercharged 86.

Hi!
Sounds great! I'm really looking forward to getting the work done! I've muted the cost by going for the Stage 1 Turbo. I had a bit of noise concern with the Stage 2 plus it's £2k more and the bits I'm adding are eating into this, alloys, service items, some replacement trim, tyres, paint etc

I will be getting the shock and springs changed at BBR too, it could do with lowering a little.

[Rich196]

knitware said:

Hi!
Sounds great! I'm really looking forward to getting the work done! I've muted the cost by going for the Stage 1 Turbo. I had a bit of noise concern with the Stage 2 plus it's £2k more and the bits I'm adding are eating into this, alloys, service items, some replacement trim, tyres, paint etc

I will be getting the shock and springs changed at BBR too, it could do with lowering a little.

BBR Setup is very good you will not be disappointed! Need to get yourself some decent pads. I ran Carbotech XP8 on mine. Great pad. Look forward to seeing what you can do with this. My MX5 was very easy to drive surprisingly fast!