MX5 NB - rolling resto/upgrades

[chazwozza]

Yes, I know. Another bloody MX5!!!
Anyway, I like to keep a record of my cars and updates and figured PH is the best way and if anyone's interested they can comment/criticise/laugh at my pointless spending of money!! Also looking for some advice here and there.

Bought about 3 weeks ago off the bay, but then went to Dominican rep so only just had a chance to see what i've bought properly. Guy was selling due to living within the ULEZ, paid £999 but he gave me £50 back as luck money. What a gent.

To get the car home I paid the ULEZ, insured it and booked an MOT. it failed. As expected!! It drove like a dream however and reminded me why I love them, it's my 2nd.
Anyway, I have booked it in to Suffolk Mazda on 23rd May as recommended on here, they were my joint 1st choice with the MX5 restorer but had a shorter wait list to get the work done.
For MOT it needs the front chassis rails (1 point for MX5 bingo), the headlamp adjuster sorting and new wiper blades.
There is a long list of other things to do though including ;
Wheel refurb (came with 4 like new Goodyears though)
Fix the armrest
New hood (or hardtop and ditch the soft-top)
New NSF wing (fixable but might respray car so sod it)
New passenger door (as above)
Appears to have a FL front bumper but this needs replacing
Respray in original colour
New lighter battery - looking for recommendations
New stereo - not needed but wanted
Probably source a 6 speed box
Fit coilovers of some sort
Renew all consumables/full service
Completely clean/rust proof the underside including all suspension parts etc
Add a little bit of lightness where I can without going extreme. Yet
LSD (may have one, haven't checked yet)
Windows are veeeeeeery slow, so will sort this


Long term I am going to NA tune it with ITB's but not just yet.

I know I could have found a mint one for less than i'll end up spending but I love the tinkering and knowing i've done it myself. Not fussed about the money really and it'll be spread out.
Going to treat it like my jaaaaag as a rolling resto and gradually go over it very thoroughly.


Pics are terrible but will upload more later










Thanks for reading

Chaz

[Ouroboros]

Very cool car

[jamieduff1981]

Nice. I have one similar I'm about to start dismantling to do some cutting and welding it's now in need of.

I'll follow along reading your thread here.

[chazwozza]

jamieduff1981 said:

Nice. I have one similar I'm about to start dismantling to do some cutting and welding it's now in need of.

I'll follow along reading your thread here.

If I had power in my garage and a gnats d##k of ability with a welder i'd give it a go. But I don't so won't!!
As an aside i've been looking into lightweight batteries and there doesn't really seem to be any point for a road car, unless anyone knows different?!

Do strut braces on these add beneficial stiffness? Or just add eye decoration amd weight? Will be used on track at some point!

[chazwozza]

Ouroboros said:

Very cool car

Thank you

I was getting an XK convertible but you just can't wring the engine out on the road like you can in a '5 these days so put the spare cash towards the next house!!! Bit of a difference..

[Planet Claire]

Plenty of life in that engine yet, it's just a shame the bodywork lets them down. I have that ongoing problem but I justify that a £1-1.5k spend every three years or so (or has that just been bad luck with choice of repairer) is much cheaper than spending £20+k on a new one.

Good luck!

[Pixelpeep 135]

Sold the weekend Z4 end of last year on the understanding that a 'cheap' MX5 would take its place within 2 years. Can't wait to get back to almost shed territory again.

Looking to spend about £3000. Then end up throwing 10k at making it very non shed.

Lovely car OP. will keep an eye on this thread with interest.

[snotrag]

Lovely stuff, good little project. From experience (Owned 4 MX-5s, and look after multiple family members cars!)

chazwozza said:

YWheel refurb (came with 4 like new Goodyears though)

Great sign that its had at least a level of care

chazwozza said:

New hood (or hardtop and ditch the soft-top)

Fitting a new mohair top is a good DIY job, nothing more complex than glue and rivets. Dont bother with a hardtop. Waste of time (personal opinion).

chazwozza said:

Appears to have a FL front bumper but this needs replacing

Yep, I cant remember the cut-off years but on a V its a pre facelifty Mk2, and thats the wrong bumper. The pics arent high enough resolution but if the headlights are the originals youll see they dont quite fit properly in the corners. Pre facelift bumper looks better to me, I'd change it back.

chazwozza said:

Probably source a 6 speed box

Dont worry about this for now, the NB 6 speed isnt as nice a shift as the 5 speed, and you MUST fit the matching differential too otherwise you will end up with absolutely ridiculour gear ratios. It wont be cheap so wouldnt make this is a priority.

chazwozza said:

Fit coilovers of some sort

Again, coilovers are great (I've had them on my cars, Ohlins and Meister-R) but dont jump into that level if your not planing on track use.

chazwozza said:

Renew all consumables/full service

Make sure you do the timing belt and waterpump, and the ignition leads. Its all easy DIY stuff.

chazwozza said:

LSD (may have one, haven't checked yet)

If its a Mk2 1.8iS (S is critical) it should have a Torsen. It should be immediately obvious when driving, you only need to drive out of a t junction with a bit if gusto to see whether you get a one wheel peel or a nice slide.



Cant go wrong really, so long as you get the rot/chassis/shell sorted, the rest is a doddle. Simple, cheap, ultra reliable.

chazwozza said:

As an aside i've been looking into lightweight batteries and there doesn't really seem to be any point for a road car, unless anyone knows different?!

Yep, dont bother just make sure the battery is the correct size, properly attached with the little bracket and rod, and correctly connected up to the vent tubes. Or you get a rust mess and dents in your rear wing.

chazwozza said:

Do strut braces on these add beneficial stiffness? Or just add eye decoration amd weight? Will be used on track at some point!

Some do but the NB chassis is basically the NA with all the good brace bits added. A brace across the b pillars behind the seats (or a half cage) is the one that will make a difference.

Dont bother with any of it until you know the shell is solid!

[chazwozza]

snotrag said:

Lovely stuff, good little project. From experience (Owned 4 MX-5s, and look after multiple family members cars!)

chazwozza said:

YWheel refurb (came with 4 like new Goodyears though)

Great sign that its had at least a level of care

chazwozza said:

New hood (or hardtop and ditch the soft-top)

Fitting a new mohair top is a good DIY job, nothing more complex than glue and rivets. Dont bother with a hardtop. Waste of time (personal opinion).

chazwozza said:

Appears to have a FL front bumper but this needs replacing

Yep, I cant remember the cut-off years but on a V its a pre facelifty Mk2, and thats the wrong bumper. The pics arent high enough resolution but if the headlights are the originals youll see they dont quite fit properly in the corners. Pre facelift bumper looks better to me, I'd change it back.

chazwozza said:

Probably source a 6 speed box

Dont worry about this for now, the NB 6 speed isnt as nice a shift as the 5 speed, and you MUST fit the matching differential too otherwise you will end up with absolutely ridiculour gear ratios. It wont be cheap so wouldnt make this is a priority.

chazwozza said:

Fit coilovers of some sort

Again, coilovers are great (I've had them on my cars, Ohlins and Meister-R) but dont jump into that level if your not planing on track use.

chazwozza said:

Renew all consumables/full service

Make sure you do the timing belt and waterpump, and the ignition leads. Its all easy DIY stuff.

chazwozza said:

LSD (may have one, haven't checked yet)

If its a Mk2 1.8iS (S is critical) it should have a Torsen. It should be immediately obvious when driving, you only need to drive out of a t junction with a bit if gusto to see whether you get a one wheel peel or a nice slide.



Cant go wrong really, so long as you get the rot/chassis/shell sorted, the rest is a doddle. Simple, cheap, ultra reliable.

chazwozza said:

As an aside i've been looking into lightweight batteries and there doesn't really seem to be any point for a road car, unless anyone knows different?!

Yep, dont bother just make sure the battery is the correct size, properly attached with the little bracket and rod, and correctly connected up to the vent tubes. Or you get a rust mess and dents in your rear wing.

chazwozza said:

Do strut braces on these add beneficial stiffness? Or just add eye decoration amd weight? Will be used on track at some point!

Some do but the NB chassis is basically the NA with all the good brace bits added. A brace across the b pillars behind the seats (or a half cage) is the one that will make a difference.

Dont bother with any of it until you know the shell is solid!

Some handy tips there thank you - remember seeing your mk1 on here in a thread about 12 years ago, lovely!!
Rust is my priority. Interesting re the 6 speed, a few have said don't do it, apparently the 5 speed is stronger as well?!

[chazwozza]

Pixelpeep 135 said:

Sold the weekend Z4 end of last year on the understanding that a 'cheap' MX5 would take its place within 2 years. Can't wait to get back to almost shed territory again.

Looking to spend about £3000. Then end up throwing 10k at making it very non shed.

Lovely car OP. will keep an eye on this thread with interest.

I love a shed, only spent more than £5k on a car 3 times, and most was £6300! That's in about 25 cars
Had at least 10 sub £1000 and 3 sub £500!!!

[Mr MXT]

Agree with snotrag on the gearbox - I’m on my 4th NA/ NB now, the 5 speed is a much nicer box to use.

[jamieduff1981]

chazwozza said:

jamieduff1981 said:

Nice. I have one similar I'm about to start dismantling to do some cutting and welding it's now in need of.

I'll follow along reading your thread here.

If I had power in my garage and a gnats d##k of ability with a welder i'd give it a go. But I don't so won't!!
As an aside i've been looking into lightweight batteries and there doesn't really seem to be any point for a road car, unless anyone knows different?!

Do strut braces on these add beneficial stiffness? Or just add eye decoration amd weight? Will be used on track at some point!

I've never driven an NB without one - we've had two. My dad has had two late NAs and neither of them had. I never really noticed any major issues with the NAs without it, but it's not that heavy or hard to remove.

The LSD is well worth having. Both my NBs have/had Torsens and neither of my dad's NAs have/had. That is a difference and I much prefer having it - although the LSD cars are really hard on front tyres if you use the good turning circle more than twice. The outside shoulders get shredded by the LSD's resistance to turning tight circles.

[chazwozza]

Started ordering some odd bits - wiper blades (always change on a new car, even if not an MOT failure!) and plugs as current ones look tired.

Battery (standard size) will come just before it goes off for welding as not really needed between now and then (can jump it for now if needed).

I love buying car parts

Chaz

[chazwozza]

So having taken on board Snotrag's advice I checked fitment of the headlamps - seems perfect to me? Probably find another FL bumper as a result...
Pic as per:



Chaz

[MattsCar]

Good buy.

One thing that is an absolute must, is a change of seats. The standards ones are not supportive enough for a car that corners like it does.

Buckets will make a hug difference to the feel of the car and your ability to drive it.

If it is any consolation...I replaced a 07 Jag XK 4.2 for an MX5 NB and if you are after driving fun, then you made the right decision.

I have a thread running here which might interest you/ give you some ideas.

https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=19...

[snotrag]

That is interesting, it does have the right lights and wheels too for a facelift.

Is it originally a V plate or is that a private reg maybe?

[chazwozza]

snotrag said:

That is interesting, it does have the right lights and wheels too for a facelift.

Is it originally a V plate or is that a private reg maybe?

AFAIK original reg, will look deeper when i've had less Moretti.... !!!

[chazwozza]

MattsCar said:

Good buy.

One thing that is an absolute must, is a change of seats. The standards ones are not supportive enough for a car that corners like it does.

Buckets will make a hug difference to the feel of the car and your ability to drive it.

If it is any consolation...I replaced a 07 Jag XK 4.2 for an MX5 NB and if you are after driving fun, then you made the right decision.

I have a thread running here which might interest you/ give you some ideas.

https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=19...

Bucket seats may be good, but.... I don't have bucket arsecheeks!!!! Hold myself in place I think

Thanks for the info though. I was looking at a 4.2 XKR but just couldn't bear to not be able to use it properly and already have a jaaaaag

[chazwozza]

So, having had a bit of a dig around in the interior this brings the total found to £1.56

[chazwozza]

Couple more images of bodywork...



Wing and door damage, quite fixable imho but eventually will get the car mint so will just replace.



Bumper damage. Not fixable!!!



Rear wing and laquer peel.. the wing will go, i'm just not keen on them, but will mean boot being replaced. The peel is also on the bonnet etc. Will hopefully get the respray this year...

Any ideas for a rounded off seat bolt? (The obe holding it to the floor!!)

Thanks

Chaz