Load game - ITB'ed MX5
Discussion
A decade or so ago I've bought a Eunos Roadster, fell in love and put a lot of time and effort into it, ending up with a car I fully stripped and rebuilt with lots of lightening, built ITB engine and other good stuff. I've raced in a local Time Attack championship, then put some of the carpeting back in and did a road trip to Britain and back.
Fast forward quite a few years and settled in the depth of Yorkshire, with an S2 Elise 111S in the garage I was dreading going in it again for a fear of being straddled somewhere for a what, the fourth, the fifth time? It's a lovely car to drive, the Elise, the most direct and involving I've ever had a chance to try, the best really, but my ownership experience wasn't that great.
Then while away on a trip this thing popped up on ebay. Eunos Roadster S-Spec II, with ITB's, Meisters, proper rollbar, factory sills and arches that haven't been ravaged by salt and incompetent repairs. Right there was a "load saved game" button, a car built very close to my own spec to save me doing it all again. A few messages exchanged, deposit sent, and after flying back home I got a train to High Wycombe (I know) and pick it up. On inspection it turned out to be exactly as described with no apparent horrors and just being a clean MX5 with quality bits bolted on. The seller remarked on it being great to drive but very loud though I could barely hear him over the sound of ITBs.
In the next year and a half I did tidy it up a little. The wideband in the vent was too Fast and Furious to me and was moved to the glovebox, steering wheel replaced with a more classic Momo Prototipo. One of the things I really loved about the Elise was the pedal setup (it was also a pre-servo-brake model, the one to have if you were to ask me). Heel and toeing was so natural in it, while in the 5 I just felt clumsy every other time. A set of M2 pedals imported from Japan made a nice visual addition but crucially now allows a perfect downshift before a roundabout on my way to Tescos.
One item I saved from my old red Roadster was my driver's seat. It's a Cobra Aerorace, made for Caterhams and Elises I think, not a Recaro or Bride so it loses in the bragging competition but it's one of the comfiest seats I've been in, at least after making some custom padding. Not long before my life changed significanty and moving over here I've managed to find a pair and both seats sat at my old garage for a few years but now was the time to ship them over. i've fabricated another mount and fitted both. Not done with them yet, the plan is to reupholster them both in leather and 60's racing style.
A few other things were changed too, I've imported a set of Runabout M2 mirrors, and replaced Rotas with what for me is one of the iconic wheel designs, Work Equip 01. Also did some minor changes, like fitting foldable sun visors from pre-95 Eunos, and fabricating a custom windbreaker (I need to make a new one with anti-reflective coating)
Current spec:
'95 Eunos Roadster S-Special II
Jenvey ITBs
Ebay special cam gears
MSPNPv2 ECU, AEM wideband
Mishimoto rad
Racing Beat 4-1 exhaust manifold
MX5 Parts exhaust, 200 cel sports cat
Boots Hairdresser Racing hairbrush bonnet prop
Meister R Zeta-Pro coilovers with 10 kg/mm F and 6 kg/mm rear springs
Factory strut brace
Work Equip 01 15x8 +7 wheels + Michelin Pilot Sport 195/50 tyres
Cobra Aerorace seats on factory rails with custom adapters
JDM oldschool chequered floormats
TR Lane roll bar
M2 pedals
Momo Prototipo steering wheel
Runabout M2 mirrors
GV replica lip
Wilwood 4 pot calipers with floating discs in the front, standard brakes in the rear
Braided brake lines
This is basically where I'm now, with the work dried out leaving me with a lot of free time and new garage heater fitted the plan is to do more refreshement over winter. Superpro bush set just ordered and all the undercarriage will be coming off for a rebuild.
Fast forward quite a few years and settled in the depth of Yorkshire, with an S2 Elise 111S in the garage I was dreading going in it again for a fear of being straddled somewhere for a what, the fourth, the fifth time? It's a lovely car to drive, the Elise, the most direct and involving I've ever had a chance to try, the best really, but my ownership experience wasn't that great.
Then while away on a trip this thing popped up on ebay. Eunos Roadster S-Spec II, with ITB's, Meisters, proper rollbar, factory sills and arches that haven't been ravaged by salt and incompetent repairs. Right there was a "load saved game" button, a car built very close to my own spec to save me doing it all again. A few messages exchanged, deposit sent, and after flying back home I got a train to High Wycombe (I know) and pick it up. On inspection it turned out to be exactly as described with no apparent horrors and just being a clean MX5 with quality bits bolted on. The seller remarked on it being great to drive but very loud though I could barely hear him over the sound of ITBs.
In the next year and a half I did tidy it up a little. The wideband in the vent was too Fast and Furious to me and was moved to the glovebox, steering wheel replaced with a more classic Momo Prototipo. One of the things I really loved about the Elise was the pedal setup (it was also a pre-servo-brake model, the one to have if you were to ask me). Heel and toeing was so natural in it, while in the 5 I just felt clumsy every other time. A set of M2 pedals imported from Japan made a nice visual addition but crucially now allows a perfect downshift before a roundabout on my way to Tescos.
One item I saved from my old red Roadster was my driver's seat. It's a Cobra Aerorace, made for Caterhams and Elises I think, not a Recaro or Bride so it loses in the bragging competition but it's one of the comfiest seats I've been in, at least after making some custom padding. Not long before my life changed significanty and moving over here I've managed to find a pair and both seats sat at my old garage for a few years but now was the time to ship them over. i've fabricated another mount and fitted both. Not done with them yet, the plan is to reupholster them both in leather and 60's racing style.
A few other things were changed too, I've imported a set of Runabout M2 mirrors, and replaced Rotas with what for me is one of the iconic wheel designs, Work Equip 01. Also did some minor changes, like fitting foldable sun visors from pre-95 Eunos, and fabricating a custom windbreaker (I need to make a new one with anti-reflective coating)
Current spec:
'95 Eunos Roadster S-Special II
Jenvey ITBs
Ebay special cam gears
MSPNPv2 ECU, AEM wideband
Mishimoto rad
Racing Beat 4-1 exhaust manifold
MX5 Parts exhaust, 200 cel sports cat
Boots Hairdresser Racing hairbrush bonnet prop
Meister R Zeta-Pro coilovers with 10 kg/mm F and 6 kg/mm rear springs
Factory strut brace
Work Equip 01 15x8 +7 wheels + Michelin Pilot Sport 195/50 tyres
Cobra Aerorace seats on factory rails with custom adapters
JDM oldschool chequered floormats
TR Lane roll bar
M2 pedals
Momo Prototipo steering wheel
Runabout M2 mirrors
GV replica lip
Wilwood 4 pot calipers with floating discs in the front, standard brakes in the rear
Braided brake lines
This is basically where I'm now, with the work dried out leaving me with a lot of free time and new garage heater fitted the plan is to do more refreshement over winter. Superpro bush set just ordered and all the undercarriage will be coming off for a rebuild.
Edited by Overall D on Saturday 30th November 01:17
Pit Pony said:
A little jealous am I.
One question. The lack of cover over the cam belt. Does that worry you. ?
Not really. I did the same on the red roadster and in a few years and thousands of miles including that roadtrip never ran into any trouble. I reckon with the undertrays in place risk of getting a random stone in there is miniscule and I absolutely love the oldschool look of exposed cam gears so it's worth it for me. I really want to replace the cam gears with Toda ones though.One question. The lack of cover over the cam belt. Does that worry you. ?
darkyoung1000 said:
Superb car and a great spec! I remember seeing it at The Motorist (the custom bonnet prop jogged my memory 
) , although I didn't appreciate at the time how much work you'd had done.
My then girlfriend, now wife, donated that hairbrush to me at one of the first car meets I took the MX5 to and it's been with it ever since, stashed in the centre console.) , although I didn't appreciate at the time how much work you'd had done. threespires said:
Lovely spec on your NA. Do you know what power it's giving?
I've decided to thin down my collection of MX-5's and my 1991 BBR Turbo is shortly going up for sale.
Don't know but I don't think it's a lot. It's very responsive but doesn't feel as fast my old red roadster that had 264 cams, 10.5:1 comp ratio, Blink head and lots of other bits. This car was initially built by Basset Down Balancing but I never got the engine spec from the seller. I have my own plans with it though, hope to sprinkle some Maruha bits over it later in the year, then it will need mapping and I'll know how much it puts down. Not bothered with the numbers though as it's an absolute riot to drive and all the mapped 330d drivers are welcome to overtake at the first opportunity.I've decided to thin down my collection of MX-5's and my 1991 BBR Turbo is shortly going up for sale.
While I appreciate all the stuff that has been done to the MX5s and really love seeing them at car meets, things like Pandem kits, Pitcrew conversions, and everything else, to me the original shape is the best, with two exceptions. The original GV lip and a Vindi/Russel ducktail spoiler keep the original flow but finish it off with a sportier look.
Having spoken to Vindi I found out he has stopped making his ducktails due to all the cheap ebay copies but then his very rare full bootlid turned up for sale in Poole and there was no other option than a little roadtrip.
Unfortunately with work and family matters taking priority it was left in the garage standing on its side for a year and when I finally had time to test fit it would sit funny on the car. I've stretched it down under some weight a few months ago and will bolt to the car next week to see if it has regained its shape.
Having spoken to Vindi I found out he has stopped making his ducktails due to all the cheap ebay copies but then his very rare full bootlid turned up for sale in Poole and there was no other option than a little roadtrip.
Unfortunately with work and family matters taking priority it was left in the garage standing on its side for a year and when I finally had time to test fit it would sit funny on the car. I've stretched it down under some weight a few months ago and will bolt to the car next week to see if it has regained its shape.
Suspension always felt just a little bit off and the ride height wasn't equal, all 4 corners hovering around 11 cm but with a margin of +-1 cm so I went to investigate. Rear struts came off easily but the fronts wouldn't come out. The dampers were expanding definitely beyond what they should. In the end I used a ratchet strap to compress the dampers and get the struts out.
After getting the struts off and laying them down to have a look all became clear - an absolute plonker must've been involved at some point. The spring seats have been adjusted so that the springs were loose. In the pic below, the one on the left has already been taken apart, cleaned and readjusted while the right one shows what they looked like when came off the car.
One of the rears also threw a spanner in the works, the bottom mount locking collar just wouldn't budge for love nor money so when after a few days of soaking in penetrating oil and hitting with a punch and a hammer it still wouldn't move I ended up cutting it off. The dampers are still very good so the plan is to get a replacement collar and either re-powdercoat the old springs or just get some new ones. If anyone has a Meister collar lying about please let me know
After readjusting all the struts I put them back on without the cut off collar and adjusted the ride height to be equal across all corners. It being a double wishbone suspension with no rotation involved I reckoned it would be fine for a couple of miles so took it for a quick spin and indeed the feeling of being just slightly off went away. Back it went into the garage and over the next few weeks I've stripped it for the winter refresh. Suspended the engine on this beam hoist I got off ebay, absolutely brilliant for this kind of job.
Couldn't get the driveshafts out of the hubs or the rear knuckles off the lower arms. Took them to a mate who has a 6 ton press and they still wouldn't move so we went to a garage in Selby and after putting in lots of heat and a 50 ton press maxing out the driveshafts got mushroomed and one of the arms got bent.
I'll have a go with an angle grinder and a drill tomorrow to try and salvage as much as possible - one arm should still be useable and possibly both hubs if I am lucky.
An interesting find (it is to me!) - I did think that even for Meisters with those springs the body roll is quite minimal and this explains it - I've got an upgraded front anti-roll bar. Never heard of CMR and judging by "Super Brand, Improve by Racing" motto they must've been an obscure JDM garage. I like JDM and I like reduced body roll so result.
The rough plan is
- get all the subframes, arms, etc media blasted and powder coated, ideally with zinc coating under paint
- all fasteners cleaned and zinc coated
- replace bushes, bearings and ball joints
After getting the struts off and laying them down to have a look all became clear - an absolute plonker must've been involved at some point. The spring seats have been adjusted so that the springs were loose. In the pic below, the one on the left has already been taken apart, cleaned and readjusted while the right one shows what they looked like when came off the car.
One of the rears also threw a spanner in the works, the bottom mount locking collar just wouldn't budge for love nor money so when after a few days of soaking in penetrating oil and hitting with a punch and a hammer it still wouldn't move I ended up cutting it off. The dampers are still very good so the plan is to get a replacement collar and either re-powdercoat the old springs or just get some new ones. If anyone has a Meister collar lying about please let me know
After readjusting all the struts I put them back on without the cut off collar and adjusted the ride height to be equal across all corners. It being a double wishbone suspension with no rotation involved I reckoned it would be fine for a couple of miles so took it for a quick spin and indeed the feeling of being just slightly off went away. Back it went into the garage and over the next few weeks I've stripped it for the winter refresh. Suspended the engine on this beam hoist I got off ebay, absolutely brilliant for this kind of job.
Couldn't get the driveshafts out of the hubs or the rear knuckles off the lower arms. Took them to a mate who has a 6 ton press and they still wouldn't move so we went to a garage in Selby and after putting in lots of heat and a 50 ton press maxing out the driveshafts got mushroomed and one of the arms got bent
. I'll have a go with an angle grinder and a drill tomorrow to try and salvage as much as possible - one arm should still be useable and possibly both hubs if I am lucky.
An interesting find (it is to me!) - I did think that even for Meisters with those springs the body roll is quite minimal and this explains it - I've got an upgraded front anti-roll bar. Never heard of CMR and judging by "Super Brand, Improve by Racing" motto they must've been an obscure JDM garage. I like JDM and I like reduced body roll so result.
The rough plan is
- get all the subframes, arms, etc media blasted and powder coated, ideally with zinc coating under paint
- all fasteners cleaned and zinc coated
- replace bushes, bearings and ball joints
Was bored, went to the garage and Push The Tempo started playing, next thing I know,
It's PPF, power plant frame, the bit that connects the gearbox to the diff and makes driveline stiffer. It looked like this before I started. MOT man better wear some sunglasses when I go there next year
It's PPF, power plant frame, the bit that connects the gearbox to the diff and makes driveline stiffer. It looked like this before I started. MOT man better wear some sunglasses when I go there next year
The car's slowly coming together.
All the suspension arms, anti roll bars, subframes have come back from powdercoating. I've went with darkish red for most of the bits, dark silver for knuckles and rear ARB for contrast and got the front ARB painted in its original blue.
Untitled by m57, on Flickr
by m57, on Flickr
by m57, on Flickr
Fixings and fittings are back from zinc coating. I've fitted new bushes from Superpro and putting it all back together. Sprayed arm and subframe insides with Dynax S50 for corrosion protection. Had coilover springs blasted and powdercoated, apart from paint flaking on them Meisters have held up surprisingly well and after getting them apart, cleaning and putting together look as good as new.
As my camber adjustment in the front was maxed out a little bit short of where I wanted it to be I'm putting extended balljoints from Bauer.
by m57, on Flickr
by m57, on Flickr
by m57, on Flickr
by m57, on Flickr
by m57, on Flickr
Having fabricated the seat adapters last autumn I needed to now do something with the upholstery as while the driver's seat had a comfy insert the passenger seat didn't, and they both needed a matching design.
Untitled by m57, on Flickr
One drunken night I bought a sewing machine then spent a few days watching various sewing tutorials and finally built up enough courage to try and do the seat inserts.
by m57, on Flickr
by m57, on Flickr
by m57, on Flickr
by m57, on Flickr
Just waiting on some grommets to finish off the seats and warmer weather to put rhe remaining bits of suspension on.
All the suspension arms, anti roll bars, subframes have come back from powdercoating. I've went with darkish red for most of the bits, dark silver for knuckles and rear ARB for contrast and got the front ARB painted in its original blue.
Untitled by m57, on Flickr by m57, on Flickr by m57, on FlickrFixings and fittings are back from zinc coating. I've fitted new bushes from Superpro and putting it all back together. Sprayed arm and subframe insides with Dynax S50 for corrosion protection. Had coilover springs blasted and powdercoated, apart from paint flaking on them Meisters have held up surprisingly well and after getting them apart, cleaning and putting together look as good as new.
As my camber adjustment in the front was maxed out a little bit short of where I wanted it to be I'm putting extended balljoints from Bauer.
by m57, on Flickr by m57, on Flickr by m57, on Flickr by m57, on Flickr by m57, on FlickrHaving fabricated the seat adapters last autumn I needed to now do something with the upholstery as while the driver's seat had a comfy insert the passenger seat didn't, and they both needed a matching design.
Untitled by m57, on FlickrOne drunken night I bought a sewing machine then spent a few days watching various sewing tutorials and finally built up enough courage to try and do the seat inserts.
by m57, on Flickr by m57, on Flickr by m57, on Flickr by m57, on FlickrJust waiting on some grommets to finish off the seats and warmer weather to put rhe remaining bits of suspension on.
Gassing Station | Readers' Cars | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff