Hey from Ken (badcat) -old member returning with another mx5

Badcat · Post by **Badcat** » Sun Apr 29, 2012 1:05 pm

Hello all.
i have had a few years with no MX5 - divorce took care of that...
but now i have just bought a 1990 NA with some nice bits.
she's pretty scruffy, so there will be a lot of work to do - i'm sure ross will do well out of me in the next year!
anyway - here's some pics.
it's my intention to document the process here.
first questions:

1 - anyone know of a suspension shop with experience in height adjustable bilsteins? the shocks are pretty new - but the springs are WAY too hard, need some softer springs and someone to set the car up right.

2 - car has 16" rays lightweight wheels, am planning on a set of 205-45-16
any recommendations? i'm currently thinking T1R toyos or RE002 Bridgestones.

3 - paint is a mess. runs from bad prep and blisters from rust spots. also may have a tiny rust issue at base of windscreen/pillar
anyone recommend a good painter? the paint is a very dark gunmetal - apparently a BMW Z4 colour...

anyway - take a look and comment away, i'll keep this updated.
ken

Badcat · Post by **Badcat** » Sun Apr 29, 2012 1:06 pm

was the first change.
std driver seat now re-installed.

ewwwww!

Timmo · Post by **Timmo** » Sun Apr 29, 2012 7:19 pm

Some nice bits indeed

are you intending to take it on the track? When you get a chance, are you able to show some detail of the roll bar and mounting? Id like a similar style for mine but am unsure where they are mounted.

Badcat · Post by **Badcat** » Sun Apr 29, 2012 7:24 pm

Yes. Track days are on the agenda!
The car is in storage, so won't get there till next weekend, unless I have to go visit it! Will take pictures.
Ken

Mr. Shine · Post by **Mr. Shine** » Sun Apr 29, 2012 7:40 pm

If you're getting it on the track, get rid of that style bar. They have a tendency to "moustrap" onto the driver's head in a roll-over accident, provided the driver's head hasn't already impacted the ground.

Looks like a solid base to work from. You may consider going down to 15" or even 14" wheels for extra weight savings, but I'm not sure just how lightweight those wheels are.

For painting I'd totally recommend Grant at GT Refinishers, or I believe forum member sprsta is a painter also.

Badcat · Post by **Badcat** » Sun Apr 29, 2012 7:45 pm

Yeah. I see that. Also it sits up higher than the standard seat headrest and would smack me in the head if shunted from the rear.
As I said, there's lots to change. I haven't started on her yet.
Woohoo!

Mad Kiwi · Post by **Mad Kiwi** » Sun Apr 29, 2012 7:45 pm

Nice, car looks like a tidy package, especially the wheels. I think 16's are a perfect match for the NA.

Pity the tyres are so expensive!

Mr. Shine · Post by **Mr. Shine** » Sun Apr 29, 2012 8:15 pm

Mad Kiwi wrote:I think 16's are a perfect match for the NA.

It's funny, I always thought 15" were the largest I could ever stomach going on an NA, but I think on a suitably lowered NA 16s really fill the guards well and look the business!

Badcat · Post by **Badcat** » Sun Apr 29, 2012 8:25 pm

yeah - i didn't choose the wheels of course. i would have rather had 15".
the tyres on it are 205-50-16 - all shagged.
so will get some 205-45-16 and they will be a little smaller in overall diameter.
Of course they add to how "crashy" the suspension is, but i'm going to get some decent tyres - an alignment and drive it a bit and see if i can live with it.
it's not going to be an everyday driver - i have a VW golf to carry the kids in. the 5 will be for the weekends i have when the kids are with their mum.

it's going to be a fun journey!

Angreal · Post by **Angreal** » Sun Apr 29, 2012 10:07 pm

Very nice. Even comes with wilwood brakes I see

brownie · Post by **brownie** » Sun Apr 29, 2012 11:01 pm

welcome
I always thought 16"s were too big as well,Until i got some thru work myself and put them on,A bit twitchy now but i do like the look of them on my own car,205/45/16's are a bit tall for them,throws out the speedo a bit,but you learn to compensate,Does knock off a bit of acceleration,I think when i wear out my tyres i will look for 205/40/16's,A better match to 195/50/15's.
Someone has put some good bits on your car by the looks,Wilwood brakes and slotted rotors,What else have they been busy doing ?
They always feel better with a good drivers seat,Been in a couple with factory seats,they feel like big soft lounge chairs !!

Badcat · Post by **Badcat** » Mon Apr 30, 2012 2:38 pm

got some RE11 bridgestones!
they are on now.
anyone have a recommendation for someone to check/replace suspension bushes?

woohoo!

Badcat · Post by **Badcat** » Mon Apr 30, 2012 5:09 pm

got my 205-45-16 RE11 bridgestones todaY....

Badcat · Post by **Badcat** » Mon Apr 30, 2012 5:14 pm

the tail lights are aftermarket smoked ones - but the indcator sections are red..
surely this won't pass a warrant?
anyone know?
luckily i have the original ones is good condition...

Born_disturbed · Post by **Born_disturbed** » Mon Apr 30, 2012 5:49 pm

I run my tail lights exactly the same, aftermarket carbon lights with tinting, passes everytime

Badcat · Post by **Badcat** » Mon Apr 30, 2012 5:50 pm

excellent!
i'll try them like this then!
it's in at centreline alignment on thurs to get the bushes looked at - then onto the WOF!

SLYDIT · Post by **SLYDIT** » Mon Apr 30, 2012 8:27 pm

i saw that car on trade me and looked like a good deal for what came with the car

Badcat · Post by **Badcat** » Fri May 04, 2012 9:29 pm

Well.
Got my RE11s and then took the car to chris at centreline in grey Lynn to take a look at the suspension and give it a wheel alignment.It was impossiblly hard and very jarring and noisy over small bumps.
Chris had it for a day and called me yesterday.
Turns out the previous owner had reduced the ride height so far that the car was sitting on the bump stops at rest.

As in the suspension was wound down so hard that there was zero travel.
Chris said "I'll raise it up and give you some suspension travel"
Prev owner had also installed plastic wheel spacers, possibly to increase the track. They are gone now too....

Needless to say it feels a lot better now.

It needs some new tie rod ends and one of the front arms is bent, but it's driveable now and we'll repair the other bits in the next couple of weeks.
It's getting better.
Lots more to do, but at least I know what it needs!

And I got rid of the awful ricey faux carbon mirrors tonight. Std ones are much better!

Ken

Badcat · Post by **Badcat** » Sat May 05, 2012 9:11 pm

Took a drive out to mx5mart today to see Ross and pick up a gear knob and a gearbox gaiter set.
The previous owner had installed a quick shift kit.....
The shifter was sloppy, rattled all the time and generally felt like a Morris 1100.
I suspected the gaiter was gone as there was a lot of noise, but wasn't ready for what I saw when I got the console off.
The quick shift kit was a joke. Poorly made and there was no sealing rubber where it entered the gearbox.

The larger tunnel gaiter was completely shot and a cloth one had been "made" with cable ties. total muppet show.

The tall thin gearknob made the shifter taller. So couldn't understand the logic at all..
Anyway, mercifully the original shifter was in the boot, so I fitted the two Mazda seals, one of mx5marts voodoo style knobs and the original stick after replacing the oil in the shifting chamber.
The car is transformed. Slick, precise and smooth, no noise or rattles.
Took her for a drive tonight.
Best $150 I have ever spent.
It's coming together very quickly!

Woot!

Badcat · Post by **Badcat** » Sat May 12, 2012 1:45 pm

Wow. Thanks to Keith Jones' generosity, I now have the interior door openers, a good centre console, and hopefully the lower suspension arms I needed! As well as other bits that may come in handy.
Keith, you're a legend.

And picked up a stereo, amp and component speakers I bought on trademe from Seakiwi today too.

Now to fit it al!!
Woohoo!

Angreal · Post by **Angreal** » Sun May 13, 2012 1:17 am

I agree. Keith is a legend. He installed the roll bar I bought off him and it took us most of the day to get it in right!

Keith Jones · Post by **Keith Jones** » Sun May 13, 2012 9:08 am

Hi Guys
Thanks for the kind words.
That's what the MX5 community is all about.
Keith

harlansmart · Post by **harlansmart** » Thu May 17, 2012 4:19 pm

+1

Keith has proved extremely helpful and very knowledgeable, obviously we're all very lucky guys like this are prepared to share time and expertise w/ the less (or in my case the far less) capable. Hopefully he doesn't get the Skyline Bug or anything lest we may lose him

Thanks heeps Keith!

Badcat · Post by **Badcat** » Thu May 17, 2012 7:30 pm

So I have removed the horrific speaker boxes from the parcel tray.
I also bought a good pair of 4" 2 way speakers at jbhifi for $29 and fitted them into the drivers headrest. Sound is already much better, and more heavy crap out of my little car!
Getting a leather shift gaiter from coxie on the weekend and going to start to fit the component speakers, amp andsony head unit I bought from sea kiwi last weekend.

Next step is sorting out the rattles in the suspension!

SLYDIT · Post by **SLYDIT** » Thu May 17, 2012 7:32 pm

rattles in the suspension are often caused by rattling brake pads due to them missing the retaining springs, especially the rear ones

Hey from Ken (badcat) -old member returning with another mx5

Hey from Ken (badcat) -old member returning with another mx5

oh - and that red seat

Track days

Style bar

16s

tyres are done

pic of the car with new tyres

TAIL LIGHTS

tail lights

Update

Gearbox etc

Another week on

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