From the ashes... What did you do to your roadster today?

biff · Post by **biff** » Mon Jul 13, 2015 11:18 am

LOL, does Nana know you turfed her soup?
Now that your up to speed there is a wee red 89 here you can have a go
at...........................no?
Darn

Biff

-----Original Message-----
From: CordedBowl
Sent: Sunday, July 12, 2015 6:07 PM
To: mx5talk@mx5forum.co.nz
Subject: [MX5] Re: From the ashes... What did you do to your roadster today?

Today I did the most baddass, most ocd clean, detail, wax & vacuum on the '5
ever, then I swapped some NB seats in to replace the mank old ones I spilled
Nanas crock pot of soup on.

New vs. Old
[Image: https://farm1.staticflickr.com/262/1959 ... 980a_z.jpg ]
(https://flic.kr/p/vRHHiQ)

Dat soupstain doe
[Image: https://farm1.staticflickr.com/328/1959 ... 16cf_z.jpg ]
(https://flic.kr/p/vRHFXy)

Seats installed, that wasn't so bad! Perfect fit on NA rails.
[Image: https://farm1.staticflickr.com/289/1943 ... 896e_z.jpg ]
(https://flic.kr/p/vBq885)

Went to go take the seats for a test drive around the neighborhood kaCLUNK
CLUNK CLUNKChhhhhhhh, I literally had driven 5 meters and the gearbox shat
itself... ¯\(°_o)/¯

Soooo now she's sitting pretty in the garage with new seats I've never
driven on until I figure out the next step, at least this is a good excuse
to go 6spd!

[Image: https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3749/190 ... 5a81_z.jpg ]
(https://flic.kr/p/uXajeg)

Ps: at this stage I'm pretty it's the gbox, but I could be wrong when it
comes to see what has actually happened (gotta love not having a garage big
enough to work in! yayuhh)

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mazline · Post by **mazline** » Mon Jul 13, 2015 2:43 pm

[quote="Snapfrozen"]Well this is probably the biggest update this car has seen in some time. I've got a deadline for our new location and a large package recently arrived with a bunch of stuff in it...

Also had my steering rack converted to manual professional by a place called Panorama Power Steering. For anyone in NZ would highly recommend them.

Have you their contact details,Can't find them thru google and does it make it cert Legal,Got a custy with a FC RX7 rack that needs doing

Snapfrozen · Post by **Snapfrozen** » Wed Jul 15, 2015 8:22 pm

mazline wrote:
Snapfrozen wrote:Well this is probably the biggest update this car has seen in some time. I've got a deadline for our new location and a large package recently arrived with a bunch of stuff in it...

Also had my steering rack converted to manual professional by a place called Panorama Power Steering. For anyone in NZ would highly recommend them.

Have you their contact details,Can't find them thru google and does it make it cert Legal,Got a custy with a FC RX7 rack that needs doing

That's because I botched their name...

http://poranapowersteering.jimdo.com/about-us/

Snapfrozen · Post by **Snapfrozen** » Wed Jul 15, 2015 8:43 pm

Right. So parts update. Some shit arrived and I'm happy. I cleaned a thing or 2 and now I'm cold, wet and the hose won the fight with my PPF.

Finished up the knuckles so they're ready to go back in happily.

IMAG0839 by Jarred McLachlan, on Flickr

IMAG0839 by Jarred McLachlan, on Flickr

Got the grease nipples sorted along with the grease and gun. Was a bit of a mare getting them in and have had to order 4x longer ones due to the design of the arms unfortunately but such is life. The upside here is that I can now grease the poly bushes without worrying about removing everything.

IMAG0823 by Jarred McLachlan, on Flickr

IMAG0822 by Jarred McLachlan, on Flickr

Unfortunately I forgot a before shot from this... You can all imagine. This is after a dousing of brakleen..

IMAG0834 by Jarred McLachlan, on Flickr

IMAG0835 by Jarred McLachlan, on Flickr

IMAG0833 by Jarred McLachlan, on Flickr

Naturally my OCD did the rest.

IMAG0836 by Jarred McLachlan, on Flickr

IMAG0838 by Jarred McLachlan, on Flickr

Last but not least...

IMAG0832 by Jarred McLachlan, on Flickr

Snapfrozen · Post by **Snapfrozen** » Sun Jul 19, 2015 8:23 pm

Not alot to show for what I've done this weekend. Unfortunately a combo of the weather and airsoft yesterday have put the build back a week but life goes on. Day was great however, MASSIVE rain (35mm in 2 hours) and wind meant it was a very tactical game.

I have 1 vacuum hose and the fuel lines left to go on the motor now, literally ready to go in. Replaced the release bearing, waterpump and cambelt done and resealed the front T that has water lines on it as I wasn't happy with it.. You all know what it looks like.

IMAG0846 by Jarred McLachlan, on Flickr

I had a bit of a setback with the upper control arms too in that the grease nipples I got for it - being that they weren't the right ones. That should be sorted on wednesday. Brake pads are here, so that means the brake setup is complete for now. Need to paint my drive shaft, and front sway bar - other than that - first coat on the PPF.

IMAG0844 by Jarred McLachlan, on Flickr

IMAG0845 by Jarred McLachlan, on Flickr

Getting close now!!!! And found this drop, delish.. Possibly the best amber/red I've tasted.

IMAG0848 by Jarred McLachlan, on Flickr

warrior · Post by **warrior** » Tue Jul 21, 2015 7:06 pm

Love tuatara beer

GRUVBB · Post by **GRUVBB** » Tue Jul 21, 2015 9:48 pm

Snapfrozen... is that Hammerite paint on the ppf?

Angreal · Post by **Angreal** » Wed Jul 22, 2015 10:14 pm

Not much lately but bought more stuff for her... The fastback is in California now, I have new wiper blades, window washer nozzles, a nopro side window with a vent and a crossflow radiator in transit. Probably should photograph these for the forum but I'm never in nz. Will probably buy new carpet soon and organise her to get a new paint job later this year if I can get home

Might have to work out if I can fit an automotive fridge in the boot and rig it up so I can have cold beer when I go camping... 2low2c hint hint

Snapfrozen · Post by **Snapfrozen** » Fri Jul 24, 2015 10:31 pm

GRUVBB wrote:Snapfrozen... is that Hammerite paint on the ppf?

Yessir.

Last update until Sunday now. Not sure what the plans are re: this weekend and getting the motor in. The weather isn't great and I've had another setback with these dam grease nipples.

Got the powerplant frame finished. There were a few spot's I'd missed with the 2nd coat and I just couldn't look at them knowing that no one would ever see them... I'd still know they were there though. So that's the last piece of the puzzle for putting the motor in. The PPF bolts between the diff and gearbox so was required to get the motor and box back in.

IMAG0858 by Jarred McLachlan, on Flickr

As for the state of my drive shaft, despite not being "required" to get the motor in, it would obviously be required to drive it. I don't realistically know how long this will be in the car as if I go for a Torsen I have to replace it, however if I look at another diff I may end up reusing it. So onto the sanding block it goes...

IMAG0860 by Jarred McLachlan, on Flickr

IMAG0861 by Jarred McLachlan, on Flickr

And after a coat of primer and a few of black, we're away and laughing

IMAG0867 by Jarred McLachlan, on Flickr

Started greasing a the bushes through the grease nipples before they went into the car for the first time. I'm so glad I've done this, I literally can't say how much time it's going to save me greasing poly bushes down the track. Clip on the grease gun and 3 pumps and wipe it clean...

IMAG0864 by Jarred McLachlan, on Flickr

Now at this point I did want to make a confession. I have never used a grease gun before but figured how hard can it be? So I pulled it out and immediately realised I had to somehow get the tube of grease into it. This involved me spending about 5 mins trying to unscrew the base of it before realising I had the wrong end. After getting the bad boy open I now had the struggle of reading the instructions to work out how the grease went in... That's when this bad boy led me astray.

IMAG0866 by Jarred McLachlan, on Flickr

This looks EXACTLY like what I was dealing with - perfect for instructions. Until it doesn't mention the pull tab having to be opened. I did read ahead on both grease and gun to check this as it seemed odd but the gun also looked like it might've been able to puncture it so I wondered if that was the way. 5 minutes later I YOLO'd it and tore that end open.

This was the moment I realised I'd fucked up.

In true hairdresser style - I have a wonderful quiff - That's a nice big fluffy fringey thing made popular by hipsters. It is now coated in grease. Thought I'd just cheer everyone up with that one. Obviously as above, this story is in reverse order - now sussed out.

The hold up I have is the head of the grease gun is too wide to fit in the holes I've countersunk into the arms by about half a mm. Looking into a few other options now.

IMAG0868 by Jarred McLachlan, on Flickr

GRUVBB · Post by **GRUVBB** » Sat Jul 25, 2015 8:59 am

You can get felxy extention hoses for grease guns. You may be able to find one with smaller end..... good on ya for 'fessing up on the grease.... I remember trying to fit my first tube as mine had no instructions at all.

Snapfrozen · Post by **Snapfrozen** » Sun Jul 26, 2015 4:19 pm

FINALLY sorted the grease nipple setup for the upper control arms. Can now grease the entire front end without removing anything from the car, hopefully in under 30 mins which should make looking after these poly bushes a treat...

IMAG0887 by Jarred McLachlan, on Flickr

Moonlight racing delivered with my new air freshener. Figuring I'll be back in the cabin of this soon I thought I should do something about it.

IMAG0886 by Jarred McLachlan, on Flickr

I guess this is the update people have been waiting for (Me at least...) Cracked into the motor today. Unfortunately the weather is poos.

IMAG0880 by Jarred McLachlan, on Flickr

People seem to be split as to how to install the motor, with box or without. If I was to change anything I'd drop the subframe, angle it in, put the subframe on and lift the whole thing back into place but I didn't and only lost a tiny bit of paint on a firewall seam. Had to unbolt my coilpacks to angle it in but having notched the bottom fitting made that a 2 second job, no regrets on that one now...

IMAG0881 by Jarred McLachlan, on Flickr

IMAG0882 by Jarred McLachlan, on Flickr

IMAG0883 by Jarred McLachlan, on Flickr

The to do list is short and sweet now. Got to tidy up the loom from boot to bay and resleeve it, plug everything in, install my bonnet latch, radiator, suspension, and get a new battery and it should run...

biff · Post by **biff** » Sun Jul 26, 2015 5:10 pm

Nice job : Its great when you can see the end isn't it?
Cheers
Biff

Red
ZOOM1N

-----Original Message-----
From: Snapfrozen
Sent: Sunday, July 26, 2015 4:19 PM
To: mx5talk@mx5forum.co.nz
Subject: [MX5] Re: From the ashes... What did you do to your roadster today?

FINALLY sorted the grease nipple setup for the upper control arms. Can now
grease the entire front end without removing anything from the car,
hopefully in under 30 mins which should make looking after these poly bushes
a treat...

[Image: https://farm1.staticflickr.com/454/1982 ... 1c68_b.jpg ]
(https://flic.kr/p/wcU14L)IMAG0887 (https://flic.kr/p/wcU14L) by Jarred
McLachlan (https://www.flickr.com/photos/jarredmclachlan/), on Flickr

Moonlight racing delivered with my new air freshener. Figuring I'll be back
in the cabin of this soon I thought I should do something about it.

[Image: https://farm1.staticflickr.com/406/1982 ... 4d61_b.jpg ]
(https://flic.kr/p/wcU16E)IMAG0886 (https://flic.kr/p/wcU16E) by Jarred
McLachlan (https://www.flickr.com/photos/jarredmclachlan/), on Flickr

I guess this is the update people have been waiting for (Me at least...)
Cracked into the motor today. Unfortunately the weather is poos.

[Image: https://farm1.staticflickr.com/418/1939 ... 6030_b.jpg ]
(https://flic.kr/p/vxDmYe)IMAG0880 (https://flic.kr/p/vxDmYe) by Jarred
McLachlan (https://www.flickr.com/photos/jarredmclachlan/), on Flickr

People seem to be split as to how to install the motor, with box or without.
If I was to change anything I'd drop the subframe, angle it in, put the
subframe on and lift the whole thing back into place but I didn't and only
lost a tiny bit of paint on a firewall seam. Had to unbolt my coilpacks to
angle it in but having notched the bottom fitting made that a 2 second job,
no regrets on that one now...

[Image: https://farm1.staticflickr.com/355/1982 ... 0865_b.jpg ]
(https://flic.kr/p/wcUudJ)IMAG0881 (https://flic.kr/p/wcUudJ) by Jarred
McLachlan (https://www.flickr.com/photos/jarredmclachlan/), on Flickr

[Image: https://farm1.staticflickr.com/545/1939 ... 777e_b.jpg ]
(https://flic.kr/p/vxuV2w)IMAG0882 (https://flic.kr/p/vxuV2w) by Jarred
McLachlan (https://www.flickr.com/photos/jarredmclachlan/), on Flickr

[Image: https://farm1.staticflickr.com/356/1939 ... 1b56_b.jpg ]
(https://flic.kr/p/vxDmHe)IMAG0883 (https://flic.kr/p/vxDmHe) by Jarred
McLachlan (https://www.flickr.com/photos/jarredmclachlan/), on Flickr

The to do list is short and sweet now. Got to tidy up the loom from boot to
bay and resleeve it, plug everything in, install my bonnet latch, radiator,
suspension, and get a new battery and it should run...

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Snapfrozen · Post by **Snapfrozen** » Tue Jul 28, 2015 7:06 pm

Bit of a quick update in between rain and storms. Attacked the bay tonight. The loom looked way worse than I remembered so I was a bit daunted.. Nevertheless onward!

Oh wait. I already need help.

What is this plug? Short wiring right up near the washer motor.

IMAG0892 by Jarred McLachlan, on Flickr

This plug is similar looking and in the same place, however slightly different pins.

IMAG0890 by Jarred McLachlan, on Flickr

Pretty sure this is for the AC? Since removed so can't mate it up.

IMAG0894 by Jarred McLachlan, on Flickr

Horn?

IMAG0893 by Jarred McLachlan, on Flickr

Long flat one is ignitor or something? Pretty sure it only fits one plug.. Whats the other doodak?

IMAG0895 by Jarred McLachlan, on Flickr

Wires all laid out where they're meant to go. Feeling ALOT better about it already...

IMAG0896 by Jarred McLachlan, on Flickr

Furai · Post by **Furai** » Sat Aug 01, 2015 9:48 pm

Had an unplanned drive at Hampton today after reinstalling the original 12/10K springs, managed to get down to a high 1:23 even though I had Bluearths at the front and pre drift worn Westlakes on the rear.

https://youtu.be/VgQBweikITU

The rear sway bar feels good

Snapfrozen · Post by **Snapfrozen** » Sun Aug 02, 2015 6:31 pm

Anyhow, more work on it this arvo. Got the loom at the back of the motor sussed, and have ordered some of that corrugated plastic tubing to hide everything in until I tuck/rewire the bay. I've still got a metric shit tonne of wires underneath the car I can't work out. I assume at least half are for the gearbox.

Clutch slave on, also got the hard lines attached to it however didn't get a picture. Also need to run the soft line over the gearbox now which is a right twat of a job in it's current position.

IMAG0902 by Jarred McLachlan, on Flickr

Finally got the drivers side upper and lower arms in, the alignment bolts aren't cooperating but I'll suss that out once I get an alignment in a few weeks.

IMAG0903 by Jarred McLachlan, on Flickr

Fuck it, why stop there...

IMAG0906 by Jarred McLachlan, on Flickr

IMAG0904 by Jarred McLachlan, on Flickr

Normally you'd see the shock coming through that big hole in the upper control arm, but that only happens if you put everything together in the right order. So apart she came again...

IMAG0908 by Jarred McLachlan, on Flickr

*Disclaimer: Car is not orange*

So a pretty short list to go. The biggest job is actually just plugging in the bay, putting in brake pads and getting fluids into the motor and clutch and brakes.

Snapfrozen · Post by **Snapfrozen** » Sun Aug 09, 2015 10:17 pm

Not a huge update but one of the last hurdles as far as the car goes.

Got on the reservoir covers from Alex at Moonlight Racing.

IMAG0935 by Jarred McLachlan, on Flickr

IMAG0936 by Jarred McLachlan, on Flickr

Got the steering rack in, I'm not sure the bush on the drivers side is correct so I'm going to pull it back out to check it against the original. Turning works but obviously the alignment is all up the piss. Shops only 1km from home so not even going to worry about correcting it.

IMAG0933 by Jarred McLachlan, on Flickr

IMAG0934 by Jarred McLachlan, on Flickr

IMAG0932 by Jarred McLachlan, on Flickr

Got lock?

IMAG0927 by Jarred McLachlan, on Flickr

First time the car has been on all 4 in over a year I think...

IMAG0929 by Jarred McLachlan, on Flickr

IMAG0930 by Jarred McLachlan, on Flickr

IMAG0931 by Jarred McLachlan, on Flickr

Forgot my jack doesn't fit...

Final dilemma I have is that my front left brake rotor doesn't appear to be a flat surface. It hits the caliper ever so slightly as it goes around. So might need to get that milled before it goes on, although it is new so unsure where the problem is. Will swap front left to right and see where I end up.

built4speed · Post by **built4speed** » Mon Aug 10, 2015 1:25 am

I seem to recall you having paint on the hubs where the disks mount, that's a huge no no, same as painting the centre of a disk where the wheel mounts.
The paint will burn off as it gets hot and can cause wheels to come loose. Hence why they aren't painted from factory. A build up of that paint could be causing your rotor issue.

Snapfrozen · Post by **Snapfrozen** » Mon Aug 10, 2015 11:27 am

Cheers for that. Have checked the sizes with callipers and it doesn't appear to be out on the lips. Will strip the paint off in case. I'm leaning towards the rotor being slightly out.

siren676 · Post by **siren676** » Mon Aug 10, 2015 1:10 pm

Didnt accidentally order nb rs brake disc's? Pretty sure they are larger diameter than normal 1.8 ones

Snapfrozen · Post by **Snapfrozen** » Mon Aug 10, 2015 6:32 pm

1 side is fine and ordered as a pair.

Snapfrozen · Post by **Snapfrozen** » Sun Aug 16, 2015 7:35 pm

Figured I'd start this one with a call for help. I'm down to my final few plugs and actually can't identify them. Then a reasonable update and minimal left to do.

Above the gearbox there are 2 plugs like so - there are also 2 matching plugs in my unwrapped part of the loom that I've made a mess of. Wire colours below. What are these, does it matter which goes to which?

IMAG0988 by Jarred McLachlan, on Flickr

IMAG0987 by Jarred McLachlan, on Flickr

The 2 plugs on the reverse sensor also look like they could fit the above.

IMAG0990 by Jarred McLachlan, on Flickr

What is this doodak?

IMAG0984 by Jarred McLachlan, on Flickr

IMAG0983 by Jarred McLachlan, on Flickr

Aircon? Makes sense seeing as I've removed it...

IMAG0979 by Jarred McLachlan, on Flickr

What is this for?

IMAG0980 by Jarred McLachlan, on Flickr

This plug is in the loom right by the fog lights.

IMAG0978 by Jarred McLachlan, on Flickr

This one is from down where the gearbox loom splits off, completely unsure what it is for but looks the exact same as the above. Green with yellow, and white with yellow.

IMAG0994 by Jarred McLachlan, on Flickr

And this fella.

IMAG0993 by Jarred McLachlan, on Flickr

Snapfrozen · Post by **Snapfrozen** » Sun Aug 16, 2015 7:55 pm

Now for the fun stuff. I managed to get the steering rack bush in properly using a g clamp. I was a bit concerned it was too tight but this sorted the issue straight away. Toe looks to be about 3 degrees out total so not horrible. Will get it sorted with the alignment.

Got the trottle bracket and cable all sorted. Will clean up the bracket once it's running. Just need it done for now.

IMAG0981 by Jarred McLachlan, on Flickr

Clutch line over the top of the gearbox is run. No pics - it's too tight of a fit.

All of the wiring loom is now run to the correct part apart from the few plugs I'm stuck on. I have to reroute a few wires but will worry about that once it's running.

IMAG0975 by Jarred McLachlan, on Flickr

Replaced the sump plug, courtesy of a local hooligan.

IMAG0971 by Jarred McLachlan, on Flickr

Also got my hella supertones installed. Need to run 2 wires for the relay and they're ready.

IMAG0973 by Jarred McLachlan, on Flickr

And got her back on the ground. Taking 1inch off the rear and that's the height I plan to keep her at forever.

IMAG0997 by Jarred McLachlan, on Flickr

CordedBowl · Post by **CordedBowl** » Mon Aug 17, 2015 10:08 am

Just curious, but why the all hard work for a stock engine?

Snapfrozen · Post by **Snapfrozen** » Mon Aug 17, 2015 10:13 am

It's rebuilt, and it's easy enough now to swap a block and a head. The remainder of the work is painting, dealing with the bay etc. There's still a few things on the motor that need to be swapped out for the new versions.

marcellarius · Post by **marcellarius** » Mon Aug 17, 2015 2:17 pm

I've checked a friends 1990 for your mystery connectors:

Blue/Yellow is power steering pressure switch. On his car the wire is just awkwardly draped over the thermostat housing with no obvious place to secure it.

The relay and brown 2-pin connector are AC related. I think the brown connector is a pressure switch.

There is an odd little white connector tucked up under the guard by the igniter and ignition capacitor. Not sure if this is helpful.

I couldn't see the wire colours, but there is a connector on the starter motor that looks like the strange flat one.