Driven Motive

Updates: Big school assessment out of the way. Got the parts I ordered from Miata Roadster and went to install the alternator belt when I found that the alternator's lower pivot bolt was loose! Tightened it and re-adjusted the belt, so that solved that problem Guess I have a spare belt now and a battery that won't run flat!

CAS O-ring and rocker cover gasket install this weekend, followed by some driving the back roads to begin setting the coil-overs up a bit better. Currently the ride height is 300mm (11.8") on the front (which is as low as I can legally go while retaining the GV lip) and 315mm (12.4") rear.

Driven Motive

I never checked, but when I did... Wow, of the 434,000 NA's out there, mine's the 221st I found that quite astonishing!

sixshooter

That's an early one.

What coilovers do you have? What are your driving impressions of them?

Driven Motive

Yellow Speed Racing

Spring rates are 8kg front and 6kg rear. I haven't got anything to compare them too, never driven another mx5 or my own with the stock suspension. I have the dampners set pretty high when I am by myself, about 22 clicks (f) and 17 (r) and it glues to the road around most corners while remaining quite nuetral. I soften them to about 13 (f) and 8 (r) with passengers and that seems to keeps them happy

All I can say is, that when they're wound up, I get a bunch of feed back and the car feels planted and under powered (but that's okay for now).

Driven Motive

Updates!

CAS O-ring and rocker cover seal are in and there are no more oil leaks which is a major relief!

In other news, ALMOST bought a 3.9 torsen 2 with driveshaft and axles for $1000, but my step dad talked me out of it; "It ain't broken, don't need to fix it". I tried to justify myself by saying that I will need it later on anyway when I go turbo... but you know; you can only do so much when you're not eighteen and still considered a kid *shakes fist*

sixshooter

Let him know that the diff fails commonly from normal commuting and is likely to leave you stranded with no warning through no fault of yours. It is a known failure point.

Driven Motive

Long time and no freakin' updates I haven’t forgotten about this thread just had the hassles of completing final exams, moving out of home and getting enrolled into uni to start a Bachelor’s in Mechanical engineering So pumped!!!

So I have had little time to enjoy this beast for the past several months, which has really pained me. I had to remove my front lip as I was uncertain about the roads down here in Wollongong



#Byebyelowlife #Practicallifelooks*cough*. Seriously though, our apartment block's driveway is just bullshit, the neighbour's Xtrail scrapes on it; so the Mx5 has to sit out on the street

Now this wouldn't normally be an issue except for that after a decent bout of rain, I found my soft top works about as well as a fly-screen door on a f**kn' submarine. My passenger footwell became the new Wollongong aquarium and my ECU took a dip; but still works.

In other bad news...



I guess sometimes you have to learn things by the hard way; don't decide to drive when you've had three hours sleep after thirteen hours of continuous travelling and then roll your car out the garage "so to be quiet and not wake sleeping family members" when the car and garage wall don't agree with what you're doing.

Here in Wollongong, the car ( needs a name ) lives with a tarp when parked and to make matters worse, I can't get onto a hardtop anywhere. So that's s***. But, it doesn't leak oil at the moment, fuel costs about 99 cents per litre (instead of $1.4) and there is a racetrack two hours from here

So plans? Track day is in the line of fire soon, hopefully if I can figure something out for my camera I can get footage of losing my race-track virginity. I'll probably take it easy until I have the funds to really cover my *** in the case of a breakage etc.

Happy photo on my last day of school; Who hasn't surfed their Mx5??

sixshooter

Ooohhh, that door!

Leakage - If you have ever had the top changed and they didn't install a new "rain rail" then you will never be relieved of leaks. The factory rain rail is brittle plastic and isn't nearly as good as the soft rubber aftermarket ones. The good news is I replaced mine with the top on the car, so it can be done. Also check the drain tubes in the corners behind the seatbelt towers to ensure they aren't plugged. The rain rails empty into them.

The hood risers reduce the efficiency of the cooling system and will likely promote overheating if you track the car.

I know several Aussie Miata track guys on our sister forum.

tbro

Hey what about me!!!!!& I'm here!!!!!

Raising your bonnet like that is dumb in 2 ways
a/ its illegal, bonnet must seal to prevent any material escaping onto the screen,re oil or coolant.
b/ if you have a gander under the bonnet, half way down you will see creases in the main supports, guess what??? thats suppose to fold as part of the crumple zone in an accident. The way it is now that bonnet will come straight back through the screen and "YUCK"

I have a little red beasty that held the track record for Wakefield for many a year, so you don't need big power or fancy s^&t , or spend money like its going out of fashion, see Guran's story(mx5cartalk) on how a stock na6 will do in track duties. Charlies car was quick but unreliable, not how you want a car. If you must go turbo expect issues at the track unless you can afford to do the homework before you go and play, re: CTs car @ bathurst. have a look @ aussies @ play in videos etc

Lastly, don't stick out like dogs b^&ls to the local boys in blue, run it stock looking and sorta quite exhaust wise until your off your P's.

Hope to see ya @ the MX5 Nationals @ Wakefield Raceway

CYA
Terry

Driven Motive

Thanks for the advice guys, I'm fitting the original bonnet bolts this week and it shall no longer be raised.

I have a date with eastern creek (Brabham circuit, in case you wanted to investigate Sixshooter) on the 24th; I am sooooo pumped!! Oil change and lip fitment sometime this week and I'll be ready to go! Hopefully have footage to show for it too.

Need to get the door repaired at some point I guess What can you do eh?