Stots Build Thread

[K4KEV]

get a move on matey cos it is looking like autumn is just around the corner now:( :(

[Stot]

get a move on matey cos it is looking like autumn is just around the corner now:( :(

The Megasquirt is all in now through the fusebox its just the other circuits so really just running wires from switches to fusebox, an afternoons work I recon/hope.

Cheers
Stot

[Davidbolam]

How long did it take the dvla to process you paperwork?

Have you fitted your other wheel arches yet?

David

p.s nice reg

[Stot]

How long did it take the dvla to process you paperwork?

Have you fitted your other wheel arches yet?

David

p.s nice reg

Posted my application on Friday 25th July so 3 and a bit weeks til it landed on my desk this morning. I did send them an RMSD envelope to return everything in though.

Havent fitted the clams yet Ill do that when it starts getting too cold to drive.

Cheers
Stot

[Stot]

My V5 was on the doorstep when I got home too. :D Ill be driving it to work next week weather dependent!

Cheers
Stot

[Stot]

Got enough of the electrics done to put 10 miles on it this evening. Just the tell tales arent all wired up and the tach isnt working at the moment.

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/--DMzyLA8caQ/U_kIB18SuaI/AAAAAAAAK0A/RJpIlDPdK8Y/w800/Plated2.jpg
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-MBMf7VwcrPI/U_kIBg-9yTI/AAAAAAAAKz8/Ieb2zUWuZmc/w800/Plated1.jpg

Looks a bit like Clarence the Lion with the plate on the front.

Cheers
Stot

[garyt]

looking good, just get out and enjoy the good weather, must admit it makes me jealous and gives a kick up the #### to get on building.
ENJOY :) gary

[SeriesLandy]

Get out and enjoy it. Drive carefully untill you get used to the car. I've just done 370 miles and I'm pushing it a bit harder now. I had a nice 65mile drive last. Night.

[Stot]

Well I took it out for a blast and some motorway to see how it handled it and to let Megasquirts Autotune at it.

70 on the motorway isn't a problem really other than the noise. Doesn't feel twitchy or anything.

When you get off the motorway though it seems that this thing comes alive after 4000rpm. I'm going to have to get used to changing gear a lot later to get the best out of it. Its a bit like riding a redistricted two stroke motorbike. :eek:

Cheers
Stot

[flyerncle]

Cracking reg BYO,build your own !

[Stot]

Cracking reg BYO,build your own !

Full title is Haynes 7 Build Your Own. :D I got it last year and they put it straight on for me at registration, not a lucky coincidence unfortunately.

Cheers
Stot

[SeriesLandy]

I knew I had seen the reg before, now I know why.

[Stot]

I knew I had seen the reg before, now I know why.

Yeah I sampled it earlier in the thread. ;)

Another day another idea. The flat windscreen makes the wind fly right round into your face at speed and I have had a pair of brackets in a tin for the last 15 years I thought I could make some use of.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-y5_5Qcd1f3A/U_toey7wNMI/AAAAAAAAK2w/Z0mtktM9Mak/w800/WindWings1.jpg

I milled a ridge on the edge as I only have 2 and this will stop them trying to swivel when mounted.

I laser cut some wings from 5mm acrylic and mounted the brackets.

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-W_w-Av85yQE/U_toe_EWESI/AAAAAAAAK2Q/jGJQ6Xwut5E/w800/WindWings3.jpg

Mounted them to the windscreen frame with some self tappers and jobs a good un.

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-EQhx3DYHIKg/U_tohVgAALI/AAAAAAAAK2o/_BBUoIR6iEk/w800/WindWings7.jpg

[Stot]

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-TYqY7s2W7jw/U_togI3rZNI/AAAAAAAAK2s/2aTrThC823o/w800/WindWings4.jpg
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-JStiKi0eNQs/U_togjsG0SI/AAAAAAAAK2g/6zZC-xfzfKk/w800/WindWings5.jpg
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-Wo3p6y6j2Lw/U_tog8e6A3I/AAAAAAAAK2k/ST9QGCXs0L8/w800/WindWings6.jpg

Should help deflect the wind behind my head instead of right in my face.

Cheers
Stot

[alga]

I'd be interested to know it this helps. I've been reading about this topic, and it seems that the only solution to the wind buffetting problem is full size sidescreens.

[TSM Locost]

I have some similar to these on ebay 111444275589, and yes they are a big improvement than just a screen although full side screens are better.

[Stot]

Yeah I had some on my Jester, they helped a lot. I mean long hair still flails like a galloping horses tail but you dont need to drive doing your best Gilbert Gottfried impression.

http://static.gamespot.com/uploads/scale_small/78/787639/2383072-3839504160-gilby.png

Cheers
Stot

[Stot]

Not sure if this new part my wife gave me last week is going to work out?

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-JhRnmkMMsEc/VAX28L8TATI/AAAAAAAAK7Y/0Z2Xg5zXcXs/w800/NewMod.jpg

:rolleyes:

Cheers
Stot

[voucht]

Congratulations Stots (I mean, for the baby, I think I already congratulated you for the car ;) ). And same to Mrs Stots of course !

[K4KEV]

Many congrats Andrew.....seems like your good at making baby's too:D :D

[SeriesLandy]

Congratulations. 2 baby's in one year is good going.

My first is due at the end of the month, good luck with sleep!

[Stot]

Thank you lads. Its a definite change of pace to life. Good luck with yours Landy.

In a weird twist of fate as my wife and I work together I usually take her to work with me, as shes on maternity for a number of months I get the opportunity to take the car out much more often. :cool:

Cheers
Stot

[BORNXenon]

Congrats mate, mine was born 8 months ago tomorrow, which is why I haven't been about much.

Good job you've finished your car, as you wouldn't have much time to spend on it!

[Stot]

Going to make up some stone guards for my rear wings so I made up some paper templates to test for size.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-rZ8gc-MDV9Y/VBdEEKwn2NI/AAAAAAAALGU/J6-qge3biqg/w800/stoneGuards.jpg

Cheers
Stot

[Stot]

About ready to turbo this thing. I found a brand new old stock genuine garrett SAAB 900 turbo the same as my testfit one for under £200 so cant really go wrong there.

I cut the flange off the old SAAB downpipe elbow and ill weld up a 2.25" elbow to it to mate up to the existing exhaust. Should be plenty big enough for the turbo according to the corky bell book the downpipe should be 10% bigger than the outlet of the turbo, which is 2".

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-RPaKZvl78dQ/VCB6IfZUtAI/AAAAAAAALHk/W1gT-zR-Hxg/w800/Turbo5.jpg

Just waiting on oil feed and drain lines to turn up from HK and Ill have everything I need to get somewhere between 170hp and 200hp.

Cheers
Stot

[Stot]

I have machined the downpipe flange so that the pipe is an interference fit so welding the cast flange to the mild steel pipe should hold up OK hopefully.

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-3ctZehirPsE/VCMiGrmsUMI/AAAAAAAALI8/6FPtJocEuh4/w800/Turbo6.jpg

It will likely be shorter than this but Ill leave enough pipe so that if it does crack I can weld a new flange on.

List of parts for the conversion now is

Megasquirt - Already in
LC-2 Wideband - Already in
Cleaned and flow matched 440cc injectors
2.25" intake pipework.
12" x 10" core intercooler.
Cast turbo manifold
Garrett TBO312 turbo
Turbo oil feed and drain pipes.

Should be pretty straight forward other than drilling the sump for the oil drain. Pipework is good for about 1.7 power ratio which should see me at 190ish with a nice quick spool so hopefully improve the low-mid range.

Cheers
Stot

[Stot]

Intercooler and merc rad just about fit in the nose with a fan pulling from behind.

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-42gTGVu79mg/VCb4VsGfD6I/AAAAAAAALRw/eMxaYU7juFs/w800/MercNIntercooler1.jpg
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-R7X6LUI1Qyg/VCb4VnixKOI/AAAAAAAALRs/Z4wxeMIGjxk/w800/MercNIntercooler3.jpg
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/--Jzl84zNY7A/VCb4WV-z1oI/AAAAAAAALRg/shcGN9gvS7o/w800/MercNIntercooler4.jpg
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-LsNj0e3gKVY/VCb4WnNG63I/AAAAAAAALRk/DG5dGGQNx8c/w800/MercNIntercooler5.jpg

Just put my air filter on if for now til I fab up a downpipe for the turbo.

Cheers
Stot

[Stot]

Slowly getting this turbo on. No light when I get home from work and a new baby are limiting my time but I managed to make some progress.

I cut relief cuts into my manifold as recommended on various miata sited to help reduce the likelyhood of it cracking. The idea is to allow it to expand over time.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-eDIrH2YumGg/VDrlhkm0HxI/AAAAAAAALWY/bY5jEd2T_KQ/w800/Manifold%2BReliefs.jpg

I also had to mill the back edges of some of the bolt holes flat as the casting was fairly uneven on the lower ones but I got it all mounted up with new hardware.

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-cnvvquMUGG8/VDrlh-RC65I/AAAAAAAALWQ/oDJKd_lbm7U/w800/ManifoldFitted.jpg

The lower nuts and especially the middle nut was pretty impossible to get to so Im super glad I purchased a new Halfords tool kit a couple of weeks ago with ratchet ended spanners as they were the only things I could get in there!

Also got the turbo mounted up. Its been clocked to suit and I made up an adapter for a banjo oil line fitting for it.

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-SEKp0D5lTF0/VDrlicdCovI/AAAAAAAALWc/ggi4-Bf76ko/w800/TurboFitted.jpg

On the 1.6 MX5 there is already a take off point for high pressure oil so an M10 x 1.5 banjo fits in there easy.

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-u2G_eAmKpSE/VDrliBb8h7I/AAAAAAAALWM/hMRE1RrBE2g/w800/Oil%2BFeed.jpg

[Stot]

My downpipe looks ok, I have a 45* and another 90* to get out of the existing side panel hole.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-TpJ57xmEFVo/VDu4fwhAnlI/AAAAAAAALXQ/YifR2dlU6yw/w800/Downpipe2.jpg
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-LqeZSUY6mic/VDu4c1N1kHI/AAAAAAAALXE/Yq4C3zhR-XM/w800/Downpipe1.jpg

Ill likely have to rehome my washer bottle.

Ill also likely make up a jig when its all done and get one made up in stainless when this one rots/falls apart.

Cheers
Stot

[Stot]

Dropped the sump to put the turbo return line in and decided to go for shortening the sump while I have it off as I already scraped it a few times.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-xUyVOWYS3Y8/VELqnROpV9I/AAAAAAAALY0/iyy5OI2pi0Y/w800/Sump1.jpg

I was going to cut the plate to fit this on my mill but its a bit too big for the table so Ill l be chopping and filing I guess. :rolleyes:

Cheers
Stot

[Stot]

Slow progress, but I shortened the pickup pipe and have an oil return and drain plug. Whoohoo.

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-g_PzAKlCM3U/VEofogqTREI/AAAAAAAALb0/IfCJixeq82U/w800/Sump4.jpg

Cheers
Stot

[rpjg1975]

You can't rush perfection :)

Russ

[Stot]

I was actually thinking, If you were not extending the sump backwards, you could drill and tap the 6 bolt posts from the bottom and bolt on a 5-6mm piece of aluminium or some steel with sealant gasket rather than needing to get it all TIGed up.

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-l8Hh_M2lUcY/VFlSO5rXaNI/AAAAAAAALho/_Sq_acgqa9E/w600/Sump6.jpg

I wasnt going to extend back but decided I would...

Cheers
Stot

[Stot]

Im swapping to 13" wheels and tyres as I want to get a softer compound tyre and have the extra sidewall flex so bought 1 just to make sure it cleared everywhere ok.

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-b0d8AZ6EH3k/VFim7NqOvsI/AAAAAAAALg0/_k9rE-iZqGI/w800/13Wheels1.jpg
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-LHJou3hqW5g/VFinCRKrt2I/AAAAAAAALhE/BiArlo8y-2c/w800/13Wheels2.jpg

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-i_gq-JJN5j4/VFinG4tCydI/AAAAAAAALhU/piOwrreZiio/w800/13Wheels6.jpg

They clear the 1.6 running gear nicely so ordered the other 3. Ill cover them in A021Rs in 185/70/13 from http://www.polleymotorsport.co.uk/ only £50 each + VAT.

Cheers
Stot

[Stot]

Got my downpipe sorted today. Made a frame from exhaust brackets and 20mm tube then cut and welded bends n flanges.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-jRvlemc7FXg/VGuU_taN3iI/AAAAAAAALlM/YP0dy2XMg9M/w800/Downpipe3.JPG
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-Sg8IrdbHHyw/VGuU_NiA5TI/AAAAAAAALlI/o7BrQL78nZ0/w800/Downpipe4.JPG
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-CBveg59MReI/VGuU_w9QiQI/AAAAAAAALlQ/NIymQ30zcOY/w800/Downpipe5.JPG

I have an O2 bung to go on the lower section and its done.

Cheers
Stot

[Stot]

That fit quite well.

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-suFi2UQQaME/VG3lZ3kooUI/AAAAAAAALmY/t0yebr9neY8/h800/Downpipe6.jpg
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-zhcOcmlvhFU/VG3lX4CMMNI/AAAAAAAALmM/MCIjwU-dSzM/w800/Downpipe8.jpg
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-aUTDXgEVF5k/VG3lawn9X8I/AAAAAAAALmc/c3WRzhJDLfM/h00/Downpipe7.jpg

Cheers
Stot

[CTWV50]

Well done, looks good. Nice winter project that. Will you wait for spring before you drive it in anger? :)

[twinturbo]

Slight mod to bodywork hole and nobody will know ;)

Nice work.

TT

[Stot]

Well done, looks good. Nice winter project that. Will you wait for spring before you drive it in anger? :)

Not if its sunny over winter. You can buy a big coat at TKMaxx for £20 ya know. :cool:

Cheers
Stot

[Stot]

Sump is now ready to be fitted after being welded by a mate who said it was a pig to weld!

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/--UTC-KdfqzY/VHo_VfJO4SI/AAAAAAAALsA/YFzdCSGAOt0/w800/SumpDone.jpg

Cheers
Stot

[TalonMotorFabrication]

It's dirty cruddy second grade cast ali of course it's a pig to weld, it's not like welding new cold rolled ali sheet it's got a fine sand like grain to it that just disappears when you push the weld pool at it. If it was easy then every body would do it.
Are you going for a new ECU, piggy back or just using the 13-14 deg retard timing trick with that set up?

[Stot]

Hi Phil,

I have a Megasquirt Microsquirt v3 on it already. Basically an MS2 with limited input/outputs but enough to run an MX5 engine. I find it pretty easy to work with.

Cheers
Stot

[Stot]

Adding a turbo isnt cheap but im still trying to save where I can. The injectors of choice for an MX5 turbo install are RX8 440cc yellow injectors. They are a straight swap for the OEM injectors but of course, as this is a known thing, sets of used dirty injectors are £90-£110.

Turns out that Subaru WRX blue injectors are 420cc and are the same as the RX8 yellows except they are 9mm shorter, but a full set cost me £20. I paid £55 to get them re-coned and flowed and im still quids in against the dirty RX8s which would also need re-coned.

Making up some new brackets for the OEM rail seems like a no brainer to me as I have a mill and alluminium so I cut the old mounting tags off the rail and made up these,

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-oTjR192I2Qg/VHw8TU1FQkI/AAAAAAAALss/aPfyBCRBEc0/w800/Injection1.jpg
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-vIUjzZhUK6I/VHw8Xn91hjI/AAAAAAAALs0/sXwIerCgYuQ/w800/Injection2.jpg

Cheers
Stot

[CTWV50]

Adding a turbo isnt cheap but im still trying to save where I can. The injectors of choice for an MX5 turbo install are RX8 440cc yellow injectors. They are a straight swap for the OEM injectors but of course as this is a known thing sets of used dirty injectors are £90-£110.

Turns out that Subaru WRX blue injectors are 420cc and are the same as the RX8 yellows except they are 9mm shorter, but a full set cost me £20. I paid £55 to get them re-coned and flowed and im still quids in against the dirty RX8s which would also need re-coned.

Making up some new brackets for the OEM rail seems like a no brainer to me as I have a mill and alluminium so I cut the old mounting tags off the rail and made up these,

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-oTjR192I2Qg/VHw8TU1FQkI/AAAAAAAALss/aPfyBCRBEc0/w800/Injection1.jpg
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-vIUjzZhUK6I/VHw8Xn91hjI/AAAAAAAALs0/sXwIerCgYuQ/w800/Injection2.jpg

Cheers
Stot

Are you running those injectors at 3 bar? Have you upgraded the fuel pump?

[Stot]

Are you running those injectors at 3 bar? Have you upgraded the fuel pump?

Yeah at 3 bar they are 420cc. The standard fuel pump is fine if you are using an aftermarket ECU rather than a higher rate pressure regulator to provide more fuel. It can pump up to nearly 6 bar so 3bar standard + 3 bar of boost if youre crazy enough. :D

To quote Miata Turbo FAQs.

If you have an aftermarket ECU, the stock pump more than enough to support 300rwhp with the stock regulator.

Cheers
Stot

[CTWV50]

Yeah at 3 bar they are 420cc. The standard fuel pump is fine if you are using an aftermarket ECU rather than a higher rate pressure regulator to provide more fuel. It can pump up to nearly 6 bar so 3bar standard + 3 bar of boost if youre crazy enough. :D

To quote Miata Turbo FAQs.



Cheers
Stot

Oh right, good to know. I didn't know mx5 pumps were so capable!

[Stot]

Couple of steps closer. Got the sump on.

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-rm_oxXvDdKw/VISoSB2GtEI/AAAAAAAALug/kgwd5JiR8A8/w800/Sump10.jpg

Clearance is miles better now so shouldnt be scraping any humps now. :cool:

Also got my charge piping in place.

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-cyh3flO9gTw/VISoRfxHOnI/AAAAAAAALuY/UzUxmiLdbeU/h800/ChargePiping1.jpg
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-EbTcVNz4jPo/VISoRU4RQbI/AAAAAAAALuc/kC33yXqonDI/w800/ChargePiping2.jpg

Waiting on one last silicone T to for the dump valve and need a bottle of oil to refil and I can give it a whirl.

Cheers
Stot

[Stot]

Well it runs again! :cool:

https://i.ytimg.com/vi/5OrvNMO76CU/mqdefault.jpg (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5OrvNMO76CU)

I need to upload a new map to suit the injectors as they will be way rich on the old map.

Cheers
Stot

[twinturbo]

thats going to be a nippy little number.

[Stot]

Hope so but Im going to need to get a new exhaust to make the most of it as mine is 2" Once I have everything in place and I've been running it a while ill get a new DP and exhaust made of 2.5" stainless.

Cheers
Stot

[Stot]

Made up a down-pipe to silencer pipe today.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-iw40JwOnTsc/VIyM-i-aVoI/AAAAAAAALvU/imCDeac8qeU/w800/DPtoSilencer.jpg
Its all 2 1/4" up to the silencer then the silencer I have is 2"

Tossing up between cutting open this silencer and fitting 2 1/4" internals or get a full system made for my birthday next year.

Guess Ill see how long my patchwork pipe lasts!

Cheers
Stot

[Stot]

Got it out of the garage and onto the new 13" wheels this weekend. The wheels are skinier of course but the offset on them is putting them right in the centre of the rear arches so they have that period look to them.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-YJ5tQl3j2CA/VI7R9B5AkFI/AAAAAAAALxA/FBLobNFOGa0/w800/PostTurboInstall2.jpg

Its a handfull maneouvering in this cold weather, but already I can feel the power comes in lower. I need to plumb the radiator back in as there is just a hose loop bypassing it at the moment so that I could get it back to the garage and then I can take it for a spin to see just where its coming in.

Cheers
Stot

[Stot]

So it goes like stink. Then you realise the stink is the clutch slipping. :D :o I was still driving it like standard which wont have helped. 1.8 flywheel and clutch in spring then.

Cheers
Stot

[Davidbolam]

So it goes like stink. Then you realise the stink is the clutch slipping. :D :o I was still driving it like standard which wont have helped. 1.8 flywheel and clutch in spring then.

Cheers
Stot

Are you going to fit your clam shell wings? That will finish it off nicely. It's looking very good by the way

David

[Stot]

Are you going to fit your clam shell wings? That will finish it off nicely. It's looking very good by the way

David

Thanks David. I will be fitting the clams but probably not until after I replace the exhaust. The current exhaust would need the clams trimming a bit and I will probably get a shorter stainless bomb style one made up to give me the room. The exhaust is a lot quieter with he turbo so a shorter thinner cherry bomb glasspack style silencer should be plenty I think.

Cheers
Stot

[Stot]

Took the car out for 40miles or so today to get some logs and do some VE autotune. Its running very nicely as it goes, really smooth and quiet. in 5th on the motorway doing 60 I don't need to drop a gear to get into the powerband to overtake anymore, just press and you're up to 80 in a couple of seconds.

The turbo is putting a max of 7.4psi into the manifold, so probably a bit more before the inter-cooler but the clutch gives out at around 3500 @WOT. I can nurse it past that but meh. I'm pretty sure its just an old worn clutch and if it was a fresh one it would be working ok but if I need to split the motor and gearbox I may as well upgrade somewhat.

Reading on the forums there are plenty of people running turbo and supercharged 1.6 MX5s on standard 1.8 flywheels and clutches up to 180-200whp for tens of thousands of miles. Beyond that and its a crap shoot as to the clutch recommendation. Stage 1, Stage 2, ACT, FM, F1, blah, blah. Anything but an XTC which are apparently fake/painted OEM in general. I'm not wanting a paddle/puck on off switch type clutch anyway so I'm thinking that as my car is 30%+ lighter than an MX5 and my mileage is going to be limited I'll go with an OEM 1.8 Exedy clutch and aim for 200hp.

As I cant wait til spring, a 2003 1.8 Flywheel will be here tomorrow for just £30 and a clutch kit is £120. As soon as you start going 'uprated' you're into £280+ for the clutch kit.

Cheers
Stot

[twinturbo]

anyway so I'm thinking that as my car is 30%+ lighter than an MX5 and my mileage is going to be limited I'll go with an OEM 1.8 Exedy clutch and aim for 200hp.


As I started reading, I was thinking the same conclusion for the standard clutch.

[Stot]

As I started reading, I was thinking the same conclusion for the standard clutch.

Good its not just me then. :D

I bought a knock sensor ages ago to add to my measquirt and got round to making a Flyin Miata style adapter for it.

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-lLpT6e2XVa8/VJmm6cJTIuI/AAAAAAAALx4/-i8SDBdb5z0/w800/KnockSensor1.jpg
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-juhP6ePjEWw/VJmm6xr7sKI/AAAAAAAALx8/Xi8ESYjP46A/w800/KnockSensor2.jpg

It replaces one of the engine mount bolts on the back so that an M8 bolt can bolt into it.

Cheers
Stot

[Stot]

Well I now have this to fit...

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-OKUL8xwKqJU/VJsRvpm8P_I/AAAAAAAALyc/tzD_T_q8lIw/w800/ClutchnFlywheel.jpg

I'm thinking it should take a few hours. Engine onto hoist, remove engine mounts, remove gearbox bolts and slide the engine forward. Saying that its probably a walk in the park to just hoist it out all together at that point as there's really nothing in the way and only a few hoses to remove.

I hope that will work as my rear gearbox mount was a real bugger to get in and I recon will need to be destroyed to get out. Wish I had designed it differently now.

As for the flywheel I found that most 1.8 flywheels are 9kg. 1.6 is 8.4kg however the 2003/MK2.5 1.8 is only 7.6kg so looks like this one may be lighter than my standard to boot.

Cheers
Stot

[K4KEV]

some nice post iva progress there Andy I must admit that mine manages no problem with the standard blue point clutch,
I think what you said earlier re the less weight of the car ring true and balances out the extra power avialable.....on our way to spring now Wu ooooh

[Stot]

Cheers Kev. I got some 'hours' for christmas off the wife today so while she took #1 son out for a walk round the park thats 3 miles away I did this....

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-p3Ut6EDhaxU/VJxsuz-a6DI/AAAAAAAALzw/QkQyrz0SMMA/w800/ReplaceClutch1.jpg

The clutch disc actually looked ok but it Looks like someone was mining for gold all round the flywheel.

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-Qu0G3x8JdLs/VJxsu4tlkgI/AAAAAAAALzo/tdfMzOccEeo/w800/ReplaceClutch2.jpg
Down to the rivets for some time at one point I would say.

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-pk-J2-iOkdk/VJxsu8LVVZI/AAAAAAAALz0/VA6mtgyqC64/w800/ReplaceClutch3.jpg
The new 1.8 clutch and flywheel on the left and the weedy 1.6 clutch and flywheel on the right.

Made a makeshift center tool on the lathe and got it all back together.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-MhIt-H2QUhM/VJxsvoZIPoI/AAAAAAAALz4/b4Z8M8hruXI/w800/ReplaceClutch4.jpg

Took about 4 hours all together. The bite is crisper already but as its raining I just took it back to the garage for the night. Hoping for some boxing day sun...

Cheers
Stot

[metal matt]

You lucky git i'v got so much to do on my that I want to get on with and your wife let you play on Christmas Day. well jealous

https://www.flickr.com/photos/124541083@N02/

[Stot]

I'm lucky that she has family visiting from Slovakia so I cant really sit and join in the banter so I get a bit of a pass. :D

Went out for a little drizzly spin today, just into the power band really. I had taken a before log run in 3rd gear and took a short 3rd gear run today.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-GyTkpY2ApCc/VJ1_6D9LcpI/AAAAAAAAL0c/lTRirwaXymI/w596-h878-no/Power.jpg

Looks about 50% up across the board so far. :cool: Cant wait for a nice dry sunny day to get a 4th gear pull.

Cheers
Stot

[Stot]

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-f48RltAw0Xo/VKbtSQk6T6I/AAAAAAAAL58/h3nFu-Y19uU/w596-h878-no/New3rdGearPull.jpg

Got to be happy with that. And only an extra £30 odd for insurance a year.

Cheers
Stot

[Stot]

I got my Microsquirt working via bluetooth last night. All internal to my microsquirt so im a happy bunny as I can log with GPS speed and G sensor output now too and it should even be able to give me instant torque, power, MPG etc readings too. :cool:

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-pfoohfuONu8/VMeJY0lBARI/AAAAAAAAL98/hdlenQgkyF0/w800/MicrosquirtBT.jpg

Come on spring!!!

Cheers
Stot

[Stot]

Got my first spring drive in today and got to test my new carcam at the same time.

https://i.ytimg.com/vi/dnt0Fl2i0Ag/hqdefault.jpg (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dnt0Fl2i0Ag)

Cheers
Stot

[dubzter]

what kind of camera is it and whats the squiggly line in the display?

[metal matt]

no excuse not to put a video out now so we can see what she goes like

[Stot]

Its one of these from ebuyer (http://www.ebuyer.com/703076-praktica-cdv2-0-hd-journey-recorder-with-gps-and-g-sensor-cdv2-0), they did a special half price on it so for £40 I thought it was worth a look.

GPS and G sensor on board. the squiggly is my route by GPS. I used Dashware (http://www.dashware.net/) which is now free to put the data ontop of the video. Didnt work as I expected so only the first 5 mins has the correct data being used. :rolleyes:

It is a video if you click it Matt. ;)

Cheers
Stot

[metal matt]

I knew that :eek:

[Stot]

Another play with DashWare (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yZRAMMR2R-U)

Took a Megasquirt log this time so I can show boost,rpm etc.

Cheers
Stot

[metal matt]

Nice morning drive can't wait to get mine on the road. Iv now got my engine running this week and that put a big cheesy smile on my face :D

[CTWV50]

I like the telemetry setup. How reliable do you find the megasquirt ECU.

[Stot]

I like the telemetry setup. How reliable do you find the megasquirt ECU.

I haven't had any issues with the Megasquirt. The one I have is a microSquirt SMD cased version so there is little to go wrong with it really and it controls all I need it to at the moment.

I find it pretty easy to navigate Tunerstudio and that log there was actually taken with my Android phone and ShadowDash. Gotta love it.

Cheers
Stot

[CTWV50]

I haven't had any issues with the Megasquirt. The one I have is a microSquirt SMD cased version so there is little to go wrong with it really and it controls all I need it to at the moment.

I find it pretty easy to navigate Tunerstudio and that log there was actually taken with my Android phone and ShadowDash. Gotta love it.

Cheers
Stot


Good to here, might try getting my engine running on an aftermarket ecu as NA before possibly turbo charging.

[CTWV50]

As for the flywheel I found that most 1.8 flywheels are 9kg. 1.6 is 8.4kg however the 2003/MK2.5 1.8 is only 7.6kg so looks like this one may be lighter than my standard to boot.

Cheers
Stot

I'm playing around with this 1.8 engine I have while I wait for the wheels of bureaucracy to turn and I'd like to fit a lighter flywheel now while the engine is apart. How did you find out about the lighter mk2.5 flywheel and did you weigh it when it arrived? Was it lighter?

Cheers
Chris

[Stot]

I'm playing around with this 1.8 engine I have while I wait for the wheels of bureaucracy to turn and I'd like to fit a lighter flywheel now while the engine is apart. How did you find out about the lighter mk2.5 flywheel and did you weigh it when it arrived? Was it lighter?

Cheers
Chris

I read on here about it being 7.6kg as standard (http://www.mx5nutz.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=150911&p=1786429). I didnt set out to buy a specifically lighter one so I didnt bother weighing it when it got here, I just wanted one that didnt slip like greased up deaf guy.

Cheers
Stot

[Stot]

Theres never any room for luggage in these cars...

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-m-EGxgAjZpU/VTdXVyYeJkI/AAAAAAAAMKw/lzzsgqw1Otc/w800/a5926cd552bce8fcc038890af1ecc2b28d0137c9c720d64e51 2257f02ce76fa9.jpg

And yes I drove 20 miles home with him...

Cheers
Stot

[TheArf]

That is awesome

[rpjg1975]

As if it doesn't attract enough attention! :eek:

[Stot]

Made some people smile, me included. :p

Cheers
Stot

[Stot]

I have been trying to get a grip on my fuel usage over the last couple of weeks as I fixed my fuel guage recently.

Running 8psi of boost on a 1.6 engine I'm getting 150miles a tank, or 25.5mpg. Same as my DD so I'm happy enough with that!

Cheers
Stot

[rpjg1975]

Can't complain at that.....not like the roadster is a super slippery shape! :eek:

[CTWV50]

Slow progress, but I shortened the pickup pipe and have an oil return and drain plug. Whoohoo.

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-g_PzAKlCM3U/VEofogqTREI/AAAAAAAALb0/IfCJixeq82U/w800/Sump4.jpg

Cheers
Stot

Where's your drain plug from? And what's the spec? Trying to find something on ebay but failing.

Thanks

[Stot]

Where's your drain plug from? And what's the spec? Trying to find something on ebay but failing.

Thanks

I recycled the original drain plug. Chopped it out with an angle grinder and turned it down on the lathe.

The guy that welded mine up hated it and said never again.

Cheers
Stot

[Stot]

Added some bonnet vents. With the turbo my normal running temps are 103-110c even with a full mx5 reroute out the back so hopefully these will help a bit.

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-qcVX9fRG7F8/VU4NhLzN2iI/AAAAAAAAMMc/3uXgafFFE78/w800/Vents4.jpg

Cheers
Stot

[Stot]

So THATS what that rattle was....

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-RAK0x7hkn6g/VVJWAC3jm2I/AAAAAAAAMNM/njUGk7tyOmU/w484-h856-no/TurboGasket.jpg

Glad it only took 45 mins to change.

If you get a china manifold, get a good quality pressed stainless gasket for it. The China one was aluminum is seems.

Cheers
Stot

[CTWV50]

I'll have to buy a fitting then, I wish I had a lathe.

Intercooler and merc rad just about fit in the nose with a fan pulling from behind.

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-42gTGVu79mg/VCb4VsGfD6I/AAAAAAAALRw/eMxaYU7juFs/w800/MercNIntercooler1.jpg



What car is the rad and intercooler from? They look a neat solution.

190E?

"The Mercedes 190E radiator that many of the Haynes Roadster guys use has an oil cooler built in.

eBay Item

Its upside down in those ebay pictures, the red caps are on the oil filter in/out.

Cheers
Stot"

[CTWV50]

Added some bonnet vents. With the turbo my normal running temps are 103-110c even with a full mx5 reroute out the back so hopefully these will help a bit.

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-qcVX9fRG7F8/VU4NhLzN2iI/AAAAAAAAMMc/3uXgafFFE78/w800/Vents4.jpg

Cheers
Stot

Have you thought about waterless coolant or maybe removing the thermostat? These are things I'm considering.

[Stot]

I'll have to buy a fitting then, I wish I had a lathe.



What car is the rad and intercooler from? They look a neat solution.

190E?

"The Mercedes 190E radiator that many of the Haynes Roadster guys use has an oil cooler built in.

eBay Item

Its upside down in those ebay pictures, the red caps are on the oil filter in/out.

Cheers
Stot"

Yeah the rad is a 190E radiator. The core is exactly the same size as the intercooler. I have ducting in the nose too so that air cant go around the intercooler.

My temps still run at upto 110c. I have a full reroute in place and the fan switch is at the thermostat. In traffic the fan will come on and bring it back down to 102. It seems my fan switch actually comes on at 110 and off at 102 rather than 97/92 as its supposed to. Its new too.

Im going to try running the fan off the ECU for a while at a lower temp to see if that helps but It will probably just end up with the fan on permanently. If not ill try without the thermostat to see if it overcools then but really its when im going 70-80mph on the motorway im getting the most heat into the engine, its sitting at 4000 rpm so whenever you apply some throttle its into boost.

I think the radiator just isnt removing enough heat so I have a spare 190 radiator with a hole in it and Im thinking of sending that off to have an aluminium twin or tripple core copy made up if nothing else helps.

Cheers
Stot

[Badger]

Hmmm quite glad I didn't go for a 190E radiator now, though I'm not sure the Clio one I've got will be up to the job either!
Would it be possible to create a gap around the rear or sides of the bonnet to let the hot air out a bit more? Other than that is there any mileage in exhaust wrapping or coating the system?

[flyerncle]

Louvre things in rear of side panel would suck air out if you faced them in the right direction and possibly in the front to duct air in.

[Stot]

To be fair without the turbo and the intercooler in front of it I imagine it would do a decent job. I think ducting in the nose cone is essential also. When air hits a rad it will go around it rather than through it if it can.

Those louvres at the back of the bonnet will be dragging air out now so I dont think under bonnet temps is the issue any more. Also when im pootling in traffic the temps stay on the low side. When the fan comes on they do drop.

I see some aluminium double and triple core rads on ebay for £115-£150 so something like that should provide much better cooling.

Cheers
Stot

[Stot]

I priced up a new full 2.5" stainless exhaust system the other week as my down pipe is 2.25" and silencer is a little less than 2" so I think its stifling the turbo somewhat.

Unfortunately my megasquirt died last weekend so that money has now gone so I thought I would cobble together something out of what I already have in the mean time.

Spent £30 on a cherry bomb copy and made this up with bits I already had. 2.25" all the way through. Just needs to be painted black or silver now.

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-9X0tKTnfBNA/VWGzsM4AaEI/AAAAAAAAMQo/eUo24OOZRQE/w800/DSCF0255.JPG

I'm sure it will be louder that what I have already but the turbo silences pretty well and I angled the outlet down so it should be OK for now.

I made it dimensionally how I would want the stainless one made so I may be able to send the pieces off to someone to copy it a bit cheaper

Cheers
Stot

[garyt]

hi what went wrong with the ms? as was just looking at them this morning
Gary

[Stot]

I have a microsquirt and some poor solder work on a mod I did on it a while ago finally gave in. My own fault not the unit which I think is brilliant.

Cheers
Stot

[CTWV50]

I priced up a new full 2.5" stainless exhaust system the other week as my down pipe is 2.25" and silencer is a little less than 2" so I think its stifling the turbo somewhat.

Unfortunately my megasquirt died last weekend so that money has now gone so I thought I would cobble together something out of what I already have in the mean time.

Spent £30 on a cherry bomb copy and made this up with bits I already had. 2.25" all the way through. Just needs to be painted black or silver now.

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-9X0tKTnfBNA/VWGzsM4AaEI/AAAAAAAAMQo/eUo24OOZRQE/w800/DSCF0255.JPG

I'm sure it will be louder that what I have already but the turbo silences pretty well and I angled the outlet down so it should be OK for now.

I made it dimensionally how I would want the stainless one made so I may be able to send the pieces off to someone to copy it a bit cheaper

Cheers
Stot

That exhaust should sound nice. :)

[Stot]

That exhaust should sound nice. :)

Got my MS sorted again today. The exhaust is... loud... :o I don't think its unacceptable considering the times I will be using the car.

Just need to weld a hangar on the tailpipe and I can take it for a drive and see just how loud it is at full chat.

Cheers
Stot

[Stot]

The car actually isnt that bad at speed. It seems louder at slow speeds. you can hear the turbo spool pretty well now too.

I recon I have an idea on my heat issues too. The 190E radiator I ordered from ebay arrived as a round bar and fin radiator rather than a flat bar and fin radiator. I imagine much cheaper to make but not as efficient as flat bar and fin and its not really up to the job of keeping the engine properly cooled. The pic on ebay was of a flat bar radiator as it happens.

I might try again and get a descent OEM radiator and make sure Its a flat bar and fin version. Aluminium custom made would be £300+. Thought I had finished this car...

Cheers
Stot

[CTWV50]

The car actually isnt that bad at speed. It seems louder at slow speeds. you can hear the turbo spool pretty well now too.

I recon I have an idea on my heat issues too. The 190E radiator I ordered from ebay arrived as a round bar and fin radiator rather than a flat bar and fin radiator. I imagine much cheaper to make but not as efficient as flat bar and fin and its not really up to the job of keeping the engine properly cooled. The pic on ebay was of a flat bar radiator as it happens.

I might try again and get a descent OEM radiator and make sure Its a flat bar and fin version. Aluminium custom made would be £300+. Thought I had finished this car...

Cheers
Stot

Good info :thumb up:

[K4KEV]

Hi Andy....I can highly recommend the cherry bomb mod I made on my car, it has done the two things I wanted from mine :- that is mellowed out the exhaust note and increased rpm responce above 3500rpm

[Stot]

I may try that, or talk you into making me a system... :D

I have been playing with my turbo past few days. I got a boost solenoid of a golf TDI for £10 and wired it up to my megasquirt as I found out the beta firmware now allows me to chose new outputs for boost control on my microsquirt. Its a fairly mature RC beta so I'm happy with that.

What a jolly it is at 10PSI and being electric boost control you get no creep or fade through the rev range. The noise from the exhaust as it boosts is insane, love it!

Cheers
Stot

[Stot]

I'm building up a ATB Diff into an old 1.8 open diff at the moment. Its been sitting rusty as hell for a couple of months now but as my wife is away the smell of rotten eggs on my hands and paint in the air goes un-noticed so its perfect time to have a crack at it.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-viFeAXRzuR4/VXx3uYvt5TI/AAAAAAAAMXQ/JGkiTDRTEwA/w800/DiffCasing.jpg
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ZUwwpDqSPgE/VXx3uth52_I/AAAAAAAAMXM/BQq-Li_ZMEs/w800/DiffNose.jpg
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-HOpbc1863nc/VXx3vEuXRdI/AAAAAAAAMXU/3J3Iui2_rWk/w800/DiffParts.jpg

I ruined one of the side bearings removing it from the open diff and all the oil seals went too.

Have you seen the price of these things if you buy MX5 specific stuff?! £50 for the bearings each. £15+ for oil seals each.

The side bearings are a standard part, 32008X, and the oil seals are standard sizes, 40x65x12 for the nose and 35x56x8 for the sides so I'm going to try using off the shelf stuff and see how I get on. £24.20 for one Timken side bearing, 2 side oil seals and one nose seal.

The bearing I think will be spot on but the seals are slightly different in that they don't have the funnel flange on them but I don't think it will cause any issues. Its not like my car is designed for the kinds of duty the MX5 was.

Cheers
Stot

[CTWV50]

Looks familiar! ;) I've not fitted mine yet, think I'll fit it when the 1.8 goes in. :D

[CTWV50]

Btw, why do your hands smell of sulphur? :confused:

[Stot]

Looks familiar! I've not fitted mine yet, think I'll fit it when the 1.8 goes in.

Yeah you bought yours around the same time I bought mine. I need to send the prop shaft off to be shortened still too. Haven't even got it out of the packaging it arrived in.

I think the turbo is taking its toll on the poor 1.6 stuff now. Recon there's about 200hp at the wheels at the moment at 10psi and the bigger exhaust on there.

Btw, why do your hands smell of sulphur? :confused:

Old diff oil, has that lovely smell to it.

Cheers
Stot

[CTWV50]

Yeah you bought yours around the same time I bought mine. I need to send the prop shaft off to be shortened still too. Haven't even got it out of the packaging it arrived in.

I think the turbo is taking its toll on the poor 1.6 stuff now. Recon there's about 200hp at the wheels at the moment at 10psi and the bigger exhaust on there.



Old diff oil, has that lovely smell to it.

Cheers
Stot

I like that smell, Mmmm! Must be mental with that extra power! :cool:

[Stot]

Well my seals and bearing turned up.

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-WB2d5w3_xDY/VYG-0lJJNhI/AAAAAAAAMck/QiPmtDIRWAw/w800/NewSeals1.jpg

Bearing was fine, nice quality and went on no problem.

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-7IfSjSzbVdA/VYG-2Gl8C_I/AAAAAAAAMc4/Q1q9Bc_XA7Q/w800/NewBearing2.jpg

The side seals again went in no problem and will do the job perfectly.

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-IZzdiwZFlcc/VYG-0sUmK5I/AAAAAAAAMc8/qao6cuWeECE/w800/NewSeals3.jpg

The nose seal however fitted the shaft just fine, but the casing must not quite be 65mm so it deformed and peeled as it was pressed in.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-eWOoRJDlePo/VYG-1Lvj7tI/AAAAAAAAMdE/-SRp7tNFCdU/w800/NewSeals4-Booo.jpg

Booo. Ordered a genuine one for this in the end. Only cost £2 for the one that didn't work so no biggie.

Cheers
Stot

[CTWV50]

Have you got yourself a new crush tube for the pinion shaft? You can still get them from the dealers for around £10+vat.

[Stot]

Right, finally on top of my engine cooling. I got myself a 55mm 3 row aluminium radiator.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Daq38tWWCfI/VZWoRKZ40OI/AAAAAAAAMqk/_2ewk58ItPU/s800-Ic42/PoloRad.jpg

Its polo based however I thought I would mount it vertically for space reasons. 55mm rad and 75mm inter-cooler is pretty tight already in the nose and leaving space for hoses to pass the chassis was impossible.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ve1jo15HxaY/VaFSfnYD1uI/AAAAAAAAMwM/nkVGHSshIc4/s800-Ic42/nEWrADIATOR.jpg

I actually find this a much better solution all round, even if I didn't have an inter-cooler.

Coupled this up to a 10" Revotec high power fan. I haven't even ducted the nose yet and can hammer it along the motorway without going above 93* in the hot weather today. Previously I would need to slow down to 55mph to allow the engine to get down to 100* :eek:

In traffic the fan kicks in at 97* and only takes 60 seconds to get the engine back down to 92*. Well happy.

Now If I can relocate my air filter to somewhere less warm...

Cheers
Stot

[CTWV50]

Nice, where did you get that from?

[Stot]

Nice, where did you get that from?

Ebay. (http://stores.ebay.co.uk/RADIATOR-EXPERTS?_dmd=1&_nkw=POLO) He does 2, 3 and 4 row versions. Was at Stoneleigh this year too apparently.

Cheers
Stot

[CTWV50]

Ebay. (http://stores.ebay.co.uk/RADIATOR-EXPERTS?_dmd=1&_nkw=POLO) He does 2, 3 and 4 row versions. Was at Stoneleigh this year too apparently.

Cheers
Stot

I'll have to save up! Is this the intercooler (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/111665023526?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT) you used? They look very neat together! :)

[Stot]

I'll have to save up! Is this the intercooler (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/111665023526?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT) you used? They look very neat together! :)

Looks the same but this is the exact one I bought. (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/291245001965)

The width of the core is the same as the height of the polo core so it fits well..

Its actually an exact match for the Mercedes core but an aluminum Merc radiator would have to be custom made and been about £500 so this was a good alternative.

Cheers
Stot

[CTWV50]

Right, finally on top of my engine cooling. I got myself a 55mm 3 row aluminium radiator.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Daq38tWWCfI/VZWoRKZ40OI/AAAAAAAAMqk/_2ewk58ItPU/s800-Ic42/PoloRad.jpg

Its polo based however I thought I would mount it vertically for space reasons. 55mm rad and 75mm inter-cooler is pretty tight already in the nose and leaving space for hoses to pass the chassis was impossible.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ve1jo15HxaY/VaFSfnYD1uI/AAAAAAAAMwM/nkVGHSshIc4/s800-Ic42/nEWrADIATOR.jpg

I actually find this a much better solution all round, even if I didn't have an inter-cooler.

Coupled this up to a 10" Revotec high power fan. I haven't even ducted the nose yet and can hammer it along the motorway without going above 93* in the hot weather today. Previously I would need to slow down to 55mph to allow the engine to get down to 100* :eek:

In traffic the fan kicks in at 97* and only takes 60 seconds to get the engine back down to 92*. Well happy.

Now If I can relocate my air filter to somewhere less warm...

Cheers
Stot

Just ordered my all ali rad, shhh don't tell the missus! :D

[Stot]

Just ordered my all ali rad, shhh don't tell the missus! :D

Dont worry its well worth it. Just tell her to think of the amount of time this is going to save you trying to track down an overheating problem. Ive been through 3 radiators before this, a coolant reroute and god knows how many hoses. :rolleyes:

Another 20 miles at 70-ish(cough) to work this morning and it didnt even get to 90* :cool:

Cheers
Stot

[CTWV50]

Hi Sot, Just in the process of mounting my rad like yours, I was concerned about trapped air at the top of the radiator and noticed you seem to have added a bleed valve/s of some kind to the top of rad. How did you do it without leaks or aluminium welding.

[Stot]

Hi Sot, Just in the process of mounting my rad like yours, I was concerned about trapped air at the top of the radiator and noticed you seem to have added a bleed valve/s of some kind to the top of rad. How did you do it without leaks or aluminium welding.

I just carefully tapped for M6 and used a rubber washer to seal against a socket cap screw. Just nipped up the socket screws not too tight. I have some 4mm Ali and I'll rivet a piece on with some closed rivets and RTV if they strip and tap that instead.

Saying that I'm not convinced now I really need them, As the water flows down and then up in that orientation, as long as you have a header above the radiator it should naturally fill up.

Cheers
Stot

[CTWV50]

I just carefully tapped for M6 and used a rubber washer to seal against a socket cap screw. Just nipped up the socket screws not too tight. I have some 4mm Ali and I'll rivet a piece on with some closed rivets and RTV if they strip and tap that instead.

Saying that I'm not convinced now I really need them, As the water flows down and then up in that orientation, as long as you have a header above the radiator it should naturally fill up.

Cheers
Stot

Ahh I see, smart. I was looking at using some rubber rivet (well) nuts, I thought that's how you had done it. I'll try it without and see how I get on. Cheers

[Cropper]

Hi After driving to & from the IVA test i completely agree about the amount of throttle pedal movement, did you ever re-make the adaptor on the throttle body or did you do something else in the end or do you just live with it?
Cheer's
Neil

[Stot]

Hi After driving to & from the IVA test i completely agree about the amount of throttle pedal movement, did you ever re-make the adaptor on the throttle body or did you do something else in the end or do you just live with it?
Cheer's
Neil

I just live with it, its not that bad when you get used to it.

Cheers
Stot

[Cropper]

Thanks, I am in the process of making a smaller wheel for the engine side, I have the disc made with the groove just need to put some holes in it & slot the centre hole, I will see how it goes.
Cheer's
Neil

[Cropper]

Here's a shot of my new throttle pulley, seems pretty good, time will fell when I get it out on the road.
https://flic.kr/p/Jf68An

[Rosco]

Here's a shot of my new throttle pulley, seems pretty good, time will fell when I get it out on the road.
https://flic.kr/p/Jf68An

Nice job :cool:

[Stot]

Very cool would be interested how you find it. Remember to change the throttle pedal stop bolt so you don't snap the cable. Been there done that. :o

Cheers
Stot

[Cropper]

Yes, that's the next job! It feels better anyway hopefully it will be on the road, just waiting on my registration now.
Cheer's. Neil

[Cropper]

Definitely worth the time & effort, had a couple of short runs out today & it definitely felt better:)

[Stot]

Long time update. I have moved to Sunny Wolverhampton and had to build a garage for my car at the new house but now the sun is out I thought I would tackle some of the little things I have been thinking of doing.

I wanted to dam the the nosecone to get as much air going through the intercooler and radiator as possible. I thought about piddling around with templates and tape and glue then thought bugger it, expanding foam. I covered the insides with a bin bag and squirted expanding foam around the inside of the nosecone.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/BXdH2ELMQkGcBc7YUWFsLSpnpj7BrS5iqG_OMcHsJUmc-52glFGgYuX8sX4h5ngZqpbvJmhJsn4yMbCM0ECcBgmQTwMmsFF kP-NX6CnZu6klsbQFUAu6mDMl-os0C9P8_vtKag5Fr2UBzwF9-jPZe5flbo50SPtJOMx92QaJPDDeh8JOElWlX_Z_LV96fywL_Rv FyRVAll4SEGp0HIvU667QqQtARupfAcCJgq1XVAqHvhRqZ1XbK 9TC8mvFT5qs4wIPSKJH078AZiXFOK1kZVpMS_091_OFk0l3Qgw npfOZxlB2F_OnVtvsD7znR54kiiENPaU-U-Pfx7F9m1684U7rdnOI6fqEggM557scfmiIWupK5bc5cQSqZdGT VHHtA5QG0EmDCQLi7T6THqtOv-Vv8ltPM3iqdi0BMoq4Q0nARq039hiImENlUo4zQwvkELpCEe6J ow_QogHArN6ruiO60PxYbAPX8fyEXQkoHHsWvubDwpipYlxAFx IKXc9iweNIBF_WG8op7t6iDtrNzvFnyUeH9A6w_WumqJ_R0kjF KVIHTVoGsvT2yy5exXPqBQqGDluTGCX7K3cGIuzB4xoWpEYoGo prK9wHEw061I_rIy0hS4zPeQ=w800

Trimmed it round the nosecone openings.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/ocwRP3twfHTI_Oy136CcOoj8xhx9SkWh6QzQUHY6jNHCER7soE 3bKBIOmdj1Uof4HsKqGWBPvIp0OWz0PuZ1yQFnhMlLttlymQay 1hTaNK7eUUagNgwZO3GqEYITw-iRy9sT8od4Rr4PtnwsC2vP7beKe8BSQ3UdVa2iP4JFA0jO8Ovm N8E_scNdYIHqA4AUgE9prjGHW8ZGcUhUDw7c805m5H1qmwJbzl j3ZEYA2JtglZqWoEZ94iAtGj_73yofvSPEyTzJbuNYNtB79GHT ynV23MWpE49PGruRbGdF1FlXiGE5LnQaVK-SXb-cyYcAFOSNB8zmNszhYYdFNt9c0TssqYPOeR9epEPNeIKnLeJje qPGdS1jqPuYX84PGD1kcyTwK1z8Pzemvn2vXt9ix2g2VdAoqDC _o4hePiHiokamZGKprdEczeha1g1xCAmPakgIrMmJAJwzsE52c 7jpvmwo_XfkiYI7nS5Ktjn5T-fAnPPUILqVaoZaJt5CB4HdmW-AJb9vwXqMCaXeRl_RKPAhf4a2eOJlLffjfAom9Y07BfkSj9Kk0 a2mPFx3wGh0vp0wfevQjeqgQ-I43qwDUAUnb8hc5MB3quB3Z9ffJI48CYlIG5mDVg=w800

I did that a few times to fill as many voids as I could then removed the bin bag

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/PIXkXSdQKQhuf3SZbw4K_044gMN_jXieXyT8zuoBuG-ASfwl0sg5frHzvQrdeqYttkyInNhSIljFdIHKVw8oQkzSNUzVz StxSmUuY818owM7_Snsnjhs5vgb2m0PZosABlQeiZGB_xBhiSK 4wiWDnZ_jCygFPEH_FognFovjZJ6jnYaSKY6IqdOzbApNwev2f dM8RmGNYC3YsDbowmnEu2ebyh-v8qaENZt_VIfNXKRCOeghrYLXf_bEAec_Ah0DRO9FXetXuhAWb-zDgxvgI71f-AJfafN38V4y76ua3QNt2u7Kkyh_tWFrtGRvbFhPFQz4mSg_ue1 o3j2QHAD5jSLIPF5T401rncVU4DOyAX1dWxBRiEFX02RwL4l65 o4L1_EdaulnjotaMy1dcJPrK343WM1W92NoXkptDGVl3ulMK9n fpgslu5HBcnJ2jOwhbYpqGkDoK1_vNU_4v2roMg_L4SHWjEYx8 JO0UKZPI8nSKUHf8iZKBM1zVjKvOU8Seq4go7grkhV23GdBPam-3kLaORf6TdUnIRyxqBuhMItt75O0XrcpqjGTRmXHY_4G5uHN9_ XA5Qhzo1Pzd68zyl6yjV4zEtPzSzm2CpOj7LBwsfBVmniGQQ=w 800

And covered it with black neoprene.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/SgF09X1XrwkSqqUTktlyAXP9z6TENDqER3qMtWdbwFAEfLAKC0 TMAjZnkE1muPoVTU-2Tvx6jrvLiDtL-_cnyNBRNWFF4ZukJcOtZki1KdoGdXk2LwobMm0REoCSZ7wjIJH fODjibXX-UOCp6jQpV6wcK_DBcRss4vdVJuOZ_L7vRiACWZdE10afsxY-Top9hr4t6bIvvQ6kZlB0AK5INQT1YQbC_c5IFkUbEa11sfOOLq p-A9I3AIIXZalYx7JA4pqPHITvVgQ0JxrGFG7anxCRDBPQN3cJwg 6Kd4pKUbdDUbZ2bUHAJr9NIbkMLG36I_Ewek2ka8Gj7ZYqC33D IgZqOfwF4kBoOG33QCyXIfv68lXgQm8qrjECHS5T4RSjuzmO11 g1-421y6yj6EHfK6O4SdLqLqw2QHVOOpQfNcK7i5ehMmP846O8GM5 oAirq2RJebLkMuWwwZoG8DIl-_UD8v68_-ZwT59J_aYeIh0IBeGak30Ln_Yb0Dp3QTIsBhaSWXVCVFb9o0Om v_kYOZeXJ-4EZoKEdwuAUiq2fu5-jPfGHXnradrWFxeuNgOl6ap_tJtJFqoTdew442GBnog1PnlFQZ TuSXQsTbZz2TbJaGCgn9_v44Q=w800

[Stot]

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Wpq7LH8hvjvLPKSsE9YSjYJ7ffZc7bBTx82k-Cpg5MMwpqjfXeAzHCApPhQQ3rVASO0WdNsH4bXzrWInBiiFSA4 yFRhVBsgEQK9HBLwCoSrsuw7aAjJw6jOfC70gVmhLu06SLR3A3 Ltm4-dv5yQVMaWKb0tM0XFdPImtt1gLVrGP_dPMuC5ndWM8vDJYP7J1 opiL-Pb-oMKF5XROk7cJDxTjnonbiTI_sekhsasrk2R0cIKBXk-RL6XytmpvqAITfkNNosCAj6IF3bYcfVkzlXtmCavsPyLuSdfPd 2ax17I9rmmLDVrYBjaGRvCLWAQZWoqRThO0G37QexcxAWdnB3c YzuEYko1CUrpBc80J0-OB6X_PwEZOw31TWKqe32QN4HE_aSW-wZudNSYzhrhRa9GyNVtMXu4soISclZwHzh3Jum_exjISY3mujV MakUvViXAA2nLu13b1q34WNQGVrBR8TZrP_kYH1zj1Ln5KmpWi kVs0xda4d8-JoJB-CZJCHE69-lcMyXr63wSiIlThUYOcKzERXrHS3dxz8Zv_02P0h1iCLNJeZDt y_8lgIMsp5ZK-VacwlJdKM2JmXJwvCxWA_j3llluo-Orrng6SApK6LeVyDsxpDA=w800

With the grilles back on its looking pretty good and is helping keep intake and engine temps down.

Cheers
Stot

[johnl63]

hmm like many things on your car I might steel that too
john

[Stot]

hmm like many things on your car I might steel that too
john

Copy anything mate. Mind is.actually quite 'raw' inperson. I like the fact it appears more 'original' used finish.. Not a perfect finish. I really think that's what these things are about but thats just me.

My best advise would be make it unique but you as much as possible. I went KAR 120 but made it my version I hope.

Cheers
Stot

[johnl63]

cheers Stot, my haynes to an unexpected twist when I built something else, a NZ chevron 7. now it is suffering from refinements to keep me in the shed.

http://www.lotus7.co.nz/forum/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=3465

john

[jps]

Stot - sorry to jump you back in time - but can you provide any info about how you went about trimming and securing your Equinox bodywork? I'm having similar fitting problems to Voucht - so am going to pinch trimming solutions from him - but wondered what fixings you used/what spacings between them for side panels, scuttle and nosecone?

[Ianr]

Stot - sorry to jump you back in time - but can you provide any info about how you went about trimming and securing your Equinox bodywork? I'm having similar fitting problems to Voucht - so am going to pinch trimming solutions from him - but wondered what fixings you used/what spacings between them for side panels, scuttle and nosecone?

Sorry to jump in here but I assume the side panels are what you are having an issue with - on mine they were ground a little to fit (very tight indeed) and then I used one of those polywotsit glues like Tiger seal or Sikaflex to glue them into place. In order to hold them in place I use a few pop rivets but none where they would show after the car was on the road. Impossible to get off and they haven't moved after over a year on the road :)

[norton]

Instead of Tiger Seal I used this https://www.amazon.co.uk/Black-Bond-PU18-Polyurethane-characteristics/dp/B00HW7BUC6/ref=pd_sim_60_1?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=RHE33XXAWAP1TTGYR06X which (having used this and Tiger Seal) works just as effectively and sticks like s**t to a blanket and, is cheaper, 4 for £15.

[jps]

Sorry to jump in here but I assume the side panels are what you are having an issue with - on mine they were ground a little to fit (very tight indeed) and then I used one of those polywotsit glues like Tiger seal or Sikaflex to glue them into place. In order to hold them in place I use a few pop rivets but none where they would show after the car was on the road. Impossible to get off and they haven't moved after over a year on the road :)
No need to apologise - it's what the forum is for! Bascially yes - I don't know how many rivets to use or where to place them -or even if I can just use Sikaflex, clamp it all in place for a week and then it won't go anywhere. So i'm looking for as many example of what others have done.

Trouble is - one mans 'oh, not many rivets' is another mans "I 'only' put a rivet every 75mm"!!!!!

[Ianr]

Ok - I used no rivets in the cockpit area at all just clamps, under the scuttle to the very front of the car I spaced pop rivets about every 6" but these are hidden by draught excluder (from Lidl) which stops the bonnet chattering. The underside of the car has rivets at about 8" spacing and is not visible unless you can get underneath. HTH :)
I should add that all the metal surfaces were given a coat of polywotsit even the triangulation pieces + no vibration noises

[MattStepney]

Jesus Stot you are immensely creative and you've given me some more ideas of my own. Does anyone manufacture clam shell wings still as I want some now :D

[voucht]

Hi!
Equinox still manufactures clam shell front wings. Last item of this page:
http://equinoxproducts.co.uk/product-category/haynes/roadster/

I have a full bodywork from them on my Roadster, and the quality of their work is excellent.

Now, as it looks like you are aiming for a powerful Roadster, I guess you are looking for high performance, so be aware that clam shell wings are awful when it comes to aerodynamics. They are just acting like 2 big parachutes, and will add to the already bad aerodynamics of the car (like all "seven-like" cars, aerodynamics is not the best feature of our Roadsters).

And I'm not even talking about fuel consumption...

But they do look good and no problem on low/mid performance road cars in my humble opinion.

Hope that will help :)

[Ianr]

Jesus Stot you are immensely creative and you've given me some more ideas of my own. Does anyone manufacture clam shell wings still as I want some now :D


I have a pair of unused BRG clamshell wings made by Tiger if you want them. Scruffy from being stored but cheap :-)

[MattStepney]

You don't live in Alfreton do You?

[Ianr]

Nowhere near I'm afraid - North Norfolk

[Stot]

Quick update. I still enjoy my car when its sunny. I got a 3D printer recently and designed/made some custom hubcaps.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/i0BTa8jblElziGRRTzC7RA1OibV5ygztUf5a99JHGc4GzziTR_ u8bjINlhVqDVXn7wNMaHiO2P2Ke6srnWUUP7JHPHxMD4ew3Gpe f7fGPvK3dBx7JgIQppup12ELc6H9Df0JRzV__rWJxAz45dJbT8 cUigHpLQU8mHnofL-1vxJXvUjISUSFAoSlyWSXtDH95zYJr6CADb7QaP81YEVTbqUzd skUaunuV1fogXyQGf5qr2iqqpbt86JJn2VK4v6F0fvPhpsB7M5 GA3pXi51f1z5FcniMKB7FsY1vtlttC8wyIEdxQWR2x3veSIX-3br3F-A_sgrJdjW2z-ZjD9_DMUB34z47KV3FEJiOLuTfEJ2QBDzHc_LRAytTsMs0IP96 CmUDh7f8qID_m2gO4I7A1giL8ObbT5tiCDNkoP1ER237KH6x_Z og7QHr4pDSuDngLvLFPQ130RVL6wo0tVZJZcRImcQ4Y_Un6k4N 7bJPlkWlMvXTcP5UEWblXgS46WIbU0mSBE8ae0NDUGAw44VAff Mp3-yc_1L45RYCc1594ZJ0iyjTzjAnpnloaOfKt3sVWtSMeVpKyhVx X-dZJuYete_aaTXZQGTk1q8HDW0i2atbP3AzPosvB2Y-zOArCvFR_lJrtVahHo7vMAbq2KpYJqAN8-xhTIl0lNf2ZQuuR37-9rC3R7eEnF11S5fDzbo=w800

Cheers
Stot

[jps]

Quick update. I still enjoy my car when its sunny. I got a 3D printer recently and designed/made some custom hubcaps.


Lovely detail, as always. This thread is a regular point of reference for me, and I also see it coming up on other forums as a great resource.

[twinturbo]

cool..

they look like polo wheels???

got a 3d printer myself about 3 weeks ago and its done a lot of work!

[Stot]

they look like polo wheels???

Sounds about right. I had 15" G60 wheels on it originally but wanted 13" for more comfort and also to be able to fit stickier tyres at a lower cost.

They fit over the MX5 running gear fine.

Cheers
Stot

[Stot]

10 years on and it still needs tinkering. I did the head gasket, cam seals and water pump this week chasing a couple of leaks.

https://i.ibb.co/7tNMtCt/IMG-20240420-122941.jpg (https://ibb.co/60J90w0)

Also the turbo burnt through my bonnet heat shielding, so a new method was needed short term...

https://i.ibb.co/0fsxGF9/IMG-20240506-114000.jpg (https://ibb.co/dQmR5Lp)

Which actually worked amazingly well! But I have upgraded to a blanket.

https://i.ibb.co/0tbXJ2k/IMG-20240508-193339.jpg (https://ibb.co/zJv5fx1)

Maybe see some of you at Malvern.

Cheers
Stot

[Ianr]

Good to see someone still about. I'm afraid I am in darkest Norfolk so it's a bit far for me, hope you have a good day :)

[Stot]

Well there is always something to do. :D

For example, I fancied a boost gauge then remembered I don't do anything simple like 'buy' a boost guage, so ended up buying an ESP32 dev board with a round screen and coding myself up this to connect to my Megasquirt.

https://i.ibb.co/HNh8Q6h/Screenshot-2024-06-01-163846.png
Click for a video. (https://youtu.be/N5dzQ3dXycg)

Shows boost, vac, Coolant temp, AFR, Advance and has indicators for Warm up enrichment, Afterstart enrichment, Table switch status and Launch control status. :cool:

I added a passthrough mode too so I can connect my phone to it via wifi and MSDroid can connect to the Megasquirt wirelessly for tuning on the go.

Cheers
Stot

[Ianr]

Well done - always thought you never did anything simple when complex would do. :D

[Stot]

So in 2015 I purchased a brand new helical ATB LSD diff to fit to this car (https://forums.haynes.co.uk/showpost.php?p=100860&postcount=603). 9 years later I decided to finish up and fit it.

Got to say getting an MX5 diff in and out of that cage in a built car was fun....

The 1.8 unit is much bigger than the 1.6. It wouldn't go in through the left or right of the cage at all but I just about managed to get it in through the top if I held it just the right way twisted it 22.3 degrees south and recited just the right four letter filled incantation.

Its in and running though. Feels good so far, I think I notice a little difference in traction and when it lets go it feels like it comes in a bit smoother with more notice.

Cheers
Stot

[twinturbo]

Glad to see your still pluggin away.

[Stot]

Glad to see your still pluggin away.

For now, but the car is up for sale now. Will be on Ebay soon. :eek:

Cheers
Stot

[Stot]

As if by Magic.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/176507130939

Cheers
Stot