Another build thread

[CTWV50]

It was a bit touch and go at times, but it looks like I somehow survived the dreaded man flu!
Managed to drag myself out in the garage the last couple of nights and got the engine stripped down.
The block's currently waiting to be picked up for a honing before I treat it to a new set of piston rings and bottom end bearings:

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-aadhpy5sdp4/UuotUUbk21I/AAAAAAAAKag/sEQYfJhjC8A/s576/2014-01-30%252010.18.35.jpg

Doing a proper job! Which TD04 did you get 12T 16T 15G etc?

[CTWV50]

I didn't say I couldn't make it work :D

I've got a TD04L-12T off a Volvo:

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-fePTGugGn2k/UtcMfAfzwMI/AAAAAAAAKWQ/Jwa3iI_qh3Y/s640/S5033477.JPG

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-KkSl5loqnlg/UtcMeFTPK9I/AAAAAAAAKWI/FUAoz9yaDG4/s640/S5033478.JPG

Doh. Nevermind. I have manful this week and it's affecting my mind!:(

edit: *manflu! See what I mean!

[skov]

Ha ha, I know the feeling Chris.
My head's only just about back to normal. In fact I'm not sure what I was thinking when I decided to do a proper job on the engine rather than my usual half ar5ed approach :D

[skov]

Got my block back yesterday - it's looking much nicer now the bores have been honed.
Ordered a set of ACL race series bearings but currently struggling to find any sensibly priced piston rings - mazda wanted £216+VAT for a set :eek:

[K4KEV]

crikey:eek: for not a lot more you could get forged pistons that would come with rings... if you google mazda tuners in the uk there are a few to whom you could ask

[james3004]

:eek: That's really not so good!

[jason 82]

That's going to be one quick car when it's done. Have you had your turbo rebuilt ? I changed my mates turbo on his laguna 1.9 dci, and it was knackered ! The turbo veins had been hitting the casing, and had completely lunched the veins ! Just check the end float in the turbo, & make sure that you have no play at all, otherwise it could cost you your engine when bits fall into the block, as it did with my mate. I will put pictures up on here in a bit. Turbo clinic are really good, they will completely rebuild it for about £250, or if you are feeling really brave, you can buy a replacement cartridge for about £160 on the net. Good luck !:D

[skov]

To be fair there is a bit more play in the turbo than I would like.
The blades just touch the housing....
My current plan is to buy a rebuild kit and rebuild it myself. How hard can it be :D

Regarding the piston rings, after hours of googling and cross referencing I managed to order a set of aftermarket ones from the states for just under £50.
Fingers crossed they turn up and they're the right part!

[jason 82]

I would get that turbo rebuilt to be on the safe side. The two faces should not touch. I know that the tolerances are very fine, but if that thing touches, your rebuilt engine will be in a bit of a bad way.

[K4KEV]

If you are planning a re-build then invest in the best circlip pliers you can and a pair of needle nose pliers......you will defo need them;)

[flyerncle]

How hard can it be ? :eek: Rotor in a petrol turns at 120,000 revs or there abouts and exhaust turbine temp is hot enough to melt glass and there is the added problem of passing oil through the bearing,ask me how I know,just rebuilt an engine and after carefull check on the bench of turbo that looked ok and oil pressure from new pump blew it.

If you placed an intercooler on the pressure side it will not pass bits into the engine.;)

[K4KEV]

Dont know if this will be any good to you but it is mx5 1.6

http://www.driftworks.com/forum/parts-sale-private-sales/217327-mx5-1-6-turbo-manifold.html

[skov]

Dont know if this will be any good to you but it is mx5 1.6

http://www.driftworks.com/forum/parts-sale-private-sales/217327-mx5-1-6-turbo-manifold.html

Thanks Kev - that is the sort of thing I need.
In fact it looks very similar to (but much shinier than) the monstrosity I've been knocking up with a scrap manifold and tubing :D

[skov]

Mostly for Chris, who I know is interested in my engine management plans :)

Here's a sneak peek into my current scheme:

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-UJehhBzmd6Y/Uv9DHUhUpEI/AAAAAAAAKcM/pqZyI4aLWYk/s972/b6_brain_surgery.JPG

[CTWV50]

Mostly for Chris, who I know is interested in my engine management plans :)

Here's a sneak peek into my current scheme:

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-UJehhBzmd6Y/Uv9DHUhUpEI/AAAAAAAAKcM/pqZyI4aLWYk/s972/b6_brain_surgery.JPG

Haha! You making your own engine management then! Smart Ass!:D

I'm impressed!:)

[skov]

Haha! You making your own engine management then! Smart Ass!:D

I'm impressed!:)

I wouldn't be too impressed just yet, I've still got a long way before it's finished and working!

It's not quite my own engine management. I did start designing my own ECU from scratch, but then decided to cheat a bit...
The idea is that this board replaces the processor in the Mazda ECU, so I can run my own engine management software on it and make it fully tunable :D

[james3004]

Have you got the engine rebuilt and in yet?;)

[skov]

Have you got the engine rebuilt and in yet?;)

If only! Still waiting for the ****** piston rings.
Can't do much until they turn up :rolleyes:

Do you need your crane back yet?

[james3004]

That's not so good! Will need it in a couple of weeks if I can borrow it back for a bit;)

[Stot]

The idea is that this board replaces the processor in the Mazda ECU, so I can run my own engine management software on it and make it fully tunable :D

Thats what it looked like to me, the B6 Brain Surgery bit gives it away... Is it ARM based? Will you be selling these if you manage it or going open source? ;)

Cheers
Stot

[skov]

That's not so good! Will need it in a couple of weeks if I can borrow it back for a bit;)

No worries, just give me a shout when you need it.
Don't think my engine's going to be back in any time soon at this rate though :rolleyes:


Thats what it looked like to me, the B6 Brain Surgery bit gives it away... Is it ARM based? Will you be selling these if you manage it or going open source?

Cheers
Stot

No it's an S12X. I did debate whether to use an ARM or not, but I'm far more familiar with this particular chip and decided it was going to be quicker and easier for me to get it up and running with it.

Have to admit it did cross my mind to sell a few if there's any demand :)
I might well be looking for beta testers at somepoint if you're interested ;)

[Stot]

That sounds cool, I can alpha/beta test when you get to that point and maybe even help with coding it if you need it. I'm a programmer, mainly web, Java, Objective C etc but I have dabbled in ARM development and written some PIC stuff here and there so pick most things up quickly.

Cheers
Stot

[CTWV50]

Have to admit it did cross my mind to sell a few if there's any demand :)
I might well be looking for beta testers at somepoint if you're interested ;)

I'd be up for that, I might learn something!:)

[skov]

That sounds cool, I can alpha/beta test when you get to that point and maybe even help with coding it if you need it. I'm a programmer, mainly web, Java, Objective C etc but I have dabbled in ARM development and written some PIC stuff here and there so pick most things up quickly.

Cheers
Stot

Excellent, I'll give you a shout when I get a bit futher along.
I know what I'm doing on the embedded side, but a bit of help might be useful on the user interface :)

I'd be up for that, I might learn something!

Ha ha, I thought you might be :D
Do you know which ECU you've got? It should have a label on it saying something like B64F or B63H.
I think they changed the ECU on the 1.6 around 1994 and I don't know if this will work on the later ones.

[CTWV50]

Excellent, I'll give you a shout when I get a bit futher along.
I know what I'm doing on the embedded side, but a bit of help might be useful on the user interface :)



Ha ha, I thought you might be :D
Do you know which ECU you've got? It should have a label on it saying something like B64F or B63H.
I think they changed the ECU on the 1.6 around 1994 and I don't know if this will work on the later ones.

Oh, I have a B6GP! :(

[skov]

Oh, I have a B6GP! :(

Bugger :(
There is a possibility you could switch to one of the earlier ECUs.
I've heard it's possible with a few small changes to the wiring loom ;)

[CTWV50]

I've got the mazda wiring diagrams, I'll have a look tonight, it may just be different pinouts on the ecu?

[skov]

The pinouts are almost identical between the early and later 1.6 ECUs:

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-NCAsmXpdAuw/Twg1cPcFORI/AAAAAAAAICk/HUjiNIaOKbI/s512/MX5_ECU_Pinouts.jpg

[CTWV50]

No mine is a B6 (115bhp) not the later (BP 90bhp). :confused:

Only real difference there is later cars had sequential for emissions, not batch. I think mine will be the same as yours. Pretty much.

[skov]

No mine is a B6 (115bhp) not the later (BP 90bhp). :confused:

Only real difference there is later cars had sequential for emissions, not batch. I think mine will be the same as yours. Pretty much.

I'm confused too - I thought the B6GP was the ECU for the 90bhp version :confused:

Is there any chance you could pop the lid off your ECU and take a photo of it's innards?

[CTWV50]

I'm confused too - I thought the B6GP was the ECU for the 90bhp version :confused:

Is there any chance you could pop the lid off your ECU and take a photo of it's innards?

Yeah sure, do it tonight. It's definitely not the 90bhp engine or the engine code would start BP and I did sort out the loom using the B6 wiring diagrams. I think this is a case of incorrect internet forum posts. I thought my car was BP when I bought it because it was a '95 car so probably other people have too and assumed the B6GP was for the later 90bhp engine.

[CTWV50]

HA! There you go!

https://www.mx5oc.co.uk/forum/yaf_postst21812_ECU-conversion-questions.aspx

[CTWV50]

OK I'm doubting myself now! :confused:

edit: This is what I typed 3 years ago on my build thread...

Yeah FWD VWs and audis, I've had a fair few, not great at getting off the line and not as reliable as people would have you think. Anyway back to the MX5, I can't believe they fitted an aluminium sump and a stainless steel exhaust manifold as standard, such a bonus, engine should be nice and lightweight, bye bye production car understeer!:D

I'm reading a book about the design/development of the MX5, weight was a massive deal, people were threatened if weight wasn't kept to a minimum. They even lightened the crank and flywheel compared to the 323 transverse engine it was based on allowing to rev to 7200rpm.

The Donor is a 1.6 1995 model but it isn't the later tweaked 90 bhp engine that was not available to buy till Nov 1995 and had a steel sump. Mines a May 1995 and has a B6 engine code. So if anyones looking to buy a 1995 mx5 check the engine code is the correct for the one your after and seeing as the emission test was tightened up for cars after August 1995 you may want to play safe with the earlier engine. The 90bhp engine code starts with BP. Had another nose under the engine bay today just before dark, the rad fan is only half the size of the radiator and looks like it will be suitable for the roadster if it can be made to attach to the polo radiator.

Signed up to mx5oc forum to get a seller thread going when I'm ready to break the car down.

Need to get the garage sorted first and get some welding practice in before building the build table. Took some measurement and if I keep the garage clear I should be able to keep the whole car in the garage when finished along with other essential garage belongings. I may need to sort a shed at some point though for the gardening tools. I digress...:rolleyes:

That is all goodnight.

[skov]

Yeah sure, do it tonight. It's definitely not the 90bhp engine or the engine code would start BP and I did sort out the loom using the B6 wiring diagrams. I think this is a case of incorrect internet forum posts. I thought my car was BP when I bought it because it was a '95 car so probably other people have too and assumed the B6GP was for the later 90bhp engine.

Ummm, I thought only the 1.8's were BP engines, and the 1.6 was a B6 regardless of whether it was a 115 or 90bhp unit :confused:

[CTWV50]

Ummm, I thought only the 1.8's were BP engines, and the 1.6 was a B6 regardless of whether it was a 115 or 90bhp unit :confused:

You know what! I think your right it's a 90bhp! I'll check the wiring diagrams I used for injector outputs but I have a feeling it's sequential! Good job I've got that 1.8 engine sat there! :rolleyes:

[CTWV50]

It's a 90bhp. I believe you can turn it into a 115bhp as you say by batching the injectors but needs cam change to make it work correctly I think although my engine is 9:1 not 9.5:1 like the earlier engines. Hmmm!

[skov]

As far as know you need to change the cams, pistons, and ECU to convert it to 115bhp spec.
A heavy head skim might have the same affect as changing to the higher compression pistons.

I do belive the 90bhp version is the engine of choice for turbo applications though ;)

[CTWV50]

As far as know you need to change the cams, pistons, and ECU to convert it to 115bhp spec.
A heavy head skim might have the same affect as changing to the higher compression pistons.

I do belive the 90bhp version is the engine of choice for turbo applications though ;)

Oh really! :D

[PorkChop]

The 115bhp 1.6 was dropped by 1994 when Mazda introduced the 1.8 BP engine. AFAIK only the European market had a 1.6 offering (the 88/90bhp) from 1994 on. The BP engines are all 1.8, all the 1.6 Mazda B engines have the code B6.

It's lower CR will lend itself to charging, however, I believe things like the piston squirters were removed when the 90bhp unit was introduced, which makes them less suitable. The majority of charged 1.6s I know of are 90-93 based.

[skov]

That's my weekend sorted!

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-8EoyuM-HQCQ/UwdZDPGXqEI/AAAAAAAAKcc/MMiD4bq6qBU/s640/piston_rings.jpg

[james3004]

So you'll be test driving by Saturday lunch time;)

[skov]

So you'll be test driving by Saturday lunch time;)

Yes.

But not this Saturday.

[skov]

So you'll be test driving by Saturday lunch time

Only two weeks late - just had a cheeky test drive up and down my street :D

Engine is back in and running now. Took me a while to get it started until I realised I had my spark plug leads in the wrong order :rolleyes: Once that was sorted it burst into life :D
Had it running for twenty minutes or so and got it up to temp. Haven't spotted any leaks or heard any nasty noises, so hopefully I should be back on the road shortly!

Decided to hold off on the turbo for now and wait until I've got my little engine management project up and running.
Ordered a small batch of prototype PCBs for it this week and looking forward to having a play with them :)

[CTWV50]

Only two weeks late - just had a cheeky test drive up and down my street

Engine is back in and running now. Took me a while to get it started until I realised I had my spark plug leads in the wrong order :rolleyes: Once that was sorted it burst into life :D
Had it running for twenty minutes or so and got it up to temp. Haven't spotted any leaks or heard any nasty noises, so hopefully I should be back on the road shortly!

Decided to hold off on the turbo for now and wait until I've got my little engine management project up and running.
Ordered a small batch of prototype PCBs for it this week and looking forward to having a play with them :)

I reached a major milestone today! I changed my gearbox and engine oil! :p Well done getting it back on the road so quick! Just in time for spring!

[skov]

I reached a major milestone today! I changed my gearbox and engine oil! :p Well done getting it back on the road so quick! Just in time for spring!

Cheers Chris. Would have been quicker if I didn't have to wait an eternity for the parts!
Well done on your major achievement :D

[skov]

Some goodies in the post this morning :D

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-pleoRnrjZ9E/Uy_31ojYt4I/AAAAAAAAKg4/o8Fy3DSStK8/s576/b6_brain_surgery_pcbs.jpg

[CTWV50]

Some goodies in the post this morning :D

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-pleoRnrjZ9E/Uy_31ojYt4I/AAAAAAAAKg4/o8Fy3DSStK8/s576/b6_brain_surgery_pcbs.jpg

Did you make them or order them? Have you got a machine at work to solder the components on?

[skov]

Did you make them or order them? Have you got a machine at work to solder the components on?

I got the boards from OSH Park. They took a while to arrive (from the US), but they look really good and were surprisingly cheap.

Machinary to solder the parts on? Nah, just a normal soldering iron and pair of tweezers :D

[CTWV50]

Machinary to solder the parts on? Nah, just a normal soldering iron and pair of tweezers :D

Wow! I'd be cross eyed doing that! I replace dc sockets on laptops as part of my job and have removed and replaced bios and 8 pin SIOC chips but no, I couldn't manage that! Hats off to you!

[skov]

Wow! I'd be cross eyed doing that! I replace dc sockets on laptops as part of my job and have removed and replaced bios and 8 pin SIOC chips but no, I couldn't manage that! Hats off to you!

There's nothing much harder than an SO8 on that board to be fair.
The trick is to use plenty of flux and have some solder wick handy to fix any mistakes.
For the really fine pitched devices you just need to tack down the corners, then get some solder on the end of your iron and sort of brush it along the legs of the chip. The flux makes the solder flow to where it needs to go.
I suspect wasting my youth painting warhammer figures probably helps though :D

[skov]

My spare ECU with it's new brain :cool:

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-V2l8OoXXUDE/UzQoLbNjGKI/AAAAAAAAKhI/aN9acQufqWQ/s576/b6_brain.jpg

Now I just have the small task of writing the software to run it!

[Stot]

Very cool. Looks like the board was the easy bit, no small task left even to just emulate the OEM function let alone make it user editable!

Cheers
Stot

[skov]

You're not wrong there Stot!

[skov]

It's showing early signs of life.
Got it flashing the MIL light, and spitting out serial data.
(extremely dull video alert!)
http://youtu.be/SUQG9oj-7rI

[Dualist]

That's pretty cool mate :cool:

[Stot]

I wonder, is there room for more than one map in there? Sport button? :D

Cheers
Stot

[skov]

That's pretty cool mate :cool:

It will be if I manage to get it running my engine! Thanks mate.


I wonder, is there room for more than one map in there? Sport button? :D

Cheers
Stot

Can't think why I'd ever not want to be in sport mode in the Haynes :D
Switchable maps sounds like a good idea though, should be space for at least one set of alternate maps.
I think I'll get it running on a single map first though!

[CTWV50]

You're a mad genius!:cool:

[skov]

You're a mad genius!:cool:

I may be mad, but I'm far from a genius!

In other news it's big grin day today :D
1st of April is the start of kit car season for me so I stuck 6 months tax on it and drove it to work.
I'd almost forgotten just how awesome these things are!
Safe to say my post re-build running in procedure has already gone out of the window!

[Davidbolam]

Hi skov,

How about some video footage from your rollbar?

I need some motivation to do the last bits of my car!

David

[james3004]

In other news it's big grin day today :D
1st of April is the start of kit car season for me so I stuck 6 months tax on it and drove it to work.
I'd almost forgotten just how awesome these things are!
Safe to say my post re-build running in procedure has already gone out of the window!

Does that mean I get a ride in it soon?;)

[skov]

Hi skov,

How about some video footage from your rollbar?

I need some motivation to do the last bits of my car!

David

Sorry David, sadly my £7 camera died :rolleyes:
Just get your IVA application sent off, that'll give you some motivation!


Does that mean I get a ride in it soon?;)

I think it probably does!

[james3004]

Yay! Let me know when!:D

[skov]

bollox bollox bollox bollox bollox bollox bollox bollox bollox bollox bollox bollox bollox bollox cock.

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-j6eAKe1486g/U0VOO1e79CI/AAAAAAAAKk0/37OhzOkIWBI/s640/2014-04-09%252011.54.39.jpg

[james3004]

:eek: shit what happened?????

[CTWV50]

Oh dear, I take it you're ok?

[skov]

Yeah I'm fine, just very peed of with myself.
Had a momentary lapse of concentration pulling out of a junction...

[james3004]

Glad your ok!
How much deep does the damage go?

[K4KEV]

yeah..... pleased you are ok .....so whats the damage John? looks light from the picture.....That is a bonus of building and owning a haynes you know exactly how to fix it;) hope it isn't too expensive to sort, then just panel beat that dint in your pride:D

[skov]

I don't know the full extent of the damage yet, but so far:

Headlight broken
Nosecone smashed
Indicators completely missing
Tyre pulled partially off rim
Radiator, fan, and mounting brackets broken
Bonnet cracked
Wingstay a bit bent

What worries me is that the wheels no longer seem to point forwards when the steering wheel is central.
I think/hope it's the steering rack that's buggered and not the wishbones or chassis.

Going to wait and see what the insurers say before I start stripping it down.
There's no way I could fix it for less than my £100 excess, so I'm thinking I may as well let them pay for the repairs (or at least the parts if they'll let me fix it myself). The other driver is claiming against me anyway, so I don't think I've got anything to lose.
Not looking forward to insurance renewal time!

[CTWV50]

I don't know the full extent of the damage yet, but so far:

Headlight broken
Nosecone smashed
Indicators completely missing
Tyre pulled partially off rim
Radiator, fan, and mounting brackets broken
Bonnet cracked
Wingstay a bit bent

What worries me is that the wheels no longer seem to point forwards when the steering wheel is central.
I think/hope it's the steering rack that's buggered and not the wishbones or chassis.

Going to wait and see what the insurers say before I start stripping it down.
There's no way I could fix it for less than my £100 excess, so I'm thinking I may as well let them pay for the repairs (or at least the parts if they'll let me fix it myself). The other driver is claiming against me anyway, so I don't think I've got anything to lose.
Not looking forward to insurance renewal time!

Oh dear, that's all a bit depressing. At least you can get a nice shiny new bonnet and nose cone out of the deal? Glad your ok.

[skov]

A shiny new bonnet would be quite nice, I was never happy with that one!

Just had another look at the damage. The steering rack does indeed have a nice bow to it now and I can't see any signs of chassis damage, so I might just be lucky yet.

Could have been a lot worse I suppose - I dread to think what would have happened if I'd made it a few more feet out of the junction before impact :eek:

[CTWV50]

A shiny new bonnet would be quite nice, I was never happy with that one!

Just had another look at the damage. The steering rack does indeed have a nice bow to it now and I can't see any signs of chassis damage, so I might just be lucky yet.

Bloody hell I've just sold my last rack on ebay cheap too.:rolleyes:


Could have been a lot worse I suppose - I dread to think what would have happened if I'd made it a few more feet out of the junction before impact :eek:

Mmm yes, radiator grill in face scenario!:eek:

[SeriesLandy]

That isn't good, I'm glad your ok though
Hopefully your insurance company are good and your back on the road soon.

[thailoz]

What a shame after just rebuilding the engine still the most important thing is that you are ok

[j.brownster79]

Oh dear fella sorry to hear that! As long as your ok! If it helps I can get u a rack from a guy I got mine from which was 70 quid for a mk2 escort although maybe cheaper as u got your old one so maybe no surcharge which I think was 30 quid I can ask him if you need one.

[flyerncle]

Car is fixable,good that you are ok.

[twinturbo]

Ahh Sh....

Glad your ok and the car is mainly cosmetic. Hopefully back together to enjoy some good weather in may!

TT

[skov]

Thanks all. Still feeling like a bit of a tw@t, but what can you do :rolleyes:

Spoke to my insurers this morning, and they were a bit concerned that they might not be able to find anyone capable of fixing it given it's a bit of an oddity!
I suggested that given I'm the person that built it, I'm probably the best person to undertake the work, and would be happy to do it if they paid for the parts.
They seemed to think that might be possible and are sending an inspector out on Monday to assess the damage.
Hopefully they'll agree to send me a nice big cheque in the near future and I can start shopping for bits and get it back on the road.

[Stot]

Thanks all. Still feeling like a bit of a tw@t, but what can you do :rolleyes:

Spoke to my insurers this morning, and they were a bit concerned that they might not be able to find anyone capable of fixing it given it's a bit of an oddity!
I suggested that given I'm the person that built it, I'm probably the best person to undertake the work, and would be happy to do it if they paid for the parts.
They seemed to think that might be possible and are sending an inspector out on Monday to assess the damage.
Hopefully they'll agree to send me a nice big cheque in the near future and I can start shopping for bits and get it back on the road.

I did the same thing when I crashed my Jester. Was on the road for 2 years first though.. :P They paid for the parts and let me repair myself. Took me years to repair it though as I lost the urge to build waiting for the cheque. :rolleyes:

I think there may even be insurance policies based around self repair now as they save on labour costs so you can save on your premium.

Cheers
Stot

[james3004]

I might know someone that could be interested in your old bonnet;)

[skov]

I'm going to be upset if it takes years for the cheque to come through :eek:

James, you're welcome to that bonnet if I end up getting a new one.

[Stot]

I'm going to be upset if it takes years for the cheque to come through :eek:

James, you're welcome to that bonnet if I end up getting a new one.

Oh it wasnt years for the cheque but a good few months, the years were because I got bored of it while waiting and lost interest.

Also a time when I was 21 so didnt have that much spare cash otherwise I would have fixed it as soon as they said they would cover it. Looking at yours I think a few hundred quid will put it right then wait for the cheque afterwards.

Cheers
Stot

[skov]

Ah, got you. A few months is still a bit pants though!
Hopefully shouldn't take too long to get mine back on the road.
I recon a headlight, steering rack, radiator, fan, possibly a tyre, and a load of gaffer tape should get it going again. New bodywork can probably wait until the cheque comes through.

[skov]

Had the insurance assessor pay me a visit this morning. He seemed like a nice enough chap.
We went through and made a list of everything that needs replacing. He even thought of a couple of things that I hadn't.
We couldn't spot any signs of structural/chassis damage which is good.
By my reckoning I think he's going to say it'll cost somewhere in the region of £800 - £900 to fix if I do the work, so I think/hope there shouldn't be any danger of them writing it off!
Just a matter of waiting to see what the insurance company say now.
In the meantime I've started stripping it down so I'm ready to put it back together as soon as I get the go ahead.

[CTWV50]

So it's just parts damage no frame or wishbone problems? Thats an afternoons work!:D

edit: How did your rack supports cope with the impact?

[skov]

So it's just parts damage no frame or wishbone problems? Thats an afternoons work!:D


Yep, it's looking that way. I may just be one lucky lucky b*****d!
Not sure about an afternoon though, we both agreed that a day (8 hours) should be enough, and he's going to suggest they pay me £20 per hour.
A lot less than a garage would charge, but I'm happy to be paid £20 an hour to d!ck about on my car :D


edit: How did your rack supports cope with the impact?

The rack support looks fine. It's not 100% true, but I'm not sure it ever was to be honest!

[CTWV50]

Yep, it's looking that way. I may just be one lucky lucky b*****d!
Not sure about an afternoon though, we both agreed that a day (8 hours) should be enough, and he's going to suggest they pay me £20 per hour.
A lot less than a garage would charge, but I'm happy to be paid £20 an hour to d!ck about on my car :D



The rack support looks fine. It's not 100% true, but I'm not sure it ever was to be honest!

I'd be a millionaire if I was! Hahaha...

[skov]

Spoke to the insurers today. They said they're going to send me a settlement cheque next week :D

[CTWV50]

That was quick!

[james3004]

That's good news!

You'll be back on the road in no time!

[skov]

Not sure about no time, spoke to Dan at Gillham the other day and he's a bit snowed under with body work orders at the moment, so might have a bit of a wait :rolleyes:
I will be getting a nice shiny new bonnet though :D

[james3004]

Does that mean I get a dodgy old one ;)

[skov]

Yep, yours if you want it James!
I'm going to keep hold of it until I've got the new body work fitted, but you're welcome to it after that.

[skov]

With my car in bits and nothing else to do I thought I may as well tackle my sticky bushes.
My suspension's been creaky and squeaky and suffered from excessive stiction since day one. Had hoped it'd bed in over time, but 2000 miles on that was starting to look unlikely!

So over the weekend I stripped all the bushes out, cleaned off the dried out copper grease (in hindsight this was probably the wrong grease to use...) and replaced it with some JCB branded lithium based grease I had lying around. Had planned to use molybdenum grease but couldn't find my tube of it :rolleyes:

Before doing that though I trimmed a mm or so off the outside face of each bush (using an angle grinder :D ).
I think the main problem was that the standard bushes were too wide and were getting crushed against the suspension bracket when the bolts were tightened. Now they've been trimmed down it's only the crush tube that's being crushed, which is probably how it should be!
The result is I've now got vastly improved, silky smooth, noise free, suspension movement, which I'm very happy about :D

[CTWV50]

With my car in bits and nothing else to do I thought I may as well tackle my sticky bushes.
My suspension's been creaky and squeaky and suffered from excessive stiction since day one. Had hoped it'd bed in over time, but 2000 miles on that was starting to look unlikely!

So over the weekend I stripped all the bushes out, cleaned off the dried out copper grease (in hindsight this was probably the wrong grease to use...) and replaced it with some JCB branded lithium based grease I had lying around. Had planned to use molybdenum grease but couldn't find my tube of it :rolleyes:

Before doing that though I trimmed a mm or so off the outside face of each bush (using an angle grinder :D ).
I think the main problem was that the standard bushes were too wide and were getting crushed against the suspension bracket when the bolts were tightened. Now they've been trimmed down it's only the crush tube that's being crushed, which is probably how it should be!
The result is I've now got vastly improved, silky smooth, noise free, suspension movement, which I'm very happy about :D

A job I'll have to get too at some point.:rolleyes:

[alga]

The result is I've now got vastly improved, silky smooth, noise free, suspension movement, which I'm very happy about :D

I had the same. First I assembled the bushes with the help of some silicone spray. The result was a suspension that was binding and creaking horribly. Then I greased the bushes with lithium grease (Motul TechGrease) and shaved a bit from the longer bush tubes. The creaking was gone, and the suspension got significantly softer.

[skov]

Took a little longer than they promised, but I got my settlement cheque today :D
Time to start shopping!

[skov]

...and that's my shopping done!

[james3004]

Yay! Bet you're a happy chappy:D

[skov]

Moderately pleased, yes :)
Not sure I'll be quite so happy when my insurance renewal comes through though!

[CTWV50]

...and that's my shopping done!

What ye bought?

[skov]

Bonnet, nose cone, steering rack, radiator, fan, tyre, front indicators, and a pair of dominator headlights.
It was a fairly expensive lunchtime!

[CTWV50]

New bodywork?

[skov]

New bodywork?

New bonnet and nose cone. Just waiting for Dan @ Gillham to make them for me.
All the other bits have arrived now and I've made a start putting it back together.

[james3004]

Any old useable bits you want to sell off?

[skov]

Any old useable bits you want to sell off?

Not really, most of the broken bits were so broken they went straight into the bin!
Only possibly useable bits are the nose cone (which would need a lot of work), bonnet (which I've already promised you), and headlights (which I was going to ask you if you wanted!).

[james3004]

Ooh yes please to the headlights John:D

[skov]

Ooh yes please to the headlights John:D

Cool, I'll keep hold of them till next time I see you then.

[james3004]

Thanks John, do you want anything for them?

[skov]

Thanks John, do you want anything for them?

Nah, you're alright.
Saying that, I wouldn't mind another box of those lighters if you've got any left ;)

[james3004]

Used them all already:eek: lol

Yeah I'm sure I can sort you another box out;)

[skov]

Used them all already:eek: lol

Yeah I'm sure I can sort you another box out;)

Not quite, but we seem to be running low!

Didn't help that my son and I stuck a few in our old microwave (along with various other items) before we threw it out :D

[james3004]

Didn't help that my son and I stuck a few in our old microwave (along with various other items) before we threw it out :D

Ha ha that sounds like good fun!

[skov]

Wooooo - just had my first post-crash drive :D
Feels great to have her back on the road!
Strangely she seems to go round corners better than I recall too - bonus!

[skov]

Back on the road :cool:

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-DHqVcvp5KPc/U3UOUIyLmpI/AAAAAAAAKrc/zEVWYBsTWAw/s640/2014-05-15%252018.47.44.jpg

And off again :mad:

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-bu5oxLrwol4/U3UPClLRaZI/AAAAAAAAKs0/LGLnMvFDQ-Y/s640/2014-05-15%252019.00.05.jpg

I swear this bl00dy car is cursed...

[jason 82]

What a bitch ! I feel really bad for you after building the car twice. What's up with it ? Not had the best of luck hey ? 1 diff failure, 1 crash & now a breakdown. Sounds like your car is a female, always a catastrophe & costing shit loads of cash. Get divorced ! It's the future lol;)

[skov]

What a bitch ! I feel really bad for you after building the car twice. What's up with it ? Not had the best of luck hey ? 1 diff failure, 1 crash & now a breakdown. Sounds like your car is a female, always a catastrophe & costing shit loads of cash. Get divorced ! It's the future lol;)

Don't mention the d-word... the wife was not a happy bunny when I told her I'd broken down and was going to be home late :(
She's not a fan of my bit on the side at the best of times!

Hopefully not too catastrophic this time - my alternator belt snapped.

Wouldn't be too much of a problem except that it also drives the water pump on the 1.6, and I've no idea how long I'd be driving it for whilst the coolant was boiling off :(
Turns out my warning lights aren't very visible when the sun's out....

[james3004]

That's rubbish luck mate :(

[CTWV50]

Bummer! Note to self - "replace alternator belt!". I think I did actually when I bought the donor 3 tears ago as it was already on it's way out.

Dominator headlight look good though, hey!:D

[skov]

Bummer! Note to self - "replace alternator belt!". I think I did actually when I bought the donor 3 tears ago as it was already on it's way out.


If it's had 3 tears it probably does need replacing :D
Mine was about 3 years old and had done just over 2000 miles when it went :eek:
The previous owner snapped it just before he sold it too, which is slightly
worrying...


Dominator headlight look good though, hey!

Thanks mate. Glad that they look good, as they serve no practical purpose - May as well have a pair of candles on the front of the car :D

[CTWV50]

..........as they serve no practical purpose - May as well have a pair of candles on the front of the car :D

Ahahahaha! Why?:D

[skov]

Ahahahaha! Why?:D

Because they illuminate the road about as well as a pair of candles would!

[CTWV50]

Oh they are just not very bright! I see or don't see as the case maybe!:D I thought Dominators were good!

[Davidbolam]

What a bummer mate. Fortunately they are really easy to replace. Hopefully there won't be any damage from the water pump

When are you going to change the steering wheel???

[CTWV50]

I got a genuine mazda one, probably no different, but even without use it managed to stretch and I had to tighten it up when I rebuilt the car.

[skov]

What a bummer mate. Fortunately they are really easy to replace. Hopefully there won't be any damage from the water pump

When are you going to change the steering wheel???

Yeah, the belt's easy to replace. The worry is that the overheating might have fcucked up my freshly rebuilt engine :(

I'm in no rush to change the steering wheel. The one on there does the job nicely! Plus I'm pretty much skint at the moment :rolleyes:


I got a genuine mazda one, probably no different, but even without use it managed to stretch and I had to tighten it up when I rebuilt the car.

I think mine was a Mazda one too... and I tightened it up recently as it had stretched a bit!

[CTWV50]

Yeah, the belt's easy to replace. The worry is that the overheating might have fcucked up my freshly rebuilt engine :(

I'm in no rush to change the steering wheel. The one on there does the job nicely! Plus I'm pretty much skint at the moment :rolleyes:




I think mine was a Mazda one too... and I tightened it up recently as it had stretched a bit!

Spoke to a friend who works in a Mazda Dealers as a mechanic, he was showing me his new car, a runout rainbow interior red mk2 8v golf :cool: , and I asked him about mx5 belts and he said they don't last long at all.

[skov]

Just got my insurance renewal. I'd been dreading this following the 'incident'.
Last year it cost £150. Renewal price £340 :eek:
Quick ring round and I got it down to £150 with a different insurer though :D

[Davidbolam]

Just got my insurance renewal. I'd been dreading this following the 'incident'.
Last year it cost £150. Renewal price £340 :eek:
Quick ring round and I got it down to £150 with a different insurer though :D

which insurer are you using? ive been phoning around and getting quoted over £250

[skov]

which insurer are you using? ive been phoning around and getting quoted over £250

I was with Adrian Flux, now with 2gether.
Got a reasonably good quote from Frank Pickles too.

£250 sounds a bit on the high side!

[SeriesLandy]

I got mine from a-plan. Were the cheapest for me apart from 2gether but they didn't seem to know what they were on about.
£195 inc legal cover and ins to drive to iva, which a lot won't do.

[rpjg1975]

Not sure where handyandy got his from but last time I spoke to him it cost him more to tax his roadster for 6 months than it did to insure it! £94 iirc :eek:

[skov]

Not sure where handyandy got his from but last time I spoke to him it cost him more to tax his roadster for 6 months than it did to insure it! £94 iirc :eek:

Blimey, that is cheap! Didn't think Handy Andy ever got his on the road :confused:
Anyone know what happened to him?

[skov]

Very happy today.
Ever since I first built the car I've had trouble changing gear. I'd really struggle to get it into gear at times and occasionally the gear stick would lock completely solid.
Stripped down the gear turret and found a loose, slightly mangled, grub screw floating about in it!
Went out for a drive this evening without the rouge screw and the gear change is finally nice, slick, and trouble free, just like the mx5 box should be :D

[jason 82]

You know what they say, every cloud ! If it wasn't for your car boiling up, you wouldn't have found the gearbox issue. Well, for a while anyway. Well done. :D

[Stot]

Very happy today.
Ever since I first built the car I've had trouble changing gear. I'd really struggle to get it into gear at times and occasionally the gear stick would lock completely solid.
Stripped down the gear turret and found a loose, slightly mangled, grub screw floating about in it!
Went out for a drive this evening without the rouge screw and the gear change is finally nice, slick, and trouble free, just like the mx5 box should be :D

Was it the locator pin that screws in at the neck of the changer to stop the gear lever from turning? Cant think of another grub screw in that area!

Cheers
Stot

[skov]

Was it the locator pin that screws in at the neck of the changer to stop the gear lever from turning? Cant think of another grub screw in that area!

Cheers
Stot

No, I don't think so. The locator pin is still there and working.
You've got me thinking though... It did have an aftermarket gearknob at one point that was held on with a grub screw. I wonder if it somehow dropped in there when I removed it :o

[CTWV50]

oops wrong thread

[skov]

Just a little update, haven't done most of the stuff I had planned this winter...
I did manage to swap the big heavy plywood dash for a minimal ali one though.
and then covered it in cheesey fake red carbon wrap :D

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-3GD4Yb1RVkE/VOpSYBN-W-I/AAAAAAAANSk/YG-jqyGD9Ek/w935-h525-no/IMG_20150222_204540188.jpg


https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-kOroxFcmSNc/VOpSqTdnXKI/AAAAAAAANSs/_-lNUU27v8Q/w935-h525-no/IMG_20150222_204555375.jpg

I moved the clocks to where I can actually see them whilst I was at it too!

[CTWV50]

Function over form, looks much cleaner than before. :)

[skov]

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-CcuK5NQgfF4/VvU3QW93C6I/AAAAAAAAV04/gUtMiGMfmAcLybsfS_y8J3aFI8P20oY7ACCo/s800-Ic42/IMG_20160325_120937974.jpg

I'm afraid my journey with the Haynes came to an end last weekend when I passed her on to her new owner.

Was a little bit sad to see her go, but for me most of the fun was in building her, and I lost interest once complete.
Being a serial hobbyist I'm actually quite joyed by having an empty workshop and a fistful of cash to spend on my next project (whatever that turns out to be!)

I'm sure I'll pop my head in from time to time, but for now it's goodbye from me.

[james3004]

Sad to see you go mate :(

[K4KEV]

Defo keep us posted on your next project John, mines gonna be a ca18det powered suzy cappuccino. I know I will be gutted to let mine go, but I understand your urge to move on to pastures green.

[vmax1974]

Defo keep us posted on your next project John, mines gonna be a ca18det powered suzy cappuccino. I know I will be gutted to let mine go, but I understand your urge to move on to pastures green.

Will start saving my pennys now then kev

I second what everyone else has said keep us informed and good luck

[CTWV50]

Keep in touch. :)