It's not a problem per se, I daresay a standard lump in a MX5 would be happy with the OEM routing (my standard MX5 has covered over 160K miles with the OEM set-up, so it can't be that bad). Mazda did, apparently, make some changes to the coolant set-up on later models of the MX5.
Clearance issues...the spacer itself appears to fit MX5s with no bulkhead modifications (although there's not a lot of space), so as long as there's at least as much space in a Roadster, I can't see that being an insurmountable problem. The only other possible sticking point I can think of ATM is routing the coolant back to the front of the car. Most MX5 owners seem to route it under the inlet manifold but it's a rather busy area for a Roadster, so the coolant route might need some thinking about. It's impossible to say for sure until it's all offered up in situ.
Costs...the threads on MX5Nutz I linked in the OP should tell you all you need to know when it comes to buying the extra parts to fit the spacer to the MX5. Of course, things will be different in the Roadster, so more tubing or extra clips etc may be needed. I don't know the full cost for sure. A new thermostat is about £10, a thermostat housing top cover is £20 or so new. A blank for the old thermostat fitting would be needed as well.
The way I thought about it was this; the full reroute kit costs $329 from FM in the States, so there's delivery and customs charges on top, so you could be looking at £300 plus to import a kit. What are the chances that the extra bits would cost me almost £250 to sort out if I bought this spacer?
I don't know of anyone in the UK offering a full reroute kit for the MX5, so importing a kit seems to be the only other option.
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30th June 2012, 11:42 PM
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