ripped_fear Posted April 16, 2012 Share Posted April 16, 2012 I have been considering getting myself a MX5 for a while now, just for running around in and mainly due to joining my local car club. I have been keeping my eye out for one for a little while, and I have one in my local area for a good price with tax and mot, but its a H reg limited edition model, made to mark the end of the first year of production. This means the car has the 1.6 NA engine not the 1.8 equivalent. The car is going to be used on small tracks so will get allot of 1st,2nd,3rd gear abuse, and top end will not be so important. But I would love to get into a bit of drifting and was wondering if the 1.6 is going to be enough. Has anyone had any expereince obviously I can take it for a test drive but cant start sliding it around so just wondering if anyone has any experience with the little cars? I do not intend to pump money into it, so adding more power via turbos etc will be out of the question, all that will be done is stripping it right out and putting a little cage in along with a bucket seat and some good wheels/suspension. So opinions must be based on the stock engine. Pic of the car in question http://image.wightbay.com/extra/itemimg/4491801_4491900/4491871_b_c9be14834d56138c.jpg Thanks in advance. J Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colin-mkiv Posted April 16, 2012 Share Posted April 16, 2012 You can buy turbo kits for them, the 1.6 is the stronger engine if you plan to do this, otherwise the 1.8 is revvier and has a little bit more power. Very chuckable little cars though, but if you're over 6 foot then its gona be a bit cramped for you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Nurotix Posted April 16, 2012 Share Posted April 16, 2012 Get it! I've had nearly 10 of these things now (MK1 1.6, 1.8, MK2 1.6, 1.8RS etc) and I feckin' love them! Immense fun and they're unbreakable...and if you do manage to break one, they cost nothing to fix. The 1.6 will be fine, I prefer it, it's much revvier and theres not a huge performance difference in reality. The 1.8 has a bit more torque but it's lazier and less fun when you wanna wring it's neck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Nurotix Posted April 16, 2012 Share Posted April 16, 2012 As far as modifications go, stick some coilovers on it, a bucket seat and weld up the diff and you're good to go. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ripped_fear Posted April 16, 2012 Author Share Posted April 16, 2012 As far as modifications go, stick some coilovers on it, a bucket seat and weld up the diff and you're good to go. See this is the only mods that will be happening. Think i shall be on the phone to my insurance company tommorow. Thanks for the advise. Is there any major weak points I should be aware of? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TokyoRich Posted April 16, 2012 Share Posted April 16, 2012 Agree, I have had loads of these also, I still have the first one I bought (will try to attach some pics below). Bought it over 10 years ago as a bog standard red car, started with the shocks, then the roll cage, then mikuni carbs.. then just got carried away and changed everything else.... 1.6 is great, more parts available and practically unbreakable. Watch for excessive tappet noise which was common on these and new oil is a sign they are trying to cover it up. If you need parts let me know, I have a garage full of them, love these cars to bits. Have an old list of what I had done to it at the time.... : Custom full paint job, including the interior which has been totally stripped Roll cage including side bars Custom centre console with beige leather gaiter Quick shift race gear Mazda speed racing clutch Momo steering wheel External temp / volt meters Custom made aluminium door panels Racing battery (moved from the boot to passenger seat to minimise distance to engine) Cut off switch Push button starter (key cylinder removed) Cobra driver seat and passenger bucket, full Willans harnesses on both sides Veilside style front bumper sadly the old one broke so I put a veilside one on which I hate.. problem is getting another one painted as I forgot the colour code.. pretty sure it was the GTR midnight purple... Side steps FRP bonnet with vents Bonnet clips Uprated head lights Aluminium fuel filler cover (with remote) Center exit twin exhausts (not good for power but looks nice GT wing (now removed) Lightweight alloys with rear spacers Rolled arches High cams Mikuni Solex twin carbs Stock fuel pump disabled and external one fitted eliminating the need for fuel regulator Strut brace Polished head cover Custom exhaust manifold QUANTUM adjustable all aluminium shocks Engine damper Mazda speed engine mounts Oil catch tank Earthing kit Tinted side repeaters As you said suspension is the most important start point, I have had numerous sets from most manufacturers but ended up with the quantums they are UK made, all aluminium and just awesome.. did cost around 3k though...The one you send over is a UK so look out for rust on sills, usual places... headrest speakers tend to go and its a pain to replace.. but not a prob if bucket seats are going in.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ripped_fear Posted April 16, 2012 Author Share Posted April 16, 2012 Thats a hell of a little weapon you have there and thanks for the use full information as long as the insurance isn't too much more, I will go check the car out. If I'm honest the suspension set up at 3k will be far to much for me as this will be a track car, my supra gets the love. But i will look into getting some decent springs or second hand coil overs. Rust not to fused about as long as it isnt completely gone, my dads a paint sprayer by trade so can get all that fixed if necessary and again the speakers are nothing I'm worried about as all audio stuff will be ripped out. Tappet noise however will keep an eye out for. But if these are the main things to look out for all is sounding good. Fingers crossed I fit in it though as I am just a tad over 6ft Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TokyoRich Posted April 16, 2012 Share Posted April 16, 2012 Mate, I love them you will have so much fun, they are so light and easy to tune, throw around. I am 6 foot and its not a problem. When I first moved back to the UK I joined the MX5OC but most of the guys I met had the mk3 and were twice my age so I gave it up which was a shame.. well organised club though.. guess its easier when you are retired.. Other obvious things to check to for are the hood and drainage behind the hood.. Dunno why I cant upload big photos.. anyway, want to share the love so uploaded more to flickr.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ripped_fear Posted April 16, 2012 Author Share Posted April 16, 2012 Mate, I love them you will have so much fun, they are so light and easy to tune, throw around. I am 6 foot and its not a problem. When I first moved back to the UK I joined the MX5OC but most of the guys I met had the mk3 and were twice my age so I gave it up which was a shame.. well organised club though.. guess its easier when you are retired.. Other obvious things to check to for are the hood and drainage behind the hood.. Dunno why I cant upload big photos.. anyway, want to share the love so uploaded more to flickr.. shame about mx5oc I was going to ask if there was anywhere i could join up for usefull information. May join up anyway and see what information i can find out. Yeah i will check the hood and that was more concerned about faults with the engine. Got some good pictures on there, the car looks a bit of an animal love the track interior, my creame interior if i get the one above will not quiet look the same lol. Maybe I will flock it. What bhp you pushing out in that? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robzki Posted April 16, 2012 Share Posted April 16, 2012 the 1.8 is revvier The 1.6 will be fine, it's much revvier 1: Is revvier actually a word or is it just made up by these 2 mx5 owners? 2: Are these two revvy engines at the same revviness or is one actually more revvier than the other? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Nurotix Posted April 17, 2012 Share Posted April 17, 2012 1: Is revvier actually a word or is it just made up by these 2 mx5 owners? 2: Are these two revvy engines at the same revviness or is one actually more revvier than the other? Basically the 1.6 revs higher and the peak power kicks in a little later. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Nurotix Posted April 17, 2012 Share Posted April 17, 2012 See this is the only mods that will be happening. Think i shall be on the phone to my insurance company tommorow. Thanks for the advise. Is there any major weak points I should be aware of? If you go for a pre-1990 model, there is a weak point in the crankshaft bolts - besides that, there really isn't anything. I've given cars with 180k on some serious abuse and they just keep going. Parts are rediculously cheap, most of the car bolts together pretty easily, and there is a decent amount of tuning potential given that the engines are actually designed to be turbo-charged in the 323, so they are over-engineered for an N/A application really! Handling is absolutely brilliant, especially the steering and turn in - but you do need at least a good set of shocks and springs because they are very soft as stock. The only other thing worth doing to your 1.6 is the 1.8 brakes. As for rust, it'll be down either end of the sills where the drainholes get clogged and the water sits there. Most will have been repaired by now. If you get a rusty one for dirt cheap, take it to Autolink and they will weld in some sills off a good car for £150 a side, painted, bargain! Arches can rust too, but not as badly. Basically just check the fluids are good, the temp stays in the middle, and you should be good to go! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
viper Posted April 17, 2012 Share Posted April 17, 2012 hi buddy, before the supra i was a bit of a mx5 nut. i had a 1990 1.6 stage 3 turbo running 440cc supra injectors and a MS2 standlanone ecu, 250HP at the wheels and just under a ton it was rappid. As a stock car they are perfect for what you want. yes putting some coilovers on will definatly improve the experianance. On the pre 1992-3 1.6 they didnt come with chassis bracing so the steering wasnt quite as sensitive and the chassis wasnt quite as ridgid but it wasnt an issue and is so simple to upgrade as the mounting points are all there for the braces, in fact i used to make them. I used ot be a member of 2 forums and still am one was MX5nutz simular forum to this but all mx5 related you will find all the info you need for everything. And the main one i used was Phoenixfives this is a west midlands based club but i have to say is the best iv ever been part of, its not huge but everyone is so freindly and has much more of a personal touch. Infact theres a few pics of my car around too it was a black urban camo mk1 1.6 turbo with a side exit exhaust. It may of been mentioned but the only issues i ever had was a slight water leak on the thermostat housing as theres a strange t peice for the hose to connect onto and in order to change the housing you have to remove the cambelt and engine covers behind that, but it was a pretty unusual occurance. They are prone to rust especially around the archs and sometimes on the a piller. oh and the sills. Engine cant fault them, iv run mine low on oil low on coolent and they kept on going. (didnt know this at the time) like said so cheap to fix oh and they are not interferance engines so if the cam belt ever did go there would be no damage to the engine, just to your pride as you get taken home on the back of a truck. my recomendation go on phoenixfives and say viper sent you, they will welcome you with open arms. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Wilson Posted April 17, 2012 Share Posted April 17, 2012 There was a supercharged 1.6 at Oulton last year that ran really well. Nice little cars, the wife had a totally stock one for about a year and it never missed a beat and she piled plenty of miles on it every day. Economical, too. Find a rot free one and you should have a cheap car that's got the drive at the proper end and is quite modern yet still fairly light in weight, which are two rarities these days. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Josh Posted April 17, 2012 Share Posted April 17, 2012 There was a supercharged 1.6 at Oulton last year that ran really well. Nice little cars, the wife had a totally stock one for about a year and it never missed a beat and she piled plenty of miles on it every day. Economical, too. Find a rot free one and you should have a cheap car that's got the drive at the proper end and is quite modern yet still fairly light in weight, which are two rarities these days. I was looking for one as a runaround and would still love one, but the RWD puts me off as I want something that'll be good in the snow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Wilson Posted April 17, 2012 Share Posted April 17, 2012 Hers was fine in the snow, she had it during that bad winter and it never got her stuck. It was on stock wheels and sensible tyres though. Are you planning on trips to frozen wastelands in it or something? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Josh Posted April 17, 2012 Share Posted April 17, 2012 Hers was fine in the snow, she had it during that bad winter and it never got her stuck. It was on stock wheels and sensible tyres though. Are you planning on trips to frozen wastelands in it or something? First MX-5 to reach the North Pole I guess I could get one for the summer and if we get loads of snow, get something else in place, or as well as for a few months Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Wilson Posted April 17, 2012 Share Posted April 17, 2012 We live in a temperate climate, we never get "loads of snow", at the most a few days of light scatterings. Thousands of people in countries in the Arctic Circle and in Scandinavia get to and fro work every day in RWD cars, with no road gritting and no dramas. Quite how and why the UK grinds to a near stop with every light dusting of snow is beyond my comprehension. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Josh Posted April 17, 2012 Share Posted April 17, 2012 We live in a temperate climate, we never get "loads of snow", at the most a few days of light scatterings. Thousands of people in countries in the Arctic Circle and in Scandinavia get to and fro work every day in RWD cars, with no road gritting and no dramas. Quite how and why the UK grinds to a near stop with every light dusting of snow is beyond my comprehension. So in other words, man up? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
liam1 Posted April 17, 2012 Share Posted April 17, 2012 picked up my first five earlier in the year, its a 1.6 v special and i love it its a hoot to drive had a few sunny days already and its even better when the roof is down, http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq58/123mustang2009/mxstylebar001.jpg http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq58/123mustang2009/mxstylebar003.jpg http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq58/123mustang2009/mxstylebar004.jpg http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq58/123mustang2009/mx5clean2012.jpg http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq58/123mustang2009/mx5005.jpg http://i433.photobucket.com/albums/qq58/123mustang2009/mx5003.jpg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Wilson Posted April 17, 2012 Share Posted April 17, 2012 So in other words, man up? yeah! You are more likely to lose traction on wet Pitta bread or last nights curry and chips on the road surface than snow in the Midlands! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ripped_fear Posted April 17, 2012 Author Share Posted April 17, 2012 Wow nice little wealth of information is appearing here, thanks all for chipping in. The mx5 looks to be the perfect car for myself for a little track car they sound on paper a fairly reliable little thing and great to chuck about which is exactly what I need. @ Viper thanks for all the information and thanks allot for the recommendation if I ever need it I will defently get on MX5nutz and phoenixfives to do some wome work on the cars and get some ideas about where I should spend my money. Nice to see you chip in Chris and if you rate it I know they must bee good As for snow josh I aint fussed this is a track car not a winter one, TBH if I keep it any length of time I would probably rebuild it as a project/ learning experience over the winter. @ liam1 that looks a very nice example just like the one I'm thinking of, but I'm better nick. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Wilson Posted April 17, 2012 Share Posted April 17, 2012 http://www.chriswilson.tv/mazda2/mazda.html http://www.chriswilson.tv/mazda3/mazda.html http://www.chriswilson.tv/mazda10/mazda10.html http://www.chriswilson.tv/mazda11/mazda11.html 320 + BHP all steel turbo MX-5 engine I built a couple of years ago for a customer. Nice little thing. Bespoke cams, bespoke head work, steel rods, bespoke pistons, piston oil squirters, cast iron turbo manifold, mid size turbo on decent management. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ripped_fear Posted April 17, 2012 Author Share Posted April 17, 2012 http://www.chriswilson.tv/mazda2/mazda.html http://www.chriswilson.tv/mazda3/mazda.html http://www.chriswilson.tv/mazda10/mazda10.html http://www.chriswilson.tv/mazda11/mazda11.html 320 + BHP all steel turbo MX-5 engine I built a couple of years ago for a customer. Nice little thing. Bespoke cams, bespoke head work, steel rods, bespoke pistons, piston oil squirters, cast iron turbo manifold, mid size turbo on decent management. WOW, any pictures of the final/finished car. 320bhp must be amazing in such a light and small car. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Wilson Posted April 17, 2012 Share Posted April 17, 2012 No pictures of car, sorry, I never even saw it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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