I used to hang around here a few years back, had a tatty red Mk1 and then a rowdy black turbo Mk1 (bought from forum member Jim and then sold to another forum member Harlan) before turning to the dark side of only having practical cars for a while... But I got myself back into an MX5 earlier this ye...

KSCRIM wrote: The 1.6 continued in the NB up to 2005 for Europe (at 88BHP!!!!)and Japan, I've seen figures for the JDM 1.6 at 125BHP. From 98 on the 1.6 has better breathing and solid lifters in and out.

Didn't the UK/Europe 1.6 get bumped back up to 115bhp in the Mk2 after the detuned 1.6 for the later Mk1?

Thanks m4vr1k 8) This is the gutter run technique. http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=Z3fqEvxLerA#t=91s Cheers, kinda what I thought from the name. just like to be sure. The Germans do it too... http://drivecult.straightsixstudios.com/uploads/911-karussell-lead-lines.jpg

Ah well she's gone - like you I ended up taking $7500 for it and hanging onto a few extra bits to sell off separately. Bit sad to see it go but times change.

Also if your cooling system is a bit gunked up etc, keep an eye out for drips under the car after changing the coolant - my previous MX5 had seriously yucky coolant and then the water pump let go as soon as I had it flushed.

Looks the same bar as mine - chassis feels so much tighter with a bar than without!

Unfortunately they are already looking into MX5s for drifting. http://freshlywhipped.co.nz/?p=773 Maybe one of them will buy mine, its been for sale long enough! Wonder what I'm doing wrong with the ad? I was just thinking that... just as surprised it hasn't sold. Perhaps you need to overlay a pic ...

Brainflex wrote:Unfortunately they are already looking into MX5s for drifting.
http://freshlywhipped.co.nz/?p=773

Maybe one of them will buy mine, its been for sale long enough! Wonder what I'm doing wrong with the ad?

Will be interesting to see what people are doing with the Mk3 over the next few years as I think thats basically a Duratec lump too

The pistonheads.com forums have an NZ section which is where a few TVR and Lotus guys hang out, you could try there for info as thats where I've heard it mentioned.

There is a way for rare/interesting/special cars that exempts them from some regular import laws but I don't know the details, I just know of a few people bringing in TVR, Lotus etc from the UK that way. SIV (special interest vehicle) or something perhaps?

evel wrote:There aren't any 200hp+ motors that Mazda make apart from Rotors are their?

KL-ZE 2.5 V6 is 200hp, KJ-ZEM 2.3 SC Miller-cycle V6 is 230 (but apparently doesn't fit in an MX5), I'm sure the newer MPS motors make more than that too!

I think more that the tuning necessary for that power would make it somewhat less suitable for normal road driving - ie extreme cams giving big top-end power but not much low down, lumpy idle etc.

Donovan wrote:How about a rotary, and this one is already all done

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing ... =429387665

Or save a couple of $k and buy my turbo one Shameless plug...

punkoutnz wrote:Is it a bit of a theme to own a WRX and an MX5 at the same time? haha.

I'm nearly the same, Legacy GTB and MX5!

(2 cars, 3 turbos)

Skilfil wrote: But I've got an obsession with 1.6 turbos now after all the youtube videos, I love boost.

Like this?

http://vimeo.com/15896697

Timmo wrote:As an engine they are nothing special.

KL-ZE or KL-DE? Same block, different heads, very different engine (200 vs 160 bhp)

Track time is definitely on the cards, and once I have some new pads and some decent fluid I'll be out and away. My brakes are getting close to the end of their lifespan (just starting to get the occasional squeal on the brakes) so I don't really want to go out for a track day until I've got the re...

At standard power level on normal road tyres I don't see any need for the bigger brakes - with decent fluid and what were as far as I know OEM Mazda pads I never had any fade or lack of braking power from mine on road or track. Fantastic pedal feel too. Turbo power and/or sticky tyres provide a lot ...

Had a good drive (Moa Flat, Lindis Pass etc) but it was in the Legacy not the MX5! MX5 wouldn't have made it through the last 30km or so of the trip heading up the Ahuriri for a stroll.

With standard power and normal road tyres I never had any issue with the standard NA6 brake performance on road or track, didn't even change the pads just put decent fluid in and it stopped hard every time with no fade.

It does help with lateral support, but you lose some lumbar support and it still doesn't hold you like a proper bucket. Better than nothing though, and the backrest is easy enough to slip the piece of foam in and out of if you change your mind. Its only the base which you have to chop the foam, if y...

When I do a couple of track days and meet some other MX5 people(i'll join the club at some stage) I am sure this will all fall in to place and become obvious... In the meantime i will keep my eyes peeled on Trademe for the T Frame and a mean ass price...... :lol: The sore knees from bracing yoursel...

Just had a quick measure up of mine too - outside width of the widest part of the flare out at shoulders is ~520mm, or 510 if you squish the padding down a bit. The other thing with the T-frame is its a metal frame, so if the sides of the seat base are a bit tight you can use a jack or something to ...

Yeah I can measure at some stage - I'm 95kg and pretty solid in the shoulders and find it cosy but comfy enough - its only really the getting in and out thats a bit more hassle than a regular seat. No issue with doors/windows/roof etc, I haven't tried a hard top but don't see why it wouldn't fit. Th...