Search found 367 matches

by marcellarius
Fri Oct 21, 2016 1:05 pm
Forum: MX5 Discussion
Topic: Tall people in an Nb
Replies: 8
Views: 16225

Might depend on the version of the NB and your proportions. I'm 183cm and 1 untwpgh kg and I found the a 1998 NB with leather seats nearly undriveable. I needed the seat all the way back and even then it was cramped and my left leg was pressed into the steering wheel the whole time. When I tried to ...
by marcellarius
Fri Oct 07, 2016 7:43 pm
Forum: MX5 Discussion
Topic: Hood failed in WOF
Replies: 2
Views: 8247

Hmm, bad luck. I've heard of people getting failed over scratched/hazed windows too.

IMO, it's not clear what grounds they had for failing it, but there's no point arguing it with the inspector.
by marcellarius
Fri Oct 07, 2016 7:25 pm
Forum: MX5 Suspension, Wheels, Tyres & Brakes etc
Topic: dust boots front shockers.
Replies: 2
Views: 8106

I've never seen an NA OEM strut that doesn't have a failed dust boot. It's not a WOF item, but it will allow road grime to get into the gland seal on top of the damper. The dust boot is part of the bump stop. You might be able to use a generic boot, but it's not worth changing the boot on junk shock...
by marcellarius
Fri Oct 07, 2016 7:14 pm
Forum: MX5 Discussion
Topic: Driving Blind
Replies: 3
Views: 8804

The NB headlights are crap, but it might be worth wetsanding then clearcoating them to prevent them from quickly hazing up again. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UEJbKLZ7RmM demonstrates this technique. I've not tried it myself, but it's going to be a longer term fix than those polishing kits that j...
by marcellarius
Wed Aug 10, 2016 5:25 pm
Forum: MX5 Discussion
Topic: Selling the NB for a NA
Replies: 3
Views: 6596

(Heard the early 1.6 is the nicest engine to drive) Dubious. I've driven a few 1.8s and a 1.6 and they're quite similar. I wouldn't let this influence my decision. Unless I had specific reason, I wouldn't pick based on engine. Buy the nicest one you can afford. If a sporty LSD is important to you, ...
by marcellarius
Sat Aug 06, 2016 1:23 pm
Forum: MX5 Electrical, Audio, Alarms & Electronics
Topic: Battery terminal/clamp replacement
Replies: 0
Views: 8017

Battery terminal/clamp replacement

The positive battery terminal (clamp?) on my 94 NA has cracked and needs to be replaced. Unfortunately there isn't much room and Mazda haven't provisioned any more cable than absolutely necessary. I'd rather not butcher on one of those DIY screw-on clamps if I can avoid it. Has anyone had experience...
by marcellarius
Fri Jun 17, 2016 10:49 am
Forum: MX5 Discussion
Topic: New MX5 owner here!
Replies: 2
Views: 4901

Also my friend has a Audi A3 with a turbo charger, he says it has 160hp (mine has 160hp) but has 250nm of torque vs my miata 190nm, who would win? It would be close. The MX5 is probably slightly lighter, but the extra torque of the turbo A3 will give it a strong advantage in acceleration. Only one ...
by marcellarius
Wed Jun 15, 2016 12:05 pm
Forum: MX5 Discussion
Topic: How to hunt for good NB MX6 in trademe
Replies: 13
Views: 13706

A) I've only rode in an NB with the standard suspension. It's good. Much better ride than any NA. I'd call Bilsteins a 'nice to have' but not worth chasing. B) Later NBs were more powerful. The revised model had increased compression and variable valve timing. They also had better seats (and perhaps...
by marcellarius
Wed May 18, 2016 10:45 am
Forum: MX5 Electrical, Audio, Alarms & Electronics
Topic: TPS wiring
Replies: 26
Views: 51911

It could have been electrical noise e.g. from ignition or alternator. ECUs provide a ground for sensors to reduce interference from other parts of the electrical system.
by marcellarius
Sun May 08, 2016 1:28 pm
Forum: MX5 Discussion
Topic: Torsen swap - help needed
Replies: 2
Views: 5143

Yes. The 7" 1.8 diffs all use the same axles, so you can get axles from a 1.8 open diff too.

One piece or two piece both work fine.
by marcellarius
Tue Apr 26, 2016 4:47 pm
Forum: MX5 Suspension, Wheels, Tyres & Brakes etc
Topic: mx5 na uneven stance
Replies: 15
Views: 21360

In support of marcellarius' comments. Some years ago Donovan measured the corner weights of his NA before putting in the V8. The results were LF 240kg, RF 264 kg, LR 240=1kg, RR 240 kg. The OEM front spring rates are 163lb/in (manual transmission), so the 24kg right to left weight difference will m...
by marcellarius
Fri Apr 22, 2016 3:57 pm
Forum: MX5 Suspension, Wheels, Tyres & Brakes etc
Topic: mx5 na uneven stance
Replies: 15
Views: 21360

It's as designed. The factory suspension setup is very soft with a lot of preload. and the slight imbalance doesn't really affect handling on that setup. Stiffer springs will reduce the magnitude of the effect, but even with springs twice as stiff as factory on evenly adjusted coilovers you will sti...
by marcellarius
Tue Apr 19, 2016 11:18 am
Forum: MX5 Discussion
Topic: Im back...MX5 number 3. Make that 4.
Replies: 11
Views: 13739

Does it happen in all gears? Coasting in neutral?

Check/replace transmission oil?
by marcellarius
Tue Apr 12, 2016 11:03 am
Forum: MX5 Discussion
Topic: Drifting thread
Replies: 102
Views: 109340

Have you done any bottom end work? 8000 seems pretty high if it's a stock bottom end
by marcellarius
Thu Apr 07, 2016 5:12 pm
Forum: MX5 Suspension, Wheels, Tyres & Brakes etc
Topic: mx5 na uneven stance
Replies: 15
Views: 21360

As I said before, it's because each corner doesn't weigh the same amount. If my memory serves the front drivers side is something like 50kg heavier (steering column, instruments, pedal box and brake booster, plus all the crap on that side of the engine bay). I noted the exact same thing when install...
by marcellarius
Wed Apr 06, 2016 8:20 am
Forum: MX5 Discussion
Topic: Battery Replacement
Replies: 2
Views: 4946

I believe "sealed" batteries don't vent gasses under normal situations, but they do have a safety valve to vent excess pressure if there is a fault. There should be hoses in the boot for venting the battery, but I'm not sure how common it is to get batteries you can attach a hose to.
by marcellarius
Sat Apr 02, 2016 1:59 pm
Forum: MX5 Discussion
Topic: Na 1600 dead spot just off idle
Replies: 2
Views: 4820

If you're good with a multimeter you could check that your TPS switch is working properly. Normally when the idle switch opens the ECU will fire the injectors twice to prevent it from leaning out (similar to an accelerator pump in a carburettor)
by marcellarius
Wed Mar 30, 2016 11:39 am
Forum: MX5 Suspension, Wheels, Tyres & Brakes etc
Topic: mx5 na uneven stance
Replies: 15
Views: 21360

Normal. The corner weights aren't equal -- the front right is the heaviest and will sit lowest, this will tend to lift the diagonal opposite a little. The solution is corner balancing, which involves fine-tuning the ride height at each corner so that each diagonal carries an equal share of the weigh...
by marcellarius
Tue Mar 29, 2016 12:37 pm
Forum: MX5 Discussion
Topic: Changes to forum... YOUR opinions sought
Replies: 10
Views: 17920

JavaScript, not Java [they are unrelated].

Discourse uses JavaScript for the UI, and Ruby and PostgreSQL running on a Linux server.
by marcellarius
Tue Mar 29, 2016 9:21 am
Forum: MX5 Discussion
Topic: Changes to forum... YOUR opinions sought
Replies: 10
Views: 17920

What about something modern like Discourse? It has good support for touch screen devices, much nicer media embedding, and tools for converting from phpBB?
by marcellarius
Tue Mar 15, 2016 11:16 am
Forum: MX5 Discussion
Topic: Gear lash/Rattle/Can of gravel... You know the noise!
Replies: 4
Views: 7037

Perhaps the rattle is in the exhaust or heatshield? My car had collected numerous stones in the heatshield around the catalytic converter, and later I discovered more sitting on top of the heat shield above the cat which I could get to after removing the remains of the gear shift boot.
by marcellarius
Mon Mar 07, 2016 6:10 pm
Forum: MX5 Electrical, Audio, Alarms & Electronics
Topic: TPS wiring
Replies: 26
Views: 51911

Can you take a 5 volt reference from the ECU though? Other sensors/potentiometers will need a solid 5V feed.
by marcellarius
Mon Mar 07, 2016 1:39 pm
Forum: MX5 Electrical, Audio, Alarms & Electronics
Topic: TPS wiring
Replies: 26
Views: 51911

No, it won't work. Assuming it's wired up the same as the OEM, the ECU provides a 5V feed, but this is a pull-down input: when the switch closes it connects to ground which 'pulls down' the voltage to 0, which the computer can then detect. Inside the ECU there is a resistor that only allows a tiny c...
by marcellarius
Sun Nov 01, 2015 9:34 pm
Forum: MX5 Discussion
Topic: What engine does this car have?
Replies: 3
Views: 5612

Apparently the reason Mazda did it was so insurance for the car would be cheaper. It was only the 1995-1998 1.6s, which weren't sold in other markets. The NB6 was not sold in the US (thus the internet is devoid of useful information about them) but this makes about 120hp.
by marcellarius
Sun Nov 01, 2015 9:30 pm
Forum: MX5 Discussion
Topic: What engine does this car have?
Replies: 3
Views: 5612

It looks like a standard, gutless B6. I'd only heard of the detuned 1.6s in the UK market (why?!?!?!).

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