My 91 NA

SimJen · Post by **SimJen** » Fri Dec 09, 2011 10:10 am

I thought I'd post a little bit of a write up on my NA.
I've been through a few cars over the years, all modified in some form or other.
I recently bought an MX5 after selling my 300+hp WRX and using the money to fund it and a project bike. It was a shock to the system as I was so used to the power delivery of the WRX, it felt really slow!
The MX5 though, while it doesn't have much, it uses what it does have to great effect!

With a few mods my little NA is getting better all the time.

It came with hideous chrome 17's which just added weight.
I'd like it to be a bit of a fun carclub type car for doing motorkhana's and sprints/hillclimbs etc.

Mods so far include:
15" lightweight rims/tyres - Saving of 12kg!
Timing advance
Lowered springs
Trans oil
Pod filter
Removed number plate surround
Removed tie downs on the front
Exhaust - decat with a small coby, straight thru muffler

Currently working on a few things:
Roll bar, I have the main hoop manufactured, will be fabbing the stays/brace on the weekend then weld up next week.

Removing AC and Powersteering to liberate a bit of weight and simplify under the bonnet!
Removal of Charcoal canister
Installing a lip spoiler

Ideally later on i'd like to chuck some coilovers in to get it exactly where I want the height to be!
Pretty happy with it to be honest, not as fast as my old Lotus 7 in a straight line! just as good if not better round corners, seems to be more planted than my 7 was, I suppose its the IRS? and maybe a little more weight makes it stick pretty well.
A quick little car point to point on a twisty road, and excellent fun in the wet with the LSD.

Angreal · Post by **Angreal** » Fri Dec 09, 2011 1:34 pm

That's a very tidy looking paint job

SLYDIT · Post by **SLYDIT** » Fri Dec 09, 2011 10:08 pm

just a word of caution regarding removing the air conditioning....

when you remove the air con compressor bracket off the block there is a bolt which bolts on the front face of the block and sandwiches an alloy housing to the block.....
that alloy housing IS THE OIL PUMP!
you MUST replace that bolt with a shorter one, (the original won't go back in)...

SimJen · Post by **SimJen** » Fri Dec 09, 2011 10:44 pm

thanks for that, I'll be sure to replace it with a shorter one.

Mr. Shine · Post by **Mr. Shine** » Sat Dec 10, 2011 12:27 am

SimJen wrote:15" lightweight rims/tyres - Saving of 12kg!

You may find you'll be hard pressed to find much weight saving from factory rims, and even many aftermarket "lightweight" wheels will be heavier than the factory offerings!

A very tidy-looking car in all

SimJen · Post by **SimJen** » Sat Dec 10, 2011 8:14 pm

Mr. Shine wrote:
SimJen wrote:15" lightweight rims/tyres - Saving of 12kg!
You may find you'll be hard pressed to find much weight saving from factory rims, and even many aftermarket "lightweight" wheels will be heavier than the factory offerings!

A very tidy-looking car in all

By saving I meant savings from the 17's that were fitted.
The 15's are probably a similar weight to the 15" stock wheels to be honest.

Thanks

Skilfil · Post by **Skilfil** » Sat Dec 10, 2011 8:57 pm

Never understood 17's on an MX5 lol

SimJen · Post by **SimJen** » Wed Dec 14, 2011 1:39 pm

Well I've done a little more on my Roll bar.
Decided to change the design a little so its only got one diagonal now (easier!)

Need to tweak a few things, do a final fitment test and then off to the powdercoaters for final finish in black.

punkoutnz · Post by **punkoutnz** » Wed Dec 14, 2011 2:38 pm

That looks so hot dude! Still keen as if you copy them, or even if you can just source us the materials with the main bar already bent to weld up the rest.

SimJen · Post by **SimJen** » Wed Dec 14, 2011 3:25 pm

well you never know, once I work out all the costings I might be able to offer them for sale, I'll just make a jig of this one.
Possibly around the $500 mark but I will have to look into it.
Powdercoating could be in various colours to suit?
Considerably better than a style bar!

thebears · Post by **thebears** » Wed Dec 14, 2011 3:54 pm

SimJen wrote:well you never know, once I work out all the costings I might be able to offer them for sale, I'll just make a jig of this one.
Possibly around the $500 mark but I will have to look into it.
Powdercoating could be in various colours to suit?
Considerably better than a style bar!

Does the hard and soft top fit over it? Count me in!!

SimJen · Post by **SimJen** » Wed Dec 14, 2011 4:00 pm

it fits over the softtop no problem, have no idea about the hard top as I don't have one!

punkoutnz · Post by **punkoutnz** » Wed Dec 14, 2011 6:07 pm

I can bring my hard top around for a test fit if you like. Easiest way to find out!

Brainflex · Post by **Brainflex** » Wed Dec 14, 2011 8:16 pm

looks good, don't forget to take pics as you install it then post a thread please.

Growler · Post by **Growler** » Wed Dec 14, 2011 8:47 pm

The hardtop is slightly lower than the soft top.

WideOpenThrottle · Post by **WideOpenThrottle** » Thu Dec 15, 2011 11:01 am

[quote="SimJen"]it fits over the softtop no problem, have no idea about the hard top as I don't have one![/quote

As a rough indication my roll bar is approx 150 above the standard seat headrest top & approx 980 above the floor carpet behind the seat & my hardtop fits

SimJen · Post by **SimJen** » Fri Dec 16, 2011 10:01 am

I could easily make it lower to suit.
Once I've got this one made, a jig can be knocked up to match then its just a case of height adjustment to suit

SimJen · Post by **SimJen** » Sun Dec 18, 2011 4:18 pm

Well finally got around to welding up the rollbar.
I decided to paint it for now as it means I could have it installed this weekend.
Used 2 pack primer and some satin black for the top coat.
Not so sure I'd want to get it out again anytime soon!
Came out pretty good I feel and will give added protection in the unlikely event that something scary happens!

punkoutnz · Post by **punkoutnz** » Sun Dec 18, 2011 6:39 pm

Not sure if the hard top will clear that, it sits pretty high but are you keen to give it a shot some time soon?

Nice work though man, it looks really decent!

Mr. Shine · Post by **Mr. Shine** » Sun Dec 18, 2011 7:05 pm

That bar definitely looks the business! Very nice.

SimJen · Post by **SimJen** » Sun Dec 18, 2011 7:34 pm

thanks guys.
The height is about 50mm higher than my head height. So I should still be able to wear a helmet without sticking above it.
Took me a little longer than expected, especially with the rain over the weekend!
Just need to remove the ac and power steering now!

Mr. Shine · Post by **Mr. Shine** » Sun Dec 18, 2011 8:22 pm

Has the bar made any difference to how the car feels?

SimJen · Post by **SimJen** » Mon Dec 19, 2011 7:59 am

seems to have stiffened the chassis a little, but that might just be in my mind

One of my next jobs is to add some NB tophats in the rear to drop it a little further. Currently sitting 12.4" in the front and 13.4" in the rear, want it to be around 1/2" less in the rear.
Also need to space the wheels out around 15-20mm, Instead of bolt on spacers I prefer longer studs if anyone knows where to get some cheaply?

Skilfil · Post by **Skilfil** » Mon Dec 19, 2011 9:50 am

Just out of interest I can't quite see it, but are you able to have the drivers seat all the way back as far as it can go? Thats what I have mine at in my MX5 as its the only comfortable position, but I want a cage set up like yours too. Some I've seen don't allow the seat to be fully retracted.

SimJen · Post by **SimJen** » Mon Dec 19, 2011 9:55 am

It goes most of the way back, not quite fully back.
The bottom of the bars is chamfered to get it as far back as possible.

My 91 NA

My 91 NA

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