Ben Sale's white 1990 NA6

Hammer · Postby **Hammer** » Sun Nov 28, 2010 10:28 am

Looking good Ben.

Like you, I also thought a mess grill was needed. And like you I also like it to be stealth. I'm liking how you did yours.

How did you fit it? did you have to remove the bumper bar to fit? Got any tips?

bensale · Postby **bensale** » Sun Nov 28, 2010 2:22 pm

Thanks guys

Got a few more things for the car today... and will be getting even more things later... More updates to come :mrgreen:

The first thing I did was take the undertray off the car so that I could get behind the bumper bar through the gap between the radiator/ac stuff and the bar. I took a few measurements and found that I could cut out the grill in a shape which allowed it to slot in behind the bumper and up behind the little support beams in the intake mouth really nicely. I then cut out the mesh to the desired shape, test fitted, did some trimming and some moulding. Then as ave pointed out I put some rubber around the perimeter (cost $7 from clark rubber) so there are no sharp edges and it sits better. Because of the way behind the bumper is it sat pretty secure as is, to secure it finally as iffy as it may sound I just used 4 cable ties, two on the bumper support beams and two on the side. I figure you can't see them and they do the job. I'm really happy with it, it does the desired job and you can't see unless you get down and look specifically for it.

Guran · Postby **Guran** » Sun Nov 28, 2010 6:42 pm

Cable ties. Nice!

-alex · Postby **-alex** » Mon Nov 29, 2010 9:06 am

bensale wrote: to secure it finally as iffy as it may sound I just used 4 cable ties.

Hmm changing your style of modifications much? :mrgreen:

bensale · Postby **bensale** » Mon Nov 29, 2010 12:50 pm

Lol! Would someone care to point out an equally secure, inexpensive and discreet way of mounting my grill for me then..?

Guran · Postby **Guran** » Mon Nov 29, 2010 4:48 pm

Silicone sealant? That'd almost double the cost of the job though. :lol:

bensale · Postby **bensale** » Mon Nov 29, 2010 5:45 pm

Hmm... The silicone sounds a bit pricey..! I didn't think of that... Although I do like the ease of removal and reinstallation the ties give you in case I want to clean bugs out of it or remove it for whatever reason.

I fitted two new things today from my assortment of bits of pieces to do or fit. The first item is a cat back exhaust. I got the new stainless steel mid pipe from the MX-5 centre for all of $50 and the very lightly used muffler for $100... So for $150 I've got a pretty much brand new cat back exhaust... It sounds pretty damm awesome too, it's loud enough (I need to get used to that!), has a tinge of Britishness to the note and give a little bit of burble on trailing throttle. I'm quite happy with it!

-Old exhaust

-New exhaust (I also fitted a new rear subframe brace replacing the one the tyre monkey bent on me...)

The other thing today was to replace my leather shift boot with a new one. It looks much nicer

bensale · Postby **bensale** » Mon Nov 29, 2010 7:23 pm

Been for a few more drives and the exhaust sounds phenomenal! It sounds like a sports car should now! I was getting sick of my wagon sounding more sports car like than my sports car... There is no rasp or resonating, it's loud but not obnoxious. It's kind of hard to describe... it just makes the right noises!

It's the best sounding MX-5 i've even heard and that's saying a lot! That CheyneX5 agrees it's the best sounding one he's heard and my more sports car purist Dad loves it too... Says something!

CheyneX5 · Postby **CheyneX5** » Mon Nov 29, 2010 7:32 pm

Best. Sound. Ever.

Period....

I do prefer mine between 6k and 7.2krpm though. I found that out on the way home

Well done ben, you have created an amazing example of an MX5.

It feels perfect.

bensale · Postby **bensale** » Mon Nov 29, 2010 7:41 pm

Thanks mate! I guess that's the point where the mania intake really starts to scream and sound amazing!

I really appreciate the compliment, that's extremely nice of you to say that

de Bounce · Postby **de Bounce** » Mon Nov 29, 2010 7:43 pm

bensale wrote:Lol! Would someone care to point out an equally secure, inexpensive and discreet way of mounting my grill for me then..?

Think the grill looks great however your fitment is a lot more involved than mine!
Process I used for my NB8B
Cut a template for the desired shape of the mouth, then cut the mesh to suite.
Fit and secure rubber trim with 2 zip ties.
Remove the 2 bolts near the babyteeth.
Push grill into mouth until it is against the uprights.
Insert the 2 bolts near the babyteeth.
Finished

Up close it is not that pretty however the only thing that gets this close would be a bug and it will have something else on it's mind.

I rely on friction, air pressure and the 2 bolts to hold the grill in place!
So far it has not moved one millimetre and given the pounding my car gets, I doubt it will ever come loose.

Might be a bit different for the NA mouth

bensale · Postby **bensale** » Mon Nov 29, 2010 7:52 pm

That would work on a NA too and would save removing the under tray... I think the way I have it is a bit more discreet as it sits behind the uprights... But your way would have saved a fair bit of time and achieved the same... And you only used two cable ties so you saved money as well!