JC's NB8B

[kheelim]

Nice PB there mate! I was there at Winton yesterday in the VW R, this video is making me contemplate getting a real track car like yours!

[jasonc23]

Thanks guys.

Yeah I still have the stock midpipe and cat. Which brand exhaust did you pick up or was it a custom job?

It's really annoying how the cat and headers are one piece on the NB8B. Means I have to either get new headers or chop up the original headers in order to install a higher flowing cat. Might get a larger midpipe with the stock headers/cat and see if that does anything. If not I'll probably upgrade the entire system down the track.

Brakes are next on the list though, still rocking the OEM pads. Goes to show how well Mazda actually designed the brakes on the NB8B.

kheelim, your Golf R is nice! On the BBS wheels right?

[mx5002]

It was an smb exhaust. Google it lol.
I bought it for 200 bucks but it had the cat cut out of it. And was missing the rear muffler but came with another brand new one that I had to have fitted. The original owner put a set of extractors on I believe so I kind got the left overs haha.

What kind of pads are you thinking of getting? I have hawk hp+
They dust heaps but stop really well. My car isn't my daily so it isn't so bad.

[kheelim]

Yeah jason on the BBS wheels, hope to see u again at the next CC track day, can see your car in detail.

[The Green Goblin]

car is looking sharp mate.. love the titanium exhaust also. the car looks pretty composed/predictable watching the vid in the dry.

how are you finding the BC BR's - im actually considering purchasing these for my nb also.. which is a weekender/track car - also considering tein monosports which have a 10kg front & 8kg rear spring rate they maybe a little to stiff for a 1000kg car. mind sharing any general positive or negative feedback on the BC's? e.g. do they handle & absorb bumps well? do you drive on the street much? how do they cope on the track?

cheers,
Jas.

[The Green Goblin]

p.s if you are looking at upgrading brakes - keep your OEM discs which are large enough (slotted & drilled crack easily), i purchased carbotech xp10 pads at all 4.. along with mazdaspeed braided lines. i cant tell you what a difference they make, highly recommended.

[smy0003]

I had a laugh when you passed that red S2000 in the wet.
Very nice!

[jasonc23]

A couple of updates!

Headed down to Broadford for the first time on the weekend with AROCA. What a fun little track, really suits the MX5s handling capabilities. I realised after watching the footage that I had been taking the last two corners a bit too shallow. Can't wait to head back next time to try and go faster. Ended up being the 5th fastest MX5 there which was a pretty good effort!

Stock pads are still holding up after 5 or so track days, impressive.

Here's a clip from the day:



Yesterday I decided to attempt a cold-side intake with a spare K&N Apollo filter I had lying around.

I had read that a short cold side intake tract would cause some loss in midrange torque but to be honest, I couldn't feel any loss. If anything, it was more perky between 3000-5000rpm. After 5000 rpm it really opened up compared to the OEM intake and feels like it reaches the redline noticeably quicker.

It also sounds awesome, there is a deep swirly sucking sound at low rpm which changes into a loud scream after 5000rpm.

Here are some pics, enjoy.

[beavis]

Love the quote on the radiator.

[jasonc23]

6 months since the last post, what have I done...

Sold my Enkei rims, they were way too heavy. Think they came in around 8-9kg a rim. Picked up some 15x8 6ULs which look quite nice. Noticed an immediate improvement in ride quality.



I went to Winton with Circuit Club in March. It was 30 or so degrees that day and the clutch started slipping pretty severely. Not sure if it was overheating or I had done one too many clutch kicks but I decided to change it. Felt like I could've PB'd that day but the damn clutch was holding me back!

Finally got around to changing it last week, put in a 4kg 1.6 flywheel with an Xtreme HD clutch. Changed the rear main seal too whilst I had the box off, there was a tiny bit of oil seeping out so maybe that was causing my clutch to slip as well? 300km since the install and no issues yet. Will see how it holds up at the next AROCA day at Phillip Island.




I managed to split the OEM rubber clutch line by wedging it in between the engine and bellhousing the first time I bolted the box back on so I ended up getting a braided replacement from Automotive Plus.

The 1.6 flywheel has made the car so much more responsive. Rev matching and gear changes are a lot easier and much crisper due to the quicker rise and fall of the revs. Seems like it accelerates a little quicker in the lower gears too - win all around! It is a little trickier in stop start traffic but that's what my daily is for.

Also changed my brake setup from the OEM stuff (finally, after 5 trackdays) - put in some PMu HC+ in the front and some A1RMs in the rear with plane jane RDA blank discs. The pedal is a lot firmer with the HC+ and initial bite is vastly improved (they are a bit dodgy when cold though).



I picked up a spare rear bar about a year ago for the purpose of doing a bumper cut but was too lazy to do it until now - here are the results:





And some other pics for good measure...





Like I said before...looking forward to Phillip Island in ten or so days...update to follow...

[jasonc23]

So went to the Island for the first time:



What an awesome, exhilarating track. Morning started out cold, wet and windy but luckily enough the sun decided to come out and dry up the track for the afternoon.

PB of 2:01.9, can only get quicker from here!

[Lokiel]

WOW - that's the "crew-cut" bumper cut.
Personally I prefer just the rear section cut, flowing down to the sides - much more subtle and less likely to attract the boys in blue.
If I can find a Ti rear bumper, I'd like to do this cut too.

[jasonc23]

Genuine replica eBay front lip:

[jasonc23]

UPDATE~~~~~~

Cut off my cat (whilst retaining the stock headers) and replaced it with a straight through hot dog resonator and a 2.5" pipe to the muffler. God it's loud.

Went to Winton again on the 30/08/15...knocked another chunk off my PB and now down to a 1:43.7. Was on track for a 1:42 (or close to it) until I stuffed up the exit coming out of the dogleg (excuse the swearing in my video). R-Comps are next but I really want to crack the 1:42 mark before I move to the next step. Then I'll be aiming for 1:40s! Not bad for a little 1.8L



Went to Haunted Hills yesterday for the first time. Day was hosted by Gippsland Car Club and was a great day. We were running the clockwise track. Managed a 60.5, not bad for my first time out! Also won my class



Enjoy

[jasonc23]

car is looking sharp mate.. love the titanium exhaust also. the car looks pretty composed/predictable watching the vid in the dry.

how are you finding the BC BR's - im actually considering purchasing these for my nb also.. which is a weekender/track car - also considering tein monosports which have a 10kg front & 8kg rear spring rate they maybe a little to stiff for a 1000kg car. mind sharing any general positive or negative feedback on the BC's? e.g. do they handle & absorb bumps well? do you drive on the street much? how do they cope on the track?

cheers,
Jas.

Sorry missed this - The BCs are great, on full soft on the road they're compliant(ish) and comfy(ish) and wound up to max stiffness are great on the track. Haven't had any issues since I've purchased em!