mx5cartalk.com

I bought my car on 19-10-04 from the original owner, with 6,946km on the ODO.
Being accustomed to a 5 spd. (Suzuki), the 6 speed gear arrangement irritated me from the outset and after 4,600km of frustrated grappling I ditched the 6 speeder for a 5 spd.g’box. The improvement was/is immense but the 3.6 F.D. was then way too high and the speedo required adjustment..
2nd hand 5spd g’box – Supplied and fitted by Carco, Belconnen ACT @11,782km
(1-3-05) Oil: Red Line MTL
3.9 Crown wheel & pinion – Supplied and fitted by Southern Differentials, Phillip ACT @ 13,223km (10-5-05). Oil: Red Line 75W90 F.S
Red Silicone Radiator Hoses, Black High-Flow (radiator) Protective Grille, Clear Protective (head) Light Shields – (Moss USA)- Fitted @ 13,256km
Electronic Speed Corrector – bought from Tyrone Smith (Mojo Automotive Developments-Lara,Vic) Fitted by Russellb, Carco @ 14,513km (10-8-05)
4 (10AE) mudguard extensions fitted by Carco.
Quick Shift – Supplied and fitted by Carco @18,678km (2-11-05)
Extractors, and Loc Stewart CA1 (with Simota filter) – Supplied and fitted by Garry Stewart, Acacia Ridge, QLD @ 20,316km (15-12-05)
‘Cateran’ 2 ½” Stainless steel Hi-Flow catalytic converter (CAT 004M), ‘GENIE’ silencer, 12” ‘Hot Dog’ – supplied and fitted by Powatone Exhausts, Fyshwick ACT @ 22,202km (18-2-06)
‘Chief’ Cruise control – Supplied and fitted by Carco @ 23,282km
FUELSTAR FUEL CATALYST, & new (MX 5) battery fitted @24,286 (28-6-06)
‘Quickshift’ replaced with the original g’lever @25,437km (15-9-06)
Cam belt renewed @29,583km (27-2-07)
Small rubber Shift Boot & Beat Rush Bush (from Carco) fitted @40,278k (5-2-09)

Petrol consumption from 31-1-06 to 17-6-06 was 8.6 Ltrs per 100km (standard petrol – H’way running)
After Fuelstar Fuel Catalyst was fitted petrol cons. from 29-6-06 to 17-2-09 was 7.5Ltrs per 100km (standard petrol – H’way running)
Current kilometres: 40,740

In my view the car equipped as it is now is significantly more pleasant to drive. Doubtless the 6 speeder was better suited to the later S-VT engine..

Sounds nice slowpoke and always good to see more Canberra people. But the real reply should be PICS!

Coming out to Wheels at Old Parliment House this weekend?

You have been busy SP - sounds nicely personalised! Interesting result with the Fuelstar - always wondered about those kinds of devices.

SP, not having dríven a 6sp MX5, was the on road translation of moving to 5sp with 3.9 FD less & improved gear changes? I'm assuming when you say you grappled with the 6sp, that in 6sp configuration it wasn't a knife through butter gearbox which was compounded by the more frequent gear changing required of the 6sp ratios. In other words, a driver would be constantly busy when a more relaxed drive would have been pleasant.

Well now that I've seen the car, mind if I post a photo or two?

Thank you Jeo. I'd be flattered and honoured..

lovely car.

need to get rid of the luggage rack though!

Looking good - thanks Joe! Also looks like a good turnout & nice day by the Lake.

Hello 93Clubman,
When I wrote "grappling" I was certainly exagerating ! But I think that the NB8A engine (in standard form) was ill-matched with the 6 speed g'box. In my limited view the NB8A engine, in standard form (as it came from the factory), is not an 'easy revver' and when coupled to the 6 speed g'box (with its very short gearing) it makes for a "choked" driving experience.
But replacing the original air intake with a Loc Stewart type and replacing the entire exhaust system with a free flow type dramatically improves the driving experience of a 10AE.
After driving a friend's "10" fitted with the Stewarts' CAI and exhaust system I now think that if I had had these same improvements made to my car before the g'box swap, I would've left the 6 speeder in place.
I strongly suspect that had the 10AE come with the S-VT engine it would've offered a vastly more satisfying driving experience...

Thanks SP - so the 10AE was literally & figuratively ahead of its time having the 6 speed...

slowpoke - i believe the 10AE's came with LSD's. if you drove an mx5 without one, you would realise how slightly uninspiring an mx5 can be

Yes sliq you are correct. 10AEs all came with LSDs and doubtless its a very nice 'security blanket'.. But I'm inclined to think that whether my car has one or not it would make no difference to my driving style.
I've owned a number of British sports cars in the past and none of them had LSDs but they were all terrific fun in their own respective ways. Being a two bob lair at heart, having a decent exhaust note is much more inspiring to me than knowing that my car is equipped with an LSD. Its all horses for courses tho, isn't it ?
If only Mazda wanted our opinions we could all provide them with the perfect specs. for the perfect MX5 !

Hello 93 Clubman.. Yes I agree the 10 AE was ahead of its time. And doubtlessly it was a great marketing success for Mazda..