mx5cartalk.com

Hey guys thought I'd make a quick introduction. My name is Illisha and i've been the proud owner of a 97 mx5 na8 just under a year. My criteria for a first car was something small, lightweight, convertible being a plus, and corners well as I wanted something driver focused and was more than happy to sacrifice straight line speed. Purchased the car from a forum member whom some of you may know (Gday Craig!). Funnily enough he happened to live on the same street as my previous house which I couldn't help but take as a sign having gone through at least 4 mx5's over the past months. Turned out to be a seriously clean na that hasn't given me a single issue since ! Maintenance wise I've taken the car to one of the best in business (mx5 mania) after the purchase for peace of mind and have also got them to perform a standard service and replace the drivers side window cable.

So whats been done over the past year? I didn't expect to do much at all, mainly acquiring an appreciation for the handling characteristics of the mx5. I wasn't planning on creating a build thread as I initially didn't intend on adding many modifications but we all know how that goes, given the aftermarket availability! So the plan is to refine the car to give it the needed sports car feel in all departments without the sacrifice of reliability. This build will help document the process as well as allow me to ask you knowledgeable folk about any concerns I have !

After hearing a good 20 exhaust sound clips I came to the conclusion that a Fujitsubo Legalis R exhaust was the one to be had. So I proceeded to leave a comment on a YouTube page of a fujitsubo exhaust sound clip and was lucky to receive a reply from the owner (who later happened to be a mx5 forum member), located in Australia AND was looking to part ways with his exhaust ! I've also added a set of side stripes from r2 limited. The car came with 10ae rims which has certainly grown on me to give a nice classic look and the timing advanced to 14 degrees. Future mods include mania intake, coil-overs and some headers !

Will get around to updating this thread with some pictures of the car in due time !

Pics now!


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As requested ! This was after a wash, clay, polish, wax that took a good day. Check out that lovely wheel gap.

Such a great colour, really suits the side stripes.
Any plans on tackling the wheel gap?



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yup eventually i'll get around to coilovers but have a few other things to attend before the bigger things. Stay tuned !

and update ! Got a set of 4-2-1 Fujitsubo Headers for some nice low down torque. Should pair up well with my Fujitsubo legalis R catback ! These seem fairly rare and should give some nice gains. As for the install, does anyone know the general price to have it done at a shop ? If its over $150, will probably give it a go myself, just don't want to run into any possible fitment issues.

Tidy looking car ...

I'd change that number plate bracket for one of the stronger MX5Mania or Automotive Plus brackets. It will save possible damage to the front bumper (if none already!) and will also position the number plate nicer ...

Very nice looking car. Keep the updates coming!

A shop will likely charge you a couple of hours labour, plus parts (gaskets) for the install. So i'd say they'd likely want to charge you $200 at a bare minimum.

Have a go yourself, the job isn't hard, it's just fiddly getting the old headers off and the new ones on (really depends on the car, mine would be a terrible job since i;'ve got a/c and other stuff in the way)

Just make sure to buy a new gasket, you won't be able to re-use the old one (well, you can... but it's about 50-50 if it leaks, so jsut get a new one first go)

KevGoat wrote:Tidy looking car ...

I'd change that number plate bracket for one of the stronger MX5Mania or Automotive Plus brackets. It will save possible damage to the front bumper (if none already!) and will also position the number plate nicer ...

Thanks ! Sounds like something I should get around to although there are two big holes that have made there way in.

ManiacLachy wrote:Very nice looking car. Keep the updates coming!

Will do sir !

hks_kansei wrote:A shop will likely charge you a couple of hours labour, plus parts (gaskets) for the install. So i'd say they'd likely want to charge you $200 at a bare minimum.

Have a go yourself, the job isn't hard, it's just fiddly getting the old headers off and the new ones on (really depends on the car, mine would be a terrible job since i;'ve got a/c and other stuff in the way)

Just make sure to buy a new gasket, you won't be able to re-use the old one (well, you can... but it's about 50-50 if it leaks, so jsut get a new one first go)

In that case i'll give it a go myself. Will get some gaskets from mania.

I'd just get them from Bursons or somewhere.
Specialised shops tend to be a little more expensive normally, but in saying that I have no idea what Mania's prices are like.


Only things to be aware of are that you do NOT need to use gasket cement with the header gaskets, and you need to tighten the bolts evenly.


Ideally you tighten them all the same with a torque wrench, go for a drive, get it all nice and hot, then after it's cold again you re-torque the bolts.
Not sure if the re-torque is 100% necessary on MX5s, but it helps prevent the nuts backing out after the first heat cycling and helps prevent the flange warping. I know it was absolutely needed on older non-crossflow design engines.

Also make sure before you start that you have some decent sockets, a good long handle for them, or a piece of pipe to slide over the handle (more leverage) and a can of WD40, CRC, Rost-Off, or whatever penetrant you prefer.

It's likely that the existing nuts will be rusty and siezed, and i've found if you have everything ready to remove a stuck nut they;ll all come off without issue.
It's when you don't have the stuff on hand that they magically weld themselves on.

Then again I tend to work on my car using the "blood sacrifice" method.
something will be stuck etc, and once i've cut myself while trying to remove it and bled on the car it all of a sudden comes loose.

Nice car!
I especially liked your initial write up. Much better than mine. Lol

Definitely re tighten the header bolts after a run. I have a na6 with air con and can confirm that the air con is not in the way when changing headers.

The hardest part is often getting the bolts out of the pipe that runs from headers to cat. There are 3 and it brackets to Engine. Usually they are rusted on.

Best of luck and keep the pics coming

hks_kansei wrote:I'd just get them from Bursons or somewhere.
Specialised shops tend to be a little more expensive normally, but in saying that I have no idea what Mania's prices are like.
Only things to be aware of are that you do NOT need to use gasket cement with the header gaskets, and you need to tighten the bolts evenly.

Ideally you tighten them all the same with a torque wrench, go for a drive, get it all nice and hot, then after it's cold again you re-torque the bolts. Not sure if the re-torque is 100% necessary on MX5s, but it helps prevent the nuts backing out after the first heat cycling and helps prevent the flange warping. I know it was absolutely needed on older non-crossflow design engines.

thanks for the tips, ended up getting a gasket flange from Bursons, definitely are well priced.

speed wrote:Nice car!
I especially liked your initial write up. Much better than mine. Lol

Definitely re tighten the header bolts after a run. I have a na6 with air con and can confirm that the air con is not in the way when changing headers.

The hardest part is often getting the bolts out of the pipe that runs from headers to cat. There are 3 and it brackets to Engine. Usually they are rusted on.

Best of luck and keep the pics coming

thanks buddy ! Glad you like it, dont worry though, after reading other build threads I feel quite similar to you haha. In regards to the install, I had 2 knowledgeable friends that helped install the headers. Upon first drive, initial impressions are wow !! The car feels punchier, smoother and simply put, less restrictive. In a way the car just feels newer and healthier. There was however a rattle whenever hitting the accelerator pedal. Turned out a small part of the headers need to be re-welded which means they have to come back off and be reinstalled. Quite disappointed given that i bought them off a company I believed to be more reliable despite purchasing second hand but without further fuss, given the great performance gain I'm not too annoyed. So the job will be completed by mania ! Thats all for now

Small update. Got a set of Bridgestone re003's on my car as their buy 3 get 1 free offer is going on right now. Spent $460 for 195/50/15 which included an $55 alignment that I imagine was quite needed. Previous research gave these tyres alot of praise, and that it is arguably the best tyre within this price bracket. It will be interesting to see how long they last as I have heard concerns over their longevity.

Only got to experience a 10 minute ride home in the rain but initial thoughts were sharper turn in with the car feeling much more nible and alot more confidence at higher speeds (70km/hr). Then again, anything was better than my previous tyres which were not far from bald.

More to come!