The journey continues

[Magpie]

Took the MX5 out on Saturday and when I got home the odometer reminded me that since Aug 2015 the car has travelled a massive 2,500 km.

Walked down to the shed this morning (in the pissing down rain) and looked at the MX5, the bike and then outside. The bike won the trip to work... On the ride in, in almost at time less than 75m visibility I reflected upon the fact that I know the road to work better than I do QR. I knew where each on the manhole covers were on the way to work and which to avoid in the wet (manhole covers and bikes in the wet don't mix). Further why would I choose to ride in the wet than drive?

The MX5, the way it looks causes people to want to follow too close or attracts the wrong sort of attention and in the wet this is a big risk. The bike is not the same, it is just a stupid person riding in the wet so lets go slower so they get wetter is all the attention I get.

So where is this headed. Well after getting rid of the beard this morning (helmet strap kept pulling on it) and spending another 50 km in the wet I think the blue MX5 will be returned to OEM and the parts moved into the shell at home and a become a purpose built track car that can get rally rego to compete in clubsprint class of WTAC. I probably use the term OEM VERY loosely, it will still nbe naturally aspirated and road registered.

Does this imply forced induction, more than likely. Nitrodann I will contact you soon to discuss
Time frame knowing how long it took to get this far, my estimate is WTAC 2017.
Need to CAMS log book the car and Authority To Operate.

[gslender]

Wow!

[Magpie]

Grant even looking at MS for the road registered version! The road registered will be almost a DIY project, well accept the engine The engine will more than likely be the same as my current one, just not in such a high state of tune. This would mean that I also have a spare, just in case...

I'm surprised that your surprised

[ManiacLachy]

I think separete track and street cars make sense, especially how far the Blue car has evolved. But why move the parts into the shell? Why not make the Blue car the full time track car and build the shell for the street? Surely it's easier to build one car than dismantle one and build two?

Before you do anything, we need to go for a drive!

[hks_kansei]

Surely it's easier to build one car than dismantle one and build two?

If I had to guess i'd say the shell is non-registerable.

It's a lot cheaper to buy a shell with a dirty VIN, if I were making a trakc-only car i'd be doing that.

[speed]

Well if your going turbo charged, then I will too

Did your missus recognize you after you shaved?

Should be an exciting year ahead, can't wait!

[Magpie]

The shell can be road registered.

Again my logic/thinking is that the blue car is running and to take it off the road is silly. I can work on the shell and get it ready for the transplant and still track/drive the blue car. This way I get to do the things that I chose not to do, provided it fits in the rules. Plus the shell is almost gutted anyway it will not take much to finished stripping it.

Electrically it will setup with Racepak Smartwire, so the whole OEM electrical will be replaced. All the lessons I learnt for the blue car build will be applied only decision is the ECU do I go to the Haltech Pro or just transplant the PS1000.

Speed I left home before anybody woke up so they have no idea it is gone!

ManiacLachy still time for you to go for a drive in it

[ManiacLachy]

If the shell can be registered, then I don't see why you'd go to the trouble of the transplant - it just seems like more effort and cost - but I'm sure you have your reasons. While it's stripped you could even have it painted nicely ;)

Alright, we'll tee up a drive soon!

[gslender]

Wow again. I was hoping to get a drive sometime on the track this year. Guess not. Well, if you need help with ecu tuning or wrenching, just yell.

[Magpie]

Points noted ManiacLachy, yes the shell is going to be painted, almost decided on the colour! I have one more test piece to do and then the colour will be locked in.

Irrespective of the decision, I need to collect the parts to get the shell to OEM. The time to get the shell back to OEM then take the blue car off the road, gut it to seam weld, install a roll cage, re wire, paint etc feels like it could add many months to the plan.

Effectively I'm looking at having a road registered car that I can swap parts out of if the track car needs it.

gslender it will still be the blue car on the track in 2016, plan is to have a boosted car ready (club sprint class) to compete in WTAC 2017. So yes you can have a drive.

[NitroDann]

Its hard to watch a cheap beat up basic turbo build pass your high end n.a build. I know that all too well.

Lets build a monster

Dann

[myredmx5]

Would be interested to know what the quote is to do the seam welding!

[Magpie]

Will be doing the seam welding myself. This is a good guide http://www.lightweightmiata.com/v8/seam/. My welding skills are suitable for this task.

[The American]

Please use an EFR!

[madjak]

Depending on the year and usage you could look at getting your road car club licensed. The car needs to be 25 years old and must remain fairly OEM. It can only be dríven for club events, to and from workshops, or for general maintenance. It's a very good way of have a spare MX5 sitting around that you don't have to pay excessive registration for that you only use occasionally.

I really like the idea of going for a full track car, it's basically what I'm doing except mine is slowly evolving over time. The next major step, hopefully at the end of this year will be a severe lightening program and the addition of a big Rotrex.