mx5cartalk.com

Hey guys, I've been keeping quiet on the forum since I got this car but I figured I better post something eventually.

Bit of history to begin with, but I grew up around MX5's as a child, my uncle has been racing them for years and my cousin has also joined in since about 2 years ago coming from racing open wheelers. Although growing up around MX5's I never really took notice to them when they so easily blend into a pack of Porsche's and assorted other much more expensive cars at the track. it wasn't until I first got my license and went to get my first car did I notice the potential of the MX5 relative to their affordability, which for me is the perfect platform to build on as it allows the car to be versatile in the way it's set up whether it be for track or street.

Here is the car as it sits now





So far the car has all the basic modifications

- Yellowspeed coilovers (plan to upgrade to MCA's this year)
- Sparco bucket seat
- Cold side air intake
- Exhaust
- Automotive plus roll bar
- Cut rear bumper (yet to be finished)
- ATS DTC 15x8+20 wheels
- Hankook RS-3 Tyres

The plan with it at the moment is to get it ready to take to a few track days and then add in a bit of power to keep things interesting.



Any regular updates I post will most likely be posted on Instagram: guss_bruss

Looks like a great platform to start with. Looking for something similar myself.

Nice photos, be interested to hear how you got the car there for photos ;)

I was wondering where you had gotten to, glad to see your still in the game. Great photos

Car looks great!

I was a bit shocked to see your photo locations too... or at least jealous

I've seen you driving around Brisbane your exhaust is to die for! Awesome car. How do you find the hankook's? I am looking to get a set myself. Also do you have spacers on there? Cheers, Josh.

Did you sneak your car in front of the Brisbane sign for that photo?
I'm rather partial to your wheels too.


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Joshhh wrote:I've seen you driving around Brisbane your exhaust is to die for! Awesome car. How do you find the hankook's? I am looking to get a set myself. Also do you have spacers on there? Cheers, Josh.

Thanks guys! Yeah the hankooks are amazing they have good cold grip and when they are hot they are exceptional, i'll probably be running these from here on in on it.

slug_dub wrote:Did you sneak your car in front of the Brisbane sign for that photo?
I'm rather partial to your wheels too.


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Yeah photo opportunity was a bit sneaky but the security guard was all about seeing the photos haha.

Awesome cheers. Will definitely be looking into the RS3's then!

That's a nice clean NB mate. Love it! I too have photo-location envy :0

Really like the wheels!

Thought I should try keep this thread a bit more updated than I have been recently.

Since the last post I have done a few things:

- MCA X-Race Coilovers
- Front lip
- Willwoods
- Finally cut the rear bumper
- Lightyear Fastback

Finally got the MCA's, They are to die for over the Yellowspeeds. Also in this photo is the Willwoods I got from FM in the states, such a big improvement over stock and would really suggest them to anyone who wants better braking.





Here is the front lip I installed. Didn't want it looking cheap so I painted it gloss black. Came out better than even I expected.



Finally this is probably the biggest improvement to the car is the Lightyear fastback. I picked up the fastback in June 2016 and it has been the worlds longest game of trial and error to get this thing ready for street use. I wanted to do it once and do it right so I took my time as there was no rush to get it done.







There's a few shots of it in it's final form. As a final product fitment is good, its not perfect though. Making it water tight was another major trial and error game. and making the boot work like OEM was challenging to say the least, but in the end it was definitely worth it!

So what's in store for 2017?

Well I have a couple more pieces of exterior work i'd like to finish up and then I want to address the interior to some goodies like harnesses and try reduce a bit of weight out of it. But I think for 2017 i'm going to try enjoy it how it is for the most part and start getting it out on track some more. The lack of power is definitely starting to eat away at me but I have to do lots of research on which option will be best for my needs before I pull the plug and start spending any money on that.

I also have instagram which I update way more than here if you'd like to keep updated it's just: @guss_bruss

The car is really looking great, nice work

Could you take a shot or two with the boot open to show how it works? It definitely needs some power now to go as good as it looks

MX5 Car Club QLD's Lakeside track day has its entries closing on 03/02 so get in fast. There is general practice at QR and Lakeside this weekend. 18/02 is Street sprints and general practice at QR.

Have those Wilwoods been mod plated? If going on the track consider getting brake ducts as the Wilwoods have a thinner rotor when compared to OEM hence less thermal mass and improved cooling needed. What pads are you using? Whilst the brakes apply the torque to the wheels , it is in reality the tyres that have the biggest impact on stopping as they have to be able to grip the road in response to the brake torque. It is easy to mix up the differences.

Having done some major changes to brakes, I was of the opinion that my new setup feels better than the old. However looking at the data the new setup is far superior than previous as I'm stopping in a slightly shorter distance BUT using less tyre grip.

Magpie wrote:MX5 Car Club QLD's Lakeside track day has its entries closing on 03/02 so get in fast. There is general practice at QR and Lakeside this weekend. 18/02 is Street sprints and general practice at QR.

Have those Wilwoods been mod plated? If going on the track consider getting brake ducts as the Wilwoods have a thinner rotor when compared to OEM hence less thermal mass and improved cooling needed. What pads are you using? Whilst the brakes apply the torque to the wheels , it is in reality the tyres that have the biggest impact on stopping as they have to be able to grip the road in response to the brake torque. It is easy to mix up the differences.

Having done some major changes to brakes, I was of the opinion that my new setup feels better than the old. However looking at the data the new setup is far superior than previous as I'm stopping in a slightly shorter distance BUT using less tyre grip.

Yes, brakes are most definitely modplated. Just using the willwoods BP-10 pads (iirc). If I remember to rotors I am running aren't any thinner than the oem ones I thought they were actually thicker. I got the FM Kit. I also find that the brakes can actually take quite a while to get up to temperature and definitely can cool down very quickly too with no venting. Is your experience similar with your wilwoods? I also find it can take ALOT of force to actually engage abs with them when hot and cold which I don't really understand.

You are one of the few that get their brakes mod plated, congrats

I'm still using OEM NB8B calipers/rotors but a custom master setup.