mx5cartalk.com

Thought I'd finally start a build thread in preparation of the coming months!

Firstly a brief introduction of the car and myself, I'm Scott, out of Perth, Western Australia and I drive a 2004 Brilliant Black MX5! This was my first and to this day, only car and the car that I first learnt to drive in so it holds a lot of sentimental value to me. Over the past 4 years I've finally got myself into a position where I can turbo the car after lots empty proclamations and promises to myself. Over this past year I've fully committed myself to building up the funds and piecing everything together so I can everything properly which was quite a challenge whilst at uni full time however hopefully after the next month or so I'll be able to reap the rewards.

List of everything important installed on the car currently:
MCA Red Coilovers with 11/7 Spring Rates
15x8+28 Enkei RPF1's wrapped in 225/45/15 Hancook RS3's
Flyin' Miata Stage 2 Clutch/Flywheel Happy Meal
The classic hot air intake/pod filter setup

Exterior Mods:
Garage Vary Lip
Garage Vary Eyelids
OEM Small Sideskirts
Project G Side Steps
Project G Hardtop Spoiler
Carbon Miata TRD Ducktail
Moss Miata Stubby Antenna
Tow Strap
Offset Numberplate bracket fabricated by a friend of mine here in Perth
Headlights baked open and painted black

List of everything currently sitting in my garage waiting to get installed:
NitroDann Twistmount v2 Manifold and Dump
NitroDann 3" Exhaust
Garrett GT2860RS .86 A/R
Haltech Elite 1500 with Haltech EBC Solenoid, Haltech Wideband Controller and Gaugeart Video Gauge Adaptor
LMS EFI Custom Patch Harness for the Haltech Elite 1500 (Haltech's own PNP harness wasn't available at the time of purchase)
NitroDann FMIC and BOV Kit
NitroDann Airbox
ID1050x Injectors
Coolant Reroute
Fuelab 535 FPR, Walbro 255 and a Radium Extended Range Fuel Damper with -6AN lines
NitroDann Oil Catch Can and Washerbottle
Mishimoto Radiator

The reason I decided to go with Haltech was solely the availability of tuners here. Unfortunately, practically no one in Western Australia that I trusted to tune my car was really willing to tune Megasquirt which I had originally planned to use. More or less, every tuner here tunes Haltech and that's what really influenced my overall decision, it just gives me much much more flexibility. Due to my commitments with University and now full time work, I can't really take the time to tune the car myself so I'd rather leave the tuning in someone I trust's much more capable hands. I'm hoping to have everything installed and tuned by the end of September and thought it would be a good idea to document my progress here!

Very nice! Looks like you're doing this right, with quality parts all around.

There's no hate on Haltech here, and it's always a good idea to run what your local tuners can work with. Megasquirt is fine for DIY enthusiasts, and/or people who can get to Dann, but otherwise Haltech is the best, IMO.

Are you going to be installing the turbo yourself, or getting a shop to do the work?

ManiacLachy wrote:Very nice! Looks like you're doing this right, with quality parts all around.

There's no hate on Haltech here, and it's always a good idea to run what your local tuners can work with. Megasquirt is fine for DIY enthusiasts, and/or people who can get to Dann, but otherwise Haltech is the best, IMO.

Are you going to be installing the turbo yourself, or getting a shop to do the work?

Thank you!

I'll be fitting everything with a friend of mine who's quite experienced and also happens to live 5-10 minutes from the tuner I'll be using so it's quite convenient.

You finally make a garage thread Scott! Should've made one ages ago :)

AlexHaley1994 wrote:You finally make a garage thread Scott! Should've made one ages ago

Your imgur build gallery reminded me to finally make one!

How was fitment with RPF1s and 225s? Any rubbing or fender rolling needed?

ManiacLachy wrote:How was fitment with RPF1s and 225s? Any rubbing or fender rolling needed?

Fitment was mint! I would love to have a bit more poke, especially on the rears but otherwise it's pretty much perfect. My fenders have all been slightly pulled and rolled flat.

Just a quick update since I haven’t posted anything in a few months. Cars coming along great! Everything is fitted up, just a few bit and pieces of wiring to sort out and she’ll be in for a tune. Ended up converting to return fuel buying a few extra lengths of fuel line and moving the FPR into the engine bay just behind the rail, all came up looking really tidy.

Also picked up some Mazdaspeed seats from 3gress so hoping to get them in the car sometime next weekend!

Intercooler all mounted up!

The second pic titled "hills run" is bloody beautiful mate.

Tip regarding the MazdaSpeed seats:
The chassis metal is incredibly soft so hand-tighten the bolts to prevent stripping the threads - finish off tightening with the ratchet.
I couldn't use the OEM bolt on my rear tunnel-side mount, the bracket didn't accommodate its wide flange so I used a regular high tensile M10 bolt (don't remember which thread is needed - there are 3 for M10s)

3gress wrote:The second pic titled "hills run" is bloody beautiful mate.

Thank you!

Lokiel wrote:Tip regarding the MazdaSpeed seats:
The chassis metal is incredibly soft so hand-tighten the bolts to prevent stripping the threads - finish off tightening with the ratchet.
I couldn't use the OEM bolt on my rear tunnel-side mount, the bracket didn't accommodate its wide flange so I used a regular high tensile M10 bolt (don't remember which thread is needed - there are 3 for M10s)

Will definitely keep that in mind when I fit them, thanks for that.

So after a whole lot of hassle, and a whole lot of waiting, the car is finally tuned and back on the road. Ended up making roughly 274hp with plenty of headroom for once the motor is built and the car runs perfectly.

Must be a load of fun to drive, glad it's finally together.