Samuel's Na6

[Jefferson]

Hello Fellow Roadster Enthusiasts,

This is my build thread. After about a 6 year hiatus, I have purchased another Mx5. Years ago when I first started driving I had mx5's, and it's hard to forget what they are like. The main one I had previously was a 1990 Eunos Roadster Import in fair condition, with the JDM spoked wheels, white with black A pillars and softtop. The power steering I found to be quite acceptable, having previously dríven the non powered versions. It was a great car. However, being young and foolish, I pushed it a little too hard in the mountains one night and was caught out by the old lift off oversteer. Rear end met the tree, rear bumper, bootlid, diff mount broken: it had to be sold.

Time progressed, maturity (somewhat) ensued. I considered once or twice acquiring another Roadster, yet without much resolve. Sooner or later though, one begins to have flashbacks of heel and toe down shifting with that lovely gearbox, and then it's only a matter of time!

Here we are then.

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The car is another 1990 Eunos Roadster Import. This one involves a lot more work though. It has been sitting for a few years now, and will be serviced thoroughly asap. It was painted by the previous owner in the light green, but it has cracked and peeled, and will be taken back to bare metal for the most part. There is a bit of patching to be done to return the front guards to original: there are currently aftermarket indicators/vents which I do not approve. Also, it had not been masked up properly when sprayed, thus covering some of the interior in a fine overspray of this distinct light green. Numerous small interior plastics, wheel arch liners etc are missing.

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Nonetheless! There is no evidence of crash damage. The panels are not damaged. The interior, despite the fine overspray, is in quite good condition: the dash is not cracked, the seats only have a couple of marks, it is in all round good condition. Enginewise, it has a stock 1.6 with a slight oil leak around the front crank (investigations to ensue), a basic foam filter, 5zigen extractors, some sort of exhaust system ending in what appears to be, although it has no marks apart from the JASMA markings, a hks silent hi power catback.

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Stock Suspension, VLSD, gearbox feels fine. The car came with big CSA Wheels, which I have replaced with some nicer 15 inchers.

The plan is to restore it to a beautiful clean condition, not stock, but a clean example of a Roadster. I had planned on White with black A pillars when I had first purchased the car, but now I am considering British Racing Green, either with matching hardtop, or black hardtop and black a pillars.
A clean weekender then, with occasional track and drift time is the aim.

As you can see, there is much work ahead in restoring the car: help and advice is much appreciated.

Any advice on removing the overspray? Especially on peculiar areas like the JDM Sun Visors.

Thank you, And I'll keep you updated in due course,

Samuel.

[BlackLeaf]

Welcome, Samuel, and good luck with the journey. Glad to help you on the way with the arch liner.

[Jefferson]

Turns out I won't need the arch liner. Since the last post the car has been thoroughly serviced and cleaned,and a few additions have been accrued.

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Where they were previously 6 spoke wheels there are now four spoke Wheels: Work Equip 01s. They need refinishing and one of them has a small ding, however I am happy with them. Rears are re003 195/65/15, fronts are some other tyre which I can't currently recall but I 195/55/15. Guards are now rolled with a good amount of clearance, coilovers to come when I find some.

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The pod filter has been replaced with an old Loch Stewart intake, which sounds Angry, and feels faster (placebo?). The intake needs a small pipe to extend it into the windshield area, the latches altered to more securely attach the two parts, however it is temporarily in place currently and looks pretty rough. A heat shield will be added in the future most likely.

You may notice that the strut brace is gone. It was discovered that the airbox was not designed to accommodate this particular strut brace and it was impossible to position the two together. A solution was devised where the brackets were turned around and the strut brace fit well, however when I closed the bonnet it would have been held up about half an inch by the strut brace.

Bye bye strut brace for now, I will put it up for sale soon and be on the lookout for one that would fit.

[Jefferson]

Interior is all cleaned out and the radio which wasn't working has been replaced with a black panel. Minimalist Style.

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In due the dash and the rest of the plastic it will be taken out and refinished with gloss duplicolour and the overspray on the visors, seats etc dealt with somehow. It should look even better then. Perhaps also the door cards and upper section may be redone, as they are not smooth and well shaped. They are suitable for the moment though.

Exterior is atrocious. So nasty. Looking forward to paint. It wouldn't be so bad if it was some other color in rubbish condition, but it's bright green with an aluminum bonnet! I might end up getting some replacement front guards rather than patching the vent holes and the uncovered damage to the front right guard.

An alignment will be much appreciated, it handles well now (it's an mx5), but with the good tyres, some proper coilovers and an alignment it will be much nicer.

Until then it will be dríven and enjoyed.

[lucmor444]

Great progress already - looking forward to the next update.

[speed]

I always enjoy reading about other NA's.
The new intake may actually make a little more power but not if you don't have the cutout in the plenum.
Not sure if you're aware, strut braces do nothing on our cars, other than having somewhere to rest your hands when working in the bay.
Keep up the good work

Sent from my SM-A520F using Tapatalk

[Jefferson]

Ok, so plans have changed a bit. After some investigation and help from acquaintances it has been discovered that the body has had some pretty significant damage before. It has been repaired pretty poorly and the previous paint prep was inadequate. The paint is peeling pretty bad and some little bits of rust are causing damage in the layers underneath. Poor bogging and spray putty work has meant it is not economical to repair the paintwork.

Solution: Plan B, motorsport.

Since the body is unsuitable for repair, the decision has been made to use this vehicle for entry level motorsport.
The build will basically be a light suspension tuning and modification for a lightweight, underpowered drift car based around the specifications of some of the UK drifters. This article has been very helpful: https://driveexciting.wordpress.com/2017/09/22/specifics-mx5eunosmiata/

The goal now is to develop the car to be a good car for myself and others to learn performance driving in, with very little power. Rally, Khanacross, drifting etc.

Thus far the following has been done:
Steering knuckles cut and shut 25mm
Welded NA6 diff installed (See how long it lasts)
MCA Blue coilovers have been kept as previous
Intake and exhaust have been kept as previous
Tall Boy Roll Bar
Sparco Sprint V
Exedy HD Clutch
Much PSI in rear tyres

Future upgrades:
Adjustable Swaybars
Lighter wheels
Power Steering Cooler
Cooling system upgrades.
Basic Paint eventually

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[shirtz]

wow bit of a change in course! I hope the PO didn't screw you over by saying it was undamaged. still interested to read on

[Magpie]

Trailer and tow car?

[Jefferson]

It was kind of an option from the start..
Previous owner was pretty open, he had used it for a bit or track previously. I didn't realise how much it had copped at the time.

Trailer to come, we are fabricating one from an old heavy duty caravan frame. Towed by the work car. Dmax.