mx5cartalk.com

I'm trying to source some parts that need replacing according to my mechanic. I've got a 1989 Miata with the factory supercharger kit. I was wondering if there are any good suggestions to source the following for a good price (and be sure I buy the right ones to fit my model):
4 lower ball joints or outer tie rod kits
Full control arm kits top and bottom
Front and rear shockers and bearing plates
Air filter
Engine mounts
Trans mount
Rear main oil seal
Front main oil seal
Front Sway bar links

Where are you located?

Trans mount? The MX5 has a frame (the PPF) running from the gearbox to the diff, is this what you mean? There is no chassis mount for the gearbox.

There was no 'factory' supercharger kit for them, there were UK (BBR?) and US (JR) kits using the M45 Eaton superchargers. These may have been dealer fitted (in the UK), but as far as I know they were otherwise aftermarket kits with no factory sanctioning. Ditto the Cosworth MP62 kit for the NC. The SE is the only true factory forced induction MX5, the Fiat 124 version of the ND was FI, but Fiat not Mazda. The SP was a limited run factory sanctioned FI NB sold through Australian Mazda dealers, though the FI was fitted outside the factory.

I have rear upper and lower suspension arms, they came with a an early NA 1600 rear end so should fit, the LCAs have 'U' swaybar tabs, not the heavy single tab of the NB LCAs. I have NB PPFs, they won't fit I believe, but I may be wrong too as I don't have an NA diff to check them. Let me know if interested.

I'm in Melbourne.

I'm not sure about the trans mount. I'll have to check with the mechanic (I'm just running off his list)

MX5 in Australia.

How much do you trust this mechanic? It kinda sounds like you're getting taken for a ride, to be honest. That's going to be an expensive bill if you replace all that.

PaulF wrote:How much do you trust this mechanic? It kinda sounds like you're getting taken for a ride, to be honest. That's going to be an expensive bill if you replace all that.

Good question. Why do you need this stuff? There may be surface rust on the arms, that can be fixed easily. PPF, that is aluminium so corrosion is not an issue, and physical damage is rare. Ball joints can wear, but do all of them need replacing? Oil seals may need replacing but they are cheap as chips from specialist resellers and probably Mazda too. Check out the vendors on the bottom of this page. But first do a lot of reading on here, and on Miata.net (a USA-centric site).

Be aware that originality matters on a car from that year. Replace only what absolutely needs replacing, photos would be helpful in guiding our advice.

It sounds like either you or your mechanic (or both) are very new to MX5s, this could be an avoidably expensive education unless you tread warily.

-Would echo what's been said above, & ask what colour the vehicle is?
-Re 1989 Miata with supercharger, this sounds like it could be a Mazdaspeed 1989 Eunos Roadster which was a Japanese Domestic Market vehicle which came with an M45 supercharger fitted as an aftermarket modification after the vehicle left the Mazda factory. Mazdaspeed was Mazda's racing subsiduary & the Mazdaspeed B Spec Stage III was the supercharged version of the Eunos Roadster. If not a Mazdaspeed, which is possible, then assuming it's RHD, it's an ADM or UKDM MX5 NA6 or JDM Eunos Roadster that's had a M45 supercharger fitted some time later.
-Re a good mechanic in Melb familiar with MX5s: https://www.mammimotors.repcoservice.net/contact-us
-Re spare parts, also Amayama: https://www.amayama.com/en
-Re front & rear main seal, but especially the rear main seal, use an original Mazda part when replacing this as it's not a job you want to repeat given the time it takes & therefore the large labour cost involved.

If that's a genuine Mazdaspoeed from Japan.... would be quite a rare piece wouldn't it?

Given the Mazdaspeed B Spec was aftermarket numbers are unknown, as are which cars originally had the work done, ie didn't just have the parts & plate transferred from another vehicle later. Plus it was aftermarket, with some vehicles having the Mazdaspeed B Spec modifications applied years after leaving the Mazda factory.