Timing belt up for change, Suggest some new mods?

matt9111 · Postby **matt9111** » Tue Jun 02, 2009 3:40 pm

Hi everyone,

I know it's been a while since I posted, I was on a holiday and when I got back work started sending me away heaps, so I haven't had a chance to browse for a while. But anyway....my girlfriends NA6 needs a new timing belt soon, and she's always wanted more power.

So basically what are some things I can get added for power while the timing belt is changed?

Car is dead stock, she's looking into an exhaust at the moment, we're thinking of just getting the Mania one, with the X-force headers. Any suggestions on exhausts while I'm asking questions?

Also what are somethings I should get changed at the same time for reliability?

Cheers
All suggestions are greatly appreciated

philz · Postby **philz** » Tue Jun 02, 2009 3:47 pm

Turbo kit?

bruce · Postby **bruce** » Tue Jun 02, 2009 3:51 pm

The usual - Zorst, CAI, bump timing.

StanTheMan · Postby **StanTheMan** » Tue Jun 02, 2009 3:58 pm

if you change the runners, tensioners, waterpump & all the seals......it will love you for it. But will not run more powerfull.

other than that......what buce & philz said. and maybe add some cams as well.

mmmmmmm..... I soooo want cams.

in other words if you are looking for mods to do while its all apart......its really only cams. But cams will benefit from all the other mods like CAI , timing , headers as well. Bigger cams by themselves.....not sure if its such a good idea.

matt9111 · Postby **matt9111** » Tue Jun 02, 2009 4:12 pm

Lol, she unfortunately doesn't have the money for a turbo, she'd love one though!!

I was thinking of getting the flying miata adustable cam gears, tighe cams and gates racing timing belt from mania, sound like an idea?

Cheers

philz · Postby **philz** » Tue Jun 02, 2009 4:40 pm

Sounds like a good idea

+ full exhaust and intake mods.

Adaptronic ecu to get better results from the cams.

Then with the added stopping power, Na8 brakes.

Put the power to the ground, stronger diff, good suspension, sticky tyres... list goes on and on :mrgreen:

matt9111 · Postby **matt9111** » Tue Jun 02, 2009 5:33 pm

Lol, the list never stops does it haha

StanTheMan · Postby **StanTheMan** » Tue Jun 02, 2009 5:55 pm

matt9111 wrote:Also what are somethings I should get changed at the same time for reliability?

with the timing belt itself, I would change
cam seals.
rocker cover seal
cam belt idler
cam belt tensioner
waterpump
waterpump seals
timing belt
crank bolt if its a pre1991
crank key if its a pre1991
waterpump belt
aircon belt
powersteering belt? for a eunos with power assisted streering
feel welcome to add to this if i've forgotten anything.

you can get timing belt kits which have all the bits included :mrgreen:

de Bounce · Postby **de Bounce** » Tue Jun 02, 2009 7:47 pm

Might want to add
change the coolant
Engine oil and filter
Gearbox and diff oil
Brake and clutch fluid
Gear stick boots

manga_blue · Postby **manga_blue** » Tue Jun 02, 2009 9:10 pm

Reliability:
crank bolt if its a post 1991 too
crank key if its a post 1991 too ...
... and read all about short-nose and long-nose crank problems (google miata.net)

Power:
Town & Country cat-back exhaust from Geelong and she'll still be in Standard NA class for MX5Vic motorsport.

matt9111 · Postby **matt9111** » Tue Jun 02, 2009 9:25 pm

Thanks for the input guys, I haven't ever changed the diff oil, all the other oils have been changed. I may look into the T&C Exhaust, considering I live in Melbourne, Geelongs a little closer than Sydney, lol.

So its a 1991 model, what goes wrong with the crank?

Thanks again

manga_blue · Postby **manga_blue** » Wed Jun 03, 2009 12:06 am

matt9111 wrote:Thanks for the input guys, I haven't ever changed the diff oil, all the other oils have been changed. I may look into the T&C Exhaust, considering I live in Melbourne, Geelongs a little closer than Sydney, lol.

So its a 1991 model, what goes wrong with the crank?

Thanks again

For one reason or another the timing and belt pulleys on the front (nose) of the crankshaft are usually removed in a timing belt change job. On any model there is a risk of long term damage to the nose and the timing and belt pulleys if the mechanic does not take a great deal of care with how he re-fastens the pulleys to the crank. The damage is often terminal to the engine. Replacing the key and the crankshaft bolt, using the right locking compounds and getting the torque exactly right on the bolt go a long way to making sure the engine survives until the next belt change in another 100,000km.

NMX516 · Postby **NMX516** » Wed Jun 03, 2009 10:17 am

Forget cams at this stage, unless your budget is well over $2k for timing belt and water pump change, exhaust, intake.... The intake and exhaust should be done before you think about cams.

A good CAI (Loch Stewart, Mania) and extractors, high flow exhaust and the timing bump to 14 degrees will give you a good, noticeable improvement. Have a read on this forum for reviews of the Town & Country exhaust, they sound like a good system from all reports. If that is still not enough, then you could look at new cams, ecu etc, but don't waste your money on those sooner.

Also, the MX5 makes the vast majority of its power over 4000 rpm, so if gear changes are done below that, you're missing out on all the fun!

matt9111 · Postby **matt9111** » Wed Jun 03, 2009 1:11 pm

Cheers for your replies,

Well the timing belt change isn't for another 5000kms, so thats about 10-15 weeks away depending on how many k's a week we do, so we'll be looking at spending around 2-3K, I figure the exhuast can wait a few weeks. I don't really want to take the timing belt off again if I dont have to. Do I need an ECU to run the cams?

Cheers