Ando's Twilight Blue NB8A

[Ando]

Well, I'm finally ready to add my contribution to the garage pinup wall. Waxed and polished after a non-restricted Sydney water wash with a hose!









The last piece of my puzzle arrives next week. A full set of colour matched OEM mudflaps, front and back.
Yes, I go for more weight and the urban rally car suspension height every time! Zoom, zoom!

[RG.net]

looking good as always, i see you have installed some NB8B seats!

where did you get the mud flaps from? mazda? i'll be looking for a rear set sometime soon.

[sliq]

nice car ando! is that a racing beat style bar?

looks like you may need to change your radiator soon

[Ando]

looking good as always, i see you have installed some NB8B seats!

where did you get the mud flaps from? mazda? i'll be looking for a rear set sometime soon.

http://www.mazdastuff.com

The stylebar is from Mania. It is a great balance of price and performance. I bought a cheap copy off eBay and it sucked big time. This one from Mania is a perfect fit and bolted in solid as a rock. The added rigidity across the cabin made an enormous difference in my 5.

I've read some threads about the radiator changing colour and it being a bad sign. I'm yet to find anything on my car that is really that worn out. I've been over everything between the number plates and it all seems pretty solid and wear free. I am keeping an eye on the temp gauge though, as I have had hoses on my last car split and leave me stranded, let alone the whole radiator...

[RG.net]

looking good as always, i see you have installed some NB8B seats!

where did you get the mud flaps from? mazda? i'll be looking for a rear set sometime soon.

http://www.mazdastuff.com

The stylebar is from Mania. It is a great balance of price and performance. I bought a cheap copy off eBay and it sucked big time. This one from Mania is a perfect fit and bolted in solid as a rock. The added rigidity across the cabin made an enormous difference in my 5.

I've read some threads about the radiator changing colour and it being a bad sign. I'm yet to find anything on my car that is really that worn out. I've been over everything between the number plates and it all seems pretty solid and wear free. I am keeping an eye on the temp gauge though, as I have had hoses on my last car split and leave me stranded, let alone the whole radiator...

Dont trust the water temp gauge, they generally have three settings, off, normal (once warm) and once it moves again, its normally too late and has already overheated.

Just keep an eye on that radiator, the replacements are getting cheap these days.

[Ando]

Dont trust the water temp gauge, they generally have three settings, off, normal (once warm) and once it moves again, its normally too late and has already overheated.
Just keep an eye on that radiator, the replacements are getting cheap these days.

Thanks for the tip. The oil pressure and temp senders aren't accurate at all, huh? I would like them both to move and reflect some sort of current state of play?!?!

[sliq]

Dont trust the water temp gauge, they generally have three settings, off, normal (once warm) and once it moves again, its normally too late and has already overheated.
Just keep an eye on that radiator, the replacements are getting cheap these days.

Thanks for the tip. The oil pressure and temp senders aren't accurate at all, huh? I would like them both to move and reflect some sort of current state of play?!?!

may as well splurge on some defi gauges

[RG.net]

Dont trust the water temp gauge, they generally have three settings, off, normal (once warm) and once it moves again, its normally too late and has already overheated.
Just keep an eye on that radiator, the replacements are getting cheap these days.

Thanks for the tip. The oil pressure and temp senders aren't accurate at all, huh? I would like them both to move and reflect some sort of current state of play?!?!

The oil pressure gauge in the NB's do absolutely nothing! its an idiot gauge really.

if you remember the setup i was running, i ran some 52mm gauges in the vents.

You dont need baller brands like defi for this, if its not a dedicated track car.

go here http://www.crazysales.com.au/index.php?categoryID=322

Cheapest gauges around, they are very good too, very accurate!

P.S the smoked gauges i am running are hard to see during the day with the top down

[Ando]

Here's an update on where my 5 is at.

My clutch has been slowly slipping away and has been occasionally on the nose, so it is being replaced as we speak with a Exedy Sports Tuff kit. Machined flywheel and new rear seal. The gear box oil is being replaced with special attention to the shifter feel. 2nd has been a bit notchy for a while.

96k has come up on the clock just before rego this month as well, so the timing belt and water pump are being replaced at the same time as the clutch.

I asked them to check the top and bottom radiator hoses as well. The top of the radiator was so discoloured and brittle that the plastic inlet snapped off. So, the radiator is being reconditioned with a new top tank etc.

All in all, big bucks, but I knew it was coming and I'm really excited about the clutch and the peace of mind i get from the other parts of the service.

They've had the 5 since Thursday & I won't get the car back until Monday arvo ( i hope ) due to the radiator falling apart.

[sliq]

cars are always a lot more funner when fresh clutches are installed.

if you are getting the flywheel machined, will that provide nearly the same the response as an off the shelf flywheel?

[Ando]

I think it's like getting your brake discs machined?? Evens out any pitting or scarring for even contact with the new clutch plate.

You never know, the weight loss from machining may give me the edge I've been craving at the lights!?!!? =p

And yes, bulk fun. I could only chuck a wheelie in the loosest of dirt or gravel with the old clutch. I'm pretty sure donuts are on the menu now.

[Mr Morlock]

Machining flywheels and discs is standard engineering practice. The amount removed is nominal though discs are discarded when they reach minimum recommended thickness.

[blehbear]

Hey I've got the same repeller alarm system as you, on a 98 twilight blue nb8a too . Mind you, the alarm system is a POS.

I've also just changed my flywheel/clutch to a 5.3kg flywheel and oem exedy replacement clutch (wish I had gotten the sports tuff, the oem replacement is quite soft) with only 110k due to a broken spigot bearing.

[Ando]

Hey I've got the same repeller alarm system as you, on a 98 twilight blue nb8a too . Mind you, the alarm system is a POS.

POS??

You're too kind!

When I replaced the fobs, the guy at Ryda told me I can get a new system with the buttons on the actual key (like real cars) for about $500.

Always tempting, and always something else that needs the money. Maybe when it finally claps out I'll be forced to do it.

Kudos, my Twilight brother...