Twinlol's '1337' NB8B (build thread)

[bootz]

The bronze wheels with the dark green paint is stunning, you could not have picked a better combination.

[twinlol]

The bronze wheels with the dark green paint is stunning, you could not have picked a better combination.

thanks mate! Love the feedback, it's re-assuring cause it felt like a big risk to get that colour on green.

[Regie]

helll yeah !!! love it

any reason you went for 50 series tyres? I have the same rubber in the std size on a 7" rim.. they are a pretty good tyre, ive done a few track days on the them and they just grip and grip

[Rob E]

Cool thread

I love your enthusiasm, takes me back to when I bought my first mx5. Difference you are far ahead on selecting and paying for quality parts than I was!

[twinlol]

Cool thread

I love your enthusiasm, takes me back to when I bought my first mx5. Difference you are far ahead on selecting and paying for quality parts than I was!

Hey mate, thanks for the kind words

helll yeah !!! love it

any reason you went for 50 series tyres? I have the same rubber in the std size on a 7" rim.. they are a pretty good tyre, ive done a few track days on the them and they just grip and grip

Thanks Regie!
My decision to go for the 50 profile was largely an aesthetic one, I like the look of the fatter tyre, I think it suits MX-5's well, especially the NA's and NB models. I was aware of the changes to the car, such as a roughly 3kp/h difference in the speedometer at 100kp/h, and of a 'softer' or more pliant ride. I was also aware that it may make the awesome steering feel slightly dull. I didn't really notice much of a change in steering feel, but I really appreciate the 50 profile on the bumpy roads in my town . -There was a slight improvement in that respect. I know that on the limit a skinnier profile is probably more desirable in some ways, there are the pros and cons of course to a fat or a skinny profile as you well know. I am a function over form kind of guy, and in this case the compromise between function and form was negligible in my opinion, and iff from wrong the 45's are waiting 5 metres away from the '5 .
They really are a great tyre, the car feels so sticky I feel like I'm not going fast enough! It's so undramatic. The only bad thing I've noticed about the T1R's is they smell terrible, they are in my carport at the moment and if you step outside the 'new smell' is quite disgusting, - what a silly little complaint! Just goes to show how happy I am I guess.


I really need to get clear repeaters and reflectors, the orange with the bronze looks bad, it's on the list of things to do, wish my numbers would come up haha

[Sheepish]

The only bad thing I've noticed about the T1R's is they smell terrible

Should of gone with the RE001's, I didn't notice any bad smells and they sat in the garage for a week or two

Can't wait to get up there and see how they go compared to the RE001's, I tossed up between the T1R and them for ages but got the RE001's for $155 each so couldn't really say no Might go for them next time round based on our little review

[bootz]

Wonder if the reason that you went OEM 16" instead of 15" was that you were worried about fouling the bigger brakes on the NB8B.

I think 15x7 will fit because I have seen some SE with 15's. Someone correct me if I am wrong

[de Bounce]

Some 15's will clear the NB8B brakes, some wont.

Also the caliper to rim clearance may not be sufficient to clear any stick-on weights. This would requiring the use of clip on weights to be attached to the outside lip.

I'm guessing the lack of clearance would also have some effect on brake cooling if you push your brakes to extremes!

[twinlol]

Wonder if the reason that you went OEM 16" instead of 15" was that you were worried about fouling the bigger brakes on the NB8B.

I think 15x7 will fit because I have seen some SE with 15's. Someone correct me if I am wrong

Yes, that was part of the reason, especially as I would like to one day I can see myself upgraded to some bigger stoppers
Also, these are the last brand new 16'' TE37's that where ever made, I would have to special order a replacement I think, impossible to buy one new now, a bit of trivia, plus I figured it might make them more valuable, but it's going to be a pain if I need a replacement, a second hand one in the same offset could be an issue, but it's a risk I"m willing to take because of their future value if I ever consider changing.

Some 15's will clear the NB8B brakes, some wont.

Also the caliper to rim clearance may not be sufficient to clear any stick-on weights. This would requiring the use of clip on weights to be attached to the outside lip.

I'm guessing the lack of clearance would also have some effect on brake cooling if you push your brakes to extremes!

It's true, 15'' TE37s will clear, but some 15'' wheels will not.
I just future-proofed myself by going 16''.

[bootz]

Bigger brakes than the SE, SP setup? You really are shooting high.

Doesn't really apply to your lightweight beauties, but maybe 15" is the way to go as it's significantly lighter (and so better) than 16" wheels/tyre weight. I am rolling lightweight 17's and they are nice but maybe too large for the car's dynamics.

I am thinking 15x6 front and 15x7 rear with offset +20 to +30 would be the ideal for a spritely NB8B. Dealing with the big brake issue is just one more headache (but a nice one) to face. I think you will agree ABS is one of the good things about NB8B.

Mind you I have been tempted by 16x7 front, with a 16x8 rear. Does anyone think this is too much for good fitment or handling. I know already they would look the goods.

Comments, seeing as you and others have probably already considered all these options?

[twinlol]

Bigger brakes than the SE, SP setup? You really are shooting high.

Possibly, Flyin' Miata sell some pretty big brake kits, I'd love to get one of their big brake kits one day. - Or something similar. They have a template on their website that you can print out and test on your wheels. http://flyinmiata.com/support/instructi ... mplate.pdf that link is for their Four-wheel big brake kit.

Doesn't really apply to your lightweight beauties, but maybe 15" is the way to go as it's significantly lighter (and so better) than 16" wheels/tyre weight. I am rolling lightweight 17's and they are nice but maybe too large for the car's dynamics.

I am thinking 15x6 front and 15x7 rear with offset +20 to +30 would be the ideal for a spritely NB8B. Dealing with the big brake issue is just one more headache (but a nice one) to face. I think you will agree ABS is one of the good things about NB8B.

Mind you I have been tempted by 16x7 front, with a 16x8 rear. Does anyone think this is too much for good fitment or handling. I know already they would look the goods.

Comments, seeing as you and others have probably already considered all these options?

15/16x7 isn't bad, wider isn't always better, a wider wheel gets less traction in the wet, as it can't 'cut' through the water as well as a skinnier one.
x8'' Would be pretty sweet though I might have gotten x8'' if it was available in the 16'' TE37 - ( I had no choice, as they where the last 16'' TE37 in the factory to be made)
In terms of handling, your dry handling would be improved with a wider traction surface. So you will have to work out what use your car will be, if it's ever going to be dríven hard in the wet, you might want to consider not going 8'' in such a light car. The other possibility is that you are actually slowed down by the increased friction from the low torque of the engine. - Unless you get moar powar. ;) If you where worried that 7'' Front and 8'' Rear was too much, the compromise is a 7.5'', many brands make 7.5'' I think, Still, the 8'' rear should fit fine.
The duel offset thing is pretty cool, if you where to go with a 15'' TE37 or something similar, you could get a different concave/convex from the front to the rear, and that to me, would be pretty amazing looking. If you don't know what I mean just say, I'll show you some pictures of what I mean. Another option, if they want to charge you extra for the different offsets is to run rear spacers.
Naturally a 15'' TE37 is lighter than a 16'', so a cheap way to get a lighter wheel is just to get a smaller size in the model that takes your fancy. You said you would like 15x6 front and a15x7 rear, I'd go 15x7 and 15x8 myself. Check how hard it is to get a 225/XX/R15 tyre though, you may be limited with some brands. For me, a 225/50/R16 was more expensive than the 205/50/R16 as the 225 in the 16 inch was rarer. - not to mention I didn't think it looked that crash hot on my car. Not All 15'' wheels fit on an 8B, if you aren't sure or haven't seen that wheel on an mx-5 before, try your best for confirmation with the manufacturer or test fit.
Jesse Streeter could probably get you 15'' TE37 or Ce28ns etc delivered air post for roughly $2,300. minus about $300 if you optioned sea post, but you'll wait ~4-6 weeks like I did.
It's expensive I know Rotas are your other option, but theres been a few news stories and threads on forums about quality control. E.G wheels snapping whilst you are driving, bending etc.

I hope that helps.

[bootz]

An excellent reply from someone with an excellent car.

I hadn't thought of dual width until recently
i.e. 6"frt/7"rear or 7"frt/8" rear but it does make sense for a RWD, a lot of nissan, bmw, viper etc do run diff widths. The closest to an mx-5 is the '01 Toyota MR2 which runs as OEM 15x6 frt and 15x7 rear.

As I said the 17s are ok but you want to make a sweet car even sweeter

Does anyone else want to weigh in?

[Regie]

all i can say is SMB is porn to my ears! thats the only thing making me keep my NB

[bootz]

all i can say is SMB is porn to my ears! thats the only thing making me keep my NB

Twinlol, sheepish and honkyrider3 all have SMB's with resonators. They seem to be very happy with the sound yet you are chasing a mid-pipe sans resonator. What, it's not loud enough already?

You must like your aural porn extremely hardcore

[Regie]

all i can say is SMB is porn to my ears! thats the only thing making me keep my NB

Twinlol, sheepish and honkyrider3 all have SMB's with resonators. They seem to be very happy with the sound yet you are chasing a mid-pipe sans resonator. What, it's not loud enough already?

You must like your aural porn extremely hardcore

im chasing a full system with resonator if that one for sale was cheap enough id snap it up and throw a resi in it myself