billybunters - from a bmw z4 to a mx5 se

billybunter · Postby **billybunter** » Sat May 21, 2011 3:54 pm

new slim line plates

billybunter · Postby **billybunter** » Sat May 21, 2011 3:55 pm

billybunter · Postby **billybunter** » Sat May 28, 2011 7:06 pm

side clears added today

bootz · Postby **bootz** » Sat May 28, 2011 9:59 pm

billybunter · Postby **billybunter** » Wed Jun 15, 2011 4:18 pm

billybunter · Postby **billybunter** » Wed Jun 15, 2011 4:31 pm

dyno run 180 bhp

begi cai - down pipe - t/b inlet - forge valve - ebay intercooler at 10 lb boost

Lokiel · Postby **Lokiel** » Wed Jun 15, 2011 5:48 pm

You can really see the classic MSM/SE boost cut around 4500rpm in your graph, then it sort of corrects at 5000rpm, which is where your ECU has switched from closed loop to open-loop mode. That dip is supposed to be what the O2 signal modifier and resistor boost cut mod corrects.

Your dip at 6100rpm is unusual though and is concerning.

Can you get a printout of the AFR graph using the stoichiometric ratio instead of the lambda values? That's what most people read (well me at least).

Here's mine when it had stock injectors, FM O2 mod, Gizzmo MS-2 EBC (this incorporates a boost cut mod), AEM intake and complete FM exhaust, boosted to 9psi:

You can see that the power "curve" (lower plot in top graph) is much more linear with no dip at 4500-5000rpm (due to the FM O2 modifier and Gizzmo EBC) but was extremely lean after 4800rpm (ideally it should be around 12:0 at these rpms).

billybunter · Postby **billybunter** » Sat Aug 20, 2011 2:37 pm

i have decided to give the SE a re-spray. the stripes have been removed and sanding the clear coat off will start shortly.

billybunter · Postby **billybunter** » Sun Aug 21, 2011 5:35 pm

i've painted a few cars but i'm no expert. the last car a mgf was re-painted for my daughters 17th birthday. you can see that job on utube under mgf re-spray.
today i decided to do a wet/dry run on the p/s wing. using norton 320 w/d sandpaper with a bucket of water plus a bit of dish washing detergent. wet the surface down and gave it a good work out, not me the car!
in the next few days i will take are the hardware off then continue on with the removal of the clear.
this blog is not to tell you how to do it - it's how i do it. i'm no expert but check out my mgf video and see for yourself. you can do it yourself with a bit of effort.
my painting will follow pretty close to the mgf footsteps. hope you enjoy the read.

panel after the rub down - you can see the flat effect after removing the clear coat

here you can see the results from not doing the w/d rub properly. in the top edge of the gard you can still see a bit of the clear coat on the edge. if this was missed - end results a very bad paint job and the paint will lift.

another surprise - my mx5 had a bang earlier on in it's life. was a good repair but once the clear was removed the results are there to see.

OurCognitiveSurplus · Postby **OurCognitiveSurplus** » Mon Aug 22, 2011 4:41 pm

bootz wrote:
billybunter wrote:Hi all
On the other hand the Boxster was a very good car with great handling. All was well untill one morning i noticed a large patch of oil on the garage floor.
*snip*

I too "aspired" to this ultimate roadster and have read about the cost of fixing oil leaks "will bring tears to your eyes" but this would break many a person's heart. The worst thing is that it is quite common. Not something the motor magazines will tell you, thank god I could 'only' afford my mx5.

I agree entirely with Bootz. I've been eyeing off an 'upgrade' to a z4 or a Boxster. IMHO the asking-price for entry-level Boxsters is amazingly low. Buy BillyBunters' experiance suggests the asking price is low for a reason.

Thanks for much for the information and I look forward to seeing what you do with the SE

-Greg

billybunter · Postby **billybunter** » Thu Aug 25, 2011 6:20 pm

throwing out $$$$$$$$ on a mx5 SE is chicken feed till you play with a Z3 Z4 merc SLK or the BOXSTER. Even the 3.0 ALFA SPIDER was heavy in the pocket.
I will say one thing.I've had well in excess of 100 plus cars. Had all the classics Genuine Ford XYGT - E38 RT CHARGER and the GTS MONARO - Had some good handling car too.
The best handling car I've dríven was the Boxster. The most expensive to fix was the Boxster.
The most fun car to drive is the MX5 - ANYDAY