Hi all. I’m Martin, I’m new, and just thought I would start up a little build thread for my pride and joy. I want to keep a record of everything I do. =)
Some back-story: After 18 months of having a Jeep bleed my pocket dry, I decided I needed a cheaper run around car… something fun to drive, cheaper to run, easy to fix and something I can open up to the sky like my wrangler. I needed something for the daily slog to work and something I could invest my spare time into.
With all that in mind I was finally convinced to buy a MX5. I only really liked the look of the ones with, what I formerly described as having, “the pop up lights”. I searched through a few cheaper MX’s, but one after the other presented problems. I viewed several with leaky engines, smoke, bad body damage or shotty resprays. You could tell that there was little love or TLC put into those.
After about 3 weeks of looking and after a large expansion of my budget, I finally found what I wanted. I took along my mechanically gifted friend (who also dwells within this forum), and after about an hour I drove away with this beauty.
Some small fender damage, a spider cracked rear bumper, and slightly higher kms than I would of liked… but other than that it is a perfect specimen for me with a lot of extra’s like the wheels, the BD bar, suspension, and not to mention having the bigger brakes, dif and engine than the NA6. It has potential.
One problem I’ve found so far though is that I seem to have got “the fever”, and have been looking for the next thing to do to my new baby ever since I picked her up.
And here I thought a MX5 would be cheaper… lol
I’m not exactly the best or most experienced mechanic. I’ve only really done minor repairs on the jeep and done a bit of servicing. Having said that, I will usually give anything ago at least once and have a passion for my vehicles.
Any how… without further ado, here she is and here are my plans. Excuse the notes, they’re more for me than you.
Constructive criticism is welcome. I’m after more of a show car, than a performance car. Not saying that speed doesn’t matter, but I like shiny things more than blurry things.
Came with:
Aircon
Power Steering
Power Windows
Power Mirrors
Central Locking
Factory insulated hardtop + de-mister
Current Mods:
• BD Roll Bar
• Nakamichi Headunit
• Nardi Deep Corn 350mm Steering Wheel
• Sparco Sprint Jnr Seat – drivers only
• Aragosta Coilovers - adjustable
• Work Equip 03 Wheels, with RE11 tyres.
• Aftermarket “Crystal Projector” 7” headlights.
• Philips X-Treme Power +80% H4 bulbs
• Tinted Windows + Hard top
• Rolled fenders
• Repco wipers – Bosch style ripoffs by Repco.
• License plate side bracket
TO DO:
INTERIOR
• Python alarm system – wanted something with a shock sensor, and I needed two remotes (as the car only came with one). I also wanted to connected up a remote boot release and needed an auxiliary function to do so. Hence the python!
• Remote boot release install.
• Fusion 8” Super Slim Ute Sub – from the reviews I read this was the best quality superslim unit. So I decided to make everything else fusion to match. Will sit behind the drivers seat.
• Fusion 6.5” 110wrms 2 way Speakers – thought I bought component speakers, but they were 2 ways… However, they’re still the best quality range that Fusion sell so I’m happy for now.
• Fusion 2 Channel amp – Will sit behind the passenger seat and run the 6.5”s.
• 7” DVD/GPS/Bluetooth 2DIN headunit.
• Aerial – Currently broken - I’m wanting to replace it with either a smaller rubber aerial, or to fix the mast to actually go up and down
• Reverse Camera
• Cup Holder – I might have a go at a custom cupholder mod of my own creation… Will let you know how it goes when I can think of something.
• Leather gearshift boot – old one is ripped.
• Shortshift kit – Unsure of at this atm.. any opinions/experience?
• Install stock footwell lighting (only have the light above rearview mirror)
• Replace drivers side Sparco seat – I have to wear a suit most days and a sports seat does not bode well for an unwrinkled suit. Furthermore, being a big guy I look like a retarded getting in and out of it… so it has to go!
• Head rest speakers – once driver seat is replaced.
• Re-lubricate power windows.
EXTERIOR
• Fix rear driver-side fender damage – it isn’t too bad, as if its just been grazed by another car or a poll, but it will need to be fixed for my own sanity. Has been covered by prev owner in touch up paint.
• Repsray/Replace rear bumper – some spider cracks need repainting. I was told by one repair place that they bumper will need to be replace?
• Professional Buff – this did wonders for the jeep before I sold it… and it really does get rid of all the swirl marks, but I need the dmg to be fixed before this. I have never been able to get such a result by myself.
• White Viper Stripes – lets just call it nostalgia.
• HID headlight kit – blue lights to go with a blue car. The Phillips bulbs that I bought just aren’t white enough, and I would prefer to go for a blue tinge.
• Front lip – I’m after the OEM front lip, I don’t like the aggressive look of the Garage vary style. But I can’t find one except through mania, and I’m also hesitant about buying something that I might break at the first speed bump. So.. I might try and make one myself first and see how that goes. A weekend project!
• Raise rear suspension – another DIY job which I need to find time to do. I currently bottom out on any pothole or speed bump. My poor bumpstops..
• Windscreen repair/replacement – There is a small thin scratch that runs in an arch from the windscreen wipers. Will probably have to replace it to fix it though..
• Softtop window replacement – The softtop itself is in fantastic condition, except for a cracked and yellowed rear window. I want to have a go at replacing it myself… can’t be too hard? Cut and paste!
• Personalized plates – I know they’re gaudy and ostentatious but… I can’t help myself and I am impulsive. I want something which I can pass off as an investment plate. I’ve been thinking of “HONKME” or “WINNIN”. Charlie Sheen eat your heart out.
ENGINE/PERFORMANCE
• Mania Cold Air Intake – currently in two minds on whether I want a turbo, or a naturally aspirated engine. I’m worried about getting it engineered for insurance. So at this stage I’m going to stick with a CAI. In any case it will be 6 months until I can legally drive with a turbo…
• Oil Change/service – Needs to be done soon ^^ Grabbed some synthetic mobil 1. An oil filter. Might attempt a fuel filter change as well. A good chance to bond with the car.
• S/S extractors
• 2.25” Custom exhaust
about to run out of battery so i'm out! =)
I'm sure you've got a reason for it though.
Maybe an interior shot?
.
