The journey to Apu

Apu · Postby **Apu** » Mon Jun 27, 2011 2:51 pm

Hmmm...let me clarify.

The top will go up and down with no issues, apart from the fact the because of the window, the soft top doesn't drop flat right away unless I get up and fold or nudge the corners of the soft top out of the way of the diagonal roll bar supports.

With the top up, the sag in the soft top just touches the top of the roll bar - that said, if I look from the outside, it's not like I can see two bumps from the roll bar. So I guess its just very close, with the stretch in the vinyl and the weight of the glass window pulling it down a touch.

Apu · Postby **Apu** » Wed Jun 29, 2011 9:15 pm

Sooo...in preparation for this weekend's track day, I did a couple of things. One of which was to fit the MX5+ roll bar (I'll be polite and say it was not easy, and I don't really want to have to do it again...definitely not alone).

I mentioned in an earlier post I used K+H Stone and Chip Guard...I really should have used Hammerite - much tougher. Since I installed it, there is slight contact with the soft top and its rubbed off a bit. The Stone and Chip Guard is rubberised so while it withstands (supposedly) chipping quite well, it doesn't hold up to rubbing.

Finished.JPG

This is the crinkle effect I was after.

Crinkle.JPG

And after hours of cursing, bitching, snarling...it's in!

Installed.JPG

And a good part of today was spent at Mania getting the diff and gearbox oil changed. The gearbox is quite sticky in the mornings, so Steve suggested Redline.

Alignment was done as well at Goodyear Autocare a few doors down. The previous values were...interesting - for example, front left toe 0...front right toe -1.2mm. Front left camber 1 deg, front right camber 0 deg. :roll:

Hjt · Postby **Hjt** » Wed Jun 29, 2011 10:32 pm

How did the rest of the service go mate, i'm heading down there tomorrow.

Have you noticed improvements to your gearbox? my whole car often feels stiff for the first 15mins running/driving, esp gearbox

I removed my style bar, are you happy with the new bar, besides fitting it and the rubbing..

Apu · Postby **Apu** » Wed Jun 29, 2011 10:46 pm

The check went well. I'll find out about the gearbox tomorrow morning, but i have no doubts about Redline products so am confident it will be better...unless there's a bigger issue...like a dying synchro!

Happy with the bar but honestly I can't tell any difference. It still needs a bit of tightening as it settles in. I gave the bolts another turn today, they had a bit more slack than when I put them in.

I wonder if your style bar might still provide some benefit. Mousetrap is probably a bit of an exaggeration as it will more likely just push the seat forward, but in a straight roll, it will probably provide better than no protection, if that makes sense.

Hjt · Postby **Hjt** » Wed Jun 29, 2011 11:09 pm

I wonder if your style bar might still provide some benefit. Mousetrap is probably a bit of an exaggeration as it will more likely just push the seat forward, but in a straight roll, it will probably provide better than no protection, if that makes sense.

Though i agree with what you are saying, i mainly removed it with the intention of replacing with a real bar shortly

You should sit in my NA on sunday, the car feels sooo much more open with the rear parcel shelf free of objects, compeltely changes the cars interior.

Apu · Postby **Apu** » Sat Jul 02, 2011 7:47 pm

Having fitted the roll bar, I now have to windblocker so decided to make one. Off to Bunnings! I picked up a 1m length of aluminium U-channel (or whatever you call it) and cut small V-sections out of it so I could bend it into a U-shape (more or less).

Needless to say, I measured once and cut twice... :oops:

I then riveted the channel into the roll bar like so...

U-channel.JPG

I then went down to Allplastics in Chatswood and got myself a piece of tinted acrylic, cut a template, then cut the acrylic and voila!

Blocker.JPG

Only thing is, I wish I'd waited for the paint to dry on the channel...impatience! Now I can just slide it in and out as I please. It's tinted as well, so that saves me tinting the rear glass to cut out all the headlight glare I hate.

I now have 2 windblockers lying around! The Mazda one with speakers, and a full size big mother acrylic one. Both have their own brackets. Anyone interested in buying them?

Apu · Postby **Apu** » Sun Jul 17, 2011 1:41 pm

Interesting weekend - just got coilovers fitted! So after many hours, beers, bruised knuckles, crushed fingers, aching muscles...I got the job done. Hjt was just around for the lookin' good factor. Seriously, thanks for your help mate! Couldn't have gotten it done without you (and he's the one that suffered all the injuries!)

Hayden.JPG

I've just got a sore back. And that was just from getting the beers.

coilover installed.JPG

Anyway, here's what Apu looks like now...ignore the camber and toe - it is miles out. Swapped the factory bolts for some lightweight ones from Works Engineering. Going for the black and silver look.

Rear 1.JPG

It was quite an interesting experience and we should have taken better notes about what NOT to do!

PaulF · Postby **PaulF** » Sun Jul 17, 2011 5:50 pm

Sorry if you already mentioned and I missed it, but what kind of coilovers did you get?

Apu · Postby **Apu** » Sun Jul 17, 2011 6:06 pm

PaulF - I got Tein Super Streets. Initial impressions - ride wise similar to stock, but of course much sharper over expansion joints and so on. Other than that...the car was too squirrelly to try anything over 80 kmh.

Hayden - the check engine light came on. Not sure why. I checked all the connectors and they are in...but of course, I'm nearly blind...

Oh, and having posted your pic on Facebook...I've got a couple of cougars lining up if you are interested, haha! :lol:

Apu · Postby **Apu** » Mon Jul 18, 2011 11:26 am

Just an update for the benefit of forumites... Note that I've not used either of these businesses for my alignment, but I've heard of them both.

The short of it is, I left my car with a friend who will take it for an alignment following the coilover install. He lives near Heasman Steering so I thought I'd try them for his convenience.

So this is just plain common sense for any business owner...a woman picks up the phone and in her "can't be bothered" tone, said "From $66 per end". I tried to explain that my alignment and steering is way out of whack, and I get cut off with "Yeah what car is it?" and "Just bring it in".

Right...ba-bowwww! Fail!

I then called Spinning Wheels, and was greeted by a cheery voice who checked that I am an MX5 Club member, who then went on to confirm pricing for members (they've recently had a price change), nothing was too much trouble, just confirm an appointment the day before, and let the guys know that the settings are out of whack. $88 for MX5 Club members.

Friendly, helpful voice on the phone, nothing too difficult, firm pricing. That's winning customers!

Hjt · Postby **Hjt** » Mon Jul 18, 2011 12:33 pm

hmm check engine light could perhaps be from the clip labelled boost control next to the strut tower that i had to remove to get to the front shocks. nothing to worry, could be a sensor but if you notice anything serious get it checked asap.

Told you spinning wheels are tops

P.s my engagement party was actually a surprise wedding, needless to say i got so blind i called in sick to work today

Apu · Postby **Apu** » Sat Jul 23, 2011 2:59 pm

Sitting in the garage, having a beer, smug look on my face :beer:

Sorted the Check Engne Light by unplugging the battery for a couple of minutes, set the Teins 12 back from hardest (per the manual), alignment is good, tyre pressures good...all I need now is sunshine!

Car rides similarly to stock. Dampening is great except over expansion joints...should be better now as tyre pressures were at 30+ psi! Plus I've softened it from where it was originally set. Now to figure out track settings!

Embarrassing admission...during my test ride, there was this annoying creaking squeak, and I was thinking, damn...is that what happens when you have coilovers at a softer setting?! Turns out I was so keen to get out, I didn't shut the boot properly :oops:

Ride height is good now, looking forward to the Iceberg Run!

Hjt · Postby **Hjt** » Sat Jul 23, 2011 3:37 pm

hey mate if your free, and interested you should come around to my old mans factory.

I'm guard and front bumper less ATM and I'm painting and doing a wire-tuck.

No help needed, but it's a weekend and you could do good with a nice drive

Apu · Postby **Apu** » Sat Jul 23, 2011 8:16 pm

Hjt wrote:hey mate if your free, and interested you should come around to my old mans factory.

I'm guard and front bumper less ATM and I'm painting and doing a wire-tuck.

No help needed, but it's a weekend and you could do good with a nice drive

Read this too late! I was looking to go somewhere...SMS me next time! You still doing that tomorrow?

Hjt · Postby **Hjt** » Sat Jul 23, 2011 9:42 pm

Yeah sorry phones dead, and i left the keys at the factory by accident so i'm at my mums place for the night^

I'll msg you from my old mans phone i'll be there all day tomorrow refitting things.

Currently: Grinded surface rust near radiator and front bar, coated and resprayed, aswell as full engine bay wire tuck and removal. Looks delicious. Your more than welcome to come round.