Emily's 04 VR SE

emily_mx5 · Postby **emily_mx5** » Mon Sep 26, 2011 5:10 pm

SWEET. The Book arrived in the mail

This enabled me to have the knowledge (pictures to follow really) to change the:
spark plugs
oil
transmission fluid - Red Line
brake fluid
also topped up the coolant and windscreen washer water aswell

This was the first work on an engine that I had ever done, quite an accomplishment.

I figured the car could use some attention, the guy before me obviously didn't care - the 4 different tyres had 4 different pressures...
9psi & 13psi & 17psi & 25psi :shock:

God knows how long he was driving around with it like that.
Pleased to report a noticeable difference with all 4 at 26psi

emily_mx5 · Postby **emily_mx5** » Mon Sep 26, 2011 5:34 pm

Now for the fun stuff

Interior
Everyone on here seems to love gauges, so just showing off ma chrome rings

Pedals.
Apparently it won't pass a roadworthy without sufficient pedal grips?
Oh well better get the racing pedals!

Before:

After:

I really like these, but they were really difficult to get on :lol:

Nardi Torino
As i'm sure you know, many special/limited edition mx5's came with fancy Nardi Torino accessories.
Mine had seen better days...

So I took the steering wheel, gear knob and brake handle off and got to sanding with my trusty Dremmel with a sanding barrel attachment.
I did about 5 coats with light sanding inbetween each coat.

Came up a treat :mrgreen:

butttt the gear knob was just too disgusting to deal with, so I chucked it in my spare-parts-box in the garage and went to Mania to buy a new one.
Shout out to Simone from Mania, she was so helpful and nice, and she even gave me a lil discount

This is what I returned with:
Motorworx black anodized 5spd gear knob
Scala black double stitched goat leather gear boot
IL Motorsport cup holder

dave2221 · Postby **dave2221** » Mon Sep 26, 2011 5:54 pm

26psi?

i am running close to 40psi in my tyres....

its a firmer ride, BUT gives yyou more even tyre wear, and reduces the risk of damaging the rim.

emily_mx5 · Postby **emily_mx5** » Mon Sep 26, 2011 5:58 pm

Exterior:

So the number plate was drilled directly into the nosecone - wtf?!
Off to Mania to buy a bracket

Also grabbed an IL Motorsport grille, IMO any mx5 looks odd/incomplete without a grille.
Also stopped off at SCA to get a numberplate protector and P plate brackets.

Muchhh better :mrgreen:

So decided to paint the callipers red. Makes it go faster y'know.

haha, I do really like this :wink:

Stubby aerial from mx5 parts UK.
No more jokes about "remote controlled car" again.

Picked up some kickass chrome wheel nuts and chrome centre wheel cap/centres.

FINALLY the clear indicators and reflectors came in stock, so i received them in the mail.
When I have some time i will wire up the reflectors so they become indicators.
I opted for the genuine mazda clear indicators, because the chrome ring goes so nicely with my chrome door handle, but also because it came with an official letter declaring they are legal and roadworthy. My old ones were so faded they were yellow.
Probably one of the biggest differences externally, for such little pieces of plastic.

emily_mx5 · Postby **emily_mx5** » Mon Sep 26, 2011 6:30 pm

Tyres
MASSIVE THANKS to Hjt and Apu, who helped me out so much with this.
I now have 4 Federal 595 UHP tyres, balanced and aligned.
Apart from the tyres being really loud (haha) it has made such a positive difference to the driving and handling of Ziggy.
I did ask the guy to give me a print out of the alignment values, but he 'forgot' to get them

They set them to 45psi, which was too hard and bouncy for me. I now have them comfortably at 38psi.

NMX516 · Postby **NMX516** » Mon Sep 26, 2011 7:05 pm

Great work with all the DIY'ing! Steering wheel looks great. Looking forward to following progress

...now this is my kinda gal! :lol:

Apu · Postby **Apu** » Mon Sep 26, 2011 7:31 pm

Sweet Jesus! You had a busy weekend, Emily! Great to see how hands on you are.

Hayden, we better organize more Dodgy Days!

I'm keen to wire up my side reflectors as well...anyone else?

marty085 · Postby **marty085** » Mon Sep 26, 2011 7:34 pm

Hey Emily, where did u get the genuine clear indicators (mazda dealer?) and how much did they cost?

Mr nanotech · Postby **Mr nanotech** » Mon Sep 26, 2011 7:44 pm

Looking at the last pic, are have the rear guards on this car been rolled before? Looks like the inside lip of the wheel arch has been flattened

edit: and kudos on the car! It's looking great

taminga16 · Postby **taminga16** » Mon Sep 26, 2011 8:53 pm

dave2221 wrote:26psi?

i am running close to 40psi in my tyres....

its a firmer ride, BUT gives yyou more even tyre wear, and reduces the risk of damaging the rim.

And will also exacapate oversteer. Take care.
Greg.

Apu · Postby **Apu** » Mon Sep 26, 2011 10:35 pm

dave2221 wrote:26psi?

i am running close to 40psi in my tyres....

its a firmer ride, BUT gives yyou more even tyre wear, and reduces the risk of damaging the rim.

How can over-inflating the tyres give you "more even tyre wear"?

PaulF · Postby **PaulF** » Mon Sep 26, 2011 10:48 pm

The steering wheel and handbrake handle look really nice. Regarding tyre pressures, I would ask those who are running similar suspension and, importantly, the same tyres.

Hjt · Postby **Hjt** » Tue Sep 27, 2011 12:36 am

Great results Emily, very well done! I'm loving the painted brake callipers, I would do something similar but red behind tiffany blue on a silver car would look so try-hard.

I think a dodgey day is due in early November, after this horrible month of madness!! That will be a seperate thread.

Nice photos also! well documented!

spikes · Postby **spikes** » Tue Sep 27, 2011 1:12 am

how did that tinted polish come up? i have a BRG as well and the paint is quite faded

emily_mx5 · Postby **emily_mx5** » Tue Sep 27, 2011 10:33 am

Thanks guys, DIY is the best kind of mods I rekon

Regarding tyre pressures, I would ask those who are running similar suspension and, importantly, the same tyres.

Ok so, if anyone has a 1990 NA with stock suspension on 16" (lightweight) rims with Federal 595 tyres (205/45/16), could you please advise me a good tyre pressure :lol:

Looking at the last pic, are have the rear guards on this car been rolled before? Looks like the inside lip of the wheel arch has been flattened.

hmmm what do you mean? (sorry, im still new to this :oops:

)

I'm loving the painted brake callipers, I would do something similar but red behind tiffany blue on a silver car would look so try-hard.

but red suits a silver car, more so your red NA the most! haha nahhh it is a pretty try hard mod anyway, but I could never afford the proper brakes that already come in lairy colours, so a $15 can of VHT paint and a day later is about the best I can do

how did that tinted polish come up? i have a BRG as well and the paint is quite faded.

It came up really well! It added a richer depth to the green which was nice. Although my paint isnt faded, it should work on yours, thats what the label says anyway