The Roadster NA Journey Begins

[Magpie]

Not much to update on apart from the engine is off to be sonic checked and still waiting for the beams to turn up.

The car went well at Lakeside no overheating issues so pretty happy, shame I could not finish the day (flu) but Lakeside does not reward you for lack of concentration.

[Magpie]

Again not much to update, more doing little jobs that have been put off.

Following on from Danny's post about the hardtop and it needing to be installed correctly I decided to swap the latches for brackets (that I have had for a while). Well after finding that there was only 1 screw in each side (windscreen latch part) and these were loose. Putting in just the front brackets made a hell of a lot less squeaking than with the latches. Lesson to be learnt there I guess.

Also with Shane's recent no water issue I decided to finish off the coolant level sensor project. I had previously installed the Cartek coolant level sensor, however never got around to finishing off the warning light etc. This was due to that the alarm signal wire carried 1.7 volt when everything is OK and this drops to zero when there was no coolant detected. I had already planned to use a 12 volt light and piezo alarm, not only was there not enough volts to run the alarm but it was round the wrong way.

Solution http://www.jaycar.com.au/productView.asp?ID=KC5377&form=CAT2&SUBCATID=965#11 a Universal Voltage Switch that can be setup to detect a falling voltage and then trip a 12 volt relay. This works a treat once set up, provided the voltage of the coolant sensor outputs 1.7 volts the relay dosen't trip. Once there is no coolant voltage drops to zero so the alarms go off.

The splitter project has again been put on hold till I am home next as I need to sort out a solvent to join ABS together as the plan is to use 2 sheets of 4.5mm ABS. PVC solvent has a temp limit of 60 deg and I'm not sure if it can be used on ABS. Work will be paying for my research time . However some parts for the splitter have arrived, plan is to make 2 one CAMS and one club track days. So next time I am home and if the car is not in for a transplant the spliiter build is on the cards.

the goodies (brackets and supports)


and they will add

[Lokiel]

Auto-timer for your in-built Breville coffee machine?

Fresh cup of coffee's ready just as you pull into the pits.

[Magpie]

Fresh cup of coffee's ready just as you pull into the pits.

That is why I bring my other half, she can get the coffee for me however a coffee machine would complain less.

[Magpie]

Another small update. The last run for the car as a 1.6 will be the Gold Coast club run on 26/05/13 then it goes under the knife for a heart transplant.

A few small jobs to do before then are install new end links, rear sway bar, build front splitter and a few other small jobs.

[Magpie]

A few more odd jobs out of the way. Finally finished installing the hard top brackets and I must say that there is no squeaking at all anymore. It is a bit of a pain to have to undo the bolts instead of opening latches, but it is worth it. Now I can hear the air scoop even more (worst mod ever).

Rear sway bar (with 949 Racing end links) was done, as well as set the rear wing to a shallower angle of attack. The car now has a little understeer around my favourite roundabout so I may need to set the front to soft (it is on med). Now need to do a little more testing, however it will be a bit difficult to see if anyone mod made the most change. Splitter, rear wing, rear sway etc.

Rear sway


Splitter was done, however I will make another one as 1 sheet was not enough to make 2 splitters. The plan was to sandwich them together out of 4.5mm ABS, so maybe 12 mm ply may be the go next time or cover the ABS in some fibreglass. In the end I did 2 layers of ABS and it is held together with glue and rivets. Since this was more of a test run I'm happy with the way it turned out, next one should be a lot faster and stronger.

Jacking the car up


Drivers side, remove the steering bolt


Drivers side bracket in (need to push up the power steering lines)




Passengers side


Wheel arch supports




Finished










All the photos are here https://plus.google.com/photos/115769813738304087848/albums/5875518691218726929

[charlie_91]

i dont go on this forum much nowadays but when i do im always interested to see what your up to. Interesting material to use for the splitter. With those suppose, how strong is it ? do you still have my setup lying around ? i know someone that wanted to buy it

cant wait for the motor build to start taking place, its one thing ill be keeping an eye on thats for sure

[Magpie]

Yep Charlie I still have your splitter setup, it saved a heap of time in getting a template. I essentially turned yours upside down as our front ends were different. Plan is to make 2 splitters one that conforms to 2B and one that does not, hence your mounts will be reused

Car gets dropped off at the end of May, should have it back by the end of June. Hopefully it will be worth the wait and as special as your turbo build

[Mr nanotech]

Can't believe I've not found this thread before. I want your wallet and car parts so bad

[Magpie]

I want your wallet

No problem, but it is empty now! All I want now is my engine done and installed so I can enjoy the car. I'm not sure what MX5 Plus will be doing after my build especially since Charlie's car no longer spends any time there, they need another revenue/development stream once my motor is finished

Anybody want to take over where Charlie and I left off? Charlie's was an awesome 1.6 ltr turbo build (that has now been parted out), mine is a 1.9 ltr natural aspirated build and the next is?.......

[gslender]

1.9 .... So a 1.8 stroked?

G

[Magpie]

1.9 .... So a 1.8 stroked?

G

Using 85mm pistons, equates to 1,926 cc. Plus the engine will be square, 85mm stroke/ pistons.

[Magpie]

The last of the parts (for me to install) have arrived, ride height sensors (x2). However I will not get to install them before I fly out next

These will be hooked up to the data logger, and get ride heights recorded every 39msec (between 40 and 300mm). I will be cutting a hole in the splitter and rear diffuser so that they will have some protection. Also need to build a 12v to 5v reducer to supply the required 5 volts, the Innovate does have a 5 volt out, but this will reduce wiring and only require the signal wire to be hooked up.

Plus HANS device has been ordered, $600 (inc posts) for a HANS Sport II from Racer Industries.

[toppertee]

The Car looks tip top.
I find it's a good sign, if the car looks fast, just standing still.
Really keen to see what the dyno numbers, for the motor are going to look like.

[Magpie]

I'll be posting the before dyno as well as the after. Yes it will be done by the same dyno, however not sure if we can duplicate the atmospherics!

I'll be letting MX5 Plus do the technical write up on the engine and what was done. Notwithstanding I'm getting a few plates engraved on the engine stats and one mounted on the top of the radiator and one on the dash. Plus a few laminated sheets on the cars build and before and after stats.

On the splitter thinking of fiberglassing it to give it a bit more strength, I'm sure it will take 200 kmh, however I just want to make sure that nothing comes off at speed, dangerous for me and other road/track users.

Hopefully on 27 July I will take it out to Morgan Park for a test run.