Lightyear's SE Replica Track/Road MX-5

lightyear · Postby **lightyear** » Sat Jan 31, 2015 7:52 pm

Cheers.

Not a good start to the first track day. I didn't push too hard as I wanted to get used to the car, and get a feel for grip levels as it's been a long time since I haven't used R spec tyres. Once they warmed up they gripped a lot better than I thought they would.
I did start to push on a bit, then got blocked into turn one and two buy the racing Clio. Lost 2.00 seconds just there. Then tried pushing again on the next lap.
But for some reason as I went to exit turn 4 on my 3rd or 4th lap (also my last lap of the day) the car just free revved. Like the gearbox was missing. I tried all the gears, but no go. Got towed back, loaded it on Brendan's trailer (Thanks Brendan), drove all the way back to melbourne, unloaded it, loaded the Fiat on, drove all the way back so Brendan could get his car home. Then drove the Fiat back home. Did get a new record time home in the Fiat. Under 1hr 30min.

So now I have to pull the box back out and see what happened. Then abuse the guys that made the clutch. I suspect the clutch fingers/springs are the problem. Or the bonding material on the clutch let go. It was working fine, then nothing. No noises or funny business.

lightyear · Postby **lightyear** » Sat Jan 31, 2015 9:21 pm

Took a pic before loading it up.

And it weighs 1085kg with driver. But does seem down on power to the old red car. Or maybe the extra weight makes it slower. The red car was 1045kg with driver.

adult photo sharing

smy0003 · Postby **smy0003** » Sun Feb 01, 2015 5:12 pm

I'm afraid to click on your 'adult photo sharing' link in the company of my girlfriend.

lightyear · Postby **lightyear** » Sun Feb 01, 2015 5:23 pm

I just google photo upload and click on the first one. Don't worry, there are no pics of mrs Lightyear in compromising positions.

Postby **beavis** » Sun Feb 01, 2015 5:37 pm

You knocked a cone over.
That's an immediate fail on your drivers license.

meanmx · Postby **meanmx** » Mon Feb 02, 2015 5:16 pm

Awesome work Dave

lightyear · Postby **lightyear** » Tue Feb 03, 2015 7:03 am

I hate pulling the gearbox out at the best of times. But to have to change a clutch after just installing it around 150 km's ago hurts.
The clutch material just turned to fibre particles and some lumps. Flywheel looks like toast too.
Might be machine able.
Such a waste of money. Wasted entry to Phillip Island. Towing the car home, 2 x clutch installs. I payed to have it done the first time because I don't like doing it. Now I have to do it all again and buy a new clutch and possibly a flywheel.

image hosting above 5 mb

davekmoore · Postby **davekmoore** » Tue Feb 03, 2015 7:30 am

Will you be talking to the clutch supplier about your costs and time?

lightyear · Postby **lightyear** » Tue Feb 03, 2015 9:09 am

Yer, well the costs are pretty high.

Did I upload the video of when it turned to dust?

https://m.youtube.com/watch?feature=you ... EI30BJdgaA

davekmoore · Postby **davekmoore** » Tue Feb 03, 2015 1:27 pm

Consequential loss under section 26 of ACL.

Postby **beavis** » Tue Feb 03, 2015 1:37 pm

Makes it hard though when you buy from the USA.

davekmoore · Postby **davekmoore** » Tue Feb 03, 2015 1:51 pm

Surely Americaland has consumer laws? Don't I remember a bloke called Ralph Nader for instance?

lightyear · Postby **lightyear** » Fri Feb 27, 2015 7:57 pm

The crap clutch is an XTD. Do not buy one.

New clutch is in, and it drives fine. Can feel no vibrations, and it doesn't slip. Finally a break...
I need to make a battery isolator, the battery keeps going flat as the car isn't dríven enough.

On another note, I am going to redo the side window on the fastback. Due to the black "trim" on the bottom edge looking awkward. I am going to make it longer. One pic is showing how much is going to be cut out, the other what it will look like when done. I was watching a late model Porsche 9## drive past on centre rd and noticed the side window profile looks stretched compared to the older models. So, it should look a bit sleeker, and hide the black "trim".

image hosting

wazman · Postby **wazman** » Mon Mar 02, 2015 10:03 am

wow ! you have been busy!

What clutch did you put in after the junk usa one ? I am brutal on clutches and cant praise the exedy sprung 3 puck enough!