Riley's LE NA8

[RileyR]

Hi every one,
I would like to properly introduce everyone to my 1996 Limited Edition NA8. I have had it for around a year now and have loved every minute of it! I have posted a few things on the forums and have been reading plenty in that time. I figured that this thread can be a place for me (and anyone else that’s bored enough or interested enough) to track the cars progress. It will also be a place for me ask for advice on future plans etc.

Before this gorgeous car there was a very nice RX-8. The RX-8 was my first sports car and it started the obsession. It had a full x-force exhaust system which really made the rotary engine sound amazing. It also had coilovers which made it feel very planted... and low. However, being a uni bum the cost of maintaining and fueling the rotary started to put a damper on things.



A mate of mine started getting in my ear about buying an MX-5. I wasn’t sold on the idea at first but the more I looked into them the more my interest grew. It was clear to me that there was a real cult following and A LOT of love for these little convertibles. But having never been in one I was not sure what to expect. Nor could I decide if I wanted an NA or NB. I searched and searched while I waited for my RX-8 to sell. Finally it did, and there was an MX-5 for sale that stood out above the rest around the same time. I knew it was the MX-5 I wanted and I travelled to Sydney (from Armidale) as soon as I could to pick it up.

It had only 100,000km on the clock, had full service history and had spent most of life being serviced at mx5 mania in Sydney. It had a mania intake, a whiteline strut brace, lowered king springs, braided brake lines and some widened steelies. And it was absolutely gorgeous with its BRG colour and tan interior with leather seats. It was fairly expensive, and was more than I originally wanted to spend but I couldn’t resist.
Here are some photos from the original ad.

[RileyR]

One of the first things I did was add a GV front lip, and of course give the paint a revamp.





I then had some help to install Alpine type R head unit and splits. I also used some dynamat type stuff. The stezza whomps and makes a HUGE difference to the drivability and enjoyment. Even at 100km with the roof off the music is still clear and audible.







I also had a JVC sub and amp laying around. I tried to sell it but it didnt sell. So I bought a box that would fit in my boot and installed it, along with some more dynamat to reduce the horrendous reverberations. I wasn’t sure if I would keep it in there, but now I hate travelling without it! Im very happy with how the sound system turned out.

[RileyR]

The MX then got a new home in Toowoomba, QLD, where it enjoys a double garage all to its self

Soon after I bought an MX5 Plus roll bar and had it painted in gloss black at a mates paint shop. I then had to add some padding to pass QLD mod plating.









I was surprised at how much stiffer the car felt after installing the roll bar. Good peace of mind as well

[kazama]

Nice car mate!

Hows the doof doof in the boot sound?

[RileyR]

Nice car mate!

Hows the doof doof in the boot sound?

Thanx! Sounds great hey! But I did have to find some ways to stop the rattles. I added foam in all the hard-top and soft-top latches which made a huge difference, even without the stereo. I also added some insulation on the hard-top. Great for insulating from the heat and cold, as well as making the car quieter and stereo louder! My nightclub cravings seem to have abated since the install.... but maybe im just getting older and domesticated lol

[RileyR]

The seat belts were ratty and barely passed scrutineering. So brand new ones went in (the roll bar had to come out for this). I conducted a foam-ectomy at the same time (I highly recommend the foam-ectomy for taller people!). I also bought a CG-Lock to hold me in, and also rate it.







Fire extinguisher and bracket from MX5 Mania went in.





After many complaints I added a passenger 'holy s***t' handle.





Side mount number plate with tow straps for extra race points.





Most importantly though I bought a Torsen 2 LSD. A great improvement over the standard open diff! I had it inspected and installed at a diff specialist.

[RileyR]

I then decided to upgrade my brakes. After realizing I already had braided brake lines I went with some DBA T3 slotted front rotors with Hawk HP plus pads all 'round.








I had a set of stock wheels with heaps of tread on the tyres, so I plasti dipped them, but didnt much like how they looked on the car. So I tried to sell them, but they didn't sell. So I decided to use them for motorkhanas until the tread is gone.






We also had a milestone around this time

[RileyR]

The next few things that happened were a new air filter and heat shield.




I DIY'd an aluminum radiator cowl




Gave the MAF and throttle body a clean - made a noticeable difference to engine smoothness. Maybe even more power! But could be a placebo.




Domo Kun liked the MX and wanted to hang out as well




And this brings the thread up to date with the car, for the time being at least. There will be more to come

[datfreak]

Nice writeup Riley. I really really want that rollbar.

[NASilverStone]

Welcome to Toowoomba Riley. Cheers NAS

[RileyR]

My plans for the cars future is basically improve its every day enjoyment and to make it a bit faster for motorkhanas, autocross, sprints etc but not deminish the daily driving enjoyment.


Initially I was set on a turbo conversion (and even bought a 2nd hand turbo). Though, I doubt that ill stay in QLD forever, so the car needs to be able to be re registered in other states, and a turbo will make that very difficult (to my knowledge). I also want to keep it as reliable as possible, which again steers me away from a turbo.

So, recently I have been leaning toward improving it while staying NA, but not spending a fortune. Besides reliablity etc one main reason for going the NA route is that I can upgrade piece by piece without a massive single cost. Another is that I already really enjoy the car, and dont think I need a big increase in power.

So why modify it further at all? As a daily driver I want to improve the experience by making it feel nicer - possibly with extractors, exhaust, light weight flywheel etc. And also handle better, possibly with descent coilovers, better wheels and tyres etc. I would also like to be a bit more competitive on the track, though this may not be realistic as a lot of cars are purpose built for it, and not a daily driver.

Possible plans and sequence of events include:
-lightened NA6 flywheel and exedy heavy duty clutch (will be lighter than an NA8 lightend flywheel and clutch)
-upgrade suspension from the current king springs, probably coil overs before sway bars.
- extractors and exhaust with hi flow cat.
- maybe right down the track could be an ecu.

Also, better wheels and tyres are on the agenda. Currently I have 2 sets. I have stock na8 wheels with cheap tyres on them. My plans are to replace the crap tyres with good ones and use them for track (when they get bald). Though, I have had a bit of a look and havent found any reasonably priced performance tyres in the 185/60/r14 size. Does any one have any recommendations for decent tyres for the stockies?
I also have a set of widened steelies which are 15x8+17. They have 185/55/r15 on them, and clearance is tight. So I doubt that I could run 195s or higher without issues. They are also very heavy and obviously not ideal for track. So I will be keeping an eye out for a decent set of wheels to fit some decent tyres in the future.

Does any one have suggestions? I am keen to get as much info and guidance that I can


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[The American]

I had a set of Dunlop DZ03G on stock NA8 wheels which worked well. You can get semi slicks in 14" sizes, but performance road tyres in 14", not so much.

[RileyR]

Mmm thats what I feared. But atleast in know I can get some serious tyres - just need to get them to the track :s Cheers.

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[RileyR]

So I got some 2nd hand wheels with some decent tyres that were going cheap

Hopefully they get me around the track a little faster than my steelies and daily tyres.

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[Roadster2]

Nice ride ! I actually looked at this car before purchasing mine but it was a little above my budget. Looks to be in good hands !

PS: I actually liked the steelies haha. Maybe thats just a dead giveaway that im a p plater lol.