Mx5, Chapter 2

The American · Postby **The American** » Sat Oct 17, 2015 8:27 pm

The next modification was a set off adjustable coilover's thanks to Spikey. In my enthusiasm for a lower center of gravity, I might have started off a little too low:

Hansen Wheeler's MX-5 NA by Hanson Wheeler, on Flickr

And then an AGI ROPS, also thanks to Spikey:

Hansen Wheeler's MX-5 NA by Hanson Wheeler, on Flickr

and then a decent seat on MX5 rails, also thanks to a club member:

Hansen Wheeler's MX-5 NA by Hanson Wheeler, on Flickr

The American · Postby **The American** » Sat Oct 17, 2015 8:30 pm

Warwick G. then loaned me these wheels with a set of AD08 fitted so I could see the difference some proper road performance tyres make.

Class B Competitor Hansen Wheeler by Hanson Wheeler, on Flickr

The American · Postby **The American** » Sat Oct 17, 2015 8:33 pm

Some 15x7 Rays Engineering TE37s popped up at a local JDM import yard, with some 80% Bridgestone RE01R - I wish I'd kept these wheels!

Hansen Powers To The COrner by Hanson Wheeler, on Flickr

The American · Postby **The American** » Sat Oct 17, 2015 8:36 pm

By this point, the car had also had a new clutch and radiator, as well as a few other maintenance items. I was at the point where it was REALLY fun to drive. This shot is from the Midvale Speed Dome, and is perhaps my favorite shot of the car:

Hansen Slides ON The Turn by Hanson Wheeler, on Flickr

The American · Postby **The American** » Sat Oct 17, 2015 8:39 pm

Another brilliant shot from Simon at the Midvale Speed Dome. On this corner (on a different day) I similarly ran out of road and ended up gently resting against a small tree, damage free.

Hansen Slides Off by Hanson Wheeler, on Flickr

The American · Postby **The American** » Sat Oct 17, 2015 8:41 pm

^
^
if you look carefully, you can see one of OMGPham's frame rails poking out from underneath - I'd forgotten about that mod. The car still has an open diff at this point.

The American · Postby **The American** » Sat Oct 17, 2015 8:45 pm

And then this - a little too much steam from the exhaust. A headgasket and cracked head was not too long after this shot:

Hansen Wheeler At The Roundabout by Hanson Wheeler, on Flickr

The American · Postby **The American** » Sat Oct 17, 2015 8:50 pm

This shot is from the start finish line at a Kwinana Motorplex sprint event:

Hansen Wheeler in his red MX-5 NA by Hanson Wheeler, on Flickr

And from the driver's seat:

The American · Postby **The American** » Sat Oct 17, 2015 8:58 pm

probably the last modification I made was to install a Torsen 1 differential, courtesy of yet another forum and club member. It took some getting used to.

Hansen - Layout Two by Hanson Wheeler, on Flickr

Hansen Out of Control by Hanson Wheeler, on Flickr

Hansen Sideways by Hanson Wheeler, on Flickr

10779549905_59e4321b8d_k by Hanson Wheeler, on Flickr

Hansen Trys Out New LSD by Hanson Wheeler, on Flickr

The American · Postby **The American** » Sat Oct 17, 2015 9:01 pm

This is where I found it - such a brilliant little machine

Miata by Hanson Wheeler, on Flickr

The American · Postby **The American** » Sat Oct 17, 2015 10:16 pm

After all these adventures, my job moved me out of Perth and I sold the car to another local club member. Sadly, this happened shortly after (not the new owners fault):

Final State by Hanson Wheeler, on Flickr

And that was the end of Mx5, Chapter 1, but it was a very good chapter!

The American · Postby **The American** » Fri Oct 30, 2015 9:41 am

I collected the Mx5 yesterday after a 2 week visit to AutomotivePlus (not because it needed to be there that long, but it took me that long to get back to collect it!). I missed a flight on the way there, and Jeff patiently waited for me to finally make it back.

They replaced a leaking front half moon and a leaking cam seal (along with all the other bits that should be renewed while doing these two).

They also found that one of the engine mounts was completely sheared. New engine mounts - particularly two that are in one piece - should make for a smoother launch!

SAM_5862 by Hanson Wheeler, on Flickr

Magpie · Postby **Magpie** » Fri Oct 30, 2015 9:48 am

Already for Noosa? Your car is spending more time at Plus than mine now

The American · Postby **The American** » Fri Oct 30, 2015 12:19 pm

It's ready! A few very small jobs to do, but pretty much there.

Hopefully the weather is good and I will find some more time, and no hard objects!

The American · Postby **The American** » Sat Oct 31, 2015 2:57 pm

Cheap and easy to replace, but not particularly durable!

Untitled by Hanson Wheeler, on Flickr

I'd also meant to post a photo of this intake arrangement at some point. I'm cleaning and re-oiling the filter this afternoon so grabbed a few shots while the plastic guard liner was off.

In this shot you can see where the intake piping leads to behind the passenger headlight:

Untitled by Hanson Wheeler, on Flickr

It then re-emerges here, just behind the fog light inside the bumper:

Untitled by Hanson Wheeler, on Flickr

The filter certainly cops a lot of dirt and gunk thrown off the front wheel.