Emily's 04 VR SE

[NitroDann]

Hi Dave,

I just checked the haltech software to confirm that Emily is correct. The Elite1500 has idle options for both stationary and when the car has reached a user selectable speed. Emilies is something like:

"When vehicle speed is equal to or greeater than 5kph, use this idle target table"

And then the table is basically the same as the normal one, plus three or four hundred RPM.

Dann

[emily_mx5]

So over the last few months i did some most stuff to the car!

Mazdaspeed Type F suede bucket seats









Pretty easy install, came with mx5 specific brackets already installed.
Unbelievably comfortable, and hold you in really firmly.
Not for fat people though, they are tiny haha.

Also had the AGi roll bar put in.



Then came the MCA blue coilovers!










This is how it sits after 3 weeks of settling and an "aggressive street" 4 wheel alignment from Heasmans.



Oh and a hardtop

[LiteIsRite]

Sooooo jealous of those seats... may I ask where you sourced them from?

Also, what spring rates did you you choose for the MCA Blues?

[Lokiel]

... still can't look at that numberplate without wincing a bit

I had a love/hate relationship with my MazdaSpeed seats.

Loved the look, comfy-ness for long drives and lateral support through the twisties - the OEM seats have NO lateral support in comparison, the MazdaSpeed seats made me feel like I was wrapped securely in a baseball glove.

Hated the weight and the thigh support, too high for DD (made getting in and out more of a chore), too low for trackwork (still found myself wedging my knees against the door and transmission tunnel to keep myself seated firmly). When purchasing these seats, be sure to check the driver-side right thigh bolster, it gets knocked about a lot on entry and exit and the steel brace cuts into the foam (see http://mx5cartalk.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=57&t=41091&start=122 for details).

The MazdaSpeed back mounted on the OEM seat-base would be the perfect DD/weekender seat.

[Nevyn72]

Wait a minute....... Something's not right here........

Emily..... Updating her thread?!!!!.......

I'm sure it's not the 1st of April yet.......

[emily_mx5]

Spring rates are 9kg front 5kg rear

Seats were sourced from Japan / yahoo auctions.

They are incredible, I don't mind doing yoga to get in/out haha.

@Nevyn, It's hard to keep on top of all the stuff I do to this silly machine! I spend most of my time on the Facebook page now, and put pictures up on my Instagram.

[emily_mx5]

Car is currently off at the paint shop

No its not crashed haha, I just wanted to neaten a few things up!
Someone did however reverse into the front bar in a carpark, so front bumper is getting repainted and debadged. Front lip was really scuffed from previous owner, so thats getting redone too.

After battling temperature issues for what seems like forever, I have finally solved them with a bottle of Redline Water Wetter and a Garage Vary vented bonnet.
I got a set of GV eyelids too, so they and the bonnet are being colour matched red.

I'm really excited to have it back and all one colour! I'll be sure to post up some pics! Its gonna look so goooooood

[ManiacLachy]

Can't wait to see that hood fitted up!

[Okibi]

Good to hear you have the temps under control, was it overheating on the track or just street driving?

[emily_mx5]

Daily driving duties such as sitting in traffic with aircon on, on 35* summer days.
Or big boost pulls on hot summer days.
Also just driving on boost.

Not overheating as such, just running far to hot like 94* all the time, even when driving off boost in 6th at 80km/hr which should have heaps of cool airflow.

Its low - mid 80s now, even sitting in traffic with aircon on, and then a full boost traffic light drags, on a 35* summer day

[Apu]

How hot do your oil temps get in traffic Em? Stuck on Victoria Rd in morning traffic, I've hit 110degC, but running on the highway I've cruised on 85degC

[Nevyn72]

Its low - mid 80s now, even sitting in traffic with aircon on, and then a full boost traffic light drags, on a 35* summer day

Given the factory thermostat doesn't open until 88* have you installed a cooler temp thermostat?

Also which version of the GV bonnet did you get?
I hope it's the fiberglass version and not the carbon one being painted!
Did you get the weather shield for the vent opening?

[emily_mx5]

How hot do your oil temps get in traffic Em? Stuck on Victoria Rd in morning traffic, I've hit 110degC, but running on the highway I've cruised on 85degC

Hottest was 102* stuck on Victoria Rd in morning traffic haha! Just really unacceptable to not be able to have air con on if its hot. And constantly stressing that its going to blow a head gasket. But its all good now

Given the factory thermostat doesn't open until 88* have you installed a cooler temp thermostat?
Also which version of the GV bonnet did you get?
I hope it's the fiberglass version and not the carbon one being painted!
Did you get the weather shield for the vent opening?

I had a cooler temp thermostat to try to diagnose a few issues previously, all they do is slow warm up, very useless mod I have no idea why people think they are a good idea.
I have a Tridon hi-flow tstat now, with one bypass/jiggler pin removed so it flows a bit of water even when its closed, hence the lower than 89* temps sometimes.

It is fibreglass (CRINGE!) but has perfect fitment (no really it does) so happy with it.
Would never paint carbon, however I would also never want a carbon bonnet (much rice).
No rain guard, however I will look into it when i get the car back, possibly fabricate something to use in torrential rain etc.

[hks_kansei]

I wouldn't bother with a rain guard.

There's nothing really there that would matter if it gets wet, and it gets wet anyway with water coming in through the rad etc.


(assuming it's one of the ones with the vent just in front of the block?)

[emily_mx5]

Progress shots!