Zac's NB8a

[Zekesil]

Hey everyone,

I'm pretty new to Mx5's ! I've recently turned 30 and have spent probably most of my early to mid 20's into drifting. I've had a s13, s14 and s15! loved the chassis, how predictable they were to drive and how easily they could be modified to give a bit of power.
I Sold up a few years ago now to start saving for a house and concentrate on some other parts of my life. It was great at first and I relied on buying a motorbike to give me the fix I guess the majority of us here chase.

After 2 years of motorbikes, it wasn't quite enough, so I started looking for what I have always had a soft spot for, a NA/NB mx5, this one came up for relatively cheap, albeit a little rough around the edges.

Here's a pic of my later track car

Motor bikes!


Enter MX5! I got the car as a 1999 model, GV skirts and lip - HSD coilovers, unknown wheels with spacers, huge exhaust leak, aftermarket camber arms that were completely flogged out and an alignment that wanted to kill you haha

i'd love to claim that i've done some visual things to the car to claim it as my own, but i've really just focused on making it a lot tidier and get rid of all the rattles haha - Since picking it up I've done a good check over the car, replacing gaskets, replaced factory exhaust, took coilovers out and reset them all to same heights - unfortunately some bushing are very worn and i think the rear struts are cooked so i'll be looking at replacing all of them i think?, nb8b centre console, factory arms to replace the adjustable camber and a wheel alignment. It drives fantastic now. I love the car!

I bought it with the intention of a track capable weekend car, with a mix of motorkhana and hill climbs? So future plans are -new pads and rotors, brake lines, 4.3 LSD (unsure if i will go Torsen 1,2 or 2way from Kaaz?), Te37s with some good tyres, Roll bar and then just seat time.

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anyway, i'd love to start doing some QR days to get a base time for the car.

looking forward to meeting any of you that head to QR - and those of you who dont!

Cheers.

[Code4]

Welcome Zac. There is always somthing more you want to buy for these. Enjoy ....

[ManiacLachy]

Welcome, Zac. That's a nice looking car, those sideskirts look great. Sounds like you have a good plan for the car too, though coming from those Silva's I bet it's only a matter of time before you go hunting for a turbo kit

I take it you're a Queenslander, Brisbane/Ipsiwch/Gold Coast? There's a few of us around, and though most of the club track days are out at Lakeside these days, there are still General Practice events at QR. Magpie is a local around there and he's been very helpful to many MX-5 owners.

[Zekesil]

Welcome, Zac. That's a nice looking car, those sideskirts look great. Sounds like you have a good plan for the car too, though coming from those Silva's I bet it's only a matter of time before you go hunting for a turbo kit

I take it you're a Queenslander, Brisbane/Ipsiwch/Gold Coast? There's a few of us around, and though most of the club track days are out at Lakeside these days, there are still General Practice events at QR. Magpie is a local around there and he's been very helpful to many MX-5 owners.

Hi mate!
Haha, I had to fight the urge to immediately look at going down that path, I really wanted this car to teach me how to be a faster driver rather than a fast car owner haha. These cars carry such fantastic speed thru corners!

It was so easy in drifting to get caught up in all the 'must have' parts, so I really intend on keeping this relatively simple!!

In saying that, I've done a bit of looking around, and found nothing concrete about the differences between Torsen 1 and Torsen 2.
I would like to do motorkhana and skid pan days confidently knowing both wheels are engaging at a very similar rate, will i achieve that with these, or should I go a Kaaz or similar mechanical 2way?

Yes I am in QLD! Brisbane CBD. looking forward to meeting guys and learning about these!

[Magpie]

Magpie is a local around there

THANKS, yes QR would be my local track and I try and get out there as often as possible.

I really wanted this car to teach me how to be a faster driver rather than a fast car owner haha. These cars carry such fantastic speed thru corners!

Yes they can carry great corner speed with the right tyres and setup, however you will find eventually that you miss the power on the straights. Then again being NA you do not suffer from the reliability issued that go with FI. It has taken me almost 3 years to get my NA MX5 under 60 seconds on the QR Sprint, I think a 59 is possible by the end of the year. If I can manage this I get a Holy Grail sticker

or should I go a Kaaz or similar mechanical 2way?

Since you are from a drifting background I would say 2 Way clutch pack diff. They are a little difficult to get used to for track use as they want to keep pushing you straight when they lock up (especially the 2 way), however unlike a torsen they keep drive even if you lift a wheel off the ground. A torsen acts like an open if you lift a wheel.

I have used all 3 diff types (open, torsen and 2 way). Hated the 2 way when it was first installed, now would not get rid of it because of the drive it can give out of corners, especially the dipper on the sprint.

Yes I am in QLD! Brisbane CBD.

I normally work in the Valley or Auckland at the moment, happy to catch up for coffee one day.

[ManiacLachy]

I knew Magpie would have the info on the diffs for you

I'm on the northside of Brisbane, but I work on the Southside, I won't be making any coffees midweek in the CBD.

[bruce]

Weclome.
Stick an SR20 into your 5 !

[StanTheMan]

Torsen 1vs2 have ever so slightly different lock up characteristics.
Torsen 1 is ever so slightly more aggressive on lock up But we are talking minute differences. Mid corner if you need to lift throttle the 2 is less likely to throw you off balance. But in 99.99999% of corners. Your not going to tell the difference. I'd be inclined to get whatever comes your way in regards to ratio that's most suitable for your build. If you're going to track it a lot....I'd go for a different diff altogether. Torsen 1s are a little less frequent.
Either Torsen is probabl the best diff for a road car......unless of course you like drama.
The internals are quite different too.

When I put my Torsen 2 in, it made all my suspension mods work together......seriously. It was probable the single best mod I've done . Although it must be said. In those days if you called me mad on the verge of being insane.....for my street driving. Would have been an understatement.

[Zekesil]

Thanks for all your replies guys,
Magpie & Stan, Cheers for the diff info, I might start with just a torsen and if i feel my abilities are being held back by it i'll track down a 2 way!

I managed to find a A+ on Facebook for quite cheap, it was covered in matte black spray paint and stickers, but i've rubbed it back and will give it a spray.

Is the $900 to $1000 mark about right for a Torsen 4.3?
Cheers lads, thanks for the info and warm welcome

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[Zekesil]

Couple more pics!

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[Okibi]

Looks super clean!

[ManiacLachy]

Is that a Titanium Grey hard top on a Silver car? I've seen it before and the combination looks great! You wouldn't think think so, but In person it's fantastic.

[speed]

Is that a Titanium Grey hard top on a Silver car? I've seen it before and the combination looks great! You wouldn't think think so, but In person it's fantastic.

Agree. Looks fantastic!

Sent from my SM-A520F using Tapatalk

[Zekesil]

Thanks dudes! it is TI grey from what i can tell, i had actually arranged to have it resprayed, but it's growing on me
some dramas with the cage, didn't have the right fitting hardware which is a bit of a shame, got in touch with A+, hopefully they will sell separately.
- Car is driving great now after all the changes! really enjoying this thing!

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[lucmor444]

You will be ok with A+. Before I picked up a second hand roll bar I checked with them in case I needed parts and they said that would be no problem.