Custard’s Tart

Custardtart · Postby **Custardtart** » Fri Apr 20, 2018 7:23 pm

This is my first MX5 and I bought it to have fun in and to have fun tinkering with. Hoping to learn a bit along the way too.

The car is an 07 NC, 2.0l (for now!) and will be competing in the Qld MX5 Club championship and ticking off a bucket list of hillclimbs and other events. It’s not going to be a trailer queen, it will be dríven to all events, and hopefully home again!

I bought the car in Sydney and we spent 10 hours getting to know each other on the (faultless) drive back to Brisbane.

At the moment the car is pretty stock apart from a Bilstein/Eibach combo, GWR ceramic coated header, Cobra Race muffler (which drones like heck on the motorway), a Brown Davis roll bar, Saas seats and some nasty, green harnesses.

Wheels are original oem 17” with RE003’s.

I’ll probably swap the original seats back in as I can’t engineer the Saas ones due to the airbags not being connected. I think I’ll chuck the oem muffler back in as well. I should be able to swap back easily enough for events.

Future upgrades include track wheels and R compounds, brakes, sway bars, coilovers, fire suppression, electric cut off, possibly different seats and possibly possibly a 2.5l engine swap!

It seems everyone here names their cars, I must admit that does seem weird but getting into the spirit of things, anyone have any suggestions on a suitable name for it?

Finally, what’s a good laptime for a stock NC at Lakeside or Qld Raceway on R compounds like Federal RSR’s?

Postby **Okibi** » Fri Apr 20, 2018 11:37 pm

Congrats!

bruce · Postby **bruce** » Sat Apr 21, 2018 3:55 pm

Green takata harnesses areb100% JDM. Team them up with genuine Bride seats (none of that fake stuff).

Custardtart · Postby **Custardtart** » Sat Apr 21, 2018 7:53 pm

bruce wrote:Green takata harnesses areb100% JDM. Team them up with genuine Bride seats (none of that fake stuff).

Haha hadn’t thought about JDM goodnes

as I can’t get the seats engineered anyway I could fit a set of Brides :JDM:

but phook they’re expensive! Funnily enough fakes are ADR aproved!

Custardtart · Postby **Custardtart** » Tue Apr 24, 2018 12:31 pm

Picked up A 2.5l with 53k km’s for $500. Haven’t tested it yet but fingers crossed it’s ok! Won’t get swapped for a while yet but I’ve started building a parts list for when I get some spare time.

bruce · Postby **bruce** » Tue Apr 24, 2018 2:29 pm

As I mentioned in the other thread, I'd go over the engine with a microscrope for any sign of damage, etc before the warranty (if any) expires.

Custardtart · Postby **Custardtart** » Tue Apr 24, 2018 4:53 pm

Good advice Bruce

Custardtart · Postby **Custardtart** » Thu Apr 26, 2018 5:04 pm

Well I’ve entered the QR Sprint being run by the MX5 club here in Qld. Really looking forward to it, been a while since I was last on track.
Ordered a few track goodies to get me through the day.

Custardtart · Postby **Custardtart** » Wed May 09, 2018 10:07 pm

Spent an hour or so removing bits of plastic trim so I could remove a broken passenger seatbelt retractor. Couldn’t get the belt through the retractor though.

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I’ve also found the pedals spaced too far apart for decent heel n toeing so i fitted an accelerator pedal cover from supercheap. Initial impressions are that it will do the trick but I’ll give it a proper test tomorrow.

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Magpie · Postby **Magpie** » Thu May 10, 2018 8:34 am

Custardtart wrote:Well I’ve entered the QR Sprint being run by the MX5 club here in Qld.

See you there, I'll only be there in the morning at the moment

On the Sun 20/05 there is general practice and street sprints if you want to get some time in before the club event.

Custardtart · Postby **Custardtart** » Thu May 10, 2018 8:51 am

Thanks Magpie, don’t think I’ll make Sunday as I’m on kids soccer duties ! I’ll pop over and say hello in the morning.

Custardtart · Postby **Custardtart** » Thu May 10, 2018 7:24 pm

Quick update on the pedals. Heel n toe now pretty much perfect. Being clip ons they have the added benefit of bringing the pedal slightly nearer the driver.

Custardtart · Postby **Custardtart** » Fri May 11, 2018 9:28 pm

To get the car road registered in Qld i need a safety certificate and to get the safety certificate i needed a mod plate for the roll bar.

Et voila

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Custardtart · Postby **Custardtart** » Mon May 14, 2018 4:08 pm

The muffler drone I experienced on the drive Friday m Sydney to Brisbane needed rectifying. I could buy a special mid pipe but they’re not cheap so I’m trying some strategically placed Dynomat. Just doing this small section has made a noticeable difference but I’m going to cover a bit more inside then the boot as well.

Custardtart · Postby **Custardtart** » Wed May 16, 2018 3:00 pm

I’ve got a fun weekend lined up finalising the prep on the car in time for the QR Sprint on Monday.
The list of jobs include fitting the new QRM A1rms pads all round and replacing the fluid.
Fitting the front and rear RX8 sway bars. Fitting the new Toyo R888R tyres and swapping the OEM seat out for the fixed back seat and harness.
Should keep me busy!