Mixer Project
 

Well the Scoob as gone to a new owner and it's time to get amongst the new project. I currently run a V-Spec Eunos as a daily, it's only done 105k km's, so is still pretty good and soooo much fun. After the running costs of the Scoob it's been a revelation. It's pretty standard apart for some very nice J-Speed Enkei's, twin exhaust and Mk2 mohair roof with heated rear window. It's got the OE headrest speakers, new stereo, OE V-Spec mats, Nardi Wood wheel and gear knob, is de-catted and a Blitz induction kit amongst other things. The interior is OE but looking tired and will get the treat ment too.

The Project order will be:-

1. Shocks, Brakes and Chassis.
2. Body work and exterior.
3. Interior fittings.
4. Engine.

The intent is to freshen up the old worn stuff you cannot see and then start on the visuals, not track but just fun spirited driving. Like most plans this will probably hit the wall after week two :lol1:. The idea is to start on the visible chassis bit's and work inwards then up. I have already purchased a few item's to get things going. The cost as been tiny compared to the Scoob, so here goes with the newest purchases.

1. MX5 Parts Stainless Twin Exhaust - £155 (Ebay Auction by MX5Parts)
2. 4 x KYB Adjustable shocks and springs - £427
3. Full set of Fr and Rr Discs and pads - £90 :eek:
4. Full Fr and Rr ARB and Drop Link Polybush Kit - £40

Once the Calipers have been removed, scrubbed and painted the shocks and ARB stuff will go on.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...0/IMAG0856.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2.../3902233-4.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...0/IMAG0857.jpg
And some of the original PH advert pics.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2.../3902233-3.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2.../3902233-2.jpg

Hmm want to see photos of this,
Have you thought about a turbo conversion, not that expensive and can easily achive 200hp on stock motor and more with aftermarket ecu. (my next track car/project)
And you could of got gaz coilovers which seem to be the ones to go for apart from tien flex.
But I see you have already bought these parts.
But can't wait to see this (proper fun toy -the looks imo lol)

C'mon get some pics up :)

Some goodies arrived today from MX5Parts.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...0/IMAG1408.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...0/IMAG1412.jpg
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More to follow.

Nice, now some pics of car please. ;)

:thumb:

Lovley, in best colour too, noticed that it has dual exhausts on already, were they not suitable or something?
V limited too, nice, is that the one without abs? And has it got LSD as standard? A quite rare spec. Is it the 1.6?

Lovley cheap car to buy and mod and probably the most fun too.;)

Are you on mx5nutz forum, some right nice ones on there too.

Could join you in summer for some track time when I get mine.

The rear box is looking tired with a patch in the middle I think may go. There is no ABS :-) as I have found out but I am not sure on the diff spec.

I have the OE V Spec mats too.

Not on mx5nuts but I have signed up on the Moorakers site, no cream teas lol.

I have changed my mind on the shocks and bought the KYB Excel - G to match the springs, no price change :D.

The scoob will be out of the garage in a week or so and I can get it on the axle stands.

What about gaz or miester r which seem to be the best?

The KYB Excel-G's are currently fitted and they suit my needs (age/arthritis/dentures/pod's).

Lol cool.;)

Good to see your modding mojo has not disappeared Ian :thumb:

Enhancing :norty:.

I'd flip me biscuit if I got soft hands Kev!

:thumb:

A few more bit's arrived today.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...0/IMAG1449.jpg

The Scoob goes this weekend (:cry:) so the Mixer can get tucked up ready for the removal of:-

1. Wheels
2. ARB's
3. Drop Links
4. Discs
5. Pads and Brakes.

Pics coming.

Started
 

Well the fun began with removing the wing mirror's. They are after market and look pretty good but as soon as they where removed it became apparent that they would need replacing.

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Not detered I set about the undercarriage and dropped the ARB's and drop links. Compared to the Scoob it was a doodle. Like the Scoob they need to removed with the wheels supported and not under tension. A 14mm sockets and spanners and they where off in about ten minutes.

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Once the drop links where disconnected the ARB was removed.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...t/IMAG1474.jpg

At this point I was beginning to worry as there was not problem with corrosion or nuts or bolts being welded in place by age. The previous owner had pretty much covered everything in Waxoyl and it made an hell of a difference.

I then removed the calipers, pads and discs. A mix of 12, 14 and 10 mm sockets and spanners. Each side took about 15 minutes :luvlove:. Simple sliders calipers similar to the rears on a Classic. The handbrake is held in place by two lock nuts. , undo the bottom bolt, rotate upwards and the pads and retaining clips are free to remove.

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The discs then slid off easy as you like. The carrier was also removed as as it's getting some paint.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...t/IMAG1487.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...t/IMAG1488.jpg

The next purchase.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MAZDA-MX5-...item4d06d4a4ff

Making good progress there Ian. Are you colouring any of the suspension parts like you did on the impreza?

I'll probably get 2nd hand wishbones and get them done up. I'll then rebush and fit. The process so far as been less complex than the Scoob, old tech but so well made. I cannot get over how well the underside is.

Pictures of the underside next. How's the VW Camper mate?

Your going to have a very well handling car there again Ian, as we always say its not all about power and this should be like a go kart for sure afterwards.

The roof was leaking, so I've pulled that off and it's in the garage getting strengthened. Roof should be sorted and painted by the end of Feb. Thinking about fitting a n/a sport engine now.

Not good on the roof mate. The NA Sport engine would be a hoot :thumb:.

Just costed up a full set of 2nd hand wish bones (top and bottom, F and R), with the new poly bushes and paint.

I'll get change out of £180 :D. Why did I stick with the Scoob running cost for so long!

The Miata/MX-5 Haynes manual from the USA is a godsend too.

I have not been able to get anything done until today, bloody work.

So started with removing the old back box, pretty easy, two bolts to the centre pipe with the normal heat corrosion and the usual exhaust hangers.

It's not in bad condition but the new one is ready in a box.
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With the box out of the way I was able to have a look at the area under the boot. It's got very minor surface rust that should be easy to treat and cover with black chip paint.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...psaa8c1ea9.jpg

With the exhaust box off the working area is much better. The next stop was the upper wishbones, the offside is a pain as there is a cable and bracket in the way of the front bolt. Near side is easy, 14mm spanner, socket and breaker bar.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...psd52e8174.jpg
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What looks like rust is mainly waxoyl and it's doing a fantastic job. It can't save the rubber bushes though.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...ps8874e156.jpg

A full set is on it's way.

While I was near the boot I slackened the suspension top mount nuts ready for when the lower wishbones come off. Off side is easy but it's easier to remove the plate covering the fuel filler for the nearside, these needed some more penertrating oil. But these are not as difficult as a Scoob saloon.

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Next stop will be the lower rear wishbones. These suffer from the same problem as Scoob rear hubs, the bolts rust in place :brickwall.

Been busy on the car tonight and managed to strip out both wheel stations and suspension.

As a test I took the wheel arch liner off to see if there was much work to do underneath. Disappointingly, it was very good, with a bit of a scrub all I found was good paint.

From this:-

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...t/IMAG1488.jpg

to this:-

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...ps604e4d85.jpg

Here's a patch scrubbed with just a plain cloth.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...ps3210f1bd.jpg

The wishbones will get "Gunked", scrubbed and then are off to get de-bushed, blasted then some paint.

Finish the rears next.

Can't fault it Ian, your attention to detail is great. Looking forward to the end result!

Couple months you can sit back and be pleased with the end result....and think I did that! It's a nice feeling looking back at a car on how you bought it and how it ended up:)

Si

Hope your little "project" is doing well?

Off to the VC on Sunday to move stuff.

Doing very well mate!


Good news mate he can draw a line in the sand now!

Si

Been a bit dormant over the last few weeks due to work getting in the way. So it was time to pull the finger out and get amongst the rear wishbones. They where a complete pain and just like the Scoob rears they seize in the lower part of the hub.

I ended up burning out the bushes and they hacksawing the bolts :cry:. Nightmare.

But in between the frustration and tea I cleaned up the front arches and Chip painted them.

I'll get some pic up after some scoff.