new member mx5 1.6 conversion.

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richphy · #136 Post by **richphy** » Tue Jul 12, 2016 8:57 pm

Hi Phil,
Just reading with interest details of your MX-5 engine conversion. Forgive me if you've already mentioned it, but how does the converted car compare with a Sprint-engined car performance wise?

philgroom · #137 Post by **philgroom** » Tue Jul 12, 2016 9:02 pm

Carledo wrote:Ah, I know that one! My car has a Sprint front loom and a Toledo fan motor. So the plugs didn't tally up. It only took me 4 years to get around to fixing that one! Hence the legend on my number plate, "Round Tuit Racing"

Steve

I actually have a "round tuit" it looks like a circular porcelain beer mat and my mum gave it to me years ago cos I was always saying " I'll get around to it one day", now I have one, I have to tell you, don't bother getting one yourself, they don't work!

Is that a hole in the spoiler? If it is does it cool the brakes or something? One of my other little jobs is a wonkey steering wheel. Everytime I drive it I tell myself to take it off and turn it a couple of splines but I've been saying that since before the engine swap! Putting the boot linings back in is another one.

philgroom · #138 Post by **philgroom** » Tue Jul 12, 2016 9:06 pm

richphy wrote:Hi Phil,
Just reading with interest details of your MX-5 engine conversion. Forgive me if you've already mentioned it, but how does the converted car compare with a Sprint-engined car performance wise?

I'd love to tell you how it compares but as I've never driven a sprint I can't say. The only thing I could say is that it's more reliable. If anyone fancies a go to get their own comparison sure we could sort something out.

richphy · #139 Post by **richphy** » Tue Jul 12, 2016 9:10 pm

An interesting proposition! Well done on the conversion.

philgroom · #140 Post by **philgroom** » Tue Jul 12, 2016 9:14 pm

Started cleaning a few years of grease and dirt off the replacement diff today. Just thought I'd let you know Steve that a 3.63 code is fr. 3.89 is fh. Meant to let you know the other day.

philgroom · #141 Post by **philgroom** » Tue Jul 12, 2016 9:18 pm

richphy wrote:An interesting proposition! Well done on the conversion.

I'm down near Eastbourne and thanks for the compliment.

Carledo · #142 Post by **Carledo** » Wed Jul 13, 2016 8:43 am

Its just a stock Sprint spoiler from (IIRC) a stock late w reg Sprint. I imagine the holes are supposed to be for brake cooling - but probably not very efficient! The whole thing is more for show than go, though some folk reckon it makes a slight difference to high speed stability. IMO its just there to hide the subframe from view a bit!

Steve

geeksteve · #143 Post by **geeksteve** » Wed Jul 13, 2016 10:13 am

Carledo wrote:IMO its just there to hide the subframe from view a bit!

Or in my MX 1.8 conversion (still in progress...), the bottom of the radiator!..

philgroom · #144 Post by **philgroom** » Wed Jul 13, 2016 6:35 pm

I've got a spoiler but can't remember seeing holes in it. Just need to re fit it at some point. Decided to today the inside of the car today and whilst I had the front carpets out I found another job on my list to do. The hole I cut to get the wires for the ECU through. I hadn't got round to putting rubber round it so a couple of the wires were starting to rub through so I cut some fuel hose then put a slit end to end and put it round the hole.

Carledo · #145 Post by **Carledo** » Wed Jul 13, 2016 8:55 pm

My version of the same thing! The Carlton has a dedicated engine loom that makes wiring it a doddle and includes the massive grommet - which I fortunately had a hole cutter the correct (68mm) size for!

Steve

philgroom · #146 Post by **philgroom** » Sun Jul 17, 2016 6:27 pm

So after last night thanks to an alcohol fueled ar×e hole with no respect for other people's property I have got more work to do on my car. The lovely chap that was p155 off and shouting about picking a fight with someone thought my car was the best thing to take his anger out on! I hope he hurt himself doing it! The roof has got dents all over it and don't know whether the bonnet will be able to be repaired as the skin is dented and has separated from the reinforcement which is now bent and so the bonnet is now twisted! Peed off is an understatement. If I got out there in time I should of followed him home to see how he likes it being done to his car. From the noises it came off a lot better than I thought it would but it still knocks you back and makes you think why would someone do it. Another car on the street got scratched but nothing as bad as mine. Tried to get as good pics as I could.

Jon Tilson · #147 Post by **Jon Tilson** » Mon Jul 18, 2016 11:56 am

Please report this and see if you can get a SOCO to come out and print it. Extremely unlikely but the degree to which your neighbourhood is policed properly is down to how much of this sort of thing gets reported. If you can identify the miscreant you can prosecute for criminal damage.

Lots of sympathy and not a lot else to suggest. I expect Alun might have a decent bonnet.

Jon

philgroom · #148 Post by **philgroom** » Wed Jul 20, 2016 9:50 pm

philgroom wrote:
Carledo wrote:Ah, I know that one! My car has a Sprint front loom and a Toledo fan motor. So the plugs didn't tally up. It only took me 4 years to get around to fixing that one! Hence the legend on my number plate, "Round Tuit Racing"

Steve

I actually have a "round tuit" it looks like a circular porcelain beer mat and my mum gave it to me years ago cos I was always saying " I'll get around to it one day", now I have one, I have to tell you, don't bother getting one yourself, they don't work!
Is that a hole in the spoiler? If it is does it cool the brakes or something? One of my other little jobs is a wonkey steering wheel. Everytime I drive it I tell myself to take it off and turn it a couple of splines but I've been saying that since before the engine swap! Putting the boot linings back in is another one.

Back at work after some time off so I dug my front spoiler out and it has got those holes in it. Never noticed them before. Put my replacement diff in the boot tonight to take to work tomorrow to start getting it ready to fit it. Hopefully I will be able to get to the workshop this weekend to fit it!

AlanH · #149 Post by **AlanH** » Sat Jul 30, 2016 12:22 pm

Looking at those dents, it may be worth trying this.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ILVWPzO_swY

I have had varying results but it can work(nothing so dramatic as in the video).

philgroom · #150 Post by **philgroom** » Sat Aug 06, 2016 9:05 pm

Had a productive day in the workshop today. I got the 3.63 diff fitted. Replaced steering rack bushes and also the subframe bushes. Then even had time to adjust the tracking. With the new diff the car is a lot more drivable, not changing gear as quick and is quieter than the old one. And now the wheels are pointing in the right direction the steering is a lot more responsive.