Project ShiTe170- Moogs Mootahs

[The Moog]

2 hours ago, Matty said:

205 how much mister?

Wont know until I get it through the MOT. If it costs me a fortune then I may just end up keeping it, if it flies through then may move it on. 

 

If someone wants it with minutes of MOT left then £350 would probably take it. 

[The Moog]

After negotiations mentioned above - bits for mx5 have been ordered. I am very excited

Four of these (on List A of the Msc blue book for autotesting)



One set of these


Also got rollbar to fit. And trying to ignore the call of polybushes.

[shoddybanger]

Those headlight bowls sure look angry.

How's the MX5 for aftermarket part support and availability? Just thinking about those bushes... I was browsing for Volvo parts and was somewhat shocked to find that a new lower suspension arm complete with bushes and ball joint is in fact cheaper than getting just the bushes and ball joint separately.

I understand that it's an apples to oranges comparison, though...  there's probably lots of specialized parts for the MX5 instead of low-priced bulk.

[The Moog]

3 minutes ago, shoddybanger said:

Those headlight bowls sure look angry.

How's the MX5 for aftermarket part support and availability? Just thinking about those bushes... I was browsing for Volvo parts and was somewhat shocked to find that a new lower suspension arm complete with bushes and ball joint is in fact cheaper than getting just the bushes and ball joint separately.

I understand that it's an apples to oranges comparison, though...  there's probably lots of specialized parts for the MX5 instead of low-priced bulk.

Full car polybush set is about £100 - mx5 stuff is buttons really. Need a new rad - £35, tre - £13, front pads can be had for about £15 etc. 

The wishbones are a bit more expensive - it is easier to polybush when stuff is off rather than replace the arms.  The Mx5 is going to be a bit more track focused so comfort is slightly less of an issue.  Will need to call insurance once I have added all the new bits to ensure it is covered. 

[The Moog]

Someone asked about the wee Smart.

I really like the car - bit bouncy over Accrington potholes but aside from that a nice thing.

A sort of review of its features
Firstly it is basically a big car with the back seats lopped off. Wheels at the corners mean it will do 65/70 happily on motorway



Of course this has the optional high speed stability package fitted.

It knocks off 3 mph from top end but you can effectively drive the car upside down in tunnels


For those missing their range rover in town, this beauty has a split tailgate. Currently the top half has a neat feature of gravity assist to ensure the top part is shut correctly



Fancy somewhere to drink your Pimm's at Ascot - got you covered


Jeeves has forgotten to top up the screenwash - access holes can be seen here


Inside funky seats await


Cupholders are plenty large enough for on your move drinkies




Loads of little features - moveable gauges


Tiny sunvisors


Heater controls are located around the centre including the Aircon and heated seats switches





Door pockets are functional



Safety is paramount and integrated into the styling (or just sellotaped under the dash)


You know what you are driving


Dash at dusk


But the most interesting part of the car is that it is a robot operated manual car.
Gearstick allows manual changes or auto mode


My inner sega rally demon loves the paddles


To drive it is miles better in the paddle mode as you can keep it on boost longer - in auto it changes up far too soon.

6 gears means the motorway is a doodle. Spritely off the line as well as simple to park.


Will do some engine shots when I get a chance.

[gm]

will do some engine shots when I find it ?

[gm]

let me know when it is time to move it on, this would be ideal for my nephew to learn to drive in (he's currently only twelve but we'll use the cash'n'carry car park or something) 

[The Moog]

I am having vague thoughts of keeping it long term - quite enjoyed piloting about and it is mega cheap to run.

But I have as much resolve as PBK sometimes.

[gm]

I was looking at these on gummers before I went the opposite direction with the saaab  

[Broadsword]

The Smart is a crazy looking thing, but it definitely has a charm to it.

[The Moog]

The Smart is a crazy looking thing, but it definitely has a charm to it.

Would A frame well behind the XJS

[Keymaster]

Love the smart Will. They're strangely addictive things. I had one in the same colour scheme - but an early LHD example in pulse trim. Compared to which yours is positively decadent with your heated seats and air con... Glass roof+no air con was a delightful* experience in the summer!

[The Moog]

Sun is out, feeling less I'll than I have for a bit so time to fit a rollbar.

Start the clock



Water had been sitting in this sound deadening so that is removed and binned




All done - time for first trial fitting

Lap time





Metal needs to be trimmed and it is pretty simple with cordless grinder


Drill holes marked and punched


Time check


Funky drill time


Car up in air and arch liners off



Final challenge somewhat slowed me down.
There is a gap where it mounts to the seatbelt towers. You can trim the old seat belt spacer but instead I decided to enlarge the holes on the bar using a dremmel so I could run the space straight through.



All metal painted with zinc spray.

Carpet and plastics trimmed and then put the interior back in


One happy car

[gm]

nice work, what was the final time check ? have you been for a drive yet ? I would imagine you will feel a big difference in the car when 'pressing on', especially with the track tyres on too

[gm]

its interesting to see it only has spreader plates on the rear fixings, my tr-lane roll bar was the same but I presumed they were missing and used offcuts to make my own for the front fixings. I suppose thinking about the forces involved in a roll situation, the front  fixings will most likely be in compression so a spreader plate there wouldn't do anything useful.

seats and harnesses next ? 

 

[gadgetgricey]

That's very impressive...
Fitted a new exterior door handle to the 216 Cab the other day. Took me three hours.

2.5 hours to get the bastard thing off, and then 20 mins to put back together again....

I think this would have taken me all day, then would have somehow fitted it backwards...

[gadgetgricey]

Jesus, just looked at the pics again.

You were not joking when you said Slicks....

[Broadsword]

Excellent work as usual. Swiftly and with style!

[The Moog]

nice work, what was the final time check ? have you been for a drive yet ? I would imagine you will feel a big difference in the car when 'pressing on', especially with the track tyres on too

From start to bars in was just under two hours including tea stops.

Extending the holes was about 90mins. Mainly cause using a cordless Dremel rather than a decent air driven die grinder

Does feel much more of a solid car. Pressing on can't happen at the moment as the suspension just knocks it's balls off!

[The Moog]

its interesting to see it only has spreader plates on the rear fixings, my tr-lane roll bar was the same but I presumed they were missing and used offcuts to make my own for the front fixings. I suppose thinking about the forces involved in a roll situation, the front  fixings will most likely be in compression so a spreader plate there wouldn't do anything useful.
seats and harnesses next ? 
 

Not sure why it is like that - I assume they know what they are doing.

The bolts are quite short so I think front plates might have been a bit of a challenge.

Got a bucket seat and harness to collect but think the seat will be too small for me.

Next up is suspension plus poly bushes.

I did notice the rear sills probably could do with sorting next year.

[The Moog]

Excellent work as usual. Swiftly and with style!

Cheers

Jesus, just looked at the pics again.
You were not joking when you said Slicks....

Oh yes

That's very impressive...
Fitted a new exterior door handle to the 216 Cab the other day. Took me three hours.
2.5 hours to get the bastard thing off, and then 20 mins to put back together again....
I think this would have taken me all day, then would have somehow fitted it backwards...

It's easier being track car so breaking clips doesn't matter as mcuh. Plus mx5s are easy to take apart.

[NorthernMonkey]

1 minute ago, snagglepuss said:

2 hours ago, gadgetgricey said:

Jesus, just looked at the pics again.
You were not joking when you said Slicks....

Oh yes

They had a full 8mm before last Sunday’s cone dodging....

[hairnet]

is the 92 cos yer watch was a bit tight

[The Moog]

Post work quick bits done.

Connector for the headlight arrived


Electrical kit out



Old connector off


New ceramic one fitted


Drunk will also ordered a door bush set.

I hadn't remembered I had ordered them so was quite surprised when this package arrived


The old rubber ones get worn so some cheap 3d printed ones from eBay appeared today.

The doors then bang and flex when pushing on

Old ones

They go into this metal enclosures


Old bush off and compared to new


New one on and given a squirt



Doors miles less bangy now.

[Uncle Jimmy]

Good work going on here, pleased to see Autoshites not lost it's quality chod bothering threads ?

[The Moog]

Good work going on here, pleased to see Autoshites not lost it's quality chod bothering threads

Low on quality high on the bothering

[Shirley Knott]

3 hours ago, snagglepuss said:

Post work quick bits done.

Connector for the headlight arrived


Electrical kit out



Old connector off


New ceramic one fitted


Drunk will also ordered a door bush set.

I hadn't remembered I had ordered them so was quite surprised when this package arrived


The old rubber ones get worn so some cheap 3d printed ones from eBay appeared today.

The doors then bang and flex when pushing on

Old ones

They go into this metal enclosures


Old bush off and compared to new


New one on and given a squirt



Doors miles less bangy now.

Probably the wrong time to say this, but those rubber doorstop things have some adjustment in them to allow you to firm up the doors as they wear, swapping them from one side to the other coupled with some tinkering almost always makes them work as good as new.

Back in the mists of time I remember someone in MX5 circles ('Revlimiter perhaps?) making delrin ones and flogging them for something silly like £50! Crazy.

 

[The Moog]

I hadn't thought of that.

Delrin ones are still £££. I have kept the old ones but you can pretty much squish them by hand so I think even swapping them over won't stop the knocking

Or perhaps drunk will just seduced by shiny things.

[The Moog]

General mx5 lickers question - headlights. Won't always pop up when turn on the lights - I was hoping that he connector might fix it.

Symptoms

Turn headlights on and 40% of time they won't pop up. Lights are on. If I push the manual up button they always pop up.

Any ideas?

[Shirley Knott]

9 minutes ago, snagglepuss said:

General mx5 lickers question - headlights. Won't always pop up when turn on the lights - I was hoping that he connector might fix it.

Symptoms

Turn headlights on and 40% of time they won't pop up. Lights are on. If I push the manual up button they always pop up.

Any ideas?

retractor relay

EDIT to say either that or the stalk.