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gm's unhealthy obsession with mx5s - unlowering the green machine


gm

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the centre tunnel was a piggy to fit, lots of chopping and bending required but it eventually was almost in the right place

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shame about these little gaps

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I made up a patch of that corner then got busy with the rattle cans

IMG_4504.thumb.JPG.e1a4e6d573bfd7928c1f0cf91eb97260.JPG 

plain paint will never do for the centre tunnel, I opted for a sheet of neoprene rubber off that ebay

the kitchen is perhaps not the best place to be using spray on contact adhesive but it was too windy outside and the garage is a mess

IMG_4505.thumb.JPG.1c0f66e520be8ca7c2534552c1f203db.JPG

turned out pretty smart though

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everything fitted back in place

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wait a minute, how did that gap get there ?

  IMG_4516.thumb.JPG.8ddce71cfc4aa3d8b323e40ceb409758.JPG

looks like some fanny trimmed the wrong edge :( 

time for another patch panel

but overall, I'm pleased with how that turned out

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I'm in two minds about doing the floor with textured rubber mat, might be too dark ?

s-l1600.thumb.jpg.ca2398022b0c3a0b774e467c0cfff6c1.jpg 

need some sort of gear shift gaiter too, the original one is too short as the stick sticks up higher than in the mx5 centre tunnel

 

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  • gm changed the title to gm's unhealthy obsession with mx5s - measure twice, cut once, you pie ! centre console 'upholstered' and fitted

that plain jane wiring tray needed a bit of a make over too

"this is glue, strong stuff"

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I made an absolute balls of my first attempt - put a big crease right along the middle of the facia - so tried to gently peel the foam off

this did not go well. tempers were lost. much swearing was involved.

the rubber tore in shreds, using a sharp scraper and copious amounts of pain thinners I eventually got it all off - but with all the glue and thinners, I was high as a kite :( 

a very careful second attempt was made

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got me usb's fitted

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and trimmed the edges to keep mr iva happy

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looks pretty smart

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but an empty wiring tray is no good to anyone 

way back in November, there was this nightmare of a mess

IMG_2110.thumb.JPG.0f13a13bee792daeb9a4c4dfa2d37d06.JPG

by December things had 'improved'

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but it was finally time to get the loom tape out and finish this

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not the neatest but (and this is a very big butt) everything still works :) 

bung the lid on and call it job done !

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getting closer :) 

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(do please ignore the steering column being held up by a bungee :) job for tomorrow)

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it's time to start thinking about exhaust options

the official Exocet (iva compliant) one looks like this...

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i.e.. a bit shit :( 

my current set up looks like this...

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a bit mental :) 

but not a chance of an iva . shame, it sounds great

 

the official exhaust isn't cheap at £250 -  I do not want to spend £££ on something I don't like - I'm hoping someone on the owners forum might have one on a shelf in a shed somewhere I can buy cheap or borrow for a few weeks.

 

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2 minutes ago, hairnet said:

reet canny

wheel looks very mercedes in that pic

 

 

standard momo as fitted to most mk1s, I'll stick the little 330mm one off the mx5 on when it's finished :) 

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  • gm changed the title to gm's unhealthy obsession with mx5s - is that bloody wiring finally finished ? very nearly
On 22/01/2021 at 13:12, gm said:

the centre tunnel was a piggy to fit, lots of chopping and bending required but it eventually was almost in the right place

IMG_4500.thumb.JPG.c28fdc94fe9cdcedbb62907cff026404.JPG

shame about these little gaps

IMG_4503.thumb.JPG.448450ac21440b0138142a0cedb00f29.JPG

I made up a patch of that corner then got busy with the rattle cans

IMG_4504.thumb.JPG.e1a4e6d573bfd7928c1f0cf91eb97260.JPG 

plain paint will never do for the centre tunnel, I opted for a sheet of neoprene rubber off that ebay

the kitchen is perhaps not the best place to be using spray on contact adhesive but it was too windy outside and the garage is a mess

IMG_4505.thumb.JPG.1c0f66e520be8ca7c2534552c1f203db.JPG

turned out pretty smart though

IMG_4508.thumb.JPG.0c0f2ac91a3ac0d1a92c870b8b88540d.JPG

everything fitted back in place

IMG_4509.thumb.JPG.987fb74a297f35a30c80dd5c5178b4e2.JPG

IMG_4514.thumb.JPG.295e8b69b119b3fa7c3e31d5a9a6ec35.JPG

wait a minute, how did that gap get there ?

  IMG_4516.thumb.JPG.8ddce71cfc4aa3d8b323e40ceb409758.JPG

looks like some fanny trimmed the wrong edge :( 

time for another patch panel

but overall, I'm pleased with how that turned out

IMG_4510.thumb.JPG.63b07ffde1efb79fe3992b079dad1a4c.JPG

I'm in two minds about doing the floor with textured rubber mat, might be too dark ?

s-l1600.thumb.jpg.ca2398022b0c3a0b774e467c0cfff6c1.jpg 

need some sort of gear shift gaiter too, the original one is too short as the stick sticks up higher than in the mx5 centre tunnel

 

Probably a bit late but what about painting with Raptor, should give a durable finish.

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1 hour ago, Shandylegs said:

painting with Raptor, should give a durable finish

certainly worth looking at - it would take no time to whip the seats out and give it a few coats on the flooring. I'll keep it in mind, thanks.

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Rear panel next - this is the "template" provided with the kit, I might just check those measurements before cutting  :) 

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needs cut to fit round the centre tunnel, cut outs for battery cables and handbrake required

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not too bad, but those handbrake cables are looking very exposed there

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The kit doesn't include a handbrake cover so it's time to get creative

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broom handle employed to get a nice smooth bend 

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quick test fit

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quite happy with that, even remembered to make wee hole for the seatbelt mount

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with a bit of luck, I might just have an off cut of that neoprene sheet left

hmm, two small bits or wait another week and order a new sheet ?

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Wait a week ? I don't think so :) 

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battery cables shortened, battery reinstalled

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rear panel screwed in place, things are really coming together now

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  • gm changed the title to gm's unhealthy obsession with mx5s - luxurious interior installed :)
On 1/16/2021 at 10:49 AM, gm said:

I can't imagine so - I had the opportunity to buy one ready built for less than this has cost me (although I haven't added up the pile of receipts yet, I'm saving that treat* until i'm finished)

Never, ever do that. Throw them all away and don’t think about it. 

It makes no odds because the money is already spent so knowing the truth in L, S and D changes nowt.

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