Jump to content

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


gm

Recommended Posts

Remember this mad looking thing ?

2407B4B6-F541-4791-8BBA-25584996F63E.thumb.jpeg.a81c188f8eb93ac7876989eaaebc891d.jpeg

well, sadly not being able to use it in the Exo, it’s been hanging around in the garage gathering dust

EB305C90-5067-4A8D-B915-CCD0ECDF3D37.thumb.jpeg.3578046ed226de7a9aebe6d90f034867.jpeg

hmm, any thoughts on what’s coming next ? 
yep, stevie wonder could have seen this coming :) 

4DBF1D88-D307-4F6E-9945-4DD4BCC84A82.thumb.jpeg.ac34304f652583f7951fea4f7375060c.jpeg

the plan was to remove the bumper skin and replace it with the already cut one I saved off the donor car - what actually happened was every fastener I touched sheared or crumbled to rust so I left the original bumper in place and got busy with the hacksaw

an extra hanger was needed - this may look familiar to some 

2A63FF80-C986-4EBE-8D11-1EA0C6B4887C.thumb.jpeg.37dc89108a1ecc33f85e9619c30e7651.jpeg

so, how does it look ?

9D9BDB2C-D010-4D20-93D0-CD43682A77A1.thumb.jpeg.f6f9c08c8fb5943a81a99cf945662b14.jpeg

6FB694BB-80D5-4E0A-9308-0675EF8A6CA7.thumb.jpeg.5ee8741c519424f0efb8012924c43ca7.jpeg

4F57A6FE-DF2F-49C7-ABDA-7C8494C001BB.thumb.jpeg.fb3552e56558251a74070eba03c5ec88.jpeg

ridiculous ! But I think I like it :) 

and how does it sound ?

 

ridiculous ! But I think I like it :) 

not sure the neighbours agree but I’ll drive gently until I’m out of our little cul-de-sac 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

10 minutes ago, Fabergé Greggs said:

It's always good seeing this come together. There's no two ways about it man, this car is gonna be FUN

I’ve enjoyed posting my progress, now the end is approaching, I’m starting to get excited at the prospect of taking this on the open road and giving it a good hoon :) 

I sat and read through all 37 pages recently and it was great to read all of the encouraging comments folks have made along the way - thankyou to everyone who has joined in and kept me motivated 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • gm changed the title to gm's unhealthy obsession with mx5s - sniffing for omghgf and the return of noisey boy
On 7/2/2021 at 2:17 PM, gm said:

I think we can call the instrument panel done

was that only last week ? ffs, wrong again !

this little sod arrived in the post today 

IMG_6193.thumb.JPG.ccdd3cb4892ba6e452c2223c5e5968f5.JPG

I grudge its presence for many reasons : it cost nearly £40; its bloody pointless and I'm going to have to hack into my nice neat wiring :( 

what it does is allows you to turn the rear fog light on but for it not to come on again next time you turn on the headlights if you forgot to switch it off manually - my dashboard has a bloody big yellow light that says the word FOG which should serve as reminder enough but mr iva wants it this way so it must be so

IMG_4662.thumb.JPG.8909377c3b941d024ebc771316852b6c.JPG

the dash came out again

thankfully, I'd not wrapped this section of loom (I always knew this was coming :( )

IMG_6194.thumb.JPG.2695a9adf0067f257b8c4f10e0031538.JPG

a little fannying about with wires was done

IMG_6195.thumb.JPG.b58a4a458bf73fe2debac3fe73f9f846.JPG

might as well bung on some edge trim while I'm at it

IMG_6196.thumb.JPG.6a47f45e10369defe8d87205dbd6a5d5.JPG

all back together and working as it should

IMG_6197.thumb.JPG.dc8b830387e28ab0265cacfc7aaf484b.JPG

I'm still annoyed by the whole process - I've left it easily reversible so may remove it once the iva is done

still, another job ticked off the 'to-do' list :)  

 

 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

what else has been happening ? 

the postie dropped off what appears to be a giant cigarette end behind my wheelie bin (potato cam c/o hermes)

IMG_6191.thumb.JPG.d1bc737bc45b4c3d7e0c0854f8896718.JPG

Investigation revealed it was my second sheet of omg£££ plastic mesh

rolled up tighter than a tight thing - needed a day in the sun to relax

IMG_6192.thumb.JPG.9227b0ba35ef3c3241555fe9051d6990.JPG

I used the drivers side template then trimmed to mm perfect*

IMG_6205.thumb.JPG.82dbbe35f3f121529fea1bdd6b1eaefe.JPG

bit of tape on the edges, keep it neat

IMG_6206.thumb.JPG.bcd9ab66beacb60690ffd2ca1fe2e0f0.JPG

time for some red hot cable tie action

IMG_6207.thumb.JPG.0195f48d4a44683e69b10959bb7965db.JPG

IMG_6208.thumb.JPG.4a7f79f25a116ced26213b8c47b6d07c.JPG

looks alright, that :) 

and another job ticked off the list 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

in the top left corner of the wiring tray lives the main fusebox - just next to those two white multi plugs

IMG_4540.thumb.JPG.2d1a15d8e40f7e5e83335affd526bb02.JPG

unfortunately, just sitting there minding it's own business will not please mr iva, he demands brackets

best get to work then

an offcut of aluminium  was obtained, chopped, bent, filed and drilled

IMG_6198.thumb.JPG.d098a9b027a05c1c5f034ce91dc38ceb.JPG

padded with nice soft neoprene

IMG_6199.thumb.JPG.620482d30b19478ec798256f89285996.JPG

edges taped for a professional* finish

IMG_6200.thumb.JPG.223db3e35f08eb1cfc5359ee96b9a0b1.JPG

and a wonky label applied :) 

IMG_6202.thumb.JPG.ef5cdf637f763e8ecbae4e918044463e.JPG 

still, the fusebox is now secure and I can relax safe in the knowledge that I have ticked off THREE jobs in one afternoon :) 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • gm changed the title to gm's unhealthy obsession with mx5s - I am a 'to-do' list ticking off maniac :)

Myself and Mrs V8 went for a walk calling in on @gm on the way,  to chat shite and check the fab exo out. 

@gmasked where young master V8 was. A phone call and around 3 mins later,  Ben turned up. After a little persuading Ben slotted him self the passenger seat. Then gone 0-25ish in 1.5 -2 seconds

The grin on his face.

 

20210715_172140.jpg

20210715_172127.jpg

20210715_172120.jpg

20210715_172119(0).jpg

20210715_172119.jpg

20210715_172118.jpg

20210715_172117.jpg

20210715_172114.jpg

20210715_172113.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • gm changed the title to gm's unhealthy obsession with mx5s - illegal passenger rides definitely not happening

Excellent work, chaps, many thanks. 
Glad to hear that hooning definitely didn’t occur :) Now which of you is currently scouring gumtree for a mk1 mx5 ? 
 

(I hope you did let Ben have a proper go, not just on and off the drive ?  He does look quite at home in the drivers seat )

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

the last time the bonnet was fitted, it had a bit of an ugly gaping hole at the front

IMG_5636.thumb.JPG.6b46997c29a26a02ba5877d6c4dba7a0.JPG

the kit includes a sheet of aluminium mesh

IMG_6323.thumb.JPG.1848295c8d0bd107d863cdadc5b86511.JPG

which I test fitted and decided it looked a bit too "kit car" :( 

IMG_6325.thumb.JPG.c264a620e4d55ef74df21c66d9c6c9e7.JPG

 really, that does look shite - an alternative is required

eBay to the rescue - this is the sort of stuff that Audi owners use to upgrade* their base models

IMG_6322.thumb.JPG.b8ef08212a5354eb4a775b7fc8602bb8.JPG

fetch the craft knife

IMG_6327.thumb.JPG.2709a77730fd5caf909a8b71f0e1ef65.JPG

get the bonnet safely up on the workbench

IMG_6332.thumb.JPG.92fe71557bdacae11838785a0dcb394e.JPG

and lets have a look at that hole

IMG_6335.thumb.JPG.fa6f0da9819855aa7c92fc94a5acd01a.JPG

hmm, needs work

IMG_6331.thumb.JPG.7b6eaa577363c46396d50061f38f5b9e.JPG

rough shape marked out

IMG_6333.thumb.JPG.c7ce0d30ba04e79f212a32340d994e20.JPG

turns out side cutters were a much more efficient tool for the job

IMG_6334.thumb.JPG.b467c4c9328e9b62283babc794337fd1.JPG

Y Tho ?

IMG_6336.thumb.JPG.4359001412d447dc1aeac500d3cad77e.JPG 

I'll fix it properly once I've fettled the bonnet clips, for now a few cable ties will do

how's it look ?

IMG_6337.thumb.JPG.b5faf7d6bd33f7b6687aa871dd274fff.JPG

bloody smart, that

IMG_6339.thumb.JPG.3cc8565b29428ff6b802b264a58cda6c.JPG

refitting the bonnet threw up another job, the speedo cable needs a notch cut out

thinking back to the nightmare job I had drilling the harness holes in the seats, I hatched a plan

IMG_6342.thumb.JPG.eda6a3429aad65466351317b96744dee.JPG

IMG_6343.thumb.JPG.d2442aa9ae5d3cb953496f1b98d46584.JPG

neat job but the hole is too wee

poundland hole saws are just as even more shite as they look

IMG_6348.thumb.JPG.ecfbd28b10764036a4d6ffaec7c7cd76.JPG

edge trim forgives many evils

IMG_6347.thumb.JPG.a5fb3e194808705ad4939f6967d496ad.JPG

works for me

IMG_6350.thumb.JPG.d913cc4d1e11c81a0d20e4e5eab7a777.JPG

let's have another look at that grille 

IMG_6352.thumb.JPG.31e468da8e8975c39a9eed1031e0b701.JPG

ooh yeah !

IMG_6353.thumb.JPG.d54b8691b8dbee2f52e6f58704aeb038.JPG

do please ignore the funky headlamp protectors :) 

IMG_6356.thumb.JPG.d4f943ef65e68fe66ff22568f28f1c3e.JPG

 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • gm changed the title to gm's unhealthy obsession with mx5s - fancy new radiator grille, bonnet refitted - little steps

those bonnet catches have been giving me the fear for far too long - time to get the proverbial finger oot

the radiator brackets are reasonably* sturdy, maybe I could mount a pin here ?

IMG_6398.thumb.JPG.7b0aa614d908af30e5268c0609f7048c.JPG

and the catch close over it sideways ?

IMG_6399.thumb.JPG.c58b72f5708d827a1523f016c74cb0ed.JPG

just needs to be the other side of the bodywork

IMG_6401.thumb.JPG.db078e38aa4d8a14aab1a02492696a30.JPG

a rummage in the scrap bin and a go on the grinder produced

IMG_6402.thumb.JPG.c4bb22c9d328a9ebbd7e1c86f8d479c2.JPG

well, it might work, bolt it on and see how solid it feels

IMG_6403.thumb.JPG.b0c30d885519979408be7d9c726bbd1e.JPG

not too bad, just needs to line up with this

IMG_6404.thumb.JPG.f080b3db63ea7a94b7ebf49de31b4595.JPG

measure twice etc

IMG_6407.thumb.JPG.ec48f7690a8ba6ef0844231cbf7cb86a.JPG

now, should I wait for the holesaw set I ordered off eBay last night to arrive ?  

fuck it, what's the worst that can happen ?

IMG_6408.thumb.JPG.3a812d4330b0b43066d39966203cff9d.JPG

the poundland holesaw featured earlier did ok, now I need some sort of special tool to join the two

IMG_6409.thumb.JPG.45a13d6be00d5ebd28338c5d137cd899.JPG

this worked surprisingly well

IMG_6410.thumb.JPG.1c74d94304dccfd1500111531173f01b.JPG

see

IMG_6411.thumb.JPG.5c742de36ac9c2bbfe41451fc55cee5f.JPG

but does the catch fit ?

after a tweak with a file

IMG_6412.thumb.JPG.b6fe3ebd046ccba9cf8d1485078aefaf.JPG

aye, that'll do

IMG_6413.thumb.JPG.712dabcf61323308bd65ee098021868e.JPG

ooh, that's tight (glad I only cable tied the fancy mesh grille on last week) I'm sure* that dent in the side of the radiator was already there

IMG_6415.thumb.JPG.e6036e8824f2294ef395e698f1deb296.JPG

but I hear you ask, did it bloody fit ?

IMG_6414.thumb.JPG.e120614cb550326a4171bec333bfcb0b.JPG

that is the result of much fannying about but it did eventually close

IMG_6419.thumb.JPG.3165d0f552d2b24b5c6d32a0295ca7e2.JPG

switching to selfie mode to check out the innards

IMG_6417.thumb.JPG.78ed52e16a5627d26f7073d9f6c9c4b6.JPG

surprisingly neat with the tape off, I even painted the white edge black

IMG_6420.thumb.JPG.ce843002af9d116b4778b6ede989d3b5.JPG

the bracket got a bit of a tidy up

IMG_6425.thumb.JPG.be59126bf1371c993e8ee0b1b8f35c17.JPG

extra nuts for stiffness ( I'll need to take it off again to fit another bolt on the side once I'm happy with the alignment)

IMG_6426.thumb.JPG.ff7bff91caac0bc0743406ebd3204b0d.JPG

but this looks a whole lot better than fitting them on the top of the bonnet 

IMG_6421.thumb.JPG.d3b9fa684fb6a598755b8d5164116540.JPG

IMG_6424.thumb.JPG.6dc54a8dc0b146398d7e2efc0113fb91.JPG

IMG_6422.thumb.JPG.e7151412fdcec8c8e362432a173f04f0.JPG

pretty discreet, I like 

IMG_6423.thumb.JPG.30e7cbeb7d8fadf750ffee37fb4755c1.JPG

shame I have to do it all again tomorrow on the other side :) 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • gm changed the title to gm's unhealthy obsession with mx5s - EXO bonnet is 50% secure (and bonnet catches are the work of the devil)

it all started so well..............

the brackets I made from bits of scrap were functional but I wanted something a bit neater - with a bit of jiggery pokery, I fashioned a solution 

IMG_6460.thumb.JPG.d0612040e49e21d454e9526bfc035b09.JPG

and onto the car, with a shortened pin and a nyloc on the bottom to keep it all nice and secure

IMG_6461.thumb.JPG.d7927ab6320e5da35df02f0296ae5528.JPG

clearly, tonight, I am the king of bonnet pins !

IMG_6462.thumb.JPG.94b87ab7c357784718f3db91f3237df8.JPG

IMG_6463.thumb.JPG.6090461c39eb8493ee2fde0e70b664c7.JPG

great, so just the other side to do

which, predictably, turned into an utter f***ing nightmare

no more pics as extreme temper loss was imminent and I had to pack up for the night

on the bright side, the bonnet is now 150% secure as the passenger side appears to be permanently locked shut - king of bonnet pins, my hairy arse !

time for beer 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • gm changed the title to gm's unhealthy obsession with mx5s - EXO bonnet is 150% secure (bonnet catches can get in the sea)

I had a day off yesterday so had another go at those bonnet catches - a bit of patience got them sorted, not quite perfect but close enough for now. no pics as I'd rather forget the experience :) 

So, to another of those little jobs needing sorted - my juice bottle coolant tank was rather getting in the way of the radiator fans and needed to be relocated

IMG_4140.thumb.JPG.b271061472ee6c7b5672f3f9d162d9e2.JPG

and could probably do with something more permanent than cable ties

IMG_4142.thumb.JPG.2c3535765ec8b8f97734267fd8b65688.JPG

IMG_4143.thumb.JPG.49d940b1dbbb072ec55731668d215c87.JPG

so a bracket was needed

a central locking motor bracket was repurposed

IMG_6491.thumb.JPG.1c634ee93302c3614f783e2bd5429026.JPG

taped up

IMG_6492.thumb.JPG.787458330f5f825981859039199d4b2c.JPG

and bolted into place on the firewall where there is plenty of empty space

IMG_6493.thumb.JPG.10ab167754374dee39f02f61b31b6307.JPG

IMG_6494.thumb.JPG.f7b312c90e626182c18973b32554e2ec.JPG

fancy fabric covered hose to hook it up - looks pretty neat down there next to the tiny horn

IMG_6499.thumb.JPG.ca7fdf600aa3ee6cf543549a333da4d6.JPG

it's all looking pretty tidy

IMG_6512.thumb.JPG.21aa812db10f5b6c8c57ca77a10e87c4.JPG

I printed some labels for the fuseboxes and stuck them on the wiring tray lid (I saved them as a jpeg and used the photo printer down at tescos for a nice glossy finish)

IMG_6510.thumb.JPG.97640e9c396dcfb96d45aff0d43927df.JPG

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
×
×
  • Create New...