Hoodedreeper's MX5 The Purple Monster

[jap.slapper]

Sounds good mate

[hoodedreeper]

The car definately wont pass the DB check at Snetterton in April now. So i'll have to switch back to the old back box for the day

[hoodedreeper]

As of late i haven't been washing the car as often as i'd like to. So took the opportunity to give it a once over and get some recent photos















I stupidly reversed into a curb and bent the diffuser. Next job is to remove it and cut the middle fins down to prevent it happening again

[hoodedreeper]

A couple of months ago i got chatting to YasidDesign about an illustration of the MX5. I wanted something touge related to take the car back to its roots,but with its current appearance.



Finally got round to shortening the centre fins on the diffuser,haven't hit anything since haha



Recently got the car all cleaned up ready for the MX5 Spring Rally at Wentworth House. A big thank you to Stuart at Auto-Genie for the valet work the day before,its a shame the poor weather spoilt the day,but Stuart still did an amazing job inbetween the rain/hail showers!



Met up with some crazy northerners before heading to the Rally,perfect excuse for some photos













Sadly didn't come home with a trophey,but i don't blame the judges for choosing the Pitcrew and Italia,both cars are works of art and well deserved winners! I know what i need to improve on (annoyingly i knew they were there but couldnt get it all sorted in time due to lack of money) so i'll hopefully be back for the National Rally or the Spring Rally next year.

The car received a big welcome,alot of people seemed to have liked it and was great to speak to so many like minded people

[hoodedreeper]

It doesn't sound like a massive job (or exciting) but i've fitted Electric Windows. The headache was trying to wire up the Mk2.5 switch to the Mk1 loom. With the help from Mazda-Menders,i got it sorted and with a Mk2 switch it works as it should.



My latest purchase was some LED Garage Vary lights from Rev9. Very easy install although i need to sort out the hyperblinking (my fault,i've connected the resistor incorrect)









Also fitted some 6000k LED Number Plate and Reverse bulbs (also got the reverse light working again). I was struggling on ideas on what to do for the rear fog light,so i switched the wiring on the bootlid,and the 3rd brake light is now the Fog light.

Another purchase was some Tyre Stencils. After searching about for a decent paint that is long lasting,i settled for some Rubber Tyre Letters made by Tred Wear





Extremely to fit,degrease the area,key the surface with course sand paper,clean tyre and glue the letters on

[hoodedreeper]

Oops forgot the video link

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nlk0ncBTF5g

[hoodedreeper]

With the Electric Window conversion done and dusted i ordered some Stainless Switches from Jass Performance



A few weeks ago I met up with a friend who owns a local Media Company (BN Media). They've just bought some new equipment that allows them to record in 4K,so they invited me along to do a day's worth of filming.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gBJhfkL1Ock

Every year i look forward to attending one of the UK's largest car shows Modified Nationals. I thought i'd try my luck with the Show & Shine this year,and i got chosen to be in the Top 16 inside the Exibition Hall (its a pretty big deal getting in here as competition is extremely tight).

With the car in place it was show time! Surrounded by the country's best modified cars,it was very daunting having the MX sitting there,especially as she's wearing a few battle scars.











Sadly i didn't win anything,which i knew was expected,but just having the experience of being there means alot.

I've already got more plans for the car,even though this House Saving is supposed to be starting. Luckily the other half is encouraging it (for now) so we shall see. Possibly big changes are in the pipeline....

My photos from the show can be found over at Chris Baker Photography - Modified Nationals 2016

[hoodedreeper]

Package from Garagestar



In May my AEM wideband failed (gauge was stuck on 14.7) Got the car on the ramps and found out the plug had melted along with part of the loom. Fitted a new sensor and loom,but the gauge was reading leaner than normal. After trying a different gauge and taking the charger off to check for Manifold leaks,i was left scratching my head with no clue.



The car started to spit flames rather well (alot more than normal) after the exhaust started to blow from the front. I got the car booked in with Clive at Autotronix Developments for him to have a look. Clive diagnosed the blow was the flexi on the Fujitsubo manifold and welded in a straight piece. While it was on the ramp he checked the fuel filter,it still had japanese writing,so i'm gonna take a guess and say that hasn't been changed in a LONG time. With some tweaks on the dyno and on the road the car was back to showing 12.4 AFR on WOT and runs awesome now.



Finally got round to tilting the diffuser up with the help from a friend



Sunday 10th July was Japshow at Santa Pod,i was invited along to be apart of the Fitment Junkies club stand. An awesome day despite the odd rain shower through out the day.









We left early to beat the traffic,got 10mins out and stopped for fuel,where i discovered a flat tyre Theres a first time for everything! With the boot filled with cleaning and camera equipment,i didn't have a spare. Ended up waiting 3hrs for my Dad to come deliver a pair of Rota RKRs so i could get home.

Moral of the story,carry a space saver....or get Recovery through the Bank/Insurance company

[hoodedreeper]

I happen to be browsing through eBay looking at parts and came across a listing for an MX5. Price was pretty good,but it needed some TLC,myself and the other half had talked about getting a joint project for awhile but it never really happened. I contacted the seller and arranged to view the car etc etc managed to knock him down on the price and got it trailored home last night.

Its a 1990 1.6 Import,cambelt and waterpump done approx 20k miles ago. Panels are pretty straight but the paint work has seen better days.

Its got a seized driver side rear caliper which i'm in the middle of sorting. Only other concern is the driver side rear arch has started to corrode quite badly (you'll see in the photos below).

No real plans for this except tidy it up and get it MOT'd and on the road





















Will add updates to this topic as there probably wont be that many compared to the Purple MX5