cjwood23
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| posted on 22/9/11 at 08:54 PM |
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Newbie thinking of building a Vortx MX5
Hi guys!
Been lurking for a while and thought I should introduce myself.
My name's Chris and I've recently had to give up SCUBA diving on health grounds - luckily nothing that affects driving!
So I've flogged all my kit and need a new hobby 
Had a TVR until recently but have sold that to help with an impending house move.
So fingers crossed by the end of October we should be all moved and settled, only downside is our new place will only have a single garage (currently
have a double garage - but two bedrooms and two kids means we need a bigger house!!).
Have been thinking about building a kit for ages, and hoping mow is the time.
Looked at loads of kit options over the last few months and had narrowed it down to the following:
MNR Vortx MX5
Westfield SDV MX5
GBS Zero
MEV Exocet
Tiger Avon
Discounted most on the following grounds:
Westfield - Even though they're are local to me the price (and contents) of the starter kit put me off - don't seem to get much or your
money.
MEV - looks different but think I really want a 7!
GBS - fairly local, but the contents of the kit seems somewhat lacking and adding all the other bits seemed to make it about the same as some of the
others (steering rack, dampers, fuel tank and powder coating etc.). Not too sure about the rear end of the chassis either - looks a bit flimsy.
Tiger - again, kit seems lacking for the costs.
Which brings me to the MNR - didn't realise they did an MX5 based kit until I read the article in CKC. Thought the majority were BE's.
Have sent a few emails back and forward to MNR and Marc and Chris have been really helpful. The basic starter kit seems very comprehensive (rack,
dampers, tank, bolts etc.).
Obviously need to get a donor to strip - also considered one of the donor packs listed on MX5 heaven - anyone used these?
Am hoping to use a 1.8 either MKI or II - are there any issues with the MKII 1.8 diff fitting the chassis (read first350's build blog) and
wondered of this had been sorted?
Also thinking about a bit more power later on - which turbo kits fit?
Anyway, hoping to be sorted with either a donor or some bits early in the new year so be prepared to answer some really stupid questions!
Thanks
______________________
Chris
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rdodger
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| posted on 22/9/11 at 09:27 PM |
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I spoke to MNR last week about an MX5 Vortx
They tell me that the diff problems were caused by the customer using a 1.8 diff on a 1.6 chassis. 1.6 diff is smaller.
I had a good look at it and the chassis looks amazing. I do love that round tube!
I would talk to them about what you are planning and they seem happy to mod things to fit.
They are building a turbo car at the moment.
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Thinking about it
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| posted on 22/9/11 at 09:28 PM |
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http://www.roadrunnerracing.net/the-roadrunner-sr2.html
Another option.
Where are you if close to Westfield?
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cjwood23
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| posted on 22/9/11 at 09:29 PM |
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Cheers for the replies chaps.
Currently in Birmingham, moving to Cannock.
Had also looked at the SR2 but works out about £1k more than the Vortx for the starter kit.
[Edited on 22/9/11 by cjwood23]
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Chris
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first350
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| posted on 22/9/11 at 10:39 PM |
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-The diff wasn't "much" of an issue...just had to add spacers and solid mount it due to tight clearances.
-The 1.8L tranny from the '99 (5 spd) poked out a bit more than the 1.6L, so I had to re-route one of the small chassis tubes in the
transmission tunnel (not that big of a deal)
-The engine fits in the engine bay, but it's super tight...I went with a custom intake manifold to gain clearance on the right side.
as far as Turbos...IMO the Mazdaspeed turbo/manifold set-up could be ideal, assuming you're not going for lots of boost (it's a smaller
turbo). I opted for a customer turbo manifold b/c I had already installed my engine and wasn't sure if the mazdaspeed would fit.
IMO get the upgrade Al. radiator and an intercooler...it can be pricey, but IMO it's worth it. Miata engine's tend to overheat with extra
power; I did the coolant re-route and Aluminum Rad/IC on mine and am really glad - no cooling issues thus far!
IMO MNR has been a great company to work with - compared to all of the stories I hear about other kits, they're top notch. There's only
been a few times where I've had to email them twice about an issue to get a response, and I know they probably get loads of emails.
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Agriv8
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| posted on 23/9/11 at 06:34 AM |
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the mazda demonstrator is due for refresh over winter with turbo ver.
a trip to see Chris and Marc is always recomended book your self in and I am sure marc will take you out in the demonstrator.
Regards
Agriv8
Taller than your average Guy !
Management is like a tree of monkeys. - Those at the top look down and see a tree full of smiling faces. BUT Those at the bottom look up and see a
tree full of a*seholes .............
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bowood14
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| posted on 23/9/11 at 09:46 AM |
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U2u sent
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BigLee
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| posted on 23/9/11 at 11:21 AM |
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quote:
Originally posted by first350
IMO get the upgrade Al. radiator and an intercooler...it can be pricey, but IMO it's worth it. Miata engine's tend to overheat with extra
power; I did the coolant re-route and Aluminum Rad/IC on mine and am really glad - no cooling issues thus far!
As someone who didn't upgrade the cooling system, who did fry an engine, this is VERY good advise! Great car to drive. And cheap (ish) to fix if
you do toast it!
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cjwood23
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| posted on 23/9/11 at 11:43 AM |
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Cheers guys.
will see about popping up tot he factory in the new year.
Good advice about the cooling too - will the Ali Polo Rads that seem to crop up on ebay do the job??
BigLee - what turbo system did you put on your car?
______________________
Chris
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CRAIGR
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| posted on 23/9/11 at 12:23 PM |
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Chris you have a u2u from me now too
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cjwood23
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| posted on 24/9/11 at 05:41 PM |
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Cheers guys.
Are those of you with the MX5 based kits running the standard dash clocks?
The layout of the demonstrator looks a bit clumsy.
Already looking at the digital dash route (possibly acewell - seems good value).
Cheers
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Chris
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loggyboy
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| posted on 24/9/11 at 05:45 PM |
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Any reason for no auditioning a Raw Striker?
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cjwood23
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| posted on 24/9/11 at 06:04 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by loggyboy
Any reason for no auditioning a Raw Striker?
Not really, hadn't considered it to be honest.
What are the kit costs like?
______________________
Chris
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BigLee
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| posted on 24/9/11 at 08:24 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by cjwood23
Cheers guys.
Are those of you with the MX5 based kits running the standard dash clocks?
The layout of the demonstrator looks a bit clumsy.
Already looking at the digital dash route (possibly acewell - seems good value).
Cheers
The beauty of the standard clocks is it's one less thing to spend money on. All the correct symbols and warnings are there for IVA, and it is
plug and play. Speedo is already accurate etc. If it ain't broke....etc. I wil post a pick of mine. I had dial faces the same cream colour as
the car, then flush mounted behind the scuttle. No nasty shroud! At first glance they look like separate dials neatly arranged, but instead of £500,
they were about £30 plus several hours graft.
BTW - Turbo is a TD04 on a greddy manifold, with a Bipes ACU controlling timing. When the cooling issues are sorted, should be running at 10 psi
max.
Cheers
Lee
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cjwood23
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| posted on 25/9/11 at 09:12 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by BigLee
The beauty of the standard clocks is it's one less thing to spend money on. All the correct symbols and warnings are there for IVA, and it is
plug and play. Speedo is already accurate etc. If it ain't broke....etc. I wil post a pick of mine. I had dial faces the same cream colour as
the car, then flush mounted behind the scuttle. No nasty shroud! At first glance they look like separate dials neatly arranged, but instead of £500,
they were about £30 plus several hours graft.
BTW - Turbo is a TD04 on a greddy manifold, with a Bipes ACU controlling timing. When the cooling issues are sorted, should be running at 10 psi
max.
Cheers
Lee
Cool - would be good to see your dash layout.
Thanks again.
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Chris
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loggyboy
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| posted on 25/9/11 at 10:27 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by cjwood23
quote:
Originally posted by loggyboy
Any reason for no auditioning a Raw Striker?
Not really, hadn't considered it to be honest.
What are the kit costs like?
Compareable to MNR, maybe slightly dearer, but not by much. Well worth a look.
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cjwood23
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| posted on 26/9/11 at 08:01 AM |
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quote:
Originally posted by loggyboy
quote:
Originally posted by cjwood23
quote:
Originally posted by loggyboy
Any reason for no auditioning a Raw Striker?
Not really, hadn't considered it to be honest.
What are the kit costs like?
Compareable to MNR, maybe slightly dearer, but not by much. Well worth a look.
Cheers, will give them a look.
______________________
Chris
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first350
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| posted on 27/9/11 at 02:25 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by BigLee
quote:
Originally posted by cjwood23
Cheers guys.
Are those of you with the MX5 based kits running the standard dash clocks?
The layout of the demonstrator looks a bit clumsy.
Already looking at the digital dash route (possibly acewell - seems good value).
Cheers
The beauty of the standard clocks is it's one less thing to spend money on. All the correct symbols and warnings are there for IVA, and it is
plug and play. Speedo is already accurate etc. If it ain't broke....etc. I wil post a pick of mine. I had dial faces the same cream colour as
the car, then flush mounted behind the scuttle. No nasty shroud! At first glance they look like separate dials neatly arranged, but instead of £500,
they were about £30 plus several hours graft.
BTW - Turbo is a TD04 on a greddy manifold, with a Bipes ACU controlling timing. When the cooling issues are sorted, should be running at 10 psi
max.
Cheers
Lee
+1...I did something similar for mine as well - made the inspection an easy pass; in the future, I may goto a digi dash, but for now, I'd rather
spend the $$ on more tires/fuel/events!
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