OV9

I fitted some 3D printed exhaust mounts yesterday. They are inserts which go into a cast bracket for the Clio back box.

I’m very dubious of 3D printed stuff but these have had a lot of good reviews on road and track cars. I believe they are printed from something fancy and then heat treated. The honeycomb lets it absorb the vibrations and keep it in place, the previous blue Powerflex put far too much vibration through the floor.



They’ve made a really big difference and still hold the heavy exhaust really well, I’m impressed but will see how they last.

Dave!

After being uncertain about which alloys to buy from my MX5, I've finally ordered some. I was baulking a bit at the £2000+ shipping, tax etc for a set from Japan (plus tyres) when I wasn't sure if I liked them enough. So many aftermarket designs don't fit over the Brembo brakes on my car that researching what fits is a real game.

I ended up deciding on the 949 Racing 6UL alloys, a specific design which was first made for the original MX5 and has been updated for the ND in 17x8. They are lighter than even the BBSs on my car and while they come from the US, there is a discount on currently which means with shipping they come in at $1156 for a set of four (presumably plus taxes unless I'm lucky - has Trump applied a 25% tariff yet?) I had about $360 sitting in my Revolut account which I'd forgotten about so I've only had to lay out about £630 to buy them. Here's the website: https://www.949racing.com/product/17x8-6ul-4x100/

Rather than going for some nice looking but potentially heavy or badly made wheels I've gone for something simple, light and with a bit of MX5 history. I think they look pretty good too, though this is quite a bit lower than mine:


Also considering which lowering springs to go for. Since it's still nearly new I think I might go for the Mazda official set which drops it about an inch. The same Eibachs are available from MX5Parts for a few quid less, but I was surprised when I ordered the interior alcantara trim set from a Mazda dealer that the price included fitting, so maybe installing the springs does too. Seems unlikely for ~£200 but will see.

I can get you the Eibach springs for 190 quid plus vat with my trade contacts, don't know how that compares to anywhere else, but may be worth knowing.

I like those wheels. With the drop it looks very purposeful.

dan wrote: Thu Feb 13, 2025 10:09 am I can get you the Eibach springs for 190 quid plus vat with my trade contacts, don't know how that compares to anywhere else, but may be worth knowing.

Cheers Dan - they're about £150 from MX5Parts and £218 inc VAT from Mazda so no real saving there. I might need assistance in getting them fitted however...

Alex, that photo shows way more than the 30mm drop on the official lowering springs so mine won't look quite like that. I want to be able to drive over speed humps though.

Worth noting that mx5parts usually have a bank holiday sale if you have more patience than I do.

Assuming the NE is the same as the ND, the Eibach roll bars made a big difference, reducing the over exaggerated roll when doing 6 tenths, but making it feel planted at 10 tenths.

It's still an ND - I don't think the suspension was really changed at all for the slight facelift. Will see how it drives with the lowering springs first; I've never been a fan of stiff anti-roll bars because they affect stability over one-wheel bumps

Jobbo wrote: Thu Feb 13, 2025 10:05 am
Rather than going for some nice looking but potentially heavy or badly made wheels I've gone for something simple, light and with a bit of MX5 history. I think they look pretty good too, though this is quite a bit lower than mine:

Without intentionally annoying Rich with the question - what will your "after" tyre size be? (I think you have 205/45/17 as standard fit? Which I assume would be too narrow for an 8" wide rim).

Those wheels look good Jobbo. They remind me a bit of Enkei RPF1s which I’m sure you know are a popular choice for MX-5s too.

Jobbo wrote: Thu Feb 13, 2025 10:37 am

dan wrote: Thu Feb 13, 2025 10:09 am I can get you the Eibach springs for 190 quid plus vat with my trade contacts, don't know how that compares to anywhere else, but may be worth knowing.

I want to be able to drive over speed humps though.

Drive a car? Crazy! Whatever will they think of next.

mik wrote: Thu Feb 13, 2025 11:17 am

Jobbo wrote: Thu Feb 13, 2025 10:05 am
Rather than going for some nice looking but potentially heavy or badly made wheels I've gone for something simple, light and with a bit of MX5 history. I think they look pretty good too, though this is quite a bit lower than mine:

Without intentionally annoying Rich with the question - what will your "after" tyre size be? (I think you have 205/45/17 as standard fit? Which I assume would be too narrow for an 8" wide rim).

I think 235/40 R17 is the closest but it seems there is very little in that size available. I believe 245/40 will fit without rubbing so that's also an option.

ZedLeg wrote: Thu Feb 13, 2025 11:58 am Those wheels look good Jobbo. They remind me a bit of Enkei RPF1s which I’m sure you know are a popular choice for MX-5s too.

I wanted a set of Enkeis really since I had Enkeis on my last MX5, but the sizes and styles available for the ND which fit over the brakes are restricted. I'd find a design I liked then discover it's only available in a very flat style in the same width as the standard BBS wheels, for instance. And the ones in the right sizes I didn't like.

Classic JDM wheel problem tbh. You can get the style you want in 16 x 8 or a style with the same name that looks completely different in an 18 and nothing in between

A nice addition to the car Jobbo

I did a bit of Renault work today, the 3rd brake light catches and clips turned to dust, the plug was made of cheese and the plastic lens was Weetabix.

So a small 12v led strip that used to be in a garage light were put in and new plugs made up and used. This will be MOT happy next week but I’ll have to fashion a neater one from a good lens. As with most things old, a new light has been NLA for quite some time.

Dave!

V8Granite wrote: Thu Feb 13, 2025 2:51 pm A nice addition to the car Jobbo

I did a bit of Renault work today, the 3rd brake light catches and clips turned to dust, the plug was made of cheese and the plastic lens was Weetabix.

So a small 12v led strip that used to be in a garage light were put in and new plugs made up and used. This will be MOT happy next week but I’ll have to fashion a neater one from a good lens. As with most things old, a new light has been NLA for quite some time.

Dave!

Some positive news in that regard though Dave.

https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/new- ... assic-cars

I had Mazda fit the lowering springs to mine, I can’t remember the price but I think it was around £450. Much improved handling with less comedy body roll and to be honest I couldn’t tell much difference in comfort.

Swervin_Mervin wrote: Thu Feb 13, 2025 3:01 pm

V8Granite wrote: Thu Feb 13, 2025 2:51 pm A nice addition to the car Jobbo

I did a bit of Renault work today, the 3rd brake light catches and clips turned to dust, the plug was made of cheese and the plastic lens was Weetabix.

So a small 12v led strip that used to be in a garage light were put in and new plugs made up and used. This will be MOT happy next week but I’ll have to fashion a neater one from a good lens. As with most things old, a new light has been NLA for quite some time.

Dave!

Some positive news in that regard though Dave.

https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/new- ... assic-cars

I saw that yesterday and it gave me a warm fuzzy feeling that there is hope!

Hopefully it’s used for groups to say what is needed and keep the price of used stuff at a sensible level.

Dave!

I like those wheels, Jobbo. A lowered MX-5 on decent wheels always looks great.

I've also just bought some new wheels for the Mustang. The Bullet style ones are so fucked that refurbing them would be a nightmare.

Chosen some 20 inch American Racing Shelby Razors in Chrome and Black. Arrived at STS imports in Georgia yesterday and will shortly be leaving for the UK.

Car is booked in to get the bonnet repaired. It's aluminium and suffers from corrosion due to iron oxidation. Ford's fault for not being careful enough at the factory, apparently.

Was quoted £1700, but that also included spraying the bumper & wings and applying a PPF tint to the lights.

Also very tempted by some BC RA coilovers and a big brake kit. The standard brakes are utter shite.

Once those bits are done, it should look a lot better. Then I only need to focus on the engine and drivetrain

Is yours a coyote or a 4.6 Alex?

It's a 4.6 3v

Not coyote power, but to be fair, it doesn't hang about and is more then enough to have fun with.

And the 2/3v's sound great. Has an SLP Loudmouth exhaust, just so that everyone knows when I'm popping out next time I do I'll get a video up.