MX5 Autotest/Lanes Rally Car

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GlennM

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Hello folks,

Been a while since I was on, but in recent times I have got the MX5 bug after a friend gave me a spin in his MK2 at an Autosolo where I ended up 2nd place overall on my first attempt!

So I set about getting an MX5 of my own! I found this tidy and cheap 1996 1.8 UK car with 78k on the clock!

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First 2 Events out in the car bagged me Best Beginner and 3rd in Class!

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Since then, been throwing what ever spare money I can at the car, it got tired very quickly, so the brakes have been overhauled, new ARB droplinks, Ashcroft Transmissions ATB Diff, Competition Clutch, PAS conversion and some Interior goodies!



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Hope to get some more trophies this year!

:party:
 
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FM155

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Please tell me where you are finding cheap and clean MX5's lol ! All I seem to be able to find is complete scrap for big money..:mad:

That looks well, health to compete. (y)
 

GlennM

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GlennM
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Please tell me where you are finding cheap and clean MX5's lol ! All I seem to be able to find is complete scrap for big money..:mad:

That looks well, health to compete. (y)


It was actually a work colleague that came across it in 2014, he loved the car and was reluctant to sell it, but realized that I would get more use out of it! So a deal was struck! (y)
 

Apis

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The autosolo sounds interesting but never seen it before...Wiki tells me its like autotesting but a bit faster and without the reversing. If there's any links to NI related autosolo, I'd be interested. Can't find much online.
 

azzamut

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That looks very tidy, I have a 323 gti with the BP22 engine! they are a sharp car.

Where are you competing this year?
 

GlennM

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GlennM
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That looks very tidy, I have a 323 gti with the BP22 engine! they are a sharp car.

Where are you competing this year?

Yeah the engine has got no bother spinning the back wheels! Only thing that annoys me is the gear ratios... wouldnt mind them being a wee bit shorter. Havent a plan in place yet for this year, just pick and choose! Once I am happy with the suspension and get a sump gaurd on I will tackle some Lanes Rallies!
 

GlennM

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GlennM
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The autosolo sounds interesting but never seen it before...Wiki tells me its like autotesting but a bit faster and without the reversing. If there's any links to NI related autosolo, I'd be interested. Can't find much online.
Yeah cant find much info at the minute myself! Check out Targa and Lanes Rallies too!
 

azzamut

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Hopefully going to enter a few lanes myself, i'm sure it'll be much more fun in a RWD though!

(y)
 

FM155

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Yeah the engine has got no bother spinning the back wheels! Only thing that annoys me is the gear ratios... wouldnt mind them being a wee bit shorter. Havent a plan in place yet for this year, just pick and choose! Once I am happy with the suspension and get a sump gaurd on I will tackle some Lanes Rallies!
Myself and my son have been doing lanes rallies and autosolos in an MG ZR this year and it's been good craic. We won our class on the RMC event in the summer but didn't get a trophy because we went home thinking we hadn't done that well.. :oops:
On the rougher / slippy events, a fwd is probably better for grip and micras / starlets have done well. I'm torn between getting an MX5 for the craic or getting an MG ZR160 and an ATB diff which is probably the cheaper option.
 

Jonny-FN2.GT

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Yeah the engine has got no bother spinning the back wheels! Only thing that annoys me is the gear ratios... wouldnt mind them being a wee bit shorter. Havent a plan in place yet for this year, just pick and choose! Once I am happy with the suspension and get a sump gaurd on I will tackle some Lanes Rallies!

You tried fitting a 1.6 gearbox?
 

veedubnoodle

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Put lightweight 14s on it with a slightly lower profile tyre to effectively change the final drive and see if that helps :grinning:
 

GlennM

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Got the MX through MOT on Monday past! Bought some original Eunos rims off "soupz" aswell as smoked indicators, also a strut brace off a lad in Glengormley. Unfortunately I discovered a leaking shaft seal at the diff yesterday, so the fun was short lived! Aw well, cars... they keep you on your toes!

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roverspeed

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Most affective way to change your great ratios is changing the diff.

You could maybe search for used 1.5 kaaz

I'm pretty sure @Graham had a kaaz in his.
 

Graham

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Most affective way to change your great ratios is changing the diff.

You could maybe search for used 1.5 kaaz

I'm pretty sure @Graham had a kaaz in his.
The KAAZ is one ignorant diff, it's like a switch but my god did it change how the car drove ten fold !

i fitted it at the same time as a welded in MSA spec half cage and both things together made it a different car
 

GlennM

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Good to see you today Glenn and what a result on only your third event!

1st overall in some of the most slippery tests around and with some highly experienced drivers behind you !

View attachment 106180

Thanks Graham, but unfortunately I ended the day 16th overall, though the TSCC NI printout has me right at the top, the names were not in overall order! I need to find some more money and time to throw at the car to keep up with the likes of Robert Woodside, Allan Harryman & Mark Faulkner... Maybe some day!!

Cool wagon, love it :grinning:
Thanks Neil!
 

GlennM

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GlennM
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So yes, as Graham said, took the car along to its first event of 2016 (and only my third event ever), down at Kirkistown today for the TSCC NI Charity Autotest! Very slippy event, with muck being smudged over the track from the gaps between the concrete! Still, 16th overall with 3 or 4 minor mishaps, half spins, clipped markers... you get the idea! With more time and money to develop the car and myself, I reckon we can go quicker! Bring on the next event!

Pre Event Prep - Fitted front strut brace, rear splitter & big mud flaps!
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Slipping and Sliding!

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