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Post by Damo. on Oct 29, 2013 22:50:40 GMT
Hello all
So my donor arrives tomorrow!
I'm new(ish) to the kit car scene and this is to be my first build. I've chose the Mevster due to practicality, cost and ease of build. Also I think its looks superb, particularly the new targa roof.
I live in Stoke on Trent so if anyone is local then let me know. I'm sure that I'm gonna be needing some help along the way. So any advice would be gratefully received.
I plan to take my time over the build, giving me some time to save up for the kit and hopefully enjoy it too.
Cheers
Damo
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Post by biggunz on Oct 30, 2013 18:23:19 GMT
Hi damo! Welcome! Loads of experience of stripping down the mx5 on here so don't be shy to shout out! Good luck!
Shaun
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Post by Damo. on Oct 30, 2013 22:48:37 GMT
Well the car has arrived. The initial excitement was dampened literally by the rain but its in the garage. My first issue (I suspected it wouldn't take long) when I connected the battery up to move it the hazards come on. Everything seems to be working, including the hazard switch. Any suggestions? Not that this is going to slow me down. The car by the way is 1999 1.8 with 75k. As its been off the road for about 18 months I couldn't take it for a proper test drive everything seems OK. The battery is flat and the discs don't look great but pleased with everything else. Pretty sure I'll make the money back I payed for it quite quickly. Another quick question. Apart from the obvious running gear etc anything else that I need to hang onto? I'll get cracking this weekend...
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Post by Damo. on Nov 14, 2013 21:13:05 GMT
Well since I last posted I've not made a terrific amount of progress. Work, socialising and sorting out the new house have taken priority. I have managed to strip down the boot and rear wings etc. I did have one little surprise waiting for me in the boot. A nice little collection of water in the boot... Seems like a relatively common problem when checking out the forums. It didn't become apparent until I unscrewed the cubby in the boot. Worth noting if your currently looking for a donor. May assist in knocking down the price. Also adding items to eBay takes far longer than anticipated. Oh and a head torch was an inspired purchase if your working in a small garage. Well worth the money. Back in the garage this weekend to crack on....
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Post by Damo. on Nov 26, 2013 19:35:09 GMT
Well I've been slowly plodding on over the past few weekends and making decent process. I feel I should give Darren and shout out as I've been following his build and its providing me lots of motivation! Alas though it'll be some time before I get to order the kit. Like I said I've been plodding on without any major issues really. I've been pleasantly surprised! I've sacrificed a decent amount of skin to the automotive gods and had to explain to a few people in work that I'm not self harming merely dismantling an MX5! Having no experience other than brake pad changes and minor engine mods I feared I would have encountered more problems. A screwdriver, ratchet and a few choice words has done the job. I'm sure that some problems will arrive at some stage in the near future. I've had a little help from a friend getting the doors and bonnet off which was much appreciated. The dashboard and the remainder of the loom generated a few new 'marks' on my arms but I'm happy with the progress so far. Hopefully get the monocoque off within the next 2 weeks....
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Post by gwnwar on Nov 28, 2013 6:22:13 GMT
If you are going to replace the bushings in the A arms break loose the large nut on the rear axle it is also staked to lock in place. Do this before you remove the body and E brake unit need the weight on the wheels.. Label all your elec. connectors both sides.. There is a fuel tank drain on the underside of the tank left side.. Check and join www.miata.net/ free There is a lot of Miata/MX5 info in the Forum, Garage section and the FAQ section. And book mark this site for later electrical work it has good wiring click on your year.. www.mellens.net/mazda/ Get a set of 6 point sockets less chance of rounding off bolts and nuts..and a couple of cans of a good rust repentant spray not WD40 I like JP Plaster.. If you have problems with running gear or electrics from the MX5 really anything but the body check and ask for help in the Exocet section. There are a lot more of them out there with same running gear.. Good luck have fun..
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Post by Damo. on Nov 30, 2013 23:26:22 GMT
Thanks gwnwar thats really useful advice. Much appreciated I'll check out the links.
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Post by gwnwar on Dec 1, 2013 18:08:47 GMT
Don't forget to cut the VIN off the firewall and dash for later paper work use..
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Post by Damo. on Dec 20, 2013 12:23:10 GMT
Just a quick update. I've been slowly stripping the donor down on the weekends. I was hampered by the fact my breaker bar snapped last weekend when attempting to release the bolts to the ppf. Bit of shopping on amazon to get a few more tools required I hope to remove the monocoque this weekend depending on whether I can borrow a hoist so fingers crossed. I have a query which I hope someone can help with. I've removed the carbon canister and connecter the two hard pipes underneath where the canister was located. However I have a few extra pipes that are remaining (mines a mk 2). One on the bottom and one on the top of the throttle body. They were connected to what I believe is egr sensor. Can these be blocked off. Will it affect performance. What have other people done? I've found a decent link which was pretty helpful www.mx5nutz.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=15120&&p=887162&hl=+carbon%20+canister&&page=5#entry887162I'm learning as I go so any advice from experienced heads is really appreciated and welcomed.
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Post by Damo. on Apr 19, 2014 9:58:15 GMT
Hello again! No I didn't drop of the face of the earth. Other commitments and no internet for a good while have hampered me. However that doesn't mean I haven't been plodding along with the strip down. My garage now looks like a my Mx5 has exploded, bits of car literally hanging from the rafters! I'm just about there with the strip down just a few troublesome bolts to go and I'm there. Too stop me from going completely insane I've flitted between cleaning up parts of the PPF and attacking bolts. I have got pics which i'll try and add when I finally get my fibre optic connected. Two months without internet has been horrible, had to go cold turkey as well because of pretty much all websites being blocked in work. Like a true addict I've stolen some internet to tide me over....just this one time....lol I thought since this is my first foray into the kit cars I would just highlight a few tips just in case you also a newbie or thinking or getting stuck in. 1. Take off the bloody hub nuts before you do anything else! I got carried away and forgot and this is currently the thing slowing me down. I've wasted days! Do it at the beginning whilst you still have the weight of the car to use to crack it. 2. Tools wise the stuff I couldnt live without: Breaker bar - a good size one, I got a 1m and worth the money. Socket set - you'll need a variety of sizes some more obscure. 32mm and 29mm for the hub nuts (just 29mm if yours is a mk1) angle grinder - to cut off the nuts that cant be reasoned with and to clean up the PPF. A knotted wire wheel is great for this Release spray - some proper stuff. Couple of quid. Worth every penny. Brake pipe spanner - For the odd shape nuts on the brake line etc Engine hoist - Got mine from SGS. Very happy with it and pretty cheap. Could sell it at the end if needs be and probably get most of your money back looking at ebay. www.sgs-engineering.com/garage-equipment/engine-cranes Ratchet. A second pair of hands to get the engine out and the monocoque off. This list isn't exhaustive you understand and if anything else springs to mind I'll add it on. However if I was starting out again these things would defo be top of my shopping list. Hopefully your friends can be bought with some beers like mine Right, now I've had my internet fix I'm off to the garage to continue cleaning the PPF and swear at some bolts...
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Post by Damo. on Jul 15, 2015 11:00:17 GMT
Hey all. I'm still about slowly plodding on. Didn't realize how long it's been but I knew from the start my progress would be slow. Quick update I'm currently servicing/painting the engine before I start sticking it all back together.... However I've noticed that there is talk of the mevster being discontinued!?! Are there any left? I can't believe they've not sold well they look awesome!
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Post by p5curly on Jul 15, 2015 12:15:25 GMT
I see it's been a year since you last post a lot has happened since then and we seem to find out more through social media now I think if you don't have a kit you should give Stuart a call on the off chance he may know to one Sorry but I have seen a few people ask about it after its gone
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Post by Damo. on Nov 28, 2015 23:26:13 GMT
Picking up my 2015 Exocet next Saturday. Not my original plan.... But stoked all the same
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