Adam's Very Slow Build NA

93_Clubman · Postby **93_Clubman** » Sun Apr 17, 2016 1:01 pm

BlackR wrote:And back to the 5 of today.

Congrats - good to see you found a tidy looking example.

BlackR · Postby **BlackR** » Sun Apr 17, 2016 5:53 pm

93_Clubman wrote:
BlackR wrote:And back to the 5 of today.

Congrats - good to see you found a tidy looking example.

Thanks! She wasn't tidy when I found her. But better now.

More worrying, I found this on the drivers seat this morning when I went to work. Any ideas on what it may be?

Muzdaman · Postby **Muzdaman** » Sun Apr 17, 2016 11:05 pm

Soft top latch spring?

BlackR · Postby **BlackR** » Mon Apr 18, 2016 12:42 am

Muzdaman wrote:Soft top latch spring?

Looks like it could be part of the broken large spring on the side of the latch, will investigate further in the morning. Cheers!

93_Clubman · Postby **93_Clubman** » Mon Apr 18, 2016 11:11 am

Soft-top related seems likely given it ended up on the seat.
If it doesn't turn out to be that then it also looks very similar to the door lock spring that always breaks (in the NA at least except that spring is silver). But it would have needed to have been removed from the inside bottom of the door & then fallen onto the seat base, which doesn't seem likely if you've been detailing the car recently.

BlackR · Postby **BlackR** » Mon Apr 18, 2016 12:16 pm

Yup, from the latch. Pulled her open this morning and the other half is just dangling there.

BlackR · Postby **BlackR** » Sat Apr 23, 2016 11:53 am

Well, tried all the local hardwares, and the lack of springs is disturbing. So, when I get time, I'll hit the net for replacements. Doesn't seem urgent, as the roof does stay shut (and open) as required.

I've a few minutes now, so I'll give a run down on what's happened.

In November last year the wife and I headed to Kawai'i for a wedding. After we landed and went to pick up the rental, the missus pointed out that the red Mustang GT out front had my birthday on the plates (511). That was all I needed to get the upgrade, and what a blast that car was, even if it was an auto. Top down cruising the island was a blast. However, having this beautiful V8 machine, and a top speed of only 50 mph around the island was annoying.

Anyway, that week reminded me how good it was to have a roadster, and the missus agreed to not stand in my way of getting back in a 5. So, we got back home, I dolled up the Prelude and put her on the market. It took six months of putting up with bullshit "What's your last price?" text messages, before the first potential customer actually came to look at the car. They bought it on the spot. Like I told people, the Prelude was in great condition, I just wanted to change car.

Anyways, a couple of days after I sold the car, a local 5 came up for sale with just 133ks on it. A little outta my price range, but I rang the elderly lady and organised a viewing. Sure enough, she was a little under the weather (the car, not the lady). Clutch isn't 100%, shifting was a little notchy, engine was meh (but no leaks, which I was grateful for), paint was horrendous. Top was ok, except for one repair on the side. No history on the vehicle. Just the usual "The previous owner was a mechanic". Uh-huh, yeah right.

First thing I did was change the diff and tranny fluid. If the previous owner was a mechanic, he was a pretty shitty one. The oil was pitch black, which was good, because it meant you could see all the lovely metal fillings that pored out. Not healthy at all. I refilled using Taoma (or something) oil. Letting that sit in there for a thousand kms to clean things out before I put some good ol' redline in. Had the redline in the previous NA and it was a godsend.

Welp, that's all for now. Time to head off to work, I will continue this story later, with some questions for you all.

Ciao

Rolley · Postby **Rolley** » Sat Apr 23, 2016 12:44 pm

Bunnings is your friend for the latch springs.
This size needed to be shortened by about 15mm to fit, they do make a shorter one but it wasn't in stock.

BlackR · Postby **BlackR** » Sat Apr 23, 2016 6:20 pm

That's awesome, thanks for that. How did you shorten the spring?

BlackR · Postby **BlackR** » Sun Apr 24, 2016 11:16 am

Just a quick questions guys. The previous owner did a service a thousand kms before I got the car (mind you it was six months ago), and the mechanic put Havoline Premium Plus in the car. 10w.

Is this a decent oil? Engine seems to struggle a little up top. I am used to the free revving Honda engines mind you, and it could just be me.

Rolley · Postby **Rolley** » Sun Apr 24, 2016 12:14 pm

No probs,
I measured the upstretched length of the other sides latch spring and cut the new one to that length plus 1 turn. Then I just bent up the extra turn to make the hook.

BlackR · Postby **BlackR** » Mon Apr 25, 2016 3:15 pm

Rolley wrote:No probs,
I measured the upstretched length of the other sides latch spring and cut the new one to that length plus 1 turn. Then I just bent up the extra turn to make the hook.

Cheers, much appreciated.

BlackR · Postby **BlackR** » Fri Apr 29, 2016 11:53 am

Just doing some quick journal thoughts here. Idea's jump in and outta my head all the time, just wanna have somewhere I can go to remember them:

- Shifter rebuild kit. Probably Miataroadster kit. Checked out IL kit, but MR seemed more complete and easier to uninstall if it ever came to it. Not much slop in current shifter, but feels shitty nonetheless, worse when cold. Include some redline for diff, trans and turret. Stuff worked like magic.

- Check usual suspects in engine bay for replacement, or replace anyways. Sparks, leads, fuel filter, what else?

- Check on what's making the brakes feel wood like. Pads have plenty of meat. Age? Fluid? Cylinders? SS brakelines would be nice too.

- Install oil filter relocation kit. Research first.

- Remove alarm system. That'll be fun.

- Rewire cruise (aftermarket) control system. Put three flush buttons where ashtray is.

- Move cruise system, currently in the way of putting a cold side intake in.

- Purchase and install clicker thingy!

- Find out how to remove squeekiness from soft top. Sounds like I have budgies in the car.

- Rebuild latches. At least paint and remove surface rust.

Add more as I remember.

BlackR · Postby **BlackR** » Fri Apr 29, 2016 11:58 am

BTW, I still assume it's illegal to swap an airbag steering wheel with a non-airbag wheel?

Nevyn72 · Postby **Nevyn72** » Fri Apr 29, 2016 3:16 pm

BlackR wrote:BTW, I still assume it's illegal to swap an airbag steering wheel with a non-airbag wheel?

Yes......

BTW, for your oil filter relocation kit, don't cheap out and get an eBay special from China!
Buy a good one off the bat (Works from Mania is a good local option) and save yourself weeks of aggravation, ask me how I know......

I also have the Miata roadster short shifter kit, some of the best money I've ever spent! :mrgreen: