Emily's 04 VR SE

[emily_mx5]

Thanks
Update coming soon!

[Lokiel]

Thanks
Update coming soon!

[emily_mx5]

Here is a pic of the rear muffler and tip.
The 45* orientation is Dann's signature position to remove the two stock 90* bends.
3" inlet/outlet, Actual size is a NitroDann secret
Tip is a 3.5" rolled edged stainless, fits really nicely in the bumper cut out and doesn't look too big. Its also completely discoloured and is bronze coloured now



I've done quite a few little jobs/mods over the last few months.
First up was a set of Hel braided brake lines and some Penrite high temp fluid.
Easy install and as usual braided lines change the whole feel.
Worth it.



Secondly was a pair of Mazda BT-50 washer nozzle jets. These spray a mist rather than the two jets like the MX-5. Mine were clogged and pointed in stupid directions, was easier just to swap out with these. Direct replacement, and I like the spray pattern a lot more.



Thirdly was to mod the stupid petrol cap holder, which only ever gets in the way. Now I can hang it up



I decided I didn't like the look of the clear reflectors and indicators, they clashed with the tinted front headlights and the red rear lights.
I also don't like the oem orange, and least of all the aftermarket black tinted ones.
So another option is to tint them all red to match the paint!
Firstly shaved them then sprayed 3 coats of red NiteShades then clear coat.



This pic doesn't show the colour very well, they really are the same colour as the paint. Its really really clean and they just disappear now. They also retain full reflectability. The indicators also still flash orange as they have an orange globe.



Oh and lol I have the best plates

[Nevyn72]

So many other mods done...... So many secrets..... I do like how you turned the wheels so we can't see the new rims.

Are you still planning to win as many categories as you can at this year's President's Picnic?
(won't be there myself as I've got to work..... )

[emily_mx5]

^ what are you on about haha, that tread clearly isnt the AD08Rs! stock SE 17s back on and have been for a while.
If i can get the coilovers and rims installed this week, I will head to the picnic, if not i'll just attend as a spectator.

[Okibi]

Looks great Em, nice idea with the side markers.

[Lokiel]

That number plate is HUGE and blocks off 1/3 of the air to your intercooler/radiator - it also made me wince in pain a bit.

Do you have front slimline plate options in NSW?

[bruce]

Yes, plate is too big.
In Vic, they have gone crazy with the style choices for plates. You can get Japanese style now (or NZ style, or...) You pay thru the nose for them though.

[speed]

Might be the angle of the photo. Suspect less intrusive head on

I like the red reflectors just for something different.

[emily_mx5]

It's a Japanese sized plate.
It hardly blocks any front area, it's offset and angled significantly.
The car has not increased in temp (not even 1*) in regular or spirited driving.
I think it's perfect and looks just like a modified mx5 you would see in Japan.

[emily_mx5]

So I just want to talk about the Haltech standalone ecu and my experiences with the whole set up.

It was a decision I didn't take lightly, and put off for a long time. I was really nervous about reliability, and ending up with a car that has lots of little issues, like a lot of my friends with modified cars (mostly Nissans with Nistunes or powerFCs).

So the Elite 1500 is a standalone unit, not a piggy back that retains the stock ecu.
It required a vacuum line, which is a common requirement for a standalone, as it runs on internal MAP rather than having an AFM in the intake tract. It also required a wideband O2 sensor and a power and ground for the controller box.
There were a couple of issues with the adapter loom, most notably my fans not turning on and the tacho not working.
Hopefully Dann can shed some light on the changes he made.
The O2 sensor was also changed from being plugged into the ecu to being plugged into the adapter harness.

It was tuned by Dann, then looked at by Haltech.
I got it back and daily drove it for about 3 months.

There were the issues that arose, and how they were fixed.

1) The immobiliser light constantly flashed in the cluster
I took the globe out. I am unsure if the immobiliser still works, as the central locking is fine and it still does the auto-relock after 30 seconds.

2) Whenever the fans would turn on, the battery light would come on + Whenever a full boost pull occurred, the battery light would come on.
The voltage threshold was changed to 9V low and 15V high, so the light will only illuminate outside these parameters.

3) Whenever the fans would turn on, the car would jolt and shake, it was very aggressive especially if crawling through a carpark.
Due to the massive twin SPALs, tuning the fans was quite difficult. However Dann developed a fantastic solution. Right before they turn on, there is an 80rpm idle increase, to "prepare" the electrical system for the massive impending current draw. Specifically 80rpm because it is not enough for the car to accelerate on its own, but enough to get the system ready. I am so happy with this result, as it is nearly as smooth as stock.

4) Cold starts were ridiculous. The car would rev up to 3000, then down to 2000, rapidly hunting for about 3-5 minutes every morning.
Dann worked out that this was caused by a few things "arguing" with each other. As I understand it, it was several maps switching over incorrectly and an "anti-stall" feature kicking in because it thought the revs/voltage was getting to low.

5) It took eons to warm up
Partly due to a modified low temp thermostat I had briefly installed (guys NEVER use a low temp thermostat lol)
Also due to voltage issues causing it to run excessively rich.

6) If it was dríven cold, fuel economy was over 20L/100km
See 5 above

7) ALL OF THE CLUSTER LIGHTS WOULD GO BATSHIT CRAZY
This would stress me out so so much. The airbag, abs, handbrake, cel lights would just disco randomly.
I worked out this would not happen if I applied the brakes or turned the headlights on.
This lead me to point 8:

The car would voltage spike to 18-19V randomly (I worked out that if I turned the headlights on, voltage was stable.)
Dann fixed this, It was something to do with alternator regulation/control, or wizardry

So thats it. I just got it back from Danns for a 'free of charge' touch up tune.
I pretty much gave him this list, where I had written down every little concern or issue I had noticed, and he went through one by one and fixed them. When I went to pick it up, he even reverted the settings back on the computer to simulate the hunting and voltage issues, to show me exactly the way he fixed it; ie didnt just say 'yeah love its all fixed don't worry your pretty little head about how' which has been said to me by other places

The car is amazing. Truly, you would never ever know it was running a standalone. I throw daily driving scenarios at it and it handles them like its stock. Sitting in traffic at night for 2 hours in the pouring rain? AC, wipers, headlights on, temp and idle are perfect.

The only 2 differences you notice are:
It takes twice as long to crank over - this is due to map vacuum rather then maf.
The anti-stall feature - THIS IS THE COOLEST THING EVER!!!!!!!!! This was such a surprise to discover when driving in traffic. Guys, my car is now a semi-automatic It does this really really really cool thing, where if you are creeping along, ie you take off as normal, you can take your foot off the accelerator and it will hold the revs. It will even climb up hills! It works in 1-3 gears. It just wont let the idle drop so auto revs for you. Its so awesome. It also has a speed sensing neutral, so if you put the clutch in, the revs dont just drop down to 900, you have to actually be stopped for that to happen. It means that if you are rolling around, you can shift into 2nd and take off with ease rather than slowing down to use 1st. Really good for scenarios like you're coming to a stop for traffic lights but they go green so you dont have to stop.
Hopefully I am making sense, these minor differences have really improved the car from an A to B sort of car.

Ofcourse I am hooning too, its mega fast and I love it.
Thanks Dann

[ManiacLachy]

That sounds awesome. I want that.

[emily_mx5]

It's so awesome I'm really happy with it!
I've got some more big updates to post, I like to have pics of everything so it flows well haha.

[ManiacLachy]

We know there are updates, spill already! Your car is turning out pretty awesome. You're doing so many of the things I want to do to mine, but much faster. Very envious.

I'm scared to ask Dann for a quote, but I want to! I think the experience he's gained from working on your car, and others, makes him the logical choice. Even if it means a trip down south to get the work done.

[Juicy HiC]

I was already excited to get mine back now in even more excited. Lachy just do it[SMILING FACE WITH OPEN MOUTH AND TIGHTLY-CLOSED EYES]

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