Selene - Nev's NB SE

Lokiel · Postby **Lokiel** » Tue Jan 07, 2014 11:21 am

You should try and do your modz in small chunks to actually appreciate the benefits of each one and not rush yourself into finishing them off too quickly - it's easier on the wallet too!

Nevyn72 · Postby **Nevyn72** » Tue Jan 07, 2014 12:31 pm

Lokiel wrote:You should try and do your modz in small chunks to actually appreciate the benefits of each one and not rush yourself into finishing them off too quickly - it's easier on the wallet too!

Just in sheer practical terms it'll be happening in small chunks, I was more just listing it all out for completeness, as a bit of a reference, and to see if anyone out there had any suggestions and/or comments. :wink:

For example, the exhaust will be installed with the service (next week), so I can see how that works out by itself.
Intercooler + CAI will be next with some non-output enhancing mods*....... then down the track (3-6 months) ECU + tune + boost increase.

* Which reminds me, I need to order that roll-bar.

As for the wallet?...... It's already in intensive care!

sailaholic · Postby **sailaholic** » Tue Jan 07, 2014 1:38 pm

If you have a budget your working towards, do engine only stuff as phase one. This way when you go over budget you can reduce other things.

Suspension phase 2

Bracing 3rd if at all. You've already the most braced model.

Do interior as fill in bits between performance so you get more chance to appreciate each mod.

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SlugRacer · Postby **SlugRacer** » Wed Jan 08, 2014 12:34 am

I did all of the engine mods first (ECU, zorst, IC, CAI, TBI, BOV) and all up including parts and labour I'm probably out of pocket close to 7k ( including new timing belt, water pump and HD clutch because the stock one was slipping from the power increase).

It's great now but the list keeps going...kinda wish I just bought an 86/BRZ...actually no I don't, it's great fun modding and you learn a lot along the way.

Enjoy

Nevyn72 · Postby **Nevyn72** » Wed Jan 08, 2014 1:11 am

SlugRacer wrote:..kinda wish I just bought an 86/BRZ...

Enjoy

Hahahaha!

Would you believe I had my heart set on a BRZ before I bought my SE?

It's just the thought of spending $40K+ before I even started modding was a bit too much to swallow!

BTW, I actually am enjoying this so far, even thought it might not seem like it on occasion..... It's the areas where I get to be really creative and tinker that should start happening soon that I like the most. :mrgreen:

Tristan_ACT · Postby **Tristan_ACT** » Wed Jan 08, 2014 10:09 am

Nevyn72 wrote:
SlugRacer wrote:..kinda wish I just bought an 86/BRZ...

Enjoy

Hahahaha!

Would you believe I had my heart set on a BRZ before I bought my SE?
It's just the thought of spending $40K+ before I even started modding was a bit too much to swallow!

BTW, I actually am enjoying this so far, even thought it might not seem like it on occasion..... It's the areas where I get to be really creative and tinker that should start happening soon that I like the most.

I think anyone who's brought a RWD sports car in recent times must have at least thought of a 86. The things that put me off it were that the base model was just over 34k on road, and I definitely would have been looking to mod. The next problem is apparently the drivetrain can only take 186kw at the flywheel which is about 130 at the rear, not sure how Toyota came up with this figure but that's what they've been saying. So with the SE it was cheaper, easier to mod, higher ceiling on the drivetrain (so the mods don't break your car), 200kgs lighter and a convertible (which in the end I wanted more than I thought I did).

Honestly when I think about it now, I think partially I was caught in the hype. However if I was seriously going to buy a RWD coupe now I'd have to consider a Silvia or a RZ supra. Just because the 86 is newer, I don't think it's necessarily better. Unless you're happy with the 101 rwkws it comes with in standard form I think you're best to pass on the 86.

Nevyn72 · Postby **Nevyn72** » Wed Jan 08, 2014 12:18 pm

Oops!

Looks like I just can't help myself..... Just joined the GB for the MiataRoadster short shifter kit. :mrgreen:

This is a mod I think is well worth stretching the budget for, the stock 6-speed's action is just too vauge, you end up expending too much effort making sure you end up in the right gear!

Nevyn72 · Postby **Nevyn72** » Wed Jan 08, 2014 1:43 pm

Double Oops! :oops:

Just ordered a MX5-plus TB twin hoop rollbar, which they've only just listed for 15% off for January only.
Perfect timing on this as I was planning to get one soon anyway...... :wink:

Now, I think I'd better turn the computer off before any of the other forum sponsors list another GB or discount!

shuey · Postby **shuey** » Wed Jan 08, 2014 1:50 pm

NitroDann's zorst? :mrgreen:

Nevyn72 · Postby **Nevyn72** » Wed Jan 08, 2014 1:53 pm

shuey wrote:NitroDann's zorst?

Steady on!..... I'm only just getting the Mania 2.5" bolted on next week! :roll:

Roadrunner · Postby **Roadrunner** » Thu Jan 09, 2014 8:50 am

Iv had a mania full 2.5" on my SE for about a year now. Very very happy with it, nice deep burble, not raspy in the slightest and pops/grumbles when changing down gears that brings a smile to my face every time I drive it.
However if I was still on stock exhaust today, I would be all over Dann's exhaust for the money though.

Nevyn72 · Postby **Nevyn72** » Thu Jan 09, 2014 10:45 am

Roadrunner wrote:Iv had a mania full 2.5" on my SE for about a year now. Very very happy with it, nice deep burble, not raspy in the slightest and pops/grumbles when changing down gears that brings a smile to my face every time I drive it.
However if I was still on stock exhaust today, I would be all over Dann's exhaust for the money though.

I agree entirely about going for Dann's system except.... The price I picked up a complete 2nd hand Mania exhaust + inlet elbow + intercooler + CAI was just too good to pass up!
I'll live with the 2.5" and have been advised it will be more than adequate for my targeted power train upgrades.....

Besides, now Dann has finished the exhaust GB builds, I suspect he'll be getting plenty of my money soon enough..... :wink:

Nevyn72 · Postby **Nevyn72** » Wed Jan 15, 2014 11:17 am

Ohhhh...... Goody!

I like getting deliveries! :mrgreen:

Fantastic service from MX5+ on their rollbar sale.

Now to start sorting out the finish..... Please let the price be not too unreasonable.

Lokiel · Postby **Lokiel** » Wed Jan 15, 2014 12:00 pm

I should have posted this comment in this thread (cut&pasted from another thread):

You might want to consider DIYing the rollbar with VHT Roll Bar and Chassis Paint:

http://www.vhtpaint.com/products/rollbarchassis/

Nevyn72 · Postby **Nevyn72** » Thu Jan 16, 2014 9:44 pm

FINALLY!!!...... I can relax a little bit..... :oops:

It's probably a bit irrational, but I've been unreasonably paranoid since buying buying my car about it's 10 year old timing belt..... I've been trying to avoid driving it too much or too hard for fear of it failing and 'lunching' my engine.....

Anyway, I picked up the beastie from it's 100k service this afternoon, so the belt's now as good as new! :mrgreen:

The water pump was replaced as well, as a precaution based on my research, but unfortunately the guys at the workshop, trying to be helpful, hit it with some *Bastard* grade solvent before giving me the old one back so I couldn't see if there was any real deterioration or scale buildup..... Anyway, it seems perfect with no play in the shaft and no buildup on any of the channels..... Anyone want a perfectly good 1.8L NB water pump?

While in, I got them to replace the standard exhaust with a 2nd hand Mania 2.5" system I had, this came to a total cost of $135 including gaskets and bolts (which I didn't have). A bitch of a job for the DIYer (according to Lokiel :wink:

) and I think some of the best money I have spent!

Anyway, here's my preliminary thoughts after driving it a couple of Kms home....
- Timing Belt -> peace of mind - priceless!
- Transmission fluid replacement -> (part of the 100K service, I specified synthetic fluid) - gearbox feels a bit more precise and easy to shift.
- Replace factory exhaust with Mania 2.5" system -> more power, turbo seems to spool a lot earlier and more freely, nice subdued 'burble', not at all obnxious... just what I was after!

I'll take the MX to work tomorrow for a longer drive and let you know my thoughts when I get back.....

Hmmmmm, all these parts piling up, which one to install next?