Detailing

Over the cold winter months I decided to 'clay' AGH! using products from Bilt Hammer. I completed the job applying a good few coats of carnauba wax. The claying took over two weeks to complete as I attacked one panel a night. I have to say that the results were worth the effort and sweat. The paint changed from slightly 'gritty' to super smooth - a real pleasure to complete.

I purchased some R222 carnauba which finished the job - the gloss only lasts 3 - 4 weeks but it is now simple to re-apply and looks fabulous. The next job has to be

the refurbishment of the wheels.

139 Miles on the new pads and disks

After 100 miles I decided to brake a little more seriously. Have to admit that the brakes do perform better than the original Mazda pads and disks BUT there is a noise as the braking takes place from 60mph - slight shooooshing noise - checked on the EBC site and this is normal with the grooved disks -time will tell!

Exhaust

After the purchase of the induction kit came the MX5parts stainless exhaust. This is a major piece of kit but be beware that the standard fixing holes are 12mm and the new exhaust uses 10 mm. I ended up taking to A1 auto centres where they used oxy to remove the Mazda studs. Worth the effort as the exhaust looks brilliant and complements the air filter. What a sound at 4500 rpm! At the present time have decided to stay with the standard CAT but may change to a free flow version and a stainless manifold after I have tried AGH! at Elvington in May 09.

K and N induction Kit

This was one of the first purchases for the new car - great addition and only £20 on the insurance. On its own it sounded too harsh. Fitted with the new sports exhaust it sounds brilliant and compliments the breathing of the engine. Fitting was simple and all parts were of a good quality. At first it took a while to get used to the shooosh noise as it stood in idle and the slight popping noise as the power steering was turned at idle. This, it turns out, is due to a relief valve at low speed. Nothing to worry about.

Differential Oil

After a lot of research decided to purchase Redline 75/90 oil for the Differential. The job was made very easy by the fact that I purchased a pump to inject the oil into the casing. Cannot really be done without as it is all uphill! I decided on Redline as it seemed ideal for the limited-slip, as it contains friction modifier. I have not really noticed any difference but will keep everyone informed. Update (30.03.09) really good - tried at a rounabout today and limited slip was excellent - much better than standard SAE 90 oil. Thanks Lee at Red line for the advice!

EBC Disks and Greenstuff pads go on!

Over the winter I purchased a complete set of disks and pads from EBC. Thanks for the excellent advice at the EBC technical department. March 2009 saw all four wheels off, up on axle stands and the old disks off. It took 3 hours to change the complete set - not bad for an old 'un!

Took AGH! for its first tentative run on the new pads and slotted disks. So far no undue noises but have to admit that I am taking it very easy. The new disks look really 'the part' but only time will tell.

RacingMX5 comes alive

RacingMX5 is a blog dedicated to the restoration of my MK2 MX5 1.8s. I purchased AGH! back in August 2008 as a fun, weekend runabout with the intention of using it for the odd evening run into the countryside. The car as purchased seen in the picture.

Since then I have become hooked on the performance of the little 1.8 litre engine and have started to take the little racing green car a little more seriously! Up to March 2009 I have added a K + N induction kit, MX5parts Stainless exhaust system, EBC slotted disks and greenstuff pads. Manicor leads, NGK plugs and Miata strut brace were added in December. Inside, I have added a IL sports style bar. Oil in the Differential has been changed for Redline 75/90 and engine oil is now Mobil 1 5/30. Finding a second fan on Ebay, this has now been wired into the A/C slot to provide extra cooling. In January 2009 the radiator was treated to a good flush and a new cap fitted. Since August, AGH! has been running on Shell Optimax.