Mx-5 Track car Build AKA The Prawn

[BenD]

so as some of you know i got myself an mx5 nicknamed the prawn on here. i purchased it blind of a guy on facebook for 400 quid. and then roped in @Andy (Sycho) to help me pick it up as its got some really wide wheels on it and it wouldnt fit on my trailer.

when we got there it ran for about a minute with a booster pack on but as soon as it was taken off it died. i presume the old battery is goosed becasue when we got it back to mine i put another battery on and it ran fine, so its either not charging or the old battery is b*******ed. it appears to have a few bits of rust here and there but nothing major for the age of the car. it has a bit of filler above the arches i get the impression it had some oveverfenders screwed to it at some point and these have been filled in. it has a sporty exhaust which is pretty noisy but ill have to see what its like for trackdays, and its been lowered on lowering springs

its damper than an otters pocket inside. and none of the lights work. and from what i can see in the dark from last night it has an oil leak but it is a long nose crank and it just needs a good tidy up.

ill get some better pictures on the weekend when its light and i can actually see what ive brought

[Thrustyjust]

Looks great. Ideal base and if it goes wrong, you could sell the wheels and weigh it in for more money.

[BenD]

1 hour ago, Thrustyjust said:

Looks great. Ideal base and if it goes wrong, you could sell the wheels and weigh it in for more money.

im pleasently suprised to be honest. its a goo dbase just need to find the time to do some bits on it now

[BenD]

@BCF how did you adjust the brake bias?

[AdamR]

You can remove the proportioning valve, works a treat, but you need to heel-toe downshifts or you may lock the rear wheels.

[B.RAD]

^ what he said. Remove the ball valve in the MC that controls the bias. Balances out the braking and evens up the pad wear.

[BenD]

Maybe I'll have to get some driving lessons then. Been having a look around it today. The battery that came with it either isn't any good but it's not charging either so looks like I need a new secondhand alternator. But everything seems to work mechanically. The cooling fan kicks in and goes off. So so far so good. 

[B.RAD]

Got some fancy bits on there @Ben (bunje), I reckon you've got yourself a bargain of a prawn cocktail!

Come and join us on the Blyton test day on 4th March or at Bedford on 18th March, I'd be happy to take you out in the silver ****ter and pass on what knowledge I've learnt from @AdamR about heel and toe and left foot braking. It does make a big difference to corner speed.

[BenD]

It's lowered on tien springs aswell it appears to be a little rotten at the front wings lol

[B.RAD]

Like all good ones are 

[BenD]

But the back ofthe sill has had some welding done previously. Started stripping the interior this afternoon. It's absolutely soaked in there. Have you got rid of your dash barney? 

[B.RAD]

Not yet no, just the radio area and all the interior trim between driver and passenger

[B.RAD]

We've kept our interior pretty "stock" so as to keep it comfy, still has a heater, but there's no good reason to keep it all. 

[TAFKARM]

GT3 RS door pulls must knock off 10s a lap at Bedford

[BenD]

31 minutes ago, BCF said:

We've kept our interior pretty "stock" so as to keep it comfy, still has a heater, but there's no good reason to keep it all. 

Looks good I need to take it all out to dry it out. Changed a fuse today in the box on the drivers side and water came out of the fuse hole