How I learned to stop worrying and love the MX-5

[Dave737]

This was just a couple of weeks ago over the Midwest. Static electricity builds up quickly at 500 miles an hour.
These are not lighting bolts. This is electrostatic discharge from the base of the windscreen.
I've seen it many times but this was the first time I was able to record it. (love my new phone)

[OnePaintedMan]

Yep - lovin' this build thread. Full of win.

Never seen that wiper mod done before. Looks fantastic. Can't wait to see where you go next.

[Slampen]

So we are almost up to date with what I've done so far. But now I need your help. I've been saving to upgrade the suspension and now I'm ready to bite.
Mandrake sees mostly street use with the occasional track day. Here's what I've narrowed it down to.

TEIN-FLEX Z Coil-over Kit for the Mazda Miata and MX5 90-15

Or

FM V-MAXX XXTREME COILOVERS FOR NA - SPORT PACKAGE

Anyone have experience with both these coil-overs? What are your thoughts?

Neither.

Meisterr => https://www.meisterr.com/car/mazda/89-97-mx5-na/

[Dave737]

Thanks Slampen.
Those MeisterR look like a quality product. I found a review of them on a Honda forum and they seem to be just what I'm looking for.
Do you have a set and have you had others?

[OnePaintedMan]

Meisters are probably the defacto choice for quality coilovers in the UK.

[Slampen]

Do you have a set and have you had others?

I do have a set of CRD+, but still in the box in the garage. Renovating the kitchen triumphed mounting them.

Meisters are probably the defacto choice for quality coilovers in the UK.

Yes. I have read about anything on mx5Nutz. They get good reviews. And the Meisterr fellows seems nice and service minded.

Price wise they are in same league as vMaxx, quality wise I will place them in the 1400,- usd area, based on the reviews and my assumptions.

[Dave737]

Brush fire by Big Bear Lake California. The city lights are part of the "Inland Empire" of So Cal. Ontario, Fontana, Riverside, Redlands the fire is in the San Bernardino mountains.
You can get a sense of how tall the flames get at night and this is not even considered a large fire.
I thought about telling the passengers that the "big one" just hit California and crack in the earth's crust had formed.

[Dave737]

Custom Adam goodness.


I put this on a couple of months ago and haven't driven Mandrake sense until today.
I forgot it was there and when I looked down it put a smile on my face.

[Dave737]

These are the MeisterR ZetaCRD. I got them from the US distributor in Texas, https://www.meisterr.com
I talked to the gentleman over the phone before ordering and I must say he was very knowledgeable. A little hard to
understand though, he's Oriental with a British accent. Packing was very good, a little to good, the manual and a huge
sheet of stickers were hidden under the coilovers. Took me some time to realize they were there.
Before I installed them I received an email from the manufacture. Seems they had a batch go out from production without
the preload set on the rears. Not a big deal I just had to compress the rears 1/4". They come with two spanners. I think they
are too long, so I'll just cut one in half.
While removing the top nuts for the rear I dropped one. It went right down the tightest little cubby hole possible.
I could just get a finger on it. My magnet retrieval tool was too big for the space.
So I made this.


I just got them on today and have only gone around the block. I'll give a review of the performance once I get some
miles on them.

[Dave737]

My shop vac lived in the back of the garage behind five bicycles and other junk. It was always a hassle to brake it out.
Found this http://www.instructables.com/id/PVC-...Vacuum-System/
The Home Depot buckets are a dust separation system that works quite well. That will save on filters.
https://www.howtomotorcyclerepair.com/waterbucket/


The Y with the lead pointed to the floor was to be used for sweeping into the system but that didn't work very well
So I plan to remove the Y and install an elbow. I have three points strategically placed around the garage and it works
great. Now I really suck.

My Vac has 2 1/2" hose so I had to go with 2 1/2" PVC. 50' of PVC and all the fittings was around $200. I know a lot of
other shop vacs have 1 1/2" or 2" and that should save you some if your thinking of doing this. Also the smaller hose
would be a little easier to work with and better at getting into the nooks and crannies of your car.
I'm very pleased with the function of the system. Unfortunately now I have no excuses for a dirty car or garage.

[NCGreasemonkey]

I'm a lazy fart! I have no broom in my 1500 foot domicile.Broom is in the shed with the Deere.

But I do have a 6.5 HP 14 Gal. shop vac. from HD in the house and it is bagged and filtered. Best buy ever! With Taz and my shedding it handles the tufts!.

[Dave737]

1958 TR-3

I got this for my Dad back in Sep.







The wife hit me with divorce papers in Oct (no my X was not the United pilot) and my Dad was diagnosed with ALS in Nov.
It's been a crazy ride the last few months. I'm still here and I'm keeping the NA but it will be on the back burner for some time.

In the mean time, enjoy some lovely sunsets.

[NCGreasemonkey]

Love the TR 3 and feel you with the whole estrogen loss. (I shed mine in only 19 months)

Hope you and Dad enjoy the TR 3!

Thanks for those beautiful shot you always bring us from altitude of the sun.

Peace fellow nut!

[Greasemonkey2000]

Really sorry to hear about your father, Dave. I'm pretty close to my dad and can't imagine how difficult such news is to cope with, I wish you and your family the best. It sucks when life deals 'such lousy hands', especially in close succession but I'm confident you will persevere.

The TR3 is beautiful! How does your father like it?

[Dave737]

Yep it’s been a long time sense my last post but I’ve checked in from time to time. I just installed a new Robins factory style top. It’s not too difficult a job but it does take a lot of time.