Billet stalks

[—tsingson—]

Just a note, in case this wasnt common knowledge. I cant speak for the NB but imagine its the same, but on NAs, you can sand off the paint on both stalks as well as sand down the ignition/keyhole area with a nice fine sandpaper, then using a good metal polish, polish them all to a nice bright shine. Of course the black plastic parts of th stalks will remain black, but this is a really cheap, super sharp looking mod that really pops and most people arent aware they can do without dropping tons of $$ with stuff they likely already have around the house. ITs one of the first things I usually do when I buy an NA.

Does anyone have pics of this?

[Freaky Roadster]

Sorry guys, not had much time to play around but I think the bent version of stalks could work out pretty expensive

[Muti007]

Does anyone have pics of this?

Ill try to dig around to see if I can find any of when Ive done this on my NAs. I know other folks have done this as well, they really do come out looking fantastic and for damn near free.

[— vote4pedro —]

Sorry guys, not had much time to play around but I think the bent version of stalks could work out pretty expensive

Still interested here. Any guesstimate of the price?

[Freaky Roadster]

I've had an idea that might work.
Previously mentioned about spinning covers that could be glued on but came across the problem of the inner cover being too long to go over the bend in the stalks. So why not do them in two parts I think it'll work but they will have to be pretty damn accurate to mate up nearly seamless. They would still be able to be engraved and filled and a hole could be laser cut for the cruise control button.
This should work out a lot cheaper and all you would need to do is polish the stem. You can even sand the black off then rub it over with a piece of billet ally which should transfer a coating of ally onto the steel.
I'll need to speak to the metal spinner I know so you'll all have to be patient.

[— vote4pedro —]

wondering how the progress is commencing with the US NA version.

[Driftdevil]

What all is involved in putting the straight ones on the US NA?

[Cxmoney]

Well since a US NA version seems to not going to happen, how do i change my US stalks into the straight import stalks?

[— Phatmiata —]

Well since a US NA version seems to not going to happen, how do i change my US stalks into the straight import stalks?

Find someone parting out a RHD model either in the UK or JP

[Cxmoney]

i want to buy a rhd clip, but that seems near impossible here in the US. =(

but for those parts, what all exactly is needed for the swap?

[vindi49]

If anyone wants to do this swap, I can put you in contact with a specialist MX5 breaker in the UK... he'll have whatever you need and can probably tell you which bits you'd need as well. PM me, or if you are on MX5Nutz, his name is Junkyard Dog (well its John but you know what I mean!)

Russell.

[Freaky Roadster]

Hi guys, sorry for not being around, been a bit hectic my end with work.
Solid billet stalks for the US market looks like a no go but spun alloy covers is a possibility. These will have to be done in 3 sections (one cap and two for the body) to go over the bend and just glued in place.
I have not yet had the chance to visit the metal spinner but hope to see him soon.

The swap to straight arms is possible but you will need:
1. Control combination unit
2. Top of steering column.
3. Ignition lock and key (I think)
4. Steering boss and wheel.

and of course the billet set.

[vindi49]

That sounds like quite a lot to swap... although if anyone was scrapping a car over here those parts would not have a big value. If anyone wants to try this, I'm happy to find the parts so someone can experiment with swapping the bits over, and work out what exactly what is needed. Parts cost would be very little as I know of a car I could get those bits off, so it would mainly be the shipping that you'd have to cover.

Russell.

[wongmic75]

Amazing stuff... really adds class to the interior!

[Freaky Roadster]

Hi all, sorry it's been so long but business took over my life for a few months.
Anyway, I saw the metal spinner last Saturday and discussed options and unfortunately it's a complete no go with spun caps.
For a start the bend and wires make it a real pain to get a cap over the arm even if it was in two parts. The chances are that getting the two parts to match up properly will cause more problems for him.
There is also an issue with the wiper arm, Mazda in their wisdom have used a roll pin into a blind hole in the plastic link which is impossible to remove without breaking something.

There are then only two options left:
1: Convert to straight arms with all the associated parts. It is possible for me to put together the pieces as a kit with the help of some Nutzers.
2: Take a hammer to your plastic handles and fit some solid billet ones. You will need to wire in a off/on/on switch for headlights and a switch for cruise control (if you have it) onto the dash. You will retain the use of indicator and wiper functions as normal.

Let me know your thoughts, thanks.