New car :)

[Lowe]

It's pre '92 so you can get away without a cat. Be aware it'll get a bit noiser if you do, and you may lose a bit more mid range grunt whilst gaining a bit at the top end.

A friend recently bought a '89 1.8 Roadster in the same colour and I've gotta admit I'm getting a real soft spot for them. I'd love one as a little project car but they're still a little on the expensive side for that just yet.

[Howard]

Be aware it'll get a bit noiser if you do

[Betty_Swallocks]

I don't believe it's aftermarket, no.

Am I right in thinking the pre-94 1.6s don't have Cats? (I know they reduced the power of the 1.6 after then when they released the 1.8)

No, they all have a cat, it's just that they don't need one for the MOT. My cat broke down and I got one of the silenced cat bypass pipes. A lot cheaper than a new cat and obviously less restrictive.
If you go for a decat don't get the unsilenced one. It's not much cheaper and it introduces a nasty raspy metallic sound to the exhaust. I got one when I got my Larini and I realy didn't like the sound so I replaced it with the silenced one from MX5Parts.

They introduced the 1.8 in 1994 and in 1995 brought out a reduced power 1.6 (88bhp) which isn't very sought after for obvious reasons. It's not very easy to get the power back apparently. I'm not sure what changes they made to reduce the power but I don't think it's just electronic.

[Betty_Swallocks]

A useful and free mod for the 1.6 is to advance the timing from it's standard 10 degrees btdc to 14. It doesn't give any more power but it moves the torque down the rev range and makes it noticeably more nippy. It doesn't make any difference on the 1.8
Give me a shout if you want any more info on that and I'll point you at a guide.

[Howard]

Ta for the advice

So if I was replacing the whole exhaust system I'd buy a decat pipe from MX5parts, a new manifold? And for example a system from www.larinisystems.com? Are those all the "parts" I need? I'm new to this whole modifying lark

Not doing it yet due to funds anyway, just gaining info at the moment!

[Betty_Swallocks]

TBH you don't need to buy them all at once. You can replace them individually. The Larini is my personal favourite but there are many other pipes to choose from. The Dandycars website has a useful little Quicktime movie which will give you an idea of what the Larini pipe sounds like. Click here.

I was really lucky and bought a full second hand set, tubular manifold, cat bypass and Larini exhaust for £200.

[Howard]

I like the sound of that

[Betty_Swallocks]

As my daughter said when I'd fitted it. It changes the car from "Hee hee hee" to "HELL YEAH!!"

[J4MES]

First free mod: take the cover off the steering wheel (it pops off) to reveal the MOMO-ness within...

[sleepyhead]

...join the dark side...add FI.

200+ bhp is sooooOOooo much fun

But that looks like a very nice buy and glad to see you are enjoying the car. It's not the fastest but it's sure is alot of fun!

[J4MES]

I paid £1900 for it. Worth it for the condition IMO

bargain tbh! one owner? looks like it's been cared for - the best colour too...

[Howard]

No it's had about 5 owners but it does seem to have been looked after fairly well

[darxide]

Out of interest - have you seen this thread yet?

http://forums.hexus.net/hexus-automo...ful-model.html

It's a build log for an mx-5 rc car, pretty nifty handy work.

[99Flake]

Looks really nice Howard! Very jealous! Quite odd really, have been talking about MX5's a lot with the other half recently, she really wants one. Since then I have seen, heard a lot about people getting them.

It is like something is taunting/tempting us.

[Howard]

Get one each, and we'll have a Hexus MX5 meet

[sleepyhead]

I'm in! lol!

You ever gonna take your car to a trackday?