Eunos Chump

No, this still isn't finished. Dan (Universal Intercoolers) is sending me the final part, a 16mm plug for the ICV (the kit came with a 25mm one, much too big). With that exception, it's all ready to go though. A/C fan has been wired up and tested (I couldn't use the original fan, they're not interchangeable after all). I've had to replace the standard washer bottle with a generic bag (£12.50 from eBay). It's suspended under the slam panel as before, but I've had to lose one of the 2 horns. I did spend several hours during the week figuring out alternative ways of running the intercooler pipes, and even looked at clocking the turbo but there was no real alternative. I've had to lose the bonnet stay too, looks like I'll have to buy some lifters instead. I was going to wash it this afternoon, but as soon as I rolled it out the rain started. I went back in and played yet more Grand Theft Auto 4, I love that game!

I have been MOST BUSY working from home today, like just about everybody in the whole country. As it's all frozen solid now, I guess I'll be wearing my dressing gown to work again tomorrow.

I've bought an intercooler kit from Universal Intercoolers , and spent an enjoyable few hours in the garage fitting it yesterday. Except the outlet from my turbo is 51mm, and all the hoses were 57mm... and I was short of at least 12" of metal tube. I've emailed the guy and he said he'll get the appropriate parts in the post, so hopefully it'll be complete in a few days. As it's snowing right now, I don't expect to be using the car anytime soon anyway. The kit didn't come with any instructions, and you have to cut the metal tube yourself. There are photos on the website though, and it's a fairly straightforward job. Some points to note: My car once had air conditioning, which means it has 2 cooling fans - this is a problem, as the primary fan (passenger side) has to come out to make room for the IC tubing, and it's the only way you'll be able to remove the air trunking too (unless you partially drain the coolant and remove the top hose). I pl...

MX5 went back on the road yesterday. My first impression was 'why is it necessary for a car to make this much noise at 60mph?' While it does have a wonderful tactile feel, must it really be this loud? And rattly? Was it a cement mixer in a previous life? I worry that at some point in the future, I will suddenly grow up after just such an experience and jack in my heaps for a shiny diesel Volvo on finance. So a note to my future self - STOP! DO NOT TURN TO THE DARK SIDE! I left the car outside last night, just in time for the worst storm in months. The passenger side was soaked this morning, a new hood is now critical. That didn't stop me going for my first topless ride of the year though, it was as good as a bath in warm ice cream with Girls Aloud my lovely missus.

Tired? Lacking boosty goodness? That'll be a big leaky turbo flange then. I suspected all was not right in this area so I took the turbo off to investigate, turns out one of the manifold threads is bent so despite it being bolted down tightly, there was a gap at the flange. That would explain the erratic running and horrible fuel consumption, but it's odd that it didn't blow when stationary - must only have been when the engine was shifting about. I've fitted a replacement rear lamp cluster (£20), now it needs some tyres. I'm going for 195/50R14s, up from 185/65. That's the only suitable size the Toyos come in, though annoyingly the 15" version is £20 a corner cheaper! I have kept an eye out for replacment 15" wheels but nothing decent has appeared, and I don't want to buy new. I have to leave some cash for the intercooler.

I watched 'The Thirties in Colour' on t' TV this morning, which persuaded me to go out and take some photos of the lovely permafrost. I've only got about 6 decent photos though, which isn't enough for my planned project, 'The Noughties in Heavily-Compressed JPEG'.

The door was put back onto the MX5 today, and it's almost perfect. Almost . It's going to have to do though, because it took 4 attempts to get it on and Mrs B had the unpleasant job of holding the door in position while I tried to bolt it up. I don't remember coming that close to divorce in some years. A car demolished the street sign at the end of the road yesterday, it suffered a handbrake failure and followed the same path as the Mazda did. Some kind of handbrake patrol needs to be put in place, staffed by local busybodies. I checked my handbrake today, at last, and it was just woefully out of adjustment. Also changed the plugs, and got a free set of manifold studs from National Tyres - how very nice! Now I need tyres, oil change, and a rear lamp cluster before it can be returned to the road.