Been working on the front wiring loom - a slightly daunting task that I've been putting off and off and off. It's a messy job removing the gooey grubby loom tape cleaning as I go. And I've elected to include the additional fun of scary surgery as I cut out endless lengths of what I hope is unnecessary wiring. There are many electrical features in the MX5 that aren't present in the Westfield (such as audio system and electric windows, plus provision for front fog lights, airbags, cruise control and so forth).
Not that it is actually required or even detailed in the build manual. But it vastly simplifies and lightens the loom (I've got a box load of amputated wire now and I'm only half way through the job!). Of course, this could go horribly wrong and leave me with a non-viable electrical system, or I could even have fun with electrical fires. But I've spent a long time
snogging the wiring diagrams for the MX5 (which would be easier if I could have laid hands on the UK version not the US and Canadian that does have notable differences) and testing my assumptions with the multimeter at every step. So here's to hoping!
Other than that, the
ECU is bolted on ready for the wiring.
Westfield returned the re-lengthened mid-steering column and it fits perfectly.
I fashioned a boot for the column where it passes through the bulkhead. Based on a
Fiat 126/500 gearstick boot coz it was cheap and had a good flange to attach it to the bulkhead with. It's not too bad - still had to have a bit of a gap in the end in order to feed the column end through, but it looks tidier than a gaping hole and will hopefully help keep any grot from the engine bay in the engine bay.
Also did a better job on the air intake - very tricky as the airbox outlet is 70mm diameter, whilst the
plenum intake is 65mm deformed into an oval. Eventually overcame this by cutting off the oval end of the original rubber MX5 pipe, grinding it down a little so that it fits inside the 70mm pipe and then using bad language and silicone lubricant to persuade it to fit.
The other pipework is on, along with the exhaust manifold and a shiny cover for it.
So is the radiator, fan, and the horns -
Poop poop!
All the fuel lines are in place and connected up. I've left the fuel tank unsecured for now so that when it eventually is dropped to the deck there is easier access to the rear suspension bolts for final tightening.
Oh, and I added a gearstick boot using another Fiat part. It was a tight fit to get it so that the gearstick wasn't being forced out of gear when in 5th. I'm fairly happy with it - I think.
The latest setback though was when I went to fill the brake system and bleed them. Unfortunately one of the bleed nipples will not come out - I wish I had removed them when reconditioning the brakes, but I thought that leaving them in was going to help keep the canal clean. Bah. It's soaking in
WD40 at the moment, and if all else fails I'll try drilling it out before resorting to replacing the whole brake caliper.
Not that it is actually required or even detailed in the build manual. But it vastly simplifies and lightens the loom (I've got a box load of amputated wire now and I'm only half way through the job!). Of course, this could go horribly wrong and leave me with a non-viable electrical system, or I could even have fun with electrical fires. But I've spent a long time snogging the wiring diagrams for the MX5 (which would be easier if I could have laid hands on the UK version not the US and Canadian that does have notable differences) and testing my assumptions with the multimeter at every step. So here's to hoping!
Other than that, the ECU is bolted on ready for the wiring.
Westfield returned the re-lengthened mid-steering column and it fits perfectly.
I fashioned a boot for the column where it passes through the bulkhead. Based on a Fiat 126/500 gearstick boot coz it was cheap and had a good flange to attach it to the bulkhead with. It's not too bad - still had to have a bit of a gap in the end in order to feed the column end through, but it looks tidier than a gaping hole and will hopefully help keep any grot from the engine bay in the engine bay.
Also did a better job on the air intake - very tricky as the airbox outlet is 70mm diameter, whilst the plenum intake is 65mm deformed into an oval. Eventually overcame this by cutting off the oval end of the original rubber MX5 pipe, grinding it down a little so that it fits inside the 70mm pipe and then using bad language and silicone lubricant to persuade it to fit.
The other pipework is on, along with the exhaust manifold and a shiny cover for it.
So is the radiator, fan, and the horns - Poop poop!
All the fuel lines are in place and connected up. I've left the fuel tank unsecured for now so that when it eventually is dropped to the deck there is easier access to the rear suspension bolts for final tightening.
Oh, and I added a gearstick boot using another Fiat part. It was a tight fit to get it so that the gearstick wasn't being forced out of gear when in 5th. I'm fairly happy with it - I think.
The latest setback though was when I went to fill the brake system and bleed them. Unfortunately one of the bleed nipples will not come out - I wish I had removed them when reconditioning the brakes, but I thought that leaving them in was going to help keep the canal clean. Bah. It's soaking in WD40 at the moment, and if all else fails I'll try drilling it out before resorting to replacing the whole brake caliper.
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