Michael's Eunos Roadster

[kyteler]

So, because I felt like Gav (@~Slideways~) was hoggin all the "buy a really beat old Eunos Roadster" glory and because there's such a large font of knowledge for the little beaters on here, I figured I would add mine to the mix.

I ended up swapping my (once @Toddy415's old AE82 FXGT) for this one that a mate had sitting in his back yard.  There was a yarn about why it had been sitting for so long but I can't remember exactly what it was, however, I had had my fun with the AE82 and the future held more rust repairs than I was willing to undertake.  I have plenty of other rotten cars inside instead of ones that have to sit outside.  This was a car my mate had bought for his wife, she was not interested at all in it but when I asked how much they wanted for it, a deal was eventually struck as a straight swap. 

It hadn't had a warrant or reg in 3 years but was on hold, the roof was fucked and so even though it was stored under cover (but still outside) the interior had been dismantled and removed to stop it potentially getting filled with damp/water.

It had some previous repairs done on it before it was parked up but they weren't painted over so potentially turned into a bit of a waste of time however I wasn't after pretty, just something I could use and have a laugh with.   So this is what I got...

As you can see, covered in terrible stickers with a metal "M" Mazda badge on the nose.  Gross.   Indeed I ripped the badge off before it even left my mate's house and left it on his property instead of mine.

First thing done was to swap over the wheels from the Corolla;

Second thing to do was remove the stickers and make a bit of an effort to put some paint on the repairs, I wasn't too fussy as I just needed something on there, however it's got pearlescent paint on it and the colour code paint doesn't match that. :/

Then I managed to find a soft-top locally fro $200 that only had a minor tear on one side which meant I wouldn't have to put a piece of plastic over it..

..and I threw some heat into the front bumper to remove the dent, a bit more shitty colour match spray paint with a bit of tweaking then some black shitty paint on the lip

The astute will notice a change in plates.  The previous front one had been modded and bent to "suit" the bumper.  So i got replacements then took it for a warrant which it passed without any faults.  Score.

However, taking it to get the warrant was the first time I'd actually driven it and the clutch is fuuuuuuuuuuuuuuucked.  So I ordered a replacement clutch, flywheel, brake discs and a bunch of service part consumables from RockAuto some of which have arrived and others I'm still waiting.  Hopefully some time in the next few weeks I'll have it sorted mechanically and then I'll start on the aesthetics.

I'd like a hardtop, a little bit lower, Garage Vary lip and rear panel, largeish ducktail rear spoiler and roof spoiler for the hardtop.

Would also like ITBs and a bunch of shit but for the time being a pod filter will do for some more loud with nothing to show for it induction noise.  It already sound OK-ish when giving it some jandal but some good headers would be cool too.

[~Slideways~]

*high-fives-in-roadster*

[63Ragtop]

Nice work polishing that turd, looks a fuck load better! I know a family friend who bought one as a mid life crisis and did nothing with it. Red with pealing clear coat that's just sitting in a shed.

There is a few cool ones I see around aucks, they look real cool with sweet wheels, roll bar, flairs etc. 

[kyteler]

This one was at a car show a few months back.. 

Not too bad, that's the lip or a copy of the lip I want, plus hardtop.  

It's also certed (I doubt for as low as it is) and turbo charged. 

[63Ragtop]

Exactly!

Bro in the background "wtf that clown takin photo of that fooking thing?"

 

[kyteler]

Should be taking a pichur ov dis fifty seven chev maaaaate. 

No thanks, the 7 is the least appealing of the tri 5s.

[kyteler]

Two parcels down, two more to go 

[mjrstar]

Check out the floppy diff mounts when you have it jacked up for the clutch replacement..

 

I don't know much about the oem running gear but did note the diff mounts on mine at 336,000km were pretty poked, and did not help with the gearbox shift quality, as 3rd gear wasn't where you left it when on/off the throttle.. 

 

/time for a 4g63t 

 

[cletus]

These arm bushes always seem to be flogged on them too. I drove a turbo one a few weeks ago, was pretty fun. 

 

[kyteler]

So maybe I need to order some more shit before the rest of the stuff arrives.. 

Damn.. 

 

[mjrstar]

Yeah energy suspension has a full bush kit for all suspension arms at a reasonable price.. Ex usa

The ones on my car were actually not too bad so may have already been replaced but did the re-bush anyway.. 

[kyteler]

Mine's at 220k ish and I have a feeling that the first few owners took care of it then not so much.  Which likely means they're average. Will take a look when doing the rest of the gubbins but might put it off until I find a slippery, unless they're proper fucked. 

[Transom]

Nice - cheap roadsters to thrash is what they are made for 

Gearbox and PPF alignment is something to check out before and after dropping the box  to do the clutch - put a straight edge across the “chassis rails “ nope they are beaten in  floor stiffening ribs ... and measure up to the gearbox to front of PPF bolts - see where it’s at now and refer to factory spec for this -

bolts in the diff can be a pain they thread into sleeves - any of this stuff the ocd meearta owners on miata.net have good step by step stuff guides  -also lots of cool builds and knowledge on grassroots Motorsport forum 

[Transom]

And yes diff bushes - think I got whole set minus steering rack bushes for $250 from USA 

[kyteler]

Just now, Transom said:

Nice - cheap roadsters to thrash is what they are made for 

Gearbox and PPF alignment is something to check out before and after dropping the box  to do the clutch - put a straight edge across the “chassis rails “ nope they are beaten in  floor stiffening ribs ... and measure up to the gearbox to front of PPF bolts - see where it’s at now and refer to factory spec for this -

bolts in the diff can be a pain they thread into sleeves - any of this stuff the ocd meearta owners on miata.net have good step by step stuff guides  -also lots of cool builds and knowledge on grassroots Motorsport forum 

I just Googled that up, makes sense.  My "rails" are a bit beat but a before and after like you say should make it pretty easy to sort out.  Unless it's slightly fucked already.  Will see if it's 66mm +/- 5 and figure it out regardless. 

The PPF is a novel thing. 

 

[Transom]

Lots of people have spent money and parts trying to fix gearbox deacceleration noise after removing gearbox - alignment is critical - whole thing is so tied together that the engine mounts and diff bushes all come into the picture - front end of the PPF has slots so there is a bit of play for adjustment 
as for the floor stiffeners they are all smashed in even on std height cars - can get local made stainless steel protective cover that stiffen up the whole car a bit 

you found a soft top local ? All good 

[kyteler]

Yeah, it popped up on the tard the day I got my warrant, I think.  Given I only want it as a temporary measure until I can get a hardtop 200 with no shipping and a minor patch able tear I went with that. Hopefully I can get a hardtop sooner rather than later. 

[kiwi808]

Cool.

[kyteler]

Just now, kiwi808 said:

Cool.

I went to Repco to get a battery as it had a big one in that wasn't mounted properly and it really needs a little one.  I didn't know the exact size so went through the number plate shenanigans... 

The first thing he asked was..  "does it have a rotary in it". 

.. 

No. 

No it doesn't. 

 

[Yowzer]

Can it though?