Welcome to my second project. The first, as you know, ended in disaster. After that, many were shocked that I left the SX brotherhood for something slightly (Ok a lot...) more feminine, a Mazda MX5/Miata NA. I could rabbit on all day about why I chose it, excellent handling, astonishing grip, based on the Lotus Elan chassis, the fact Im pussy-whipped and Leanne has always wanted one...but I wont.
Anyway, when I picked her up:
Engine: Stock 120bhp 1600cc, well maintained, low mileage.
Chassis: Standard
Wheels/Tyres: OZ Saturn 15X6 (ET35) on 195/50 Goodyear Eagle F1s
The transition was difficult. Coming from nearly 300bhp down to a meagre 120bhp isnt easy. I missed the raw grunt of the SX, and I had to do something to make me love the MX5. So, I bought the wheels Id always wanted, Rota GT3s (15X7 ET40) on 195/50 Yokohama Parada Spec 2 tyres.
It worked for 2 weeks or so, and then up for sale she went. I couldnt stand it any more, the lack of power was getting to me. I went on the search for a 180SX, and never looked back...until a week later. I enjoyed the fact I could start up my MX5 everyday, something I could never do in the SX. I enjoyed the ridiculous MPG, the handling...and even the looks. Although I VERY rarely took the roof off. I decided to rekindle my love for the '5, and continue on.
Growing tired of the front plate 'brick', I took it off, and on went the 'Time attack' and 'northloop' decals.
I then decided to buy a hardtop, a Eunos rear panel, and relocate the plates. A few days later, I also fitted bonnet lifters to get rid of some of the heat generated by the engine, and the 'sleepy eye' kit.
I then ordered some adjustable coilovers (the stock MX5 setup are coilovers anyway...) from Spax. The RSX were used on my friends Del Sol, and he had nothing but good things to say about them when we came home from the 'Ring, so that was good enough for me. Ride-height (20-50mm) and damping adjustable (32point), with a spring rate of 8.6kg/mm, and at a decent price. They arrived last week, although I havent got round to fitting them just yet due to a slave cylinder problem.
By this point, Erebus may appear to be a strange name, and youre probably wondering about its relevance. Well, in Greek mythology, Erebus was part of Hades, the underworld. In Christian religion, it has become known as the 'gates of Hell', where the dead pass through immediately after their lives have ended. In more recent times than that (1845), Erebus was one of Franklins ships which ventured to the Northwest passage, never to be seen again, and has been surrounded in myth ever since as to what happened. Erebus was also the first ship to convert to steam powered screw engines. It was a revelation.
After a serious think, I set out plans for the 5. I wanted a very fast track car, and an extremely capable road car (it can be done...) right from the offset. Its what project: Autumn was all about, and I wasnt going to let the dream end with her. The car would see numerous Nurburgring trips, as well as many of the UK tracks. However, despite the great chassis, I only have 120bhp to play with. With an E-manage, exhaust, air filter...Id still only be realistically looking at 140bhp. Even on IRTBs, I could only wish for 155bhp...and so I almost bought a Jackson racing supercharger. But even then, on 7PSI, I was looking at 170-80bhp. People argue thats fast enough...but its not. With a turbo kit I could push past 200bhp, but then Id be looking at a rebuild first...
Plus, its all been done to death. What I need is something powerful, and different. I went into talks with Z cars UK, a prominent company based in Aldborough who built the 'Tiger' westfield car, as well as an AWD 1000bhp Ultima GTR, using twin-turbo'd/nitrous'd hayabusa engines. For £10k, they would strip my car of 300kg of weight, put in a 6spd sequential box, and mate it up to a 450bhp turbocharged hayabusa engine. This would be excellent for a track car...but for the sweeping back-sections of the 'Ring, I would top out far too easily...so the plan:
SR20DET Turbocharged DOHC 4 cylinder
+197bhp
+Extremely strong block
+Stage 1 mods cost less than £1k, and will put power output to 270bhp
+Has been done before, tips and engine mounts available
+Easy to get hold of
+Fairly cheap
-Fairly poor fuel economy
-Average reliability
-High chance of buying a dog
Ive seen several for sale at the moment with everything for around the £800 mark, so the swap is feasible on my budget.
Also, as an update, I fitted my front coilovers two days ago, and will be doing the rears tonight. No pictures Im afraid yet as it took me four hours to remove and re-fit a total of eight bolts, and was therefore understandably in no mood for picture taking. Theyre on though, and although I still need to mess with the dampers and ride height (as well as dial in some hefty negative camber and sort the toe...), I can feel the improvement at the front end already.
How did the adjustable coilovers turn out?
Ill stick to what I know though, but that is a great suggestion. The only problem would be the power, 160bhp for the price I could get one for would be the same as buying a JR supercharger + bits, which would net me a touch more (170-80ish) 
