S2IM

Dust am not bothered about. I want a better bite on the pad. So had the car returned from the body shop. Front looks great. Will post a pic once i have given it a buff. Weird thing... Car was on axel stands all night in the body shop until lunch time today. Got in the car and it felt all over the place like. Got to Richs and had a look. One side was nearly 1.5-2" higher than the other specifically on the rear. How long does to take for suspension to settle after being off the found for 24 hours? Currently looking online for a new coilovers setup as it looks like a 4x4 MX5!

Dropped off into the body shop this morning for a front end re-spray. Bumper and bonnet was a mess thanks to the brilliant resurfacing the highways agency have been up to. Gravel seems to now account for a decent road surface replacement to tarmac! Will post up a couple of pics once done before and after. Then onto the brakes and a service next. Mintex pads - any good? There is a rather good offer on at the mo which I may take up.

What do droplinks do?

I think the MM variants are the thickness of the insulation reading on Magnecor's site. Not length but waiting for confirmation Still getting the rough idle when pulling up to junctions to a standing stop and 3k hesitancy when cold so hopefully a new set will cure.

You're right Andy. There are 7mm, 8 and 8.5mm lead variants for both the MK1 and 2. I was about to order but I'm now also confused about what to buy. Ill speak to them and find out/report back.

Seems one of them isn't patching a hole on vinyl material. Keeps coming unstuck. Any ideas before the weekend downpours?! Don't say a bucket!

Its all good... I just bought some duct tape in the interim

All I can think (and I am sure you aware!) is that each lead is a different length from the coil to the plug... wrong way round? Is the Mk1 a 1.8 as well?

So little update Decided to go with the MX5Parts mid section which mates to the existing cat by cutting the old pipe off and fitting over a sleeve. This has a silenced section so pretty much a standard replacement. The MX5Parts back box and Pipercross filter also arrived same day, Joe as able to take the car in at lunch for me so first task was getting the old one off. The only reason i ordered the mid section was due to the terrible corrosion on the original at the flanges. I don't think it would have come apart cleanly! Some pics of the rotten old exhaust!! New one fitted: Great sound. Not intrusive and not raspy either compared to the reviews i read. Perhaps its the new mid section thats quietened down the rasp but you know its there. Fitted the panel filter quickly as well. Just to help it breathe a little better from the manky old paper thing that was in there. Cleaned the MAF out a couple of weeks ago as well to sort out the flat spot at 3k when cold. Helped a little but I am sure it must be the leads now. They have a bad tendency to break down on these due to their location. My last 5 went through 2 sets in 2 years so this time ill spend a little more and go for some premium ones. It'll need new brakes in approx 3000 miles and an oil change at the same time. Looks like its going to need a new roof sooner than later as well, the rubbers still fill with water and i yesterday noticed a 1.5" split in the hood near the rear glass window which i am sure was done by the Jet Wash chaps but no proof. Only noticed it when they blasted the car and i got water on my neck. Rather annoying as i wanted to get it sitting a bit better but the roof/brakes and oil change will take precedence as its the daily drive! Thanks to Joe for taking it in at short notice

Thanks Rich

So it seems… been getting massively annoyed! Will sort a photo bucket account and try again.

I did actually get a quote from 2 places (including them) and its not cheap. Especially when considering its a simple bit of 2.5" pipe with a flange on either side we are talking a couple of hundred. The mid section is actually OK on my car, the issue is that the original backbox wont come off as its so badly corroded at the flange so need to replace. What the matter with the cobalt mid section on yours? Does it not fit flush?

Half the price of a new one and it looks in very good condition Means I can put the savings towards the suspension pot Will be with me Tuesday. Really struggling to find anywhere that would do an aftermarket midpipe without the CAT on a 98-2000 car. Only seen one so far. Options are limited but also looking at replacing with a mk2.5 manifold as these are 4-2-1 standard and that would give me more options on the mid pipes.(removable CAT etc)

As if by magic an mx5parts single exhaust came up in the mx5 buy and sell group earlier on FB. Bought it and being sent next week. Now onto the mid pipe and induction!

That's the issue mate! Yours is the right size/sound combo... Pain they made the mk2 half an inch bigger again. The mx5parts exhaust is the perfect size but quite raspy on the videos I've heard. Will be making a decision today and ordering later!

Seems Cobalt only made one size for the mk2/2.5 and it's a 4". They are imported in. But yep it doesn't look that big on the video. Perfect sound as well.

Really i didn't know that...... Seems odd they've stopped making them for such a prolific car? They only list them for a mark 3 upwards now. And it looks/sounds rather nice!

So this is the cobalt 4" single on a video... Opinions:

They have stopped making them. I did have one on my old Mk2 and it really didn't make a sound at all. Which is bizarre as they sound great on a lot of other cars!

The steering racks were a common thing on that shape to cause knocking. Not trying to scare you!

Everything I've read about this 1.0 litre engine has been full of praise. Be interesting to see what fuel economy you get. Also be interesting if they are mappable!

What you saved on your insurance you could buy 4 new ones! Didn't realise it had a full size spare. My old type R was a space saver if I remember. Can you not move the spare tyre onto the alloy until winter?

Thanks Rich So the options are: Cobalt 4" as above Cobalt 3.5" duals: Mx5 parts single: Ruled out the custom route today (well the local ones in Watford). Was not filled with confidence. There is a mx5parts dual as we'll but it's pricey. Magnex and super sprint do one but again huge tail pipes! I reckon 3.5" will be the sweet spot. The duals above sound very good and warming to them a little. Think it might look quite good once I get the suspension sorted and lowered. Budget is key. I don't want to spend half the cars value on an exhaust.

Annoyingly I don't have the photo anymore... can you post it up Rich?