Help - FAQ

F.A.Q. Frequently Asked Questions

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How can I tell a Eunos Roadster from a MX-5 ?

• A small rectangular rear number plate - usually has 2 lines of text.
• Rear Fog lamp is usually off-set to the right hand side and hangs below the lip of the rear spoiler.
• Speedo is marked in KPH if it has not been changed. 0-180 km/h.
• Distance traveled is in Kilometers.
• The oil pressure gauge reads kg/cm3
• All Roadsters have the boot/trunk mounted brake/stop lamp
• Most have Air Con. fitted.
• Large Radio (usually Panasonic), without a converter unit fitted will not pick up British Frequencies. With the re-tuner, the radio won't display the correct frequency.
• Radio Antenna may be on the L/H rear wing instead of the R/H side as with all GB Mk.1 MX-5's.
• Eunos has a lower price but higher insurance.
• Headlights do not have CE markings. Replace them with 7" Sealed Beam Lights.
• Tyres do not have CE markings. - Replace for MOT.
• None or very little Service History.
• No 'HPI' type checks available.
• Glove-box Owners Manual in Japanese ?
• Soft-Top operation instructions are in Japanese (On Sun-visor)
• May have Roll/Style Bars.
• Some cars have engine / ECU modifications
• Large non standard Exhaust systems is sometimes fitted
• Body Kits and Spoilers are sometimes fitted
• RED side reflectors (UK '5 are normally amber)
• Round front badge with a diamond shaped design
• Half diamond shape logo on Wheel center's
• May have a temperature sensor on CAT
• Could still have a Japanese Ministry of Transportation inspection sticker in the front windscreen.
• Imports have not been rust-proofed.
• If the car is an import then the first British MOT should have the cars chassis number as the Vehicle's ID number.
• NA6CE-100021 = First Eunos Roadster VIN Number.
• Mk 2 Roadsters have a similar back to European market MX5s, except on the European cars, the off-side reverse light has been converted to a fog light.
• No Rear Fog Light unless added for UK MoT test.

What was the first UK MX-5 chassis number ?
JMZNA18B200100001

UK VIN's decoded - The 17 Characters used....

JMZNA18B200100001 ... 1990
JMZNA18B201121900 ... 1991

JMZ = Mazda Motor Corp.  (originally imported as UK specification)
NA = MX-5
1 = R/W Drive
8 = 2 Door Convertible
B = 1.6 / P = 1.8 (Engine Size)
2 = 5 Speed ( Transmission Type)
0 = N/A
0 or 1 = 0 - Hiroshima Plant ... 1 = Hofu Plant
###### - sequence number

What was the first Japanese Eunos Roadster chassis number ?
NA6CE-100021
First 1.8i Roadster = NA8C-100016
First J Limited = NA6CE-150211
First S Special = NA6CE-209203
First MK1. Series II = NA8C-400007

Japan VIN's decoded

NA6CE-100021

NA6 or NA8 = NA6 - 1.6 Roadster  or  NA8 - 1.8 Roadster

NA6CE (1989-93 120PS 1.6), NA8CE (1993-97 130PS 1.8), NB6CE/NB8CE (1998-present revised model, 1.6/1.8)

 

C or CE = C -    CE - 
###### - sequence number

Example of an USA Miata VIN number.
JM1NA3512L0100014

USA VIN's decoded

JM1NA3512L0100014

JM = Mazda Motor Corp.
1 = Car, 2 = Truck, 3 = MPV
NA or NB = NA - Miata (M1 = 90-97)  NB - Miata (M2=99.##)
35 = Convertible
1 or 3 = 1 - 1.6 (90-93)  & 3 - 1.8 (94-##)
# = Check Number (0 thru  Z)

L=1990 M=91 N= 92 P=93 R=94 S=95 T=96 V=97 W=98 X=99 Y=2k 1=2K1 2=2K2 3=2k3 etc...
0 or 1 = 0 - Hiroshima Plant ... 1 = Hofu Plant ... 91-93 show 0 or 1  and  90 and 93-on are 0
###### - sequence number

check the factory USA Mazda database with your VIN number on 800-222-5500  (USA Only)

What size engine is in my car ?
If the cam cover has sunken lettering then it is a 1.6 engine, if the lettering is raised then it is a 1.8 engine. also check the engine number. If it starts B6###### it's a 1.6 engine
and if it starts BP###### then it's a 1.8 engine.
Eunos Roadster - if VIN starts NA6CE = 1.6i or NA8C = 1.8i

Why are the 'Roadster' Badges Different Colours ?
Can be used as a rough guide to the cars age.
See the Eunos Model Guide or Miata Model Guide for details.

What are the plastic clips the passenger foot-well of my Eunos Roadster for ?
For holding a Flare/Distress beacon (required in Japan)  - Illegal in UK.

What are those wires under my seat for ?
They Could be for a set of headrest speakers.? Trace wires back to source if un-sure. Connecting speakers across non-speaker wires (a 12V DC supply) could burn the speaker coils out.  New speakers please   :-(

Can a Supercharger be fitted to my car (Mk.1) ?
YES - If you have ABS fitted you will need a special kit because some of the brake pipes get in the way.

Can a Turbo charger be fitted to my car (Mk.1) ?
YES.

What Performance increase will I get from fitting a Supercharger or Turbocharger ?
Better acceleration (More Horsepower and Increased Torque). These modifications will not give you a higher top speed, as that is governed by the cars gear ratios you will just get there quicker.    :-)

How many miles can I get from a standard OE Mazda Clutch ?
Depends how you drive the car. (WedEd - I changed mine at  98,000  and it still had at least 6 - 10,000 miles left in it.)

Will a Mk.1 Air Intake Grill fit a Mk.2 MX-5 ?
No. The Mk.2 Air Intake has a larger opening.

When does my Cam-belt need changing ?
Cam-belt change is due every 60,000 miles or 100,000 kms.

Why is my rear screen is covered in scratches, ?
This is because of the way the roof folds down. The rear hood support/frame rests across the plastic screen, so as the car flexes and twists when cornering scratches the plastic window. If you haven't got a hood cover or don't use the hood cover to keep the turbulent air away from the hood, results in the same. To stop this from happening cover the plastic window with a small cloth, towel, or use a Rear Window Protector (see JAZbags) before lowering the hood. 
To remove some of the scratches use a plastic polish (Meguiars Plastic Polish #17 harsh, #10 fine).  The other option is fit a glass rear screen.  

Show me how good Meguiars Polish really is.....     
L/H Side = Before (with Scratches)    R/H Side = After using Meguiars polish.

Can I fit a rear glass window, ?
Yes & No...
Yes, if none, some or all are fitted to your car.  - Wind-stop, style- bar which is fitted to the seat- belt pillars.
No, if you have a roll-bar, style-bar, or roll- cage that has extra support bars fixed to the shelf behind the seats.
(The Original plastic window does not lay flat on rear shelf.)

Where can I get a rear glass window for my MX-5, ?
Matt Developments can supply and fit them.  Tel: 020 88031122   Mobile 07932 103639

Can the Japanese catalyst be exchanged for a UK or US spec one ?
YES. It may have a temperature sensor on the side, which can be left disconnected. Shows a warning on the dashboard if the' CAT' overheats.

Does my MX-5 need a CAT. ?
For the UK market, if the car was first registered in Japan pre-August 1992, it can be replaced with a straight through pipe.

Demon-Tweeks: £55.66 inc. VAT and delivery. can supply the 'Magnex' CAT Replacement  Stainless Steel Pipe; 25 yr. guarantee.  approx 3 days delivery.

MAZTEK:  £56.00 (inc. VAT) + £5.00 carriage.  They only accept a written order with cheque and will deliver  to any address of your choice.

Why doesn't my Import/Eunos Roadster go faster. ?
Roadster imports are speed limited by law in Japan, to 111mph (180 km/h). so may not have been derestricted before export from Japan. The 1.6 cars are easy to de-restrict, merely removal of a screw from the speedometer circuit board (Looking at the printed circuit board , there are two big multi-connectors ,each with 12 connections. They are labeled 'a' to 'l' and 'A' to 'L'. The 'G' connection is marked 180kp/h sw  If you trace the circuit up the board, it leads to the screw). 
The 1.8's are restricted through the ECU (as an anti-tamper design). To de-restrict these requires re-mapping or replacement of the ECU. 
UK Speed Limit is 70mph so there's no real need to de-restrict. Acceleration is not affected.
Roadster imports are speed limited by law in Japan, to 180 km/h. so may not have been derestricted before export from Japan. The 1.6 cars are easy to de-restrict, merely removal of a screw from the speedometer circuit board (Looking at the printed circuit board , there are two big multi-connectors ,each with 12 connections. They are labeled 'a' to 'l' and 'A' to 'L'. The 'G' connection is marked 180kp/h sw  If you trace the circuit up the board, it leads to the screw). 
The 1.8's are restricted through the ECU (as an anti-tamper design). To de-restrict these requires re-mapping or replacement of the ECU. 
UK Speed Limit is 70mph so there's no real need to de-restrict. Acceleration is not affected.

How many miles can I get out of my MX-5 Tyres ?
40,000 - 60,000 with normal road use. (Rotate the tyres every service interval -  L/H Front to L/H Back, L/H Back to L/H front, R/H Front to R/H Back & R/H Back to R/H Front )

How to read tyre wall data:

 

Where can I get a body-kit for my MX-5. ?
 UK
Moss-Europe - 020 8867 2020
LV engineering - 020 7624 4588
NipponR - 0131 4471125
Maztek - 01952 244266
PowerDrift - 01435 864573
 USA and Japan
check  www.miata.net  for all the banner ads.
suppliers links also on my Address Book page.

Is it OK to REDLINE the Engine. ?
Yes - There is a Rev Limiter built into the Engine Management system  which is set to 7200rpm. The engine was designed and built to be used above 4000rpm. and will happily change gear at 6000+ rpm.

What is Mazda's Recommended Servicing Schedule. ?

 

What colour is my MX-5 - Mazda Colours & Colour Codes

Aquarius Blue - 12R Artic Blue - F2 Aroma Red - 18U Art Vin Red - 23E Ash Black - 15P Aster Blue - TD Astoria Green - 22N Autumn Red - 15Y Bay Blue - DV Bayside Blue - 1E Black - 16W Blaze Yellow Mica - 26S Brave Blue - 5N Bright Blue - A2E Brilliant Black - PZ Brilliant Black II - HX Brilliant Black II - A3F British Racing Green - HU Burning Red - SQ Canarian Blue - Z2 Carribean Blue - Z1 Cerion Silver - ???? Champayne Gold - V8 Champayne Silver - 4F Charcoal Grey - 6C Chaste White - PT Classic Red - SU Classic Red - A3E Clear White - UF Conneticut Blue - J1 Cool White - A2W

Coral Brown - B5 Coral Silver - F6 Crystal Blue - 23C Crystal White - UC Cygnus White - HS Diamond White - A2C Dover White - WU Elegant Beige - 6M Emerald Silver - 2E Emerald - 16P Eternal Red - A3E Evolution Orange - 18K Excellent Green - 11Q Fern Green - G6 Fern Grey - 15X Forest Green - 5S Gardenia Green - 5U Grace Green - 18J Graphite Grey - Z6 Harbour Blue - 5D Highlight Silver - 18G Ice Blue - 22L Indigo Blue (metallic) - 12N Indigo Mica - 1V Innocent Blue - 20P Laguna Blue - 6W Laurel Green - 11Q Lime Green - G6 Luna Green - J7 Malachite - Z8 Maple Red - D7

Marina Green - 13C Mariner Blue - DU Maya Green - 15Q Medium Blue - 16S Mercury Silver - 18G Mid Green - 15X Misty Blue - U6 Montego Blue - M8 Moondust Silver - 20N Mystic Blond - 21Z Neat Green - 5S Neptune Blue - A1D Niagara Silver - 1S Nifty Red/Blaze Red - A1T Noble Green - VQ Noble Green II - 11N Noble White - WY Ocean Blue - J1 Oriental Red - 12H Pacific Blue - 4Y Passion Red - 22K Passion Rose - J4 Passion Rose II - 11L Plantinum Mica - J3 Prestige Silver - 5G Racing Blue - 12K Racing Bronze - 18K Racing Green - 18J Racing Silver - 18G Radiant Red - A2D Regent Blue - DR

Sand Grey - 1C Satellite Blue - A5 Seychells Green - 20Q Shadow Silver - 3G Silent Silver - 4Z Silver Stone - 3L Solomon Blue - 12L Solomon Blue II - 11P Sparkle Green - 11R State Blue - 15L Steel Grey - 1H Stella Blue - Q2 Strato Blue Metallic - ???? Sunbeam Yellow - K3 Sunburst Yellow - HZ Sunlight Silver - 22V Sunrise Red - RH Supreme Blue - 22A Sydney Blue - DP Teal Green - 18V Thunder Grey - 6Z Titanium Grey - ???? Tornado Grey - Z9 Twilight Blue - 12K Vin Rouge - A1Q Vin Rouge - A7 Vintage Red - NU Vivid Green - 16P Warm Grey - 3N Willow Green - 6Y Winning Silver - 1F

 

 

Check out my
Hints & Tips, DIY, Importing a MX-5
pages for even more info.