Out with the Z back with the MX-5's

MX-5 NB: from disaster within 40 kilometers to full build

Some of you might remember my 350Z. I sold it because, honestly, I just missed the MX-5 platform too much — light, simple, and just pure fun to drive and drift.

So I picked up an NB. Cheap deal because it had a “tick” in the engine. I thought it was just a lifter tick… nope. Not a lifter tick. A spun crank bearing.

After only 40 km on the highway, cylinder 2 literally blew out through the side of the block. This whiel we where driving on the freeway.. Yup, total engine destruction. had to leave the car there and pick it up later..

Check out the video here — it’s wild!

After that disaster, I bought a donor MX-5 from Germany. From that car I pulled: LSD, VVT engine, and a 6-speed gearbox. The original NB shell went to Jack for welding and rust repair.

And here comes the first surprise: the “rust-free” MX-5 I bought… wasn’t. Not even close. The rust was so bad that even Jack — a guy who’s welded more MX-5s than I’ve had hot dinners — said he had never seen anything like it. So yeah, solid start. look at the pictures and have a laugh for yourself. Glad jack fixed that up so well!

During COVID, I began building the new engine. That took forever because of the global bearing shortage. Apparently the entire planet decided to catch up on their unfinished projects at the exact same time.

Fast forward: the car is now fully rebuilt, turbocharged, and resprayed yellow. And honestly? Worth every headache. Look at some pictues taken over the time..

Oh, and the fun didn’t stop there. I spent 1.5 years chasing a fuel issue that turned out to be nothing more than a double-assigned output in the ECU settings. Painful. Then an Aux port died on me. But hey — now everything works like it should.

From a “cheap NB with a tick” to a full turbo MX-5 build: a lot of blood, sweat, rust, and swearing went into this, but I wouldn’t trade it for anything.

Specs & goodies

• VVT block with custom equal-length headers manifold

• Turbo setup + full 3-inch exhaust

• Skid Nation cooling shroud with dual fans

• LSD + 6-speed gearbox

• Short shifter

• Complete new fuel system

• Drive-by-wire conversion

• Custom wiring harness

• ECUMaster EMU Black

• ADU 7-inch dash

• Work VSX wheels

• Fastback conversion

• Race buckets + 6-point harnesses

• GC3 roll cage

• Modified knuckles for more steering angle

• Various parts from Skid Nation and BOFI Racing