Progress update from ALM Speed Freaks Garage on the MX5 mods:
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MX5 Python by DKC Design House
Dinner King Customs brings you the Python, a one-of-a-kind restomodded MX-5 Miata built for your leisure.
Having installed a single turbo, DKC meticulously tuned the original engine so it can produce 250hp and 242.5 ft-lbs of torque.
The addition of active aero on the back end helps keep the Python planted, and you can feel the breeze with the soft top down.
New double wishbone front and rear suspension has also been added to make your ride smooth as silk.
And it can be all yours for 37,400 AMU (including penalties)
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Exclusive: KNR MX-56 Revealed!
As previously covered, KuroNeko Racing (aka KNR) have been working on a new ‘model’ that is actually a complete overhaul of the Mazda MX-5 (NA), and further details and photographs have just been released. Designated the KNR MX-56, this vehicle sees the aging MX-5 NA platform stripped back to bare metal, reinforced and rebuilt to be a focused racing machine that is still street-legal*.
(* Depending on exact jurisdictions, some parts may need to be replaced or omitted).
The old 4-cylinder engine is removed, and in its place is an in-house retuned version of the Nissan’s aluminium, DOHC-32 valve, 5.6L V8 VK56DE powerplant featuring a functional ram-air system! The press-release from KNR is a little vague on exact power figures, however, an anonymous insider has told us that the power target was somewhere in the vicinity of 300kW.
KNR have indicated that a full roll-cage is able to be installed as a nil-cost option, which provides an extra layer of safety, as well as is bound to stiffen up the chassis and provide much better track performance.
A completely redone interior has allowed a real focus on the driver and minimises excess weight wherever possible. Although the original MX-5 was a lightweight car, the addition of the v8 engine, roll-cage, and modern safety equipment meant that KNR had to go searching for ways to reduce weight - cabin luxuries being one of them.
With that being said, the driver can still enjoy a reasonably well featured HUD system, along with climate control and a functional (albeit fairly basic these days) stereo system. If even this seems like too much of a sacrifice, as fitting its focused nature, the climate control and stereo are able to be deleted from your build order at nil-cost.
When pushed for pricing, the KNR reps were a bit less forthcoming with information, blaming a range of modification and cost factors that make it difficult to say. However, we managed to eventually wear away their resistance and apparently it should be available from AD$40,000 in total.
5 Likes
LMJ DESIGN PRESENTS
THE MAZDA MX-5 “BLUE FALCON”
Yes, convertibles are nice and all of that. But if you want to be a bit different, and own something that nobody else has, a Miata shooting brake is the way to go, right? Also, love for the Miata probably means love for the 90s and Japan. The colour matched 3 spoke wheels, as well as the mono wiper are both nods to the 90s tuner culture, while styling and livery is inspired by the futuristic hovercraft “Blue Falcon” from the Super NES game “F-Zero”, now that’s a fair dose of nostalgia, right?
Under the shell, though, not much is left of the 90s. A 2.3 litre Ford Ecoboost engine provides power that even makes it feel like the Blue Falcon - or how about a 0-100 time of 4.2 seconds and a top speed of 280 km/h while still keeping the fuel economy at a sane 6 litres per 100 km? Of course, we have uprated things like the brakes and suspension, that now copes with the power more than well.
6 Likes
Welp, looks like great minds think alike…
Experience a driving experience that blossoms before your very eyes.
A beauty as timeless as nature itself.
A beauty as timeless as nature itself.
Features
Lightweight partial aluminum bodywork
2.5L, 340hp handcrafted turbocharged boxer 6
7sp dual clutch transmission
Custom magnesium wheels
Adaptive, adjustable sport dampers
Artisanal semi-aniline brown leather interior with checkered seat inserts
10-speaker hi-fi Borg and Olurfen sound system
Chilled beverage compartment
Lightweight partial aluminum bodywork
2.5L, 340hp handcrafted turbocharged boxer 6
7sp dual clutch transmission
Custom magnesium wheels
Adaptive, adjustable sport dampers
Artisanal semi-aniline brown leather interior with checkered seat inserts
10-speaker hi-fi Borg and Olurfen sound system
Chilled beverage compartment
4 Likes
MX240 Clubsprint by LVC
A lightweight blend of retro styling and modern mechanicals, enhanced with the latest technology. Yours for $40k AMU.
Price breakdown
Base price: $32k
Front double wishbone suspension: $1k
Fiberglass bodywork: $1.5k
Bodywork morphs/patch: $2.5k
New engine/gearbox: $3k
Total: $40k
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Submissions is closing tomorrow, you can still submit as long as it is friday 23rd whereever you are on the planet.
I have so far recieved adds and cars from:
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Submissions is closed, thanks you for contributing.
Results will probably come within a week.
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Ok, lets begin with 2 unfortunate eliminations…
MX-V10 from @AMuteCrypt
This is really a sleeper in more ways then intended, subtle restyling with some nice touches like black steel rims as a wink to the original car. Very nice blue paintjob.
Unfortunatly I found a itsy bitsy tiny little rulebreak, quality on turbos is on -5 (max -4)
Then it is the engine, this car has a 3l V10 but still the lowest on power (250hp) tied to the only car with the original I4 1.6. But that is kind of ok, the biggest problem is a throttle respons at 12.6, this engine has a hard time waking up. The rest of the stats is average, a little plus for good fuel economy.
Blue Falcon from @Knugcab
Interesting car here, very nice work fitting that roof and get it to look like it is a part of the original model. I really like the all glass rear end with hidden rear lights.
The engine is one of the best here, 2.3l I4 turbo, giving 309hp. And I dont know how you did it, the best fuel economy by far 6,3l/100km!
Now to the boring bit, the biggest problem is all Tech Pool at 0 (all 5), model year still 92 (all 20), you did put a steering wheel in there, but on the wrong side.
Thanks to the TP miss, the car is the most expensive and the customization costs a little to much. total price 41500. (40000).
To be continued…
3 Likes
The steering wheel, OK, I was first not going to do an interior, then I put in a dummy one for better photoshoots and since I had not read the regulations regarding interior, well…my fault.
Regarding TP and price, I think I knew what went wrong. I guess I exported the wrong car…that was not updated to the new ruleset. 
I was going to say export error first, but…no. My fault. Again. 
1 Like
ARM 23 - Reviews and Verdict
Time to catch up with Matt Preston to see how his restomod challenge is going.
On his desk he have the plans and drawings of six very different ideas of what a MX5 can become.
He asked a 3D model artist he knew to create the six cars as detailed digital models to better evaluate the shapes from all angles.
Even do Matt will have the final word in what car to choose, of course he have to do a video and show the plans and models to his audience, and then let his subscibers vote and comment on their favourite car.
This is the result…
Kuroneko Racing MX-56 by @machalel
Scored 62 points of 100.
Pros.
Styling: Lovely lemon yellow paintwork with some tasteful carbon details. The body is all remade in aluminium with well integrated and nicely shaped wide bodykit that does`nt take away to much from the original car.
Performance: The fastest car with the biggest and most powerfull engine. It also have the second most advanced gearbox and the most advanced suspension.
Cons.
The engine: This is a very good engine, 5.5l DOHC 32v V8 giving 402 hp at 5400 rpm. The question is, is it the right engine in a small sportscar with the low reving characteristics? Maybe not.
Costs: The asked price 30000A$ is ok, but all this lovely tech comes at a price, this car have a service cost that is more then 1000A$ higher then the nearest rival, add the second highest fuel consumption and the lowest reliability score.
Hmmm, it is something a little off with looks of this car… Oh, the wheels are surprisingly small, 15” with 45 profile and with the most stagger (tied).
MX5 Treadkillers Hot’n’Rodders #1 by @Mikonp7
Scored 69 of 100
Pros.
Stytling: A MX5 Hot Rod! There are absolutly a brutalistc beauty to this one with the open front end, racing inspired interior and brushed steel finish on the body.
Costs: Even with all the heavy modifikations it is the cheapest offering.
Cons.
Styling: This is a car you take to car shows and meetings, with the exposed engine, barebone interior and the lowest comfort score, it is a bit to hard to live with for road use.
Engine: 5.0l pushrod V8, Suitable engine in a Hot Rod i guess.
Costs: Highest fuel consumption by far (17L/100km) and high service costs makes this expensive to run.
Summary.
This is a true show car that probably won’t be driven much, and as such, maybe the fuel and service costs doesn’t matter.
to be continued…
3 Likes
The Bean body sets (especially the smallest two) tend to have narrow engine bays, and fitting even a modestly sized DOHC 32v V8 would consume a lot of horizontal space. That’s why I went with a small high-revving I6 instead.
Yep that’s true! Definitely hurts servicing costs massively. I knew I’d take a hit because of it (although didn’t realise how much) but wanted to see what I could do and how fast i could make it within the constraints
P.s. inspiration was taken from this:
MX5 with Lexus 4.0L v8 sold here in Australia 
(Including supercharged version)
1 Like
ARM 23 - Reviews and Verdict
MX5 Python by @DinnerKingDedede
Scored 76 points of 100.
Pros.
Styling: This car keeps a lot of the original MX5 features, even if the body is rebuilt in aluminiun the added spoiler, sideskirts, scoop and wing suits the car well and makes it look just right. The brushed aluminiun finish with blue”Viper” stripes is just gorgeous.
Engine: The only car to keep the original 1.6 but with an added turbo, it gives the same amount of power as the only V10 in the line up.
Suspension: All Active suspension makes this car easy to drive with emphasis on sportiness over comfort.
Cons.
Costs: A lot of quality components makes this car the second most expensive and with the second highest service cost, (after Blue Falcon with TP all 0) second best fuel consumption makes it to look a little better.
Performance: Second slowest 0-100 km/h, just slightly quicker then the V10 car.
Summary.
If you ask me, this cars good balance of power, prestanda and handling makes it work fine as a fun and entertaining daily driver, add good reliability to that.
to be continued…
3 Likes
I’m guaranteed a top-three finish, having just seen the verdicts on the other cars.
And if I’m not mistaken, Prestanda is Swedish for Performance - which is what my proposal was focused on, but at a sizable price ($40k with aftermarket options included, as stated in the OP), although I know it will still be worth it.
1 Like
ARM 23 - Reviews and Verdict
MX240 Clubsprint by @abg7
Scored 82 points of 100.
Pros.
Styling: Another car that keeps the styling close to the original, but this time the hole body is remade in fibre glass and given a subtle retro vibe. The paintjob is very tasty, bright yellow with a hint of orange, no metallic or flakes here. The color sheme continues in a nice interior, black cloth, black carbon and yellow details.
Engine: Another tight squeeze, lenghtwise this time. A 2.4L, NA I6 that makes 300hp @ 8000rpm doesn’t make this the fastest car here , but as the difference in performace between all 8 cars is very small, still makes this a very fast car.
Weight: Thanks to fibre glass body this is the lightest car in the line up.
Cons.
A few minor things, thanks to the high reving engine it is the noisiest car (tied), high service costs and fuel consumption.
Summary.
This car has the most average stats of all, except the weight. Not the best, not the worst, It is a good solid contender.
to be continued…
2 Likes
Given that it’s in the lightest car, 300 horsepower is more than enough to make the Clubsprint an entertaining drive. However, this size of the FR Bean body set has a very short engine bay, so a 2.4L I6 is very close to the length limit. Also, I was expecting it to be the loudest car, given that I went for a performance intake.
2 Likes