I have a 1998 Mk1 and really like this new exhaust available from good old mx5 parts: http://www.mx5parts.co.uk/product_info.php/products_id/1114
However, it states that the exahust only fits MK1’s up to 1996. Can anyone tell me why this wont fit on a MK1 1998? The one they offer for the 1998 model is not as nice and the reviews dont suggest the slight extra ‘growl’ that im looking for!
Thanks for your help!
I don’t know if you are talking about the twin exit one but if you are it’s because of the size of the cat . The exhaust won’t fit with the 470mm cat they fitted on the later cars.
I have a 1996 Mk1 1.8 and my other half got me one when they were on offer as a surprise. I kept it but ended up having the cat modified by the fella’s at Kingswinford tyres locally. They are top blokes {Powerflow centre} who did a great and cheap job to solve problems with this and a knackered locking wheel nut, tyre prices are good as well. I wish though that she had bought one that fitted from the off as you can only fit by having it or the cat modified, the other size cats don’t fit the car, so I will be in the same boat when the cat is knackered.
It won’t fit Europe-only 470mm cat cars. 440mm and 370mm are the same cat-back.
To fit the exhaust to these later cars you either need to get the exhaust cut and rewelded (has been dnoe), fit as is (will sort of fit, but the tail pipe will hang out of the bumper, some peoplke are happy with this), or replace the down-pipe and cat with parts from an earlier car.
I have the twin-pipe version of what your looking at and had a similar problem. I solved it by getting a cat by-pass then, when the next MOT was due bought a new JR free flow cat to replace the old one. All fits and doesn’t look like wheelbarrow handles sticking out the back of the car!
hope this helps…
Jon
Hi , can you tell me where you got the cat and what model it is ?
Cheers
Alex
I have a mk1 97 with a 475mm cat, i got a larini sports exhaust and it bolted straight onto the cat.