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Which MX5 donor?
So I'm still at the thinking stage of what donor to use for a build and am begining to sway towards an MX5 build. My hope would be to use an MX5 for the initial build and IVA then move onto a zetec/duratec engine.
So as a start. What MX5 can I use to base my build on mk1, mk2 or mk3? (I'm thinkng mk1 or early mk2) Is the running gear (uprights, shafts, etc) the same on the mk1, mk2 or mk3? If I get a diff case from the likes of Phil at Talon can I use the sierra based build rear end? How easy is it going to be to swap over to a zetec/duratec after it gets IVAd. Will zetec/duratec and gearbox mate to a mx5 diff etc? I'm going round in circles and struggling to make any decisions :( I've done loads of reading on here and over at locost builders but my head is minced with all the variables at the moment. Think I need to decide on a route and just go for it. Cheers folks |
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There's nothing stopping you having a complete set of MX5 running gear with a Zetec and a Type 9 box for example. Heck, there's nothing wrong with you using the uprights and brakes from one marque, with a diff from another, engine and box from a third etc etc. |
We all have different views and ideas it's a bespoke hand built sports car my opinion is mx5 is readily available I went for mx5 and made my own version of Phil's rear diff cover if you look at my pics but use the Sierra rear end frame so you could swap to a Sierra diff at a later date.
Why do you want to go duratec though? A nice jap engine are pretty much indestructible if it's power you want strap a mini supercharger to it or do a turbo conversion later! (That's my route) Whatever you decide there is lots of info between the guys on this forum that can help in your build!! |
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Thats my thoughts on using a mx5 rather than a sierra. Was the diff cover difficult to make? Not really decided 100% on the ultimate end game yet, I think I like the simplicity of a non charged engine and my goal will be 150-200 bhp. I've got a supercharged Golf R32 and as much as I love the supercharger I think I'd rather have something just solid and reliable in an engine. More food for thought though, thanks.[/quote]
It's not difficult if your blessed like me to have a lathe at my disposal!! It's just so handy to look at something then have a brain wave on how to make it. 1.8 Mazda mx5 larger injectors multisquirt ecu or equivalent port polished head induction kit will be pushing into the 150 area bearing in mind these cars weigh 600kg roughly so bhp per tonne about 250 it's a waste if you can't get the power down!! |
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It's not difficult if your blessed like me to have a lathe at my disposal!! It's just so handy to look at something then have a brain wave on how to make it. 1.8 Mazda mx5 larger injectors multisquirt ecu or equivalent port polished head induction kit will be pushing into the 150 area bearing in mind these cars weigh 600kg roughly so bhp per tonne about 250 it's a waste if you can't get the power down!![/quote] I was spoiled and had a Caterham CSR200 for 4 days drive around the highlands of Scotland and would really love to try to emulate that power. I'm also contemplating joining the local sprint club for a bit of fun. But it's all pie in the sky until I actually make a start. I've managed to swing a work trip south next week so going to tie it in with a trip to Stoneleigh for my fist visit to a kit car show. Think I might have to leave my wallet behind though or I'll do something stupid. |
I chose the sierra route with the thinking of using a nice easy 1600 pinto engine then swapping it out later post iva for something with serious grunt.....I chose the serious grunt first because in hindsight I am glad I chose my prefered engine over the pinto as it would have been soul destroying to do the upgrade after iva ....my advice would be to go for the engine you want in the car with the thoughts of future tunability so the later ford twin cams are a good choice as they will give a proportionate power increase to what you spend on them.My choice of engine gave me this massive tunability but it was a hard install. If I had gone the other way I would more than likely got sick of it, just my tuppence worth:D
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If you go down the mx5 route stay mx5 as the engines as mentioned are very good and there are plenty of tuning options available. The wiring loom from the donor needs to be used so if you were to change the engine you would need to retire the whole car.
If you were to go zetec it would be easier to go sierra donor route and follow the book spec chassis. I've gone down the mx5 route. Mk2 may be a way to go with the steering as you will be able to get more lock on the steering due to the arms being higher. There are lots of cheap parts available and lots of donors. David |
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If I was starting again I'd probably go for a late Mk2 MX5 donor which put out around 150bhp as standard.
I was tempted at one point to swap my 1.6 for a Mk2 engine, but I'm not sure I can face the job of rewiring the whole bl00dy car again. I'd definitely advise you to build it the way you want it from the start. If you've got your heart set on a Duratec have a look at the Mk3 MX5. Not the cheapest donor, but the diff looks easier to mount and they come with a Mazda MZR L engine - Ford also use this engine, but re-badge it as a Duratec. |
Ford stands for two things, Fix Or Repair Daily or Found On Roadside Dead draw your own conclusions.
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ah my head is done in now, started reading about superchargers for the mx5, no idea what to do now........
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For our roadsters (darling:o ) |
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What do you want to use the car for? If it's just for a car to have a bit of fun with and you're not planning to build it with a race series in mind, then ultimately any common configuration would result in a fun car to drive. Even a car with a Crossflow fitted is still a fun car to drive today. |
Use too late a donor though and you'll need to fit a CAT to pass the IVA emissions test.
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you can't fit 13" wheels on the sierra uprights can you?
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nope....14's are a squeeze as well:(
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Talking on exhaust CAT`s, what year do they need to be fitted from?
When you go for a n MOT with a kit car and has an engine that needs a CAT on the original car, will the MOT tester actually know what engine you git fitted, only ask as when i have been in the past with cars they just want to know the engine size. I ahve taken a diesel car before which was a petrol and they didnt bother aslong as they knew what fuel the engine was running. |
Cats came in on the j plate 1993. The mot station will know the full spec of your engine date of engine manufacture etc as they use the dvla data base, which we have to provide the evidence of the engine age? No getting around it, some exhaust manufacturers do a seven style exhaust with a cat already built in, I am sure that vortex is one ? Cats aren't reallya legal requirement, trouble is, without one, you won't hit the emissions requirements.
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If you pick an engine that was manufactured in 1995 or earlier you shouldn't need a CAT to pass IVA or MOT emissions (regardless of whether the engine was fitted with a CAT in a different vehicle).
What I'm not quite sure about is what happens if you change to a newer engine post-IVA. This is what it says about engine swaps in the MOT Testers Manual: --------- Vehicles Fitted with a differnt engine Test according to which is older, engine or vehicle. e.g. A 1995 car fitted with a 1991 engine (of whatever make), test to 1991 standards for emission purposes. Note: The onus is on the vehicle presenter to prove engine age. --------- So if you pass IVA with say a 1992 engine and no CAT, then swap to say a 2002 engine you may well need to fit a CAT to pass MOT emissions! |
The MX5 CATS are not even that expensive, all around £50. A lot are not much nowadays for the engines we use.
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