MK2 MX5 Running Gear mounting advice
 

Firstly, sorry if this is posted in the wrong section!!!!

I am starting a new Locost build based off a 1999 MX5 (MK2) 1.8. However for the moment this car is my daily driver, I want to get as far into the build before dismantling the MX as possible. To that goal I was wondering if anyone who had done this build before could give me some help regarding enging,transmission and Differential mounting points and how they differ from the Haynes Roadster mounting points. I would do most of this of a Haynes book of lies but there isn't one for the MX2


Many Thanks

There are a few members on here using MX5 parts in a modified haynes chassis. Try using the search part of this forum and read through the various posts. I have a MX5 production chassis in development along with a BMW 3 series but it's going slow due to production of stock parts.

Thanks for that!

I have tried searching but just shows No results, must be me being a fool!? Just searching for 'MX5' or 'mx5' or even '%MX5%'/'%mx5%' seems to bring up no results?!

Have a look at "Airheads" build log, might help give some info for you, link attached.
http://www.haynes.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=4598

Welcome to the forum by the way :)

cheers
andy

Thanks for that Andy, I am following his with interest!

Still no joy on getting this blasted search to work!!!!

Maybe send Airhead a PM (private message), I,m sure he,d help you out with info.
The search facility takes a little getting used to, or mainly look thru the chassis section for all the threads regarding chassis work.

Also may I suggest you put your approx location into your profile, might be a builder close by that you could have a look at their chassis to get idea,s from.

cheers
andy

Thanks Andy, have posted on his LB thread, will see what his thoughts are :)

Hi Anton - I have replied on LB, depending on which chassis you plan to use you might find this forum better suited as everyone is building to the Haynes plan which is wider, taller and longer than the book one.

Matt

Matt

Replied on both so your choice as to which you visit more often :)

More often on here TBH as the guys know the roadster ;)

With regards to the engine and transmission mounting some things to bear in mind:

The MX5 has an alloy girder running down it's length onto which the rear gearbox mount and the front diff mount are bolted. This holds the whole thing in check. After reading a lot on the american sites (the MX5 or Miata is the main Lotus 7 replica donor over there) the nosecone on the diff tends to lift with impressive force under acceleration so bolt it to a mounting bracket without any rubber bushing. This will stop this torsional twist. The same concept applies for the rear mount on the gearbox. For the engine mounts I found that Landrover Defender 300TDi gearbox mounts (two of the same hand) are spot on dimensionally and adequately strong to do the job. Details on mounting are due to be posted on my build thread soon.

M