Ok Andy two more questions, can the original Mazda 14" wheels be used with the suspension and steering set up, and can you use the Mazda steering column with the escort rack?

Yes, the roadster uses the original mx5 uprights front and rear so the original 14" wheels can be used. Also the original column can be used but needs a few mods with the rack extending and and a new mounting bearing used along with the escort rack.

Andrew

I'm eager and curious to see when the Saturn Mx5 will be ready as would like to see if we came to the same conclusions with certain aspects of the suspension.;)

Ahh thanks Andrew. So the escort rack is used and extended in the normal way but the steering column need modifying and a bearing mount used somewhere in it's length.

We found it to be rather more involved than going down the Sierra route, wasn't as simple as it first looked. But saying that it was well worth all the hard work.

We'll have to discuss our conclusions over a few pints at Stoneleigh CM, i assume you will be there after your query regarding suppliers showing this year.

Regards.....Andrew

Should be an informative weekend all round.:)

Apologies to saturn for not meeting up at the show, we never actually managed to get there due to an illness in the family.

How is the Mx5 car coming along as I can't see recent updates?

CM

Argh that explains why I couldn't find you then, hope all is well now?

Slightly off topic but I have decided on the MX-Donor but for IVA & Registering sake do I need a UK spec. I don't want the logbook to say import or even turning up for the IVA and they saying "have to be a Q mate" all because I used a Eunos.

As long as it's uk registered I think it's ok.

As long as its got a UK log book Dave it will be fine.

Andrew

Rear coilovers
 

Just looking at the MX5 pics on Saturn's flickr page, and thinking is there any reason why one couldn't/shouldn't mount the coilovers off the lower wishbones (which would need modding from current design I appreciate), thus creating more available storage space in the 'boot'?

I suppose the same could be said for the Sierra version?
Are lower balljoints not designed to take the load, would the spring rate be too high(?) as lower mount would be a fair bit inboard from where it is currently.

Idle thoughts & prepared to be put straight;)

Maybe I dont get what your talking about but would the driveshafts not get in the way

The soon to be released Vodou plans have the shock on the lower wishbone as that was the design used on my prototype car.

Matt

Thanks for that. Just looking 3 times daily for a local(ish) donnor.

I'm sure one will turn up soon enough.
Just to let you know, without trying very hard I got £750 back selling unused parts from my MX5 donor.
If I'd known that before hand I probably would have paid a bit more for my donor and got one in better condition.

I've sold about £500 quids worth of bits and paid £550 for my donor. Still got loads of stuff to get rid of but it's mostly stored above the garage up-and-over door and I still haven't stripped the suspension and underneath down. Try and get one with a decent interior and hood these are the most sort after parts I've found.

A valid point TQ just trying to keep the design and geometry on the rear as close as poss to the original until the revised Haynes manual comes out with the Mx-5 as donor. The dampers will be slightly shorter but considering the Sierra dampers are made up with a 1" top hat extension this wont be a problem. The damper travel when in use is no more than 50mm and positioning them where they are gives a more upright damper compensating for the slightly shorter length.

The space between D12 sections is usually used for any boot space so the area for the dampers doesn't really affect boot space available unless you are going to extend to the full width of the car.

Andrew

Is there a new Haynes book due out then with MX5 Donor kebab revisions?

They've been talking about one for a while now.

What about the single seater book then as that's been on the go since 2008:confused:

They've been talking about that one for longer then.....:confused:

Perhaps Devon just as dreckly as Cornwall then...:D

Bought my MX5 donor this morning! Cant wait!

Nice one Aussie :cool:

When it comes to my next build it will have to BE an MX5.. :)

TT

Hey spud is these any more news on the mx5 based car eg when are the parts going to onto your website and where can a get the drawings for my build

Finally we are in a position where we can put out a full build guide and products / components for sale for the Mx-5 based car as donor for the Haynes Roadster. I have put all the relevant products in the stores section of the website:

http://www.saturnsportscars.co.uk/st...ewCat&catId=25

The build guide cannot go on till Monday as the company that maintain the Saturn website are in the middle of moving offices today and will be putting together a full section on the site for the Mx5 based car including the full build guide, background and some extra pics. There will be more developments to go up on the website in a week or two, cant say what yet but we've been waiting for these before putting out Mx5 plans but cant wait any longer now.

If anybody would like a pdf of the build guide in the meantime i can try e-mailing a copy but my e-mail server doesn't like sending big files. Give me a shout via andrew@saturnsportscars.co.uk and i'll keep an eye on that over the weekend.

Have a good weekend..........Andrew

Super :)

TT

Marvellous, Well done Andrew!:cool:

Ive just put my order in with Andy at Saturn.. Now looking forward to my build. I have lots of shiny mx5 bits to bolt to it!!!

Smashing news
 

Tis great to see the Saturn shop inventory growing Andy :) :cool:

Can’t have been easy to bring some new & exciting products to the market , I know just how busy you have been.

This all bodes well for the future of the Haynes Roadster

As they say

" The future is bright, the future is Orange " :D :D

MX5 Roadster now available to download.

Well done Andy,

That's fab..

I bet when I come to build an MX5 car they will be getting hard to come by LOL

TT

Yes it's all up now thanks for noticing Rob and Mike, there are a load more pics going up there this morning to so i hope that both together they provide help and assistance to builders with the Mx-5 donor and help to give the Haynes Roadster self build a bit of a needed boost. Apologies for being delayed being able to put them up but we are there now. Address below:

http://www.saturnsportscars.co.uk/mx5.php

There are bound to be some alterations / clarifications required if so please feel free to let me know and i'll update the guide, there is more to add to over the coming weeks as i progress our own build.

Anybody else following mine and Anja's fostering progress to would like to know that we got accepted as approved Foster carers in front of the panel, scary stuff, last Thursday, we just need the final papers signing which is happening this Tuesday then i'll have a couple of little helpers running around.......:D

Have a good day.....Andrew

oh cool a few child slaves to help out just what is needed

Nice one Andy.....congrats on two counts....time will now be precious.:D :D

Congratulations Andy, Welcome to the real world !!!!!!!:D

Cheers Robo,

I've already got 2 of my own to look after, daughter 18 (been through the hard times) and son 11 (hard times a coming) but they are both doing extremely well at college and school. If we can give similar results of other kids at more of a disadvantage we'll be well chuffed and will be worth all the effort.

Thanks Again.....Andrew