Chris's new build of an MX5 based car

[CTWV50]

Red wine!

[rdodger]

Looks great!

About the engine mounts. I am going to use the original mounts as you are but am thinking about the angle they sit and the compression of the rubber mounts.

If you weld/bolt them up without the weight of the engine on them will the rubber mounts not be under lateral load instead of compression?

In the mx5 the engine on it's mounts drops into the subframe like a wedge.

I thought I would have to tack them in position then fit the spacer to make sure they compress.

Am I on the right track with this or a complete nutter?

[CTWV50]

Thanks Dodger, I understand what you're saying. The other mount will have a slot in it, like the mazda subframe, so the engine can settle into place, I measured the angles on the mazda subframe pass side at about 50˚ and the the drivers 60˚. Measuring the distance between the mounts on the mazda subframe should resolve any other worries about lateral loads.

[rdodger]

Thats what I planned.

Unfortunately for me my engine sat too high on the standard mounts so have made new ones to lower it 50mm.



Not a great pic I'm afraid.

This of course means the measurements I took from the MX5 won't help as I didn't make them the same as the OE ones

[CTWV50]

I lowered my engine around 40mm and shifted it to the pass. side too. Finished the other mount today. Tomorrow I may put it on wheels and see where I'm at.

[skov]

Looking good Chris!
I'm liking the engine mounts

[CTWV50]

So the second engine mount is done, very pleased with it too.



Got the front end on too....



went together really well, yet to add the rack and I got it off the table.



Forgot to take a picture before putting everything away but this will do for now.



Hip Hip Horay!!!!

BUT!

I did hit a bit of a problem. I'm not sure how much of a pain it will be to fix but basically I could only fit the rear pass side hub to the wishbones by putting about 10˚ of camber into it. Seems the driveshaft (halfshaft) is pushing the the hub too far out. also noticed that when lifting the hub it was stopped from travelling up by the driveshaft which then bounced the other hub up so something is not right. Seems I may need to think about moving the diff slightly. Took loads of measurements to see where I went wrong but can't real account for this issue using measurements alone!