MX5 Donor, Using as a Donor/problems/solutions/advice Info

[Talonmotorsport]

Originally Posted by PorkChop

Just to add to this; I've been researching both locostusa and Keith Tanner's build site.

The vast majority of people Stateside have had issues with the track rods fouling the lower wishbone. There are several reported ways of tackling this...

1 - straighten the steering arm so that it's horizontal, then ream to take a TRE from the top. Don't like the idea of this as you'll probably have to heat the arm, so the upright could be fatigued as a result of this.

2 - a mark 2 MX5 upright has raised steering arms compared to the mark 1 (7mm difference). The TRE would fit as OEM. There should be enough adjustment in the steering design to remove any bump steer that this might dial in. The 7mm may be enough to provide sufficient clearance. This is how Keith Tanner did it after trying rose joints on mark 1 uprights.

3 - remodel the front edge of the lower wishbone to clear the steering rack completely. This is how it is on a MX5.

Looking at the way Nathan has done it, I would be tempted to try a MX5 TRE instead of a Ford item in that situation. The cranked end of the TRE would bring the track rod down a bit, should still provide sufficient clearance for the lower wishbone and might reduce the amount of bump steer introduced by doing this.

Here's an article I found on bump steer - http://www.longacreracing.com/articles/art.asp?ARTID=13

Any thoughts?

That seems like an a lot of machine work for a home builder to do why not just make the whole thing more simple like this:

[PorkChop]

So there is an option 3 available ; my problem is I've already got the front wishbones to SSC spec.

[Talonmotorsport]

I really don't like the SSC front lower wishbone design it realise on people's ability to weld those adjusters a little too much for my liking, they make the wishbones overly complicated with no apparent need for them as there is an adjustable drag link at the top.

[Davidbolam]

I've got the ssc ones and there is no fouling of the wishbones and steering arms. I have put a limit on the amount of lock available but there is still more than my passat has.

David

[PorkChop]

Originally Posted by Davidbolam

I've got the ssc ones and there is no fouling of the wishbones and steering arms. I have put a limit on the amount of lock available but there is still more than my passat has.

David

How much lock did you take off David (how thick were your stops?).

[Davidbolam]

Have a look at skov's build photos I did exactly the same

David

[skov]

Phoned up Mazda this week to ask for a proof of age letter for my donor/engine (needed at IVA to determine emissions levels, and hopefully avoid the need to fit a CAT!).

Here's what I did:

Phoned Mazda UK on 08457 484848 and got through to a very helpful chap named Adam (don't worry if you don't get Adam, he claims anyone there should be able to go through the process).

Rumour on the Westfield site has it that you need to talk to the homologations manager (Dean Armitage), I did try asking to talk to him directly, but apparently he doesn't take calls from the general public!

Adam took my personal details, and details of the donor car (vehicle reg, chassis number, and engine number), and filled in a form on his 'puter.
Because my donor is an import a few red warnings came up on his screen and he had to go away and talk to Dean to clarify.
He came back and said it wasn't a problem though!

I don't think their standard proof of vehicle age letter contains the engine number, so I asked if they could include it, after speaking to Dean again he said this shouldn't be a problem.
IVA emissions are based on engine age, so I think it's fairly important to get them to include it!

If you're the first owner of the vehicle there's no charge, otherwise it costs £35. You can pay by bank transfer or by cheque.

I was told I should receive the letter within 14 days of them receiving payment.

I'll update you when I do!

(P.S. Davidbolam gets the credit for digging up the details on how to do this!)

EDIT:

The letter turned up today, much quicker than the 14 days quoted!
Looks like it should convince IVA man not to do a CAT test