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

[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

[paul115]

Hey guys,
Moving to NZ in a couple of weeks. I started building the chassis here in the UK with sierra donor part, bit of research suggested that there isnt much point doing it round a sierra in NZ. So, MX-5 it is. I was in NZ for six months to test the water and got a job at a Mazda Car Wrechers and took a couple of MX-5's appart. I noticed that it basically comes on two subframes with a big alli bracer between the two. Has anyone used or thought of using the rear subframe complete, the brace and mounting it all complete to the chassis? Would only have to make the front end then. Or is there something really obvious I'm missing that just wouldnt allow this?