Progress reports

[dubzter]

Originally Posted by PorkChop

I've been involved in MX5s since 2011 (because of my Roadster), I now have a NC as a daily driver, and I still have bits left over from my donor, so I generally pay attention to market trends etc. There are a number of bits where there is absolutely no call for spares (fuel tanks being one example I can think of).

EBay is not the only place to look, although saying that there's a 1.8 prop on there for £10 BIN.

If you're paying £300 for a mark 1 MX5 engine, then look elsewhere. I've seen an engine/box combo being offered for £150 from a reputable source in the last week. I sold my spare engine/box for a similar amount.

AK Automotive were selling mark 1 gearboxes for £30. I saw a GWO one being sold privately for £15 (if that was local I would have bought it as a spare!).

Hubs are £20-25 with good used bearings from breakers (what I paid)

A OEM ECU is £10-20

You can get an open diff for less than £50 quite easily (if you're lucky, then you might luck onto 2 for that amount of money). In the not too distant past, Torsen LSDs used to command £300 all day long (the 3.6:1 ratio usually went for a little more). Now a 4.1:1 Torsen will struggle to go past £200.

Driveshafts are anywhere between £15 and £50 (I've paid both amounts, in fact don't get me started on my car and driveshafts!)

Brake calipers start from £15 each. £10-15 will do the seals per caliper.

The majority of builders seem to buy aftermarket wheels or wheels from a different car. The ones on my donor were heavy aftermarket ones, needless to say they aren't going on the Roadster!

The only real advantages I can see of getting a donor car is if you have geography against you, being able to see where everything is on the loom and having all the little nuts and bolts spare (so long as you don't lose them!). Just because you have a full donor does not mean you don't need to fork out on replacing parts (in my case, driveshafts and calipers).

I should also point out I don't understand the fascination with needing to have age related plates (unless it's something like a Cobra rep). I know it does to some people, but I'm not one of them!

If you've never broken a car, take it from my experience that it takes up a LOT of space (I thought I'd made enough space, then quickly realised I hadn't). It actually stopped me from actually building the car on much more than one occasion because I had absolutely no room to move.

In short, I think people might just be getting a little too hung up on not being able to get a donor. So why should that stop you from building?

Fair points, I think the main reason for me going for a donor is that living in the far north of Scotland it would be easier for me to go buy a car and drive it home rather than touring round the country picking up parts here and there. I've got an 8mx6m garage so space isn't a major issue. If I could find all the parts relatively close to home and for decent prices then I'd be tempted to go that route but so far my search hasn't found anything.

[jps]

Hurrah! My tame family welder (wifes, cousins, boyfriend) popped round today and helped me (I say 'helped me' - he did most of it - although my previous efforts had been fairly close...) get the engine mounts sorted. I now had a Roadster chassis with a Pinto & gearbox securely mounted in it! Next job is to get the floor on - then some bodywork. Great start to 2015!!!

Couple of pics here: http://meandthekitcar.wordpress.com/

[garyt]

haha 2 weeks off and went south for Christmas to Hampshire now back to work , reality..... time to work off the good living...
and get back to the wiring loom, having fun with this one...

[robo]

Massive clear up of yard space and started on an extension to the mancave. There are a few projects on the go at the moment so they need to go on trolleys in the dry so I can just wheel them in to work on them.

Bob

[garyt]

hi DUBZTER try gumtree theres a couple on there mx5 inverness threw up a couple just now or try mx5 scotland
good luck Gary

[NeilW]

Well now that i have received my chassis steel the missus has agreed i am allowed 1 day per week hassle free to tinker on so progress may be slow, however my build will start tomorrow.
I dont have a donor yet but hopefully i find something in the next few weeks.
Task for tomorrow: tidy garage, build table, start chassis

Woohoo it feels like xmas once again.....

[NeilW]

Anyone local to me got a weld gas bottle i can have the lend of, or can anyone recommend where i can get one?

[dubzter]

Originally Posted by garyt

hi DUBZTER try gumtree theres a couple on there mx5 inverness threw up a couple just now or try mx5 scotland
good luck Gary

Hey Gary, been without electric/landline/mobile for over 30 hours, just back on yesterday and catching up with things, hope it wasn't too bad down your way. Cheers will have a look at Gumtree now.

[TalonMotorFabrication]

Originally Posted by NeilW

Anyone local to me got a weld gas bottle i can have the lend of, or can anyone recommend where i can get one?

Google 'hobbyweld' they supply Co2 and argon mix in useful size bottles they have stockists everywhere. Including one here NE5 1LX.