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

[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?

[Talonmotorsport]

The idea of the Roadster is that is light and nimble, by adding a pressed steel sub frame to a light chassis it would seem to defeat the object of the design some what. There is a 7 design that uses the rear sub frame but the name escapes me at this point.
There is of course the MEV Exocet that uses the both the front and rear sub frames including the the back bone, a tubular frame is then dropped over the top but that is a different beast all together.

[paul115]

Knew there would be something obvious! lol

Next question then, does anyone know of any drawings for the differences? I found A pdf file from saturn sports car, is it that simple? imay have a few problems as I have more or less completed my chassis to sierra spec, but nothing a disk cutter and welder cant cure.

[paul115]

After having a look about there seems to be two options, Saturn Sports Car and Vodou. Has anyone got a copy of the Vodou plans? cant find them anywhere.

[Talonmotorsport]

If you remove the MX5 rear diff cover and the mounting arms you can make the MX5 diff fit where the Sierra one would go. You would just have to alter the wishbones to take the MX5 uprights.

[Stot]

Heres a tip. Having built a kit car before and being used to sub £10 ford parts.... Don't cut cables and hoses to remove parts from your donor. Mazda parts are not cheap.

£60 for a new set of rear handbrake cables.
£25+ for used ones... Which I cut a set of not 2 weeks ago.

Cheers
Stot

[Johno]

Originally Posted by Stot

Heres a tip. Having built a kit car before and being used to sub £10 ford parts.... Don't cut cables and hoses to remove parts from your donor. Mazda parts are not cheap.

£60 for a new set of rear handbrake cables.
£25+ for used ones... Which I cut a set of not 2 weeks ago.

Cheers
Stot

I'll second that.....

[CTWV50]

Yep me too forgot the clutch flexi pipe when removing the engine £12 second hand!!

And also "I give up" where's that little thread/guide on adapting the mx5 fuel pump and sender for a SSC tank??

edit ok now got it.

http://www.haynes.co.uk/forums/showt...tank#post68170