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

[jason 82]

Brilliant, thank you very much for that. I will get hold of Talon Phil a bit quick.

[skov]

The other option is to use the Transit drag links and ream out the holes in the uprights to match.

[Johno]

Originally Posted by Davidbolam

Johno,

I really like the look of the agm bodywork and have my engine as far back as possible. When I looked at their measurements of their kit I'm not sure it will kit.
Can you tell me how far your engine is from the front member?

Hi David,
I measured from the front of the water pump pulley to the front cross member and it's approximately 300mm. I wish I moved the engine back a little more though as the cam cover just catches the bonnet right at the front. Not too much of a problem though as I plan to fit a bonnet scoop anyway..

[Davidbolam]

Originally Posted by Johno

Hi David,
I measured from the front of the water pump pulley to the front cross member and it's approximately 300mm. I wish I moved the engine back a little more though as the cam cover just catches the bonnet right at the front. Not too much of a problem though as I plan to fit a bonnet scoop anyway..

Johno I have just measured mine and its 285 mm (to the back of the front cross member). I don't know how the engine could go any further back.

I might wait until you have chopped your bonnet to see that is like.

If you removed the flange without cutting the top would it fit?

David

[Stot]

Originally Posted by Davidbolam

Johno I have just measured mine and its 285 mm (to the back of the front cross member). I don't know how the engine could go any further back.

I might wait until you have chopped your bonnet to see that is like.

If you removed the flange without cutting the top would it fit?

David

I dont know the measurements because I stripped back to the chassis yesterday for painting but this photo shows how far back my engine is. The clutch rubber is in line with the upright.



I have my engine a bit further to the passenger side which gives me steering rack and inlet clearance. I'm using the Equinox bonnet and it fits without cutouts.



Cheers
Stot

[Johno]

Originally Posted by Davidbolam

Johno I have just measured mine and its 285 mm (to the back of the front cross member). I don't know how the engine could go any further back.

I might wait until you have chopped your bonnet to see that is like.

If you removed the flange without cutting the top would it fit?

David

I measured mine to the front face of the crossmember...
So in fact yours is further back...

[Davidbolam]

Originally Posted by Johno

I measured mine to the front face of the crossmember...
So in fact yours is further back...

Thanks Johno that has made my day!

David

[jason 82]

After stressing about which direction I want to take my mx5 build, the broken diff nose issue keeps arising. Off work with a broken leg, so I am bored and decided to look into it. My local mazda dealer said that it was an issue on the 1.6 mx5, but the 1.8 diff is a lot stronger. I googled it, and can't find any 1.8 diff failures, only 1.6. Are we all worrying about nothing? Or is there a genuine problem, not that well publicised. If my car was a 1.6, I would drop the 1.8 in as a matter of course. But my car is a 1.8, so do I risk it ? Or look into better support ? Just thinking about trying to keep the weight down, and don't want to over complicate the build if I can help it.

[Davidbolam]

Originally Posted by jason 82

After stressing about which direction I want to take my mx5 build, the broken diff nose issue keeps arising. Off work with a broken leg, so I am bored and decided to look into it. My local mazda dealer said that it was an issue on the 1.6 mx5, but the 1.8 diff is a lot stronger. I googled it, and can't find any 1.8 diff failures, only 1.6. Are we all worrying about nothing? Or is there a genuine problem, not that well publicised. If my car was a 1.6, I would drop the 1.8 in as a matter of course. But my car is a 1.8, so do I risk it ? Or look into better support ? Just thinking about trying to keep the weight down, and don't want to over complicate the build if I can help it.

Without opening a can of worms the diff only broke on the saturn nts car as it wasn't bolted on properly. Most people have also beefed up he front mount.

The Saturn nts car was an 1800 engined car.

David

[jason 82]

Thanks for that. I noticed last night that the mk3 diff is mounted from the top. It would be a breeze to fit to the chassis, but I am not sure if its compatible with mk 1 and mk 2 models ?