Neb
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| posted on 23/8/13 at 12:17 PM |
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Live Axle to MX5
Afternoon all.
A mate & I have just got a Locost live axle chassis (ex MK Race one) but would like to modify it to run MX5 running gear.
Anyone done this?
I have just got hold of the Haynes Roadster manual and will check some dimension of the front end over the weekend but the rear end will require the
work i believe.
Any help/thoughts would be appreciated.
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JAG
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| posted on 23/8/13 at 12:30 PM |
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Hi - I've done it 
MKI Eunos (MX5) 1600cc with 5 speed gearbox to MKII Escort live axle.
Have a look at the photo's in my Archive and send me a U2U if you want anything.
You can always come and have a look too - location is under my avatar.
Justin
Who is this super hero? Sarge? ...No.
Rosemary, the telephone operator? ...No.
Penry, the mild-mannered janitor? ...Could be!
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Neb
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| posted on 23/8/13 at 12:39 PM |
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Oh brilliant! i have had a quick look, did you use the Live axle & modify the prop to suit the MX5 box?
Did you also use the MX5 front set-up etc or retain the Ford set up?
Sorry, we have a million questions!
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britishtrident
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| posted on 23/8/13 at 03:22 PM |
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If you use the live axle I bet the rear end bits will find a buyer without too much hassle..
[I] “ What use our work, Bennet, if we cannot care for those we love? .”
― From BBC TV/Amazon's Ripper Street.
[/I]
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nick205
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| posted on 23/8/13 at 03:42 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by britishtrident
If you use the live axle I bet the rear end bits will find a buyer without too much hassle..
I'm on the lookout for a complete MX5 rear end if you are going that way
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Neb
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| posted on 23/8/13 at 04:14 PM |
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I suppose the problem comes when we have MX5 wheels on the front and Ford rims on the back!
I have to admit i'd rather not start chopping the chassis around, and use a Ford front end as well unless we can change the MX5 bolt pattern
& PCD on the front hubs.
We have not got the donor car yet, but in the pipeline.
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JAG
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| posted on 23/8/13 at 04:51 PM |
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Hi - I built a standard Ford front and rear axle and simply changed the engine, gearbox and propshaft to the MX5/Eunos unit.
My car has the MKII Escort axle at the rear (3.9:1 diff) with Cortina uprights and fabricated wishbones at the front. Wheels are Ford PCD all
round.
I got an MX5 propshaft and had a prop' shaft company shorten it and fit a UJ to the tail end that mated with the MKII Escort axle. They had no
problems doing this and it cost less than £100 but that was about 10 years ago now YIKES 
I just wanted an engine with fuel injection, twin cams and modern electronic ignition.
[Edited on 23/8/13 by JAG]
Justin
Who is this super hero? Sarge? ...No.
Rosemary, the telephone operator? ...No.
Penry, the mild-mannered janitor? ...Could be!
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big_wasa
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| posted on 23/8/13 at 06:12 PM |
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use the mx5 diff with a de Dion set up and you will have the best of both worlds.
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Canada EH!
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| posted on 23/8/13 at 07:05 PM |
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Have a machine shop drill the Cortina hub and rotor to Mazda bolt pattern, lots of meat on the Cortina hub if you want to change the rear to Mazda,
but I would leave the live axle in a lot less work.
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Neb
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| posted on 27/8/13 at 12:00 PM |
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Thanks for the input guys.
Looks like that will be the plan then.
Retain the Ford front end, and get a English axle built with a MX5 prop modified to suit the MX5 'box. It will save us a load of time and i
hadn't really wanted to cut the chassis up.
Thanks again.
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