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Some choices
mini-sprite - 24/5/10 at 07:23 AM

Hi
My first post and a few questions. I’m buying my mates unfinished Locost build which has a finished chassis and a few other bits left from a doner Sierra.

I’m thinking of engine donors at the moment and was first drawn to what appears to be the ease of an MX5 transplant and running gear. I have a friend who is doing an MG midget using the MX5 stuff.

Also looking into a lighter engine such as a K series mated to a Sierra box I know that this is a proven engine with lots of tuning possibilities. One of the lads that races with us has a 1.8 K series in his classic mini and his is circa 200bhp he loves it. Also like the idea of ease of turboing a K series. Never had anything that has a turbo……well except my VW T4 turbo diesel.

Does anyone know the difference in the weight of an MX5 unit and a K series?

This is going to be a car built for track only and is to be used as a shared drive with my missus so would like to keep it drivable for her as well. She already races her standard classic mini in the RAFMSA sprint championship so is used to driving on a track.


I race in sprint and hillclimb in this









I’m just looking for another build at the moment and the 7 style just seems to be the way to go for us. In my 41 years Ive never drove a rear wheel drive car either.

I will be keeping my mini as it is so pinching bits from it is not an option.

Paul


Humbug - 24/5/10 at 08:05 AM

I think a K series excluding gearbox weighs about 100kg - when I bought mine I was able to lift it on my own out of the back of an estate car onto the ground. I would be surprised if the Mazda engine weighs less

[Edited on 24.05.2010 by Humbug]


liam.mccaffrey - 24/5/10 at 08:50 AM

I have a full set of mx5 running gear and a1600k for sale