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Donor car options these days
Mr Whippy - 1/3/19 at 12:33 PM

I see that you lot have used up all the cheap donors and now everything costs a fortune FFS!

For a original Ron chassis live axle based car, what are the options left? I did think Lada but they have all but vanished... man they were rusty

Prefer old school carb, 4 speed, 4 cylinder etc

Any ideas?

Daf - 1/3/19 at 12:47 PM

How about a mark 1 or 2 escort as per the book? There are some right bargains to be had now!!

loggyboy - 1/3/19 at 12:56 PM

Mx5 is the key these days. Even the 750mc locost series has seen that. Doesnt tick the 4pot/carb route - but does fir the lowcost side of it.

[Edited on 1-3-19 by loggyboy]

hughpinder - 1/3/19 at 01:14 PM

Cheapest build is probably mx5 with IRS overall.

English axle on ebay shows a selection of escort/capri axles for sale and that is it.

When I looked a few years back I think the last 2 road cars made for the uk with live axles were the mgb V8 and hyundai stellar (or morgan to current I suppose), but just had a quick look on ebay and none of those for sale at all.

Or pretty much any pickup truck but will be massive!

Not sure about the small vans - does anyone know if any of them sport a solid axle?

Good luck
Hugh

jps - 1/3/19 at 01:18 PM

quote:
Originally posted by hughpinder
Not sure about the small vans - does anyone know if any of them sport a solid axle?


To be fair I haven't seen one for a long time - but something like a Bedford Rascal? I am sure I read a few years ago of someone using the backend from one?

hughpinder - 1/3/19 at 01:22 PM

just did a search on 'van axle' on ebay - quick scan of the resulting pictures throws up a variety of small Japanese rwd axles, as I guess the transit ones are too heavy duty. Will take some research to find diff ratios, torque rating etc though!

Mr Whippy - 1/3/19 at 01:43 PM

cheers for the reply's

I'm now wondering if just buying the parts as required and not using any donor is the way to go now assuming we can prove the engine age for emissions, one of the good things of using a donor. There is a lot of the MX5 that can't be used plus we don't have the time or budget to deal with injection and modern stuff (free time is at a premium as is spare cash but have loads of tools and garage space). Had my head set on a Lada donor tbh

gremlin1234 - 1/3/19 at 07:26 PM

quote:
To be fair I haven't seen one for a long time - but something like a Bedford Rascal? I am sure I read a few years ago of someone using the backend from one?

I think the rascal is one of the few modernish small vehicles that have a chassis, so could 'get away' without iva, if modifications don't change said chassis.

for a larger car, london taxi might be a good bet

else doner for a locost, currently it has to be mx5 every time.

ettore bugatti - 1/3/19 at 07:27 PM

A Jago Geep or similar kit cars turn up on ebay regulary for not a lot of money, that might be worth scrapping for the mechanical parts.

Suzuki Vitara might be worth looking into as well, but the wheel PCD is a bit weird.

And for sheer curiosity you can hunt down a DFSK Loadhopper!

I think an MX5 is excellent donor, best value for inline engine with gearbox. MEV builders run Exocets all day all night with the stock ECU, loom and injection bits without loosing too much time or have additional costs.

Westfield does do a model with the MX5 donor, there might be a couple of ideas that can be borrowed and put onto a book chassis.
https://www.evo.co.uk/carreviews/evocarreviews/202575/westfield_1600m.html
http://westiebuild.blogspot.com/

MikeRJ - 1/3/19 at 07:36 PM

Build a mid-engined car, then you can use a FWD donor.

Ugg10 - 1/3/19 at 07:49 PM

Beat me to it Midlana plus Ford Focus.

ianhurley20 - 1/3/19 at 10:45 PM

quote:
Originally posted by Mr Whippy
cheers for the reply's

I'm now wondering if just buying the parts as required and not using any donor is the way to go now assuming we can prove the engine age for emissions, one of the good things of using a donor. There is a lot of the MX5 that can't be used plus we don't have the time or budget to deal with injection and modern stuff (free time is at a premium as is spare cash but have loads of tools and garage space). Had my head set on a Lada donor tbh


My seven used an MX5 and used engine with all ancilliaries, gearbox, brakes, steering colum, wiring loom, ecu, fuel pump and gauge sender, prop shaft, ignition key and steering lock, instruments and would have used the diff if I hadn't already fitted a Sierra one. The rest of the bits I sold for £200 more than the cost of the donor. MX5 is really a simple route.
AND - I have a bare engine with new cam belt, water pump, plugs , oil filter, new shims to adjust valve clearances (done) and cleaned and repainted ready to be fitted fo £125 if you fancy it (it was my spare but my car was written off so I have no use for it now)