ex_hustler
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| posted on 6/9/07 at 10:50 PM |
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Mazda MX-5 donor in Greece
Hello there,
After a long period of thinking, I "stopped dreaming and started building" 
Well, the chassis is under construction by the "Book" measurements. Remember the galvanized steel tubes? Well, after all that welding I am
still alive as I tend to add 2 or 3 tubes in the chassis every evening...
(slow but steady build)
I am searching for a donor car right now. Most people here in Greece say that I should look for a modern car engine and forget about 30years old
crossflow engines as there are hardly replacement bits available on the Greek market.
After some phone calls that a friend did for me he found a Mazda MX-5 with just 30.000km on the odometer for a superb prize. It is not a complete
chassis car. It is a cut in the middle import chassis. (i don't know the correct word for this)
Traders in Greece import these "half cars" for parts to rebuild other crashed cars...
Those cars have the whole front section of the car intact from front bumber till the seats. Dashboard is included.
Anyway, I can get out of it front hubs-uprights, brakes, complete steering rack, engine (1600cc), gearbox, ECU, dash with round gauges that can be
used very easily and all the wiring for all these stuff.
My mechanic (who is also building a locost) says that it is a "strongly advised" purchase that will solve many problems. He also says that
the condition of the engine is fantastic and will need just oil and new sparksplugs before it comes to life again.
I forgot to mention the cost. It will cost about 1500 euros. (about 1000GBP)
Do you think it is a good buy? I really like the fact that the engine has run for just 30.000km.
[Edited on 6/9/07 by ex_hustler]
[Edited on 6/9/07 by ex_hustler]
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ex_hustler
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| posted on 6/9/07 at 10:54 PM |
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chassis progress
Also I would like to share my progress of my chassis till now. It is a poor speed work but I try my best to do it as acurate as I can.
My welding ability with the Arc Welder is improved. Watching all the old tuck-welds seem very poor right now compared to the latest.
Enjoy the pictures :
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James
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| posted on 7/9/07 at 12:10 AM |
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quote:
Originally posted by ex_hustler
Do you think it is a good buy? I really like the fact that the engine has run for just 30.000km.
[Edited on 6/9/07 by ex_hustler]
Don't know anything about the MX5 itself, but it sounds a reasonable deal to me.
Have you seen the American Locost Book which is based around an MX5 donor? By Mark(?) Tanner?
HTH,
James
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"The fight is won or lost far away from witnesses, behind the lines, in the gym and out there on the road, long before I dance under those lights."
- Muhammad Ali
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JAG
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| posted on 7/9/07 at 08:14 AM |
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I built my Locost with a Mazda MX5 engine and gearbox - it's a great choice.
I didn't use the suspension bits and pieces but there are others who did. Google the words Miata and Locost and you're bound to find Keith
Tanners website - he works for a company that specialise in tuning the MX5/Miata.
Keith Tanners Website etc...
There used to be a guy in Australia who was building using an MX5, I think his name was Ben. Google will find him too.
Ben Chapmans Locost info
Good luck 
[Edited on 7/9/07 by JAG]
[Edited on 7/9/07 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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Humbug
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| posted on 7/9/07 at 08:31 AM |
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Hey - that's got to be a first, surely? Looks like you are building a Locost in an apartment!
How are you planning to get it down once it's completed? 
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ex_hustler
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| posted on 7/9/07 at 12:21 PM |
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-JAG thank you for the links. I will buy that
book very very soon as it is SO useful if I
finally buy the mazda donor.
-Humbug yes, I am really building the Locost
in the roof of the house in the third floor. I
chose this place because it is open and
there is plenty of fresh air (good for the
welding fumes) and because there is also a
large house top to protect me and the
chassis from sun and rain. When the chassis
is almost complete I will get a bunch of
friends to lower it down with ropes
I will make sure not to forget to videotape
the whole process
It is my first build and I am so excited.
For the rear I intend to use a ford live axle
on the unless I find a cheap mazda mx5
(Miata) back subframe with its original
differential and back uprights and use it all
as is. In this case it will be done easily
without having to make my own wishbones.
A little compromise of an easy build against
some extra weight of the mx5 suspension
sub-frame.
Thank you all for your replies.
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Angel Acevedo
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| posted on 7/9/07 at 05:22 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by ex_hustler
-Humbug yes, I am really building the Locost
in the roof of the house in the third floor. ........I .
LOL...
My friends think I`m crazy building on a shopthat has a 3 ft wide door...
Wait `til I tell them about you
Beware of what you wish.. for it may come true....
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ex_hustler
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| posted on 7/9/07 at 09:36 PM |
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Building the chassis on the roof has also some unexpected funny events...
Yesterday a young good looking neighbour
came in the next house's roof to water her
plants. She came lightly dressed in see-through pyjamas...
The moment I saw her I was tuck welding a
tube and the welder-stick almost fell
off my hand leaving me breathless, burning a LARGE HOLE in the chassis thin tube...
But the view really deserved that minor damage!
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Peteff
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| posted on 7/9/07 at 11:00 PM |
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Never mind the tack welded chassis, we want to see pictures of the neighbour
yours, Pete
I went into the RSPCA office the other day. It was so small you could hardly swing a cat in there.
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