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.

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.

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!

If you use the live axle I bet the rear end bits will find a buyer without too much hassle..

quote:

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Originally posted by britishtrident
If you use the live axle I bet the rear end bits will find a buyer without too much hassle..

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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.

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]

use the mx5 diff with a de Dion set up and you will have the best of both worlds.

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.

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.