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Budget costs rebuild for running gear??
KFC - 9/6/12 at 01:30 PM

Hi all,
This might have been covered but I'd like to know sensible costs for parts in re-building components for the running gear.

I would be using an MX5 donor car for just about everything going into to heynes kit car. I will be going through it all as I'm a trained mechanic so I'll be doing all the work my self.

I never really got involved with the cost of parts but I do have a vague idea what some parts cost, clutch, drive shafts, engine re-build but not synchro's in the gearbox, upright bearings, diff and gearbox bearings, ect.

I know it's a question like, "how long is a piece of string"? Just trying to get some sort of idea.

Thanks in advance!

Kevin

liam.mccaffrey - 9/6/12 at 02:20 PM

are you sure you have the right donor if everything needs rebuilding?
or is there a specific reason you want to.


Personally I've avoided anything that needed any major work.

austin man - 9/6/12 at 03:00 PM

The general rule is replace things that need replacing oil timing belt, filters etc inspect the cluch if too much wear replace.

KFC - 9/6/12 at 03:33 PM

quote:
Originally posted by liam.mccaffrey
are you sure you have the right donor if everything needs rebuilding?
or is there a specific reason you want to.

Personally I've avoided anything that needed any major work.



Hmmm, it must be an old race mechanic thing. If anything, strip down at least to have a look, re-grease and put back together, just money for gaskets. I'd like to know that components are in good condition rather than just fit them, then find problems.

Chippy - 9/6/12 at 04:37 PM

I think most people drive there donor cars for a while to see what, if anything needs repair/replacement. Not a lot of point to pull a perfectly good gearbox, or engine down just to see what makes it tick. But then if you buy a junker, you cant try it, probably wouldnt pass an MOT. IMHO Ray

A1 - 10/6/12 at 07:15 AM

id get in touch with a local parts dealer, up in edinburgh I use pentland components, but theres loads like them. theyll give you replacements for most things.
Dingbro are **** *$%* though, so I personally avoid them.

D Beddows - 10/6/12 at 09:13 AM

I would spend the £200 or so you'll spend on gaskets alone buying a better donor that you can drive for a bit to see if it's ok - could well save you a small fortune!. If you really have no idea about the cost of things I suspect you're in for a bit of a shock.............

KFC - 10/6/12 at 10:45 AM

quote:
Originally posted by D Beddows
I would spend the £200 or so you'll spend on gaskets alone buying a better donor that you can drive for a bit to see if it's ok - could well save you a small fortune!. If you really have no idea about the cost of things I suspect you're in for a bit of a shock.............



Hmmm, sounds like I'm in for a shock then. My max budget is 5k for the lot. Doing all the work my self, as I enjoy it and very capable. I hope hope most of the components will be just a clean, inspect, re-grease and assemble. If it's going to cost a lot, then it was a lemon to start with. A mk2 MX5 would be better in terms of age and LSD. Has anyone fit mk2 rear end? Same components?

D Beddows - 10/6/12 at 02:27 PM

Thing about MX5's is the the mechanicals are pretty bulletproof it's the sills rusting out that kill most of them - and that applies equally to MK1's AND MK2's to be honest! It will get really expensive really quickly if you insist on taking everything apart 'just to see' and most of it wont need it tbh. The price of decent gasket sets make them quite a significant investment by the way, especially if you're paying for them

I'd aim for something with a couple of months tax & MOT left but with a rusty body - it'll be cheap as chips but you'll be able to drive it and find out what you actually need to refurbish, choose the right one and it will be very little!

KFC - 10/6/12 at 03:25 PM

quote:
Originally posted by D Beddows
Thing about MX5's is the the mechanicals are pretty bulletproof it's the sills rusting out that kill most of them - and that applies equally to MK1's AND MK2's to be honest! It will get really expensive really quickly if you insist on taking everything apart 'just to see' and most of it wont need it tbh. The price of decent gasket sets make them quite a significant investment by the way, especially if you're paying for them

I'd aim for something with a couple of months tax & MOT left but with a rusty body - it'll be cheap as chips but you'll be able to drive it and find out what you actually need to refurbish, choose the right one and it will be very little!



Ok,
That's sounds the right way to go.
I've found a MX6 V6 going quite cheap but it's impossible to really know what life the engine has had, I don't know what sort of history it has, yet.. 98k miles. I'll have a look next week.

big_wasa - 10/6/12 at 03:26 PM

Been there and done that

I spent £600 on rebuilding an allready perfect low millage engine BUT I enjoyed it and I know every little bit of it inside and out.

The diff was a differant matter, I had to bin that as I didnt have the tools/skill to rebuild it.

You live and learn. I would know clean and service only. If latter its found to be faulty, then repair or replace.

KFC - 10/6/12 at 03:45 PM

quote:
Originally posted by big_wasa
Been there and done that

I spent £600 on rebuilding an allready perfect low millage engine BUT I enjoyed it and I know every little bit of it inside and out.

The diff was a differant matter, I had to bin that as I didnt have the tools/skill to rebuild it.

You live and learn. I would know clean and service only. If latter its found to be faulty, then repair or replace.



£600 on parts, that's good! Sounds good to me!
Without blowing my trumpet, I fortunately have building experience with, engines, gearbox, limited slip diff, steering racks, upright bearings, cv's, the lot. I am lucky so I will enjoy it and save money.

D Beddows - 10/6/12 at 03:58 PM

lol, there's no dissuading you is there you will be probably be spending money you don't need to though and that could better spend on things like suspension, ecu, turbo etc etc - 5k doesn't go far when you're building a car trust me, you see cars for sale at about that price but most people are taking a HUGE hit on the actual build cost...........