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new scratch build Haynes MX5

chris_smith - 29/8/16 at 10:36 PM

so having built, sva'd and sold a locost previously in 2009. and flirted with a new build a few years ago picking up an F27 chassis including xflow 1600, gearbox and other components inc steering rack etc, but not really getting on with the build due to the shoddy workmanship of the chassis, plus changes with employment and home life.

I am now back with the full intention and motivation to complete a Haynes roadster with MX5 running gear.
I picked up an MX5 1.8 engine and box around the time of the F27 chassis for the bargain price of just Ł10.50!

this weekend I began by making the build table, and purchasing a number of items from "The Bay" ill be listing all items including costs as I continue to update this diary with progress reports and images .

Cost summary -

build table - Ł30

Steel - Box section -
25 x 25 x 1.5 - 6 off
19 x 19 x 1.5 - 2 off
Total inc delivery - Ł Ł69.42

components -
MX5 1.8 engine and gearbox - Ł10.50
MX5 Steering column inc stalks and wheel - Ł45.00
MX5 Driveshafts pair - Ł56.00
MX5 Differential - Ł30.00
escort steering rack - came with F27 chassis paid Ł83
radiator (unknown make) - came with F27 chassis paid Ł83
Alloy wheels - Donated by my sister

Tools and accessories -
welding gas (3 x 390g bottles) - Ł30
cutting discs (50 discs) - Ł23.69
new mig welder liner - Ł5.98

Thats the story so far and I look forward to updating this diary on a regular basis

AJC - 30/8/16 at 11:16 AM

Good luck! Should be easier if you've been through it all before!
Contemplating a build myself. Where is the best place to start?

chris_smith - 10/9/16 at 07:36 PM

finally got a chance to start the chassis, progress below -

2nd build chassis

chris_smith - 11/9/16 at 04:43 PM

day 2 -

[img][/img]

Murdoc - 11/9/16 at 05:25 PM

Quick progress!

chris_smith - 11/9/16 at 06:03 PM

quote:
Originally posted by Murdoc
Quick progress!

I like to crack on once I get going

craigdiver - 13/9/16 at 08:54 PM

quote:
Originally posted by chris_smith

quote:
Originally posted by Murdoc
Quick progress!

I like to crack on once I get going

Looking good :-)

chris_smith - 18/9/16 at 05:17 PM

hi all, so second weekend on the car, only a few hours today and yesterday just the afternoon, but the pile of steel actually looks like a chassis now!

struggled a bit with the mitre cuts for the seat back uprights SB5 & SB6 but got there in the end

think progress is going exceptionally well, what does the collective think?

Description

prawnabie - 18/9/16 at 05:35 PM

Looking good!

christim - 18/9/16 at 07:48 PM

Hey thats going up great by the looks! I'm not sure if its different for an mx5 build but U7 might be in the wrong position? Its offset from the BR rail, and will line up with the trans tunnel rails when they go in (idea is to give you more room for the pedal box)

chris_smith - 24/9/16 at 05:26 PM

more work completed today, moved the upright toward centre next to pedal box.

added the diagonals

removed PFF bolts from the diff, which were a right royal PITA, had to use "Harry Hot Spanner"

moved on to the rear diff cage as per pics below

Description

Description

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chris_smith - 2/10/16 at 06:17 PM

more progress over last couple of days -

didnt have any 3mm plate for rear shock top assembly, so I put together my own using what I had lying around, will be a little bit more substantial :p

tunnel literally finished too

chris_smith - 4/12/16 at 07:49 PM

been a few weeks since i posted anything however I have been in the garage working away,

I already had a diff, engine and box, when i started my build as id found/picked them up cheap, but as the chassis was progressing I started searching for other parts required and found that to buy uprights, discs, calipers etc would be as much if not more than finding an actual full car!

so thats what I did for a measly Ł200 -

I then progressed in stripping everything -

unwanted parts are listed or being prepared for listing on the Bay

chris_smith - 4/12/16 at 07:49 PM

I then started to clean up and sort out the uprights, electrolysis was fantastic, and built a small blast cabinet and here are the uprights after painting in POR15 drying with the heat lamps -

and then moved to the diff before -

and after, will be fully painted once finished -

I have also finished making and painting the wishbones but forgot to take pics

chris_smith - 13/4/18 at 07:02 PM