rconey01
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 posted on 9/11/21 at 02:36 PM |
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Cone's MA7DA
So after my 2001 MX-5 MK2.5 wont pass its MOT next year due to rusting sills (I could weld them but I needed an excuse to start a locost project) I
started making my chassis.
Plans for the build;
Try to follow as close to the MA7DA racing series as possible, I'm undecided weather to go full roll-cage or leave it and install one later.
Build some sort of bench to build on.
Chassis - following Ron Champions £250 car, but using the MA7DA adjustments.
Engine - 1.8 VVT from my mx-5 - want to rebuild at some point - shall I go turbo/supercharge or go for high comp N/A build?
Electrics - depending on how skint I'm feeling I may just use the mx-5 wiring, but might splash on the emerald cpu or megasquirt.
Suspension/Axles - following MA7DA regs so Cortina mk3/4/5 uprights and escort Mk1/2 live rear axle.
That is the plan, however I may decide to scrap the MA7DA and just use my MX5 diff (which has a lsd in it) and uprights. my only concern is that the
parts availability for new/aftermarket MX5 uprights isn't great. What does anyone think/have any experience?
Also I already have some 15x8j 4x100 wheels from my mx5 with AD08r's on them which I would like to use but unsure if they will fit the Cortina
uprights/hubs or just use adaptors?
If anyone has any questions or pointers please post them.
Keen to hear if anyone has anything to comment on.
Pictures to come - I have made my bench and started the chassis already 
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rconey01
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| posted on 9/11/21 at 02:53 PM |
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I found an old 2.4x1.2m bit of plywood and some bits of 2x4, screwed them together to make my bench to work on.
Started cutting steel on the old band saw in the shed and used some small bits of wood I cut to clamp everything into place before welding.
After finishing the base - I checked the dimensions and checked them again, clamped it down and fully welded it. Not sure if I should have waited
until I had made a bit more before welding it but its done now and pretty straight. Might be 3mm out max.
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rconey01
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| posted on 9/11/21 at 03:09 PM |
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Please ignore the state of my garage, I have to work around my families stuff so there is not much I can do!
[Edited on 9/11/21 by rconey01]
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Slater
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| posted on 9/11/21 at 03:46 PM |
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Looks like a good project, keep the pics coming, questions too. This is the best place for help I think.
Looking at the bare chassis of these seven type cars, with the tapered front end, I always think it's going to be a speedboat......
Why do they call Port Harcourt "The Garden City"?...... Becauase they can't spell Stramash.
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ianhurley20
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| posted on 9/11/21 at 04:34 PM |
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Have a look at @Tools n track@ on You tube for a series of videos about building an MX5 based 7. There is a thread on here as well if you have a
search for it. Very informative and humourous.
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Deckman001
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| posted on 9/11/21 at 04:34 PM |
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Have a look at Project 7 Up lower down this section as they are fantastic youtube stars showing them building the same type 7. It'll give you a
fantastic head start !!
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ianhurley20
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| posted on 9/11/21 at 06:36 PM |
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Thats the one I suggested as well!
http://www.locostbuilders.co.uk/forum/66/viewthread.php?tid=217361
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Mike Wood
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| posted on 10/11/21 at 08:14 AM |
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Great to see a new project built up from scratch. Keep the updates coming!
Someone on here must have further good tips for an MX5 based Locost build, including if any chassis mods needed to the original Locost book chassis
plans (or does everyone use the later Locost roadster Haynes book to use Sierra independent rear suspension in MX5 builds?).
The LocostUSA forum might be worth a look too and joining as they will have people using ‘Miata’ donors as more readily available than European Ford
parts from MkII Escorts (engine, gearbox and rear axle) and MkV Cortina front hubs. See:
https://www.locostusa.com/forums/viewforum.php?f=46&sid=ed7b092abe27a9c4c78052616c229e6b
Might be useful ideas from Westfield 7 builders too as IIRC you could get a single donor MX5 Westfield kit?
https://forum.wscc.co.uk/forum/
Cheers
Mike
[Edited on 10/11/21 by Mike Wood]
[Edited on 10/11/21 by Mike Wood]
[Edited on 10/11/21 by Mike Wood]
[Edited on 10/11/21 by Mike Wood]
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snapper
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| posted on 10/11/21 at 09:03 AM |
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Not a negative reply but you really need to clamp the frame down well and keep the build base and chassis rails as flat as possible. 3mm now is not a
lot but when you start adding the verticals and then top rails you could be quite far out.
Exciting project and the pinnacle of kit car build.
I eat to survive
I drink to forget
I breath to pi55 my ex wife off (and now my ex partner)
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rconey01
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| posted on 10/11/21 at 09:28 AM |
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Thanks chaps, really helpful!
Was having a look at escort rear axles and they seem like a very expensive option. Does anyone know best place to source a cheap one? Or should I
scrap the ma7da regs and use my mx5 rear end?
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nick205
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| posted on 10/11/21 at 02:18 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by rconey01
Thanks chaps, really helpful!
Was having a look at escort rear axles and they seem like a very expensive option. Does anyone know best place to source a cheap one? Or should I
scrap the ma7da regs and use my mx5 rear end?
Not purchased/used an Escort rear axle myself, but I'd imagine they're expensive - even scruffy ones.
Do the ma7da regs give you any other options for the rear axle?
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rconey01
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| posted on 10/11/21 at 02:28 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by nick205
quote:
Originally posted by rconey01
Thanks chaps, really helpful!
Was having a look at escort rear axles and they seem like a very expensive option. Does anyone know best place to source a cheap one? Or should I
scrap the ma7da regs and use my mx5 rear end?
Not purchased/used an Escort rear axle myself, but I'd imagine they're expensive - even scruffy ones.
Do the ma7da regs give you any other options for the rear axle?
No they specifically say Escort MK1/2 rear axle. I've done some looking and you can get parts for a english style axle but its still going to
mean coughing up the best part £700 at least, and thats only for second hand old stuff.
By the looks of it ill be using my MX-5 diff (as I have an open one and an lsd) and if I have a burning desire to race in the future I'll
convert it at a later date, or hope that they change the regs to mx5 diffs due to escort axles being a bit pricy and not very robust.
Only worries are now ive got to build rear wishbones, im sure it will be fine though.
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Mike Wood
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| posted on 10/11/21 at 03:29 PM |
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An unfinished/wrongly registered old kit car might be a useful source of bits including an Escort axle. As long as you can get it cheap enough
depending on how many of the bits you need for your build and others you can sell on.
Keep an eye on evil bay for ‘kit cars’ like Locusts (not a typo), stalled Locost or Robin Hood builds, very tired Jago Jeeps and Duttons. Need a tape
measure for axle width and info to make sure you are looking at Escort not the wider Capri or Cortina axles (or the unlikely to find narrow Anglia
axle). I picked up a Locost rolling chassis (bare rolling chassis - no ali panels or fixed bodywork) and bits for about £800 a few years ago including
installed Escort axle, Cortina hubs, steering rack and column, and a loose 1300 engine (unfortunately no engine number) and box, and some distinctly
secondhand damaged bodywork.
Another option people talk of is a Freelander diff, but more expense in sorting the driveshafts to the wheels in an IRS set up, compared to welding
brackets to an Escort axle for a live axle set up with trailing arms as per the original Locost book.
Good luck
Cheers
Mike
[Edited on 10/11/21 by Mike Wood]
[Edited on 10/11/21 by Mike Wood]
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ianhurley20
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| posted on 11/11/21 at 09:13 AM |
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Since you have a Mazda diff etc I would go for that route the later model Haynes is wider than the original which fits the escort axle so I
don't know if that takes you away from your original plan too much. My Mazda Haynes roadster was a hybrid where I used Sierra diff and running
gear and everything else Mazda
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Mr Whippy
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| posted on 11/11/21 at 01:12 PM |
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Great to see another scratch build . Take your time and measure everything several times. Take photo's of everything as you go as you'll
need that later and save every receipt in big folder.
I'd leave the MX5 totally complete and running until your actually needing it's parts. Even then I'd keep the engine and gearbox in
and working right till the end rather than take it all apart at the start and have a huge heap of parts to get in the way.
[Edited on 11/11/21 by Mr Whippy]
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rconey01
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| posted on 12/11/21 at 12:33 PM |
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Slow progress, only get time for an hour or 2 after work on some weekdays and weekends when im not busy.
Going up, hopefully start making wishbones before christmas.
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Mike Wood
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| posted on 12/11/21 at 07:27 PM |
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Nice progress.
An example of a part built Locost project that pops up for sale: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/185157700797?hash=item2b1c424cbd:g:kFIAAOSwKKhhjNvk
interestingly with an Atlas not an English axle.
Also picture of Mazda diff in a Westfield chassis:
https://forum.wscc.co.uk/forum/topic/104326-identifying-different-types-of-rear-suspension-and-diffs/
Cheers
Mike
[Edited on 12/11/21 by Mike Wood]
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rconey01
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| posted on 15/11/21 at 11:38 AM |
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Had a good run at the chassis this weekend, got the main chassis done, minus the trans tunnel and some bracing as I dont have any 19mm box or tube in.
Got this all welded and its properly straight and solid now. Looking at it, unsure if the engine will fit haha, must do though as thats how the ma7da
lot build it
Just the rear section to figure out now, I think I will stick to the Haynes rear end and mod it to fit the mx-5 diff as thats what most people seem to
find the easiest.
I'm going to put a full roll cage in, anyone know anywhere that will fit one, I understand that procomp offer a roll cage fitting, are there any
others?
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Mike Wood
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| posted on 15/11/21 at 12:27 PM |
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Wow, that is some great progress.
You can buy ready made wishbones if you want from Rally Design or MK:
https://www.rallydesign.co.uk/advanced_search_result.php?search_in_description=1&keywords=Locost&x=20&y=11&osCsid=c18dq8u7ccuk2j5lr5je
b5smn0
http://www.mksportscars.com/parts/locost.html
Cheers
Mike
[Edited on 15/11/21 by Mike Wood]
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rconey01
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| posted on 15/11/21 at 12:43 PM |
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Thanks Mike,
Think I'm going to make my wishbones, they're a bit expensive to buy, especially if they're standard and not specific to the setup
you want.
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Mike Wood
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| posted on 20/11/21 at 08:10 PM |
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Enjoying your build thread and DIY approach.
You ask about roll over protection systems (ROPS). Best to work out what you want to do with the car so if you do decide to sprint or hillclimb it the
rear rollover bar/full rollcage conforms with the correct rules for cage design and tube specification, see Section K1 and Section S of:
https://www.motorsportuk.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/2021-09-02-motorsport-uk-yearbook-2021.pdf
(worth checking on this forum with those who compete with their cars as well as the Uphillracers forum). And keep an eye on how these regs change and
for any championship supplementary regulations. I know I am jumping ahead, but you will not want to build the cage twice if you decide to compete in
the car. Also think about rear harness mounts, how any seat will fit and if harness mounting is compatible with a head restraint system (HANS) in
association with a suitable race harness, if HANS is a requirement or preference. And also you can get the car through IVA.
In addition to Procomp as a possible rollcage supplier and fitter - http://www.procomp.co.uk/rollcage.html - someone on the Westfield forum had a
recommendation for a company in Essex (MJS Fabrications in Malden)that built them a rear roll bar for a Westfield Eleven that they used for
competition, see: https://forum.wscc.co.uk/forum/topic/122870-building-my-eleven/page/6/
If you go DIY, suitable tube can be supplied bent, e.g. by: https://tube-bender.co.uk/hoops.html
Have you got a copy of Allan Staniforth’s ‘Race & Rally Car Sourcebook’ as has some handy info? Should be available secondhand.
Cheers
Mike
[Edited on 20/11/21 by Mike Wood]
[Edited on 20/11/21 by Mike Wood]
[Edited on 20/11/21 by Mike Wood]
[Edited on 20/11/21 by Mike Wood]
[Edited on 20/11/21 by Mike Wood]
[Edited on 20/11/21 by Mike Wood]
[Edited on 20/11/21 by Mike Wood]
[Edited on 20/11/21 by Mike Wood]
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rconey01
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| posted on 20/11/21 at 08:36 PM |
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Slow progress, custom rear end to fit the mx5 diff as I dont have the saturn plans. More steel arrived so I can crack on with the bracing and trans
tunnel soon. Lucky that work have a plasma cutter so I can get all my plate cut soon.
Plan on getting a pipe bender to do my roll cage in parts then i'll assemble it/weld it in.
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rconey01
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| posted on 25/11/21 at 10:36 AM |
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Work on the transmition tunnel has started, didnt buy enough 3/4" box so need to order some more. Also I got work to plasma cut out some of the
plates I need, mainly 3mm but a couple 6mm for the diff mountings.
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indykid
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| posted on 25/11/21 at 10:49 AM |
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Nice to see another one starting from scratch and an impressive pace of getting the frame knocked together.
Have you done any destructive tests of your welded joints?
A lot of the welds look to have quite a high crown so might be lacking penetration, but if they need any rework, now is the time to do it while you
can get at most of them.
Cutting a joint perpendicular to the weld and seeing how much penetration you have is probably the most illuminating method rather than just smacking
a T joint with a hammer to see what breaks first. A high crown might give you enough strength as laid but anywhere you need to linish it back flat
might cause issues.
Good luck, keep the momentum going!
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rconey01
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| posted on 25/11/21 at 11:10 AM |
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Thanks for your concern on my welds haha, I do plan to grind and weld again any welds that look a bit suspect.
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