Hi all,

I've recently joined the forum and am planning on starting a locost 7 build from scratch using a mazda mx5 as donor. I've helped my dad for the past few years build his 7 from scratch and now its my turn lol. He is a member of this forum. Was just wondering if anyone has a detailed build diary, that has used an mx5 donor, (with pictures) from start to finish that I might browse through. Any help/advice is much appreciated.

also sorry if this is the wrong section. Look forward to getting to know you all!

I did this but there's no build Diary.

Best I can offer is my photo archive - click the link under my Avatar

Might be worth looking on the Westfield site too, there are a few detailed MX5 build diarys on there. I have a MX5 based car too.

I believe there are a number of similar builders so I'm sure there will be a build diary or at least some photos to help you.

Out of personal interest, how much of the MX5 are you planning to use?

Hi, I used an MX5 donor for my Roadrunner Sr2. Not a locost but might give you some pointers. See my build here Sr2 build diary

Using a 1.8, which I have now supercharged (not got around to updating build diary on that mod yet )

hi and welcome I used an mx5 to do a Haynes roadster
not a build diary as such but its in the Haynes section headed progress at last also as above pics in my photo archive any questions fire away, remember the only silly question is the one you don't ask
good luck

few of us building mx5 haynes roadsters ober on the haynes forum or roadster builders

I've been gathering bits for a while now and will be hopefully be starting my mx5 build soon. I'm planning on documenting it so watch this space. :-)

[Edited on 22/1/16 by Brian R]

Cheers for the replies guys, much appreciated! Nick205 I want to use as much as I can in regards to running gear. Diff, half shafts, prop, gearbox and engine, steering column and rack.... Lots of research to do. If anyone has run into any problems with one of these builds, advice will be greatly received

There's a few MX5 build threads over on the Haynes Roadster forum.

The diff was the only bit that caused me any real grief.
It's an odd shape, awkward to mount, takes up loads of space, and breaks in two if you get it wrong!
Other than that, it was fairly straightforward using mx5 parts.

I have built my seven type car using MX5 turbo parts and it was registered in Aug 2013 after 2 IVA tests.
Be very careful to have the details of the car the engine came from because they will not accept any doubt as to year of manufacture. Ford will tell you exactly when and what vehicle one of their engines came from, but Mazda are unhelpful and cannot tell you anything.
As a result I had to have a CAT 1 pass on a 1992 engine.
My car was featured in Practical Performance Car magazine in Nov last year in the "built not bought section".

quote:

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Originally posted by jumping jack
Be very careful to have the details of the car the engine came from because they will not accept any doubt as to year of manufacture. Ford will tell you exactly when and what vehicle one of their engines came from, but Mazda are unhelpful and cannot tell you anything.

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My donor had had its engine changed without informing DVLA.
This results in the engine and car being separate hence Mazda were VERY unhelpful because they link the engine to the car so if you cannot provide Mazda with the correct vehicle they cannot back track.

jumping jack , I bought my engine 2003 vvt mk2.5 from a well known breakers and cos I didn't have a vin or reg number of the original car mazda uk were unable to help, although the young lady did try.

found this which helps identify the year make of the engine, don't know how acceptable it is though, so like above I'm on a BET or CAT1 test

http://www.mx5parts.co.uk/instructions/Vin-ID-Chart.jpg

That's about the strength of it but as I stated, if you give Ford an engine number they will tell you when it was made and what it was fitted to.

I built the car and with the kind help of a great company called Mitsi Art that specialises in Jap sports cars we kept testing the car until it passed on emissions.
As it turned out I had to fit a CAT and unplug the HSK turbo piggy back ECU and run standard. In this mode I drove slowly as it was likely to melt something.
Of course I left it like this because we cannot have cars polluting the air can we?

Well Guys,

I have officially purchased my donor!!! So excited!! Popped up on ebay and i managed to get it at an awesome price! 240.00 quid. Has M.O.T until june (not that, that matters) and only 82,000 miles. Starts and drives excellent. She's not pretty but who cares! All that matters is the running gear and that all seems great! Can't do anymore for a few months as need to get dads finished and out on the road. Anyhoooo heres some pictures.....



[Edited on 28/2/16 by JSArmstrong]

[Edited on 28/2/16 by JSArmstrong]

great find now you have all the fun of stripping it, photo and label everything no matter how obvious it seems now in monthes time it will be a jigsaw puzzle especially the wiring loom, oh and keep the instrument light dimmer you need it to get the instrument lights to work .....
Have fun and get cracking with dads one , he IS holding you up

He certainly Is!

I've a MX5 saturn "build" manual, pm me your address and i'll send you it, I've also a cd full of pics which i'll include

Now then chaps! It's been a long time, since this project begun, and I'm happy to announce that It is now completed — (well....sort of... I suppose we are never really finished are we)
I hit the build pretty hard from start to finish spending as much of my spare time as I could on it. From start of stripping the donor to being complete it's probably been 3 years.
I plan on writing up a full and detailed build log, I have hundreds and hundreds of photos, but just want to rest for now. The final 3 months have been fairly brutal but well worth it!
A massive shout out and thanks to my dad (known as dewbries on here) for all work and input he has into this project, I could not have done it without his advice, input and expertise!! Dad, I could never thank you enough for helping me realise this dream!
So, the car passed its IVA on Tuesday 23rd July, the registration documents were sent off that day, and returned to me with a lovely age related plate number on Thursday 1st August. Which was fab timing as my wife and I were off on holiday on the Friday. We are currently on holiday in South Wales with the car. We drove from North Yorkshire to South Wales over 300 miles, as we avoided motorways, because back roads are so much more fun, without missing a beat!!!
Also a big thanks to everyone's advice from this forum!
Pictures to follow (fingers crossed)

Invictus&Meon


Invictus&Meon2


Invictus1


Invictus2


IVA pass!


Invictus3


Invictus4


Invictus Engine bay