Airhead
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| posted on 25/4/10 at 07:14 PM |
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And so it starts... MX5 roadster build
I got home late on Friday with this in tow:
Obviously it is a wrecked MX5, more specifically it is the doner for my Locost.
I now have the plan for my chassis, suspension etc so will be cracking on.
Subject editted on request -ChrisW
[Edited on 1/4/2011 by ChrisW]
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mookaloid
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| posted on 25/4/10 at 07:20 PM |
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nice one, with damage like that it should have been a very reasonably priced purchase 
"That thing you're thinking - it wont be that."
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Airhead
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| posted on 25/4/10 at 07:35 PM |
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It was - I needed a set of wheels and tyres for the wifes v-spec. I got this for not much more than the tyres alone would have cost, plus I've
already fitted a few bits that were busted on hers and I don't need; plastics etc.
The motor runs smooth and all the transmission and running gear is intact, as a bonus this one is also a v-spec so has the tuned head.
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Mark Allanson
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| posted on 25/4/10 at 07:39 PM |
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Matt,
That engine must have been running upside down in the final moments of the crash, run the engine up and check the oil pressure, look for oil on the
inside of the bonnet as well.
Its unlikely that any damage occurred, but best check now.
If you can keep you head, whilst all others around you are losing theirs, you are not fully aware of the situation
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Airhead
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| posted on 25/4/10 at 07:44 PM |
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Hey Mark,
Yep I asked the seller about that - he killed the motor very quickly. I have already looked and the underside of the bonnet and engine bay is clean
as a whistle. I asked him to start it up and it has no smoke and runs lovely the oil pressure is around the same mark as on the wifes motor.
Hoping to start the chassis build in the next couple of weeks.
[Edited on 25/4/10 by Airhead]
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Mark Allanson
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| posted on 25/4/10 at 07:49 PM |
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Have you got a welder yet?
If you can keep you head, whilst all others around you are losing theirs, you are not fully aware of the situation
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Airhead
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| posted on 25/4/10 at 07:57 PM |
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Going to borrow Barrys I believe. Would really have like to have got a 180 amp one but I keep getting outbid. If my Pajero sells I might treat
myself.
Forgot - I took this photo earlier too:
[Edited on 25/4/10 by Airhead]
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Dangle_kt
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| posted on 25/4/10 at 08:22 PM |
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ooooooh nice! 1.6? Sorry I dont know mx5 years very well!
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l0rd
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| posted on 25/4/10 at 08:57 PM |
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I hate you 
i was looking on an mx5 based locost before i gave up due to legislation.
still have some parts from when i was collecting.
PS:
Loom is a pain in the **** to sort out.
so many things that you can sell. Join the mx5 forums.
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Airhead
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| posted on 25/4/10 at 09:06 PM |
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Yep it's a little 1.6 still the motor is all alloy (I believe) and can be lifted out by a gust of wind so the power to weight should be pretty
good. The motor is 114BHP out of the box. Also there is limitless info on turbo upgrades 
Unfortunately the car has been stripped of most of the sell-able stuff already.
The loom does look interesting, I intent to lose most of the body wiring as I don't need much of it, also the console is going to be minimalised
a bit too.
What legislation stopped your build? Is there something I've missed?
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l0rd
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| posted on 25/4/10 at 11:18 PM |
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Greek legislation.
Was planning and exporting it after SVA back then.
If the car you have on the pic as you got it, then there are plenty of things to sell.
I have been told, the plastic strip running on the bottom of the windscreen if it is not cracked can fetch 25-40 quid.
Air con pump is a good 30+ quid if not knackered.
etc....
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Airhead
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| posted on 26/4/10 at 08:21 AM |
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Wow!
The plastic bit is good - the aircon is intact and I don't need it and the power steering pump too!
Good news thanks.
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l0rd
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| posted on 30/4/10 at 10:09 AM |
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Also, things like
front indicators
mazda tool kit
front light motors
strut brace
hood latches
also tend to provide good value
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Airhead
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| posted on 13/5/10 at 10:05 PM |
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Right, a few hours work and this is what we have, there are loads of bits I plan to use as well.
From the donor I will make use of:
Engine
Transmission
LSD
Drivetrain
Brakes (front and rear)
Uprights (front and rear)
Wiring loom
ECU
Battery
Alternator
Fuel pump / sender
Fuel tank vent
Clocks
Steering column
Pedals
Hydraulic clutch
Heater mech
Wiper mech
Seats
I can't use the steering rack as it is way too long and would need shortening, I know that it is possible but as an escort rack will work why
take the risk?
I've got a little black book with my poems in!
My build diary: http://www.mx5-locost.co.uk
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boggle
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| posted on 17/5/10 at 02:04 PM |
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where is the arse end pic???
just because you are a character, doesnt mean you have character....
for all your bespoke parts, ali welding, waterjet, laser, folding, turning, milling, composite work, spraying, anodising and cad drawing....
u2u me for details
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PLEASE NOTE: This user is a trader who has not signed up for the LocostBuilders registration scheme. If this post is advertising a commercial product or service, please report it by clicking here.
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Airhead
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| posted on 28/5/10 at 08:34 PM |
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OK so I have my metal so have made a start by building my table:
Hopefully going to start the chassis proper tomorrow.
I've got a little black book with my poems in!
My build diary: http://www.mx5-locost.co.uk
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alistairolsen
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| posted on 28/5/10 at 11:11 PM |
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Looking good so far! A part of me wishes Id gone for the mx5 engine and box
My Build Thread
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Airhead
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| posted on 29/5/10 at 08:20 AM |
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They are good and so compact for the power! I think that more people will convert to MX5 builds as the Fords become rarer and more build threads pop
up - maybe Mr Gibbs could look at doing a supplement... I got that car for a couple of hundred pounds and it has everything I need, they are so
common now as all of the imported NAs are starting to rot from the inside out. Good for me - not so good for the wife who has one as a driver...
I've got a little black book with my poems in!
My build diary: http://www.mx5-locost.co.uk
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Airhead
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| posted on 3/6/10 at 09:54 PM |
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Good progress over the last few days:
Not without incident though with regards to the front frame. The first issue was apparent when I came to fit tr1 which was about 20mm too short. I
posted up on the Haynes forum with a few photos and got a quick reply from regular helper HandyAndy - in one picture I had a rule showing the 75mm
overhang on the front frame, Andy noticed that I was measuring from the front of the bottom rail rather than the back - once rectified the rail
fitting like a dream. Secondly on fitting tr2 I noticed that the rail was dipping on the right hand side - closer examination with a rule showed that
the frame was distorted by 2mm. I took the front frame back off the table and cut the right upright out - replaced the frame on the jig and remade
the upright. Having refitted and tacked it is all bang on.
The moral of this tale? Measure twice cut once and more haste less speed...
I've got a little black book with my poems in!
My build diary: http://www.mx5-locost.co.uk
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eddie99
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| posted on 3/6/10 at 11:25 PM |
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Looking like a great start, keep it up!
http://www.elitemotorsporteng.co.uk/
Twitter: @Elitemotoreng
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Elite-Motorsport-Engineering/153409081394323
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NOTE:This user is registered as a LocostBuilders trader and may offer commercial services to other users
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Scotty
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| posted on 4/6/10 at 06:38 AM |
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pete still has that metal workbench if you or barry still want it
PLEASE NOTE! All comments made by this person are to be considered "Tongue in Cheek" and are not meant to be taken seriously in any way - so there!
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Airhead
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| posted on 4/6/10 at 08:35 AM |
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I think Barry was trying to get hold of you about it - he did want it but don't know what is going on at the mo and he's not logged on
here for weeks.
I've got a little black book with my poems in!
My build diary: http://www.mx5-locost.co.uk
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Airhead
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| posted on 6/6/10 at 09:18 PM |
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Top rails on
Had a really good day on the car today, I got all of the SB and TR tubes fitted. Hopefully tomorrow Boggle is going to help me get the engine up
there so that I can work out the tunnel clearances.
Some photos so far:
[Edited on 6/6/10 by Airhead]
I've got a little black book with my poems in!
My build diary: http://www.mx5-locost.co.uk
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Airhead
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| posted on 14/6/10 at 08:27 PM |
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More updates
So onto the next step:
I lowered the build table and suspended the engine and box over the frame. It wasn't the most successful operation as I was too aware that a
big lump of metal coming into contact with the tacked frame might not be such a good thing and couldn't get any accurate measurements with it
floating above so onto plan 'B'.
I took a profile of the bottom of the engine and box, raised the table back up and placed my template on the build table; I was then able to judge
where the gear-change should be.
The first obvious thing was that the tunnel was too narrow at the front end so would need modification and that there was sufficient space on the
passengers side to allow symetry and a bit more space for the passengers feet.
 
I still need to brace the modified section to offer strength where I have introduced a bend and will probably try to utilise the seat mounting
tubes.
 
I've got a little black book with my poems in!
My build diary: http://www.mx5-locost.co.uk
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Airhead
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| posted on 12/7/10 at 10:58 PM |
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More on the Frame
I refrained from posting the hundreds of really boring photos of various bits of metal being tacked in place as for the most part up to now it has
been a pretty much well standard build.
Just a front view...
A bit more detail around the transmission tunnel as I had to modify it to take the MX5 box.
I have always worried about the weak point in the frame here - there seems to be a join running right across the full width. For the sake of a few
grams of weight I bought some peace of mind...
The other side of the transmission tunnel.
The frame welded and moved forward on the table ready for the rear frame to be fitted.
I've got a little black book with my poems in!
My build diary: http://www.mx5-locost.co.uk
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