MX-5 running gear

I keep thinking about this. Theres also a 1.8 version and the 2.0 from the 626 will fit that box as will the Ford Duratec 4 pot. Also also I guess the V6 2.0 and 2.5 Mazda lumps (aka Xedos) will also fit. Nice little IRS set up too.

Healthy tuning market for them, several turbo and supercarger kits available.

I don't get why they don't get used.

slide the whole lot under, its all hung off a re-eforcing spine that holds it together while you add some frame rails
gearboxes are quite long IIRC. I've broken about 3 ofthem. the engine is nice and compact. the 1.8 is quite a bit more powerful than just having 200cc's extra AFAIK. theres not huge ammounts of wiring to tackle, especially on a non se spec model.
I have a spare engine in the shed.
I too have no idea why they're not a hot swap.

Hmm, so it might just be down to expense then Looking at that MGA shot the ignition is at the back which I guess could cause clearance issues for some and he's got the original thermostat housing adapted to it at the front, presumably to point the hose in the right direction.

B&D, any chance of a photo or two of that spare engine and some dimensions?

Just bumping this really in case there's any other knowledgeable people about on a Sunday afternoon

Now ya see, i had pondered about a MX5 lump and one of those 6cog box's they put in the new ones for my 'scort in a year or two.
It was only them being a complete unknown quantity to, it seemed, everyone that was putting me off.

Happy days ;D

D

As B&D says they have a really useable structure underneath - I believe it's 2 subframes on a spine. very useable I reckon.

And here's your 'Viva Front' !

not quite a viva front as its struts not a self contained coil & damper set up (or leaf & damper on the HA) so there'd be a bit of fab to do to deal with that (and at the rear too) but its not beyond the wit of man to sort that I'm sure.

the front struts are just coilovers really. fab a top mount and away you go, the wishbones et al are all located on the sub frame. the rear is pretty much the same deal. strut top mounts are on the unitary body structure (which is far to heavy IMO, I had to lift one once...). the spine just holds the diff in place I geuss for location purposes under extreme loads. it holds it together well enough to hold the entire drivetrain together whilst you fab some frame rails tho

The MX5 running gear has got a lot going for it. As previously mentioned the suspension is on nice subframes that will bolt real easy to a chassis.

The other big plus point is that the MX5 is already a classic car. Parts will be around for as long as there is petrol. That means the engine will not go obsolete as I think many modern Ford engines will in time.

There is a huge after market tuning scene.... turbo, supercharger etc all off the shelf.

However it isnt all good news. The MX5 is actually quite wide and to get the running gear under a car such as a Minor the subframes have to be narrowed or run arches. Fortunately narrowing the rear subframe is dead easy and only needs new drive shafts.

Narrowing the front is harder as you go into space for the engine. The way around this is to make new new mounts that go onto a chassis rail. Also the lower wishbone goes a long way back and this can restrict just how far forward the toe board (pedal box) can go.

The steering rack is easy to narrow with a lathe and a set of taps. However the threads required on the end of the rack are an odd fine thread and the taps are £70 but once a set are bought they can be used on many cars.

Also fortunately the suspension geometry doesnt go too bad when the subframes are narrowed. The roll centre goes a little lower and thats about it.

You can pick up an MX5 complete for around £800 with good running gear and a rusted body.

With so much going for the MX5 I wouldnt be surprised to see some cars using the running gear quite soon........