slickcell
RMS Regular
- Messages
- 2,541
- Drives
- S5 3.0 V6
I won this chassis a couple of weeks ago for an absolute bargain on eBay. I'd a bit of hassle finding a courier but finally got it delivered from Doncaster to my door for £225. It arrived today.
Over the couple of weeks of waiting for a courier, I picked up a load of bits including:
2004 Mazda MX5 1.8 VVT engine, gearbox, full wiring loom, clocks, ignition, propshaft etc:
I do plan to turbo this car but will likely focus on getting it through the SVA first.
Some new GAZ Shocks:
New Cortina Uprights:
52" Atlas axle (this will give it a noticeable extra width over a standard Locost):
Welder:
I really took a punt on the chassis being straight given that I'd purchased so much else for the car. I committed myself one way or another - if the chassis was useless, I would get one built/tackle it myself (highly unlikely
)
Anyway, it arrived today and I spent a good load of hours looking over the chassis with the Ron Champion Haynes book in my hand, checking that everything was 'to spec'. My brother and I spent a while checking that everything was centred, level/symmetrical and free from any worrying discrepancies - turns out, the punt was worth it as the chassis seems to have been built by someone reasonably skilled as everything is perfectly straight etc. Result!
We then offered up the MX5 gearbox to check it out for size - seems to fit fine but it will be tight. I understand that there is an MX5 Locost racing series in England so I know these definitely fit the standard book-spec Locost....this is despite the chassis originally designed to take 1300 pinto engines.
I've an entire weekend ahead of me, with plans to wire-wheel the whole chassis and go over all of the welds. I will then hit the frame with some primer to coat it while getting the rest of the engine/gearbox/suspension work done. It will be powder coated before final assembly but a lash of paint will save any rust in the meantime.
Prioritised plans for the build:
- Redo the wishbones to reflect a revised geometry (proper caster angle etc) with a little additional length for extra track width
- Fit and mount atlas axle
- Fit coilovers
- Mount engine and gearbox
- Fit roll cage
- THE REST (as the above should take me a couple of months anyway) lol
Over the couple of weeks of waiting for a courier, I picked up a load of bits including:
2004 Mazda MX5 1.8 VVT engine, gearbox, full wiring loom, clocks, ignition, propshaft etc:
I do plan to turbo this car but will likely focus on getting it through the SVA first.
Some new GAZ Shocks:
New Cortina Uprights:
52" Atlas axle (this will give it a noticeable extra width over a standard Locost):
Welder:
I really took a punt on the chassis being straight given that I'd purchased so much else for the car. I committed myself one way or another - if the chassis was useless, I would get one built/tackle it myself (highly unlikely
)Anyway, it arrived today and I spent a good load of hours looking over the chassis with the Ron Champion Haynes book in my hand, checking that everything was 'to spec'. My brother and I spent a while checking that everything was centred, level/symmetrical and free from any worrying discrepancies - turns out, the punt was worth it as the chassis seems to have been built by someone reasonably skilled as everything is perfectly straight etc. Result!
We then offered up the MX5 gearbox to check it out for size - seems to fit fine but it will be tight. I understand that there is an MX5 Locost racing series in England so I know these definitely fit the standard book-spec Locost....this is despite the chassis originally designed to take 1300 pinto engines.
I've an entire weekend ahead of me, with plans to wire-wheel the whole chassis and go over all of the welds. I will then hit the frame with some primer to coat it while getting the rest of the engine/gearbox/suspension work done. It will be powder coated before final assembly but a lash of paint will save any rust in the meantime.
Prioritised plans for the build:
- Redo the wishbones to reflect a revised geometry (proper caster angle etc) with a little additional length for extra track width
- Fit and mount atlas axle
- Fit coilovers
- Mount engine and gearbox
- Fit roll cage
- THE REST (as the above should take me a couple of months anyway) lol
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