Build your own sports car Haynes roadster build Saturn

[Haynesmx5roadster]

This is my progress so far

[Haynesmx5roadster]

[Haynesmx5roadster]

[Haynesmx5roadster]

[Haynesmx5roadster]

[Haynesmx5roadster]

[Haynesmx5roadster]

This is my progress so far to date, I will keep posting along the way so any helpful suggestions,tips are welcome as I have never done nothing like this before

[Johnny5hoods]

Nice to see someone building one of these. I wondered what happened to them, as they used to be headline news all the time within the motoring community, and then it all went quiet a few years ago.

I met Ron Champion a couple of times. He was a really inspirational guy of the old school. He had an amazing mentality. If there was a problem, he'd find a solution. Nothing stopped him. He carried the same kind of can-do ingenuity engineers must have needed during the war. He oozed enthusiasm. Awesome guy, and hopefully not the last of his kind.

I take it, from your name, you're using MX5 components. Looks like you're doing a good job there. Definitely keep us informed. I, for one, will be delighted to track your progress.

[Haynesmx5roadster]

Thanks For showing a interest in my build, yes your correct I'm going to buy a mx5 as a doner car but I'm going to do as much of the build as possible before I buy the car, all being built from the Haynes manual and modifying to the Saturn drawings I found on the net to suit the mk1 mx5

Edited by Haynesmx5roadster on Sunday 14th January 17:14

[Gord1]

I've got an MX5 Haynes Roadster, the chassis was built by Saturn. I didn't build it, although I have just about rebuilt it as it's only really used on the track and this has highlighted some weak points.

[Haynesmx5roadster]

Hi have you got any pictures of the parts you have found weak so maybe I could strengthen them parts of the chassis as I'm building mine, would be easy to strengthen now.

[Gord1]

Where the diff fastens to the chassis it is weaka weak point, my diff arm snapped (had it welded and strengthened) because it moved on its mounts. I strengthened the mounting points and used black power flex bushes (race bushes) on the diff arms, it's been fine since.
Use at least 5mm thick plate on your engine mounts or it will move and bend.
The oil pumps are weak, I think the crank vibrates at high revs, causing the teeth to grind a bit, the metal off them gets caught in the pressure relief valve, scoring the piston then seizing in the open position causing total loss of oil pressure. I have had this problem 4 times in 1,000 miles, the last time was after fitting a brand new Mazda item. Im fitting a brand new SVT item next time as they are a lot thicker but fit the 1.6.
The VW Polo radiator is not up to the track, replace it with a thicker alloy one.

[Issdrobo]

Hi guys, I'm currently in the research stage to start my own build next year and came across your posts.

I'm looking to to build from the latest Chris Gibbs book but with the Saturn Wishbone up grade and Vodou chassis enhancement and rear diff cage which I think will be a good combination.

What I'm struggling with is the dimensions for the rear wishbones. I have read that these are not quite right so I was wondering if you had any drawings you could post that worked?

I'm also going down the traditional route of a MX5 1.8 mk 2 or 2.5. does this engine sit quite comfortably under a flat bonnet or will I need one with an air scoop?

Anyway thanks in advance but as an engineer you can imagine I've already built the car in my head??

Regards

Ian

[Wanchaiwarrior]

Also try having a look on locostbuilders.co.uk, great website, worth a read