Yet another build in the planning

[peterw]

O.K. As I am hoping to retire in the spring  I will need something to do with all my leisure time  ..

So I have started with one of these..



Gonna add one of these...



Aiming to end up with one of these




Tribute Automotive Ferrari 250 copy, as I can't afford the millions the real ones cost.
Then we think about the engine Leaning towards 2.8 M3 as used in the Z3 if I have enough room for the extra 2 Pots but we will worry about that after the body etc is done... anyone know how long the Z3 engine is ??

By the way it's an age thing, I need a roof and a heater for the winter..

Pete

[Moleman]

Looks good mate. Shame we didn't have a chance to chat that much about it. Sorry about that. 

[Bulldog Bri]

WOW Good luck with the build Pete. And no IVA at the end either.

[Iancider]

Pete,

Nice project.

Had a good browse around but only found that it an E36 series engine so there is plenty of those in 3 series that you could measure up.

Then I got to thinking that the Mazda engines are pretty decent anyway.  How about just pushing the performance - even the 1.6 will push to 250bhp and of course you have the 1.8 and the more recent 2.0.  Instant power is available from a simple turbo upgrade or maybe a supercharger? 

If you want a growl how about throttle bodies?  (ECU required)

Worth a thought.

Ian

[Camber Dave]

From one old bloke to another...

The MX 5 heater is fantastic
I only use 1/4 of the heat with the roof closed

On a cold winters day with the roof down it will keep feet and hands warm

Dave

['The Gaffer']

Interesting project and an M3 lump should give more than enough power.

By the way it's an age thing, I need a roof and a heater for the winter..

You and me both mate

[peterw]

O.K. The time has come, I have spent the winter gaining brownie points doing the house and conservatory, so it's build time .
Got the body ,ordered full set of suspension bushes and coilovers but got to do the boring stuff first before body fitting.
Both outer sills have a bit of rot in and have been badly patched so they have got to go and be replaced first.

Nice clean floor and no rust there at all


Off side sill off and getting there

[Crunchie Gears]

Looks good and I like the car. 

Keep us posted, waiting with interest.

[benchmark51]

Doesn't look as bad as some mgb's I've done.

[Gary RH7]

I like the idea of this project being an old man . Keep the posts going Pete

[Iancider]

Peter,

If you need any MX5 spares we have a bunch of leftovers from the Go Inspire donor cars.  Good luck with it.

['The Gaffer']

Good luck with it, don't forget the build pics

[peterw]

Offside done, Nearside next

[sanzomat]

Good progress. With a couple of bank holidays coming up hopefully you'll have time for some more

[peterw]

O.k. Had a break and walked up Snowdon and down again as you do. While I'm on the offside might as well start the suspension



A bit of work needed here me thinks, so after two hours one F1 Grand prix  an Air Gun and copious amounts of WD 40,



Back to work tomorrow so another break in proceedings

[Bulldog Bri]

Always enjoy the dismantling stage. Though worry I'd lose bits as well. So Lots of bags and labels required.

[peterw]

Got the front off


Just for fun, a first trial fit of the nose, first of many



And the cage



Back to front suspension

[Bulldog Bri]

I do like that

[peterw]

One corner nearly complete, 3 more to go

[peterw]

Had to modify the front to take the headlamp bowls,
Original nearside



Modified offside




More to come.......

[peterw]

Rear off side back in, just got to do it all again on the other side !!!



Feels like I spend all my time pressing in suspension bushes, there's dozens of them.

[peterw]

Couldn't resist a first fit of the new back end....







OOh nice arse 

[peterw]

Time to cut the rear off the car to allow more access to the boot...



Now gone










Got to put some box section in yet to replace what i took out, but the main strength is the section right behind the seats