lightweight mx5- how far can you go to stay road legal
Discussion
Been looking at what to do with my mx5 since one of the rear sills needed welding. Just had a simple £50 fix as car has fairly rough bodywork anyway. Have thought about using it as a kit car donor but that option is looking too expensive when you add in al the extras- van hire, IVA, powdercoating etc...
Now looking to strip it to get a little more power to weight, because I like the look and can perhaps sell some bits towards a turbo setup or just to pay for extra track days.
Main question is whether something like in the photo (no windscreen/windows) below would pass an MOT? I would keep all lights.
http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/HfqGD4C1wR7q3...
Now looking to strip it to get a little more power to weight, because I like the look and can perhaps sell some bits towards a turbo setup or just to pay for extra track days.
Main question is whether something like in the photo (no windscreen/windows) below would pass an MOT? I would keep all lights.
http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/HfqGD4C1wR7q3...
Why not just take the passenger seat out, remove the roof including frame and fit a lightweight battery?
That should remove around 25 kgs without making the car significantly less useable, especially if you keep a hard top at home for wet days - the passenger seat can be put back in two minutes if you have an impact wrench.
It strikes me that after removing those items you're on to steadily diminishing returns for a lot more compromise.
That should remove around 25 kgs without making the car significantly less useable, especially if you keep a hard top at home for wet days - the passenger seat can be put back in two minutes if you have an impact wrench.
It strikes me that after removing those items you're on to steadily diminishing returns for a lot more compromise.
I believe a standard MX5 seat weighs around 15-18Kg.
I can't see the point in removing the windscreen unless it was a track-only special and a full roll-cage was fitted to put the stiffness back in. I wouldn't want to drive a car like that on the road!
You can remove all carpets, fit lightweight seats & flywheel, remove ac & pas, seat-belts, door panels etc. It starts getting difficult after that.
I can't see the point in removing the windscreen unless it was a track-only special and a full roll-cage was fitted to put the stiffness back in. I wouldn't want to drive a car like that on the road!
You can remove all carpets, fit lightweight seats & flywheel, remove ac & pas, seat-belts, door panels etc. It starts getting difficult after that.
Thanks. I started stripping it over the weekend. Will keep windscreen but undecided on side windows and hood. As said I only really use it on dry days and i'd get wet in a kit car anyway. Enjoyed the first afternoon of the project and it only cost my time! 100kgs reduction seems doable. Someone will probably be along to tell me there is little point in reducing weight but who cares!!
covmutley said:
Thanks. I started stripping it over the weekend. Will keep windscreen but undecided on side windows and hood. As said I only really use it on dry days and i'd get wet in a kit car anyway. Enjoyed the first afternoon of the project and it only cost my time! 100kgs reduction seems doable. Someone will probably be along to tell me there is little point in reducing weight but who cares!!
If you can take 100kgs out of the car then you most certainly will feel the difference in weight, the problem is that doing so tends to compromise the car drastically.If you're realistic about how you're going to own and use the car, then that's not a problem, but often it seems that people who go down that route haven't fully thought out the consequences.
MX-5 Lazza said:
A lot of track-day operators insist that you have the side windows up so I wouldn't remove them if I was you. If they are electric then convert to manual but leave them in.
Obviously the OP would need to check with each track day operator, but I would imagine that if the car was registered as a kit car and hand no windows to put up, then the track day operators would be fine about it.Plenty of cars on trackdays don't have side windows - Lotus 211, Xbow, Atom etc.
When I went to the mx5 day at Mallory Park last year the instruction was if you have windows put them up and if you don't, keep your arms inside the car. These issues are well worth checking before parts see ebay or the bin, so thanks.
Been reading lots of threads on mx5nutz. Quite a bit of debate as to whether removing weight is worth it when you can add power via turbo. Having read various opinions my conclusions are that:
-Removing 50kg wil have some impact (laws of gravity), but probably not enough to feel.
-Removing 100kg should have a noticable impact in all areas(braking, turn in, acceleration), but not as much as turbo, or improved driving skills.
-Turbo is probably better than weight loss, giving better performance whislt retaining a certain level of comfort but comes at a price, even if that is quite low compared to the performance increase.
-As someone said above, it depends what you use the car for and the level of comfort you require- mine is not a daily driver.
interesting stuff! Herman your build looks good, any more pics?
Been reading lots of threads on mx5nutz. Quite a bit of debate as to whether removing weight is worth it when you can add power via turbo. Having read various opinions my conclusions are that:
-Removing 50kg wil have some impact (laws of gravity), but probably not enough to feel.
-Removing 100kg should have a noticable impact in all areas(braking, turn in, acceleration), but not as much as turbo, or improved driving skills.
-Turbo is probably better than weight loss, giving better performance whislt retaining a certain level of comfort but comes at a price, even if that is quite low compared to the performance increase.
-As someone said above, it depends what you use the car for and the level of comfort you require- mine is not a daily driver.
interesting stuff! Herman your build looks good, any more pics?
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