Discussion
For those of you who haven't seen it before, I have a blog for my build - www.mistrale.blogspot.co.uk
Just been updated with the last few days progress, but it details my looooong and slooooow build of an exo-car, a phrase that was not invented when I started!! Comments are welcome!
Just been updated with the last few days progress, but it details my looooong and slooooow build of an exo-car, a phrase that was not invented when I started!! Comments are welcome!
Edited by Mistrale on Thursday 6th December 18:57
Mistrale said:
Just resurrecting this old thread to say that I have updated my Blog with my recent 'progress' - I have started a new more stable work pattern now so can hopefully get closer to that elusive finish line.......
Comments and feedback welcome as always
Hi. I have pored over your blog and enjoyed it greatly. I am considering changing my wife's single owner Mazda 2002 1.6L 323F GSI hatchback which is developing body rust, but which runs so sweetly, into a rear-engined open sports car. This will require me to make a full chassis build and use the current engine, gearbox and drive at the rear. Most of the other ancillary parts will be transferred and built into the new chassis and body. My question is - do you think that if well built and the IVA literature followed by me as layman, that I could pass the IVA and become road-legal? I accept that the project will take me some years. Thanks for your advice. Geoff.Comments and feedback welcome as always
LezLezLez said:
.....My question is - do you think that if well built and the IVA literature followed by me as layman, that I could pass the IVA and become road-legal? I accept that the project will take me some years. Thanks for your advice. Geoff.
No reason why not.Depending on how much of the donor car you use you may even get it registered on an age related plate. This is a registration number from the same year as the donor but not the donor reg.
However, if you wanted to keep the reg and the donor is still MOT'd then you could put the reg on retention before you start stripping the car down.
Your chassis design will need to convince the tester as to its strength and rigidity. Your welding will also need to be acceptable.
Download the IVA manual you have a lot of reading ahead of you.
Steve
LezLezLez said:
Hi. I have pored over your blog and enjoyed it greatly. I am considering changing my wife's single owner Mazda 2002 1.6L 323F GSI hatchback which is developing body rust, but which runs so sweetly, into a rear-engined open sports car. This will require me to make a full chassis build and use the current engine, gearbox and drive at the rear. Most of the other ancillary parts will be transferred and built into the new chassis and body. My question is - do you think that if well built and the IVA literature followed by me as layman, that I could pass the IVA and become road-legal? I accept that the project will take me some years. Thanks for your advice. Geoff.
Don't know how DIY you want to go with this project, but this might be of interest?www.midlana.com
The design impressed me and really caught my eye. I've built a few kits over the years and have been messing with cars in general for well over 40 so not a total noob. I had actually sworn off building any more, but this one has dragged me back in. I'm building mine with an Alfa 166 V6 as donor for engine & ECU, gearbox, loom, switchgear and instruments. No construction done yet, just collection of donor parts and some prep of same. Don't be put off by the price of the book - it's well worth the asking price IMO, particularly if you've no experience of building a car. It's a lot more comprehensive than any of the other offerings.
It was designed for a Honda K20 engine & gearbox so I imagine your chosen Mazda power unit won't present any issues. It uses MX5 uprights so you may even get lucky with driveshafts and find an off-the-shelf part that fits.
As noted, probably the biggest hurdle will be the construction of the basic chassis, so you'll need to learn some new skills or brush up on existing ones there, but otherwise, nope, no reason why not. Just make sure you build with one eye on the SVA regulations at all times. Honestly, most of it is pretty sensible stuff. Some of the 'external projections' seems a tad daft at times, but rules is rules.
Just struck me, I know a chap who was building but after getting the chassis pretty much finished, changed direction and doesn't have any plans for it now. He was making his wider than book design to accommodate bigger sets to suit his frame. That might be a kick-start if you were interested? No idea if he'd sell it though - as I say, it just struck me.
Of course you can design and build something that will pass IVA - A really careful read through all the various rules is clearly essential before you start.
Taking an existing car and building a kit around it is difficult though. In your case, what would you use for front uprights and hubs? I guess MX5 would have the same PCD perhaps? At the other end, I found that the various subframes etc. from the donor car required so much compromise to incorporate, and were so heavy, that they were not worth it!!! So all you end up using from the donor in the end is engine, gearbox, driveshafts, front (rear!) uprights and possibly some of the wiring loom.....the advice is often given that you are better selling what you have for scrap and buying an established kit!!!
I have been working on mine for ages now, or perhaps more to the point, not working! I'm at the point where my job makes it difficult once again to make progress
If anyone wanted a challenge and made me an offer, I would certainly listen to it!
Taking an existing car and building a kit around it is difficult though. In your case, what would you use for front uprights and hubs? I guess MX5 would have the same PCD perhaps? At the other end, I found that the various subframes etc. from the donor car required so much compromise to incorporate, and were so heavy, that they were not worth it!!! So all you end up using from the donor in the end is engine, gearbox, driveshafts, front (rear!) uprights and possibly some of the wiring loom.....the advice is often given that you are better selling what you have for scrap and buying an established kit!!!
I have been working on mine for ages now, or perhaps more to the point, not working! I'm at the point where my job makes it difficult once again to make progress
If anyone wanted a challenge and made me an offer, I would certainly listen to it!
Gassing Station | Kit Cars | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff