Housey's MX-5 Race Car Plans!
- Thread starter Housey
- Start date
I will be able to post up some progress shots shortly as work has begun I believe but when I popped in last week I took a few shots of my car and the others in various states of build. My car currently sit's in a grain store as we have MX-5's breeding and tend to slot em where we can fit em.
The engine as delivered. I am not going for a rebuild this time, going to compare it to rebuilds and then make the call but it will be decluttered a lot to what you see here:
The rear end, the white bit is a big sticker and will be coming off, roll bar is going to as will need to be replaced will full FIA cage, which is waiting fitment. Obviously the roof is going so things like the rip don't matter, it's history.
For comparison here is my mates car which we are completing first and then using as the basis setup for the others. We are working with the suspension manufacturer on the set up and we commence this in Wednesday.
The engine as delivered. I am not going for a rebuild this time, going to compare it to rebuilds and then make the call but it will be decluttered a lot to what you see here:
The rear end, the white bit is a big sticker and will be coming off, roll bar is going to as will need to be replaced will full FIA cage, which is waiting fitment. Obviously the roof is going so things like the rip don't matter, it's history.
For comparison here is my mates car which we are completing first and then using as the basis setup for the others. We are working with the suspension manufacturer on the set up and we commence this in Wednesday.
Yea, we get the rads from China. [email protected] if you want details.
Well our first team car is 99% completed, just needs the seat and harness re-fitting and it's ready to be run it and tracked for the first time. Matt and the team are about to start full steam ahead on mine in the next day or so and I would expect to have car ready to run by the end of February and be out for the first time in March. Just need to buy a new seat and harness and pretty much done. Bought the race togs at Autosports so just need to get my lid 'Housey'd' up and I is a racin driver!!! 
We have our first runner!!
My mate is first, we are using his car as the development car and here you see him blatting it around the yard. As it has a new rebuilt race engine it has specific running in procedures so at the moment it's 4K revs only. Goes off to the suspension people next week for a full set up as we are using this car as our base template for the other ones.
Mine next!
My mate is first, we are using his car as the development car and here you see him blatting it around the yard. As it has a new rebuilt race engine it has specific running in procedures so at the moment it's 4K revs only. Goes off to the suspension people next week for a full set up as we are using this car as our base template for the other ones.
Mine next!
I'll answer as best I can as I leave the building and technical aspects to those more versed in such things but the exhaust is a Klarius 3 piece and induction wise K&N, don't know the specific model we are using. The engines have been rebuilt but the 'rebuilding' is limited in it's scope and the main area of power gain is via a hard skimming. There are specific engine running procedures which we will of course be following in line with the builders prescribed process, he's done a number of these. Suspension is from AVO as both AVO and GAZ tend to be the championship standard and AVO are supporting us in the setup which is beneficial.
God dammit housey, upgrade your photo bucket
Noted, it's crap isn't it.
Subscribed as an avid 5 owner, and I'll be at castle combe in the paddock hopefully for round 7&8 of the ma5da champs so may come and say hello
And as we run ff1600 cars at college, I can certainly tell you you're correct when you say repairs aren't cheap. Definitely more than your average saloon racer. One of ours had a big off in the last race of the year in october and 3 corners were off and the floor pan wasn't looking too pretty either. So it's now currently sitting as just a shell. Awaiting many expensive suspension bits and a whole new floor.
Single seater racing is 90% repairs, 9% wondering wtf is going wrong and 1% racing
This is pretty much as cheap and close as racing gets, hence me and my mates taking this route. I am not planning to run until mid season, work constraints meaning I simply won't have time to test, practice and race until June time.
Progress has slowed a little as we await a bit of space and also some of the final designs from our suspension people but I thought I would share some internal shots from our first car which is pretty much there now, bar the suspension modifications we are awaiting.
I shall be getting a similar Momo wheel and though I am not a fan of flat bottom wheels having seen this one yesterday I think it makes sense as it helps with space in the car, which is a challenge when you are 6'1 and 17 stone. Feels and looks great so I can see £170 going on this. Also we now have the first carbon fibre insert for the dash which looks good and mine will have the same.
I expect my car to run for the first time in March!
I shall be getting a similar Momo wheel and though I am not a fan of flat bottom wheels having seen this one yesterday I think it makes sense as it helps with space in the car, which is a challenge when you are 6'1 and 17 stone. Feels and looks great so I can see £170 going on this. Also we now have the first carbon fibre insert for the dash which looks good and mine will have the same.
I expect my car to run for the first time in March!
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A little update as at today. We now have 2 cars with their race engines run in after a few hundred miles at Bruntingthorpe yesterday. Today we had the first car on the rollers too and saw 125bhp which is good, though the fueling and mapping needed sorting. I'm not having a rebuild so it will be interesting to see how mine compares when I am able to run it. Progress has slowed a little as we get the first 2 cars finished as both plan full seasons so need to be ready first.
My engine is now done, fully serviced and all the bay elements we no longer need removed. Wiring went in last week and the interior is being sprayed black to make it look tidy. Cage should go in next week, suspension early March as we have some bespoke dampers to test at Silverstone before we decide on final set up. I expect my car to be running mid March. Today ive been spending monies at Demon Tweeks and have acquired a new Sparco Race suit, gloves and under clackers, together with a Cobra Monaco Pro seat, 6 point harness, Momo race wheel and quick release hub. £1500 lighter!
It's getting serious now...
My engine is now done, fully serviced and all the bay elements we no longer need removed. Wiring went in last week and the interior is being sprayed black to make it look tidy. Cage should go in next week, suspension early March as we have some bespoke dampers to test at Silverstone before we decide on final set up. I expect my car to be running mid March. Today ive been spending monies at Demon Tweeks and have acquired a new Sparco Race suit, gloves and under clackers, together with a Cobra Monaco Pro seat, 6 point harness, Momo race wheel and quick release hub. £1500 lighter!
It's getting serious now...
