DBR1 Build Thread #1

[colleyv8]

Well, time has come to tackle the burning desire to build a car from scratch.

It must have been a fluke, I was about to look at ordering a GT40 kit after converting my MR2 to V6 power, then I looked on PH and saw the Stuart Mills thread and this new car.

It was then I knew this is the one I want

I won't have time to go and look at the kit until probably the show, but I am hoping to free some time from work to get there earlier.

I was looking around and saw an MX5 for sale in Aberdeen, I am based in Fife, so messaged the seller and bought the car unseen, posted and ad on Shiply and got the car loaded and brought down the next day, cost, £235 inc freight.



Its an 1991 Eunos with the 1.6, this will be kept to get it through the IVA and registered, then my Jaguar 4.2 Straight six will be installed instead , this is currently half way through a full rebuild



Spent Saturday stripping the car and got everything bar the windscreen and body off, all other parts are dismantled which helped because the snow came Sunday and put a stop to everything, body should be removed this weekend coming then I can get the subframes reconditioned.



I will be asking lots of questions trough out this build, but hopefully may be able to answer some along the way as well

[leahy]

looking forward to seeing your progress

You probably already know, but the exocet threads are excellent for any Mx5 questions

I have stripped and sold all of the bits off of my donor, and saving the pennies/waiting for bonus day before placing an order

I cant wait to see this at the show - already penciled in with the wife

[colleyv8]

I was freezing my t*ts off last night trying to do some work, just going in to the garage now to clear space to bring it in for the weekend to finish the dismantle. Managed to sell enough parts already to pay back the cost of the car, plus a few bonus's, still got about £400 worth of bit with interest which I'm glad about.

Got the guides for the exocet, good info there.

Think I am glad the donor is worn, excuse for all new toys for it, brakes, suspension, etc.

[leahy]

It might be worth checking with Stuart whether there are any parts you need that you might not if you were building an exocet,

just a thought if you havent already

[colleyv8]

The advice is 'the MEVSTER build blog will be useful'

Parts are plentiful for these cars any way, if you sell something, you can always but another

Just going to finish clearing the garage, my space heater is out

[colleyv8]

Bit of an update, even though we had 4 inches of snow, I had to carry on and managed to finish stripping the car yesterday, then undid all the bolts holding the subframes on to the body. They all came out fairly easy apart from one at the back that snapped by extension bars.



Then discovered that an MX5 is actually 92% wiring and 8% bodyshell



Today was a busy day on ebay, things must be picking up for part sales, then about 4ish, decided to remove the body.

Got the engine crane out into the drive, moved a couple of other cars, bolted it up, and hoisted



Aren't they supposed to come up level?



A few near misses with the caravan and the subframe rolled forwards allowing me to put the shell back down on some timber



Good news is, it looks fairly good condition with a bit of surface rust, was expecting worse to be honest

So, now to clear the rest of the garage and bring the rolling chassis in for stripping and powdercoating.

[leahy]

Looks like your builds/strip is going well, looking forward to an update as this is the first build thread

also good for your motivation. ;D

[colleyv8]

Bit more work this weekend, sold all the panels and most other parts so up on the initial costs so far.

Started stripping the subframes, Lower arms a pain as the captive bolts have slipped, cut a slot in the bottom and got a 17mm socket on them

PPF came off pretty easy when I found out that there was a spaced inside that stopped the PPF coming away from the Diff.

Diff is definatley a LSD which is a bonus, have a couple of places to take the metal to get it stripped and powdercoated.

Just have to finish stripping the front frame now that I have split the engine.





Well that's another weekend gone, back to work and at least I can now work on it in the garage in the evenings.

Wondering what colour to do the frames and arms, thinking BRG for the subframes and cream for the arms and wish bones.

[colleyv8]

Not much to report lately, bought another MX5 for bits and sold most of that now as well.

Waiting for a hydraulic press, then press bushes out, best bits of to powder coaters and then re-installation waiting for the show to see the DBR1

[welshy1]

You don't really need a press to remove the bushes easier to burn them out. But it's a handy piece of equipment to have looking good so far can't wait to see the body work on the frame.

[colleyv8]

I understand, but I have needed so many bushes pressing in and out, along with parts bending or straightening, that I went ahead and order one anyway

Just taking my time and building up the best bits to put together, still need to sort out the straight 6 as well, its going in for headwork and machining

[leahy]

Hi

How are you getting on

Cold days and Nights dont help I know

[colleyv8]

Sorry, no progress as yet on the car, all bits in a corner waiting for a free weekend, did build this in the garage though as I hate cold floors



Should make things a bit easier

Love the chassis pic Stuart put up, just booking my tickets to Stoneleigh and some accomodation