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Post by snowbird1 on Nov 10, 2013 14:37:46 GMT
Easy dismantle - no rust! Lifted the body with an engine hoist, only had a short length of chain but it bolted across the seat mounts OK. When I got it high enough to clear the engine it flipped on it's side, the open bonnet and the hoist stopped it going upside down. Realized that I had suspended it below the center of mass and the body was top heavy; note use a longer chain next time!  Luckily no-one was watching and it made it easy to remove the fuel tank, filter and pipes! |
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Post by snowbird1 on Nov 10, 2013 14:50:50 GMT
After 4 weeks at sea and 10 days to clear customs I got my crate;  Currently at our daughter's place in California with the donor parts. Next week's jobs, head back to the High Desert, unpack the crate, get tyres fitted to the new wheels, assemble the chassis with the RHD subframe, once it is at the rolling stage get it all on a trailer and back to our place in Arizona. |
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Post by snowbird1 on Nov 16, 2013 3:55:30 GMT
Major job dismantling the crate, as I thought is heavier than the kit, those packing guys must go crazy with the nail gun.  It did the job though, everything came through in good shape. |
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Post by snowbird1 on Nov 16, 2013 4:04:15 GMT
Wheels mounted with Dunlop tyres, seemed fitting even if they are made in Japan. RHD sub frame and steering rack installed, also fuel tank.  |
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Post by snowbird1 on Nov 16, 2013 4:06:17 GMT
Seems like I can only insert one image per post.  |
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Post by R2S on Nov 17, 2013 0:29:48 GMT
Are they the wheels from MEV?
What size tyres have you fitted? I am looking for 80-82 profile and think i will have to go 205 to fit 7Js correctly. Current favourites are Vredestein 205 70 15 as i can't find any suitable width 80 profile.
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Post by gwnwar on Nov 17, 2013 6:10:14 GMT
John.. Just checked forum.. nice work so far really looking good.. you have a nice work space there. lots of room to store parts.. There isn't much room up front to pull engine but I think it will come out with the trans..
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Post by snowbird1 on Nov 17, 2013 8:24:30 GMT
Are they the wheels from MEV? What size tyres have you fitted? I am looking for 80-82 profile and think i will have to go 205 to fit 7Js correctly. Current favourites are Vredestein 205 70 15 as i can't find any suitable width 80 profile. Yea, I got the wheels with the kit, my tyres are 195/65R-15., same size as the MEV demonstrator. About 2" taller than the stock MX5 tyre, my calculations make that about 9% rolling diameter increase - so the stock speedo will be off. |
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Post by R2S on Nov 17, 2013 10:44:33 GMT
I'm hoping 205 won't look too wide if i can get 80 profiles but if not i may well take advice on coming down to 185 80 15.
Any issues with wheel clearances around the brakes? Read somewhere that some wires (don't know if they are the same as those we have) won't fit over the 1.8 brakes (and mine is a 1.8 donor).
Too early to say i know but would be interested in any handling changes in going away from the stock MX5 design tyre, particularly as i plan to move even further away.
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Post by snowbird1 on Nov 18, 2013 14:20:01 GMT
I think the stock wheels are 14", my donor came with 17's, but there is plenty of clearance with the 15's. There is room for stick on weights inside the rim. Interesting 2 of the wheel/tyre assemblies needed no weight to balance, the other 2 only a few grams, good wheels and tyres!
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Post by snowbird1 on Nov 21, 2013 14:33:54 GMT
Finally made it to Arizona, the Replicar's next journey should be under it's own power;   |
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Post by R2S on Nov 21, 2013 23:09:07 GMT
Another couple of days to completion then?
Dark green does look good particularly in the sun, rain and sleet here in NW Derbyshire.
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Post by gwnwar on Nov 22, 2013 3:01:59 GMT
John.. Looks good do like the color.. Have the neighbors been over yet.. is the body bolted fast.. The tires fill the wheel wells just right and look good.. $ 6 ton jack stand will get it up just high enough to work on and save the back.. check Harbor Fright for sales on them and a rolling short stool..
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Post by snowbird1 on Nov 22, 2013 15:22:48 GMT
Have the neighbors been over yet.. is the body bolted fast.. The tires fill the wheel wells just right and look good.. It certainly attracts attention, even on the trailer people were slowing down to look at it. Haven't bolted the body on yet, realize I need to do a basic geometry check before positioning the body relative to the wheels. Biggest challenge is what to do with the body whilst working on the chassis, I made a 'H' frame to fit in the c**kpit so I can lift it with the engine hoist. Thought of making it a tilt body, like a funny car, but it wouldn't work when the side panels are in place. Thinking of making a structure to support it about a meter above the chassis. |
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Post by gwnwar on Nov 22, 2013 16:48:11 GMT
Do you have a 2 car garage there.. How about a pulley system and electric hoist to the ceiling of the garage to pull it up and secure it.. Time to put the engineer beanie on..
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