1969 Triumph herald 13/60-MX5 turbo powered

[Franknstein]

I've been thinking about putting my project on "Reader Rides " for a while. My profile name is Frank N Stein due to the fact the car is going to be made up of Triumph, Toyota, Nissan, Mazda & Subaru parts- a real mongrel.

This is not going to be a fast build so be patient. I was going for an SR20DET engine but costs scuttled that idea. Found an MX5 (NA Model) for $NZ 1000 to use as a donor car so this will save heaps. Plan to use Motor, gearbox, Diff, seats, belts, heater, steering column and electrics & more if it all works. I want to narrow & adapt the Soft top as well. I bit of work there I think. Just starting this project so I'll post a few photos to get things rolling (when I work out how).

[Onne]

Sounds like a great plan! There is a thread up on the FAQ section on how to post up pictures.

Keep us up to date!

[Seth]

Nice plans! Engine and box fit a treat



I know that the seats have been fitted by people over here. Going to be interesting to see how you get on fitting the rest of it.

[Franknstein]

Yeah, a bit of lateral thinking going on at the moment. I like a challenge. So far I have a link to Picasa up. Still trying to load photos directly onto thread. I'm a blog/thread new boy so advice is welcome.-Finally worked out how to down load photos-old dogs do learn new tricks. ;D



The Wheel/tire will tuck up under the arch abit more when the car is at it's proper ride height.





I had to cut holes in the garage floor so I could pour some level concrete. Made up 3 x frames to level & clamp chassis at ride height. I welded car Chassis to the frame before cutting the back end out ready for new suspension locations.



I planned to use the lexus diff & suspension but will now use the MX5 diff but keep Lexus 5 link set up. I just like the configuration and it works quite well with the chassis. The lexus unit is pretty heavy and the ratio is not quite right.
I found a guy who will weld the MX5 (diff end)and Lexus (wheel end) axles together in a two Chuck Lathe. He has welded axles together on a Mini with a twin cam Suzuki engine before and reckons they are strong as the axle itself. I wont have much more than 200HP so it should cope. He's also making me some new alloy front hubs to take the 300mm 350z disc and adaptors to fit the STI 4pot calipiers to MK4 Cortina stubs.
Going to make custom A-frames and relocate mounting locations and alter geometry a little. Using eccentric cams from MX front suspension so I can easily adjust camber/caster.

It should stop OK I think.

[Em]

Wow! Sounds like a very cool project!

Best of luck with this, will be following very closely!

[raymondmarble]

This is right up my street! Brilliant project. Keep the progress, pics and info coming! Welcome to Retro Rides

[Deleted]

A Herald engine swop ;D right up my street, book marked

[Franknstein]

Thanks for the "Ups" on this project guys. I've seen Seth's car before and Em's car is just insane in a nice out there way. So I feel mine is somewhere between the two. I'm pulling the drive train out of the MX over the Xmas break and will have it sitting in place so I can get an idea how to fit the Subaru STI Brake booster & MX heater core around the motor & Gearbox and mount the diff around the suspension which should offer some interesting challenges

[Seth]

I think it looks a bit like Em's car in those pictures

It might be that you could mount the Mazda heater core in a similar position to the engine as it is in the MX5 which would place it somewhere around where the battery is. (and move the battery to the boot?) Don't try and pull the hoses off the pipes at the bulkhead as they are exceptionally thin and made from licorice. Better to cut the hoses.

Great project - will enjoy seeing it come together.

[Franknstein]

Hi Seth, thanks for the advice. So true mate!! I managed to get the hoses off with a bit of twisting & no damage but yeah, very thin metal. I am moving the Battery to the boot (and use MX battery boot mount-another win from donor car) so plan to put the heater fan in the passenger foot well (modify the bulkhead to raise up fan). Heater core should fit above gearbox as per MX5 as the gearbox is quite narrow (but long). Going to weld in a gearbox tunnel so hopefully blend this with the heater core unit & controls. Once I get the engine/gearbox/driveshaft/diff assembly in it should be a lot more clear.

[Em]

Dec 13, 2011 8:32:08 GMT Seth said:

I think it looks a bit like Em's car in those pictures

Heh heh, looks a bit more complete than mine!


Really like the idea of integrating Mazda parts like the heater into the Herald, should create a complete 'package' where everything works together like it was designed to!

Yet to think about this kinda stuff on mine, will be watching your progress like a hawk!

[Deleted]

Wish in some ways l had started with a MX5 donor vehicle in some ways but there you go.
Nice to see you are keeping within the herald foot print, but they are bloody narrow had to shorten the sierra track by over 200mm to make mine fit! l used the old heater turned it arond and fitted it where the battery used to be with a polo blower for more omff!

Great project ;D

[xgenerator]

This looks like a whole lot of fun!

[alecw35]

Retrocars magazine has a series about a Herald MX5.

Heres the page for the latest issue. just an index. no facts or pictures there.

www.retrocarsmag.com/pastissue.asp?issueID=36

[Franknstein]

This is the new rear box section being built to mount the rear suspension arms to the two main rear Chassis rails. It's like an hollow I-Beam with open ends for the rear 5 link suspension arms to move up & down. It's approx 40mm wide.The centre part is reinforced with 3 internal plates. The location holes are slotted to allow camber adjustment to be done using eccentric cams from the Lexus suspension. Not using this diff but the new part will still work OK-I hope.




Thanks Alec-I have ordered a copy of issue 36 for some bedtime reading.

[devilishdesigner]

Very interesting project, makes me want to get back onto my Piazza/Simca project (very much the same idea, has been sitting for a couple of years now while I finished uni)

[Franknstein]

Devilish, have a look at the Skoda pre 65 race car on this link. That will get you motivated Mate. Not pretty but different.

mitchellracextreme.typepad.com/photos/als_pre65_skoda/dsc03371.html

[jbeenz]

Looking good dude! Where abouts in NZ are ya?

[Franknstein]

Cheers mate-in the Waikato dude

[tontoe]

I'm liking this building a modified herald my self so will be watching this