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JAF's +221-Haynes/Custom-Miata
http://www.locostusa.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=35&t=7370		 Page 1 of 9
Author:  jaf [ September 13, 2009, 3:26 pm ]
Post subject:  JAF's +221-Haynes/Custom-Miata
Well I guess it's finally time to start sharing. I purchased the donor '90 Miata two years ago, and sold the shell one year ago. Lot's of thinking and building up the "race car fund" resulting in finally starting the frame in June of this year. Check back to this post as I'll upate with the cars specs as they evolve.

'90 Miata 5-speed donor (using all of the usual items)
Frame is a combination of what I feel are the best attributes of the Haynes, Book, the collective LocostUSA forum, and ultimately what I think is best. The big difference that I'm trying to incorporate is to build the frame around the component locations instead of building a frame and then hanging everything on it; load paths from suspension pickup points and driveline components are all tied together.
Kinetic Book Nose, and Haynes Scuttle
90" Wheelbase, 22.5" Dia. Tire, 5" Ground Clearance
Rear: IRS suspension is modified stock Miata dimensions (Track Width=56.6, RC=2.5")
Front: My design with aid of Wishbone (Track Width=55.5, RC=1.725")

More to come.

Attachments:
File comment: Current State
Current State.jpg
Current State.jpg [ 136.46 KiB | Viewed 24111 times ]
Author:  jaf [ September 13, 2009, 3:47 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: JAF's +221-Haynes/Custom-Miata
Titles speak for themselves.........

Attachments:
File comment: Diff Mount from Driver
Diff Mount from Driver.jpg
Diff Mount from Driver.jpg [ 87.67 KiB | Viewed 24106 times ]
File comment: Diff Mount from Passenger
Diff Mount from Passenger.jpg
Diff Mount from Passenger.jpg [ 91.57 KiB | Viewed 24104 times ]
File comment: Trans. Mount
Trans. Mount.jpg
Trans. Mount.jpg [ 94.79 KiB | Viewed 24098 times ]
File comment: Engine Moved Aft Mod.
Engine Moved Aft Mod..jpg
Engine Moved Aft Mod..jpg [ 97.66 KiB | Viewed 24099 times ]
Author:  a.moore [ September 13, 2009, 4:29 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: JAF's +221-Haynes/Custom-Miata
Nice looking start to your build.

Any closer pics of the diff mount? It looks very clever.
Author:  dhempy [ September 13, 2009, 5:09 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: JAF's +221-Haynes/Custom-Miata
Looks like a good start, JAF!

Is that a rubber tranny mount? I considered using those holes for my mount, but ended up using PPF mounts. Doesn't look you're short for space, but by using that rear mount, a fella could cut off the PPF mount area and cheat almost an inch in clearance.

Keep the pix coming,
-dave
Author:  horizenjob [ September 13, 2009, 8:27 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: JAF's +221-Haynes/Custom-Miata
Cheers on the vertical front bulkhead, it's a good idea - I hope you get it to work out well. Should be doable with different shape wishbones. My Formula Ford is like that.
Author:  jaf [ September 14, 2009, 5:38 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: JAF's +221-Haynes/Custom-Miata
Dhempy: Yes on the rubber mount......I have the 9.4102, came with two so I have one left over that I could sell. I like it because it keeps the trans. mount symmetrical, and makes the engine mounts do the work. http://www.energysuspension.com/universal-products/link-flange-type-bushings-universal-mounts-isolators.html

A.moore: As requested......My rear axle center line is in-line with the top of the rear bulkhead so the stock 1.6 diff. mount intersects that plane. I cut a 12ga 2x2 tube up to make the upr/lwr brackets and used all of the stock hardware. The tubes are positioned and brackets slightly angled so that I can rivet/bond a shear panel on the passenger side of the trans. tunnel. I'll continue the diagonals fwd along passenger trans. tunnel to eventually join R-Tube..........my interpretation of incorporating the PPF into the chassis.

Attachments:
Diff. mount ready to weld in side view.jpg
Diff. mount ready to weld in side view.jpg [ 145.33 KiB | Viewed 23955 times ]
Diff. mount ready to weld in looking aft.jpg
Diff. mount ready to weld in looking aft.jpg [ 160 KiB | Viewed 23950 times ]
Diff. mount ready to weld in.jpg
Diff. mount ready to weld in.jpg [ 151.77 KiB | Viewed 23947 times ]
Author:  JackMcCornack [ September 14, 2009, 7:16 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: JAF's +221-Haynes/Custom-Miata
Lookin' good. Are you going to solid mount the "ears" on the diff? I think driveline parts should be individually solid mounted or rubber mounted, but not both...but that's a gut feel opinion rather than a voice-of-experience opinion.

I'd like to see more detail of how you mounted the back of the trans. It looks pretty slick, but leaves me with an urge to peel off the blue painters' tape so I can grok in fullness.
Author:  jaf [ September 22, 2009, 5:42 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: JAF's +221-Haynes/Custom-Miata
Jack: Here's your naked trans. mount pic.....grok till your hearts content. I still need to fully weld it up, grind down the sides, and put a gusset underneath it. And yes.......the diff ears will be solidly mounted, rear suspension mounts are first though. I agree with the solid or bushing mount theory, pick one or the other. If you combine the two you are just asking the solid mounted end to do all of the work.

Attachments:
Trans. Mount Closeup.jpg
Trans. Mount Closeup.jpg [ 141.69 KiB | Viewed 23920 times ]
Author:  Miatav8,MstrASE,A&P,F [ September 23, 2009, 8:04 am ]
Post subject:  Re: JAF's +221-Haynes/Custom-Miata
If you make the lower forward diff flange removable (by flipping and adding a flange on the frame to bolt to), it will be much easier to remove the diff later. Also, the space between the forward flanges won't be as critical with an adjustable lower.
Author:  jaf [ November 12, 2009, 8:14 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: JAF's +221-Haynes/Custom-Miata
Rear suspension chassis mounts and diff mount complete. Front suspension chassis mounts complete minus second upper fwd bracket so I can integrate the upper shock mount into it. Front/Rear control arms are next.

Attachments:
Rear Susp. View.jpg
Rear Susp. View.jpg [ 174.23 KiB | Viewed 23592 times ]
Pass. Diff. Ear Mount.jpg
Pass. Diff. Ear Mount.jpg [ 149.35 KiB | Viewed 23587 times ]
Rear Diff. Susp..jpg
Rear Diff. Susp..jpg [ 157.55 KiB | Viewed 23587 times ]
Front Susp. Rear View.jpg
Front Susp. Rear View.jpg [ 157.83 KiB | Viewed 23582 times ]
Front Susp. Front View.jpg
Front Susp. Front View.jpg [ 164.71 KiB | Viewed 23574 times ]
Author:  dhempy [ November 12, 2009, 10:20 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: JAF's +221-Haynes/Custom-Miata
Are you sure you'll get enough droop out of those lower, rear chassis mounts for the front suspension?

-dave
Author:  jaf [ November 13, 2009, 10:39 am ]
Post subject:  Re: JAF's +221-Haynes/Custom-Miata
Dhempy......Good eye.......preliminary measurements say it will be close, I'll find out for sure when suspension is cycled through full droop. The backup plan is to cut/splice (see black sharpie lines) in new 1" square tube just inboard of the current tube to provide clearance for the lower control arm. This is a trade off to get the side panels on the chassis to run the full length (scuttle to nose) and make for a nice clean gap with the nose, while at the same time providing a nice flat shear panel to help stiffen the chassis.
Author:  jaf [ December 29, 2009, 8:18 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: JAF's +221-Haynes/Custom-Miata
Front suspension is almost complete less upper shock mount and some gussets. Lower arms are 1"DOM w/0.5" rod ends and AN bolts, upper arms are 7/8"DOM w/0.375" rod ends and AN bolts. Track width is stock Miata (55.5"), camber is set currently at zero for simplicity, and caster is set at 7 degrees. Enjoy............

Attachments:
Front Susp. Compl. with Jig.jpg
Front Susp. Compl. with Jig.jpg [ 166.61 KiB | Viewed 23234 times ]
Front Susp. Compl. Tri.jpg
Front Susp. Compl. Tri.jpg [ 163.88 KiB | Viewed 23233 times ]
Author:  RebelGT [ December 30, 2009, 8:29 am ]
Post subject:  Re: JAF's +221-Haynes/Custom-Miata
it may be just the pics, but it looks like you're going to have no droop travel up front?
Author:  jaf [ December 30, 2009, 2:56 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: JAF's +221-Haynes/Custom-Miata
The pics are deceptive, and yes droop will be limited by the aft lower control arm mount. All of the pics are shown with the suspension set with a 5" ride height. You can see I mocked everything up with a 1" spacer (square tube piece) to give me what I hope is enough clearance. As it stands right now I have 3.75" of suspension droop before the lower arm hits the chassis.
Look at above post for my contingency plan.

Attachments:
Front Susp. Compl. Tri.1.jpg
Front Susp. Compl. Tri.1.jpg [ 158.46 KiB | Viewed 23089 times ]
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