G'day all,
I've wanted to build a locost for a long time but here in Australia there are a huge number of hoops you need to jump through in order to get something like that registered. Definitely possible, but not something I am prepared to go through.
However if you build a "replica" of a pre-1949 vehicle modified as a street rod it's much easier to get the thing registered.
So my search started for something with a very light, simple body I could fabricate from aluminium (for lightness) and a very simple chassis I could tweak to sit over Miata subframes to simplify the build and registration. I owned a Miata for about 7 years, did 2 engine swaps and a turbo installation and enjoyed every minute of it, so it seems like a logical place to start.
Here's a few pics of my Miata at its peak awesomeness.
(I still have the KL 2.5L V6 mated to the Miata gearbox in the garage, so that's an option...)
The Willys chassis is parallel and ~750mm across the outside of the rails. MX5 subframes are located by bolts ~800mm apart so some simple brackets off the chassis should be all that's required.
This is basically the only drawing I can find of a CJ2A chassis, though I have dimensions of the width and between all the suspension points. From that I've put together what is close to an accurate model of the chassis.
The street rod guidelines here say it must be a replica of an original chassis modified as a street rod. There are also parts of the guidelines which mention fitting independent suspension as acceptable. Dropping the middle of the chassis to lower the car also seems to be a common modification, so to that end I've created a rough model in CAD of the standard CJ2A chassis with drops at each end for MX-5 subframes, and lengthened a couple of hundred mm just so I can fit in the damned thing
The little outriggers at the back I'm not sure about, I'll need to confirm with the engineer if they're allowed as a modification to the original chassis. There's not really anywhere to mount a roll bar to the standard chassis, so that's what I've added them for.
I also want to fit a turbocharged motorbike engine to the car. I found a Yamaha R1 CAD model online and mocked it up to see what it will be like, along with standard MX5 suspension.
I can't find a model of the Miata subframes, but they basically look like an extra crossmember hanging below the raised sections of the chassis.
I also found dimensions of the CJ2A bodywork online and put together a slightly stretched body.
Higher wheel arches, flares and widened front guards are required for the increased track from the Miata suspension.
I also found a CAD model of an LS3 and T56 (same physical size as an LS1 or LS2) and checked it in the car.
So very, very tempting. I wouldn't have to figure out reverse, I've already done an LS1 swap on my car (Silvia S13) so I know a bit about them, the Miata rear end is easy to upgrade to handle the power, cheap upgrade parts...
What do we think? I'll lose some interior space but it looks like there will still be plenty of room for the pedal assemblies, and a set of long tube extractors coming out over the front guards to side pipes is really appealing to me.
Anyway, I've decided to start a build log because even though it will probably be a LONG time before any real progress happens, I am going to pick up all the bits I need from a Miata donor car mid next week.
Any suggestions or comments welcome!
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