Repurposing a NA6 (the car Gladiator and Magpie purchased)

Magpie · Postby **Magpie** » Fri Dec 05, 2014 4:10 pm

This is the story of a NA6 purchased by Gladiator and Magpie (http://mx5cartalk.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=822668#p822668)

27 November 2014, the same day as Brisbane was smashed by storms Gladiator and I concluded the purchase of a NA6, in fact we watched the storm front make its way towards Brisbane as the NA6 was loaded on the trailer.

29 November 2014, a dodgy day was used to start the repurposing on the NA6. Gladiator everything else but the rolling shell, wiring and dash.

Dodgy Day Ready:

IMG_0861 by Eipeip, on Flickr

Diff out (Thanks to Jason for explaining over the phone how to tell what type of diff it was). Gladiator managed to get the seats, diff, exhaust (cat back) and other parts off on the dodgy day.

IMG_0868 by Eipeip, on Flickr

The fuse box... Yes the car did start with the fuse like this, however calling it a fuse is a stretch.

IMG_0872 by Eipeip, on Flickr

The rear bushes...

IMG_0870 by Eipeip, on Flickr

Doors, that black goop is terrible stuff to get off, however 2 doors now clean.

IMG_0876 by Eipeip, on Flickr

Putting masking tape over black goo does not help

IMG_0877 by Eipeip, on Flickr

2 hours to get the heat sheild off and the rest of the exhaust.

IMG_0879 by Eipeip, on Flickr

As it is when I left it to come back to work. However it has been turned 90° to help Gladiator use his engine crane. Plus the shed has been completley reorganised from dodgy day. Boot lid and hinges have been removed as has the rear garnish.

IMG_0887 by Eipeip, on Flickr

speed · Postby **speed** » Fri Dec 05, 2014 5:42 pm

I'm holding onto my hat in anticipation

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lightyear · Postby **lightyear** » Fri Dec 05, 2014 9:49 pm

I am liking your light weight mods. However you may need things like a diff.... Adds weight, but at least the car will go.

Magpie · Postby **Magpie** » Fri Dec 05, 2014 10:57 pm

That reminds me I need to get some weights!

Postby **mrpham** » Mon Dec 08, 2014 7:08 am

Subscribed!

john! · Postby **john!** » Wed Dec 10, 2014 8:56 pm

Subscribing to this.

Kind of sad my old nag stripped down, but hoping to see it rise again.

john!

Edit: I believe that fuse was gone when I bought the car, dodgy dealer or dodgy previous owner I know not. And the rear bushes were a job beyond me and my present limited income.

bruce · Postby **bruce** » Wed Dec 10, 2014 9:03 pm

Repurposing makes it sound like you're using the car as a flower pot or boat anchor.

Magpie · Postby **Magpie** » Wed Dec 10, 2014 9:28 pm

John! Lol on the fuse by the way, bushes not a problem either

Bruce it will live again, need to decide how it will be reborn. It's main purpose (for me) is to plan out the rewiring of my NA6, help build a radiator duct, provide some templates for making some GRP parts

As well as suspension testing/planning and weights of components.

It's rebirth will involve seam welding and other fabrication, a father/son joint venture with an ETA of very late in 2015. It will be powered by a BP engine so I will kill off that debate now!

Gladiator is using the mechanical parts to enhance his car.

Magpie · Postby **Magpie** » Tue Dec 30, 2014 7:01 pm

The parts are slowly being removed. Today was to get to the main dash harness and strip out the old ECU wiring and other wires so I can put the loom into my NA6. The dash will be available in a few months (it has a small crack) as it will not be needed in the final build.

DSCN2261 by Eipeip, on Flickr

The brake brace will be going back into my NA6, depending on the available space.

DSCN2268 by Eipeip, on Flickr

It looks like a set of frame rails will be required...

DSCN2274 by Eipeip, on Flickr

DSCN2273 by Eipeip, on Flickr

Lots of cleaning still to be done.

DSCN2269 by Eipeip, on Flickr

DSCN2266 by Eipeip, on Flickr

DSCN2267 by Eipeip, on Flickr

Gladiator · Postby **Gladiator** » Wed Dec 31, 2014 11:13 am

You got busy after I left the other day.

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john! · Postby **john!** » Wed Dec 31, 2014 12:17 pm

Ah the joys of owning a lowered car. I really did try to avoid speed bumps and rocks. I think the front of that right hand frame rail copped a hit from a rock somewhere down on the road from Murwillimbah to Kyogle a few years back. I think my plan would have been to weld some mild steel on to the rails to strengthen them, perhaps some square channel and then make attachments for an x brace. One more dream that a lack of time and money and the intrusions of real life destroyed lol.

john!

Magpie · Postby **Magpie** » Wed Dec 31, 2014 12:53 pm

Yep more work today...

When you said the dash was easy to get out I thought why not.

Drain

DSCN2285 by Eipeip, on Flickr

Driver's Front Panel

DSCN2275 by Eipeip, on Flickr

DSCN2278 by Eipeip, on Flickr

Passenger's Front Panel

DSCN2277 by Eipeip, on Flickr

DSCN2280 by Eipeip, on Flickr

Front

DSCN2279 by Eipeip, on Flickr

Most value for money tool ever purchased by me

DSCN2286 by Eipeip, on Flickr

Magpie · Postby **Magpie** » Wed Dec 31, 2014 5:21 pm

Some weights of things removed. My kitchen scales only go up to 5kg and the dash, bumper and radiator are all over that.

Light Assembly (Complete)----4.227
Black bar behind bumper-------2.231
Side Panel-----------------------2.979
Air Mixer-------------------------2.904
Fan-------------------------------2.031
HVAC-----------------------------0.540
Front Bumper/Panel bolts-------0.701
Guard Liner-----------------------0.259

ndragun · Postby **ndragun** » Wed Dec 31, 2014 10:01 pm

HVAC systems only half a kilo? I'm surprised by that. Thought it'd be more. Or do you just mean the heater unit itself?
Gee it looks grubby though - but pretty straight under all that dirt!

Magpie · Postby **Magpie** » Wed Dec 31, 2014 10:08 pm

HVAC just the controls. Al up about 5.5 kgs (fan, mixer, controls)

Yep a bit dirty, I still have to remove the rear bumper.

Engine bay a bit dirty as well. Next time I'm home I will be depowering the steering and cleaning the engine bay as well as stripping wires.