MX5 SE running gear into another MX5 (NB or NA)

[yem11n]

Hi All,

I had an accident quiet recently and my Black Mica SE was written off based on the repair cost.
I bought the car back as salvage and the car cannot be registered again. I will pull out the mods from the salvage car and will transfer them onto another SE.

I will have left with pretty much most of the running gear (engine, transmission, diff, etc...), some of the body panels are also in perfect condition, two doors, boot lid, soft top, all interior, suspension, etc...
I want to get some ideas on what path I should go with the gear that I have with me..

1) sell it off 'as is' if I can fine an interested buyer, with my mods removed and what I removed will be replaced with standard parts
2) repair the damages and keep it as a track car, the look is not high importance here and can do a spray can job..
- repair the front left corner where the most damage is, the corner was crumbled in so will need to bang the chassis back out
- replace front end panels (front left panel need replacement, I have a spare bonnet, and front right panel only have minor damage which I can bang it out as well)
-fine a front bar, new radiator
3) find another MX5 NB/NA to transplant my running gear into.


Option 1, would be the easiest for me and will look to see if anyone will be interested as is..

Option 2, though I love the idea of having a track dedicated car, I do not have trailer or dedicated car I can use to tow the track car so I can see it as more of a fantasy to me.

Option 3, I will have to do the transplant myself to save cost.
I would like to find out what would be the easiest swap, NB8B ??
Can I put turbo engine into non turbo engine car and still be able to register the car?
I can see NBs going for 6K, with this SE running gear would I be able to sell it lets say 10K?
This option will give me a good experience with engine transplant but I am not sure if I need the experience.

What would you do??

cheers

[Magpie]

Buy a trailer and a tow car?

[shuey]

.. oh no, Tiny has bitten the dust?

[fastfreddygassit]

So sorry to hear that a black SE has bitten the dust.
Hope you are ok.

Boyracer (and then Mrs B?) have/had a SE transplanted MX5 iirc.

[speed freak]

Buy a trailer and a tow car?

Easier said then done.


Maybe just take off all your mods, try and sell the damaged car cheap for someone to turn into a track car, then you buy another SE and put your mods onto that one?

[Regie]

Sell it to Adam to throw into his white na was talking to him about it yesterday

[yem11n]

Buy a trailer and a tow car?

Easier said then done.


Maybe just take off all your mods, try and sell the damaged car cheap for someone to turn into a track car, then you buy another SE and put your mods onto that one?

Magpie,

I really enjoy driving the MX5 on the normal roads as well as occasional track days. After thinking about it, having a track car will mean I can only drive the MX5 on the track only. I will miss out driving on normal roads. Which mean I will end up having 3 cars and a trailer to make it work. I do track it 3-4 times a year only so trailer and tow is really not suitable for me. This will also lead to my divorce for sure.

I was talking to some friends that have tow car and maybe if we all put in the cash to fix up the damage and get a trailer we can have a track car to share between the group. So this idea is not entirely impossible just do not want to do it myself.

speed freak

I am already in process of removing the parts and they are going onto another SE. Another black Mica.

Just want to see what options are there with the left over bits of the salvage car.

[yem11n]

Sell it to Adam to throw into his white na was talking to him about it yesterday

Would anyone be able to clarify if the SE engine swap be easier into NA or NB?

[Bauer]

Exocet kit car? Would be awesome with an SE donor

[Lokiel]

Based on the differences in wiring harnesses only, it will be simpler to fit into an NB - less "dicking around" with wiring. Fitting the engine into an NA or NB engine bay will be about the same effort - it's getting it all wired up that will take the time.

I like the Exocet kit-car suggestion though!

I'm sorry to hear about Tiny - even Dann gave it high praise DESPITE it being an SE

[yem11n]

Agree withthe Exocet. Will need to find someone that is looking for a donor..

Would you know what parts from MX5 are carried across to Exocet?

[Magpie]

Track car and trailer could equal family issues in saying that my trailer has paid for itself since I can move my cars whenever I like plus tow other peoples cars that have needed it.

But having to get some mods done on the trailer (2nd set of brakes, breakaway, tyre rack and some small toolboxes, certified to 3,000 kg) can cause family issues!

[timk]

If you could find a tired NB8B then it would be a fairly easy swap with a hoist.

In Queensland the car would be legal after you let Queensland Transport the new engine number, no engineer input is required. Not sure how it works in NSW.

NB8A is quite different (fuel system, brake lines etc).

[davekmoore]

I would have given you a decent offer for the SE drivetrain six months ago. If only ......

[Bauer]

Would you know what parts from MX5 are carried across to Exocet?

most of them. From radiator to fuel tank and lots in between those are kept.

Easier to say what you dont need. Body and its panels, dash (but gauges are kept), console, carpets etc.