Marc's ridiculous new project idea
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Hey there!
The advantages are:
yes exactly it makes life much easier for the suspension, even brakes have commononality
the dimensions are very close to the mx3
the GTX/R subframe is very compact (compared to mx5, gt4 etc)
the mx5 subframe is cheaper but the dimensions made it impractical
it's the same core chassis (BG) whilst being different it's alot easier than using a completely different cars
it's been proven to work already by others3sgte, fair question, I'd thought about it, but I dunno, I guess it's a mazda loyality! :lol:
There's alot of aftermarket support for both engines. With the mazda BP I know FWD it is plug and play - dimensions, loom, hoses etc… With the 3sgte I'd have a much steeper learning curve and despite eliminating the adapter plate I don't think it's going make life sufficiently easier to justify it. Seems parts are a bit cheaper for BP with the massive mx5 market. Displacement and weight differences are pretty much negligible.IVA, to be honest I haven't concerned myself too much. If this car can't be made road legal it will be exclusive to track. I'd be dissappointed though. However trans tunnel hasn't been necessary at all for previous AWD mx3s. The exhaust tunnel for the most part is sufficient. That's why I went AWD and not RWD, AWD you get the transfer box, not a box ploughing through the firewall. The only serious structural changes will be that of the subframes and chopping out the spare wheel well.
So there's my thoughts! It's a big project, but I'm not exactly breaking new ground here, the only thing I'm doing different to everyone else is using the gt4 gearbox, as the GTR one isn't the strongest. So I'm doing whats been proven to work, just with a better gearbox :) :lol:
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fair deal on the subframe - do you have any diff options? I'm assuming the final drive has to be the same at either end to stop the centre diff eating itself?
personally I love the 3sgte, but i totally get the loyalty :D
thats pretty lucky the prop fitting in the exhaust tunnel - do you reckon mazda were planning a 4wd mx3 when they designed it?
i'm gonna be checking in on this thread, sounds epic! good luck :D
snippyt
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I know your doing most of the work yourself Marc but have you worked out a rough budget out of interest ?
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Amazing project !!
Do you live at a junkyard where you're constantly looking for new projects ?? 8)
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Yep sure does. There is a match with certain st205s and mazda rear diffs. Getting hold of these will be tricky though, they're not the more common ones. So I can see the toyota diff getting adapted in yet! Again this has already been done, more work though! And more for the IVA to poke about. Realistically going to be a Q plate anyway.
Haha well the gtx/r tunnel is quite shallow too, maybe just a lazy chassis thing. One of the old skool mazda guru techs said some mx3s actually had part of the stamped 4wd floor pan from factory.
Yea I hope it works out, the worst result is a part out. I'd at least be left with a forged BP I could fairly easily use in an fwd mx3 or an mx5 :) Financially all I stand to lose is an mx3 shell and a load of expensive argon :lol: And thanks for the luck, I'll need it!
Ahh I dare not evaluate the budget too much, minimum:
engine, anc, loom etc £200
complete rear £300
toyota box & bits £150-200
Prop £50
Adapter £150+Garfy, So hopefully not too far beyond 1k should get most of the swap and AWD sorted. Then getting the power will probably be the bigger cost.
whitefinish, thanks though it's not yet… still a concept! I won't believe it until it's done, neither should anyone else :wink: And no lol junkyards here think they're selling gold plated parts. I really would rather have kept this quiet, that way failure is a secret :lol: But it's great getting things bounced off me to keep it going. Meh nothing ventured nothing gained!
