New poster! (less than 10 posts)
So here's the plan... I have started work on, if I'm not mistaken, the first bike engined R5 on the RTOC (I stand to be corrected)? I have the car now about 6 years and had terrible problems with the engine. More so,problems with the garage that built it. Anyway, I started stripping it when the problems started with the intention of turning it into a track car. Needless to say this never transpired and the shell remained in dry storage up until now. Very little rust is evident apart from the usual 5 problem areas; lower front window cill and jack points!
My plan is to finish stripping (not much left) and start cleaning up the necessary body panels and structure. The paint needs sanding back to the original white and the engine bay is almost stripped and ready for fabrication to begin.
I plan on using a Kawasaki ZZ-R 1200 engine which I have sourced from a local bike shop who offer a good service. We've used them in the past and they've never let us down.
Now as I refuse to drive a FWD car ever again in my life (no offence intended) I have purchased a MX5 rear subframe which is only 100-120mm wider than the standard rear track width. This sub frame is held in place with 6 M12 bolts so the actual 'fitting' is straight forward!!! A lot of work is needed to the rear structure of the shell first though.
The aforementioned axle will obviously be driven by a custom drive shaft which will bolt up to an adaptor socket on the engine where the small sprocket would usually live. I hope to over come the reverse issue by sandwiching a gear set between the diff input and drive shaft. A starter motor will engage this gear with the engine in neutral and hopefully propel the car backwards!
I hope to update this thread as must as possible with pics of the build and I would greatly appreciate any input or advice from the RTOC community. Enjoy the ride!!!