MR16DDT Powered RHD 240z

[Josh_240]

So it finally landed home, although this will be a massively slow burner, while i have a newborn child, a business to run, a house to build and a job to work i at least have taken the 1st and second steps on the way to building myself my dream car.



The shell is RELATIVELY rust free having been dry stored after a lot of welding work was done, there is a bit of surface corrosion from prep work here and there that will wire brush off but for the most part i have a solid base.

The keen eyed will notice the 240 in the background too which is going on to a new owner as i am not the guy to complete a matching numbers RHD restoration build.

Plans are to hunt down and find as much OE suspension parts as possible, make my own uprated versions via work and friends (im a aerospace engineer by day so have full access to CAD suites, CMM, welders etc.) and then get the engine mocked up.

Will be using a Nissan/Renault MR18DDT engine from a Mk4 megane RS, mated to a BMW 6 speed (unless i get fruity and want to go DCT) and then diff options, possibly subaru or whatever is easiest to get an LSD in the back, which could also be BMW.

I run a tuning company specialising in turbocharged MX5s so i will also be trying to utilise uprights, hubs, brakes, steering and a few other bits where i can for the build, its what i know and spares are abundant.

I will be trying to butcher the shell to a minimum.

 

[Alphabettispaghetti]

Why use that engine/box combo?

Are you changing all the geometry to make the mx5 stuff work? What’s the plus point over the Nissan stuff?

 

[AD240Z]

Something a bit different there - really looking forward to seeing the progress Josh .

Very best of luck

 

[Rob Gaskin]

So it finally landed home, although this will be a massively slow burner, while i have a newborn child, a business to run, a house to build and a job to work i at least have taken the 1st and second steps on the way to building myself my dream car.

View attachment 46681

The shell is RELATIVELY rust free having been dry stored after a lot of welding work was done, there is a bit of surface corrosion from prep work here and there that will wire brush off but for the most part i have a solid base.

The keen eyed will notice the 240 in the background too which is going on to a new owner as i am not the guy to complete a matching numbers RHD restoration build.

Plans are to hunt down and find as much OE suspension parts as possible, make my own uprated versions via work and friends (im a aerospace engineer by day so have full access to CAD suites, CMM, welders etc.) and then get the engine mocked up.

Will be using a Nissan/Renault MR18DDT engine from a Mk4 megane RS, mated to a BMW 6 speed (unless i get fruity and want to go DCT) and then diff options, possibly subaru or whatever is easiest to get an LSD in the back, which could also be BMW.

I run a tuning company specialising in turbocharged MX5s so i will also be trying to utilise uprights, hubs, brakes, steering and a few other bits where i can for the build, its what i know and spares are abundant.

I will be trying to butcher the shell to a minimum.

If you are going to be short of time why not just buy a kitcar for all your 'bits'?

 

[Josh_240]

Why use that engine/box combo?

Are you changing all the geometry to make the mx5 stuff work? What’s the plus point over the Nissan stuff?

Because im an engineer and SR20s are massively overpriced and tired by this point. The mr18ddt is v6 power in a 1.8 engine out of the box without having to forge, build, modify, because it was built to be that from factory, and that box (or crate) only costs £2500 with a brand new engine inside. Its direct injection, euro 6 compliant (technically) DLC coated internal components, brand new turbocharger technology etc.

From a gearbox point of view, its literally because bmw (or ZF) gearboxes are indestructable, relatively speaking, and are plentiful so i have the world of ratios to choose from, if i use a diesel box or an M series box and a tall rear end i get a nice streetable set of ratios that i can still drop down a gear and enjoy the odd b-road. I mean hell, if i had the technical ability id look at using an infinity M35H hybrid gearbox and put in a battery pack, not saying it wont happen at some point, but for now ill stick to good old combustion and h-pattern gears.

Suspension wise, i probably wont be changing geometry beyond making a few more bits adjustable, the MX5 hubs and carriers mean i can still use a wide 4x100 wheel catalogue, brakes and upgrades are easy, i get a factory solution for rear discs while the datsun/280/s chassis kits seem to be expensive and hard to come by components. While i highly doubt ill be moving over to double wishbone (if i wanted to do that id buy a pre made kit) ill happily see if there is a different way to do the suspoension and i can have power steering because the engine im using has a factory pump on it.

Ill end up with a perfectly styled car with modern underpinnings, literally the epitome of a restomod.

Dont get me wrong, ill probably mock up, measure, cry, change my mind, repeat a lot of times through the build, but isnt that the point of a project? Im bored of just doing turbocharged mx5s day in day out, this is my perfect opportunity to build a car ive always wanted.

 

[Mark N]

You could have just stopped at "Because I'm an engineer" and everyone would have understood why!

 

[Josh_240]

You could have just stopped at "Because I'm an engineer" and everyone would have understood why!

But as an engineer i always have to explain myself haha! Comes with the territory, as does people falling asleep half way through my explanations

 

[Jay.]

Ahh that's where it ended up!

Very interesting combination. Look forward to seeing the progress

 

[Rushingphil]

Looking forward to the thread Josh

If you get stuck for the mx5 part, give me a call first - I've got to clear those containers somehow

 

[SeanDezart]

Looking forward to the thread Josh

If you get stuck for the mx5 part, give me a call first - I've got to clear those containers somehow

Ah - what have you in parts then - I have a 2000 NB 1.8 ?

Great project, original and obviously the trail to the starting line will be a lot of fun and headaches for you.....just what you need to while away the wintry weather.

 

[Josh_240]

Finally some updates!

Stuff and things are happening on the build, first, ive secured some complete axles for a very good price from a chap on facebook who was scrapping an awfully rusty shell, nice chap that stood by his word and we came to an arrangement for evertyhing pictured; so until i can afford/warrant anything special at least i can roll around on something timeless.

Then i put my hand in my pocket and we are slightly changing tact...

As you can see from the video, the mr16ddt (1.6 version of the same series of engines) is capable of some very good power with a simple turbo upgrade - £685 later and i have a clio RS200 engine at my workshop.

Reasons for this is; i dont want or need more power than this engine is capable of, i want a restomod i can use that isnt highly strung or unreliable, and the roads in the UK arent big enough to open up huge horsepower most of the time. The engine was considerably easier to find and source at a good price, the mr16ddt was fitted to jukes and clios and a number of other vehicles, which doesnt restrict me to looking for megane rs300 cars, alpine a110, or a renault espace 1.8 petrol (who would even buy such a car?!?). And finally, this engine came as a whole package, nicely removed from a car without cutting anthing; it came with the clios gearbox, ecu, loom, cooling system etc. that can all be sold on (especially the gearbox) to add something back into my balance sheet.

Ive also managed to get hold of a direct injection capable ECU, a gems RX80 - the RX is because these ecus are the sole ecu used in rallycross cars, so this particular ecu already comes with a 1,6 ecoboost (i think) map loaded onto it so will give us an idea of how to map a direct injected car over our usual port injected cars. Hopefully i will be building up some form of engine jig to map this on the engine dyno, or at least get it running and making some power before it goes into the chassis.

p.s. Admin how do i change the title of my thread to mr16ddt...?

 

[Rob Gaskin]

I've changed the Title for you.

 

[Geoff-R]

What an awesome build, look forward to the updates!