So, the lunacy continues. I had to remove the re-enforcer that sits in front of the handbrake. Really didn't want to do that but there was no way the gearbox will fit without it. Going to be some serious metalwork to do now.
Had to cut a lot of metal out to get it to fit. To get the gearbox high enough the re-enforcer had to go. I'll have to build a replacement. The stick will be in the way of the handbrake, I could move it forward 10cm with a hack mentioned earlier, but that sticks the whole shifter right in the middle of that re-enforcer. Damned if you do....
Another angle, hole will be neatened, cut that with the box in so had to be a bit careful.
The gear stick wouldn't actually be too bad even without a linkage, I'll ignore that problem for a while then.
Doesn't look too crazy.
Re-purposing an MX5 engine mount as a gearbox mount. Red bracket was made by me.
Gearbox bracket, work in progress. This will sit between the chassis legs and bolt to the floor and sit below the rubber mount.
Ignoring slight wonky, engine sits quite far back. Need to lower the front a bit to take the angle off though (can't really see in this pic)
Zip tied in an old MX rad, looks like a radiator is doable - thats good. Was nervous about that thermostat housing on the front.
Might fit an MX clutch slave in there still, even with that manifold there
Filed the holes a bit and it fits. To get it to mount I had to space it out a bit and shorten the push rod.
Still leaves the pedal somewhere stupid.... Needs some thought