exocet build

[stevieboy]

Well no pics loaded yet, but mx5 body went to the scrapyard yesterday, just the running gear left. Kit paid for and in the capable hands of the team at hq, chose black powder coat with aquamarine blue body, picked up some coil overs with blue springs which are upto 75mm adjustable. Not sure how far to go with the running gear, clean up and spray, strip off corners and powder coat, or get carried away and do full powder with all new bushes. Problem then is if you go full on you then have to do new wheels, can see the greek holiday being short of readies this year.
Any thoughts on my probs or if you've been there and done it please get back to me.
Cheers Steve

Ok decision made....for me... popped in the village local for early doors..friday.. with the missus, as always got on to the exocet chat with my drinking friends, probably boring them but i enjoy letting them know what there missing. Low and behold a chap over heard my problems with paint, spray or all the way with blast and powder coat. Well blimey he has a coating company in brum, and is doing all my chassis for nothing ;D as long as he gets a go in it when its finished. So stripped the lot today! missed the gp qualifying and the england game, just got in discovery boot full of bits and delivering them to his house am sunday. Now got to get polybush kit, on a sad note... got so excited with the build just got letter today with £40 fine for not doing sorn d**n forgot. Can't wait til next sat when the gararge doors open again.....

so the sub frames and other bits are on there way to be coated, being zinc coated first, bush kit is on the way and the engine is all cleaned up and waiting. Can anyone help me with info on brake dust covers, are they needed in the build or can they be removed? mine are shot and i dont want to buy more if there not needed. Also i have power steering! has anyone kept this or would it be better without.

[adam1001]

I can answer the PAS question - better without. It's not necessary and removing the pump etc. saves weight and gives you a tiny bit more power. You have two options - either link the pipes on the rack or do a proper conversion. I'm going with the proper conversion which doesn't look too hard. I've also ordered a set of plugs as mentioned in the conversion guide here: www.flyinmiata.com/tech/depower.php?x=1

[stevieboy]

Part stripped and ready to lift off body, all going well

Looks good at the mo, but closer inspection shows the subframes to be a little crusty.

i1234.photobucket.com/albums/ff402/sboy555/exocet/27%2011%2011/IMG_0809.jpg[/IMG

[stevieboy]

Its off to the coaters with this lot, all power washed and loaded in the disco, this time next week ;D

[stevieboy]

[samuelt]

I managed to find a good manual rack for my kit on ebay for £20 and £10 p&p, this saved me trying to convert it. The racks are held on by 2 brackets, the off side bracket is different (smaller) but same bolt pattern. If you buy a manual rack make sure you get these brackets from the seller. I ended up having to buy them from a mx5 breaker.

[stevieboy]

Thanks for that invaluable info, will make sure its all complete on purchase.

[adam1001]

I think you're better off converting your own one as it has a better ratio than the non-powered one apparently.

[Kevin Patrick]

adam1001 is right - the ratio of the power steering rack is slightly faster than the manual one.

Clever use of the stock springs as a differential stand!

[stevieboy]

Well spotted Kev, maybe it'll start a trend!!! Two people telling me the same thing, perhaps this needs more investigation. Would there be alot of difference between the two, or would this not be all that noticable for 90% of the time.

[stevieboy]

Picked up my chassis yesterday, powder coated black with ultramarine blue ( ral 5002)panels, looks better than expected ;D, stuart was brill, and very patient, as i turned up with card and no cash, he pointed me in the direction of the nearest bank. All was well in the end and i left for home, the missus inspected the colour on arrival and gave a thumbs up, pics to follow soon.
Thanks to all at MEV for a very pleasent approach and all the help they offer before and after sale. Hope you all have a very happy xmas and new year.
Steve & Wendy

[stevieboy]

Christmas is just getting better, going back to the man i met in the pub who offered free powder coating, well here are my bits, picked them up this morning and he would not take a penny for them, even tried to give him a bottle of grouse but it was still a firm no! However the missus did say that she spoke to his other half and we're meeting them at the pub fri night for a good p***up. Put finished parts with the kit today, and the rebuild is now just waiting for the bushes, seen many threads on this that i've now ended up unsure which to buy...any ideas please....
The panels are in ultramarine blue but look alot lighter on the photo's than in normal light, this is a very dark blue, but the colours go together well, will be having silver wheels and red calipers. The suspension is adjustable with blue coils over alloy bodies, hoping to get engine and box painted and refitted onto sub frames and floor panels fitted to frame before return to work.
Steve

[stevieboy]

[stevieboy]

[stevieboy]