Chris's Build Thread - Northern Ireland

[scooby1929]

I am glad I filled her up again right beside the Iva test center £3.12 and the guy accepted I had a full tank as he could see it down the filler neck.

Over 2 hours in and the guys are away to check brake test results on the computer. Feels like I am at the dentist..

[johnp]

My dentist's surgery should be as clean as that IVA station.

[scooby1929]

Absolutely delighted away to celebrate....

[exoRy]

congrats, have been frantically hitting refresh at work to see how you were getting on!!
very nice build!

[trident]

Superb… Well done Chris.. very pleased for you. Hopefully the registration process is nice and fast for you.

[scooby1929]

Thanks Chris I actually quite enjoyed it. The 2 Iva guys I had at Lisburn were fantastic.

So the first test was the emissions and the guys just carried out the non cat test and there was me panicking and spending 30 quid for a mazda verification letter on year and engine number which I did not need.

Then the guys said it's certainly alot better than the Robin Hood we had in recently which failed and had 3 full sheets of faults which got me a bit worried.


The headlights which I new would not be right and the examiner said headlights are miles out let's get them adjusted. Happy days I thought as the Iva man held it in the right place as I nipped up the nut.

I was really worried about a few areas namely the seats and 6 point harnesses and the fact that the harnesses wrap around the harness bar but he thought the seats and roll bar were great.

He loved that the cutouts in the seats were the exact same height as the harness bar and all commented that it was great to see the 2 lugs on the harness bar as I had welded another one in

The key to the whole test is to show the examiners that you have tried your best in particular they loved the nut covers and edge trim and commented it was the best they had seen. As part of my IVA application I had sent in stage by stage pictures of my build and receipts.

He was also delighted to see the Vin fully welded.

He asked what grade of bolts I had used and my answer was 12.9 the highest strength commercial bolt you can get.

In terms of the Exocet they genuinely did like it and commented on how much space there was inside it as opposed to other kit cars. One of the Iva guys then commented on the superb visibility from the wing mirrors and what a good job it was to mount them on the frame were there is no vibration as opposed to the bonnet after he had taken it for a run around the car park.

Then my only problem was both front flexis were hitting the wheel stay on full lock. I had checked these on axle stands but stupidly forgot when it was back on its wheels. Dam that's me failed I thought as the Iva man turns to me and says it's time for a tea break.

When they returned my flexis were magically not hitting any more

They then did a series of brake tests with some pressure sensor attached to his foot.

Then another one I was dreading was the exhaust decibel test mine came in at 99 decibels so scraped thru. Speedo accuracy was 100 percent

Then at the end the examiner said you had a fantastic understanding of the Iva manual and in fact you have actually gone much further than you needed to.

At this he said its one of the best we have seen and congratulations and handed me the certificate.

Now my confession never once have I looked at the Iva manual. All my info came from other people's experiences namely John Gilbert, Trident, Nitrams build threads and this great forum

[jgilbert]

Chris well deserved, great effort (even after your confession LOL).

Registration (remember take copies before you send it off) next then enjoy the sun.

You right, if you try your best to comply I think the inspectors appreciate if.

Beer time ?

[scooby1929]

Beer time all right John.

Going to take a break for a few months but my build thread will carry on. A few years ago I spent a nice wee sum of £1500 on a Jackson Racing Supercharger and this thing has been gathering dust for too long. My build thread post Iva will be my attempts to fit this along with a standalone Ecu, wideband and intercooler.

Over and out for now Chris

[spudman]

Congrats Chris, particularly glad to hear your positive feedback about the IVA guys in Lisburn, as I hope to be seeing them myself soon. Enjoyed your blog and have taken away a few good ideas for my replicar. Hope to see you out and about one of these days,
Cheers
Spud

[scooby1929]

Fantastic to see another builder in not soo sunny Northern Ireland and I really like the replicar. Where abouts are you from?

[spudman]

Just outside Banbridge, would love to see the exocet - I was on the point of placing an order for one when the replicar kit was announced. Drop me an email on speed_david at hotmail dot com if you're going to be down this way, whereabouts are you based? Sending in my IVA form tomorrow, was there much of a wait for a booking?

[makoto]

Congrats Chris... All the hard work paid off!! I'm also thinking about turbo charging , so keep us posted on progress ?

[scooby1929]

This little additional is an absolute must on the Exo. Thanks Trident Chris I completely copied your idea of using the tapered washers and shape of screen. I made my washers from alloy and used m8 countersunk bolts. Polycarbonate screen was 3 mm thick and I got it laser cut



I also changed my steering wheel to make it easier to get in an out of the car and added a skunk2 gearknob which I re tapped to suit the mx5 thread.



A wee side on pic

[goonv8]

I bought Chris's car on the strength of this thread. It's now living in Northamptonshire. It is a lovely piece of kit and far nicer to drive the the Robin Hood and Luego Locost I had before. Since buying it, I have changed the air filter, added some graphics, changed the gearknob and gaiter, fitted an Acewell and redone the plenum intake. I love driving it and Chris has been awesome in giving advice.