Trident's Exocet Build

[trident]

Front lights and indicators now all working.  



and with the headlights off

[trident]

Not much progress …. in fact …none as i've been away having fun in Lapland ( Finland ) with the wife and our son. Oh Santa does exist as we met him. I asked him for a new exhaust system for my car.   



My son now wants to move out there… might be something to do with these. Not sure that the Exocet would be that good though.  


Just in case Santa can't get the exhaust system in time. i've decided I'll also look at it. How veer I need some help.
  
Can some one who still has their exhaust from a Mk1 please help me out. I need to know what the size of the pipe is as I have already fitted an after market stainless steel exhaust manifold and down pipes which have 50mm OD  ( 2" ) pipe work. (I no longer have any of my old exhaust system.)

This is what i have fitted -
www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MAZDA-MX5-MK1-MK2-1-8-16V-94-05-STAINLESS-STEEL-EXHAUST-MANIFOLD-DOWNPIPE-/351246668210?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&fits=Model%3AMX-5&hash=item51c7eed1b2

I did have plans to get a custom made exhaust system made but the cost might be too much so am looking at cheaper options. They jury is out at the moment which way I go.  My issue is that I need to fit a cat for the iva test. I'm just not sure if the MK1 cat has 2" pipe connections or 1 3/4"….. if it's not 2" then I'll go down the route of fitting a Mk2 cat but I believe they don't fit as well in the space available.  I've looked at Nitram's Mk2 system where he had to make changes already but any other advice would be welcome. 

Cheers Chris

 

[tobydog37]

Trident - your build is full of great ideas. I can steal them but no chance of me executing them to your high standard.

I want to get rid of the NA fog light switch and hazard/HL switch and replace with neat switches like yours. As I am rubbish with electrics, are you able to give me an idea of the wiring from the old switches to the after market ones?

[trident]

Dec 10, 2014 20:57:07 GMT tobydog37 said:

Trident - your build is full of great ideas. I can steal them but no chance of me executing them to your high standard.

I want to get rid of the NA fog light switch and hazard/HL switch and replace with neat switches like yours. As I am rubbish with electrics, are you able to give me an idea of the wiring from the old switches to the after market ones?

Tobydog37

Thanks for your comments. Feel free to use any of my ideas. I've used ideas from other in the past and thats what I think this forum is all about share ideas, helping each other and keeping motivated to finish the builds.

Anyway here is the wiring set up for the fog and hazard lights if you use the savage switches.

 

Chris

[trident]

So for the second time during the build of my Exocet I have made it to print in Complete Kit Car magazine.

First time was when jgilbert and I picked up our kits and we were photographed talking to Stuart at MEV HQ back in april 2013.



This time it was for my fuel filler set up in their Bonker Parts Competition.   

[trident]

Another small job ticked off the list. Added some black vinyl to the side panels so that they match the rest of the body work. Also makes the tubes stand out again.







 

Also fitted the 'stand out miles' indicators so that the meet the 5˚ - 60˚ rule and are visible when the inspector is at ground level behind the rear wheel. Not pretty but will hopefully meet the requirements.

 

[trident]

This is going to be my last update of 2014, but before I start I would just like to thank all those people that have help me out with advise and those that have been following my progress for your help and interest this past year. it really helps to have such a great forum with great members to keep the motivation up to finish the build.  Hopefully I'll be finished next year.

Anyway 

Got an early xmas present in the post in the form of this steering boss.  I could now finally fit my new steering wheel which looks much nicer than the stock MX5 rubber one. 


I'm very pleased with the size (350mm or 13.5") as if it was any smaller it would obscure the view of the dash dials etc. The chrome on it also links in very nicely with the chrome gear lever and handbrake surrounds.




I've also been covering anything that fails the 2.5 radius test with rubber edging that has been stuck in place to ensure I stand the best chance possible in passing iva when the time comes.  Also wrapped the filler cap so it blends in to the panel as the orange stood out a little. wouldn't have been an issue if I had orange panels.  




So this is how the car stands at the moment.
 

Big job's to do for 2015,
Exhaust,
Exhaust heat shield,
Front wing stay brackets  ( some cutting and re welding required for these to fit nicely )
and then it's just a case of checking re checking and checking again before taking the iva test.

Well that's it for now.
Happy Christmas guys and have a Great New Year wherever you are in the World. 

Chris    
  

[tobydog37]

Chris

It has been really useful for me to be a few steps behind you in the build. When I come across a problem, you have normally conquered it already. I look forward to your progress in 2015 - I am sure that I will be able to steal some more ideas.

I should be putting an update on my build over the next few days mainly around the fuel filler. I am using a VW plastic filler cover which just sits over the stock neck and cap. It tidies the hole up nicely. Not sure if it might be of use. The picture has a bit of tape on the cap

Have a great Christmas

Vince

[jgilbert]

Trident, Great last photo for 2014, well done I second Tobydogs post, great to learn from you. Wishing you a great Christmas and a IVA New Year.

J&L

[trident]

Been doing the little jobs that need to be done but don't really show. Added load of self amalgamating tape to the electrical connections to protect them from water etc. 

Also added some rubber matting to the floor to keep the black theme. Drivers seat is now bolted in for good with sealant added around the bolt holes 
 


Also been looking at the exhaust. I'm going to get a full stainless system and have checked with the IVA examiners at my test station to see if my car qualifies for a non cat test. After looking at the book and a bit of discussion between myself and all three examiners it was agreed that my car would fall into the non cat bracket.
  
I've been looking at the exhaust tips available and think this one suits the rear end of my car quite well. This tip was an old one that the garage had lying around having taken it off a 4x4 for someone that didn't like the look…. it is available still new so defo a possibility.  The other option is a 3" oval or standard round tip.  Comments and views welcome.
 






I know they are only a guild but this Db reader had very good reviews for i phone (SPLnFFT) ….. Max was 114.5 Db ...this reading was with only the down pipes and revving it abit… on tick over it was about 104Db . Lets hope that a few silencers can bring this number down some. I'll try and get it as low as I can as I don't want it mega loud so it does my head in when driving it. Just want a nice rumble if poss.  

[miket]

The exhaust tip in your pics above looks to be an ideal shape for the area surrounding it - good find.
Feels that a round one would have to live up to the proportions of the lights so as not to look too small?

[mrjingles705]

Jan 23, 2015 10:31:14 GMT miket said:

The exhaust tip in your pics above looks to be an ideal shape for the area surrounding it - good find.
Feels that a round one would have to live up to the proportions of the lights so as not to look too small?

I second that - that tip is almost tailor made for the shape it needs to sit within.... I doubt you'd get a better off the shelf item.

[trident]

Took the car out for a drive today. unfortunately it was on a trailer.

Need some help from someone that has there car set up for road use. Has anyone got the camber, caster settings for an Exocet which is set up for road use. Obviously mine are all over the place at the moment.  
 

It does attract a lot of attention…. 

So took my car to the garage today to get all the wheels laser aligned and set up only to find that their computer wouldn't do it as it needed the height from the hub of the wheel to wheel arch to input into the computer to get the correct settings or something. Guy at the garage said it would be guess work and the end results could be a rubbish set up.

So ended up coming away without it being done. Then took the car to Bournemouth where i'm getting the exhaust done. Turns out that as well as doing exhausts they specialise in setting cars up.  Worked out how the exhaust will look. 
  
mrjingles705 you doubted i would find a better end tip for the exhaust…. well I think I just might have done that.
I'm not going to post a photo of it yet but it reminded me of the Pagani Zonda exhaust but was very in keeping with the Exocet style.

 

 It will be done by the 12th Feb. 

 

 

  

[trident]

Exhaust being fitted tomorrow ….That should please the neighbours 

[jgilbert]

Monster!