SteadFast's California Exocet

[gwnwar]

Hammy.. We are lucky that our southern and CA. cars don't need much cleaning up. even the northern one
aren't as bad as you have to start with.. But we have to pay a lot more for the cars here a lot more..
Our base kit is just under $7000.00 USD.. but it does have some nice new panels..

[steadfast]

*Brag post* Guys, it keeps on getting better. I bought the car for less than $2000, there isn't an ounce of rust on it. It has 90k miles. I decided to replace the valve cover gasket because it was leaking a little on the back side and was dripping down into/onto the bell housing. I pull it apart and find this:




Clean as a whistle in there! No sludge whatsoever. My frame got delayed in shipping due to the cold weather and ice that hit the south east. It will arrive in Cali on Thursday. The fun will begin on Friday! The roller skate is ready, and everything has been done. Can't wait to get started!

[linuxd00d]

Hey there,

I'm starting to round up parts for my build. I have a few questions about what you got:

15" 6ULs : Thinking about either those or the TRMotorsports. What exact size did you chose and where did you get them from? 949?

lug nuts : heh, I need some of those too. My car came with stupid lock nuts, so I need to find a key first...

full bushing kit (Energy Suspension): I'm thinking the same thing. And ES seems to be the most popular brand. Did you get it from 949? Amazon seems to have the same a lot cheaper. Are you going to install zerks for greasing?

new front endlinks (949): why?

braided brake lines (supermiata) : I want some too, but 949 seems out of stock.

coilovers (V-Maxx XXtreme coilovers) : I'm on the fence between those and Ohlins. Ohlins costs a lot more, but is supposed to be the elite of the coilover world.

[gwnwar]

linuxd00d.. If your locks are OEM the dealer or a good wheel seller store should have a set of tools to get them off..
Which ever coil overs you choose watch what spring rate you get.. Remember you will be running about 1/3 lighter then OEM.. You don't want to over do it with high rates.. can you order lighter springs if need from shock makers.. What is the car to be used for all race or fun driving.. Which frame style are you getting.. Remember with Kevin's new body/fender design you can run larger tires then UK design.. Also with a lighter car you can run a softer tread wear rating.. I would shop around for the parts 949 is a good shop/store but can be pricy.. Going to send you a PM..

[linuxd00d]

gwnwar: thx for your reply. I'm getting the Race version with the full cage. The car will be 90% track day / HPDE car, 10% street use mostly to/from the track. So street driveability is not a factor.

The more I think about it, the more I'm thinking Flyin Miata coilovers, since they could provide the right spring rate for the Exocet, having built one themselves.

Yeah, I'm wondering what size wheel and tire to run. You found a source for cheaper 6UL wheels?

[steadfast]

Jan 16, 2014 7:42:39 GMT linuxd00d said:

I ordered mine from good-win-racing.  I ordered the 7.5.  I went with the 6UL because they are tried and true, and are the best bang for buck for weight reduction.

Energy Suspension is the standard I think.  I didn't install any zerks, but that would have been a good idea perhaps...

I put on new endlinks because I somehow broke the front set trying to remove them.  Not sure how I did that but. . . 

I ordered my braided lines from good-win-racing I think.  They were one sale when I ordered them.  I think a little more than $100 I think.

For the coils I went the cheaper route.  I don't plan to race too often, perhaps after I turbo it I will upgrage the coils at a later date.  I did a lot of research and they seem to be pretty good bang/buck.  

Update:  UPS is holding my frame hostage.  It was supposed to be here Thursday, then Friday, and now Monday.  Lets hope it comes soon, I'm ready!

[einy]

Awesome progress, and highly motivational for me to 'buck up' and continue with my own disassembly process despite the 'less than California' temps here in the Cincinnati area !! Thanks for the pics, as you're giving me a few hints on things I should be thinking about as I get close to the body removal date on my side.

[steadfast]

Well well well, look what showed up yesterday:


I got to work right away, as I had limited time that night. I got the floors installed:



This was very easy and took less than 30 min or so. For those that don't know, the US Exocet floors come precut with drill guides already included. It was as simple as drilling out 70-80ish holes and then riveting them all. I did run a heavy strip of silicone to prevent the rattles. This weekend I plan to run the gas and brake lines. And then mate the new body to the roller skate.  Some quick thoughts...  #1) The welds looks incredible, and the fit finish blows me away.  #2) Very happy with the powdercoating, flat black looks great and will go great with my championship white body panels.  #3) This truely is like adult legos, all that is needed is to follow the steps and have a basic understanding of tools and automotive workings.  

I do have a few questions on the fuel system. Does anyone have a diagram for a 99 miata fuel system? I am unsure of what lines are connected to where. I will be keeping the rear charcoal canister. I just don't remember (took poor notes and pictures) of how this goes together.

[gwnwar]

Geoff.. What is your email address. Will try to send some pics.. Post here or message me (click on my name to send message).. How much trouble are you going to run into to put car on the road with all the BS rules CA has.. Instead of trying to put all your lines to the rear attached to the frame rail. You might want to put 1" wide x 5" long flat stock attached to the frame (About every 8" along frame) pointing up into the tunnel to secure lines/tubes to..

[steadfast]

PM sent gwnwar. I don't expect to hit much trouble in CA. The SB100 process, while a pain, is pretty straight forward. I have been following other kit car guys and seeing what is needed. As for the flat stock, what benefit does that have over pclips?

[einy]

What were the width and length dimensions of the pallet they used to ship your frame on? I'm contemplating making the drive down to ATL to pick mine up when it is ordered and ready, and am curious to know if it will fit on my current trailer. Also, any idea of the shipping weight? Thanks in advance !!

[gwnwar]

Geoff.. By putting the pieces UP into the tunnel further you install the "P" clip onto them. That way you have more room
to stack them with less chance of them rubbing together and being hit/broke/cut by something in the street if you run over something.. You will have about 4" up to mount to instead of 1 1/2" frame rail..

[steadfast]

great advice, thanks I will be implementing this into the build

[steadfast]

Jan 22, 2014 18:42:38 GMT einy said:

What were the width and length dimensions of the pallet they used to ship your frame on? I'm contemplating making the drive down to ATL to pick mine up when it is ordered and ready, and am curious to know if it will fit on my current trailer. Also, any idea of the shipping weight? Thanks in advance !!

I will measure the pallet tomorrow.  It was pretty darn big.  

[gyvven]

Jan 4, 2014 13:42:28 GMT kecclest said:

22 week lead time... wow. I put my order in mid-December and I still don't have an invoice. They must be slammed with orders. I really doubt I'll be getting mine in the 16 weeks they told me.

Love the COT wing. You managed to get one with flat end plates. I picked up two of them from a guy in NC and they have the curved end plates... came off of Tony Stewarts backup cars so that's pretty cool.

What did you end up using on the a-arms?

I placed my order August 6th and, as of last week, my chassis was waiting to go to the powder coaters. I'm hoping I still have time to get it finished and enjoy the brief summer up here in Minnesota. (You know it's been cold when you walk outside and the temp is 5degF, -15C, and say "Hey, this is pretty nice.")

I'm envious of that California donor... and weather.