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Post by mazdaracer on May 1, 2014 4:01:27 GMT
Let me introduce myself. Rick Rowland. I have been using Mazda products since the eighties. Rotaries first, then Miata's. Mazda3 is my daily driver. Now's the time to build the ultimate Miata. So, here is the car to take apart and my frame waiting to ship at Exomotive. I have now joined you all. Gene from Las Vegas has also posted here, so there will be at least two in Las Vegas, Nevada. They both should arrive sometime next week, they are shipping together to save a few dollars. (Right Kevin?) I will try to post as many pictures as I can, since I know that's what I have been drooling over the last 20 weeks! 
Will be yellow fiberglass and hammered silver frame! Still working on a name, daughter wants to call it the Paperclip??? 
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Post by steadfast on May 1, 2014 4:51:44 GMT
Welcome to the forum. Glad to see more US cars. And I think the Paperclip is a great name!
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Post by JIDiesel on May 2, 2014 3:04:29 GMT
Nice to see I am not the only one waiting so long. My frame is setting across from yours at Exomotive.
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Post by mazdaracer on May 13, 2014 13:50:44 GMT
Frame should arrive tomorrow! New parts arriving daily. Springs, swaybars and links, new top hats, intake. Soon to come, brake and clutch lines, wheel studs, header. The best part of my build is that the car was an autocross car running in stock class, so it is in good shape and ready to drive until it made contact with another car:( 
The customary shots of the Miata coming apart: 
So, todays questions is what seats should I pick that are in the US? |
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Post by jgilbert on May 13, 2014 20:57:17 GMT
If you end up sourcing seats from the UK I'm happy to bring them our to Vegas, expenses paid of course  Would bring myself a flyin Miata turbo kit back at the same time. Good luck with your build! |
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Post by JIDiesel on May 14, 2014 23:35:12 GMT
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Post by mazdaracer on May 15, 2014 14:22:12 GMT
What is this in a large freight truck? 
Look there were two inside 
Both cars arrived in good shape. The plastic wrap was a surprise. Exomotive put caster wheels on the crate, UPS trucking only tore off a few of the wheels, but left enough to make loading and unloading them on my flatbed trailer a breeze.
My wife spent some of her childhood in the UK, she would love to go visit.
I am hoping my Exocet is more of a duel purpose car. I have the Ultrasheild seat that I put in my Miata for track days, (Made the mistake one weekend going out with the OEM Leather seat). Also had a Legend car metal seat in our Spec Miata, a little less cost and no shipping since they are for sale at our local racetrack. Also got to sit in all the sizes before buying one. I bought a no name seat once, what a flimsy piece of junk. Do not need a FIA approved seat($), but want one that does not bend when I make turns and looks good with my yellow/silver colors. |
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Post by miatagr on May 17, 2014 0:19:45 GMT
A race seat isn't as much of a problem as figuring out how to make it adjustable. For track days, I'd really like a halo.
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Post by mazdaracer on May 25, 2014 19:08:43 GMT
We have liftoff! 
and a big pile of parts. Anyone in Vegas need parts? 
a quick bath, a little paint, some new parts, and we will be ready for touchdown! So far time in project 16 hours. Time looking at other builds here, hundreds! |
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Post by gwnwar on May 25, 2014 20:44:54 GMT
Rick.. If you plan to roll your unit around cut some 8" 2x4s put between the lower shock mount and inner pivot of the upper A arms..
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Post by gwnwar on May 25, 2014 21:00:19 GMT
Rick.. Check you have a message..
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Post by mazdaracer on May 27, 2014 4:19:46 GMT
Another 2 hours into the build, pressure washing Vegas style. Soak in sun in 100 degree plus weather, then spray. Very clean, after viewing some other builds, glad I have no rust! 
Spend a few hours tonight ordering new rubber bits from Mazdaspeed, then the fun begins, putting things together! |
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Post by mazdaracer on Jun 2, 2014 3:37:55 GMT
I said I was not going to do it, but I did. I have now painted the subframes. It's called Hammered black, but looks like dark grey metallic? I like it! Also, installed header, replace all the little coolant hoses, Valve cover gasket, motor mounts, misc orings. 
But, when I went in to change the rear main, look what I found. A lightweight flywheel. No wonder it felt extra peppy! 
So another 8 hours brings the time to 26 build time. Get to drop the exocet on next weekend for the first trial fit. |
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Post by mazdaracer on Jun 16, 2014 3:19:18 GMT
Another Saturday morning Got the rear sub frame cleans, sanded and painted 
Now some spring work. Just for now I went with 230 lbs front, 200 lbs rear. (ebay $50) My favorite autocross car has 500 lbs on the front, 200 lbs on the rear. Spec miatas run 700 lbs front, 300 rear. Racing Beat spring run just under 200 lbs front. Once I drive the car we will see how it feels, I am sure there will be changes in my future! If I locate a limited slip diff, might be fine, but may need heavier front spring if I keep the open diff. 
Also used spring hats from a 99+ will let the car sit a bit lower. 
And now I can bring in the frame! In case your not sure how light this is, it only take 2 men or 2 girls and one man:) 
time this weekend, 6 hours. Total build time 32 hours. |
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Post by mazdaracer on Jun 16, 2014 3:52:14 GMT
A new weekend, Fathers day too! Will not have to cook tomorrow... First trial fit. 
and it fits! 
So, now to build a few things. After many hours of shopping for seats, we are going with stock. We have three other miatas that we autocross/track day with so its like the Three Bears, we all have a different size/style. Since the seats all bolt into the Miata, if I make this exact as a stock Miata they will all fit depending on who wants to drive the car. And 4 bolts and one wrench to make the exchange. And with the stock seat option, any new drivers or passengers should fit. I have an upholster that will redo the stock seats so it should look sharp. So first the hardware. 
A little cutting and welding. 
And in go the stock seats. The angle and distance from the pedals are almost exact. 
The only thing I have found wrong from Exomotive is the sub strap tabs are on the wrong seat bar. The mount should be in line with the chest or towards the rear. This prevents the sub strap from developing slack in a front end collision. I will pick up some new tabs Monday morning and weld them on the back seat support bar, not the front. 
Now, to move the front brake line supports. 
Off with a air chisel, on with a welder. 
Then, Sunday Morning time to build a battery mount. Having been thru many tech inspections and done hundred on other peoples car, I really like to see a good tight battery! Why do people not think a box of lead might move around? So, yes it is overkill, but I will never have to worry. Could have gone and save a few pounds with a braille battery, but I have a perfectly good stock miata battery, it's light and vents out the bottom. It will also use the stock Miata battery hold down. Never saw one fail yet, so should last me many years! 
So, all the bottom welding done, time to fit the floor. So glad I get it precut, what a time saver. 
Holes all drilled, time for sanding, oil and wax remover, and a coat of paint. Well got the sanding done, noticed the inside belt plates are not connected to the lower frame, so added a few welds. Then I was saved with lunch from my daughter, my Dad and Mom arrived, then later my Son. What a good weekend. Got almost 12 hours in, total time 44 hours.
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