Waukesha Wisconsin Build

[jwagner]

Feb 21, 2016 0:27:24 GMT jon said:

So the state is considering it a 1966 lotus 7? Interesting.

Nothing is for sure until I have a title in hand, the guy I talked to at DMV thought it would be the best way to try to title it.  Wisconsin is one of the harder states to work with on this type of car.

I'm not in love with the headlights, but they're correct for a 7, they're DOT legal, and being halogens will throw a lot of light.  Need to figure out a quick disconnect scheme for track use.

[Longhenry]

It would be awesome to set the precedent of registering an Exocet as a Lotus 7 replica in WI. I registered a Factory Five Roadster as a 1965 replica and it couldn't have been easier. Good luck, and keep us updated.

[montgom]

Feb 20, 2016 22:28:05 GMT jwagner said:

Been working on getting titled and registered in Wisconsin.   Called the DMV and talked to a guy who sounded older and like he had been there for a long time and he was happy to see if he could assist.  First he congratulated me on having a running kit car, said the vast majority of kits never get finished to the point of being on the road. 

Anyway, to talk to the state about a title, I need lots of docs and receipts, the title to the Miata, taxes and fees, the origin docs from Exomotive, etc.  Apparently, if you build a new car in Wisconsin, it must comply with all current safety and emissions standards. Reproductions and hot rods and reconstructed cars are exempt from all that.  The best approach to titling the car is to declare it a reproduction.  The state wants make, model, year of a specific car. 

Meet our Exocet 1966 Lotus 7 clone:


Looks like a pretty good facsimile if you ask me
www.leftcoastclassics.com/1966-lotus-7/extras/bodygallery/index.html

When will you head down to the DMV in Waukesha? I know there are two WSP Troopers who do the inspections. One is a car guy and one is not. Sorry I cannot tell you which is which. I have worked with the guy who is not a car guy. He was nice, but would not title my other kit car (Rally Fighter). 

What I am suggesting, is try to get the WSP Trooper who is the car guy. Feel free to ask as they struck me as easy going.

Robert

[Longhenry]

Not sure if things have changed, but in 2006 registering a kit car as a replica did not require an inspection. I mailed all the necessary paperwork and photos to Madison and they sent the title, registration and Hobbyist plates to me in the mail.

[jwagner]

Sent the paperwork in for a title only yesterday.  It has to be done by mail to the Research Unit in Madison.  Hopefully that goes well and then I'll try for the hobbyist plates.  The state has given mixed messages on whether or not a replica car needs inspection.  We'll see.

[jwagner]

The car is back in the garage so we can get it done before the season starts.  Since the cold season is pretty long here, we put together a solar heater for the garage.



A used storm door, some 2x4s and a sheet of plywood, and a rattle can of black paint.  There's a fan at the top switched on by a thermostat at about 100 degrees.  Works well enough that it ran full time when it was 11 degrees out the weekend before last.  Seems to be good enough to pick up the temp in the garage 10 or 12 degrees over what it would be otherwise.  The whole thing cost about fifty bucks.  Stores in the rafters in the garage.

Anyway, it's time to fit the rear bodywork and fuel filler.  This is one place that it would be nice if Exomotive did a write-up including a parts list.  Seems everyone has to re-invent the wheel.  We need to figure out the filler and the bodywork is sitting too high.  (Excuse the mud, had to do some offroading through the yard to get into the garage.)



Not sure how we're going to get the space down, since there's not much space for the tank to go down.



That's an old pic and the tank vent stuff and fuel filter has moved off the top of the tank forward, and the high point is the fuel pump connector.  The rear looks pretty high, but if we take it down, we'll need to pick the front up and won't gain that much space.  The tank is a '96, and I guess the NB and 1.6 NA tanks are lower.  On the positive side, with this tilt we've had no starvation problems on the track with an eighth of a tank. 

Has anyone put a fuel cell in?  I have no clue what's needed to do that but maybe now is the right time to figure it out.

[jwagner]

Got impatient and called the state DOT to see what's happening:  Nothing.  First, I find out that there's a different address for expedited requests (which I paid extra for), and that by sending it to the normal address my envelope is sitting in a large pile waiting to be processed.  Also, that the first thing the state does when they open the envelope is to process the check and cash it.  My check isn't cashed, so they haven't even looked at it yet.

Still messing with the fuel filler.  Somebody should make a simple everything-included kit for this.  I'm planning on using an exhaust adapter to go from from 1 7/8" to 2" for the fuel filler, also making a 90 degree 1 7/8" elbow made from exhaust pipe.  Anyone know how to put a bead or flare on exhuast pipe to get a secure hose connection?  (without spending the $$$$ on a large tube beading tool?)
shop.advanceautoparts.com/p/walker-hardware-reducer-41946/89026065-P

[gwnwar]

If you can't find a tool for the bead.. Getting shade tree now.. weld a small bead around tube smooth down with a file so not to cut
hose.. Maybe only in 4 places.. Like I said shade tree..

[jon]

I found that No pre bent exhaust pipe was a tight enough radius to fit under the body work. You may have a hard time bending it tight enough.

I ended up making an elbow from 1.5" npt plumbing and electrical supplies. The electrical conduit fitting fits the oem rubber well.

Still not happy with my solution and it is a pain to fill, but No one has a great solution.

[Deleted]

Thanks,

Del

[Deleted]

Thanks,

Del

[jon]

I tried that same hose and found it couldn't make the sharp 90 degree bend I wanted. Plus, I wanted to have my fuel filler not attached to the body work so I can remove the rear fiberglass easily.

That required the fuller neck to retain its own bend / shape.

[BTD]

Why couldn't we use something like this and just cut it to the angle we need + add fuel hose?



www.pegasusautoracing.com/productselection.asp?Product=1821

[jwagner]

Thanks for the ideas.  I have the gates flex hose and don't see how that will make the corner without kinking.  Current plan - and it's changed four times - is to have a chunk of 1 7/8" tailpipe cut at 45 degrees welded to make a 90 degree right angle elbow, and while I'm having it welded, ask if I can have a bead put on it.  Don't know if this will flow well, but I don't see that there's any good way to do this.  I'll take pics and post if it works.  Shoulda just ante'd up for the fuel cell in the first place.

The Pegasus donut is a good idea (and I'm about four miles north of them), but the elbow I'm making will be even tighter.

[einy]

The aforementioned Gates hose made a ~ 135 degree tight enough radius bend for me to allow for putting the filler cap on the passenger side of my car. That said, it was still a total PITA to work with, and also I see no way to use that hose if you want to put your filler in the driver's side.