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Post by tonyb on Mar 25, 2015 19:02:21 GMT
Hello, New the the forum, my first post... I'm in the South Bay Area of Northern California, and while I've known of the Exocet for about a year, it wasn't until recently when I found that at least a couple of you all have successfully registered their Exocets in CA, then I became quite interested. Much appreciated on your sharing here... I'll admit that I was contemplating the purchase of an S2K, to enjoy for the wonderful vehicle that it is, but to ultimately gut it and make a Westfield Mega 2000. So, I had ramped-up my knowledge on S2K's, and decided that I wanted one of two years, both AP2's, but no drive-by-wire (2004 or 2005 in the States). There were some noteworthy differences over the years, and much less so, to none in others... So, with respect to the Exocet, and it's donor, the Miata, what year or years are worth noting with respect to improvements, possibly making that NA or NB more desirable for this application? Did the tunnel change at all, making it more rigid or somehow more desirable in later years, or any other components needed for this project... I am indeed of this information from Exomotive: exomotive.com/exocet/selecting-your-donor/I'm after the pros and cons worth considering, ideally from those who have built and driven Exocets. I do realize that older makes are likely to be affordable of course, but given the price points, especially compared to S2K's that I was pondering, these are relatively much more affordable... Also, if this topic is addressed already, somewhere else, please accept my apologies in advance. Thanks much. |
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Post by gl21133 on Mar 25, 2015 19:29:14 GMT
The details on the link you had are a good place to start. Do you have emissions in your area? If so, consider a 94 or older (pre-OBDII) for ease of testing. A lot of folks here like the early NB's (99-00) as they have a bit of a power bump over the NA8. What do you want from the car? The chassis didn't change a ton over the years, most of the changes were in the motor.
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Post by tonyb on Mar 25, 2015 21:51:43 GMT
The details on the link you had are a good place to start. Do you have emissions in your area? If so, consider a 94 or older (pre-OBDII) for ease of testing. A lot of folks here like the early NB's (99-00) as they have a bit of a power bump over the NA8. What do you want from the car? The chassis didn't change a ton over the years, most of the changes were in the motor. Thanks for the thoughtful reply. If I understand correctly, here in California under SB100, once registered and street legal, there will be no ongoing emissions checks. That hurdle is an important one though, so I hear ya on the benefits of pre-OBDII... As far as what I'd want from the car performance-wise, I was hoping to for a weight / HP ratio of about 6. I realize that with this engine, that might not be likely or desirable. I believe the weight of the Excoet is about about 1,750 pounds, so we are talking about 290 bhp, or about 250 whp. Is that unrealistic? Need boost of course... So, maybe a 1999 or 2000 due to the lower compression (9.1 : 1)? If there are no other significant differences in the parts to be salvaged for the Exocet, it sounds like the engine, and possibly the tranny should be the focus... |
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Post by gl21133 on Mar 26, 2015 0:54:35 GMT
Are you including yourself in that weight? If so I don't think you're too far off. If not, you'll almost certainly be lighter. Race or Sport chassis? I think 250whp is certainly doable with a turbo (possibly supercharger too, haven't researched them too much). I'd suggest poking around on Miataturbo.net, tons of info there.
Regarding the SB100, Steadfast (Geoff) can probably help you there. I believe you're correct on the emissions.
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Post by tonyb on Mar 26, 2015 4:40:52 GMT
Thanks gl21133.
For the past hour or so I've reading about turbos for the Miata, and 250 whp is definitely doable, at least with the FM 2. Great to know that I can achieve the power requirements with the NB...
Sorry, with respect to weight, I meant wet, w/o the driver. Oh, Sport chassis...
Speaking of which, have folks here actually weighed their completed Exocets? Looks like I had the weight wrong earlier, and that these weigh more like 1,500 pounds, without the driver...
While poking-around on the FM website I found something called the Bauer Catfish. Interesting, and something else to look into. A Miata-based donor has my attention...
Not really seeing a lot of difference between the various years of Miatas, certainly less so than what I saw with S2000's. Still leaning toward an NB1 at the moment, only because of the lower compression at 9.5:1. Prior to that though, it was at 9, which I read somewhere... I'll check-out miataturbo.net next. Thanks again.
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Post by steadfast on Mar 26, 2015 17:44:53 GMT
You are correct in the SB100, once registered you will not have any emission testing. If you need more info on SB100 please let me know (as I have done it).
As for the donor I picked a 99+ for the simplicity of the fuel system and only having to run one line. I also plan to turbo the car shortly so the motor is a good starting point.
As for weight, my car without bodywork, second seat, and very little gas in the tank, weighed in at right around 1400 lbs. It would assume that 1550-1600 with turbo would easily be doable. Check out some of Exomotive's builds as they have posted weight on theirs, which includes the FMII.
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Post by tonyb on Mar 27, 2015 2:14:15 GMT
You are correct in the SB100, once registered you will not have any emission testing. If you need more info on SB100 please let me know (as I have done it). As for the donor I picked a 99+ for the simplicity of the fuel system and only having to run one line. I also plan to turbo the car shortly so the motor is a good starting point. As for weight, my car without bodywork, second seat, and very little gas in the tank, weighed in at right around 1400 lbs. It would assume that 1550-1600 with turbo would easily be doable. Check out some of Exomotive's builds as they have posted weight on theirs, which includes the FMII. steadfast, I appreciate you chiming-in, and the input provided. Good stuff. I have read the entirety of your thread, and sensed that you would avail yourself, given how kind you've been to others. Sounds like you are in Sunnyvale. I was in Santa Clara today, where I was born and raised and my pop still resides. I work from home a lot, but I did go into the office today (237 & 880 area). So, I'm around your area fairly often... Would be great to see your Exocet at some point. I contacted Keith at FM to get his input as well, and he recommended the NB2 (2001-2005). His reason was VVT (he likes it); and that the higher compression will spool the turbo faster, which is more important in a light car than absolute power. Makes sense. I too like the simplicity of NB1 fuel system though. Oh well... I seem to have the knowledge that I need now though to make a well-informed decision. That was the intent of this thread. Out of curiousity, is there an Exocet configurator of sorts where one can see different color combos? I'm envisioning dark blue and yellow... Thanks again steadfast. |
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Post by steadfast on Mar 27, 2015 3:44:53 GMT
PM Sent
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Post by Toed64 on Mar 27, 2015 10:01:37 GMT
I don't know about model specs on Miatas, but make sure that your donor has a limited slip differential - quite a few of the pauper versions of the UK MX5 have open diffs, even those with the 1.8 motors. It makes a massive difference to corner exit speed - my 1992 1.6 Eunos track car is much faster out of corners than my 1.8 MX5 with open diff.
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Post by gl21133 on Mar 27, 2015 12:54:30 GMT
I don't know about model specs on Miatas, but make sure that your donor has a limited slip differential - quite a few of the pauper versions of the UK MX5 have open diffs, even those with the 1.8 motors. It makes a massive difference to corner exit speed - my 1992 1.6 Eunos track car is much faster out of corners than my 1.8 MX5 with open diff. You can always swap one in later, they're not that expensive. I picked up one for under $500 (and another for under $100, but that's another story). |
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Post by tonyb on Mar 27, 2015 15:22:41 GMT
Thank you all. A very supportive group here. I appreciate the personal reach-out steadfast. PM responded to... Toed64, I had been reading about the LSD option (not standard in any models, I believe) in the Miata. I believe it's Torsen. Yup. Pretty neat resource here: www.miata.net/garage/diffguide/index.htmlgl21133, I can confirm the pricing you describe. If any aftermkt ones are felt to be an improvement, better, more durable, that would be good to know. Does this forum allow for email alerts when there are responses in a thread? I'll look again, but haven't found that option as of yet. Thanks again. EDIT / ADD: How to determine if a Miata likely has an LSD: forum.miata.net/vb/showthread.php?t=466727 |
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Post by mawdo81 on Mar 27, 2015 20:10:56 GMT
It def does for pm's. Check settings on your profile page on the website version of the forum.
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Post by tonyb on Mar 27, 2015 21:01:00 GMT
Thank you mawdo81.
Indeed, instant notifications on PM's, but not for threads like this. Daily will have to do for now...
Thanks again.
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Post by mazdaracer on Mar 27, 2015 21:41:35 GMT
Do not get to excited on a Torsen.
Gene has a Torsen and I have an open.
Both let the wheel in the air spin when we tripod. Works great keeping power to both wheels when they are on the ground. With the weight loss on our cars, it does not take much to lift a rear wheel on a tight autocross course.
link: locking versus torsen
I just about have my chassis setup at the last autocross adjusted to keep from lifting, but ran out of talent in other areas:)
I hope to upgrade to a clutch style someday. |
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Post by tonyb on Mar 28, 2015 2:03:59 GMT
Thank you mazdaracer.
Brought back some memories on your "ran out of talent" quote. Some are not so humble...
Yup, with the weight of these cars, and the very stiff chassis / frame, I can see lift happening alright. I have an R53 MINI and I get my share, so I can only imagine what it might be like in the Exocet.
I hope to pick-up a Miata by late Summer to Fall, after I fix-up and sell a home we have pretty much moved-out. I have Craigslist email alerts set-up on the NB's, $5k max. I'm seeing some with 200K+ miles. 100k or fewer miles would be nice, but probably not realistic.
A good weekend everyone.
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