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Post by Ken on Aug 28, 2015 20:37:53 GMT
Love the copper color.
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Post by dietcoke on Aug 30, 2015 9:29:00 GMT
Well the car's here, and got to work pretty quickly. Didn't take but a few minutes to discover some issues with the setup that need remedy.  First, the inner bar on the passenger side wont be compatible with the long tubes, so it was removed. I will have to relocate it at a later date. Small cheese. The bigger issue was with the V8Roadsters exocet transmission mount. Well, several issues. Here's what it looks like  It was clearly designed for the older style tunner (that was larger on the inside) because there's no way for it to fit with the later extra interior space tunnel, which is hugely disappointing. Since it's easier to bend sheet metal then to fabricate a new mount, I had to cut the shiny new tunnel - which hurt me on the inside, since it was so new and pretty. Basically it had to be cut back all the way to where this mount bolts through the square side tube, otherwise the mount wont fit (the tunnel interferes with it)  If you look at the weld on the bar, you can see where the tunnel USED to go to, prior to my cut. Significant, probably lopped 2.5-3 inches off. Price of doing business I guess. Also, note the mount on the transmission. I have a t56 magnum, which has a wider mount area (it can use two different styles of mount). The regular T56 has a narrow mount only, so I had to also cut the ears off the mount so the V8Roadsters exocet mount would clear it. Not too impressed with that particular piece, clearly it needs a redesign anyway since it doesnt work with the current iteration of exocet.  ^ A better view of the cut, about straight through the outer mount. You can see the inner mount hole, which is the one you use with the exocet here. If you used a regular T56, you wouldn't have to do this. The magnum is larger and stronger, and its necessary. The mount uses six through-bolts (three per side) that you bolt through the square tube. Looks like it's going to need about a 2.5 inch long socket head capscrew, since the floorpan is VERY close and you wouldnt have room to fit a hex head bolt. I've drilled two out of the three holes at this point, to give you an idea of how this mount works. FM made an inner plate to brace the tube on XXXocet, and I think I will do something similar just for piece of mind. There is about a 1/4" airgap on both sides of the mount between it and the frame tube, so a 1/4" steel plate will act as a good spacer/support here.  It's super late right now, so I will have to go to the hardware store when they open tomorrow and source the bolts and nuts I need for the mount. There weren't any useful ones in the V8R kit, another disappointment. Sometime this week I also need to get the rear diff mounts welded on the subframe, so I can put the rear suspension together. Shocks should be in any time now, just waiting on word from flyin miata. Once they show up, I can finish the suspensions and get the car on wheels, which will be a big milestone. Progress. |
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Post by dietcoke on Aug 31, 2015 17:01:40 GMT
Rear sub is at the welder's shop getting the diff mounts welded on. Waiting on shock spacers and the brake kit from exomotive, the wing's coming direct from APR. Hopefully once that stuff shows up and I figure out just what I want to do with this trans mount everything should come together pretty quickly.
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Post by dietcoke on Aug 31, 2015 20:30:56 GMT
1 EA diff mount ![]()  |
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Post by dietcoke on Aug 31, 2015 23:59:49 GMT
The way the diff mount plates are once welded, there is about a 1/4" space in between the inner mount and the diff bushing that needs to be filled, I used a pair of large fender washers to take up the slack and torqued it down  Lifted into place on trans jack  One side on  Both sides and fuel tank on.  Tomorrow going to work on the side panels, race numbers, transmission mount, and if I still have some time, cleanup of the brake calipers. |
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Post by zeitgeist on Sept 1, 2015 3:38:50 GMT
Very nice. You are making great progress on the build.
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Post by gwnwar on Sept 1, 2015 5:52:53 GMT
Before you install your shocks you might want to drill the holes for the rear fender stay brackets..
Like the frame color what have you chosen for body color??
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Post by dietcoke on Sept 1, 2015 22:07:26 GMT
Fenders are for girls. Body is "Blue-Black," its a super dark blue that is almost black
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Post by dietcoke on Sept 2, 2015 0:42:01 GMT
Mounting the side panels took a little longer then I thought (I also did the upper half panels supplied by flyin miata) so I didn't get to the trans mount today. Tomorrow, perhaps. I only let myself work ~2 hours per weekday so it stays enjoyable for me.  |
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Post by ashneyder on Sept 2, 2015 12:31:56 GMT
Do you have pics of the upper half panels?
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Post by einy on Sept 2, 2015 13:12:55 GMT
Here are what mine look like (if I can get picture 'link' to work). Admittedly, the side marker light is a bit larger than I'd like, but visibility should be good, as I'll be mostly street driving this one.
(Holy cow ... I finally figured out how to post an image here !!)
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Post by boileralum on Sept 2, 2015 13:42:46 GMT
where is your build thread, einy? You are in Cincy, correct? I'm in Indy. Any plans to hit area autocross & track days with it?
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Post by einy on Sept 2, 2015 15:50:15 GMT
I am in Cincy area. If you're ever going to be in the area and want to take a look, drop me a PM. I'm on the Northeast corner of the 275 loop.
Priority #1 is to get last details taken care of (battery mount, fuel filler, headlights) as body mounting is nearly done, then get it thru the state patrol inspection, and registered for road use. Will shake it down there first, then see what lies next. Would LOVE to take part in some of the 10/10th track day events, but at this point they don't allow 'open wheel' cars. Not sure if they will make an exception for an Exocet, but certainly will be asking that question!
I've taken a lot of pics along the way, but haven't had too many new discoveries vs. what other builders with timelines ahead of me have already posted. Once in a while, like above, but not too often. So far, given this, no build thread posted (I am barely having enough time these days to get 30 - 60 minutes in the garage a day it seems like!)
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Post by dietcoke on Sept 2, 2015 16:48:29 GMT
Mine's just like Einy. It looks a lot different with both panels on there - I'll take a picture later today of the both together.
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Post by dietcoke on Sept 2, 2015 23:42:00 GMT
Upper panels  Roughed in bulkheads and wiring tray (which I believe is a very nice piece) as well as pedals and brake/clutch masters. Going to drill/rivet tomorrow. Think I might need a 90* drill for some of these spots. Good excuse to buy a new tool. Also got the steering shaft hooked up and through the bulkhead, will work on mounting that after bulkheads are secured.  List of things to get: (More) Black rtv, 90* drill. List of things due from exomotive still: Clutch/brake line kit, shock spacers, APR wing List of things due from Flyin Miata: VMaxx race coilovers (shipped today!) This is going to come together very quickly in the next couple weeks I think, once I find some more time to sort it all out |
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