Colin's California Exocet

[jwagner]

I managed to snag a ride around Laguna Seca a couple of years ago in Mr. Canepa's 935. I've ridden with pro drivers in pro cars at speed, but this was literally staggering - at least I was after I got out a few laps later. Highlight of the trip, and maybe the year.

[steadfast]

How did CHP go?

[colin]

CHP approves!!! One more step closer to getting plates! Next up is Smog and Brake/Headlight adjustment.

[colin]

At this point I'm calling the car "done". It was just over a year ago that I bought the donor Miata and about 4 months since I received the frame. It's been a ton of fun and this forum especially has been hugely helpful! Big thanks to everyone here, I really doubt I could have built this without you.

I've got lots of little things I still want to do to clean up the build and eventually I would like to add a turbo. Here are some before and after shots for your enjoyment:

[steadfast]

Looks great. I sometimes wish I went with a race frame! Congrats!

[gwnwar]

Nice clean looking build.. like the colors..

[jon]

Great work. Looks clean.

[zeitgeist]

Colin that looks really nice. Clean and crisp color scheme and details. Great job.

[jmills]

Looks great! Well done!

[einy]

Awesome job, man!! As others have said, color combo rocks !!!

John

[thestig]

I like the change you made for the top cage. I did the same to mine. It is much easier to enter and exit with it that way.

[colin]

I went to Sonoma Raceway over the weekend. The car handled great! Through the turns it felt like it was on rails and the braking was phenomenal!!! I think I need to play with the alignment a little, and I think it could use some downforce, but overall I'm really impressed.

Hope you enjoy the pictures. (Taken by Dito from GotBlueMilk)

[colin]

So my clutch master cylinder died last weekend.  The engagement point was starting to feel really weird as I was driving home then at a stop light I started creeping forward.  I took a video of the slave cylinder as I pump a couple times then hold my foot on the floor.  Looking at the reservoir I could actually see it go up a little as the fluid leaks past the piston and back up into the reservoir.  I ordered a new master and slave cylinder to be safe as well as the extended stainless clutch line from 949Racing, hopefully they get here before the weekend.

I also ordered some ARP extended wheel studs since I didnt like running spacers with the stock studs.  The fact that they only had 4 or 5 turns seemed pretty sketch.  It probably would have been fine, but thats not a failure I would like to have on the track.  Anyone installed these before?  All the videos online show people pulling them on with a lug nut, but on the 949 website they say specifically not to do that.

[jon]

Use the harbor freight ball joint tool to push the studs in. Or if you have it out of the car some press.

Also be aware that many replacement hubs have slightly different bore sizes for the studs. They may be close enough to force, but it should only be a .005" interference fit. On my timken and Dorman hubs I had to drill them.

Oem you should be fine.

[einy]

Or, you can use a lug nut and appropriate size washers to 'pull' each stud in.