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Post by golden86 on Jul 2, 2015 0:34:08 GMT
Hi, my name is Mike, and I live in a suburb of Chicago called Elmhurst. I have been a car enthusiast for many years, and have owned over 30 cars in my life (im 30 years old), but never really found that ultimate drivers car... until now. This isn't my first big build like this, but it is my first kit car and complete drive train swap. This is also my first NA Miata, I used to own an NC, and I loved it. I plane to build fairly low budget with no major power mods until I get the car running, and learn to drive it. The Donor is a 94 M Edition with 104k miles I picked up for $2300. The body and interior were in pretty sad shape, but the engine sounded great and the car was tight. The only issue is a grinding 3rd gear sincro, but I plan to find a used trans and replace it. Besides that I plan to freshen up the engine with a timing belt kit, and replace the clutch. I also plan to replace all the suspension bushings and run a set of coil overs. I picked up the car about 3 weeks ago and I started tearing into it. Just a few pics of when I got it, and what it looks like today. I know you guy have seen a Miata torn apart a few times, I don't need to show you a step by step again.      I will be making the call to order it within the next week, so I wont have the frame for many more months. I look forward to joining the Exocet club Thanks |
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Post by gwnwar on Jul 2, 2015 0:53:48 GMT
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Post by colin on Jul 2, 2015 1:11:42 GMT
More interestingly, are those NES corn hole boards?! Thats amazing.
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Post by golden86 on Jul 2, 2015 1:49:17 GMT
Why, yes they are. All hand painted, too.   |
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Post by golden86 on Jul 2, 2015 1:52:22 GMT
Thanks, those will come in handy. I made sure to label every single connection even if I didn't need it. |
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Post by jwagner on Jul 2, 2015 3:54:24 GMT
Good to see another Exocet in the midwest. We're a few miles west of Milwaukee and are (hopefully) nearing the final stages of the build.
Are you going to autocross or track the car?
Jim
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Post by golden86 on Jul 2, 2015 10:08:40 GMT
Good to see another Exocet in the midwest. We're a few miles west of Milwaukee and are (hopefully) nearing the final stages of the build. Are you going to autocross or track the car? Jim Yes. I have never done either, but I plan to try both. I expect I will like the track better than autocross. |
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Post by einy on Jul 2, 2015 11:33:43 GMT
One thing I'm finding now, as I'm re-installing wiring to my car, is a 'wish' that I had labeled any connector that was not used in the Miata as "not used". Not doing this cost me ~ 2 days of searching through the various wiring diagrams for the 7 or so connectors that I had not labeled to make absolute sure I did not need those. Turns our most were for cruise control (which my donor did not have), fortunately.
Hope you labeled those on your donor that were not used if that applies!
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Post by jmills on Jul 2, 2015 12:11:56 GMT
Mike, welcome aboard! I'm building a race chassis Exocet in Bucktown in Chicago. Glad to have another local builder around. My blog is a bit dated at this point, we're looking at first lap around the block this weekend then 1000s little details to finish before the car is "Done".
And as Einy said, label every connector. I did this on my build and it started at the first turn of the key. If you are looking for track events check out MCSCC.org for time trials in the area, hookedondriving.com and MVP track time for track days. All three operate in the Chicago area.
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Post by jgilbert on Jul 2, 2015 19:07:08 GMT
Welcome from the UK. Agree label EVERYTHING even the earths eg 'EARTH BEHIND DASH', easy now know where bit come from now but in 12, 18 or 24 months time its very hard to remember. Also lots of photos, just store them on your pc for reference when need.
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Post by golden86 on Jul 2, 2015 21:27:22 GMT
Mike, welcome aboard! I'm building a race chassis Exocet in Bucktown in Chicago. Glad to have another local builder around. My blog is a bit dated at this point, we're looking at first lap around the block this weekend then 1000s little details to finish before the car is "Done". And as Einy said, label every connector. I did this on my build and it started at the first turn of the key. If you are looking for track events check out MCSCC.org for time trials in the area, hookedondriving.com and MVP track time for track days. All three operate in the Chicago area. Hi, thanks for posting about the tracks, I never knew there where so many choices around here. I want to ask you if I could possibly stop by and take a look at your exocet. I am debating getting the race or sport model, and it would be nice to actually see the dimensions in person. Please let me know if your willing to meet up, you can email me at mheckinger@gmail.com Thanks |
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Post by jwagner on Jul 3, 2015 1:57:05 GMT
Both track and autocross are a lot of fun. Autocross is a easy/cheap/great way to get familiar with the car at 10/10ths without the risk of seriously damaging something if (when) you screw up. Also checkout the Chicago SCCA for track days and autocross, and NASA - www.nasamidwest.com/+1 on labeling everything, I'm reassembling the wiring now and have about a half dozen remaining connectors that I hope were unused. Make the labels permanent and legible and understandable. |
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Post by golden86 on Jul 10, 2015 0:32:19 GMT
Just a bit of work done tonight. I started the timing belt and water pump replacement since I wasn't sure if the previous owner did it. I tore into it and replaced the cam seals, and crank seal as well, even though they looked ok. The only problem I'm having is re-torquing the cam and crank bolts, I have no way of holding them while I tighten them. Does anybody have a trick for this?  Also a scrapper came by and picked up the shell to give me a bit more room.  |
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Post by einy on Jul 10, 2015 1:11:12 GMT
I re-torqued with engine was still in the donor body. You will probably have to do once assembled in new chassis. Put a couple big reminder notes in strategic places so you don't forget!
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Post by golden86 on Jul 11, 2015 13:15:14 GMT
ok, I figured it out. I used a few ratchet straps around the drive shaft to hold it still. Everything is torqued down and closed up. Next will be pressing out the suspension bushings.
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