Mike's Chicago build

[snowbird1]

It is an Empi part, got it at my local auto parts store P/N 16-6023 about $14 a couple of years back.

Another thought on the Exocet would be to make the complete rear cover hinge back to access the fuel filler.

[golden86]

Pictures as promised

Here is my fuel fill


Here are the parts used for the fuel fill
Fuel hose
Fuel neck
The hose is 1.75" ID.  I used a small section of 1.5" ID fuel hose to create a reducer.  The 2.75" slid right over the other hose to give me the correct 1.5" ID I needed for the fuel neck.

Also by your self a few of the band clamps with the key attached to them, it makes it a lot easier to tighten them down since there is no room for tools back there

The seats are mounted with the harnesses in place.  The only thing worth mentioning is that the seat belt wont clear the hand brake without a spacer.  I had to space mine out 1.25".



Here is the coolant overflow I used, it works great in this location
Coolant overflow tank



Most people mount their engine bay fuse block there.  I chose to place it under the wiring tray so I had a place to mount the coolant tank.



Mounted both headlights
Headlight mount
Headlights



Finally a few pics of the finished body work with working tail lights

[Deleted]

Thanks,

Del

[golden86]

I can get you a measurement probably in the next day or so, but here is the muffler I used.  The muffler is used for a newer jeep wrangler.  If you are looking to be quiet, this is far from it.  I also heavily modified it to fit in the tight space.

[einy]

I dig those "key" type band clamps! Wish I knew about those when I was doing up my fueling system!

[zeitgeist]

Your build is looking good. I like your tail lights,muffler and how you used the wire tray. Nice details.

[golden86]

Basically finished, I just need to add fenders, windshield, and mirrors.


Now for the difficult part.  I have been speaking with the guy at the State level who handles registering custom cars.  He states that the car needs to be NHTSA certified to be legal in Illinois.  This is not possible since it is a kit car and its sold as a non running, not complete frame.  No kit car company is NHTSA certified.  He is new to the position, and I am trying to explain to him that its impossible to get NHTSA certification.  I hope to have this cleared up soon so I can register it and get it on the road. jmills is going through the same thing with the state.  

[einy]

I wonder if Exomotive would offer the option to use a "meaningful" piece of a customer's donor car firewall - the piece with the Miata VIN stamped on it specifically - could we legally register that type of car as a Miata using the original VIN? Too late for us, but a thought moving forward none the less ...

[golden86]

Mar 19, 2016 0:23:09 GMT einy said:

I wonder if Exomotive would offer the option to use a "meaningful" piece of a customer's donor car firewall - the piece with the Miata VIN stamped on it specifically - could we legally register that type of car as a Miata using the original VIN? Too late for us, but a thought moving forward none the less ...

no, that still wont wok since the car has been significantly modified.

There is no problem with exomotive, or the exocet.  The issue is that the person at the state level does not have the correct information.  Based off what he is telling me, there is no chance for any future kit cars to be registered in Illinois,  which I find hard to believe.   He wants the car to be NHTSA certified, no kit car EVER has been NHTSA certified, nor is it possible to get one certified.

I just have to be persistent and get the facts across, and hopefully they will realize that they are wrong.

[einy]

Plenty of hot rods have been built around the core VIN plate of the title donor vehicle here in Ohio.  Heck, jwagner's Exo in WI is likely going to be titled as a  60's Lotus per his recent posts!!

[golden86]

Mar 19, 2016 1:05:35 GMT einy said:

Plenty of hot rods have been built around the core VIN plate of the title donor vehicle here in Ohio.  Heck, jwagner's Exo in WI is likely going to be titled as a  60's Lotus per his recent posts!!

Oh, I know.  There should be no problem with registering it as a custom, or as a replica.  It is that the state doesn't know what they are doing.

[zeitgeist]

Golden86, I feel for your struggle along with Josh. Can you have the person stating these cars must be NHTSA certified give you the law/regulation etc where it states it must be NHTSA certified? I would suggest looking into the laws that regulate kit car registration. This can be tedious but it clarifies things and can be used to clarify it with the inspector. Granted it has to be done delicately as he has more power in the process. However if he can't point to the wording in whatever law regulation and you can there is some hope in educating him and/or his supervisor. There is always someone in a higher position that can change things. The key is having your ducks in a row and as much proper documentation showing you are doing things correctly.

Alternatively you can try and register it in another state through a friend or relative and then in IL. That should make the IL process easier as it should be more of a registration/title transfer and may not require any inspection. This may take some creative and trusting planning. If you have a family member in another state you could have them register and title the car in their name then sell it to you. Or you could temporarily "move" to their address, get your car titled and registered in that state then "move" back to IL. Yes complicated and adds costs but it may work. I have family and friends in MI and if I run into a similar situation I am very familiar with MI system and would try titling and registering it there. Contact me if you want more info on MI system of registration and titling.

[steadfast]

Mar 18, 2016 20:51:50 GMT golden86 said:

Basically finished, I just need to add fenders, windshield, and mirrors.

You're never finished!

[golden86]

Mar 19, 2016 1:19:49 GMT zeitgeist said:

Golden86, I feel for your struggle along with Josh. Can you have the person stating these cars must be NHTSA certified give you the law/regulation etc where it states it must be NHTSA certified? I would suggest looking into the laws that regulate kit car registration. This can be tedious but it clarifies things and can be used to clarify it with the inspector. Granted it has to be done delicately as he has more power in the process. However if he can't point to the wording in whatever law regulation and you can there is some hope in educating him and/or his supervisor. There is always someone in a higher position that can change things. The key is having your ducks in a row and as much proper documentation showing you are doing things correctly.

Alternatively you can try and register it in another state through a friend or relative and then in IL. That should make the IL process easier as it should be more of a registration/title transfer and may not require any inspection. This may take some creative and trusting planning. If you have a family member in another state you could have them register and title the car in their name then sell it to you. Or you could temporarily "move" to their address, get your car titled and registered in that state then "move" back to IL. Yes complicated and adds costs but it may work. I have family and friends in MI and if I run into a similar situation I am very familiar with MI system and would try titling and registering it there. Contact me if you want more info on MI system of registration and titling.

This is option "B".  I have relatives in Indiana that I can use their address to register the car.  One way or anther this car is getting on the road.

[jon]

In michigan you can transfer the title of a car to a close relative without paying sales tax.

Now the question to me is, how do you transfer the certificate of ownership on the frame? Maybe exomotive could help...