Zeitgeist's Mid-west OH race chassis #170 build

[zeitgeist]

Thanks GSRflyby. Feel free to come by and check it out or if you are near Mid Ohio June 6th stop by there.

I went to my first Cars and Coffee locally with the Exocet. It was the first of the season and a decent turn out. 65 Corvette 327/375HP fuel injected car, 56 Nomad, friends Factory Five Cobra with FE motor I recently drove and a 67 IIRC Mustang with complete 2011 Mustang Coyote and complete drivetrain,suspension and interior swap done to it. Impressive build. The Exocet got a lot of interest and I had a good time. Parked between a Cobalt SS with 425 HP and my friends FFR Cobra with probably similar power.





This is the lot when we arrived.



Mustang with 2011 Swap.



Rare Corvette fuel injection.

The rest of my cell phone pictures are not so clear.

[zeitgeist]

Brief update. I did the oil and filter change. I drained the tap water from the cooling system and replaced it with distilled water and water wetter. After this I took the car on what was supposed to be a trip or two around the block (country block about 1 mile each side so 4-5 miles) I went around once and on the second round decided to go a little further. The road had a couple turns and since it is all farms I had little reference and ended up lost. Before getting the phone out for directions I drove around 20 miles. I didn't mind as I need to get the miles on it and stopped every 1/2-3/4 mile to go through the gears again for clutch and brake break in. 25 miles later I returned home.

I also put the car on the trailer and tied it down with ratchet straps. I marked the ramp locations and front left tire location then went for a drive in the truck to fill it and the Exocet on the trailer. Short drive but everything felt solid and comfortable. The big drive is Sunday for Monday's track day at Mid Ohio.

Tomorrow I will get my track gear for me,the car and tow rig together.

[davelutter57]

Who did you source your side view mirrors from?

[zeitgeist]

Jun 6, 2016 0:11:00 GMT davelutter57 said:

Who did you source your side view mirrors from?

I got them on Amazon. I don't recall the exact name and I am away at a track day today and tomorrow. I'll check when I get home. Others used the same ones. UTV break away mirrors for the sides and UTV rear view middle

[zeitgeist]

I just got back from the Exocet's first trackday. It was also my first time at Mid Ohio. Lots of fun and no major issues or problems. I was spraying fuel from the fuel filler area either through the cap or the main hose or a breather hose near it. I cleaned and tightend things but in the next session I was black flagged after about 4-5 laps. I pulled the rear cover and removed the spring clamp from the purge line attached to the filler neck and replaced it with a worm clamp. I added a worm clamp to the main fill hose and tightened all the clamps. The o ring in the filler cap is either too big or distorted so I doubt it will ever seal properly. i wrapped it with 2 rags and duct taped the cap and rags. I still had damp to wet rags from fuel but no more spray mist and no drips of fuel. A problem to be resolved.

That said I had fun and learned the track fairly well after the first session where I just focused on the car,gauges,sounds and vibrations. The more sessions I did the more I just drove the track and improved over worrying about a car problem. I pushed hard and worked on tire pressures. I think I have too much neg camber in the rear as the tires were always hotter on the inside than outside. The fronts were nicely even in my last session where I came in hot to check and had the tire pressures worked out. Before that the centers were a bit higher. The car handles well and is nicely balanced. I can trail brake the rear end around as much or as little as I want and turn in and front grip is great. Braking is very good with no fade,good initial bite and release. Modulation is good and ABS engagement is fairly uncommon. The rear dampers may need adjusting or braking in a corner on bumps causes some minor issues.

I have some vibration around 110-115 but that could be as much wind buffeting on my helmet as anything. The wind tries several times to pull my head off with limited success. Now for some pictures.







Shockingly the green Miata in the background was the only Miata there and the same one I drove years ago when I blew my motor in my Saab 92X. The guy driving is a Corvette owner who is only driving it because he blew his motor and the motor he built to replace it after it was dynoed.





Red Ferrari in the far background







My neighbors FFR Cobra I mentioned in an earlier post.

[jon]

Nice!!

How'd it stack up against other cars there? You can get up to 115 at mid Ohio? Sounds like a big track for stock power to get that fast.

[zeitgeist]

I can't say how much is car and how much is driver as it was my first time there and a very steep learning curve for both me and the car. I think it did OK for a power track. It is kind of like a large Waterford with more speed everywhere. Technical, has a hilltop like section and a bit more elevation change in more areas but power and aero make a difference. I was being passed by cars before mid straight at at least 30 MPH difference. Ran the second fastest group and they combined the 2 fastest groups at the end and there wasn't much difference in being passed. I had the least horsepower in my group by far. The next closest car was a Dodge Dart with Conti slicks, lowered and unknown what else done to it. He was close at the start but a few turns and I never saw him again in my mirrors. I could stay with a few Mustangs and Corvettes through tight sections but they walked away on the straighter sections.

I would have a lot better idea if I ran Gingerman,Grattan or Waterford where I had plenty of experience and could focus just on dialing in the car not learning the track. Since this is my new home track I will have to work on it. I think I could see 118 maybe 120 if I get the carousel corner leading to the front straight better and braked later. I took it quite easy on the brakes braking at 400 marker often and that carousel and the other long right hander were my weakest corners.

[airplnmdls]

Congrats Zeit! I've enjoyed reading your thread. Hopefully one day I'll see ya driving around the area! (I live in Dayton). If you ever do make it down to Dayton, let me know, I'd be more than happy to drool over your car and ask you a million questions!

[zeitgeist]

Thanks Michael. I don't know when I will get down that way but you are welcome to stop by here and check it out.

[zeitgeist]

Michael et al if you are interested in seeing my Exocet and my neighbor's FFR Cobra as well as a bunch of other cars there is a car show Fri June 17th in Bluffton OH from 2pm-8pm when the cruise starts. I just sent in my registration.

I mounted my instrument cluster and gauge cowling yesterday. It went well. I used blue painters tape to cover the cluster face then cut the tape to form a sticky back template. It made the cutting clean and easy with a dremel and a cut off wheel. Wear a mask and safety glasses as it is very dusty and messy but not itchy like pure cutting of fiberglass. I also pulled the trans tunnel cover, sanded,primed and painted it then added edge trim to close the gap to the firewall. I have a shift boot I may use or if anyone has the dimensions of the factory Miata upper shift boot (Large one) I may try using that.









I also ordered some grip tape 24"X 16" for the floors and a flatter mount bar style LED brake light for the CHMSL. I ordered 2 UTV bar clamps but got 2 different types so I have to order or send back one to mount the headlights.

I need to figure out the fuel filler set up to avoid leaks on high G right hand turns on track. I'm leaning towards using the stock filler and cap modified to fit but would appreciate any input,suggestions or pictures of a good set up that doesn't leak with track use. The marine style cap and filler neck I have works OK on the road but not in long corners. Anyone have a proven set up for NB tank ?

[zeitgeist]

I installed the new CHMSL today which looks a lot better. I also worked on the fuel tank filler set up. I cut down the stock metal filler neck and attached lines. I also cut the factory rubber hose but need some 1/2" ID breather hose and 1/4" ID vent lines to complete it. It does stick up from the tank cover more than I prefer but if it doesn't leak and fills reasonably quick I will be satisfied until I can get a fuel cell. The stock metal filler neck has a 3 flap one way valve I will re-use to prevent fuel from backing up the filler neck. This is probably the best part of using the stock filler parts. It only took me about 2 hours to cut and check the fit.


Here is my pre filler set up.


One way valve and filler neck position.


Valve by itself closed.



And open


Bench mock up



On tank mock up.

Hopefully this will work on track at high G loads in both directions and fill well.

[zeitgeist]

I got quite a bit done today. I installed the cut down stock fuel filler neck and associated hoses with worm gear style clamps. I also found a 3" reducer grommet to fill in the space between the flange under the gas cap and the tank cover. This looks cleaner. Unfortunately I forgot to take pictures of it.

I also started working on reducing the extraneous wires for power windows,power locks,radio,HVAC, power mirrors etc... This was tedious as I am an electrical system neanderthal and very nervous about cutting something and screwing up. It went pretty well following the wires and going through the wiring diagram to double check but there were a few acts of faith in the process. I frequently started the engine and checked for lights or problems. About half way through I took a short drive to ensure the speedo and ABS systems were OK. I continued and got most of the major stuff cut out except for cruise control stuff as I am concerned about cutting any of it related to the speed sensor and/or ABS speed signals. I wrapped much of it with electrical tape and wire ties to keep systems together. It really cleaned up the wiring tray.



Here is the complete stock harness during lay out.


Here is a picture of the wire tray before while doing some diagnosis. Pretty cluttered and packed overflowing.


The wires and relays I cut out.





The finished results of today's culling.

[airplnmdls]

Awww man, thanks Zeit! I appreciate the heads up! Unfortunately I won't be able to make it today :-( Let me know if youre doing something again! Have fun tonight!

[zeitgeist]

Just got in from the car show. Pretty good size for a small town of under 5000. 193 cars and not another Exocet. Pictures below.

[zeitgeist]

Haven't posted in awhile but today I gathered all my receipts and added them up. $18628.03 But I am missing the receipts for the FM Happy meal and flywheel and my wheels. I also have to find the email for my used Kirkey seat ( I think I paid about $150). This is with a $3400 donor that I sold $500 in parts so far so $2900 end cost for it and race chassis with wire tray, fenders and wing mount.