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Post by zeitgeist on Jan 31, 2016 3:07:19 GMT
Great news and not so good news. My chassis is done through QC and soon ready for shipping. I also retired yesterday and am done with work. Unfortunately I wasn't expecting the chassis to be ready so soon and I am not available for delivery. I will have to wait a little and when I contacted Exomotive about shipping date they haven't answered yet. Anyone know how long they can wait to ship it? I never thought I would delay it but a week or two may be needed. Looking into alternatives for someone to be at my house if I can't work something out.
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Post by abc123 on Jan 31, 2016 5:33:02 GMT
I would call them directly, every time I've spoken with Kevin I get the impression that they will do whatever they can for us customers.
Congrats on retirement! I've got 19yrs to go!
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Post by zeitgeist on Feb 4, 2016 0:12:14 GMT
Well I'm home and available so no worries about a delay. I spoke with Exomotive and they seem to be holding it for next week shipping. I made some good progress on the build. I separated the transmission/PPF and diff from the engine. Once apart I cleaned and primed then painted the whole assembly. Before that I worked on removing the diff mount bushings. These things were really in there. Took about 2 hours with some small cuts.heat and penetrating oil. What worked best was flipping it over to hammer it out with gravity helping.    Once that was cleaned,primed and painted I moved to what I was dreading for a month or more. The seized in bolts on the lower rear uprights. I had been soaking these almost daily and had already hammered away at them after some heat and spray with them refusing to budge. Today I decided they were coming out. I tried hammer,heat and oil with the uprights in my new vice with no joy. I then drilled a hole in each side and made it progressively larger then went back at it with heat oil and hammering. SUCCESS!!! The other side seemed even easier. I then used the ball joint press Greg suggested but didn't fit to use for the front lower ball joints. I pressed out the last bushing in the rear uprights pretty easily. Next up I removed the stock exhaust manifold. I was worried this would be a pain but with a little heat and oil they all came off easily. One stud came off with a nut but the rest were a breeze. That was a nice surprise. Once that was off. I moved onto cleaning and painting the head and block as well as the last control arm Irishcarbomb sent me. Thanks again. I also painted the coolant tube that goes from the mixing manifold to the rear for a heater hose. Spent almost 7 hours working on it with over 2 hours just on the seized bolts. I plan to go with a turbo or engine swap in the future ( a year or two) but for now I would like to do a header. What header(s) fit a 99 NB with the new narrower tunnel?Kevin suggested the OBX as a cheap buy when I visited Exomotive. Any suggestions? |
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Post by lhintze on Feb 4, 2016 0:50:03 GMT
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Post by jon on Feb 4, 2016 1:33:26 GMT
Paint looks great!
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Post by zeitgeist on Feb 4, 2016 2:11:17 GMT
Thanks Luke for the heads up. Is it just the flange that is a fitment issue now that you are further along? I would consider cutting off the flange and use a slip fit connection with band clamp. What did you end up doing for the header and exhaust? |
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Post by lhintze on Feb 4, 2016 9:53:02 GMT
I used the OBX header and the Enthuracar exhaust (twin tip muffler and cat). I had to remove the flanges and cut/rotate the header so the cat didn't hit the chassis. It works 100% now but if was expecting it to be completely bolt on. I ended up ceramic coating the muffler black. The complete system is for sale now since I'm putting the turbo on it. Let me know if interested, thanks
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Post by gl21133 on Feb 5, 2016 16:24:26 GMT
Did Kevin mention if the NA OBX fits? My test fit said probably not but maybe there's wiggle room.
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Post by lhintze on Feb 5, 2016 18:21:06 GMT
I haven't heard directly from Kevin on this issue, I'll email him now.
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Post by zeitgeist on Feb 5, 2016 23:05:08 GMT
Did Kevin mention if the NA OBX fits? My test fit said probably not but maybe there's wiggle room. When I was visiting the factory they had a red Exocet up on a lift. It had the OBX header on it. Kevin suggested it as a cheap alternative. It was a NA. I believe it was the new tunnel design as it is the same chassis they took on tour sans drivetrain last year at the Kit car and Import show in Carlysle. |
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Post by zeitgeist on Feb 10, 2016 1:12:12 GMT
Lots happening lately. Chassis #170 is scheduled to arrive tomorrow. Super excited. I worked on getting the steering rack depowered according to the FM method. This was easier than expected and the 99 rack doesn't have a bottom cap nut as FM method earlier rack does.     Bad focus but just like FM the rack end needs to be drilled out to remove the end cap without screwing up the threads.  Out and suspect piece removed.  Greased and re-assembled. I used RTV in cut off lines to seal the openings.  |
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Post by zeitgeist on Feb 10, 2016 1:26:29 GMT
Next up was the steering column and pedal assemblies. I removed the steering-wheel, turn signal and cruise/wiper switch assemblies. Then removed the steering lock per race regulations. Then I cleaned up the column and pedal assemblies.  I primed and painted them after masking off or removing the pivot bushings,pins and shafts to ensure smooth operation wasn't gummed up by paint.    With that the steering system is completely refreshed and ready for assembly until I get the inner and outer tied rods. The pedal assemblies are done and since I ordered the clutch master cylinder, flex line and slave cylinder with my kit the clutch system is also fully ready for fresh install. Next up is ordering the poly bushing kit, FM happy meal with lightest flywheel. I also got in the 5X racing shifter rebuild kit and new lower rear outer control arm to upright bolts in. I ordered the O ring for the heater line tube to mixing manifold but it looks small. Also got new inner tie rod locking washers just to be safe. Time in over 2 days is 6-7 hours if you don't count watching primer and paint dry. |
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Post by zeitgeist on Feb 13, 2016 17:42:33 GMT
Well the kit didn't arrive on Wed as the freight schedule didn't allow for it but it did come yesterday. 3 cheers for it coming complete and undamaged. There were a few cuts or damage to the packaging outer skin as if someone was curious what was inside but no harm no foul.   It didn't need to be snowing, strong winds blowing and bitter cold out but that's what it was.   Boy was it a tight squeeze getting the pallet onto the lift gate without it falling off.  All inside the garage and ready for unpacking.   And unpacking   And done  I also ordered the clutch master and slave cylinders and SS flex line.  I needed some heat as it is around 10 degrees F here today so out came the propane heater. What a life saver. It took me close to an hour to unpack that thing. |
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Post by jon on Feb 13, 2016 18:02:14 GMT
Nice!
I forget, are you going to paint or powder coat? What color?
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Post by zeitgeist on Feb 13, 2016 18:56:14 GMT
It will be black. I haven't decided on spray cans black myself or getting it powder coated or professionally painted. I need to look into professional options and their costs as well as seeing if there is a powder coater nearby that can fit the whole chassis. I may try NWOH North west Ohio university and see what they may be able to do. They have a pretty big motorsports program.
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