G-Type 1.8 Exocet Build 2017

[aterro]

Hello all,

I've been wanting a kit car for a very long time, but i have finally taken the plunge and ordered a MEV Exocet in September 2017.

Upon seeing recent posts from Stuart, i have asked him if i can wait until the new G style bodykit is available before i collect the Exocet, which i'd imagine will be around end of November, but i have lots to do, so i am in no rush! 

I will state my Exocet specification upon picking it up, so i will leave a little mystery to this thread and to the viewers!

Unfortunately, my friend let me down with the trailer, but i jumped on Shiply and Andy Sadler came to the rescue and i was able to pick up my MK1 MX5 1994/1995 M Reg 1800cc Eunos Roadster NA8C R LIMITED EDITION JDM on 30th September 2017. For anyones reference, Andy was great and i will be using him again.

About the Car

The car was listed on eBay, with no mot, requiring welding, the steering rack having play and the bodywork being tatty. Of course, these things didn't bother me but unfortunately, i actually lost the auction as it sold for a whopping £1,220! 

Later that weekend, i had a message from Perry(the seller) who i had previous discussions with and he informed me the winner arrived and it didn't meet the buyers high expectations! Perry and I discussed a price, i must say, a significantly cheaper one than what it sold for on eBay and i collected it on the 30th September 2017.

Specification of Donor Car 

133,884 Miles 

Eunos Roadster 1800cc, one of 900 made Japanese import R Limited . Highest Japanese model . Imported in 2000.

Exterior -
Original Satellite Blue with satin black
Hardtop only
Rare Wolfrace 15x7 Minilite type wheels , blue wheel nuts , 195x50x15 Toyo proxe T1R tyres
Electric wingmirrors , not wired in
Unknown boot spoiler
Smoked rear light clusters
Clear wing indicators
Damaged Garage Vary plastic lip spoiler
Japanese number plate bracket
Genuine Mazda front and rear mudguards

Underside-
Koni adjustable damping and 3 position platform shocks
Mk2 MX5 Sport big brake conversion
EBC Greenstuff pads
MX5Parts stainless steel exhaust system
Decat pipe
Chassis bracing
Polybushed front suspension
Mazda's own R Limited spec Torsen 2 Limited Slip Differential
Rose jointed suspension linkages front and rear

Interior-
R Limited spec red leather seats with speakers in headrests , not wired in
R Limited spec red carpeting , door cards and dashboard
Momo steering wheel
Rare checker Roadster floor mats
Cobalt short shifter and alloy knob
JVC CD headunit
TR Lane GP rollbar
Additional oil temperature gauge

Engine bay-
1.8 twincam
MX5Parts 4 branch exhaust manifold
Alloy radiator
Blue Samco hoses
Polybush engine mounts
HKS air filter
Magnecor plug leads
Uprated clutch and braided line
R limited lightweight flywheel
R limited manual steering rack
Rare orange Roadster strut brace

Here is some pictures of the donor:



8

4

The Donor has allowed me to pretty much break even upon selling the parts that i wasn't able to use on the Exocet, which is very helpful.

Donor condition to date:

I have removed everything in anticipation of removing the body from the PPF tomorrow, Wednesday 18th October 2017. ( I hope)

i need to undo rear driveshaft nuts, remove handbrake cable from callipers and last remaining nuts/bolts from rear subframe.

I can’t wait to get the body off, so the fun stuff can begin! I will post as many pics as I can, as pictures are always better than loads of writing.

Regards

[mikeeyboy]

Hi, the car looks like a good buy, it looks like they engine has some nice additions to it that saves you a job. I would have thought some of the role cage bits will be worth half decent money on ebay!

[jvalgardson]

I'm looking forward to following your build. That looks like a great donor you found!

[jgilbert]

welcome to the fun!

[welshy1]

What a shame to see a R ltd broken for a kit these are incredible rare models that are only increasing in value by the month.

[aterro]

Oct 24, 2017 19:01:45 GMT welshy1 said:

What a shame to see a R ltd broken for a kit these are incredible rare models that are only increasing in value by the month.

Hi Welshy, unfortunately it was in poor condition.

Both rear wheel arches where shot all around the arch and drivers side sill had gone and the paint, even though it looked good in photos was poor.

It is a shame and I am all for keeping old cars on the road, but this was a good buy for my exocet and it would have taken a lot of work to put it in reasonable condition.

Thank you all for the comments and I will update the thread tomorrow.

[aterro]

Update- Wednesday 25 October 2017

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I have had some good fun taking the body off the PPF. I unfortunately had to cut the body in half but I cut just behind the front seat mount rails, which allowed me to pick the car up very equally.



I am now left with the PPF and have started removing the wiring on PPF & engine.





Does this rear U bend fit the exocet or do you have to cut off the open end section?



What do exocet owners use for a exhausts? the Mx5 Version?

[aterro]

21st November 2017 update

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22nd November

I have now split the rear end from the front end and started looking at new parts. Removing the wishbones from subframe showed me that the polyflex bushes are shit and the bolt corroded to the inner crush tube and wouldn't come out so it just bent the subframe. Luckily i have a tubular subframe to fit. The previous owner of the car said to me that the bushes were only fitted for couple of years and been ran for circa couple of thousand miles, so i presume no-one used a good grease or the quality of the bush kit is poor. hey, its always good to snap bolts!

22nd November

I also removed the hub nuts easily with my new 1000lb Impact gun, which is awesome! I also started pushing the bushes out of the wishbones and the press started bending the wishbone( it only had under 1 tonne of pressure in it, so the metal must be fairly weak) again, i will be reverting to a tubular wishbone for longevity, quality and strength. not to mention they include bushes and bolts, which is a timesaver.

Engine is off the subframe and gearbox removed. Visually the engine and gearbox look and feel in good condition, but i will be rebuilding the engine or finding a mk2.5 bottom end and coupling it with a BP 1.8 head.

I also went to the NEC Classic Car Show and met Julie & Stuart, which was a pleasure. The G Type looks amazing in real life and photos don't do it any justice.

22nd November

I am awaiting discount days at various retailers before i start buying stuff, but i am having the head rebuilt by Blink Motorsport to "race" spec.

Eventually i will be going turbo, but for IVA, i will keep the car naturally aspirated but will build the engine in mind of buying turbo.

I look forward to picking up my exocet!

[aterro]

Serious update required here:

6 February 2018

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Since the last 3/4 months have passed, alot has changed.

I have now picked up my exocet from MEV and bought an awful lot of parts. I have sold all the parts i don't need or scrapped them.

Engine head has been rebuilt by Blink Motorsport and has been optimised for performance. I am currently cleaning up the bottom end and fitting it with a new genuine oil pump, seals, new sump seal, and sump that has been prepared for an oil drain (for the future) The drain in the sump has been welded up by G19 Engineering.
I have received my new tubular suspension from USA and tubular subframe.

I have pretty much bought everything from MX5 Parts and everything will be new.

This is a quick update with no pictures, so it is pretty bland!