Surrey Exocet Build

[hammy3601]

So like most I've been browsing for a little while and doing my research since seeing the new GType which has absolutely won me over and I have to build one. I have built cars and kits in the past, including taking on someones unfinished Exocet but it never went anywhere due to timing and unfortunate personal things at the time. I had no intention of doing another kit and then I saw the GType!!! WOW! Amazing work by MEV/Stuart, simply AWESOME!

I already have a slightly modified well sorted MX5 that I've had a while now (too good to break you'll say) and so it was a no brainer to use what I know to be a great car already for this project. My garage/workshop is already well equipped and I have a very good selection of tools.

Below is my car..... The Missus is not best pleased I'm stripping it down!




I will be ordering my kit next week and hope to get up to visit the guys at the factory soon. 
Whilst searching for different polybush kits online I came up with a complete set of wishbones  fitted with Powerflex bushes for £200 which is a steal and includes rear hubs and driveshafts. A big bonus is all the bolts come with so if I do break or cut any on my dismantling then Im sorted. Also Im sure you all know that individually wishbones sell for very good money so essentially the purchase will be free and I should be in profit when I sell the ones that come off my car.

They will be blasted and then POR 15, I prefer paint to powder coat on suspension pieces as when powder coat chips and water gets under its hard to repair, paint obviously is easy! :-)



I have just started advertising parts for sale and am stripping as they sell for the moment. One thing I cant believe is that after all the years of car projects I have only just bought an impact driver!!! My new best friend/favourite tool right after the grinder.



Parts are selling fast which is great news....
(PS. I took this just before I put the other axle stand underneath, Im not silly)


So... my heatlamp at work on some other wishbones I was working on prior to buying that complete set. 



And lastly I got myself a Dymo labeller for the engine loom. I wont be using the complete donor loom as I have an ECUmasters ECU going in and will have a simplified loom for the other electrics.




That's it for now guys. I look forward to this build and drawing on your experiences and hopefully with meeting some of you soon.

[hammy3601]

So I spoke with Stuart and ordered my GType today and it was great to speak with him to get a better understanding of the options on the new car. Also the aforementioned polybushed wishbones are starting to look a lot better. Lots of my donor parts are being sold and picked up this weekend so thats great news too.....





Question do I need to loosen all 4 hub nuts or just the fronts and what size nut are they. Lazy question but Ive searched and am not sure. My donor is a 99 mk2

Cheers

John

[sheffjohn]

Fronts need to come off to fit wheel arch stays. Rears don't need to, but if you want them off for any reason now is the time to at least loosen them. Can always nip them back up when it rolls

[hammy3601]

Feb 1, 2018 14:47:36 GMT sheffjohn said:

Fronts need to come off to fit wheel arch stays. Rears don't need to, but if you want them off for any reason now is the time to at least loosen them. Can always nip them back up when it rolls

Thanks mate

[hammy3601]

More stripping and selling today, crappy weather though and a couple of stubborn bolts but all is good. Also been underneath and loosen the bolts securing the skate to the body






Also I received my options list today from Stuart so I'll be filling that out and posting that back ASAP.

[hammy3601]

Sent my options back to Stuart, colours as follows

Gtype Black Wings
Gtype Black side panels
Black chassis
white front a rear panels.
Will have a small amount or red detail like the calipers

Anyone got pics of theirs in a similar colour scheme?

[hammy3601]

Hi all,
Right with my build I dont need the main loom or dash cluster, is it easy to get the steering column and pedal box out with dash and cluster in place?

Any advice welcome

[hammy3601]

Hi all,
Right with my build I dont need the main loom or dash cluster, is it easy to get the steering column and pedal box out with dash and cluster in place?

Any advice welcome

[jamse0]

Feb 9, 2018 17:22:40 GMT hammy3601 said:

Hi all,
Right with my build I dont need the main loom or dash cluster, is it easy to get the steering column and pedal box out with dash and cluster in place?

Any advice welcome

They should come out without removing but its an easy out so probably just easier to remove.

[hammy3601]

Thanks James

[jgilbert]

Hammy, have you still got your boot lid from the donor?

[hammy3601]

Feb 12, 2018 17:38:27 GMT jgilbert said:

Hammy, have you still got your boot lid from the donor?

Yes I do mate, are you looking for one then. Where are you based?

Thanks
John

[hammy3601]

So finally, tomorrow I will lift the body off. All the bolts are out and exhaust detached, petrol cap pipe also done.

Quick checklist on a Mk 2 strip down:
1.Undo all shocks at the top
2. disconnect fuel pipes at front and rear
3. disconnect handbrake handle inside car
4. Disconnect brake and hydraulic clutch pipes in engine bay

Speedo cable?

Is there anything else I'm forgetting on the underside? Are there any earth straps under there, or anything else that will end up still tethered to the body

[hammy3601]

So the body is now off, quite a tricky job with just me and the wife!




It looks pretty good underneath although a couple of the rear wishbones are crap, luckily I have the other set and already refurbed them...









I now have all the wishbones and driveshafts removed from the subframes and will start the clean up process. Really pleased with how things are coming along now. I have to say Ive had a pain free tear down so far. I may eat my words later of course! 

[hammy3601]

More work today in the crazy weather but weirdly I didn't even have the heaters on in the garage! Well dressed, prepared and active.....
I haven't gone to the n'th degree on the PPF strip down but have done everything that totally matters. Having built many kit cars I know it all gets dirty quite quickly.....







Just the driveshafts and 4 hubs/uprights to clean up now and then I can refit my refurbed wishbones and new ball joints etc. Very pleased to be back on schedule. Cant be long now 'til the kit is ready for pick up!