Gary's Tampa Build Exocet #304

[garman]

This weekend I tackled the differential and PPF. I picked up a Torsen locally so I needed to get it cleaned up and painted. Also replaced the bushings with some new poly bushings.

Bushing barbecue



Painted diff



Back together with the painted PPF



The old, sad open diff in the background.



Next weekend I'll be putting in the FM stage II clutch and flywheel and mating to the transmission. Things should pick up speed after that until I get to the wiring.

[garman]

Aug 13, 2018 13:05:29 GMT garman said:

Overdue update:

FINALLY got the engine together. The cheap adjustable timing gears are totally jacked up. The cam position triggers didn't come close to matching the OEM gears. I measured everything on a CMM at work and made the adjustments to make them work.



This picture was taken without any timing done so I know the cams are in the wrong position. I just wanted to see what everything would look like assembled.

Also, the valve cover is getting powder coated but I'm waiting to send everything out at once, calipers, brackets, etc.

Is anyone else running adjustable cam gears? Any input?

[garman]

Back at it this weekend.

I need to install the floor panels on the Exocet before I can drop it on the PPF. That took way longer than anticipated. 136 holes drilled. 68 Rivnuts installed. 68 button head screws installed. In 95° Florida heat, in my front lawn. I decided to wrap the panels in carbon fiber wrap. It matches the CoT wing which is real carbon fiber. We'll see how it holds up. I might go real carbon fiber later.

[garman]

Helpful tip on the rivnut installation:

I had the rivnuts and the installation tool stored inside the house where it's nice and cool. When I started installing the rivnuts they took quite a bit of force to get them to set completely. I took a break and went inside to cool off because it was 95° out. When I came back out the rivnuts had been left out in the sun and were too hot to handle with my bare hands. This was a fortunate accident. When I installed the hot rivnuts they went in like butter. Hardly any force to get them to set. So, rivnuts that are heated are waaaaaay easier to install than cold ones. Makes sense but I would have never thought to do it. Probably works with rivets too.

[garman]

Started the Holiday weekend by assembling the rear end.

[garman]

Next was installing the FM Stage 2 clutch and lightweight flywheel.

[garman]

Now feeling super motivated, I mated the transmission and motor and decided to assemble the rollerskate Sunday night.

[garman]

Everything actually went together relatively smoothly. I didn't have to make any adjustments to the PPF mounts so I'm hoping I have the alignment right.

I'm pretty stoked to get this far. I'm waiting to get my bulkhead panels back from powdercoating. Once I get those I can put the frame onto the PPF.

The brakes, valve cover, water pump pulley and coolant lines are going to powdercoat this week. I'm going to be in China for a week starting on Friday so everything is on hold for a while.

[garman]

I've reached a pretty big milestone in the Exocet build this weekend. Finally got the frame mated to the chassis. Really starting to look like a car now.

Strapped up:



Having the frame this high up in the air turned the pucker factor up to 10.

[garman]

Now for some glamour shots:

[garman]

There is plenty yet to do but I'm happy to have gotten this far without too much trouble. I've got Sparco Sprints on order and they should arrive next week. Brakes are powder coated and need installed. Of course, the electrical, fuel and brake lines are going to be fun. I'm thinking about a month out and I'll be ready to turn the key.

[blacksweeper]

Gary,

Jerry in Vero Beach, your build looks great, nice work. I completed my skateboard and mated the chassis up Friday 9/21. We are at about the same point in our builds. I look forward to running together at some trackdays and or Autocross events. Keep up the good work.

[garman]

Hey Jerry!

Glad to hear you are making progress. It's been slow going for me but I'm trying to get everything right the first time. I'd love to take a road trip someday and meet up!

[jwagner]

A very nice, clean build - nice work. Thanks for the pics.

[garman]

Sept 25, 2018 18:32:10 GMT jwagner said:

A very nice, clean build - nice work. Thanks for the pics.

Thanks! So much left to do. I'm trying to document as much as possible so I can look back on it someday and say "yeah I did that" and help anybody else in the process of building one of these things. I have to say I've probably taken more from this forum than I've given, though.