Andy Exocet Build thread

[jayz101]

Not sure if you can start these things so late but its all been a blur and would be good to keep track of what I have been Doing.

How it all began. 

[jayz101]

A little bit of background on this build, I have been looking at these kits for a few years now and my usual toys are classic cars like Frogeyes and Triumphs. As you can imagine I have lots of bits around the house and in the garden that the wife is not to keen on. She's into cars which helps but the progress is always slow on the old ones with the grinding and the welding to get all the rust out and replaced. 

I managed to get her out to the kit car show and get her into the Exocet with a reaction that I was not expecting. "You need one of these!" 

After I picked my jaw up off the floor I then set about saving all the pennies I could to get the kit together. Over Christmas she must of been in a good mood as she told me that she would help me out with the car cost if I could get it done for the summer, RESULT!!

After that is was a case of making space and finishing off the small bits on the other cars to get them rolling and stored until the kit is built. Weather has been really bad with snow and alike so the movement was slow to start but when it hinted at being warm we were off.

I placed my order on Feb 28th 2018 with the order form completed and sent back on 14th March. Time to find a Donor.

[jayz101]

I bought the car from a forum member as it has some aftermarket parts such as suspension, bush kit, alloy Rad etc. I also bought a turbo kit for it but this will not be going on this year. The Turbo Kit was actually what lead me to hear about the car. On 

On 25th March I now have the car home. I have driven it around a bit to make sure it is all good and starts on the button with no smoke or anything untoward sounds wise. It has a Turbo paddle clutch so wanted to drive it around and see what all the fuss was about. It seems I am happy with the way it drives and I don't see that much of an issue with it. Yeah it is not the same but its not that bad. 

Having only ever sat in an MX5 once in my life the breaking down of the old car was a great experience to get to know the car. I have sold some parts for about £450 already so going well on that front. I am very lazy with eBay so this wont be my main focus. I also have no idea what stuff is worth so lets just see how it goes. 

    



After just a few nights the car was looking fairly stripped. Was happy with how it all came apart.

[jayz101]

I bought a dymo label machine as I know I will have no idea where it all goes when it comes to wiring it all back together. 

At this stage the kit is now ready for collection so feel I am a little behind. Time to step it up a bit. Say `aahhhhh'



    

   

The state of my house and garage is a little embarrassing but you can see the room I have and might give you an insight to the conditions that I have to carry out the build. A larger garage is definitely needed for this so we will see how it goes. I have done most of this on my own as help where I live is quite limited. Getting the body off on my own was hilarious!

My spine is still intact! Woo Hoo! 

[jayz101]

Time to say goodbye to the Mazda.

So its been about a week now and the car has got to go. I spoke with a local guy who said he could get rid of the chassis for me to get it out the way.

Not conventional but it worked. 

Thought I would get a picture of the two together before the swap. 


     

     

[jayz101]

With the body gone I can now get to having a good tidy up. 

What a mess!

Engine is hanging ready to fit a new water pump and cam belt for good measure. I am planning on the turbo conversion and possible full rebuild after the IVA (if it gets there).

Lots of cleaning to be done and stripping down of the parts ready for the powder coating to begin. I have chosen powder coating as it just feels better. I know it is likely to chip over time when stones etc. I hope this is going to take a few years and likely I will change the colour anyway when that happens as I am not sure on the colour I have chosen.




     

[jayz101]

Frame, Front and rear sub frames have gone off for coating. I decided on a white and black for the frame so will see what its like when I get it back. 

Time to get cleaning.

     




Gearbox came up nice and gave the engine a little bit of a spruce. This has taken me a good week of evenings to get this done. Dirt everywhere!

[jayz101]

Visited the classic car show in Birmingham and ended up buying my own powder coating kit. Have never done it before so going to give it a go.


After buying and repairing a broken oven off eBay its time to have a go. The pedal box was kinda rusty and needed a clean so its the first part to undergo a test.





After a good clean and strip down it was time to go for it. After cooking for about 15 mins it came out kinda nice. 


    

[jayz101]

About a week later it's time to remove the bushes from the swinging arms etc ready for powder coating and new bush kit.


    


                     

What a pain that turned out to be. Ended up heating the bushes after applying pressure with some M10 bar and nuts.

Some patience and a little bit of sweat later its all done and they are ready to go.


Decided to take a little pic of some of the parts as I go to make sure I haven't lost anything 

[jayz101]

3 weeks have now passed and finally the frame is ready. I decided on White and hope it looks good.








I am well happy with the way it has come out. Just need to get her home and start building.

[jayz101]

Have a long weekend coming up so time to make some real progress.

Day one

Lots of cleaning and a further tidy up to try and keep the area clean. With all the space restrictions it is getting hard to keep the place looking horrible. Test fitted the front and rear sub frames and all look good. I then had a go at powder coating the front wishbone. Looks good but is taking a while and my sandblaster has bought the farm.



         
  

Ended up spraying the rest of the parts as I cannot afford a new sandblaster and would be a good test to see what lasts longer in the car.



Last thing for today was to finish off the anti roll bars and fit the new bushes and brackets I coated. 

[jayz101]

Day two

Floor fitting time. I have managed to rope a friend into helping me with the floor fitment and the weekend is giving some amazing weather so out int he garden we go.






Measure up the panel and then cut with a grinder. Then I filed the edges and placed on the top to drill the holes. Once the holes were drilled and de burred I applied some silicone and riveted in place. 






Repeated the same on the other side and thats it. Floor fitted and I am very happy with the job. 

[jayz101]

Day three,

mucking around and trying to get parts on today to make sure I have as many parts as possible to I am not waiting for bits. I hope to remove some of the items again piece by piece when I have spare evenings. I would like it to be a rolling chassis so I can move it about so that's my goal for the day.


    


Things are going together well. I had a small issue with the bushes and they fought me a little. I eventually won and all installed and rolling. Finally some sunshine! 


    

Now it is outside I have reached my goal. I have some time left so trying to see what I can quickly do. 
I test fitted the fuel tank and drilled the holes for the bolts. Seems simple enough. I then though I would risk it and try and fit the panels. I just couldn't resist. 


    

[jayz101]

OK that's it for the catch up, I now have some questions about the car and need some help.


I have trial fitted the seats and they seem to be way to big to fit in the car without catching on the frame.

Am I doing something wrong here? I was thinking some spacers maybe? 

    

Ran out of time to look this up so as I was here I though I would ask.  

[timbo]

One option is to remove the adjustment mechanism and have them at a fixed angle (not really much of a problem as you still have access behind the seats by moving them forward on the runners). I have a pair of ready made steel plates with the holes drilled in the right position and painted white - if you are interested PM me.
Tim