Exocet build in Kent

[iain64]

Hi everyone, I'm Iain and I live near Maidstone Kent. 
I didn't go out with the intention of building a Kit Car. My original plan was to purchase a 70's or 80's two stroke motorcycle to lovingly restore. However, after a motorcycle accident my plans changed and I started looking at Kit Cars. I trawled the Internet reading about several kits that I liked the look of and comparing the pros and cons. The MEV Exocet ticked all of the boxes that appealed to me so back in November I went ahead and purchased my donor. A 2000 mk2 1.6 MX5 with a nine month MOT for £650.

 Next came the dreaded strip down and shell removal. This went a lot easier than I thought and I managed to do it single handed. I now have garage full of parts ready to sell on.




I decided that I would split the car into 4 sections for me to work on.
The rear sub, front sub, gearbox and engine.
First up the rear sub. This was stripped, cleaned, blasted and then painted. I knew that I wanted to do something that would make mine stand out from the crowd so this seemed like the answer.




So finally this weekend I started to put the rear sub back together. 




I don't spend a large amount of time on this new project as I've got to get my bike tidied up and sold to pay for my kit. But as I progress through the build I will keep you all updated and will no doubt be asking loads of questions as I hit the more challenging parts.
I do have one question that I hope someone out there can answer. Should I set up the camber angles now or should I wait until I'm further into the build? It just seems like now would be a good time as access is easy and I can get to the adjusters easily. 
Well that's all for now as I need to get on and replace the alternator on my bike that decided to fry itself at the weekend just as it looked like I had a buyer. 

[iain64]

Well I had a little time available this evening so thought I'd get on and finish putting the rear sub back together.
Anti roll bar and drop links done.

Then in with the shocks.




So now it's on with the gearbox which I'm just going to clean up and paint. I will be replacing the clutch. Not sure if I should fit a standard clutch or a lightweight one. What have others fitted and what benefits are there? 

[Stiggy]

WOW, just WOW, I have never been so impressed with wishbones, they are fantastic, you have taken Mazda bits and turned them into a work of art !!!

[iain64]

Thanks. The plan is to do the calipers as well as I think that the snake skin will look really cool behind a set of gloss black wheels.

[davetherave]

looks great can't wait to see how the car turns out keep posting updates on here.

[iain64]

Well I finally had some time this weekend to do some more work on the car. Having finished putting the rear sub-frame back together I thought I had better make a start on the front sub-frame.




After plenty of de-greasing and jet washing ready to start taking apart.
The front upper and lower wishbones came out easily enough with the hubs attached. However the nuts on the track rod ends upper and lower ball joints are going to need a little assistance with the grinder. Meanwhile the front sub is now completely stripped and ready for shot blasting and powder coating.


However after spending sometime on You Tube on saturday evening I now have a real quandary. Do I stick with the original Mazda lump or do I spend some cash and go for the Rocketeer V6 conversion? I do really like the idea of having a V engine as I've had plenty of cars and bikes with V engines and they sound so much better and always pull like a train. I know many will think that it may be a waste of money but I do think it will be fun to own. I will keep you all posted as the build progresses.

[Stiggy]

We trial fitted the first JAG engine for Bruce at Rocketeer in an Exocet and made his first subframe for him, he has the thing well sorted. Yes it's loads of money, it may double the cost of the Exocet but will also probably double the value of it, AND you will be the first.

[iain64]

Well I've sourced my engine so it looks like its going to be a definite go on the Rocketeer option

[ianm]

Hi Iain,I’m just down the road in snodland.Nice to know there’s another Exocet Close by.Yours sounds like it might be a bit quicker than my 1.8!!!

[hutchey]

Hi, I'm only near Tenterden too so not far. loving the rear wishbones.
What suspension are you using? I'm having loads of issues with mine.
Cheers

[kev80]

You've beaten me to it! We were planning to hydro dip the wishbones, but not that wild. Really does look great.

We were also going for the Jag V6, but the cost put me off. I've now got a fairly detailed plan for fitting the rotary from the RX8, but am worried about the IVA man and Q plates... Another post all together!

Good luck with it, again, those w'bones look amazing! I'll watch with genuine interest.

K

[hammy3601]

Loads of experienced kit builders in your area, join the Southern Kit Car Club forum (SKCC), they are a really great bunch of guys and loads of experience and very regular run outs

[hutchey]

Done, cheers for mentioning the SKCC

[iain64]

Hi Hutchey, my suspension is standard shocks with Tein lowering springs. On the standard car the should lower it by 20mm at the front and 37mm at the rear. I'm hoping with the weight saving I will be somewhere about 15mm on the front and 30mm 0n the rear. My water dipping was done by Kent Custom Dipping at Laddingford. I've used them before to do bits ofr my bike and they've always been really good. They also do blasting and powder coating so very useful lads to know.

[iain64]

Well as I've got a few days off I thought I'd better get on and do some more of the car. The steering rack is now stripped and I just need to get a couple of bits welded and then that can go back together. Stripped the front arms and hubs down but couldn't get the castell nuts undone so out with the trusty grinder. Only problem was I didn't realise that the upper ball joint is part of the wishbone and doesn't press out. Looks like new upper wishbones. DOH!!




The next bit is by far the most exciting. My new engine has arrived.




I have now started to strip it so that I can clean it up and get it ready for the Rocketeer kit.

So if anyone is interested I now have a front sub frame and a mk2 1.6 engine to get rid of.