Swindon Exocet G Type Build

[kev80]

Hi All,

Well, it's finally happened. I bought an MX5 (NB-FL) a couple of months ago with the intention of building an Exocet, but due to work issues I'd not been able to commit to buying a kit. I was planning to meet with Stuart at Stoneleigh and agreeing a spec of a car to order, the plan was a metallic Kawasaki green frame with Anthracite panels, and loads of carbon fibre detailing, but while browsing eBay I noticed another member was selling a part built and stripped G Type.



A few eBay massages and a long phone call later, some cash changed hands, and I now have a 2018 black and white G Type sat in my garage. Some of you may know it:



I've been running the 5 for a few weeks, and the only issue I've had (besides some fairly terminal looking rust underneath) is a sticky handbrake caliper.

So, we've started the donor strip down, and already I have a fair few parts to stick on eBay, including a near mint set of 15" multispokes wth good tyres all round, and a really tidy 2-3 year old red mohair hood. I've also got a full matching tan leather interior, door cards, steering wheel and tonneau cover for anyone who may be interested before the eBayers get them.

A few pictures of the strip down progress, and available parts below - PM me if interested in anything!




The parts:

[kev80]

Little update on the end of another evening stripping, everything is going pretty smoothly so far. We are taking care to remove everything sympathetically to gain as much cost offset as possible. Where do people find the best place for selling bits?

[hammy3601]

The MX5 parts for sale pages on Favebook are pretty good, then lastly the obvious ebay mate

[kev80]

Yeah I guessed it would be FB which I don't use, or eBay. Might try a simple breaking ad on Gumtree too. I need to raise funds for another doner for the engine and box!

[kev80]

OK, so this gets interesting.

We are planning to do something a little different with the Exocet, which it doesn't appear has been done to completion before. W are intending to fit an RX8 rotary and 6 speed trans, a modified from subframe but with the MX5 rear diff/driveline.

I know I'm going t have problems with the loom, but the plan is to use an RX8 donor, and splice the loom in to ensure it all runs as Mazda intended - I've got no desire for more than 230bhp at the moment, so that should work.... Maybe!

Problem seems to come in at IVA time, and then in future for emissions at MOT, as that engine was never fitted to the MX5, and there is no way the RX8 will pass the 2018 emissions standards, thats why they stopped marketing them in the UK.

My initial enquiry to the DVSA/IVA testing station suggests that you should consider the RX8 the donor, because then it will inherit the RX8 emissions limits, so long as the engine number is clearly visible for the MOT, and the tester can see what he is testing (flow charts in the IVA manual suggest how this works). I'll post up the written reply when I get it!

So, on to my next question: If I use the RX8 as the donor, do I let the MX5 go to a proper scrap yard, and get a certificate of destruction for it, or am I asking for trouble!?

[Stiggy]

The Exocet is designed to take MX5 parts, it is not possible to use enough parts from the RX8 to satisfy the points system, if you go this route it will be assigned a Q plate which is not removable.
Nothing to stop you building/registering an Exocet as designed and changing the engine later. However if you go Q plate route then IVA emissions will only have to meet (BET) MOT standards which were set in 1992. A little NOS in the fuel should sort out any issues and provide clean enough exhaust gas.

[kev80]

I won't lie, I'm finding the guidance on this VERY confusing! Obviously testing my knowledge of the legalities early in the process is the correct thing to do, before I build something I can't register.

The way I read it, the points system only applies to radically altered vehicles, and it defines if you can keep the original registration or get a Q plate:






For kit converted vehicles, it suggests you only need to retain two major components, does this then assume that all other parts are new, and cannot be used from the MX5?



But then on the V627, it seems to have the points system for whichever registration route I take. 



I'm seriously, seriously confused. I did think that sending off the MX5 V5 with all the rotary details on it would be the way to go, but the IVA manual appears to suggest otherwise. Seems silly to give up already, there has to be a way!

[kev80]

On reflection, I think I can do this if I retain the MX5 gearbox...

But then I'm back to emissions issues! (bangs head against wall).

[Stiggy]

All Exocet builds take at least 2 major parts from the donor and add them to a new chassis, registration involves being given a plate of the same year as the donor but not the same number, this is known as age related registration.

Impossible to prove a gearbox or anything else was from a particular donor as it's only the engine that carries recognised serial numbers recorded on the donor V5. If you change the engine to the rotary serial number on the V5 and that will be noticed as a non MX5 part. As you are not actually putting the rotary in the MX5 you cannot produce photographic evidence.


Testing and registration is a simple process if you build an MX5 based Exocet.

[kev80]

Understood, thanks Stuart. I'll see what DVSA advise, but will probably follow your advice to build it from the MX5, then do the swap if I still feel the need!

Another evening of progress, the poorly MX5 looks quite sorry for itself now. Hoping to get the shell off this weekend.

[kev80]

So, we had a slight delay in getting the shell of, but almost ready now. One thing that's holding me up - I read in the build manual that there is a drain plug on the fuel tank, and I cant find it. Could anyone advise where this might be on the mk2.5 please?

[stuli]

May 14, 2019 16:58:52 GMT kev80 said:

So, we had a slight delay in getting the shell of, but almost ready now. One thing that's holding me up - I read in the build manual that there is a drain plug on the fuel tank, and I cant find it. Could anyone advise where this might be on the mk2.5 please?

I don’t think there is one or at least I did not find one in my 2.5? Easiest way is to run the pump directly and use an existing hose. Hard way (I realised too late) is a gravity drain via an existing pipe which took forever!

[kev80]

Good shout, thanks mate.

[kev80]

So, the shell is completely stripped now, and we are lifting it tomorrow. Bit nervous as we have a bit of a slope on the drive. Generally please with the parts sales too, as I've now sold bits for more than the car cost, which is always nice.

I've had feedback from the DVSA on using a different engine, and they have said it won't pose any issues for IVA, but may be a problem for registration. Reply from IVA man here:



Still waiting on the feedback from DVLA.

In other conversations, I can still qualify for the age related registration if I only use the engine and loom for the RX8, so still an options I'm working through.

[kev80]

So, a proper update will follow tomorrow, but thought I would share my feedback that eventually came from the DVLA. I've just taken the important bit that relates to age related registration against a donor. Apparently the points system only applies to radically altered vehicles, and not kit converted. I'm still unclear if all of the parts except those from the donor need to be new, and am awaiting further clarification on that.

From DVLA email:
Kit Conversions

This is where a kit of new parts is added to an existing vehicle or old parts are added to a kit comprising a manufactured body/chassis/monocoque bodyshell. The general appearance of the vehicle will change and result in a revised description on the registration document.

A vehicle will retain its donor registration mark if either the original unmodified chassis or unaltered monocoque bodyshell and two other major components are used.

If a new monocoque bodyshell or chassis from a specialist kit manufacturer is used (or an altered chassis/bodyshell from an existing vehicle) together with two major components from a donor vehicle, an age related mark will be assigned. The mark will be based on the age of the donor vehicle. An IVA/SVA/MSVA test will be required to register the vehicle.

Where there are insufficient parts from a donor vehicle or in cases where the original registration mark is unknown, an IVA/SVA/MSVA certificate will be required to register the vehicle and a 'Q' prefix registration number will be allocated.