Geoff builds a silly 'car' in the few weeks before M@MRLS, every year!
 

I was going to post this on NorCalRoadsters, but because that site is basically broken at this point, I will grace all of you with my glorious, sometimes rambling, run-on sentence, rarely updated build thread!

Finding it and bringing it home:
Some time in February of this year(2014) I came across a really good deal, and despite having not driven my NB in almost two years because it was in some state of disrepair in the garage, I decided to buy and build an Exocet.

Here's the state of the car when I first went to look at it...
https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1410321015

The previous owner had put it together enough to drive it and then had a small fire in the "engine bay" and pulled the motor. I purchased the frame, the body work, the shocks/springs and uprights, the gas tank, the damaged wiring harness, and the steering column.

Here it is in my garage with my NA looking in with some jealousy.
https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1410321015


Floors!
The kit is one of the lightweight kits (that aren't sold anymore) and was imported from the UK some time ago. That being said it was originally made to be right hand drive and doesn't come with fancy precut floor panels that the new Exomotive kits come with. Instead it came with a 4x6 sheet of aluminum that I had to layout and cut myself.

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1410321015

I bought a skill jig saw to cut the panelling out and it failed miserably, so I just used a cutoff wheel and prayed it wouldn't load up with aluminum and explode in my face (Yes I wore the face shield in the picture above).

I used Irwin quick clamps and a Harbor freight rivet gun to install the floors (Quick clamps: A++, HF rivet gun: C+).
https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1410321015

Floor pan and sad NB :(
https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1410321015

I stripped out the wiring harness at this point because I was tired of working around it and I was considering just buying a new used one, or stealing EO2k's msm harness.
https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1410321015

Time progresses and things happen:

I cleaned up the garage a bit, switched the sides that the Exo and the NB were on, and taped some body panels on to see what it would look like. Note the lack of bolt in rollbar, it's in the side yard at this point.
https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1410322475

I got distracted and didn't work on it for a while.
https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1410322475

I picked up some control arms, and installed ES bushings in them with some bits from Ace hardware.
https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1410322475

Installed the open diff(with ES mount bushings) and ppf out of the NB, and some extended studs.
https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1410322475

One of the many 5 speeds I seem to have collected, installed. It is so easy to do when the car is in this state. It cant have taken me more than 20 minutes to do by myself. Also sometime in there I took the steering rack off the NB, depowered it the FM way, and put it in the Exo. Pay close attention to the steering rack mounts, as they were a pain in my butt more than once later on :p
https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1410322475

I get a haircut, shave, and my girlfriend thinks it's cute. Oh and car things too.

As noted.
https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1410322475

Look how nicely those gen2 6uls fit, also note the monster truck ride height, and the roll bar!
https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1410322475

Exhaust, gas tank, and a motor:
At some point EO2k and I decided(maybe just I decided and he helped?) to install the BP4W that we took out of his car and replaced with the motor that came out of my NB in to his car, that I sold him, in to the Exo. I didn't take any pictures as I was too busy drinking beer or using the engine hoist.

I cut out the resonator from the NB's exhaust and welded in a straight pipe in it's place and bolted on the stock NB muffler. It's ugly. I also fabbed up some fuel tank mounts.
https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1410324068

I seems this kit was designed for an NA donor and the gas tank would not fit mounted forwards, so I flipped it 180 degrees, removed the under shield, and beat on it with a hammer until it fit.

before:
https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1410324068

A long time after(only pic I have of the tank in the new orientation, definitely not in chronological order):
https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1410324068

Fender stays and the drivers front wheel bearing:
I decided to install the fender stays and realized they were not made to be used with 8 inch wide wheels :(

So I fixed them(well I fixed the drivers front pair)! Just tack welded in this picture, don't worry. It also seems that I made brackets and installed the CXracing NA radiator that I had laying around. Oh and installed braided brake lines too.
https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1410324068

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1410324068

In order to install the fender stays I had to remove the hub as it mounts in place of the brake backing plate. This is what I found inside the hub (I cleaned and repacked that hub with amsoil dominator).
https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1410324068

and

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1410324068

The grease was like honey that's been in the cabinet for way too long. Icky. I also installed the ARP extended studs in the front. Note the rings around each stud from my patent pending big 1/2" drive socket and nut, stud install method.

Transmission tunnel:

I decided that I didn't like the bent sheet aluminum transmission tunnel that came with the kit (optimized for RHD car, The LHD gas pedal didn't fit). So I started building my own.

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1410325754

and in the car (still needs to be finished and covered in sheet in these pics).

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1410325754

It looks like a car!
Installed the nose using some quick-latches and mounted the drivers seat using some universal seat sliders.
https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1410325754

and mounted the hood with some Aerocatch latches (picture taken while cutting holes for the latches).
https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1410325754

And then life happens...

I ran a half marathon, breakfast the next day:
https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1410325754

GoKarting on my 30th birthday:
https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1410325754











And I got a new job that necessitated a move. If you were paying attention to the photos above, you would know that moving is not an easy thing for me as I have a lot of stuff (big thanks to EO2k and all my friends for helping). But the move was totally worth it...























Because this.
https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1410325754

YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS


*insert evil laughter here*

Pretty much :)

Build thread continues...
A few weeks later all my junk was moved to the new house and I started working on the Exo again, only with a renewed sense of urgency as this was only two (three?) weeks before M@MRLS.

Installed and wired some trailer lights for tail/turn/brake lights.
https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1410326606

"Why yes, it is a Ferrari, thank you for asking."
https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1410326606


I went to install the Xida CS that were intended to go on the NB and found the the rear passenger shock mount nut broke out of its retainer :vash: Fortunately it wasn't so bad to fix with the use of the lift that came in the new garage :party:

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1410326606

I made some aluminum spacers to adapt the NB steering rack to the flat NA style steering rack mounts.

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1410326606

And I wired up one of the fans from the NB and let it run outside for a while to ensure that the fan came on when it got up to temp.

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1410326606

Motorcycle mirrors installed using some bar clamps on the frame.

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1410326606

T-1 one week to M@MRLS

I start freaking out that the car's not going to be ready in time and EO2k and my friend Pat come to help me! We get a cold side intake built.

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1410327361

And some side panels made of lexan roofing material.

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1410327361

And the firewall panels cut and installed.

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1410327361

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1410327361

Factory heat shield and a VC breather filter.

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1410327361

And the passenger seat and harnesses and some headlights.

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1410327361

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1410327361

And finished the transmission tunnel (yes it's steel, yes it's heavy, yes I'll likely remake it with aluminum sheeting).

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1410327361

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1410327361

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1410327361

And somewhere in there the wiring got cleaned up and mostly loomed, the gauges got mounted in the cluster, I made a battery mount, and my NRG wheel and QR got installed.

Jimmies status: rustled.

Friday before (of?) M@MRLS

I decided that the car was together enough that I could drive the NA down for the record attempt and for the MT.net breakfast!

It's in there over on the left :)
https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1410328364

Saturday of M@MRLS
Fortunately I only signed up to drive on Sunday so I was able to take Saturday to finish up the car. I was sad to miss out though as in the past I think Saturday has been the better day to be there.

Pat and I worked on the car fixing things in the morning and around 2 we got it over to Big O for an alignment. Seems EO2k's mazdaspeed muffler went on at some point too.

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1410328364

After the alignment I decided it would be a good idea to take the car for a shake down drive before taking it to the track the next day... by taking it to the track for the Saturday evening bbq!

We took the Hwy 1 down the coast and my girlfriend came with us.

At first she was happy...
https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1410328364

And then not so much...
https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1410328364

http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e2...ps53912f87.jpg

We got there just in time to eat as they were getting ready to show the movie and then immediately drove the hour and half back home...

I may have been a bit tired and crazed. Also I think someone mistook me for Emilio, that or the people in the 949 polos just like messing with people wearing 949 shirts?
Attachment 184703

Sunday at M@MRLS

Pat and I got up rather early on Sunday and drove down to meet EO2k at his place before heading to Laguna Seca. Somewhere on the way down my rear exhaust mounts failed and at EO2k's house I fixed it with some hose clamps (worked all weekend).

I signed up for group C as I haven't been on the track in almost two years and it was probably the right thing to do. In the first session I over cooked T8 after getting a point by after T6 and ended up facing uphill on the corkscrew. Took it a bit easier after that, but slowly worked up to going faster and by session 3 or so the car felt pretty good.

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1410329328

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1410329328

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1410329328

In the last session of the day I was really feelin it and decided that I could take T6 in fourth without tapping the brakes...

And I probably could have but I was off the apex by at least a foot or more and ended up riding the exit curbing and then spinning to the left side of the track after the curbing ended (Video uploaded later so you all can laugh at my poor driving skills).

The curbing caught the steering rack mount and ripped one of the welds right off. With the weld separated, it was very easy to see the who ever welded it at MEV must've popped off for a pint or three at lunch the day they made my frame as there was ZERO penetration in the welds.

Attachment 235308

i was able to jack the car up and drill a hole though the cross member and the steering rack mount and fortunately BBundy helped this random stranger out and gave me bolt to hold it together for the drive home (EO2k also has pics of me drilling the car in the paddock).

And now the car sits in my garage, waiting for me to get my own BP4W and fix the steering rack mount. I'm signed up for a track day at T-hill in early october but I'm not sure I'll be able to have the car ready by then :(

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1410329328

Ohhh sweet jesus!

Just hold on to the motor until you find your own, I'm in no rush. You have that track day in October that I will not be responsible for you missing. :party:

About two months ago there was this:
WARNING YOUTUBE STABILIZATION IN THIS VIDEO :(


Then there was this at MRLS:


But best of all there was this...
















:pitlab::riaa::pitlab::riaa::pitlab::riaa::pitlab: :riaa:

So I'm scheduled to be going to Thunderhill in early October, but the steering rack mount is still broken and I'm pretty much super busy until then... So I don't know if I'll make it :(

I think I may pull the motor and give it back to EO2k and try to clean up some of the things that are only half done (or kinda shadily done) over the winter rather than keep adding half ass fixes.

Though maybe not, it is a rather ridiculous amount of fun to drive.

Hahah! Is that Ed? :riaa:

Jesus, its like I was standing still. Its amazing how unreasonably fast that car actually is.

I can't weld, but I can help you pull that motor if it'll get things fixed. My labor is cheap, I work for pizza and beer. Strong back, weak mind and such. ;)

As I've said, I'm in no rush. If you give it back I'm definitely taking it apart, so you are going to be stuck until you can find another one. :( Also, I haven't had a chance to drive it yet so that definitely motivates me to help.

There are a lot of zip ties holding it together, but its not that halfassed :rofl:
Hell, its rather fun to ride in. :party:

FML, did you do under 2:00 in that "clean laps" video? Maybe 2:04?

All that work to get fender mounts to clear the tire... and still no fender!

Looking great! I love the "install turbo here" on manifold heat shield... is that a future plan?

Keith

This is what happens when you let me near your car @2am with a Sharpie. ;)

:bowrofl:

Yep that was me doing the wave. I thought it was a fitting wave, passing EO2K on the front straight of laguna seca, in handcuffs, in an exocet.

I hope you got under 2 minutes! :giggle:

I assumed you let up at least a little to let me pass, no?

I figure to fix it right the motor has to come out. If the motor is coming out, its going back to you and a motor I own is going in. I should really fix the NA and get it to Pat and get some more space in the garage.


Yeah I wanted to get the fenders on but decided to hold off until I had the time to do it in a way I like, ie not just glassing them on.

I think it looks like a mix of "Holy crap that's awesome" and "if you used anymore zip ties it wouldn't be a car anymore". But thanks!

1:55ish if the video times are to be believed. I still need to upload my last session of the day (when I went off at T6) and it felt really fast so I may have gotten a bit lower.

Wahoo. I'm as fast as an Exocet :giggle:

Fun stuff man, thanks again for the ride.

My favorite part of that second video is watching the clag burn off the center section of that NT-01 when you get into the outside of the tire on 3 ;)

How much camber do you have in the front of that thing anyway?