Exocet build in NZ
 

Hi all...

I've been scouring the pages of this forum for a while but most of my online activity has been on the Exocet build forum. However, I have taken a rather major detour from my original build plan and I am now going to turbo my BP engine for the kit car.

My donor car was a 1998 (1999 in USA market) NB 6spd with about 130000km (85000 miles or so) which ran well.
What ruined it for me was borrowing a turbo 1.6 Exocet for a weekend. At around 170whp low boost and 200whp on high, this thing was an absolute blast to drive.

I've decided since though, in order to avoid that 'got used to the power' feeling, that somewhere around the 270whp mark should be what I shoot for. Future proofing is how I justify it to myself :)

As such, and keep this on the down low because the wife doesn't know, I've decided to do a full build. Everything I read suggested I might get away with the power level I want on the stock internals for a little while...I dont want to do this twice though, so I've collected all my go fast bits and the kit looks like this:

CP Pistons (84mm 9.0:1 CR PT#SC7542)
Eagle H Beam Rods (PT# CRS5233M3D - 900hp rated! lol )
ARP Studs all round
ACL Bearings all round
Cometic metal head gasket (PT#C4560)
Billet Oil Pump (949Racing)
Coolant re-route (949Racing)
Gates Racing Timing belt and pulleys (949Racing)
Custom exhaust manifold (probably Sinco Customs · Turbo manifolds, welding, fabrication and machining specialists, Hamilton New Zealand but I will wait until the engine is in the car before having this fabricated, along with the downpipe and exhaust)
Garrett GT2871R .60 A/R turbo
Link G4+ Storm ECU
Injectors, coils and cooling yet to be decided upon.
Other than uprated valve springs I will leave the head alone for now, unless something pops up once they get the head off.

Engine is off to the builder today so batten down the hatches...here comes the fun!

Welcome to the forum. It sounds like you have a great handle on what you need to do. It's good to have you on the forum.

good to see you on here as well the mev board, lots of great info on here.

Thanks...yeah the MEV board is great for build info and examples, but doesn't have the depth of info you find here on the engine/turbo/tuning etc...its very easy to lose an hour in an interesting thread here :)

for sure..i've spent lots of time reading and saving links. a lot of the unanswered questions there have been discussed many times here.

seems like sometimes folks forget that we're working on a miata...

Been a while since an update so thought I should post some info. Engine is built, manifold and downpipe fabricated, oil lines in place. just chipping away at it...

https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...dd4af5eb51.jpg
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...58c83dd26d.jpg

Please tell me you live in Christchurch.

Sorry...up the other end :)

Making progress...radiator and intercooler are in, hot side all bolted up, exhaust this week...
Cant wait to drive this thing. The loom is the major hurdle to deal with before that happens :)
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...bed17307b1.jpg
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...e74e49d68a.jpg
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...d10f45d1ee.jpg
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...33a1011aee.jpg

Been a while since an update. She's all certified now, one more inspection before registration and she's road legal woop woop.
Had a reputable tuner setup an initial tune for the first few 000 kms...then we'll shoot for allofit! 260whp/247lbft at 14psi.
still some cosmetic stuff to do...paint guards etc etc..just NEED to drive it now tho so that'll wait a while!
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...da4620562e.jpg
https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...8be0757ad2.jpg
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...de5f4c6dbf.jpg

Welcome to the forum and awesome build! I have always admired the Exocets, but never seen one in person. I hope to drive one with boost one day to enjoy that power to weight. Any plans to track it?

Can't wait for your ride review on that beast!

Welcome aboardddd!!!

thanks!
Ride review?....well to be blunt it is fucking scary.
It's not the fastest car on the road I know, but the whole experience of an open top, gravel 4 inches from your bum, wheel 24 inches from your ear, growling exhaust, screaming turbo and sheer thrusting acceleration can't be beat.
I haven't done any performance tests yet but will post when I have.
1st gears a waste of time, 2nd is a blink, but 3rd is the shizzle. No shit, the front wheels are actually almost coming off the ground.
Few bits and pieces to fine tune but she is road legal now, so I will clock up a few more break-in kms and then see what some more boost does :)