GRM Exclusive Reveal: Exocet Spec-A

Warren v wrote: In reply to kreb: tech, tech, tech et cetera........ Again, if you still want tubes there, we'll happily add them for you.

Quit dodging the issue, will you!

Thanks you. that was very informative.

Mr_Estrotica wrote: Are you guys keeping track of where each unit is going at this point?

Yup. There's at least one heading to Washington state soon. Quite a few future customers up there prepping their donors, too.

Mr_Estrotica wrote: Is there any non-rendered shots of Exocets wearing all of it's roadgoing equipment at this point (i.e. headlights, fenders, tailights, etc)?

Yup. As much as I like to think the chassis makes it a completely different car, the overall car looks nearly identical to the UK version, of which 400-ish have been sold.

Although I'm partial to shots of XP-3 in action:

Since our new shop won't be ready for another month, we finally bit the bullet today and converted our old shop into a full-fledged production facility. All the Miata parts are in a big storage unit, and we actually have a workable amount of space now to do fiberglass and welding in the same shop. The welding area is now set up, and the tube rack is now loaded. The laser-etched part numbers on the tubes made sorting and loading super easy!

A few floors and transmission tunnels were built while I was out, so that's a couple steps we get to skip during production!

Also, I was able to type while sick, so a US-Specific build guide has been started. The UK build guides cover everything you need to know on how to build a US one, it's just that the UK guides won't make sense when they tell you to cut your own aluminum panels and stuff. It will be a constantly-evolving Google Doc until it's ready for version 1.0, maybe I'll get permission to leak it...

Also, our summer high school intern, Andrew, finished his term project. He took the 3D Kinect scans of the UK-designed Exocet bodywork and translated them into computer models that I can then render. That means reasonably accurate color combo visualizations are now possible. Unfortunately, I think he just significantly added to my future workload.

I hate to say it, but the current Exocet bodywork (all three pieces of it) looks like it was sculpted out of pudding. I can't wait to see the community come up with something more fitting of such an exciting vehicle.

I think you're right, a more angular rendition of the existing panels would probably suit the car pretty well.

I likes me some angular cars

Thanks, you guys just gave me some ammunition for the direction of the (now probably mid-)2014 bodywork design. The UK Exocet originally had bodywork with more creases and defined edges, and the reception was very poor. Because of that, the opinion I was fighting was "people won't like angular bodywork on the Exocet". My gut feeling was that defined angles, creases, and single-curvature elements done right in a cohesive design will compliment the round tubes best. You three seem to agree.

Original 2010 debut bodywork:

Now you see? That looks much, much better.

Just look at the Atom, the new Lambo's, the CTS-V, to see that angles and creases can work and they can work well.

Honestly, Warren, none of it "looks" good, but that isn't, to me, what's attractive about this car.

Is there a particular year Miata that would be easier/better to use as a donor?

I know in an engineer and I have no sense if aesthetics, but how any one can not like the looks is beyond me .

+1 for more angular. Really like the looks of that orange one.

Do it in bare CF on your green tube car and watch the jaws hit the floor.

Here's a (formatting-impaired) selection on choosing a donor from the US Exocet Bible:

Selecting Your Donor

You pretty much can’t go wrong here. Any of the first two generation Miatas (1990-2005) will work just fine, and all will make a fun Exocet. Manuals and limited slip diffs are highly recommended. Below are some notes on specific years and/or features. Your specific state’s requirements on emissions might make certain years more desirable to you. Research your registration requirements before you start building. Good resources are your state DMV or the SEMA Action Network’s titling guide: http://www.bipac.net/page.asp?content=tag_title_toolbox&g=SEMAGA

NA6 1.6 (1990-1993) Peppy, lightest overall build weight. Driveline is great unless you want much more than 200hp. Viscous limited-slip-diffs are worn out by now, a Torsen swap is possible. Nearing 25-year-old antique/historic car status (this should make you feel old).

NA8 1.8 (1994-1995) Pre-OBDII, so allows for easy emissions compliance in many states. Torsen limited slip diff HIGHLY recommended for getting the power down.

NA8 1.8 (1996-1997) OBDII, allows for cheap ELM327 datalogging (look it up, it’s awesome). OBDII, so you will need to retain a lot of emissions equipment.

NB1 (1999-2000) Better flowing heads, significantly better torque curve compared to NA 1.8. Great for overall turbo power, as it only has a 9.5 compression ratio. Returnless fuel system, only one line to run.

NB2 (2001-2005) Intake VVT, which can improve midrange torque substantially with tuning. Annoying anti-theft interlock that might give you problems. VVT Actuator on valve cover is tall and requires careful hood positioning. 10:1 CR, more low-end power for turbo car at the expense of headline numbers.

Mazdaspeed Miata ( 2004-2005 ) Donor is expensive, everything about the factory MSM is bad for responsiveness. Mazda thought turbo lag was “exciting”, so they purposely tuned it in. You can fix it, but you essentially will replace it with a new turbo system. Gear limited to 125mph, very revvy on the highway. It’s better to start with an NB donor and add a well-engineered turbo kit.

ABS Miatas ( somewhat rare option ) Will work, but not recommended due to increased build complexity/weight. With training, you can learn to stop significantly harder on clean surfaces. If you lose grip on one side, it reduces braking on the other side (surprise, no brakes!) Only useful for those never intending to push the performance limits.

6-speed Miatas ( 1999-2005 ) Close ratio, not always a good thing when you want to go fast (more time spent shifting). Can take a bit more power than the 5 speed. Feel is generally agreed to be inferior to 5 speed. Usually the rear end is taller, again, requiring more shifting.

Automatic Miatas ( 1990-2005 ) If you have no physical limitations, you should learn to drive stick. It’s easy. Autotragic is the best term for these slushboxes.

NC Miatas (2006-2013) Totally different car that is more RX-8 than NA/NB. Not compatible. Don’t worry, there are 700,000 NAs and NBs out there.

Engine-Swapped Miatas If it retains the stock subframes, odds are actually pretty good that it will work. The Exocet engine bay has plenty of room compared to the Miata bay. Talk to us about it.

s2000, 240sx, MR2, e36, BRZ? Nope, sorry, won’t work with the Exocet kit without extensive modifications. This is a Miata-only party.

The 2010 body work is much better. Definitely shows that this car has potential. I just hope you guys fulfill your promise of making sure we can add the new body work to the older us chasis. I am not waiting that long to build. :)

+1 prefer the old bodywork. I think something REALLY angular, sort of X-bow-ish would look good, but it would be tricky to not make the Exocet look like an X-bow knockoff.

I think it would be easy not to make the Exocet look like an X-Bow. The cars are shaped dramatically differently.

Call me weird, but I still like naked... do the angles, but the more minimalistic the better.

Question:

How hard is the manual steering on the exocet? I have manual in my '94 w/ 225s on 9" 6ULs. The steering suuuuuuuuuuucks. Its obscenely hard, and its slow.

Does anyone make a kit to use the RX8 or S2K electric rack? I would love that.

The rack in XP3 is a depowered power rack. So it's no slower than the power rack, and the weight was never noticeable. I'm not usually a big fan of manual steering in Miatas, and it didn't bother me at all. That was running the same wheel/tire package you had. That's what happens when you peel 400 lbs or so off those front wheels.

ProDarwin wrote: Question: How hard is the manual steering on the exocet? I have manual in my '94 w/ 225s on 9" 6ULs. The steering suuuuuuuuuuucks. Its obscenely hard, and its slow. Does anyone make a kit to use the RX8 or S2K electric rack? I would love that.

Did you do a "proper" depower like shown on the FM site?

I run my '90 on 205 R comps, and don't find it to be a problem on track. But you're more on an Auto-X'r though, correct?

z31maniac wrote:

ProDarwin wrote: Question: How hard is the manual steering on the exocet? I have manual in my '94 w/ 225s on 9" 6ULs. The steering suuuuuuuuuuucks. Its obscenely hard, and its slow. Does anyone make a kit to use the RX8 or S2K electric rack? I would love that.

Did you do a "proper" depower like shown on the FM site? I run my '90 on 205 R comps, and don't find it to be a problem on track. But you're more on an Auto-X'r though, correct?

Its not a depower. Its a factory manual rack.

Yeah, this is a STR-prepped car. At autox speeds it doesn't bother me. Driving around town it drives me insane. I'm a pretty damn fit person but trying to muscle that wheel around in a parking lot is just embarassing.

No, XP-3 has a depowered rack (quicker ratio, and manual NB racks are hard to find). The steering is my favorite thing about the car next to the brakes. Very light and communicative, even when stopped on 225 R6s. Helps when you have nearly half the mass of a Miata on the front wheels.

You guys are talking about different cars ProDarwin's on about his autox Miata, which has the sucky stock NA manual steering. I have to say I like the NB manual steering, never cared for the NA.

The brakes on XP3 really rock, that's where the lap record will lie on our track - once someone acclimatizes to the new braking points, seconds will fall.

Keith Tanner wrote: The brakes on XP3 really rock, that's where the lap record will lie on our track - once someone acclimatizes to the new braking points, seconds will fall.

Man, I wish we had been able to throw the FM proportioning valve on there (it was low on the build priority list). XP-3 is on a factory valve. It's on the todo list when we get it back from the exhaust guy. I can also announce that Enthuza Car will be making Exomotive-branded custom exhaust systems for the Exocet. Great sound, lightweight, easy fit, good looks at the rear, and options for n/a and turbos.