GRM Exclusive Reveal: Exocet Spec-A

mrvwcastner wrote: after weeks of blaming my wiring... MAF! Now it runs. with MAF unplugged. Gotta replace it now to know for sure.

So it wouldn't start with the MAF plugged in but unplugging it allows it to start and run?

Zeitgeist wrote:

mrvwcastner wrote: after weeks of blaming my wiring... MAF! Now it runs. with MAF unplugged. Gotta replace it now to know for sure.

So it wouldn't start with the MAF plugged in but unplugging it allows it to start and run?

Many cars have a "limp mode" which is a simple TPS vs RPM IPW calculation in the event that the MAF goes bad. This method is also referred to as Alpha-N.

Correct. I decided to deloom the entire harness, omit all "uncecessary" wiring and rebundle the entire harness into one grommet through the fire wall. In doing this I had convinced myself I was the cause of the car not starting. I have been testing voltage all over the place scratching my head and cursing internally. Someone suggested unplugging the MAF and car will run and idle (very rich but sounds great with my new exhaust built out of 2" scrap stainless from an Intel clean room and a single small muffler off a newer V8 Range Rover side exit behind pass rear tire). Since I narrowed my floors 2.5" on drivers side and 1.5" on passenger side I needed all new exhaust rauting and complete rebuild of all the center tunnel.

Picked up a new used MAF and hoping that does it. I opened the old one yesterday and resoldered the broken connector inside but didn't fix it (obviously someone else had been inside MAF before me).

I started mounting up my body last night thinking I might do all Dzus fittings not really sure yet. The fuel filler is tricky as well, but I think a big old hole on the side of the trunk cap will work (I routed my filler 180 degrees off from most everyone elses leaning back toward the front of the car).

I haven't read anyone elses build threads so everything is by the seat of my pants. I might do a post build thread once I'm finished and find time.

Does anyone have good suggestion for a "drift brake" handle. I am planning on mounting it on top of center tunnel with a stainless line to the middle of the rear brake line with a T (I redid all my brake lines to AN3 without the double looped system over the rear diff and ran the proportioning valve in line next to my seat towards the outside along with the line to the master really came out clean). I also redid all my fuel to AN5 fittings on 3/8 line.

Sean Castner mrvwcastner

Hydraulic? Build your own lever easily.

Mechanical - the factory one works pretty well, I've used it in the heat of battle multiple times on the rally stage without any modifications.

We're working on mounting the bodywork as well. We're doing Dzus or a similar quarter-turn setup.

Keith, It would be nice if FM would list their Exocet add-on products with at least a brief description. Perhaps at the bottom of the FM Exocet page?

It would be nice, wouldn't it? Please send me 2 more hours per day.

When the new site goes up, I'll be able to add things like that more easily.

Has anybody mounted 17" wheels and tires to an Exocet? I am thinking about 17x8 wheels with 205/40-17 tires. They are pretty close to the stock tire diamater, so the speedo will only be off a couple of MPH at 65. My wife had a VW GTI with 18" wheels and 40 series tires and I really liked the look. Any opinions?

I could probably arrange that.

BTW, Christian Moe from TopSpeed drove our car. Check out what he thought. http://www.topspeed.com/cars/others/2014-exomotive-exocet-by-flyin-miatadriven-ar164765.html

new MAF solved my problems... Oh my god fun is an understatement.

blew a freeze plug showered with antifreze, but who cares might have swallowed some because of big grin.

ET0 wheels from exomotive rub on willwoods.

Picked up my 107k mile 1999 Sport donor yesterday and ordered chassis #100 from Exomotive today! Now I just have to figure out how to be patient and start selling some donor parts.

Here's a nice little review of FM's Flyin' Banana: http://www.topspeed.com/cars/others/2014-exomotive-exocet-by-flyin-miatadriven-ar164765.html

Some track video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5YRP8e0OLpY

My brother believes in the Exocet project so much, he made a donor!

But seriously, anyone near Atlanta in need a donor? The radiator broke, but it didn't touch the ARB, let alone the engine. The car runs and drives just fine, suspension wasn't touched. Prime Exocet donor, as it's a Torsen-equipped '99 with 99K miles. I just replaced the rotors and went over everything when it was purchased a few months ago. It's mechanically solid, and everyone involved hates to see it totaled.

The donor includes everything needed to build an Exocet, but no promises on other things (such as doors). Wheels/tires, soft top, and front left fender are spoken for. I'll put on some old donor wheels and tires so it's easy to trailer off.

$2k or I find an excuse to build another Exocet. PM me.

Edit: sold

That looks a lot like a donor I am looking at: http://ww2.copart.com/us/Lot/26037814?searchId=2065992187

I am afraid it hit hard enough to damage the engine (and something else?). AFAIK, Copart doesn't let you wrench on or try to start cars. Opinions?

Warren v wrote: Here's a nice little review of FM's Flyin' Banana: http://www.topspeed.com/cars/others/2014-exomotive-exocet-by-flyin-miatadriven-ar164765.html Some track video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5YRP8e0OLpY

Thanks for posting this!

How well prepped was the red Miata he was chasing?

clintavo wrote:

Warren v wrote: Here's a nice little review of FM's Flyin' Banana: http://www.topspeed.com/cars/others/2014-exomotive-exocet-by-flyin-miatadriven-ar164765.html Some track video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5YRP8e0OLpY

Thanks for posting this! How well prepped was the red Miata he was chasing?

We have a LOT of red Miatas at our Summer Camp. I THINK - but I'm not sure - it's an FM II car with a very good driver who knows the track well. One of the three fastest customers that day. But I'm not 100% because, well, it's a red NA. The Exocet didn't usually go out in customer run groups.

(edit) Confirmed, that's exactly who was in front of it.

Wow, the Exocet with a stock engine (and passenger) was able to keep up!

My chassis will hopefully arrive in 6 weeks, and I can't wait.

Just got the Fastrack a few minutes ago; Exocet is still AM only eligible? (SCCA Solo Autocross)

clintavo wrote: Wow, the Exocet with a stock engine (and passenger) was able to keep up! My chassis will hopefully arrive in 6 weeks, and I can't wait.

The Exocet was in its element: a small, tight kart track with a top speed of 65-70 mph for those cars. It's a light car track, the amount of grip and braking made up for any loss in actual power. At a full size track like High Plains Raceway, I think we'd see that Miata pull away on the straights more. It would be interesting to see how much the Exocet would claw back.

We'll have the same car at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca in a few weeks. Then we'll see how it does at a power track with that stock engine! Should be interesting, especially as we'll have some top-flight Spec Miatas there. Which will be quicker?

Please post video when you do

Keith Tanner wrote:

clintavo wrote: Wow, the Exocet with a stock engine (and passenger) was able to keep up! My chassis will hopefully arrive in 6 weeks, and I can't wait.

The Exocet was in its element: a small, tight kart track with a top speed of 65-70 mph for those cars. It's a light car track, the amount of grip and braking made up for any loss in actual power. At a full size track like High Plains Raceway, I think we'd see that Miata pull away on the straights more. It would be interesting to see how much the Exocet would claw back. We'll have the same car at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca in a few weeks. Then we'll see how it does at a power track with that stock engine! Should be interesting, especially as we'll have some top-flight Spec Miatas there. Which will be quicker?

I assume you guys get there for Miatas at Mazda Raceway? I'd love to pop over and say hello.

Yup. Definitely stop by, that's why we're going.

Keith Tanner wrote: We'll have the same car at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca in a few weeks. Then we'll see how it does at a power track with that stock engine! Should be interesting, especially as we'll have some top-flight Spec Miatas there. Which will be quicker?

Wow, this surprised me. What do spec miatas weigh? What do they have that the current Exocet doesn't that makes you think these will be close?

I guess if your engine is down on power, and they have a top spec miata engine that would be worth how many hp? What tires does your Exocet run vs spec miata?

In reply to icaneat50eggs:

I would guess a big part of it on a power track is aero. At higher speeds, a spec Miata is a lot more slippery than an exo-car.

Curious about how the ordering process works. When you guys filled out the online form for your chassy, did you all pay the deposit right away or did you get a message saying that exomotive would be in contact with you?

Example of a part from the new production molds, no wax or anything: