GRM Exclusive Reveal: Exocet Spec-A

In reply to bluej:

What's up Airwolf?! So you getting in on this action too?

Steadfast.. Pictures of that body work as soon as it goes on please. :)

It will be on this weekend.

VERY interested in pics of the bodywork mounts you use, etc. if at all possible to post those !!!

I do believe Exomotive included the bodywork mounts in latest shipments, and they have updated the build guides to include bodywork http://guides.exomotive.com/hc/en-us/articles/203421653-2014-Exocet-Bodywork-Mounting-Guide.

Got a response from Kevin, chassis #114 is mine .

Anyone have any idea what the mounting provisions will be with the new single piece front bodywork? Will the hood be able to pivot about the lower mounting brackets that Exomotive includes, or will it have to be removed from the vehicle instead of pivoting? The clearance between the lower edge of the nose and the lower coolant (or intercooler?) hose looks tight.

I am also curious about this for regularly checking fluids ect.

It will have to be removed. You won't be able to pivot it using the Exo mounts, as the nose goes under the radiator. You will need some sort of pantograph pivot to accomplish that task (like a hood hinge).

The reccomnded mounting scheme is two upper mounts on the "nose" area, and two rear hood mounts (aerocatch or just regular hood pins). There are additional lower nose mounts if you would like more security/rigidity. The rear "hood" mounts are not included, but there is a nice bracket for them. The included front mounts are bolts and grommets like the side panels. The mount plate is pre-lasered for various quarter-turn systems.

In reply to Warren v:

Thanks Warren! Sounds like a good reason to pull out my old kinematics textbook.

The nose on our Westfield is one piece, hinged under the nose. It's a PITA, a fully removable piece would be a lot easier.

You could cut a chunk out of the bottom of the nose without it becoming too visible. This may allow for increased angle if you do go for a pivot on the front.

Warren, I'd love to see you strap the new hood on XP3 or XP4 using the suggested mounting points and do a quick aero check at 100+ mph. With that much surface area, a small bit of unbalanced pressure could turn into a lot of force trying to remove the body from the car. For warm fuzzy feelings.

Isn't the new nose/hood one piece though?

Yup. But it's still mostly hood. That's a pretty big panel to push through the air that fast. We were seeing ours twitch around at MRLS with the two-piece setup. It was enough to make one of our guys nervous, although I didn't think it was a problem.

So you're recommending a second set of good pins on the front as well?

I'm asking if the new bodywork stays in place at speed. Until I know more, I have no recommendations. Thus my question to Warren. The new bodywork has never been tested.

I've got something up my sleeve for that. It's something that won't be announced until it's manufactured.

But yes, I would love to have a clamshell to bomb around with. Right now they're all going straight to customers.

Any update on lighting kits and/or windshields?

gl21133 wrote: Any update on lighting kits and/or windshields?

This is going to become more important as people get their body kits. I've put lighting off, but it's getting to be time to think about it. I also want a windshield.

XP-5. Full fluids, full tank.

Keep in mind this is the front-mount kit. The standard Exocet v8 kit pushes the engine back a little. I rode with the car's owner during the first session, it could put down another 200, even at like 50mph.

We've got tails, but have been holding off on the headlights until the bodywork is sorted. Since headlights have such an effect on the look of a car, they may end up being different in every application depending on the taste of the builder.

Warren v wrote: XP-5. Full fluids, full tank.

The only way to weigh a car. Well done. That supercharged V8 in the XXXocet does come with a weight penalty. I think XP5 is going to get a lot of attention in large part because it sounds as crazy as it looks...and is. I want a shot at it someday

Keith Tanner wrote:

Warren v wrote: XP-5. Full fluids, full tank.

The only way to weigh a car. Well done. That supercharged V8 in the XXXocet does come with a weight penalty. I think XP5 is going to get a lot of attention in large part because it sounds as crazy as it looks...and is. I want a shot at it someday

You got it Keith. It was your LS3 that convinced me to go with the 525HP crate over 480HP. It's 'interesting' at idle, motor has a mind of it's own and it's downright evil!

We need to resolve our cooling issues; look for an inquiry from me come Monday for your V8 radiator kit.

Data point of the day: yup, 305whp is irresponsible for a stock Miata block.

XP-4s #4 conrod was all like:

I suspect the 305whp tune gave it a little bend, and it finally gave out after running it hard on track for half of the day (we were in all rungroups.) Whoops. At least we now have an air-cooled crankshaft! How many people can say that?

In the morning, before the oil pressure spontaneously went asmospheric, I got a chance to drive a session. I hope you guys can feel the satisfaction of driving a car you built yourself. Tragically for me, the Go Pro didn't capture that run. Just trust me, everything else out there was comically slow. M3s on slicks? Supercharged C6s? I had so much grip on the street tire that I was zigzagging behind them the entire time they were squirming at their limit. van der Waals adhesion is a thing. Less weight = more grip. Also, XP-4 is 1600lbs now that is has a passenger seat, steel floors, rear wing, and 11 gallons in tank. Reminder: today came with scale slips showing an LS3 Exocet under 1700 lbs (Sport, aluminum floors). Today changed my opinion of LSXocets; XP-5 felt really good and planted from the passenger seat, and honestly, it could have used more power. I could have also used more earplugs. Turndowns for what?

XP-5 was running a little hot for comfort and went all steam engine on us after sitting still in the pits for 20 minutes. The owner had to leave shortly thereafter, so it was static display for most of the day. Looks like tomorrow is going to be all but rained out, so it's just going to be me and Tyler in my DD Miata. Brand new BFG Sport Comps were a good decision.

If you want to talk Exocet stuff, find the mobile chicane (numberless green NB with "don't exocet me bro" on the side).

You shouldn't have any trouble keeping that LS cool. Drop me a line if you want some troubleshooting help. And yeah, those rear diffs really help put down the power on the V8 cars...

Sorry to hear XP4 decided to take a pass on the day.

Any word on the shock tower spacers? Has anyone had a windshield installed on the race chassis yet? I know a few went out with the mounts welded in.