GRM Exclusive Reveal: Exocet Spec-A

I think that it'd be neat to have a black frame and create infil panels out of clear-anodized aluminum.

Roller skate candidate in Seattle! Unfortunately for me, my Exocet timeline is a couple years out. I'll just have to continue following the thread.

http://seattle.craigslist.org/skc/cto/4919028213.html

In reply to waswadener:

Already gone.

What is the best solution for a long tube headers for an LS engine. V8R said theirs wont fit in an exocet and I don't really want to give up hp using the FM "compromise" things, if they even fit? Custom is doable, but then you're spending 2400 on a header set and that's what I want to avoid. Can't find out what was used on xxxocet or XP5. If anyone can point me in the right direction, it's appreciated.

You want the magic header, the one that fits but without compromise or expense.

It doesn't exist. You could spend $400 on a welder and build your own, that's the least expensive way to go. I've done it a couple of times, such as the ones I built for my MG. The steering column is even closer on an Exocet than it is on a Miata, just slightly. But you could take advantage of the porous Exocet frame and do something really weird.

The XXXocet and XP5 use the FM headers.

Fortunately Stainless headers, inc is only ~400 miles away. Might just have to leave the car with them for a week or two, they do some incredible things with a tig and stainless. I have pondered sidepipes, as you mentioned in your email - would go a ways to keep the floorpans cool. Not sure how much trouble they'd give with the poly side panels. Will do a few mockups and see what I like and go from there. Noise is a consideration as so many tracks have DB limits.

Easy fix for the poly side panels: aluminum

Pardon if it's been rehashed, but what's the go-to recipe for a 1.8 turbo build with a decent suspension from Flyin Miata for the street/track? Is it possible to do it on a 10K-12K budget? Sort of like a budget minded XP-3.

I have a friend who is now very interested.

I understand that this thread evolves, and thus I am unsure. If I understand correctly, a new kit ships with the fancy top hats and the new bodywork, is there anything else big that's changed from the ole' early days?

I THINK the fancy top hats are an option. There have been some changes to the transmission tunnel that affect the use of off-the-shelf Miata exhausts - you can either use NA or NB, I forget which.

Budget version of XP3 using FM parts: FM II (or a Voodoo II if you want to start off easy), V-Maxx suspension, FM clutch and a new rad. The rad is something every Exocet should get simply because the plastic ones on the donors are a potential failure point.

With the price increases of the kits, you're looking at $7500 for the Sport kit alone without fenders assuming you can pick it up in ATL. Doesn't take much math to realize that $10k isn't going to happen and $12k will be a challenge.

The fancy tophat spacers are a separate, optional item for those with short-body shocks. It's possible to do a cheap turbo build for $12k, but that's really going to require a lot of used parts and scrounging. A more realistic budget would be $11-12k for a nice n/a Exocet with good seats, wheels, and tires. Adding a turbo is going to be the same as a Miata, about 2000-$5500 depending on how you want to do it.

The nice thing is that the kit is very modular. There's nothing stopping you from building a nice n/a Exocet, then adding a turbo later on when you have the budget. You'll have plenty of time to learn on a platform that's M3/STi fast before you step up to something C6.R/458 fast.

Any update on what chassis number(s) is on the table this week? Getting antsy over here .

Build a cheap car, get half assed results.

Unless you're going to pass away from something in the next few years, save your pennies and do it properly.

Not to speak 'out of turn', but my budget is going to come in around $16k for a Sport chassis (with me picking is up in ATL) stock 1.6L NA powertrain car, with all maintenance items done that you should do on a 125k donor (timing belt, all new coolant hoses, water pump, alternator (bearing were SHOT on the OEM one), etc. Add to that VMAXX's, Corbeau seats, NR-G quick release plus steering wheel, new zero offset wheels, Nitto NT-05 tires, powdercoating of chassis/intake manifold/valve cover, new suspension bushings, new driveshaft u-joints, etc. I was initially foolishly thinking ~ $12k, but maintenance items quickly took that up. Then again, when all is done, it should be very reliable and ready for the inevitable power adders!

My s/n 110 chassis should be up on the table soon, if not already. I have that very question in to Kevin now waiting for his answer.

Just for the record I am at $21,669.23 so far. That does not include parts needed to mount the body or any tool purchase costs (engine hoist, jack stands, engine stand, ect) I went with a Happy Meal, VMaxx and the 4 wheel Little Big Brake Kit. The little things add up fast. I was originally shooting for a 20K build with a turbo! Now its looking like a 22K build without the turbo. It seemed silly not to replace all of the seals and gaskets when the car was in pieces and easily accessible. I spent about $1100.00 just on seals gaskets, hoses, fluids and other maintenance items.

I have been very conservative with my builds (keeping the bushings, breaks, suspension) and still am struggling to stay under $15K.

I think a low budget build is possible with the following caveats:

-Cheap donor with as much recouped from parts sales as possible

-Minimal refresh (no new bushings, mounts, etc.), no upgrades

-Sport or base chassis without powdercoating

-Use stock seats and wheels/tires with spacers

-Cheap extras (lights, mirrors, etc.)

Some folks (not me) have been able to make the donor essentially free. Let's say you pick up a sport chassis in GA for $7500 and somehow get around sales tax. Budget a few hundred for paint, $150 or so for spacers, maybe $200 for the extras, and in theory you could do it for around $8k.

However, we all know that's not how they're being done. Add seats and harnesses, better fitting wheels and tires, etc. and you're quickly north of $12k.

XXXocet goes off for powdercoat! It's like the Exocet frame was designed to show just how big a thing you can put in a current shortbed Dodge 3/4 ton. Well, mostly in.

That is a great picture for me to see, Keith, as current plan is for me to use that same model truck in a couple of weeks to pickup s/n 110 from Exomotive (I think, if it's done.) I was sweating it a bit, not knowing for sure if my frame would fit in that model truck, but proof positive here it will!

Took mine out in public last night for LaFerrari debut it was AWESOME! People flocked from the field of ferraris and out came cameras tripods & fields of questions. Had a blast. 3 or 4 people asked if it was ktm due to orange body. It was also funny to go through carls junior drive through 18" lower than the window. Every kid that was under 4 foot was having a blast sitting in it making vroom noises (we have all done it before admit it). Theres probably a lot of cool photos mislabled today of my ????? Was really cool to know i built it and the Lambos Ferraris Masaritis.......... All paled in comparison (to some people including the mechanics at the dealer). I might have been underwelmed with LaFerrari because i know the owner so i will see it, ride in it for real instead of behind a rope.

looks like my Exocet next to viper and at very end.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C4FtewbFrzo

It is definitely possible to build one under 10k. I paid 1200 for my donor, and on Craigslist I am now at over 1600 in items sold. I have purchased wheels, lights and many items cheeply on eBay. And if I had not purchased a Flying Miata happy meal in preparation for a turbo this fall I would be right at 9k in the total build. It does help that I got my powder coat free, and I was able to drive to atl. to pick up, but a rattle can paint job would be acceptable. I should have the car driveable next week.

Quick question for Keith, Do you know how much the XXXocet engine weighs? I am trying to figure out if a iron block LS will really screw up the weight on the nose of the Exocet. I figure the supercharger and intercooler has to be about the same weight as a iron vs aluminum block. I did some fab work for a friend and was paid with a low mileage 6.0 out of a GM van he had. I am no pro driver and the Exocet is a toy for me so I am not sure I could tell if there was a extra 100-120 pounds up front. Opinions?

XP-5 and its 525hp LS3 was 1696 with a full tank last time I saw it on scales. The XXXocet was 1900-ish without bodywork if I recall correctly. That LSA and the intercooler setup weighs a lot.

Warren v wrote: XP-5 and its 525hp LS3 was 1696 with a full tank last time I saw it on scales. The XXXocet was 1900-ish without bodywork if I recall correctly. That LSA and the intercooler setup weighs a lot.

I'm wondering if the extra weight on the front would be noticeable. I'm going to guess for my limited track experience that the extra power will outweigh the extra weight on the nose. This will not be a full on track car but may see an occasional autocross and if I am lucky a track day here and there.

I've been following this forum for a while and I wanted to share my 2003 donor with everyone! It's a beautiful and rare color and so clean that it's a shame I'll be tearing it down, but I'm sure I'll find someone who needs the parts.

It's significantly farther than this after one solid weekend of working and drinking Wiring is almost all extracted and it's about one weekend away from separating the body from the important parts.

Thanks to Warren and company for making an exciting product!

Sorry to double post, but I have a question for Warren. I was doing some color tests in Photoshop last night, and I ran across the picture linked below. I really like the frame finish you show in the picture. How did you achieve that? Is it painted or just crazy polished?

(The original color of the shock spacers is very close to my donor which is pretty cool. Did someone else just like that color, or did they have a donor in Splash Green Mica?)