DJWade's (Hopefully) California Legal LFXocet Swap Build
#121
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Just go to a used tire store and get some hard all seasons skinny tires and learn to track drive on those. They will keep everything tame and predictable and will sing to you long before you ultimately lose traction.
#122
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Fair point. While I'll likely end up grabbing another NB one way or another as a project, would there be any concerns or habits to avoid when learning on a higher power car with low grip tires? One of the main reasons I was thinking of the NB is that it would slow everything down for learning the track and car control, so I have enough time to think through all the new inputs.
#123
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The low grip tires will slow everything down adequately and will give you a better window to react when they do break away. Things will happen at much slower speeds and significantly more gradually while carrying much less dangerous inertia. All season tires sing when they get close to breaking loose and do so much less dramatically and at lower speeds. Sticky tires don't sing to alert you and break away much more abruptly with much more stored energy. They are much harder to catch once they do break loose.
Additionally, anything is entertaining when driven at the limits of its adhesion to the pavement. I guarantee you will not be bored on all season tires. In fact you may end up with a **** eating grin across your face for hours.
And either new or used all seasons are going to be dirt cheap.
Additionally, anything is entertaining when driven at the limits of its adhesion to the pavement. I guarantee you will not be bored on all season tires. In fact you may end up with a **** eating grin across your face for hours.
And either new or used all seasons are going to be dirt cheap.
#125
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Also, any chance you could make some videos of the car in action, and otherwise? Perhaps on some favorite roads? When I used to live in San Jose, the 17 between San Jose and Santa Cruz was definitely one of my favorites and I would love to see a full go-pro style video of your Lfxocet on that drive. Although be careful, I seem to continually hear that police are cracking down on speeders on the 17. But any video at all would be great - I know the 17 definitely isn't as close to you as it was to me. Again, killer build.
#126
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Thanks!
I haven't had any issues with the oil pan fitment and, to my knowledge, have not yet scraped it or scratched it, though I run a 6" pinch weld height in the front, which is fairly tall. Next time I'm under it I'll take a look. I've found I tend to scrape my exhaust more than anything, as my rear is sitting a bit low. I do have plans to add an plate along the front and down the trans tube, though that will be after the modified bodywork I'm working on right now gets finished.
I don't have any videos as of right now, but I plan to have some in the future when it warms up a bit. It's under the knife quite a bit right now for interior and exterior cosmetics/aero, as I'm trying to make as many changes as I can during the winter.
I haven't had any issues with the oil pan fitment and, to my knowledge, have not yet scraped it or scratched it, though I run a 6" pinch weld height in the front, which is fairly tall. Next time I'm under it I'll take a look. I've found I tend to scrape my exhaust more than anything, as my rear is sitting a bit low. I do have plans to add an plate along the front and down the trans tube, though that will be after the modified bodywork I'm working on right now gets finished.
I don't have any videos as of right now, but I plan to have some in the future when it warms up a bit. It's under the knife quite a bit right now for interior and exterior cosmetics/aero, as I'm trying to make as many changes as I can during the winter.
#127
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Also, what fuel cell are you using? any ideas of possible fuel cells made of plastic (heard bad things about aluminum) between 15-20 gallons that would work?
Also, good on you for maximizing the potential for improvement that winter has to offer. Looking forward to seeing more of your awesome Exocet.
#128
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I'm using a fuel cell that was modified slightly to fit. I'd have to go back and look to see which model specifically. There's nothing inherently wrong about Aluminum, but its generally a good idea to have a bladder internally, or at the least, fuel cell foam and additional protection around it. Attachment is also important in that you should use straps rather than directly mounting.
I haven't seen that, but there's a fair bit of discussion that goes on about aero. In the end, it's far easier to make a miata aerodynamic. I simply am using the exocet as a platform to learn and try what I want on without worrying about pesky emissions or road legality per se. I basically have a road legal blank canvas.
I haven't seen that, but there's a fair bit of discussion that goes on about aero. In the end, it's far easier to make a miata aerodynamic. I simply am using the exocet as a platform to learn and try what I want on without worrying about pesky emissions or road legality per se. I basically have a road legal blank canvas.
#129
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Sorry for the late reply to this, but in case you were still wondering, the trans mount only needed one rivet skipped. The trans mount from V8R is exocet specific, and is intended for exocets after the trans tunnel redesign (somewhere between chassis 100 and 150). It simply bolts through the trans tunnel on each side using 5 bolts. This is the best picture I have on hand from the bottom, as it's still in the shop right now for the fuel cell, but if you're still interested, I can grab more photos when Its back in my garage.
#135
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I'm about to dive down this rabbit hole of putting an LFX into an Exocet. Few questions on the radiator...
The V8R radiator seems a bit pricey at $825. Are there any other options that you have seen that work? I know ThePass used an NC radiator slanted, but I would like to keep it vertical.
I've even considered moving the inlet/outlet on my Supermiata NB radiator, but I'm not sure if it will handle the cooling duties of the larger motor.
For the V8R radiator, you have it mounted on the front of the exo frame. Is it possible to mount it on the inside of the frame or is there not enough clearance?
When mounted on the outside, does the radiator require any cuts to the bodywork? I know you modified the front exo bodywork, but I didn't see it mentioned if the radiator had anything to do with that.
Thanks for any info and for putting up your build. Will help a ton!
The V8R radiator seems a bit pricey at $825. Are there any other options that you have seen that work? I know ThePass used an NC radiator slanted, but I would like to keep it vertical.
I've even considered moving the inlet/outlet on my Supermiata NB radiator, but I'm not sure if it will handle the cooling duties of the larger motor.
For the V8R radiator, you have it mounted on the front of the exo frame. Is it possible to mount it on the inside of the frame or is there not enough clearance?
When mounted on the outside, does the radiator require any cuts to the bodywork? I know you modified the front exo bodywork, but I didn't see it mentioned if the radiator had anything to do with that.
Thanks for any info and for putting up your build. Will help a ton!
#136
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The Trackspeed radiator is what i have for my LFX, granted its not in an exocet, but fits in the stock location perfectly on my NA. Its manufacturer by Performance Rod and Custom in Indiana and is a nice piece.
I have also heard great things about the Supermiata radiator. We just received one for the Lucky Dog car we are putting together and is a very nice piece.
I have also heard great things about the Supermiata radiator. We just received one for the Lucky Dog car we are putting together and is a very nice piece.
#137
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The Trackspeed radiator is what i have for my LFX, granted its not in an exocet, but fits in the stock location perfectly on my NA. Its manufacturer by Performance Rod and Custom in Indiana and is a nice piece.
I have also heard great things about the Supermiata radiator. We just received one for the Lucky Dog car we are putting together and is a very nice piece.
I have also heard great things about the Supermiata radiator. We just received one for the Lucky Dog car we are putting together and is a very nice piece.
#138
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You rock! So on the trackspeed radiator you have and on the supermiata radiator I have, the inlet/outlet is bottom driver and upper passenger oriented. Any issues using it or routing the houses? The factory camaro radiators have the inlet/outlet reversed from the miata radiator.
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