ToySnakePMC

I certainly do like the SpeedHut gauges, and I think it was your Nadine thread that got me hooked on them if I recall correctly! They are such a dream to install and wire up. They make you look like you actually know what you're doing... now, that's a good aftermarket product to me!

Enjoy your build thread. It's really going to get good soon. Happy Building!

cxmoney

any updates?

Meierznutz

Just heard this week that I am 10th in line for welding.... then a week or so for sandblasting/powder coat, and then it has to e crated and shipped.... about 6 more weeks....counting the days!!!!!
Delivered "Nadine" to her new owner last week... 25 hours round trip fro Waterbury, Ct to North Canton, Ohio including food and fuel stops ad one layover fr beer and fire works in PA (4th of July is around the corner). I am going to miss that car ut hope that this one makes up for it.
No real progress unless you count the empty garage..... pics and details to follow...
I have been working on the gauge pod.... cut some templates from sheet metal and Aluminum to see how things will fit. I think the layered lok I am after will work well but I need one good original piece as a temp for the laser cutter. Then the front/rear/spacer/and finish piece can be cut and each one powder coated or polished in contrasting colors to get the final product. Just an FYI, once they are doe I will have the templates if anyone wants copies for their project... I am willing to share!

V8droptop

Nice, I like the idea of the Exocet. I remember back in the day following the first car on RHC, must have been almost half a decade.

Meierznutz

It feels that way sometimes. I ordered that kit and collected parts for three years before it all came together. In the end assembly was just 34 days. I just delivered "Nadine" to her new owner in Ohio. The car came out great but it wasn't what I originally planned. I didn't want to chop up the body for the wide body kit after it had been run in the Fireball Run. The new owner's Grandfather had seen the car when we were in Independence OH and I spoke to him for nearly an hour. He has since passed on and this guy said he wanted the car as is. Now he is talking flares/17" rims/turbos.... I guess he didn't understand after all. Oh well, he bought it so....

I am getting upset because of the delays with production on the Exo. They have moved facilities, run out of tubing, had supply issues, and now their Laser cutter has moved to a new shop.... all of this and the most accurate info I can find is from places like Grass Roots Motorsports forum. I wish they would just send an email once in a while. 14 week lead time is now more than 6 months! Nadine is gone and I am sitting on my drivetrain waiting for the damn chassis. This is killing me!

Deep breaths, deep breaths...you have to suffer to be beautiful, no?

Meierznutz

I just received an email from Kevin Patrick at Exomotive USA. I sent in a rather harsh email today as I felt I was getting more response from forums than from the company that has my money. He sent a reply and I finally have the invoice for my order. I didn't want to come off as a dick but if I did it got the job done.
Here is the scoup...my chassis is 9th out from welding (I was 10th a month ago but then they had trouble with tubing supply and the laser cutter) and I am 6th out from powder coating. Powder will take his supplier 4-6 weeks to complete and return. If I will take just a bare chassis they can deliver in two to three weeks. I will be waiting until August11th-ish for the car as ordered.
For those of you thinking of the COT wings... I removed them from my order as used ones are $500 without the mounts and end caps...I have access to a fab shop, I will do something on my own.

.boB

I got an e-mail this week telling me my car is on the welding table now, should be done and ready to ship by the end of next week. I'm not having it powder coated.

Sounds good on paper, doesn't it?

Meierznutz

How long has it been Bob? IIRC you ordered just before me.

tbone heller

If the Exocet builders would start building chassis instead of going to car meets, you guys might get your orders filled. LOL!!

.boB

I ordered on 12/10/13. Kit was supposed to be here mid april.

I'm not that worried about it, though. I'm so busy right now, the chassis would actually be in my way, sitting in the garage. I won;t have time to do anything with it until Aug or so.

Meierznutz

T-bone... I understand that they are a new company. I am glad they are not sitting on their backsides and are out hustling. New orders means they have the working capital to buy the tubing for my car! Too many component car companies have gone under because they took deposits, spent the money on materials and ran out of both before they could get orders filled. I want to receive my chassis so they can invest in more materials and fill more orders.
The byproduct of all this is they are making changes to the running line. So far they have redesigned the rear shock boxes and improved rear geometry, stiffness, and made the entire thing crash worthy. Not that I want to wad the thing up... but I ordered a Race kit for a reason. 600 hp in an 1800 pound chassis is just 3# per HP, that is an insane power to weight in any car! My kids and wife will be riding in this car... I want them home safe no matter what happens.
That is also the reason I insist on the DOT windshield. Look, if I wanted an open air car or a small windscreen I would just go get a Harley! I could build one of them from the frame up for what I have invested now... with the cost of the chassis I could build two!
In the mean time, I play the waiting game......

V8droptop

So how many v8 exo's are there? Saw this one, sounds fun. Can't wait to see your version!

Meierznutz

This was the first one I know of. He ordered the English kit and built it two years ago I think.
I ordered my kit in December of 13 after trying to become a dealer for the North East but Kevin had already gotten his deal as the US importer sewn up. If the chassis had been delivered in April I would have been on the road already and possibly had the supercharger installed by now. Since I have been put on hold for so long I have to admit that some of my funds have gone into other things like expanding my lawn care business.
I will now just wait and build the car over the winter for a debut on or about Father's Day next year. There is a very good show in New Canaan, Ct that will be my launch point.

Meierznutz

PS....since the last email nearly three weeks ago I have not heard from Exomotive. They gave me an invoice but it did not have all the options I ordered on it. I was told that if I did not want powder coating they could ship it this week, but their coater was running 4 to 6 weeks for sandblast and powder. I should have it by the end of August.
Still no reply to the 2 emails requesting an updated invoice and answers to questions.

V8droptop

Sounds like a pain in the ****. I'm working on mine remotely, still, but I feel based on only having a month home, and 2-3weeks of it is on the road vacation, I doubt much will get done. I need to strip my wiring harness still, finish the rear end, install the pedal and fuel system, etc. Not much to do yet though.

I do miss Connecticut some days. Groton wasn't the best but I do enjoy the state quite a bit.

.boB

Picked up my kit today! It arrived in town on Friday, but I didn't have time to get over there until today.

https://www.v8miata.net/build-thread...1615/#post9112

Meierznutz

Congrats .boB.... I am counting the days!

charchri4

Wow that thing is cool already Bob!!

Meierznutz

.boB, did you ever look into the windshield mount that they are supposed to build into mine?

.boB

I did. Apparently, you're the only one who's heard anything about it. Exomotive and FM appeared to be clueless. Maybe that's why you'rs is delayed - they're still tyrying to invent that.

Meierznutz

I can't find the page right now but Warren posted in the GRM forum that they would install the windshield mount and even paint the glass side black They would also provide a template for any competent glass shop to build a DOT windshield from. Obviously sandblasted corners and top tier tint would be better but this was the post that caused me to send in a deposit. They BETTER get it right!

.boB

Here's some talk about a glass windshield for the race version; on page 18.

GRM Exclusive Reveal: Exocet Spec-A-Page 18: Grassroots Motorsports forum: Grassroots Motorsports

I definitely do not like that idea, and glad I didn't wait for it. But if I want to get it registered in CO, I might have to install a safety glass windshield. I have a spare Cobra windshield in the basement, I might play with that a bit. It would essentially be installed for original inspection and registration, and then removed.

Meierznutz

Thanks .boB I knew it was in there somewhere I just didn't have time to reread every page to find it.
The reason for me insisting on having it is that I spoke to Kevin about it more than a year ago. They went on to develop the idea and when Warren posted that they had a solution I got serious about selling Nadine for the new build. Having heard nothing about it since other than they had planned to offer a bolt on windscreen that would attach to the front bars I got nervous.
I want the safety glass in front of me for a reason. I had the hood on Nadine pop loose from the hood pins (after that I put springs under the hood to keep tension) and the rear edge of the scoop popped the windshield when my son and I were in the car. Thankfully we were ok as I wear glasses and he had on Sunglasses. I would hate t have to run around with a helmet on the kids all the time due to debris. I live in CT and we don't have good roads. I rode bikes for years and have been hit with everything from sand to bugs to even a bird.... Just make sense to me.

Meierznutz

Ok, finally got a reply from Kevin. He and the crew are at VIR for the UTCC event this weekend. The race chassis performed well and they are excited about the handing and the performance of the rear wing.
Then the bad news.... The windshield design that Warren and Kevin discussed with me more than a year ago is at best 4 to 5 weeks away from any kind of testing. I really cant see the issue here... 4 pieces of 3/4" 18 gauge welded to the inside of the front tubes to form a flat mount for the glass.....
Kevin is saying that they will be making a bolt in mount for race and sport cars and that it can be powder coated to match the chassis. I am not sure I understand what he is talking about but I asked for a phone call on Monday. I may have them put my car on hold until the windshield is worked out. Hate to do it but I have waited this long.....
Very frustrated as Kevin told me my car is 70% welded right now......UUUUUGH!

Meierznutz

Great news from Kevin and Warren today, they are pulling my car from the line before powder to complete the design for the bonded windshield. They will be using 16 gauge and making a jig to ensure it welds in flat and true.