Exocet kit cars using mx5 as a donor

[project.r.racing]

Anyone keen on attempting to import a kit for their own use? I'm seriously considering it.

[Bauer]

seriously considered it - yes

have any money - no



I have done a lot of reading and before I put down cash, I would read a lot more. At the moment my outlay has been time and no money.

You mentioned in your last post "shouldnt be a problem" around the engine. I know in Tassie it "will" be a problem as I have had contact with our state govt. I suggest you do some serious research first. Of course Im talking about road registered, you may not be but if you want to track it, who are you racing with?

[project.r.racing]

Not worried about road legal issues. Don't plans on using it on the road. If somehow it does become road legal, bonus. The road version can be a regular MX5.

I have the money. Just know it will be cheaper to import multiple units. And have no idea on importing items like this though. Hence my question.

I have been looking at lotus 7 replica kit cars and similar as a project car. But these are cheaper and seem less time consuming. And technically still a Mazda.

[Bauer]

fair enough. too easy then

as for importing, I would talk to Tom in NZ, he can let you know about costs from his end of sending a kit over.

tom@exocet.co.nz

[project.r.racing]

You mentioned in your last post "shouldnt be a problem" around the engine. I know in Tassie it "will" be a problem as I have had contact with our state govt.

Did they give you a reason? Using all the oem pollution parts should make it legal.

[Bauer]

quoted from the email I got back

The engine you require is one that meets the ADR requirements for a vehicle for today. This would be an engine from an Australian vehicle first registered in 2007 or later. Another option is to provide proof of compliance from a recognised ADR testing facility, (none is Tas).

What makes this hard for me is location.

If I was a mainland builder with access to a test facility, I would have my donor car tested prior to pulling it apart. That way if it fails miserably, you could still change your mind on the kit. Obviously a different engine is an option but that moves it into clubman territory and takes away from the simplicity intended. Getting a donor car tested could also pave the way for future builders if the testing was done right.

[spikey]

I talked to Tom about the freight, if we want multiple units then it would fit in a 20ft container, pretty sure you could get 4 units in the container, the cost would probably around the 2k mark to get it to the East coast.

[deviant]

If you are planning on road registration, i'd be confirming with the manufacturer that it will meet the required torsional stiffness number. As I understand it, normal ICV's have to meet 4000 n/degree but in WA clubbies may be able to get away with less. Either way, curved members and a big open engine bay is not the usual recipe for chassis stiffness.

Can anyone confirm that any Atom's have been fully complied in Oz? I would expect to see a few of them around if it was possible.

Despite also being someone tempted by the idea of one of these for a track only car...

Listen to this bloke before handing over any hard earned.

Then go and join the ozclubbies forum and do some serious research in to how you would get one legal.

Note that the race version has a fully welded in steel floor and integral rollcage. I think that hints a lot at the torsional stiffness of the road chassis.

And also look at these pictures of just how strong a pre-curved beam is:

[NitroDann]

That looks extremely surviveable, what was the speed?

Dann

[sailaholic]

Guy at work here used to do all the compliancing for QLD transport about 6 years ago. Rules at that time was ICVs are considered a new vehicle and as such are required to meet CURRENT adrs at time of compliance. So engines have to be either tested or come from a donor that meets current emissions (euro 5?).

A lot of rod and cobra guys got caught out buying an engine at the start of a 4 year build and it no longer met emissions req by the time they came to comply and register.

He hasn't heard of that changing.

[deviant]

That looks extremely surviveable, what was the speed?

Dann

I found some google cached forum post:

http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/s ... =firefox-a

Looks like permanent leg damage: http://www.atomclub.com/forum/index.php?topic=12408.0

Reasonably quick for sure but a straight beam would not fold under like that.

[NitroDann]

It still looks like it absorbed a LOT of damage.

Dann

[project.r.racing]

If you are planning on road registration, i'd be confirming with the manufacturer that it will meet the required torsional stiffness number. As I understand it, normal ICV's have to meet 4000 n/degree but in WA clubbies may be able to get away with less. Either way, curved members and a big open engine bay is not the usual recipe for chassis stiffness.

Can anyone confirm that any Atom's have been fully complied in Oz? I would expect to see a few of them around if it was possible.

Despite also being someone tempted by the idea of one of these for a track only car...

Listen to this bloke before handing over any hard earned.

Then go and join the ozclubbies forum and do some serious research in to how you would get one legal.

Note that the race version has a fully welded in steel floor and integral rollcage. I think that hints a lot at the torsional stiffness of the road chassis.

And also look at these pictures of just how strong a pre-curved beam is:

depend if i wanna drive like an idiot or not in suburb streets or not. high speed is for certain time and places. this guy learnt the hard way that his time and place were wrong.

[deviant]

His throttle jammed.

[project.r.racing]

And ignition and clutch failed?