Exomotive Exocet... 1.8L Turbo build

[JupiterBMW]

Ok, so not really a 'project' thread as I'm not detailing the entire project... And the car isn't mine, but I still thought I'd share... The car belongs to a buddy, and I helped him with the build of the car, but he's left it in my hands for a week or so to install the turbo kit. I thought I'd share with a lot of you as the project is pretty cool...

The basics... Buy a Mazda Miata first. This one is a '00 version, 1.8L. The car was in alright shape, mechanically seemed ok. The buy the Exocet frame kit from Exomotive... Approx. $8k all said and done I believe... Pull the body off the Miata, drop the tube frame/chassis on the Miata driveline. Modify a few accessory items and BOOM, 1600 pound track car!

We took the car out for its initial track day last weekend, at the local Palm Beach Intl Raceway.. A small track, 11 turns, maybe 1.5 miles? Of course, there's basically zero elevation, but still, a decent track to play around on. The car did great, absolutely unstoppable in the corners, brakes down at the 1 marker, and then still has room to spare entering the corners... Of course, everything blows by on the straights, but the car is an absolute hoot, and being so light, it really doesn't beat on any of the parts too badly...

The best part, down here in Florida, it is absolutely street legal...

Anyway, my buddy purchased the Flyin Miata turbo kit, and with the initial shakedown out of the way, its time to bolt on the power. So, I'll post a few pics over the next few days as I get things going...

[slater]

i love it!! awesome idea. looking forward to some gopro footage, possibly?

[JupiterBMW]

i love it!! awesome idea. looking forward to some gopro footage, possibly?

Yeah my buddy has go pro footage I'll see if I can find some links.


Sent from my iPhone 6 Plus using two hands to hold the damn thing!

[theothersawyer]

Exomotive is in Atlanta, so we have at least 5 of these at every track day I attend! They are a blast!

[JupiterBMW]

Yeah, it was pretty wild... Two of my friends actually built them together, and they drove up and picked up the frames in Atlanta.... Was quite the trip from what they said...

[theothersawyer]

I still need to get behind the wheel of one! They seem like a blast!

[JupiterBMW]

Yeah, I've driven it on the street a bit, its not super fast, but it is a blast, the open air and basic feeling of the car make it really fun. It doesn't even feel like a real car...

I'm super excited to get it boosted, it'll be an absolute animal at that point...

[theothersawyer]

Oh for sure! There are V8 Exocet's out there....they have to be ridiculous!

[JupiterBMW]

Ok, I admittedly dropped the ball completely on posting pics as I went through the build process of turbocharging this thing... My bad... But, I had the car for just about a week and I managed to install the turbo kit, as well as make a few other small changes. After all the necessary checks, I fired it up and she started, no issue. We took her out for a few initial shakedown runs and then I brought her back for some small adjustments, and a few more items...

I don't have all the specs, but I know the turbo is a Garrett unit, GT25 maybe?! Anyway, here's some pics, descriptions for each one...

Old exhaust and intake stuff removed and GONE...


Drilling the oil pan for the turbo oil return, the scariest part of the whole build...


Installed fittings for oil feed to the turbo, at the oil pressure sending unit location...


Bolting up the new exhaust manifold and turbo, coolant supply/return and oil drain lines also installed.




Test fitting the intercooler for bracket fabrication...


Very nice quality intercooler pipes... All formed silicone, making install and fitment much more forgiving!






Wiring up the fuel controller... Notice the entirety of a Miata wiring harness, shoved into a little box...


Temporary gauge panel... But very functional. Boost and wideband O2 sensor with A/F meter for tuning purposes...


A final touch, bolted to the top of the transmission tunnel, just behind the shifter...


DONE!

[JupiterBMW]

Here's a quick video of the very first time we took it out... My buddy Dave, the owner, is driving... He seems happy.