gm's unhealthy obsession with mx5s - squeezing in a few last drives before Exo goes into hibernation

[paulplom]

The honda's for comfort 

[cort1977]

On 7/21/2020 at 6:32 PM, gm said:

 a decent motorbike helmet will do the job, the only problem is finding one that fits - I went to a bike shop and tried loads on to find the right one.

This. Took ages to find a helmet that fitted me well. Apparently I have more of an arai head. Definitely try before buying.

[gm]

45 minutes ago, loserone said:

What do you have against being comfortable, @gm ?

I can't be getting too used to comfort - look what I'm fitting in the exo   

[Tickman]

The seat in AVO had already had the foam removed when I got it and it was VERY comfortable.

I also didn't move when cornering.

Well worth doing.

[Robson3022]

Good work. Wish I was coming!!

[gm]

A man of your car buying abilities should be easily able to find a solution over the weekend  

[gm]

@Mr Laurence places are filling up fast, don't miss out ! 

I'd offer you my cod-river slot but it's already been claimed by a non AS mate 

[gm]

Right then, time for a lunch break and an update

i got up early and had a walk down to the depot to collect my parcel from Lush cosmetics pollybushesRus 

Fast Road spec - whatever that means  silly expensive for what they are but still cheaper than buying genuine mazda.

but before cracking on and fitting them, I had a bit of woodworking to do

an old pallet was found* at work and chopped into 200mm lengths

which I then wrapped in insulating tape

wtf ? I'm not building a Morgan - more will be revealed in a bit

[gm]

job one : mx5 evicted into the pissing rain to make a bit of space - it might have to get used to being out there from now on.

 

front subframe lifted down from the workbench and positioned atop a spare steelie

wheels fitted, removed again, brake discs fitted then wheels refitted as studs were too long for wheelnuts

I'm not sure this will be much of a problem just yet !

engine swingy time (thanks again to @garbaldy for the loan of his engine crane)

the engine mounts sit in little protective boxes which need held in place whilst fitting

target acquired

incoming

 

 

[gm]

wheels off again so I can raise the subframe another wheel height (too heavy to lift)

and quite a bit of pushing and shoving and we have consummation 

Wheels back on and we have a problem - with no shocks fitted, the wishbones just flex upwards and the subframe hits the deck  

but remember these ?

boom ! I am a problem solving god ! (or have at least read the build guide)

why are they covered in tape ? Just so they don't look shit  

so we have an engine / subframe assembly that (in theory) is capable of standing on its own two wheels and being rolled around the garage 

and it's only taken three months to get here !

[rusty998]

Three months of hard work but look at the results of your sweat and tears ?

[paulplom]

Excellent progress. You must be well chuffed.

[paulplom]

I wanna be in your gang....

Perfect fit.

[Robson3022]

3 hours ago, gm said:

A man of your car buying abilities should be easily able to find a solution over the weekend  

Currently a diesel Octavia, a 1.0 Yaris or an xc70. 
 

I could take the I3 mind would be interesting until it ran out of charge about 3 laps in.

[paulplom]

The yaris would be a laugh. I can imagine it'll handle.

[gm]

a bit more 'woodworking'

@loserone 's bed slats coming in handy again

and it's mobile ( I wonder how hilariously bad it would handle running on a full set of spacesavers ? might have to find out - I only need one more  )

a quick tidy up and the mazda can come back inside tonight

[paulplom]

Will you be removing the castors once it's fitted to the exocet? Or is part of the vp drift handling package?

[gm]

More elegant* problem solving this evening

When I removed the roll bar, I hadn't considered where to mount the GoPro to record Mondays track nonsense

so a solution was engineered

an old wardrobe rail and a couple of brackets and we're all set

a quick coat of Lidl valu paint and call it a proper job  

 

[gm]

That front wing that lost a debate with the garage door frame has needed a bit of attention for about two years now 

a wee rub over with some ancient G3 and we're good as new*

well, it's a bit better, anyway

[gm]

Can the 4x4 stance be reduced by a full tank of fuel ?

can it bollocks ! 

[gm]

Safely tucked away for the night, high tech reversing aid proving effective  

[LightBulbFun]

8 hours ago, gm said:

and it's mobile ( I wonder how hilariously bad it would handle running on a full set of spacesavers ? might have to find out - I only need one more  )

thats something I have "always" wanted to see someone try with a Citroen Xantia activa LOL

A: to see how the fancy suspension setup would react to them and how the car handles or if it would all just implode

and

B: see if a world record for quickest time set for wearing down a set of tyres can be set LOL (but like not by doing burn outs or something such just by being ragged round a track or such)

 

 

Awesome work on the MX5 stuff BTW happy to see its coming together  

[gm]

That turned out alright in the end

[gm]

 

 

@paulplom having a couple of laps in my car, I'm in his car behind but the fun is cut short when I smell coolant and have to head for the pit lane quick style. thankfully just a burst blanking nipple and no permanent damage done. 

[Mr Laurence]

Gutted that I couldn’t make it to this - are there any plans to do it again?

[gm]

Annoyingly both me and Paul ended up with empty passenger seats so you could have come along and joined in. I’ll check when the next one is and book the day off work, I’m so glad I didn’t sell the mazda  

[loserone]

Last time I was there I went round in the karts.  When I got out I was so used to the direct steering and left foot braking, I overshot a junction in my MX5 on the way home, taking out a traffic island.

[gm]

Must be a lot of fun on a kart around that circuit, bit bumpy when your arse is an inch off the ground tho  

[gm]

some boisterous laps at the end of the evening, tyres squealing in protest

 

 

[gm]

I've been doing trackdays for many years and have never felt the need to complain to the marshals about another persons driving but I had to tonight, there was a lad in a bmw 140i that really didn't 'get it' - bombing it along the straights so no one could get past but taking the corners with awful lines at a snails pace - he was flagged in and spoken to several times but still didn't take any notice. everyone deserves to be given a fair chance, everyone needs to learn, but this guy was close to causing an accident on several occasions that I witnessed. 

this is towards the end of a three hour session, he still won't move over   

I really should have had a telling off for that move (passing should only be on the straights and by consent)